We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

From river cruises to Caribbean voyages, British tourists have a lot of choice when it comes to cruises. Yasmin Pekel, owner of Blue Cruise, shared her top booking tips.

Yasmin said: “Do your research. The drinks package, the cities you’ll visit and the amenities available on the ship.

“These are all crucial things that you want to know before your trip begins! No one wants to feel misled, whether by the ship itself or the route it takes.

“Conducting research into the places on the trip also allows you to understand the local culture and any requirements or things to be mindful of when visiting.
“A discussion with your booking agent should clarify any questions.”

It’s important to do some research before booking a cruise holiday due to the amount of choice on offer.

When it comes to destinations, tourists will need to remember to look at the fine print on their itinerary.

Although a cruise may advertise Venice as a stop, many ships actually dock in Ravenna and passengers have to travel for a couple of hours to reach the famous ‘Floating City’.

Another tourist shared their disappointment over a cruise scheduled to stop in Rome, which actually docked at Civitavecchia.

As Rome city centre isn’t on the coast, guests will instead travel to the Italian capital via coach or train.

Passengers may also need to consider whether they want to book extra time in any of the destinations.

Some cruise guests like to stay for a few days in the first or last city to extend their holiday time.

Cruises in the Caribbean are likely to experience good weather all-year round, unlike in Europe.

Guests can also have a look at the excursions offered by the cruise line before booking to see whether they want to plan their own trips.

Yasmin added: “A cruise agent is the best way to find the perfect cruise for you. Whether you need recommendations for food, cities to visit or general advice, a travel agent is the best person to turn to.”

Cruise booking agents will be best placed to offer booking advice to new or cautious passengers.

“Use Google to find a highly-rated agency near you and book for an in-person or telephone consultation,” advised Yasmin.

She said: “A cruise agent is able to provide cheap trade prices, meaning that using one can actually save you money in the long run.”

Booking agents may be able to offer passengers better deals on holidays as they will get the best rates.

If they can’t find a better price, they might have a deal for a balcony cabin or be able to offer an upgrade.

Agents will also have a lot of detail on the different lines and destinations to help passengers make an informed choice.

Even if they’re under the same cruise lines, cruise ships are all very different and passengers may need advice to choose the one that’s right for them.

Source: Read Full Article