My Cruise Adventures

Booking a cruise

To do this, you may or may not want to use a travel agent. You can get pretty good prices booking directly with the cruise line, but a good travel agent can offer advice and get a good feel whether your chosen cruise would be good for you or not. If you cannot decide on a specific cruise line or ship or date or itinerary, then by all means use a travel agent. Preferably one that specializes in cruises. If you cannot find one locally, then check with your local AAA office - they often have both cruise travel agents and a good selection of brochures.

You can expect to pay a deposit at time of booking. This generally runs $250 per person ($500 per cabin) for 7-day cruises and $450 per person for 10-day cruises. This deposit will hold a spot for you on the ship, and your travel agent may be able to get you a specific cabin. Have a copy of the deck plans for your ship handy when you make the booking - this will avoid accidentally getting a cabin directly over the disco, for instance.

Once you have a cabin booked, there will be a cutoff date - generally 70 days before the ship sails, but it varies with the cruise and cruise line so make sure you ask about it at time of booking. By this date, you either have to pay for the rest of the bill, or cancel your cruise. If you cancel before this date, you will get all of your deposit back, but it may take a month or two to show up on your credit card statement.