WHY CRUISING COSTS MORE & WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT!

WHY CRUISING COSTS MORE & WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT! Today on @diazondecktravel I’ll go in depth into the using costs of travel and what that means for you cruisers. First we have to look at the global economy. How we travel is a direct mirror of what’s going on in today’s economy. Food costs, fuel costs and staffing costs have definitely risen in the last 5 years. The economy affects suppliers as well as consumers. In order for cruise ships to maintain their floating cities, they will pass on those rising costs to us. But don’t dispair. Cruising offers one of the most value packed vacations - you unpack once, you eat like royalty, and you get to visit multiple places…not to mention the entertainment provided. These included cruise values would really increase your land vacation as extras and therefore skyrocket your travel expenses. Let’s not forget about docking fees and port charges. Some places like Alaska & Europe have already passed these fees on to cruise lines and their passengers. Mexico made mention of that several months ago and it didn’t matter if nether you disembarked or not. Hawaii is currently trying to pass on a similar docking cruise tax. Cruise lines are spending billions of dollars on new ships and new technology. There will be less emissions and more new technology. This does come with a price tag. So, here’s what can you do to stay ahead of the game. Here are my 4 tips for cruising smarter: 1. USE A TRAVEL AGENT - we have access to group rates, included services ( wi-fi , drinks, excursions) and sometimes on board credits that are not publicly posted. 2. BOOK EARLY - cruise lines love to reward early bookers with discounts and included services. Some cruisers book 1-2 years in advance. 3. BOOK OFFSEASON - if you have the option to travel in shoulder season, there could be a significant discount during this time. 4. BUNDLY SMARTLY- look for cruise fares that may include other things like drinks, WiFi, excursions and even specialty dining. Don’t get hit with surprise costs. What types of packages appeal to you? Do you like the simplicity and transparency of an all inclusive cruise fare. Please comment. I would love to know what you’re finding out there. Happy cruising and I’ll SEA you on deck