group cruises packages
The 7 Times You Shouldn’t Tip On A Cruise
Many cruise travelers are confused about when, whom and how much to tip.
Most mainstream lines automatically charge passengers a daily gratuity, yet still expect them to fork over cash for luggage porters, room service deliverers and tour guides.
Here are 7 times for when you should not tip on a cruise.
Do not tip when…
- You buy a drink (a 15 to 18 percent gratuity is usually already included in the bill).
- You’re sailing in luxury (upscale small-ship lines like Oceania, Seabourn & Silversea, tips are usually neither required or accepted).
- You’re dining at a Specialty Restaurant (gratuities are usually always included in the bill).
- You’re at the ships’ Spa Facility (an 18 percent gratuity is usually included in the final bill).
- The Counselors at the Kids Club (the club fees are usually included, however you can give an additional tip if you are feeling especially grateful to those staff members who went above and beyond your expectations).
- The Plumber comes to your cabin to fix your toilet or shower (although it is tempting, onboard ship engineers do not work for tips).
- The Ship’s Captain or Cruise Director (they are not required to receive any tips or gratuities).
Follow these simple money-saving tips when on your next cruise.
Speaking of your next cruise, please contact Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 (toll-free) or complete our online request form to book your next unforgettable and much-needed cruise vacation!!
Unwind in the 10 Best Cruise Ship Spas
Spas on some cruise ships boast the latest and greatest in relaxation and wellness treatments, catering to both newbies and experienced spa fans. There are treatment options for women and men and sometimes even for teens. Prices may be higher onboard than on land, but when else are you going to indulge? Check out these spas to achieve a new level of zen.
- Celebrity Cruises – Canyon Ranch SpaClub
- Princess Cruises – The Lotus Spa
- Norwegian Cruise Line – The Mandara Spa
- Disney Cruise Line – Senses Spa & Salon
- Cunard Line (Queen Mary 2) – The Canyon Ranch SpaClub
- Crystal Cruises – The Crystal Spa
- MSC Cruises (MSC Divina) – The Aurea Spa
- Seabourn Cruises – The Seabourn Spa
- Oceania Cruises – The Canyon Ranch SpaClub
- Costa Cruises – The Samsara Spa
Why not indulge yourself and make your next vacation with one of these awesome cruise lines! Contact Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 or submit a cruise quote request form and allow us to make your next cruise getaway one that will be fulfilling and relaxing!
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:
- Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL)
- Disney Cruise Line
- Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
- Holland America Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Carnival Cruise Lines
- Crystal Cruises
- Cunard Line
- Princess Cruises
- 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!!!
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 Questions to ask your Cruise Travel Agent
For first-time cruisers and experienced cruise passengers too, travel agents can be an invaluable resource. They can help you get through the nuances and intricacies of planning your cruise vacation and even save you money during special sales/promotional events as well as other times during the year too. However, you need to know what you want before starting a conversation. Here are the 10 key questions to ask your cruise travel agent when planning a cruise:
- Do you have any experience in cruising? (You want to work with an agent that has first-hand experience with being on a cruise and familiarity with all the major cruise lines)
- Are there any special offers that apply to me? (Cruise lines target offers – such as senior discounts, residential discounts and military personnel discounts)
- Can I save by tweaking my travel dates? (You may have specific cruise dates in mind, however, if you are flexible, your agent might save you a bundle by booking you a week earlier or later. High season usually occurs Memorial Day through Labor Day, Passover/Easter week & Christmas/New Year’s break)
- Where will my cabin be located? (Not every cabin in the same category is created equally. One may bring the benefit of a larger than normal balcony, another may be located in a particularly noisy area of the ship. Choosing a specific cabin may or may not be the best way to go. Your agent will guide you in this realm)
- Can you do anything for me? (Travel agents may be able to sweeten the pot with incentives such as onboard spending credits, a bottle of champagne upon arrival in your cabin or a dinner at one of the ships’ restaurants. It doesn’t hurt to ask.)
- Have you cruised to this destination? (Your travel agent should be able to offer some advice on what to see and do at any destination port)
- What are the dining options onboard? (On many ships, you need to decide upfront whether to do early or late seating at assigned tables or an open-seating option. You may also want to make reservations at one of the ship’s popular specialty restaurants one evening. This is another area where your cruise travel agent can be a helpful guide)
- Should I buy travel insurance? (You are investing money when you book your cruise. Make sure you understand what is covered and what’s not. Also make sure you understand how the cruise payment plan works — with a deposit upfront. A travel agent can take you through what happens if you need to cancel, including the difference between cruise line and third-party insurance policies)
- What happens if the price of the cruise drops? (Some cruise fares have non-refundable deposits, but most do not. A good travel agent will help you watch for price changes and help you grab a lower fare if one becomes available — within the change period allowed)
- Will I be able to reach you if I run into a problem? (The big difference between a do-it-yourself approach and working with an agent is customer service. you want someone who will know your needs and be there when you need them)
Bargain Travel prides itself on customer service and serving its clients. When you are ready to book your next cruise vacation, please give us a call at 1-800-820-4567 or send us a cruise quote request form and allow our experienced staff to take care of all your travel needs.
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 Best Cruise Beaches
Warm temperatures, crystal clear waters, breathtaking views and that fresh ocean breeze. Those are just some of the reasons why cruises to tropical places are so popular. Whether you’re a beach bum who likes to enjoy the sun and the water, or a more adventurous type that enjoys snorkeling, diving or kayaking, there is a beach for whatever you’re into! With Bargain Travel Cruises, we can help you find the best cruise to the best beach destinations for any interest! Bargain Travel Cruises is dedicated to giving you the best vacation for your hard earned money without shorting you on accommodations or other important details. “Travel at its best for less,” is our motto and we are dedicated to finding the best deal for you!
Best Beaches for Adventure Seekers
If you like to surf, kayak or explore old shipwrecks, we have found some of the best beaches you should cruise to! Hanauma Bay, Kailua Beach and Makaha Beach on Hawaii’s Oahu Island, has the best beaches for serious water sport fanatics. Hanauma Bay is considered snorkeling paradise. It offers moonlight snorkeling for free on Saturday nights, you just have to remember a flashlight. Kailua Beach is where visitors are able to try kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing and bodyboarding! Traveling to Makaha Beach in the winter is key for dedicated surfers. Large, fast and dangerous waves come in during the winter months, making it a surfers paradise.
Cruises to the Western and Southern Caribbean will provide extensive beaches for people looking to stay active or try something new. Chankanaab Bay and Lagoon, in Cozumel, is the best scuba diving and snorkeling and offers the widest variety of watersport rentals on the island. Caracas Bay Island, located in the Southern Caribbean, is great for mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, snorkeling, windsurfing and many more beach activities! At Antigua’s Jabberwock Beach is a great place to try kitesurfing. A powerful kite is used to propel a rider through the water on a surfboard. Wind conditions are always ideal at this beach and they offer private lessons at a kitesurfing school.
Best Beaches for Beach Bums
Beautiful scenery, clear, blue water and a great atmosphere is what makes these next beaches the best choice for people interested in relaxing and enjoying their vacation. A cruise to these beaches are great for families, friends or romantic couples who want to relax and enjoy their time at the beach. Baby Beach, in Aruba, is great for families. The water is shallow pool created by rock breakwaters and is typically no more than six feet deep. Payne’s Beach, Barbados is great for those looking for fun bars, beach cafes and beautiful cliffs and dunes. Malecon Beach in the Western Caribbean is beautiful beach filled with lounge chairs, umbrellas, boat rides and great bars.
Waikiki Beach in Hawaii is a wonderful beach for families, romantic couples or friends. The two-mile stretch of beach with beachfront hotels and gentle waters, is what makes this beach so famous. Punaluu Black Sand Beach draws anyone who loves nature and unique beauty. The black sand, cool waters and sea turtles are what draws people to this magnificent beach and admiring the natural beauty. Kaanapali Beach is a three-mile beach with a great location for beachcombers, scuba divers and snorkelers combined. Wherever you decide to cruise to, remember that whatever you’re into, there is a beach for you. Start planning your cruise today with Bargain Travel Cruises! Call us at (800) 820 – 4567 today!
Group Cruises
With 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!