Cruise Destinations Availability Prediction
It is no surprise that the most attractive cruise destinations are booked very fast. According to our results, about 50% of all cruises that are likely to be sold out are sailing to… the Caribbean. This region is very popular, and right behind it are cruises to the Orient, to South America, and to the Mediterranean Sea.;
If you are worried about missing out, you can check out the best cruise deals to the Caribbean, the Orient, South America;and the Mediterranean Sea that are still available for booking.
How To Find Last Minute Cruise Deals
Looking for a cheap weekend getaway with your friends? There are many ways to find a cruise deal.
There are a number of ways to get last-minute cruise deals, and we recommend you employ as many of these as possible for the best chance of finding what youre looking for.
Sign Up for Emails
Every online travel agent and cruise line wants you to sign up for their Email blasts because that allows them to target their advertising at you. So yes, youre going to get a whole lot of emails. But youre also going to get info that will prove useful.
Larger online travel agencies sometimes get exclusive last minute deals that you wont find anywhere else.
When you see an email with subject lines like Pack and Go! or Last Chance Savings open them immediately and book quickly if that offer interests you. The best deals dont stick around for long.
Want a way to avoid being overwhelmed by the number of communications you receive? Create an Email account that you only use for travel-related purposes. That way, during the parts of the year youre not sailing, the offers will continue to come in, but they wont cause you to miss other emails which could get lost in the shuffle.
Leverage your Cruise Line Loyalty
If youve sailed on a particular cruise line multiple times, be sure your most recent info is on file, including your current email address and travel preferences.
READ: Best Cruise Line Loyalty Programs
Play the Slots
The casino onboard Carnival Panorama.
Use a Travel Agent
Send Deals To Your Inbox
The vast majority of cruise lines and agencies still rely on eletters to help fill cruise ships. Major cruise lines, such as Celebrity, Norwegian, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean, offer deals emails with ongoing promotions in addition to last-minute deals and short sales. For the hardcore deal-seekers who don’t want e-deals cluttering up their personal inboxes, we suggest setting up separate accounts just for bargains mailings.
Also Check: What Cruise Ships Leave From Nyc
Resume Interview Process & Visas
In all of the cruise ship job sites I listed above, youll have to fill out an application form and send in your resume. If youve never had a job on a cruise ship before, you may be wondering what to put on your CV.;
Always include your correct address and telephone number . You should have a cover letter on your resume and include any relevant experience you may have ashore. For example, if youre applying for a casino cruise job, be sure to include any and all previous casino and customer service experience you may have had.
Always list your core strengths and make it clear that youre willing to work long hours and are excited for the adventure. Also point out that youre looking to continue to improve your skills and move up the ranks. Explain that youre a fast learner and are willing to continuously do training for any cruise job you may be considered for.
If youre applying for a customer service job on the ship, or basically any job that requires interaction with guests, you should include any previous customer service and sales experience you may have, as well as an outgoing and sociable personality.
Its a good idea to be specific about what position you are looking for on the cruise ship. Putting Any under career objectives is a big no-no when applying for cruise jobs. The cruise lines generally want you to understand your strengths and apply for specific positions within the crew, even if you plan to move up later on.
Check # Of Days At Sea And Port Calls
This is a tip that I probably wouldnt have initially considered, but I think its really important. When youre evaluating which cruise to take, look at the number of days youll be at sea and the port calls . Its unusual to find a cruise with no port calls, but it does happen. So, unless you think you wouldnt mind taking a 21-day cruise with zero stops, this is a big one to keep in mind.;
Recommended Reading: What To Do In Skagway Cruise Port
Cruise Ship Job Board Websites
Flexjobs.com: FlexJobs is one of the best online job boards out there. They understand that there is too much junk online for job seekers and that the internet is filled with too-good-to-be-true job opportunities, annoying ads, broken links, repeat postings and straight-up scams. Their cruise ship jobs are easy to find and they have a great list of recent postings.
Jobmonkeys.com: Job Monkeys isnt just for cruise jobs, but they usually have a decent list of recent postings on their site for cruise line jobs.;
Allcruisejobs.com: All Cruise Jobs is one of the biggest job boards within the cruise line industry. They have a lot of current, up-to-date job postings and vacancies available online and they make it easy to find cruise ship jobs directly through reputable recruiters and employers.
Indeed.com: Not surprisingly, Indeed has plenty of cruise jobs available. They have new postings every day and then include links to apply directly on the company website or email applications.
Cruisejobfinder.com: Cruise Job Finder had over 15,000 job openings at the time of writing this post all within the cruise, resort, luxury yacht and tour operator space. Their JobCenter introduces you to the companies that do the hiring and lists new job openings.
When Do Repositioning Cruises Travel
Repositioning cruises tend to be most active during the change in seasons:
- Spring,
- Fall.
As an example, lets take a look at transatlantic repositioning cruises to illustrate these seasonal cruise relocations. The Mediterranean Sea boasts pleasantly warm weather and is high season for travel in the summer. So cruise lines often move ships to the Mediterranean in the late Spring to serve the many passengers who desire taking a summer Mediterranean cruise.
Meanwhile, summer months are the Caribbeans hot and stormy summer offseason. So its only natural for cruise lines to move ships across the Atlantic Ocean by May, relocating them from ports serving the Caribbean to ports serving the Mediterranean and Europe.
The reverse occurs each Fall. Thats when many cruise ships are moved from Europe across the Atlantic to Florida, among other home ports serving the Caribbean, in time for the winter high-season months.
These transatlantic repositioning cruises form the most common repositioning cruise route. But there are many other repositioning cruise routes to consider.
Alaskan cruises cant sail in the winter. So those ships need to go elsewhere, of course! Europe-Asia repositioning cruises can provide for port-intensive journeys between the adjoining continents. Transiting from North to South America can be an interesting voyage that often includes a Panama Canal Cruise. There are many seasonal shifts in cruising that bring about repositioning cruises.
Don’t Miss: Where Do Cruises To Antarctica Leave From
How Do I Book A Cruise Online
With our cruise search. Were not joking or being facetious, we know were the best. Cruise Club of America is exceptional at what we do, which is pull multiple different specials from different cruise lines for a variety of locations, times and prices so that you can find a cruise thats best for you at the cheapest prices available across the board. Using our comprehensive cruise search is the difference between creating your own hand-crafted perfect trip, or compromising on the perfect price and itinerary. Were proud of the well-oiled engine weve created that brings people on trips that they never dreamt they could afford with all of the amenities included, but even we know that there are rules to follow to ensure you get the very best from our cruise search so that you can hone your travel dreams and opportunities intelligently. Well outline some tips to trigger the best cruise deals from our own cruise search engines and as general travel rules.
Learn More About Our Cruise Offers
Our cruise offers allow you to experience everything from Michelin-starred dining to Broadway-level performances without having to break the bank. Escape to tropical islands in the Caribbean , explore the rugged wilderness of Alaska, or experience rich culture in Europe and beyond. Sign up for thrilling shore excursions or simply unwind during your time at sea, by relaxing in one of our heavenly spas or taking a dip in the pool while enjoying unbeatable views of the ocean.
Score the cruise deal of a lifetime and book your next vacation on one of our cutting-edge ships, where youll enjoy luxurious accommodations, exotic destinations, and world-class diningall in one trip.
We offer exciting cruise offers and discounts throughout the year, so you can rest easy knowing that youll always find the best cruise rates and specials for your vacation.
Dont forget to explore our year-round cruise offers, including special discounts for suite guests of The Retreat, military members, and more. Learn all about our special offers and perks for members of our cruise rewards program, Captains Club. Plus, sign up for a Celebrity Visa Signature credit card and earn 10,000 MyCruise Reward points, which you can redeem on future vacations or onboard credit.
Stay on top of all of our cruise;offers and discounts by signing up for our newsletter, following us on social media, and checking in on our frequently updated cruise;offers page.
Also Check: Which Cruise Line Has The Best Food
Why Take A Cruise Vacation
If you have a place on your bucket list, chances are, a cruise will get you there. Cruises cover the world, taking millions of passengers each year to destinations like the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Europe, the Mediterranean and even Antarctica. Cruising offers a tremendous value, with trips that include your lodging, meals and entertainment, all rolled into one. Some cruise lines even offer fully inclusive vacations, which cover drinks and tours ashore. Cruising means seeing the world while unpacking only once.
Cruises also provide a wonderful option for families, with many ships offering things like waterslides, mini-golf courses and fun clubs for kids and teens — all for free. Planning is easy: Pick your destination and the right ship for you. The cruise line makes it simple, offering packages to help you save on extras like alcohol, shore tours or even airfare.
Travelers say they choose to cruise because cruising often costs less per night when compared with staying at a hotel, where they’ll have to book — and pay for — all their extras.
How Far In Advance Should You Book A Cruise
The further ahead the better.; You can only book airfare about 330 days in advance and we think you should know the airfare cost or at least a ballpark.; Some lines will have a price guarantee on fares under deposit, but more are introducing non refundable deposits which have varying rules on price protection before final payment.; Earlier is better no question.; If prices are lowered, they often do this on guaranteed categories as a way of protecting their existing bookings from price reductions.
You May Like: Which Cruises Leave From New York
Lowest Repositioning Cruise Rates Often Emerge 2
A pricing trend that has remained consistent over the years is being able to find some of the best repositioning cruise deals by booking fairly last-minute. Rock-bottom prices tend to appear two-three months before the repositioning cruise is scheduled to embark.
This comes contrary to common advice for booking cruises. Often with cruises, its recommended to book as early as possible to score the best deal. And there are indeed some great repositioning cruise deals that can be scored in advance. But for particularly common routes, like transatlantic repositioning cruises, rates are sometimes slashed in the few months leading up to embarkation.
This last-minute repositioning cruise booking strategy has been a tried-and-true method weve used to uncover some of the best repositioning cruise deals out there. Prices tend to drop when each cruises cancelation period ends, which is about 45-90 days out.
Understand the economics at play. Those who book a cruise in advance have an option to cancel and receive a full or partial refund up until about 2-3 months before the cruise departs. This is known as the cancelation period and it varies by cruise line, ship, and itinerary. Once the cancelation period ends, anyone who booked the cruise are locked into it. Therefor, the cruise lines dont really know their true occupancy count is unknown until that time frame.
A general rule of thumb is the following:
It Can Also Make Sense to Book Repositioning Cruises in Advance
Cheapest Transatlantic Repositioning Cruise Deals: Between Europe & Us
Transatlantic repositioning cruises are a classic repositioning cruise route to embark on. Theyre the most common and often the easiest to get a great deal on an inexpensive voyage.
The itineraries range from fairly barebones direct sailings across the ocean to port-intensive voyages with only a few sea days in between to break up the trip. Some transatlantic itineraries include Caribbean islands on the eastern side, an abundance of European ports on the Western Atlantic, and far-flung islands in between. Stops into Atlantic Ocean islands such as the Azores, Canaries, Madeira, and Bermuda help to break apart the lengthy ocean crossing.
Last-Minute Transatlantic Repositioning Cruise Deals for Fall 2020
Most Fall 2020 transatlantic repositioning cruises have been outright canceled. Only Norwegian cruise line has one late-season transatlantic itinerary that prospective passengers can still book.
2021 Spring Transatlantic Repositioning Cruise Deals: US to Europe
There are already some unusually low rates for 2021 transatlantic repositioning cruises, well in advance of the deals that tend to emerge in the last-minute. In fact, weve already spotted a dozen 2021 transatlantic repositioning cruises within the $50 per night range! Theres even this 16-night Royal Caribbean cruise thats down to a mere $35/night!
| Ship |
|---|
You May Like: How To Find Great Cruise Deals
Is Working On A Cruise Ship Right For You
With so many different jobs available onboard a cruise ship, pretty much anyone can find a place on the ship doing something they are good at, and enjoy. But no matter what your position is on the vessel, youll have to work long hours and many days in a row.
In many cases, the shifts will last upwards of 8 months, so you have to be prepared to be at sea, working as many as 12 hours per day, up to 8 months straight!
The great thing is that while youre at sea, living expenses are pretty much non-existent, as food and accommodation are covered. Even if youre not hired to one of the highest paid positions, youll easily be able to save money.
Youll also get free medical insurance with most cruise line jobs and in the higher positions, youll have a private cabin. In many cases youre even allowed to invite your family onboard for free while youre working.
I know people who have paid off student debt of $30,000 in less than a year, and saved enough for a year of travel after just 6 months of working a cruise ship job. The money is good, you get to visit different parts of the world and you have lots of people to interact with on a daily basis.
One great bonus of working on a cruise ship that most passengers would have no idea about is the crew-only amenities. While most of the crew sleep in small, closet-sized rooms, there are plenty of areas on the ship that they have all to themselves, like private hot tubs, sun decks, gyms, bars and dining rooms.;
Where Should I Book My Cruise
Through a cruise search engine. When cruises are having trouble filling in their cabins, or theyre worried a certain cruise will be unpopular because of when theyre sailing out, theyll consign those cruise spots to The Cruise Club of America and let us push tickets at a better deal. You dont have to use a travel agent or fall prey to whatever price the cruise line has posted that day. Instead, you can conduct your search, line and hook for your upcoming cruise all on one platform.
Recommended Reading: What Cruise Ships Go To Hawaii
Book At The Last Minute
For those who can be spontaneous, flexibility can pay off. Check out our last minute cruise deals section, which features bargains on a variety of sailings leaving within 90 days — 90 days out being the typical point at which final cruise payments are due. In general, there are always plenty of Caribbean and Mediterranean cruise deals.
Other hard-to-fill cruises — such as shoulder season cruises and one-way repositioning sailings, where open-jaw airfare is required — can be deeply discounted at the last minute. Of course, booking last-minute airfare might wipe out any savings. Plus, you’ll have a limited selection of cabin locations and dinner seatings. But, if you’re flexible and can drive to a cruise port — or have plenty of frequent flier airline points to burn — it’s a great way to take a cruise without breaking the bank.
Related:Last Minute Cruising: Tips for Getting a Deal
What Are Tips For Finding Cheap Cruises
If you’re a flexible traveler, you’ll have a better chance of finding cheap cruises. Take a cruise that doesn’t sail over the summer or holidays, when prices are highest. Book an inside cabin, or take your chances with a “guarantee cabin,” ideal for passengers who aren’t picky about their cabins but really want the lowest price available. Book cabins on lower decks, which often come with lower prices than those rooms on higher floors.
Cruise lines such as MSC Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International offer rates that might drop as low as $75 per person per night — and sometimes lower. Here’s a tip: Many times, the smaller ships from these lines offer the smallest prices.
If you want a real bargain, consider a transatlantic or repositioning cruise. These cruises are one-way or open-jaw trips, that start in one port and finish at another. You can score a deal sailing from Florida to Europe, for example, or even from New York to Florida. Just be aware, you’ll probably have to pay a bit more for airfare to return.
Don’t Miss: Which Is The Best Princess Cruise Ship For Alaska