Cruise websites
 

We are looking into taking our first cruise and are trying to find the best deal we can for the cruise we want. I wanted to ask the forum if anyone has ever heard of or used the website cruiseleaders.com. It's for the business Holidays in Motion. Another one we came across was cruisevacationoutlet.com. There are so many sites for cruises offering deals and on board credit, we were just wondering if they are all legitimate or if we should stick to a more reputable well known travel site. If anyone has any info on these or any others sites in general, any and all information is appreciated.
Thank you

I have not heard of cruise leaders, I am awaiting a call from an agent with cruisevacationoutlet.com. If you haven't yet, try http://www.cruisecompete.com. You put in your desire and cruise agencies give you a quote. That is how I found cruisevacationoutlet.com, they are the lowest bid for me on one I am looking at right now. I also have booked with http://www.cruisedirect.com and so far so good. This one is way out in the future at this point.

I would second the vote for http://www.cruisecompete.com. Even agencies that participate in the site sometimes offer better rates through CruiseCompete than they do directly.

Another good one is vacationstogo.com.

Keep in mind that some cruiselines discount to travel agents, some do not - and that is what these sites lead you to - on-line travel agents. When you get a your responses, check the amounts carefully as to what they include and do not - some include port fees and all taxes, some do not. On several cruises when we have used cruisecompete, although the cost seemed to vary quite a bit among various bids, they actually were essentially the same. Some TA, on-line and others, do include various perks - on-board credits add to value, but fruit baskets and bottles of cheap wine do not, in my opinion, add anything.

And be sure to check with cruiseline website directly - sometimes it is the same cost.

Even the cruise lines that claim to "not allow" discounting do let agents offer onboard credits to customers. So instead of getting a low fare, you get money put in your shipboard account that you can spend on tips, drinks, or even take out as cash at the casino. There's really no reason to book directly with the cruise line.

Cruise line web sites are also notorious for not including all charges until the final booking screen, so I would echo Gail's advice--make sure you're comparing the full cost of the cruise before making your final decision.

Try cruise.com and cru-con.com . But also call the cruise line/check their email prices too. We have had two $299 cruises, both 7 days, one a balcony on deck 9, by calling the cruise line and just got off the Glory, $249, 7 days, deck 9 (our favorite deck). We do know to start checking early. We have seen cruise lines change their prices - usually up, as much as 4 times a day!

cruisenegotiators.com is cruise auction where different agents compete.