Booking Questions

Always, always, always use a credit card to book your trip. . They're convenient, they are safe, and you get extra protection for your holidayfrom your credit card company. But if you must, we will accept cheques payable to CruiseAway for payment.

Without insurance, if you cancel your cruise after final payment, you will suffer penalties. There is no question about it. It could be $50 per person or could be the full cost of the trip. The cruise line doesn't care if it was your life savings, if it was a heart attack, a death or if you promise to rebook and say good things about the line. You will not get your money back after final payment without insurance.

We mention insurance to everyone. We don't push it on anyone. But you should consider your own situation before deciding for or against it?

CruiseAway can arrange pre- or post-cruise land packages at the same time you book you cruise. These are available through the cruise line and usually include transfers or a rental car.

Everyone either knows someone, met someone on a ship, or they themselves have been upgraded to a higher category than they paid for. Yes, it does happen and but not as frequently as people think. How do upgrades work? Who knows? We're still trying to figure it out, but here's our theory.

You can actually make reservations with some cruise lines, but usually this is not to your advantage. As a Top Producer with most cruise lines, we often get special rates that are not available to other travel agents, much less the public. Furthermore, CruiseAway, you deal with one agent with whom you've developed a relationship. Most cruise lines have hundreds of reservations agents. To them, you'd be just another passenger. To us, you're a valued client.

The rates you see in your Sunday newspaper in January are often for sailings during the most affordable week in the fall and on the shortest cruise. Since this pricing is based on the lowest category on the ship (which also happens to have the fewest cabins), they sold out by the time you call. Furthermore, until this year, all rates were quoted without airfare and port charges.

Most of these promotions are available in the off peak booking seasons, right after the first of the year and between September and mid-December. Anyone can qualify for a senior rate provided one of the passengers in the cabin is 55 years old or older. Usually these rates a $50 to $100 per person lower than the normal rates. CruiseAway will post Senior Rates on the Internet as they become available. Family Rates are programs that cruise lines use to fill the third and fourth berths on cruises on soft sailings.

Even the most popular cruises sometimes have space available because of late cancellations. So, have CruiseAway check or visit our site for periodic updates. But, to get exactly the ship, cabin, and sailing date you want, you should plan and book early. Most cruise lines also offer early booking discounts for customers who plan ahead. Then, just sit back and anticipate all the fun you're going to have!

It depends on your level of flexibility, but overall, it is better to book early. The cruise lines will often lower your rate if a better promotion comes along after your book your trip. Some guidelines are listed below for when should consider booking, but again what they really come down to is flexibility.

Book early(at least 6 - 8 months in advance) if:

o It's an inaugural cruise
o You want specific cabin, i.e.
· suites or mini-suites
· location (port, starboard, middle of the ship, bedding, etc.)

Top Producing Cruise Only Travel Agencies have better buying power than over 90% of the travel agencies across the country. Our margins are often better because we buy in bulk. Often we have group rates that your local agent doesn't have. We are informed immediately of special regional, last minute, and senior promotions. Our agents are trained to ask for the best deal and most corporate intensive agencies are not. By specializing in cruises, we're also very good at finding them at the best prices, often passing on our margins to you in the form of greater discounts.