Stop Paying More Than You Should For Your Cruise !

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  • Опубліковано 19 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 137

  • @ramg1197
    @ramg1197 3 роки тому +4

    You got my attention right from the start Gary. The way you framed the problem is crystal clear.

  • @jceberle2724
    @jceberle2724 3 роки тому +8

    As always, I got so much practical info on cruising from listening to you.

  • @sgtleobella
    @sgtleobella 3 роки тому +1

    I just so happened to book 2 cruises this January. I didn't know about the wave, but I did notice that I got a killer deal on both cruises. I feel smart now! Thanks for the video, as always, Gary.

  • @southtexasmom3017
    @southtexasmom3017 3 роки тому +1

    Gary, I so love your videos. Great information and always right to the point. You're terrific!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.

  • @larry4111
    @larry4111 3 роки тому +4

    Along the lines of "big picture thinking" - one thing I've noticed is that my two preferred cruise lines, NCL and Royal, use very different methods. NCL is more of a package deal whereas Royal is more "a la carte." The fares on Royal might look lower but then everything you want has to be added on - drink packages, WiFI, excursions, fine dining, etc. NCL fares might look higher but they often include "free at sea" offers like drink packages and fine dining where you just pay the gratuities, WiFI that includes a basic package that you can upgrade, and $50 off each port excursion. I've saved up to $1000 or more on a NCL cruise with a higher base fare than a similar cruise on Royal where all the extras would have had to be paid for separately.

  • @texasboy5117
    @texasboy5117 3 роки тому +6

    In 2019 we picked up a deal on Seaborun for a last minute cruise to Alaska and save several thousand PP. getting ready to book a promotion deal for next year with a savings of $1,800 PP. we are very flexible now dates which really helps.

  • @1squonks
    @1squonks 3 роки тому +2

    How fun is this. I am booked on that same cruise in August 2022. Hope to catch up with you then. I am also on the back to back cruise on the same ship. So ready

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому +1

      Great!!! Hope to see you on board

    • @1squonks
      @1squonks 3 роки тому +1

      @@tipsfortravellers Darn, I took the trip that you had on the video shot. Celebrity Apex Norwegian Fjords in August 2022. You are going to Italy on the Edge. My mistake. Oh well, maybe another time.

  • @markeaston7353
    @markeaston7353 3 роки тому +2

    Very useful tips as always thanks Gary. One of the problems I have with comparing prices on Vacations to Go is that unlike quotes we get locally in Australia which by law have to include all additional taxes and charges US sites don't immediately include all of these. This makes it tricky to compare apples with oranges, as it were. But I do use that site as a course planning tool and sanity checker.

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому

      agree. it gives the general direction

    • @chriswilliams6568
      @chriswilliams6568 3 роки тому +1

      remember too that ships that sail out of Australia include the tips, as Aussies do not tip, so they would be higher than fares offered to other countries. You do actually tip, it is just in your fare.

  • @rogerdodger8415
    @rogerdodger8415 3 роки тому

    Hey hey hey cruise fans, I hope you're having a VANtastic day, well...... Gary knocks the ball out of the park again, proving himself to be the *very best* of all the cruise Vloggers!!

  • @angieolson1036
    @angieolson1036 3 роки тому +2

    As usual, another GREAT video! Thanks Gary!

  • @Marshal_Dunnik
    @Marshal_Dunnik 3 роки тому +18

    Great advice as usual. And yes, the only thing a guaranteed cabin does is guarantee you a cabin nobody else wants.

    • @bobkrakovich1851
      @bobkrakovich1851 3 роки тому +5

      Guarantee cabins on Celebrity are the same price in that category so let's hope you don't see a lifeboat right next to your cabin, unless you hit an iceberg

    • @juliealdige3159
      @juliealdige3159 3 роки тому +5

      That’s for sure. My TA actually booked one of these ill-placed cabins. Mine was directly across from the 24 hour laundromat & right over the nightclub. The female chanteuse should’ve kept her day job. Sixteen days of sleep deprivation. Bloody miserable.

    • @anitas5817
      @anitas5817 3 роки тому +1

      @@juliealdige3159 Oh that sounds miserable! And for 16 days! I would have a hard time trying to make the best of that situation.

    • @chriswilliams6568
      @chriswilliams6568 3 роки тому +2

      @@juliealdige3159 The Travel Agent did not book the actual cabin, but the category of “Guranteed” she should have explained what it meant before booking. Yes, they are the cabins that others did not book, sometimes one can be lucky and get a higher/better category but risky.

    • @malcolmstockbridge2569
      @malcolmstockbridge2569 3 роки тому +1

      If you book a guarantee cabin with P&O with the 'deluxe' option you will ensure a cabin that is obstruction free and in a good part of the ship because all deluxe cabins are in those positions, so you get a cheaper price with a guarantee of a good cabin but you just dont know which of the good cabins it will be....and a bottle of champagne too :)

  • @bobkrakovich1851
    @bobkrakovich1851 3 роки тому

    Hi Gary, a big way to save on Celebrity cruises is to NOT upgrade to the Elite or Indulge Packages. For a 10 night cruise one pays $30 pp per day or $60 pp per day for the Elite and Indulge packages respectively. One does get anywhere near the value for the additional $. Just book the "All Included" package, as I did for two of our three cruises, where you get drinks, tips and wifi and spend on your own up to that add-ons for those perks. You'll come out ahead of the game. Hi from Bob and Jill getting richer in Connecticut.

  • @suzannehanna9582
    @suzannehanna9582 3 роки тому +3

    Good video! Good information. Can’t wait to cruise again.

  • @loumello8813
    @loumello8813 3 роки тому +5

    I have never booked a guaranteed cabin since I like to select my own cabin. I have never asked any of the folks in my cabin area what they paid since it doesn't really matter to me. I always book really early, like a year or more in advance and usually on a cruise so I get the price break there and a break on the deposit and final payment dates. I do watch the prices as time goes on to see if there is a price break later. Since I sail with Viking primarily, I don't usually see this. I am booked with Oceania at Christmas this year and that was a special promo and much less than their usual holiday prices, but, I'll keep my eye on it. My travel agent ususally provides two perks or more as part of a group rate so that works out very well. I always use a travel agent and have found one in the last two years that specializes in luxury cruising. I definitely won't wait until the last minute since my wife has to coordinate her vacation time with quite a few in her office.

  • @richardcope3850
    @richardcope3850 3 роки тому +1

    Basic economics! Don’t worry about what other people pay, if you can.afford it and you are happy then don’t worry about it!

  • @karenlyles1315
    @karenlyles1315 3 роки тому +1

    Good information. I book through Vacations to Go.

  • @DaftCatBrewing
    @DaftCatBrewing 3 роки тому +1

    Some great tips, thanks Gary. I hope Cruise Watch will update their Regal Princess listings as it would be very handy to sign up for alerts for our two cruises later this year

  • @CriticalThinker1967
    @CriticalThinker1967 3 роки тому +5

    I listen to you your advice everything cruising but being a Dutchman I think I have being a cheap ass covered :)

  • @NotStrictlyDisney
    @NotStrictlyDisney 3 роки тому

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for this information. Upon watching this video back in May, I immediately created an account and some alerts. My Holland America cruise went from $3,678 to $3,152!!!

  • @aaronostrom355
    @aaronostrom355 3 роки тому

    Very useful and well-presented content.

  • @rm55555
    @rm55555 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks Gaz really appreciate the service you provide. :)

  • @karenruane7297
    @karenruane7297 3 роки тому +2

    Some great advice there, as always! Can you recommend any particular UK-based cruise agents when looking for good deals?

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому +1

      Karen, thanks for watching and great to hear. I can recommend the agent that I use (Sarah Bolton): www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/sarah.bolton

    • @karenruane7297
      @karenruane7297 3 роки тому

      @@tipsfortravellers thanks, much appreciated! 😁

  • @johnpatz8395
    @johnpatz8395 3 роки тому +1

    I don’t feel I’ve always got to pay less than the person in an identical cabin o mine, but of course I surely don’t want to pay more., although I am willing to pay a bit more to guarantee that I get the type of cabin I want. In fact, I’ve changed cruise dates, to a date with slightly higher prices, because the specific cabin type I wanted wasn’t available on the original date.

  • @joeo7693
    @joeo7693 3 роки тому

    Thank you for your informative videos.

  • @dinodesantis2976
    @dinodesantis2976 3 роки тому

    your tips are remarkable. Thank you

  • @Ian-pb5dh
    @Ian-pb5dh 3 роки тому +4

    Hi Gary, Aren't most UK deposits non-refundable? I know Americans can usually rebook at every price drop without penalty but it seems you always lose the deposit in the UK.

    • @travellinglady9484
      @travellinglady9484 3 роки тому +2

      Yes, Fred Olsen refused to refund my £1,700 deposit even though I had to cancel just days after booking and almost 2 years before sailing. They immediately resold it to someone else. I am so angry it has put me off cruising permanently so they have lost a good customer.

    • @Ian-pb5dh
      @Ian-pb5dh 3 роки тому +1

      @@travellinglady9484 Sorry to hear that. Sounds unfair :(

    • @sarahbrown7055
      @sarahbrown7055 3 роки тому +2

      @travel lady I feel I was in the same boat, UK we do not get the luxury of refundable deposits i have asked few cruise lines , it so unfair how they treat UK customers on cruise UK markets. So Gary tell us how you manage to do your price reduction changes 🤔

  • @rs120
    @rs120 3 роки тому +1

    Unfortunately, I don't see many deals for the cruise I am looking to take next year in September from Vancouver to Japan crossing the pacific.. Silverseas cruises are way too expensive for a solo traveler just to cross and the celebrity solstice has no single supplement discout for solo...

  • @Ken-iy9mb
    @Ken-iy9mb 3 роки тому +1

    Nice info but I did book a cruise and then about a few months before the cruise they send snail mail that had our cruise a few hundred less then what I booked, I called to get the new price, no deal they said, its only for new bookings. Well I will cancel and call tomorrow and book as new, no deal they said, we keep tack of cancels and re-books and block them. (but was told if I picked a different date its ok) Kind of made me feel like some kind of crook...I often wonder if this was some kind of cruise line BS. I heard they get points on stopping folks from cancelling.

  • @geoffreystone4849
    @geoffreystone4849 2 роки тому

    If Australian look to book through a USA or UK agent. We get ripped off here. It is acknowledged wages in Australia are high for agents, rents, taxes, power etc . Many booking systems are automated so comPuters don’t take holidays, get sick or need pensions.

  • @jeanwoodhouse6456
    @jeanwoodhouse6456 3 роки тому +5

    what about booking before you get off the ship?

    • @todddurfee457
      @todddurfee457 3 роки тому

      Good question

    • @malcolmstockbridge2569
      @malcolmstockbridge2569 3 роки тому +1

      Dont do it....you are a 'captive' audience and there are better deals off ship.

    • @mariandorsey2931
      @mariandorsey2931 3 роки тому +1

      We have found MUCH better deals once we got home! I would take a copy of the price they quote you home so you can compare.

  • @sarahbrown7055
    @sarahbrown7055 3 роки тому +1

    Gary you know wel in the UK most lines do not offer refundable fares, so is your video more giving tips to countries outside uk

    • @billjohnson3403
      @billjohnson3403 3 роки тому

      Yes, his information only applies to the USA, where you can cancel and rebook without penalty.

  • @ScotMatheson
    @ScotMatheson 3 роки тому

    Thank you from Canada

  • @joergschwarting1701
    @joergschwarting1701 3 роки тому

    Hi Garry, always love your videos! Best start into the weekend! I watched this video and the page cruisewatch, as vacation to go are in US $, my friend told me that if you book on these pages, you need to be a US passport holder, otherwise may you get denied boarding…?! My question is: can you recommend a cruise price alert page in the UK? Thank you so much!

  • @chriswilliams6568
    @chriswilliams6568 3 роки тому

    Gary I see you are on the Edge in summer of 2022, we would love to go on that ship, but summer in the Med is far too hot for us. I can’t even visit our son and family in Barcelona in summer, Just cannot take the heat.

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому +2

      yes, it can be a bit scorching ! I love really hot weather... think from my childhood years in Africa !

  • @ths3900
    @ths3900 2 роки тому

    Good information

  • @alexandermugatu2810
    @alexandermugatu2810 3 роки тому +1

    Hey Gary Bembridge...! When booking during an Ad-Hoc promo NCL ( eg. Take 5 offers) -- It seems like NCL tends to have a pretty high costs when compared to RCCl or even Carnival for a comparable voyage...? Clearly, those add-ons are not really free; but ARE THEY a good deal? NCL for example offers 2nd flies free, but when looking at the breakdown, they simply added 100% to guest 1's airfare to claim #2 flies free... Can you do a vid on THE VALUE of some of these Ad-HOC promos...? Thx!

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому +2

      Thanks. Definitely as you say important to check if deal is really that good. Will look at that video idea!

    • @alexandermugatu2810
      @alexandermugatu2810 3 роки тому

      @@tipsfortravellers I look forward to it!

  • @sherrellbennett1333
    @sherrellbennett1333 3 роки тому +1

    The last cruise I went on was an offer of a "free" cabin. Well, nothing's free! By the time all the fees and taxes were added on, plus the pre-paid tips and all the rest it was $1000. So, no real bargain there! Plus it was an inside cabin. Also, I had cruised on the same line previously and had a wonderful experience, but not so much with the "free" trip. There were issues with serious leaking near the casino to where there were actually buckets on the floor, the food in the main dining room was far less appealing than the last cruise and the customer service was very lacking. Just saying, beware the "free" offers.

  • @gsdmama2
    @gsdmama2 3 роки тому +1

    Would booking last minute be good for those that are retired and can travel any time? Next year that will be us as hubby will be retiring and we can enjoy cruising and vacationing at any time.

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому

      Yes, absolutely. That is a very good idea if you are flexible on what line and cabin grade etc. But absolutely worth going this route

    • @gsdmama2
      @gsdmama2 3 роки тому

      @@tipsfortravellers
      Thank you. Can't wait to start cruising again next year and to hear about your cruise in the Med on the Apex.

  • @KOSketches
    @KOSketches 3 роки тому

    I'm taking notes!

  • @MarkhamsInc
    @MarkhamsInc 3 роки тому +1

    Good Advice Gary - APU. When you mention Travel Agents doing the legwork for you are there any agents you would recommend using? Either for this aspect or in general and are there any we should avoid (In your honest opinion)

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому

      Where are you based? I can recommend someone in UK and someone in USA

    • @sarahbrown7055
      @sarahbrown7055 3 роки тому

      Can you give your USA recommendation

    • @MarkhamsInc
      @MarkhamsInc 3 роки тому

      @@tipsfortravellers I'm based in the UK.

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому

      Sarah, I can recommend Gary Pluck at Red Travel
      Gary@travelbyred.com
      www.travelbyred.com/

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому

      Great! I use Sarah Bolton who handles all my bookings and is very good www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/sarah.bolton

  • @angelofamillionyears4599
    @angelofamillionyears4599 2 роки тому

    Which travel agents do you say are the best deals.

  • @zachidou
    @zachidou Рік тому

    When looking at the fare breakdown before booking, is it normal that the taxes are more than the cruise itself? The advertise cruises at a given price but when all said and done it’s more than double!

  • @R808-e9e
    @R808-e9e 3 роки тому

    Is there another Cruisewatch site that includes higher end cruise lines?

  • @stephanieking754
    @stephanieking754 3 роки тому

    Vacations to Go would not reprice my cruise. They gave a small discount instead. I stopped using them.

    • @chriswilliams6568
      @chriswilliams6568 3 роки тому +1

      They have to do what the cruise line offers, agencies do not set prices, cruise lines do.

  • @bevash1541
    @bevash1541 3 роки тому

    Who is your travel agent?

  • @deerobinson4263
    @deerobinson4263 3 роки тому

    Hi!! GARY What is your next cruise? And where are you going?

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому

      Next cruise will be one of the UK domestic sailings on 27 June on Saga Spirit of Discovery from London up to Scotland. Here is a list of all my planned cruises if you want to see more: www.tipsfortravellers.com/cruise-with-me/

    • @rickcudmore8156
      @rickcudmore8156 3 роки тому

      @@tipsfortravellers did you win a lottery to afford all those trips, that's some impressive plans.

  • @8803surri
    @8803surri 3 роки тому

    What if i use a travel agent and i track my fare as you suggest? It goes down.....then what do i do??

  • @joycenisbet4069
    @joycenisbet4069 3 роки тому

    on average what true cost eg insurance,visas,vaccinations,shore trips

  • @youjl6715
    @youjl6715 3 роки тому +1

    If you book through an agent and find the fare decreases, do you still go to the cruise line for the cheaper fare?

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому +1

      If I booked via agent then via them as they hold the booking and they often have better, more direct and responsive contacts

    • @donnarottinger6396
      @donnarottinger6396 3 роки тому

      Wherever you book, just compare your bottom line. I rarely use a TA, since I want my info first hand, and not relayed to me, and I don’t want to leave messages or wait for a call back. Do what works best for you.

  • @eimearglynn8491
    @eimearglynn8491 3 роки тому

    Hi Gary, what travel agent do you use?

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому

      I use Sarah Bolton of Travel Counsellors www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/sarah.bolton

  • @dogcrazy25
    @dogcrazy25 3 роки тому +1

    I agree, I would not trust a guaranteed cabin selection since I'm picky about noise and location. But Emma from Emma Cruises, who you have spoken with is young and a budget cruiser and always book a guaranteed cabin. To each their own i guess.

    • @DavidSmith-wp2zb
      @DavidSmith-wp2zb 3 роки тому

      unfortunaltely with cruising you get what you pay for, and you pay even more if you want decent quality. $1000 for hamburgers and no window when you could just fly there for 300 bucks in 2 hours

    • @anitas5817
      @anitas5817 3 роки тому

      Yes Emma has stated a number of times that she is not particular about her cabin. I am very particular about my cabin because I enjoy spending time in the room and on the balcony.

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому

      I am like you!

  • @tonygainey2423
    @tonygainey2423 3 роки тому

    Tried to use Cruise Watch to track my P&O cruise but they do not have P&O as a cruise line. Any idea why?

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому +1

      They focus on US lines more. Try using the Cruise critic alternative - search your cruise and then set the tracker as they usually have P&O to track

  • @jt8280
    @jt8280 3 роки тому +4

    Post pandemic cruise fares have double in price.

    • @malcolmstockbridge2569
      @malcolmstockbridge2569 3 роки тому

      Thats far from true....most of my P&O bookings and my MSC bookings are the same or lower than they were a few months ago, so Im not sure where you got your information from !

    • @jt8280
      @jt8280 3 роки тому +1

      @@malcolmstockbridge2569 I got my information called the Carnival Cruise web site. My annual 14 day cruise to Hawaii now cost well over $6000 US for two, not including vacation/medical insurance. So how is this a great deal, total rip off ! People will not come back. Also, the port times have been cut along with food portions. Can't wait to cruise again !

    • @malcolmstockbridge2569
      @malcolmstockbridge2569 3 роки тому +1

      @@jt8280 I get that, but one cruise line doesnt speak for all of them, our experience here is that P&O, MSC, and a few others have similar or even slightly lower prices than ever, and how do you know about the food portions if the cruises havent yet begun, you may be correct about the insurance but thats a worldwide issue with every part of our lives from personal insurance to motor insurance etc, we all know the risks have increased so costs will increase. My point is your original statement is not true for everyone..I will stand 100% with you on the last point though...yes we all cant wait to cruise again :). Stay safe.

  • @R808-e9e
    @R808-e9e 3 роки тому

    Would you share your Booking Site? I’m not happy with the agency I’m using.

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому

      Where are you based?

    • @R808-e9e
      @R808-e9e 3 роки тому

      @@tipsfortravellers Honolulu Hawaii. Love your video blogs!

  • @lauraguerrero2190
    @lauraguerrero2190 3 роки тому

    What website do you use that tells you when the price has gone down

  • @steventravels4035
    @steventravels4035 3 роки тому

    See, if I see that a cruise costs me $1,000 or more then I just won’t book one. I prefer to travel solo. Also for that price I can go on a trip with a flight and a hotel included with first class seating, most likely 2 or 3 times with that money.

    • @chriswilliams6568
      @chriswilliams6568 3 роки тому

      for crying out loud, cruises on any decent lines now cost almost CAD$2000.00 for a week in a balcony cabin.

  • @travellinglady9484
    @travellinglady9484 3 роки тому +1

    There is no time in the year when single travellers will ever get a fare which is much less than what two people together pay.

    • @saveddijon
      @saveddijon 3 роки тому

      Depends on the line. My first cruise was with Carnival in 2001 - they had an interior single stateroom for US$625. That's not much different than what a couple would pay per-person for an inside stateroom.

    • @tipsfortravellers
      @tipsfortravellers  3 роки тому

      I have found some that do, as they run promotions on specific cruises but does mean keeping an eye out for those

    • @leschurchill804
      @leschurchill804 3 роки тому

      I understand what you are saying. I have had to pay double my entire life for any trips and/or cruises that I have gone on. I hear people say that there are deals to be had, but I have never found any. Thus, I just don't travel as often, and when I do, I just pay up and deal with unfairness of it all.
      Ms. L. Churchill

  • @ciaojeffitalia
    @ciaojeffitalia 3 роки тому

    We stopped going on Cruises because of the size of the New Ships and all the "Cheapskates" traveling.

    • @chriswilliams6568
      @chriswilliams6568 3 роки тому +1

      Those cheapskates are just folk who do not earn as much as you, have a heart.

  • @rgruenhaus
    @rgruenhaus 3 роки тому

    Casino at Sea cruises , can they get add-ons from CAS agents? Using a casino cruise certificate?

  • @cermakroofingadivisionofem6016
    @cermakroofingadivisionofem6016 3 роки тому

    Really then y did a 15 year old girl die of COVID 6 days ago in I’ll tell her parents it’s ok we can all go back to normal no problem here

  • @angelspess7489
    @angelspess7489 3 роки тому

    Trout nymphing

  • @j.l.5958
    @j.l.5958 3 роки тому

    👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

  • @HT-zx8dn
    @HT-zx8dn 3 роки тому +1

    Youtub keeps pushing these cruise related videos apparently trying to create interest for now bankrupt cruise industry. Total BS, waste of time.

  • @cliffnorman178
    @cliffnorman178 3 роки тому

    Why are you consumed with paying less than the people on your left or on your right? Why aren't you just content with what you have chosen? It is not a competition!!!!! This sounds really bizarre. You are most probably the best cruise reviewer in the world but now you have this embarrassing video.

    • @kays749
      @kays749 3 роки тому +3

      I don't think Gary is speaking strictly for himself. There are LOTS of people who worry about this sort of thing. I encounter them all the time on cruises.

    • @richard_ager
      @richard_ager 3 роки тому +4

      Perhaps you've taken this point too literally. Within the context of the video, I took it to mean paying as low a price as possible.

    • @anitas5817
      @anitas5817 3 роки тому +3

      He doesn’t care about what other people are doing. He only means he wants to get the best price possible, and was making the point that prices can vary a fair amount for the same product.