How to Save on a Cruise

Setting sail on a high seas adventure is a lifelong dream for many travelers, but with the economy on shaky ground some would-be cruisers are shying away from taking the plunge. That's where Craig Rashid comes in. The owner and operator of CruisingVoyages.com and Elite Cruise Counselor with Cruise Lines International Association has practical advice on how to save on a cruise. LovetoKnow discusses these money-saving tips with him in this exclusive interview.

LovetoKnow(LTK): Craig, you've worked in the travel industry for 20 years and have taken nearly 70 cruises, how is the economy affecting cruise travel?

Craig Rashid(CR): A lot of people can't afford to sail on trips that require them to part with a large sum of money. My advice is to plan ahead and budget wisely. Consider booking six months to a year out or even longer, so you can take advantage of the numerous sales available for early birds. Some of these sales and special offers allow you to score onboard credits or upgrade to a cabin that may have initially been out of your price range. It's also very important to create a personal travel budget that allows you to experience popular cruise amenities, such as shore excursions, spa treatments and souvenirs.

LTK: What advice do you have for people who are flying to the point of embarkation?

CR: The most important factor is budgeting for the cost of airfare. If you have to fly from your home to your cruise departure point, it's best to book with a travel expert who has experience dealing with the major cruise lines, and knows about specific ships and itineraries. Just because you are contacting a large online travel provider doesn't mean you are going to deal with someone who can answer all of your cruise-related questions, or find you the best deals on flight and cruise packages.

Cruise for less.

LTK: What effects are you are seeing on cruise trends due to the struggling economy?

CR: There is an increasing interest in taking cruises that set sail from customers' homes, so they can save money. For example, where I live in Wisconsin, clients are looking to sail from East Coast ports such as New York, New Jersey, Boston or Baltimore. In most cases, clients can fly nonstop to these departure ports and if they have extra time such as during the summer months, they will make a road trip out of it and spend time sightseeing along the way. This is a great option for families who don't get to spend a lot of time together because of their hectic lifestyles.

LTK: What advice do you have for first time cruisers wading through various itineraries and price points?

CR: Do your research and find an agent who you believe can answer all of your questions correctly and in a timely fashion. Unless you have always wanted to travel to Europe, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, look to take your first cruise from the United States. Most first time cruisers should consider taking a tour of the Caribbean on a 5-7day sailing to see if they like it, and if it is worth the money.

LTK: Any other tips on how to get the most bang for your buck when booking a cruise?

CR: Make sure you ask a lot of questions. Don't book a cruise unless you are comfortable with the answers and the agent you are dealing with. Also, remember that most, if not all, cruise/travel websites will list a "starting from" rate; however, this price is NOT the total amount you will pay, and you need to be ready for that. A "starting from" price is generally the least expensive inside cabin found on the lowest passenger deck. The price also does not reflect all of the taxes you will need to pay. This is a very important bit of information, as this is how a lot of large online agencies will get you to call in, but if you aren't aware of additional charges, you can easily get frustrated and lose interest in taking a cruise. When clients contact me for a rate, I quote the complete price, including all taxes and fees, so they have all of the details upfront and are not misled.

Save while you sail.

LoveToKnow would like to thank Craig Rashid for providing great insider information about the cruise industry and how to stretch your dollar when planning a dream voyage.