Thanks Ken. I have chosen Royal Caribbean, Freedom of the Seas. I am soooooo excited! I will let you know when I am going. I am going Western Caribbean!
I would start with finding out what cruise terminal is near you. Its cheaper if you dont have to fly. If money is no object, then do some research and look into where you'de like to go. I agree with the earlier post that Aruba is awesome. Carnival is the "fun ship" and Royal Caribbean is fancy and glamourous. If you plan it yourself instead of using a travel agent, it will save money as well. Its just as easy to spend time on the internet looking up the same information as they will get for you. (without the commission they charge) You can also go to your local travel agency and get free brochures. Look through all of them and find one that meets your needs. This is what i did for our first cruise, booked everything myself and saved a bundle. I dont call myself a cruise professional, as i've only been on 4, but i AM a CRUISEFANATIC!!
Originally posted by Trese:
I would start with finding out what cruise terminal is near you. Its cheaper if you dont have to fly. If money is no object, then do some research and look into where you'de like to go. I agree with the earlier post that Aruba is awesome. Carnival is the "fun ship" and Royal Caribbean is fancy and glamourous. If you plan it yourself instead of using a travel agent, it will save money as well. Its just as easy to spend time on the internet looking up the same information as they will get for you. (without the commission they charge) You can also go to your local travel agency and get free brochures. Look through all of them and find one that meets your needs. This is what i did for our first cruise, booked everything myself and saved a bundle. I dont call myself a cruise professional, as i've only been on 4, but i AM a CRUISEFANATIC!!
Trese, not to argue with you, but as far as a cruise agent, they do not charge anymore than the cruiselines charge. You can either book directly with the cruiseline, online or with an agent..all prices are running the same. Agents do not charge their passengers the commission, the cruiselines pay the agents the commission, if you book directly through the cruiseline then the agent you booked with receives the commission, the only difference, an agent through the cruiseline might never have been on a cruise or if they have its been with the line they represent, whereas a cruise specialist agent has been on many different lines and continue to keep their education up for the various lines. They can recommend one cruiseline over another based on the critera the client is requesting. If you call the cruisline directly they will only recommend their line. Just my 2 cents on this subject.
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