Maggie, <BR>I want to be your travel agent....then i can retire....or maybe paul wants to your agent...and you can buy him a cruise....he'll give 24 hour service..be smart you are paying too mucho dinero

For the first time let me defend Paul.. he and I disagree about NCL.. but there is a place for a good cruise travel agent..especially for novices..When I first decided to cruise I hooked up with somebody from South Florida Cruises (now defunct) and after talking to him he knew what our needs and wants were...cheap and exotic.. Now, most cruise agents are able to buy as a group..and get the best rate.. Many specialize in certain lines, whether it's the Princess or Carnival and they will tell the novice about the ports and side trips available to them and hold their hands throughout the same process..there are some cruisers who would never get off the ship at Cartegena or the San Blas Islands..they don't want to see poverty...and others like my self who are much more adventurous.. On the other hand..a novice with the internet available can do lots of research on Fodors, the cruise boards and travel magazines or books.. Several months ago a young man I've known asked my opinion on Carnival and I sent him to the CruiseBoard2..(he had a price from his regular travel agent)..not only did he end up with a better price, cabin and a balcony..lots of advice. When his regular TA called him back and found he had booked she was quite indignant..that he had gotten the better price at once..Now tell me..do you think that he will ever use that travel agent again? All of us on this board and others..are very fortunate..by searching we can become informed consumers and for many working hand in hand with a travel agent is possible.. Find what you want..talk to your travel agent..and see if he/she will work with you, if not..Comparision shop..but for perhaps $25.00 or so more.,. it's worth it to have a friend in the travel agency...Adios!!.. No, I am not a travel agent..

Sorry, Parrot MOM, what's Cruiseboard 2?

I think that cruising is one of the best deals going. You do have to shop around though. If you don't get a good price, you haven't done your homework. A few hours of research can add up to big savings. Why would you even go on a cruise if you didn't think it was worth the price? Everything is there for you...it's a total vacation...they plan it all, and you just choose what you want. It makes it so easy to relax. I've stayed on islands for the week, and firmly believe you get the best value on a cruise. Leaving March 9 for two weeks on the Mercury with balcony..Can't wait

www.cruise2.com/bulletins/newquestions.html <BR> <BR> <BR>for all you cruisers and want to be cruisers... It's as addictive as www.fodors.com

Also try www.cruisecritic.com There boards are loaded with information. You can look for messages by cruise line, destination,ports of call, or general questions. It's a great sourse of info.

Okay..wait a minute here...I had an inside cabin last year on the Grand...my daughter and myself..spring break week...price per person: @700...airfare was more difficult...as it was spring break week...but I would imagine it was around $300 each and we had no seat assignments...something I don't like to deal with. No bargains last minute air from Boston...I don't know where you guys are getting the bargains but there ain't any to be had...I did not go to a travel agent. I booked through the internet. <BR> <BR>This year, my husband and myself. 2@$1300 for balcony cabin. Quite frankly, I thought it was a good price...add tax and port charges and boom...you're up there. <BR> <BR>Air fare: @$300 each...again...no bargains.... <BR> <BR>Pre cruise stay because quite frankly last years hair raising trip to FLL was unbelieveable....Delta cancelled 2 flights in a row on us...leaving 400 stranded at Logan...we made the ship by 6:45 PM....I'm not doing that again... <BR> <BR>I don't think I paid too much...where are you guys getting all these great deals. <BR> <BR>Sure, I've gotten great deals on airfare and built trips around them, but not when I'm going on cruises. <BR> <BR>I agree with one who said the only trip they've paid more for is Disneyworld. Don't even talk to me about Disneyworld. I've spent fortunes staying in the park...Between hotels and passes...UGH...but we've had a good time. <BR> <BR>I won't sneak booze on board a ship. I don't shop. I still think I'm more the "norm" then many when they say they get these unbelieveable bargains....bargains for me come once in a blue moon...

Am reading this thread with great interest. While I always get 3 quotes prior to booking, our t/a in Houston (we live on east coast) appears to have good prices and gives excellent customer service - i.e. complimentary limo to and from our airport. We are sailing Grand Princess in a few weeks, using f/flyer miles (USAir). Total price for cruise (incl. taxes) $2200/couple for a BA cabin on Caribe deck. Did the math: approx. $300 p/couple p/day. Did not book until Oct...there was a regional promo plus agency discount. Wish more folks posted their price/cabin category and date of sailing. Very helpful when someone wonders if they are paying too much. We are flying down one day prior and staying at a splendid hotel ('though definitely not a Princess property).

Maggie...perhaps the secret is to have the cruise line book the air fare..they get bulk rates.. and after our last and recent experience I will if the opportunity comes up pay extra to get a straight flight..Then again..I refuse to pay for all that hassle.. and now cruise from Boston only but might make an exception if we cruise from N.Y. onthe NCL Sun fr their repo cruise..

When the cruise line books the fare the fare is $350 flat rate...no deals there...no deals on pre or post cruise hotels, either....but you are right...I think next time I'm sailing out of Boston... <BR> <BR> <BR>Don't have FF flyer miles to use...wish I did. Eventually I will. We are in a BA Lido deck. We were on the Baja deck last year...but again...this is the year I wanted to try the balcony room because my husband likes to look out windows. <BR> <BR>Anyway, inside cabins are good. Which hotel are you staying at, "cruise compare"? <BR> <BR>We've got a hotel situation now. First I booked a room at Yankee Clipper Ocean front, @ 229 plus tax but I thought that was too much. Then I looked at Doubletree, Seabreeze Ave., at $159 per night, plus tax, then I looked at Ramada on Galt Drive @119 per night.... <BR> <BR>Car Rental: <BR>Dollar: Compact at $29.99 per day; National, Luxury Car @ $123 for two days plus all the add ons....tax, tire fees, etcs., We usually rent from Hertz and have had no trouble with them but after reading all the replies in the car rental sections, I'm scared to even rent a car anymore! <BR> <BR>

Maggie - 1300pp for balcony. That was longer than 7 days wasn't it? We're sailing Celebrity Summit April 8th - 11 days 1300pp for a premium outside with balcony (cat 1A) Also using frequent flier mileage, so no airfare.<BR>I use CruiseOne, Travelco and CruiseQuick. All are very competitive. I have no favorites when it comes to price. Good Luck!

Okay you non-believers...just booked a cruise with a balcony on the new Royal Caribean Brilliance of the Seas which hasn't even been launched yet that will cruise from London to Boston for about $550.00.. the downside is that we are being ripped off between the cruise line and airline at the price of $445.00 to fly ONE WAY from Boston to London.. they claims it's the "transfers".. So, it's a little bit over $1,000 for the trip including taxes, port charges, etc.l and that is with shopping around from the local phone book..I found a local agent who does nothing but cruises.. We are living it up by have a two night pre=cruise for $329. which includes transfers from the airport, to the hotel and then a three hour drive to Harwich. I can guarantee you that one week in London would cost me a heck of a lot more than all of this. Oh yes.. I dumped my regular travel agent after 10 years..she wanted to charge me almost $300.00 more and was insulted.. she's insulted...I always paid her price, never questioned her two and three times a year...It pays to shop around I guess and this was not over an auction site or out of state.

Wanted to steer you to epinions.com for some very good cruise reviews. We always get the cheapest cabin, because we spend absolutely no time there except to dress and sleep.The cabin stewards have been great, no matter which room you're in.Always helps to tip early.We use FF miles- but must get there or leave a day early/late cause there are few Ff flights. Just got the Days Inn Miami airport for $37.00 through Orbitz. There are cheap ways to cruise!!

I usually stick to the Europe Thread because I travel a lot there. I wanted to see if the cruise experience was worth the effort.<BR><BR>I have come to the conclusion after reading several different threads that I should probably not go on a cruise for two simple reasons.<BR><BR>If half of the people on these threads are an indicator of people on the ships..... I have never ever seen a larger bunch of nasty vindicative people in my life.<BR><BR>And two. The cost. For what you people pay for a one week cruise I can enjoy Paris for two and eat like a King in the best restaurants in the world.<BR><BR>Now one of you people will more than likely flame me for this. Hmmmph go ahead. <BR><BR>Thank you you have saved me wasting me money.

If the last poster noted..I do post my e-mail address. and I have visited the Europe board.. only to have a travel agent write to me off the board requesting my address for her business within the last few weeks.. I did report it to the Fodors. Also, I find that people on that board are rather snippy, but then again I found some very helpful people. Besides I can think of lots of places I want to be besides Paris, like London, Spain, Italy..and as a senior citizen if I want an outside cabin, I want an outside cabin I would personally never take an inside cabin, but that's us and if for a very few $$ I can have a better sized cabin..so what..I deserve it!! The hotel we have used previous to this trip is like a huge hostel...lol I like luxury and am not ashamed..Do yo know that saying "I'm spending my childrens inheritance".. well, I am...let them work for it.<BR>

I was curious about this thread, and since we recently completed our first (cruiseline) cruise I decided to do the math and see. We're middle aged and have traveled independently prety extensively, so we know the typical costs for comfortable but non-luxurious travel (by our standards - I'd call it "3 star" if you know what I mean.)<BR><BR>It turns out that the cost of the cruise was roughly 50% greater on a daily basis than an equivalent independent trip of the same length, counting airfare (to the port or destination), cost of cruise, equivalent hotel accommodation, food and spending money allowances, car rental, cruise excursions, etc. The intangibles were the convenience of only unpacking once and the romance of the sea, versus the ability to see off-the-beaten-track or non-touristy places, meet local people other than cab drivers, and all that. We're able to find crowded bars, casinos, and duty free shops on land farily easily, too.<BR><BR>Of course it's unfair to compare the experiences too tightly - a cruise is a cruise and not a bed and breakfast in the highlands sort of trip. Still, 50% is a hefty premium any way you cut it, and it will make us think carefully before our next cruise. We'll probably look at repositioning cruises where the rates get real low just before the sailing, or, more likely, do another freighter cruise, where the prices are running about $80 per person per day, all in, or around a third of most cruise lines' per diem rates. We did one of those trips a few years ago and loved it, but it was very different from Celebrity, that's for sure.<BR><BR>Our conclusion is that cruising is not cheap, to quote the title of the thread, but it's definitely fun. It's just not the same as a land-based trip.

I guess I will have to differ with you here. Cruising is the best value since no one seems to factor in the price of food and entertainment. If you wish to go on a land based vacation and eat a five course meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus tip and see top quality shows twice a night plus pay for activities all day, you will pay quite a bit more than an inside stateroom on a ship. On a ship each person will consume $100 per person per day eating. Do not forget the convenience of all these venues. How much does a taxi cost to see twice nightly entertainment in say Paris. What do you tip a concierge?<BR><BR>Similar in price are the all-inclusive rates at say Superclubs or Sandals which have a comparable product. You will still pay a bit more and see one show a night, may not have the convenience of a nearby air-conditoned room or lunch that is not a buffet.<BR><BR>When one travels to a land-based hotel they neglect to add up all the costs of the entire vacation. This is the norm.<BR><BR>Airfare costs should not enter into the picture since there are too may variables and promotions.<BR><BR>I am sure I will get quite a few arguments here but I have been traveling for many years and I know costs. <BR><BR>Listen to Parrot Mom she knows value. And as a note to Parrot Mom the transportation from London airports to any pier is a very long and very expensive ride.<BR><BR>Paul

Knew you were lurkig around Paul. This conversation doesn't even factor in the tipping usually suggested at $3.75 for the waiter each day..give me a break..three meals a day, a steward who cleans your room in the a.m. when you leave, at lunch, get your room cleaned after you've gone to your meal. etc. etc. What I have just discovered and this is great.. is that Europeans can cruise to Boston or wherever their ship is ready to be repositioned in the US for a song..and then pick up an inexpensive flight home. A dear friend in the UK may do this..fly around the US visiting and then fly back..inexpensively we hope. Let me just add that I am prone to seasickness so I don't ask for a "guaranteed" cabin and I seriously don't want to book over the internet..Those people who buy cruises at auctions..good for them..I'm "chicken" I prefer to I'm sure Paul's delight to use a local agent.

Paul I couldn't disagree with you more. I did factor in the cost of eating. That is why I mentioned I could go to some of the best restaurants in Paris and still do better than a cruise. For instance. Le Petit Chaise, one of the oldest restaurants in Paris. About $50.00 dollars for my wife and I having a five course meal and a bottle of wine ( and the personal attention of our very own waiter). Lets face it. Europe is for those that are adventurous, and cruises are for those that want everything self contained and are reluctant to really explore. Being dumped somewhere for several hours to take in the sites like over priced shops and exploring the back streets of Paris, London, Austria...... just don't compare.<BR><BR>Cruises exist for a reason. There is the need for some people to have that environment. I guess just not me. Well have fun cruising and doing your thing. But price wise I still think cruises are too expensive.

I think you can cruise cheaply if you wish or it can be expensive if you can afford it. I just came back from a cruise on the Century (Celebrity) which went to the E. Caribbean. We flew down on Friday morning (cruise left 4:30) and flew home Sunday morning (cruise came in on Sat) We paid a total of $1,053.00 for an inside room for two for the cruise, port charges and taxes. Suggested tipping of the staff was $150. $200 for the room Friday before and Saturday night after the cruise. $60 for taxi, lunch and dinner (at our hotel) on Friday and $70 for taxi, lunch and dinner (again at our hotel) on Saturday after cruise. Airfare from Cleveland to Ft. Lauderdale was $400.00 total. The cost of our vacation for 10 full days was $1,933 ($193.30 per day). I don't know if anyone thinks that's cheap or not. I am well satisfied with what we paid. Of course that doesn't include the drinks, pictures, souvenirs, etc that I purchased on the ship or in Ft. Lauderdale.