CruiseMates Cruise Consumer Affairs

Cruise agents get paid by the cruise lines, and can still often beat the direct sales price! But you must call them, because you won't see the lowest prices advertised. Respect your agent, they are your advocate, especially if things go wrong. Do not nickel and dime them, or waste their time price shopping and then book your cruise elsewhere. Do your research here, then call an agent and ask the price for your cruise.

Got a cruising question for Us?
Go to our "Ask the CruiseMates Staff" Message Board.

Shore Excursions and Tours by Paul Motter How to save money on shore tours and time in port during your cruise. 03-08-12 Cruise Tips: Next Chapter by Paul Motter How to save money on your cruises and other related costs by timing your cruise purchase. 02-10-12 Cruise Tips: Selecting a Cruise Port by Paul Motter The first of a series, this article features the secrets to choosing a port of departure that is best suited to your travels. 02-02-12 Air Service Worse Than Ever The hassles of air travel have gotten worse in recent years; here's how to minimize them on the way to your next cruise. 9-6-11 Cruise Interest is Alive and Well by Paul Motter Our economy has put a damper on the vacation plans of many, but it doesn't mean a loss of enthusiasm for cruises. 8-11-11 How to Get the Best Cruise Value The trick to finding cruise values is to think like a "contrarian" so you can "buy low and sail high."   Go>   Free Cruise Scams Return by Paul Motter Slick language and flashy images attempt to lure postcard recipients with false promises. 8-2-11 Hot Cruise Buying Tips from a Real Expert Hot cruise buying tips from Michelle Fee of Cruise Planners. At $100,000,000 is cruise sales annually not many people understand cruise sales better.   Go>   Organizing a Group Cruise Organizing a group cruise means price cuts and other perks, including a free cruise for the group leader.   Go>   The Cheapest Cruises What are the lowest-priced cruises out there? And is a "cheap" cruise really worth the savings?   Go>   Hidden Costs of Cruising What is included in your cruise fare depends on what type of cruise you are considering. How to know how much your cruise will really cost.   Go>   How to Complain to a Cruise Line and Get Results (Part I) A poll of our readers finds surprises in the most effective ways to get satisfaction for problems -- including financial compensation.   Go>   Cruising to Bankruptcy? In these tough economic times, using your credit to pay for a cruise could be a big mistake. Sage financial advice from our CruiseMates readers.   Go>   How to Solve Your Cruise Problems Passengers who address shipboard problems like a cruise industry insider are likely to get better results.   Go>   Cruise Ship Art Auction Controversy 2008 Art auctions on cruise ships have become controversial for a number of reasons - caveat emptor, buying art is risky and expensive.   Go>   Your Cruise Has Been Refused! People with cruise tickets are sometimes denied boarding at the last moment, losing not only their vacation time, but their cruise fare as well.   Go> 6-27-08   The Most Common Cruise Mistakes - Part 1 There are two reasons why cruisers make mistakes that ruin their vacations: The questions we never think to ask; and the things we neglect due to over-confidence. The Most Common Cruise Mistakes - Part 2 Part two: how to avoid scams, and honest errors that can turn into big problems. Cruise Misperceptions Old and New - Part 1 Part 1: No matter what, some things never change. Correcting some long-term misunderstandings about seagoing vacations. Will I get seasick? I don't want to be stuck on a boat. Cruise Misperceptions Old and New - Part 2 Part 2: Modern day misperceptions clarified and legitimate concerns put into perspective. Health, environment and safety issues. Understanding Cruise Line Ads The Master Class on deciphering cruise prices in ads. How to really know a bargain when you see one. The Devil is in the Disclaimers What are you entitled to when something goes wrong with your cruise? It's one of the most common questions we get. Price Shopping? Pick Up the Phone Cruise line price display policies for ads and booking engines keep some of the best rates off the Internet. 7 Direct Booking vs. Agents: The Latest Chapter Is the perception of "flat" pricing leading more consumers to book directly with cruise lines? Cruise Insurance For Everyone This article doesn't have any sexy pictures, but it is chock-full of great information about cruise and travel insurance. Outsmarting the Travel Scammers How to avoid getting taken by flim-flam artists hustling "free" travel. The Luxury Lineup - Part 1 Looking for Luxury. An comparison of two winning luxury cruise lines, Crystal Cruises and Regent Seven Seas. 9-27-06 Looking for Luxury What constitutes a top-end cruise line? Gourmet cuisine, tips & drinks included, exotic ports and more. The latest in a series. Budget Cruising? Read about budget cruising, yesterday and today! An extension to our "four classes of cruising" article. Premium or Mass-Market? From Budget to Luxury, Ships come in four classes. Read about the mass market and premium lines. Finding the Right Travel Agent Factors to consider include price quotes, service levels, cruise expertise and should you book directly with cruise line? How to Buy a Cruise Online Why you should book online, how to select an online agency, and verifying their credentials. 2007 Port Roundup Several lines are adding new itinerary options next year. Tipping! Readers React. Our comsumer editor found our reader's hot button with his tipping article. The Ins and Outs of Tipping Policies Here's an inside look at how the major lines handle automatic gratuity collections.

Articles by former Consumer editor, Art Sbarsky:

• Seven Seas Mariner: The Long Cruise Challenge
• What's New for 2006?
• Meal Costs, Tipping, Air Booking
• Balconies, Tipping, Juice/Water and Air Fare.
• Finding Deals for 2006
• Misinformation, Tipping, Seasickness, Pricing Policies
• Age Restrictions, Cruise Prices and Embarkation
• Insurance, Refunds, Tipping and Documentation
• Smaller Ship Options
• Thoughts for First-Timers: Part 2
• Age Rules, Shore Trips and Weather Forecasts
• Balconies, Tipping, Juice/Water and Air Fare
  
• Finding Deals for 2006
  
• Misinformation, Tipping, Seasickness, Pricing Policies
  
• Insurance, Refunds, Tipping and Documentation
  
• Smaller Ship Options
  
• Age Rules, Shore Trips and Weather Forecasts
  
• Thoughts for First-Timers: Part 2
  
• Considering a First Cruise? Read This
  
• Hurricane Katrina
  
• Staying Ahead of Hurricanes
  
• Cabin Service, Port Safety and Alcohol
  
• Consumer Issues: Art Auctions, IDs, Smoking
  
• 2006 Luxury Lineup
  
• Know Before You Go
  
• Q & A: Insurance, Seasickness, Money and Hurricanes
  
• Cruise Trends and News
  
• MSC Goes American
  
• Shore Trips Get Wild
  
• Why You Should Book Early
  
• Q & A: Cabin location, Europe, Documentation
  
• Cookie-Cutter Cruising? Hardly
  
• Consumer Issues: Airfare, Europe, Complaints
  
• Q & A: Tipping, Dress Codes and More
  
• Q & A: Smoking, Lounge Chairs & Rebating
  
• What's Your Loyalty Worth?
  
• Aboard the Arabella
  
• How Suite It Is!
  
• Three Money Issues
  
• Exploring the Golden Princess
  
• Celebrity's Galapagos
  
• Planning Ahead for 2005
  
• Tips on Tipping
  
• Is This Cruising's Golden Age?
  
• Size, Location and Price: What to Consider
  
• Shore Excursion Planning
  
• Getting Sick at Sea
  
• On-Board Enrichment
  
• Beware of On-Board Charges
  
• Best Way to Book a Cruise? Travel Agent or Online?
  
• Answering Your Questions - 7/7/03
  
• Answering Your Questions - 5/29/03
  
• Answering Your Questions - 4/10/03
  
• Consumer Q&As - 8/16/04
  
• Cruise FAQs
  
  

PREVIOUS CONSUMER AFFAIRS ARTICLES: Security and Health: FAQs Cruise Price Juggling Dreaming of 'Ultra Yachts' Nickel-and-Dime Economics Biting into the Big Apple New Cruise Cancellation Options Safety at Sea Chasing those Bargains - Where do I find the Best Price? The Secret of Shipboard Credits The Elusive Cabin Upgrade Should I Book on Board? Safety in Numbers--or Holiday of Horrors? If I Owned a Cruise Line The Devil Is In the Disclaimers Passenger Yachts: Peril at Sea PREVIOUS ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS: Alaska, Luggage Security and Discounts Alaska, Texas, Security and More Schedule Changes, Security, Supplier Defaults Bottled Water, Bargains and FMC Bonds Weather, Spring Break and Scandal Alcohol, weather, prices and policies Baskets, Booze and Bamboozlers Butlers, Tips and Toilets