Cruise Booking advice

Now more than ever, people are discovering the all-inclusive pleasures of a cruise holiday. Cruising is the best holiday value and Costa offers a cruise to suit every taste and every budget. Your cruise fare includes your meals, cabin, on-board activities, entertainment and transportation from port to port. Families, friends, couples, singles and honeymooners alike are sailing away for the holiday of their dreams and eliminating the hassles of planning a holiday. A cruise is one convenient holiday where you won’t have to worry about catching your next flight as you travel from one destination to another, packing and unpacking your bags or making dinner or nightclub reservations. You’ll find that a Costa Cruise ship is a floating resort offering every comfort, convenience and amenity that one could imagine. You can lie back and be completely pampered. Or you can go non-stop enjoying one great show after another -- dine like never before -- try your luck in the lively casino -- or dance the night away to the pulsating beat in the disco. It’s no wonder that more people are taking a cruise holiday than ever before. And once you get a taste of cruising, you’ll want to come back for more. In fact, cruises have the highest customer satisfaction of any other holiday experience. At Costa Cruise, we have all the cruise information you need to plan the cruise of a lifetime.

Be Aware Of Hidden Costs

You’ve paid for your cruise, but how much more will you pay on board?

It's one of those quirks of human nature that we hunt around madly for a bargain break, but don't think about all the extra costs that will go with it. They all add up, especially on a cruise, where you are a captive audience for several hours a day.

Cheap Cruises Not all as it seems

Cruise lines have always charged additional fees for shore excursions, alcoholic beverages and spa treatments, and now they are offering many new onboard extras - everything from artwork to wine tastings. The key to avoiding a bank-breaking bill is knowing what to expect. Here’s how to keep your budget afloat.

Booking Tips

Brochure price
Few people pay the quoted price. As seasoned cruisers know, there are almost always discounts and incentives of one type or another that lower the price. The average is 25%, though some reach 50%. Ask your travel agent.

Travel agents
I recommend that first-timers purchase their cruise from a cruise-specialist travel agent. Reason: Determining which itinerary, ship, cabin and shore excursions would best meet your individual needs is a complex decision-making process. You need a knowledgeable cruise professional, not someone who parrots brochure talk.

You usually don't have to pay extra for their professional knowledge. Most travel agents do not charge a fee for booking a cruise (they make their money from commissions paid by the cruise lines). And, if challenged to match a legitimate offer by another seller, most will do it. And, because of their clout with the cruise lines, they are usually better able to secure extras for you, like a free upgrade to a higher category cabin, if one is available.

Book early
Early bookers usually get the lowest fares. As a bonus, they get first pick of the cabins in their category. And, they are assured of getting their desired dining seating period.

Last-minute bargains
Cruise lines occasionally begin offering fantastic discounts several weeks before the departure date if they think the ship might sail with some empty cabins. They know it's better to earn some money than none for that space. However, be aware that purchasing such a fare is not always a bargain. There might not be specials for your desired cruises. Or, you may be assigned one of the least desirable cabins. And, because the departure date is so near, you may have to purchase a high-priced full-fare air ticket instead of a low-cost advanced-purchase one.