Cruise Packages

Question: What is the best way to search for a cruise package? We are trying to send my in-laws for a Hawaiian cruise for their 50th this summer, and so I'm searching all over the internet. Just wondering if there are any great sites out there besides the obvious. Also, is it worth checking out each of the individual cruise line's web sites?

Answer: I go to a travel agent, tell them the dates I want to go and let them look. I then look at the cruise line sites for the cruises the TA found for me to check the prices against the TA's. I also search the web to see if I can do any better. 9 times out of 10 the best price is usually the TA or the cruise line. I usually end up booking with the TA because they throw in an extra, or they price match the best price you can find. I think it is much simpler booking with a with a TA because if you have any problem or enquiries, the TA will do all the work for you. Sometimes it is very difficult and frustrating getting a response from the cruise line or website operator and any money you have saved by booking with them soon evaporates with the cost of long and fruitless phone calls.

Question: Can anyone recommend a good cruise to Alaska? And, do most cruises, like after it's finished, do they have packages where you can go to the inner cities of Alaska? I would like to see Fairbanks to try to catch the Northern Lights as well. Or do most cruise packages only stick to the edge of the state?

Answer: Check out Royal Caribbean, they have some Alaska itineraries that look nice. I haven't cruised with them to Alaska but I've been on some of their Caribbean cruises and loved it. Cruise companies often do little vacation packages for a day or two after the cruise is over, your best bet is to find a good travel agent.

Question: What do you want to know about taking a cruise? How do you normally get prices for cruise packages?

Answer: I don't know. Good ones.

Question: Can you add Cruise Control onto an older engine? I have a 1981 Oldsmobile Toronado engine (305) that I am using in a custom project. Are there any universal cruise controls packages that you can install on an engine that didn't have it originally?

Answer: why?

Question: Is it worth purchasing wine packages before trip in sterling, or await until boarding cruise in the US?

Answer: The cost of the wine package is advantageous, if your purchase it now, in sterling. At nearly 2 USD to the pound it has to be worth a gamble that the exchange rate doesn't get any better before your cruise. Personally I would gamble on the exchange rate staying stable for a while and pay now in sterling. You could save a few dollars.

Question: Ok, this is hard now! Iam trying to find a cruise package for 4- 7nights in June!? I have looked online but all I am getting is they will call me with the price or E-mail me. I need to know the price straight out before going through all that rigamaroll! I need to know the price of a cruise in June for 2 adults and two children under 12. Any answers would be appreciated, thanks!!!!!!!!!

Answer: Hello! I love cruising, I can definitely help. CARNIVAL 4-5 days: http://www.carnival.com/searchResults.as... 6-7 days: http://www.carnival.com/searchResults.as... HOLLAND AMERICA 7 days: http://www.hollandamerica.com/findcruise... NORWEGIAN (NCL) 5-7 days: http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruisesearch/c... ROYAL CARIBBEAN 4 days: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis... 5 days: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis... 6 days: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis... 7 days: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis... Also, here is the Disney Cruise website. There aren't a lot of options so I didn't bother narrowing it down. http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en... Flights: I don't know where you live, but if this airline works out for you, I would recommend it. Their prices are very low! However, it is too soon to book a flight for June on them right now. http://www.skybus.com/Home.aspx# Other notes: I have cruised Carnival 4 times, Disney once, and Royal Caribbean once. This March I am going on Princess for the first time. I would have added some of their cruises to this list but you'd have to call for prices. I would highly suggest Carnival. I love it and don't see it as some lowlife cruise line. I also really liked Royal Caribbean. Their staff seemed a bit friendlier, but overall I had more fun on Carnival. I have never been on Holland America or Norwegian. I hear Holland America is more for older folks, but I have a young friend who enjoyed a cruise on this line very very much. I have heard Norwegian's Freestyle Cruising is not for everyone, but some people really like it. Just read up on http://www.cruisecritic.com/ and see if you think it's for you. Also check out the year, number of ribbons, etc. of the ship on that website. It is really great! I know whatever you choose will be fun. A cruise is a cruise and it will be a good time, I promise!!! :)

Question: what website can I use to find a timeshare with a cruise package?

Answer: Go to the RCI website. They have several.

Question: Has anyone ever been on a Carnival cruise? Are meals and drinks included in the package? I am thinking of going on a cruise, but I am unsure if I would have to pay for my meals and drinks or if they are included in the package.

Answer: Drinks are included like water, coffee and iced tea. Any alcoholic beverages are extra and soda is extra, as well as speciality drinks like smoothies and specialty coffees. You can purchase a "fountain fun card" which will allow you unlmited soft drinks if you like. You can also order tickets before you go for so many beverages. You can also preorder wines before you board. Most food is included in the cost. However, some special foods are an additional cost, but for the most part it is included. Disney is one of the best lines are far as costs for dining is concerned. Everything as far as drinks, except for alcholic drinks and speciality drinks, are included, including soda. The food at dinner is all included, unless you go to Palos there is an additional fee. But I have found that they give you the most choices and have the fewest things that are an additional cost. Hope this helps!

Question: when booking a cruise are port fees included in package price? I'm looking to book my first cruise..to Alaska from Seattle...just wondering what I need to know. Please advise. Thanks!

Answer: The price quoted on the cruise line web sites includes all port fees and taxes. Gratuities are also included but are an option you can remove on some sites if you wish to tip personally. A travel agent's quote should have all fees and taxes included as well but ask when enquiring. Some cruise web sites which look like a bargain add the taxes on the final page, so watch out for this. Example: http://cruisediscount1.com/_wsn/page3.ht... All the cruise lines are adding a fuel supplement of about $5 per day per passenger from Jan 2008 so this could be an extra addition to your final quote.

Question: I am looking to go on a Cruise and know nothing about it? I am looking to go on cruise with Carnival Paradise going from Long Beach, Ca. I have never gone on a cruise before and know nothing of what it has to offer. What I like to know is, if anybody been on a cruise and how much money I will be expecting to pay. I always hear there are fees and charges for almost everything, Like food or whatever. Please share your insights and what packages include whatever. The distention is to Catalina and Ensenada. I may travel alone or bring a friend.

Answer: Since you have never been on a cruise I will give you my full explanation, which will be rather long. First of all the terms "cabin" and "stateroom" mean the same thing; the cruise industry prefers stateroom. The standard cabin that most people get (inside/outside/balcony) are generally between 175 and 200 square feet, about the size of a 9 by 12 ft home bedroom (balconies are about 45 to 55 sq ft). Each cabin has a two beds which can be made into a queen, a bathroom with a shower stall, a closet and some drawer space, a TV and telephone, a safe for valuables, a mini-refrigerator, and a life jacket for each passenger. Some cabins that are built to accommodate 3 or 4 people will have a pull down bed and/or a sofa bed. The price of a cruise includes your cabin, all shows and other entertainment on ship, use of all of the ship's facilities (except you have to pay for getting your hair and nails done ,for massages and wraps and other spa treatments), use of the gym, pools and hot tubs, use of the clubs, bars and disco, all meals and snacks all day and night. There are places on ship where you can go to breakfast, lunch and dinner and midnight buffets and all of the food is free. There is generally a room service menu that you can order from 24/7 and that food is free (you should tip the delivery person a couple dollars). There are places where you can get something to eat 24/7. Not include are soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. The ship will provide unlimited free coffee, tea, milk, juices, and drinks like lemonade and punch for free. BUT, you must pay for soft drinks (usually about $1.50) and all alcoholic beverages including beer and wine. You can eat in the main dining room and the buffet for free all of the time. But every ship has what they call specialty restaurants, like a French, Tex-Mex, Sushi, or steak house where there is a charge. The charge can be from $5 to $20 per person each time you eat. They call it a gratuity or service charge. When you arrive at the port to check in you (each passenger) will have an on board charge account set up and receive a key card which will serve as your room key, charge card for anything you buy on ship (i.e.,drinks, souvenir, tours, photos, etc) and its also your pass to get on and off ship in each port. When you first board the ship the security personnel will have you insert your key card into a scanner and then will take a photo of you that is included in the magnetic strip on the card. Each time you get off ship you will need this key card and many times also a photo ID (passport or driver's license). This card allows them to keep an accurate track of all passengers entering and/or leaving the ship. Each day of your cruise you will receive in your cabin a "newsletter" listing the time, place and particulars of everything happening for you on ship. There are generally activities like demonstrations of ice carvings, napkin folding and towel folding, and cooking demonstrations. There may be organized games and other activities around the pools. In the evenings there are shows, one show for those with an early dinner seating and another (same show) for those who eat late. The ship will have a casino with slots and table games. Some ships have a movie theater, generally small but nice, and you can also see movies in your room. They have ATM’s and a purser’s desk where you can cash a check or exchange currency if you need to. There is a tour and activities desk so you can schedule land tours and activities. Ships have free morning exercise programs, stretching and walking, etc, and on some you can pay for other things like Spinning. All cruise ships have gyms so you can go workout, usually any time from 6:00 AM to late at night. There is usually a walking/running track on one of the decks also. Some ships leave the gym open all night. They call the gyms Spa because they do promote getting pampered with things like wraps and massages with aroma therapy. They will also generally have a beauty salon to do hair and nails. There are always pools. Some ships have more than one and the newer ships generally have an indoor pool as well as outdoor ones and all of these have hot tubs. There is generally a basketball court on the top deck, a place for scuffle board, and a mini-golf course. There are places on ships to play cards and board games, and the cards and games are provided. If you want to just sit and read, there’s a library where you can bring your books or select one from the shelf. Ships have internet cafes and some offer WIFI if you bring your prefer to use your computer in your cabin (some ships offer notebooks for rent). They charge a hefty fee for internet service on ship. There are cocktail lounges that feature a variety of music. Some have a piano bar with jazz. There is usually a disco that starts after 10:00 PM each night and last until everyone leave. On certain days ships will have special activities like a chocolate lovers buffet, or a midnight deck party . The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM. So take swim wear, shorts, sandals, beach shoes, your snorkel equipment if you have it, sun glasses and sun screen, lotions, a cap or big hat for the sun, a book if you are a reader, your music player, sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym, your camera, and other personal toiletries. After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc. Most 7-day cruises have two formal nights when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women. Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up. (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway). Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage. Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and and your clothes that you sleep in. The hidden costs on a cruise are your tab after the cruise for drinks (alcoholic and sodas), tours, photos, souvenirs you buy on ship, and gratuities. The largest of these are generally for tours and gratuities. Many ships now add the recommended gratuity to your on board tab. The gratuity is about $10 to $12 per day per person. You can give more if you want. Tours can add hundreds to your final bill, depending upon how many stop the ship makes and what you want to do. Study the tours carefully; some places you may want to just go on your own. Finally, all cruises cabin are sold DOUBLE OCCUPANCY which mean that if you go alone you will pay a double fee (for two people) so get someone to go with you.