cruise deals

10 Reasons Travelers Still Need a Travel Agent

In the age of technology, booking trips online is an easy choice for travelers. and yet the business of travel agents in the United States soared last year (ASTA reported) that more of half of all agents saw an increase in clients, transactions, and revenue in 2014 over 2013, and their profits are expected to grow 12% in 2015.

Here are 10 reasons that help explain why that is, from a customer’s perspective.

1) Accountability – A travel agent’s job is on the line with every trip. They are a real person clients can speak with to work things out.

2) Knowledge – Travel agents have been doing the job for years and know all the ins and outs.

3) More For Your Money – When booking an expensive trip, a travel agent can ensure that your dollars go a long way.

4) Setting An Itinerary – A travel agent can give a clear-cut schedule & keep records of what will be happening on a day-to-day basis.

5) Budgeting – A travel agent can help map out exactly how much a trip will cost, so there are no surprises.

6) Insurance – Things happen. A travel agent can offer insurance in a number of ways, from guaranteeing that your hotel is safe and the company and the company running the tour excursion won’t rob you, to actually advising on which insurance policies you need, from trip cancellation to medical emergencies. They also insure that you have the correct travel documents, so you don’t end up missing your plane or cruise. And when things do go wrong, travel agents have the resources and the contacts to get you to the head of the line.

7) Resources – At the touch of a travel agents’ fingertips, they have resources a traveler simply does not. Yes, we have the internet, but there is so much still left unknown, especially in places that are undiscovered.

8) Exclusivity – A travel agent knows the new destinations and the new places in them – and often they can get you in. Through their partners, they also often get freebies for their customers ranging from a free drink to an exclusive admission to a hot event.

9) Time Savings – A travel agent will spend time getting to know you and what you’re looking for, and then put together an entire vacation customized for you.

10) Leverage – Travel agents spend years developing long-term relationships and travel companies understand how important their repeat business is. Travel agents have leverage with most hotel companies, resorts and cruise lines, and they are more likely to get what they want than a single consumer.

In short, if you have never visited a travel agent, you are missing out on a chance to save time, hassles and aggravation – and often, money as well.

Please contact Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 and allow our 40+ years of experience guide you to your next hassle-free and relaxing vacation!! You can also submit a land vacation request or a cruise vacation request and we will respond immediately with information on your next getaway!!

The 10 Best Cruise Lines for Family Reunions

A key to a happy family reunion is a combination of fun activities, togetherness and down time. Cruise ships provide a perfect venue for multigenerational groups because everyone is free to do their own thing — play or lounge by day, dine together at night.

Here are the 10 best cruise lines for family reunion cruises:

  1. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL)
  2. Disney Cruise Line
  3. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
  4. Holland America Line
  5. Celebrity Cruises
  6. Carnival Cruise Lines
  7. Crystal Cruises
  8. Cunard Line
  9. Princess Cruises
  10. Oceania Cruises

Please call Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 or send a cruise vacation request form and let us plan your next memorable family reunion cruise today!!!

11 Things To Do On Board The New Norwegian Getaway

The new 4000 passenger Norwegian Getaway debuted in Miami earlier this year, the biggest ship to ever cruise year-round from the city. Onboard the Miami-centric ship, cruise passengers will find an action-packed environment that aims to bring the excitement of the Magic City to sea. Here are 11 favorite activities to do onboard the Norwegian Getaway.

  1. Watching “It’s Magic“: The one-of-a-kind Illusionarium dinner show.
  2. Sipping Mojitos: Head to the Sugarcane Mojito Bar to taste six varieties of mojitos.
  3. Whirling Down Slides: Try one of the five colorful waterslides above Deck 16 at Getaway’s Aqua Park.
  4. Walking The Plank: Put on a harness and fulfill your pirate fantasies! Step onto a plank the protrudes 8 feet off the ship, with nothing but sea 180 feet below!
  5. Playing Mini Golf: A round of mini golf on the ship’s 9-hole, pirate-themed course is a nice diversion, especially for families.
  6. Hanging With SpongeBob: As part of Norwegian’s deal with Nickelodeon TV, characters including SpongeBob appear in a bunch of places shipboard, including the décor at the Kids’ Aqua Park and Splash Academy playrooms.
  7. Eating Cuban: Fulfill your appetite with classic dishes like black beans and rice, pulled pork, fried yucca and empanadas  at the open-air Flamingo Bar & Grill.
  8. Participating in a Game Show: Crowds gather in the three-deck atrium — with its giant video screen — to play “Deal Or No Deal”, compete in trivia contests and hear what comes out of the mouths of fellow passengers during “The Perfect Couple Game Show”.
  9. Going Dancing: Dancing the night away onboard the Getaway doesn’t mean just busting a move in the disco. Theme nights include an 80’s party, complete with fireworks, at the outdoor club Spice H2O. In the Tropicana Room, a dramatic dining space designed to look like a 1940’s supper club, you can dance to tunes by an excellent Latin trio.
  10. Listening To Music: The GRAMMY Experience is a new club featuring Grammy award-winning musicians. The décor includes cases filled with funky Grammy memorabilia such as bright yellow Jackson Five jumpsuits, circa 1977.
  11. Seeing A Show: Head to the theater for the cutesy “Legally Blonde: The Musical” and a sizzling Latin version of the Broadway dance show “Burn The Floor”. For laughs, catch a performance by topflight comics. Or sample “Wine Lovers the Musical”, where lunch and a wine tasting get the comedic treatment.

Make your next cruise vacation aboard the Norwegian Getaway a reality. Call Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 or send us a cruise vacation quote request and let us plan your next “Getaway” on board this incredible new ship!

2014 Cruisers’ Choice Awards Winners

Here are the most notable winners of the 2014 Cruisers’ Choice Awards:

  • Disney Fantasy (Disney Cruise Lines): Best Large Ship
  • Disney Wonder (Disney Cruise Lines): Best Midsize Ship
  • Seabourn Quest (Seabourn Cruise Line): Best Small Ship, Best Small Ship for Public Rooms & Best Small Ship for Value-for-Money
  • Carnival Liberty (Carnival Cruise Lines): Best Large Ship for Value-for-Money
  • Oasis Of The Seas (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines): Best Large Ship for Fitness
  • Oceania Riviera (Oceania Cruise Lines): Best Midsized Ship for Cabins
  • Norwegian Sun (Norwegian Cruise Lines): Best Midsized Ship for Value-for-Money
  • Regent Seven Seas Navigator (Regent Seven Seas Cruises): Best Small Ship for Cabins
  • Crystal Serenity (Crystal Cruise Lines): Best Small Ship for Dining
  • Celebrity Silhouette (Celebrity Cruises): Best Cruises to the Mediterranean

Why not make your next cruise vacation on board one of these beautiful ships? Please call Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 or send us a cruise request quote form so we can begin planning your next incredible cruise getaway!!

10 Cruise Ships To Sure Please kids

Cruise lines cater to more than 1.5 million kid vacationers a year. It’s no wonder cruise ships are such a draw for families — there’s lots of stuff for the younger set to do. While the kids are occupied in organized activities programs, adults get to enjoy some downtime. When the whole family is ready for some togetherness, waterslides and other fun play areas provide places for creating memories. These 10 cruise ships have the most kid appeal.

  1. Oasis Of The Seas (Royal Caribbean Cruise Line)
  2. Allure Of The Seas (Royal Caribbean Cruise Line)
  3. Norwegian Breakaway (Norwegian Cruise Line)
  4. Norwegian Getaway (Norwegian Cruise Line)
  5. Disney Dream (Disney Cruise Line)
  6. Disney Fantasy (Disney Cruise Line)
  7. MSC Divina (MSC Cruises)
  8. Carnival Breeze (Carnival Cruise Line)
  9. Carnival Sunshine (Carnival Cruise Line)
  10. Royal Princess (Princess Cruises)

Let us make this cruise getaway a reality!! Please call Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 or send us a cruise vacation quote request so we can begin planning your next memorable family cruise vacation!!

Packing Must-Haves: What To Bring On A Cruise

The key to packing for a cruise is bringing a variety of comfortable, casual clothes you can mix and match and a few items that you can dress up more at night. Shorts or even a bathing suit and cover-up will do during the day, but on most ships you’ll need to put on long pants for dinner. If you’re a gym rat, you’ll want to bring workout clothes. If you’re a nature lover, don’t forget your binoculars and/or a camera with a good lens. Readers will want to bring books or an e-reader (don’t count on the ship’s library having much of a selectiosn). Whether going tropical, arctic or somewhere in between, you won’t want to leave home without these other items:

  • A Lightweight Rain Jacket and/or Umbrella
  • Shampoo, Conditioner & Soap
  • A Power Strip
  • A Spare Pair Of Glasses/Contacts
  • Gallon-Size Sealable Plastic Bags
  • Dramamine, Acupunture Wristbands, Ginger Tablets and/or Meclizine
  • Hangers
  • Sun & Bug Protection
  • Comfortable Shoes

Be sure to to call Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 or send us a cruise quote request so we can begin planning your next well-deserved cruise vacation!!

The 10 best things to do In a Caribbean Port.

A cruise to the Caribbean gives you the chance to partake in many fun and diverse shore excursions. Whether you want something action-packed or laidback, you can find your ideal activities ashore. Consider these:

  • Ziplining – While in port in St. Martin/St. Maarten, visit Loterie Farm at Pic Paradis, where you’ll find not only ziplining but also an obstacle course high up above the trees.
  • Rainforest Hike – Lush & green St. Lucia is a prime Caribbean port for this activity. See the island’s  exotic flora and fauna, and learn about the rainforest’s history and ecology — and its effects on the island — from your tour guide.
  • City Tours – A city tour through San Juan, Puerto Rico is ideal due to the many historic places located right in the city center.
  • Shopping – In St. Thomas, an island especially known for its duty-free shopping, partake in an excursion that takes you to some of the best shopping spots on the island.
  • Snorkeling – The Antilla Shipwreck in Aruba is a favorite spot, as it’s shallow enough for snorkelers (not just scuba divers) to get a good look at the wreck.
  • Waterfalls & Swimming Holes – In Jamaica, visit Dunn’s River Falls and swim in the water at its base. In Aruba, visit the Natural Pool, which is formed in the middle of large rocks in a scenic location by the island’s coastline.
  • Play With Animal/Sea Life – If you’re an animal lover, the Caribbean is going to make love them even more, with the opportunity to see dolphins, monkeys, lizards and ride horses along the beach. At Stingray City in Grand Cayman, you can swim with hundreds of stingrays, who make their home in the bay and are used to human touch.
  • White Water Rafting – A popular place to do this is in Jamaica, down the Rio Bueno River, which takes you through fast rapids and tropical scenery.
  • Local Drinks – A distillery or brewery tour is a tasty way to get in touch with the local side of an island. In the Dominican Republic, try some sips of its famous rum while visiting a local distillery. While in San Juan, you can take a tour and sample many versions of rum from their famous Bacardi Rum Factory.
  • Ancient Sites – Many Caribbean cruises make stops along the eastern coast of Mexico near Cancun. While there, visit the ruins of Tulum to see remnants of the way ancient Mayan civilizations lived.

Bargain Travel specializes in cruise packages to the Caribbean with all the major cruise lines. Please contact us at 1-800-820-4567 or send us a cruise quote request so we can plan and book your next exotic cruise vacation!

Heat Up This Spring with an Alaskan Cruise

Cruises to Alaska

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word Alaska? If you answered cold, you are not alone. However, traveling to Alaska doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need your warmest arctic gear. With a little help from Bargain Travel Cruises, you can plan your cruise to Alaska at the right time for the best price.

When is the Best Time to Travel to Alaska?

The best time to travel to Alaska is between May and September. Depending on your traveling interests, each month has its own benefits. For example, June and July are the warmest months to travel to Alaska. Spring and fall are perfect for season changes and sightseeing in Alaska. If you’re interested in saving money, the cheapest time to travel to Alaska is during the colder months of April and October.

What will the Temperature Be, and What Should I Wear?

When planning an Alaskan cruise, it’s important to pack for cold weather. The cruise ships will visit places where you’ll be able to tour places surrounded in ice, walk across a glacier or go dog-sledding. If you travel between the May and September Alaska cruise season, the temperatures will be warmer; especially while you’re visiting the major ports or cities. Before you go, do a little research to find the best apparel to pack and the average temperatures for the places you’ll visit.

Plan an Alaskan Cruise Tour

When you plan an Alaskan cruise tour, you will get the opportunity to experience Alaska both coastal and interior. A cruise tour is the best way to see it all. You can explore Mt. McKinley or Denali National Park, view wildlife in its natural habitat and visit beautiful mountain lodges. Bargain Travel Cruises has the adventurous travel packages and shore excursions you’re looking for. With cheap prices and group package deals, a cruise tour with Bargain Travel Cruises is the only way to go. Call us today to book your Alaska vacation for a small portion of what other cruise lines will charge you! For more information about discounts and deals, Alaskan cruises and group rates, call (800) 820 – 4567.

Group Cruises

Group Cruise DestinationsWith our busy lives and busy careers, it’s hard to make quality take with friend and family. That’s why group cruises are so great; it’s your opportunity to spend time and connect with family and friends. There are a million reasons to plan a group cruise, and with Bargain Travel Cruises, there are a million ways to save! To find out more about how you can make the most out of a group cruise, call (800) 820-4567 today!

Cruise With People That Have Similar Interests

One of the main benefits of doing a group cruise is they are usually centered around a specific interest or hobby, so you will share an experience with other people that have the same interests! Whether you love to run, scrapbook, musical entertainment, speakers on certain topics, or just want to have fun, there is a group cruise just for you and your group! Before you make specific plans for excursions or on-ship activities, make sure you discuss it with your group, and make sure everyone will be interested.

Need Help Motivating Your Group?

We all have busy lives, and it’s hard to take time off of work for a vacation. If you’re having a hard time getting your group motivated to go on a group cruise, do a little research. Once you gather the resources and information, you will be able to educate your group with prices and on-ship entertainment and get them excited to cruise with you!

Enjoy Special Group Bonuses

Cruises are already known for providing exceptional value, since one price buys your cabin, dining and entertainment! Group Cruises help you receive additional savings since you will be splitting the costs with more people! There are almost always little bonuses for cruising with a group. Depending on your cruise line, you will enjoy shipboard credits or bottles of wine. Sometimes, cruise lines will offer a complimentary shore excursion for large groups!

Why Choose A Group Cruise?

If you want to have a wonderful time, exciting and adventurous days and relaxing nights with your friends and family, a group cruise is for you! Enjoy fun activities during the day and a delicious meal at night. Imagine a welcome cocktail party where everyone in your group will meet in a designated area to connect and discuss the fun activities for the duration of your group cruise trip! A group cruise is the best way to connect with friends, family and coworkers while staying within a budget. Let Bargain Travel Cruises take you there. Whether you are celebrating a family or school reunion, rewarding your employees, planning a trip for friends or a wedding, there is a group cruise for you and Bargain Travel Cruises wants to help you book it! We Call us now at (800) 820-4567 and get started planning your group cruise now! Ask about our group cruise deals!