Want to book your dream vacation without emptying your wallet? Vacations To Go brings you plenty of cruise packages and travel deals that help you save by a lot on your next adventure. Their booking platform gives you competitive prices and expert advice to make vacation planning smooth and worthwhile.
You can make the most of your perfect getaway by using the tools and resources on their service. This piece shows you ten key tips to get the best rates and amenities – from last-minute cruise deals to early booking bonuses. These strategies will help you guide through the booking process like a pro, whether you want tropical destinations or exotic ports of call.
Research Destinations and Cruise Lines
Begin your cruise planning experience with Vacations To Go’s effective research tools. Their detailed platform helps you discover an impressive selection of cruise options from over 30 major cruise lines. This makes it your ultimate destination to plan your vacation.
Use the complete search tools
Vacations To Go’s user-friendly search helps you find your perfect cruise easily. The search lets you filter by:
- Destination regions worldwide
- Per-person price ranges
- Specific cruise lines and ships
- Ship ratings (on a 1-6 star scale)
- Port priorities and destinations
The platform’s database has detailed information about hundreds of ships and thousands of itineraries. This wealth of data helps you make better decisions about your cruise selection.
Compare different cruise lines and itineraries
Vacations To Go simplifies the process of assessing various cruise experiences. The platform gives an explanation of each cruise line’s distinct features – from Carnival’s “Fun Ships” atmosphere to Crystal’s award-winning luxury experience.
These steps will help you make a better choice:
- Study multiple cruise lines through detailed profiles
- Match different cabin types and deck locations
- Check what amenities and services come included
- Think over specific itineraries for each destination
- Look at prices for different sailing dates
Read reviews from past travelers
Check out what previous travelers have to say before you make your final decision. Vacations To Go has a well-maintained set of passenger reviews and ratings that give you a real viewpoint of the cruise you’re considering.
The review system works really well because moderators ensure all feedback stays relevant and appropriate. Many travelers say they found better deals through Vacations To Go’s platform and saved money compared to booking directly with cruise lines.
Pro Tip: Vacations To Go’s research tools can help you learn about current market prices and options, even if you book elsewhere. Their detailed database makes it easy to compare prices on different booking platforms, so you’ll get the best deal for your dream vacation.
Prices change based on timing and availability, so keep an eye on your preferred itineraries. Some travelers saved thousands by booking at just the right time, while others got great deals by booking popular routes early.
Take Advantage of Last-Minute Deals
Want to save big on your next cruise? Smart travelers know the best deals appear at the time they spot last-minute offers. Vacations To Go employs several tools that are a great way to get discounts on your dream cruise.
Check the 90-Day Ticker for discounts
Vacations To Go’s 90-Day Ticker stands out as their best tool to find amazing deals. This detailed tool shows you the best last-minute cruise markdowns from top cruise lines around the world. The tool becomes even more valuable because deals move fast – most listings stay up for less than seven days, and many cruises sell out within hours after posting.
Key benefits of using the 90-Day Ticker:
- Immediate updates when prices drop
- Exclusive last-minute markdowns you won’t find elsewhere
- Detailed listings from major cruise lines
- You can save big on your next cruise
Be flexible with dates and destinations
Deal hunting works best with flexibility. Different booking platforms have unique perks that you can explore. To name just one example, some platforms provide:
- Free gratuities for two passengers
- Onboard credits ranging from $50 to $2,000
- Special reward miles or points
- Costco shop cards and executive member rewards
Act quickly if you spot a great deal
Spotting an attractive offer requires immediate action. These deals are highly competitive and many cruises disappear from the 90-Day Ticker within hours of listing. Here’s how to make the most of these chances:
- Create price alerts for destinations you prefer
- Get your travel documents prepared
- Make sure your payment details are ready
- Figure out your schedule flexibility beforehand
Pro Tip: The 90-Day Ticker excels at last-minute deals, but early bird discounts and two-for-one promotions might better match your planning style. Base prices for a standard 7-night Caribbean cruise for two adults often look similar across platforms, but the perks can vary significantly.
Success in cruise deal hunting depends on perfect timing. Some travelers feel more secure with advance bookings, while others find exceptional values through last-minute offerings. The secret lies in staying informed about current promotions and being prepared to act at the right moment.
Utilize Vacations To Go’s Expertise
Professional expertise makes vacation planning easier and more effective. Vacations To Go’s travel counselors over 1,000 employees serve customers in more than 165 countries worldwide. These experts possess deep industry knowledge that shapes your perfect getaway.
Speak with knowledgeable travel counselors
Your experience becomes easier with Vacations To Go’s professional travel counselors. These experts receive detailed training that helps them handle all your travel needs. Customers have managed to keep long-term relationships with their preferred agents and appreciate their consistent professionalism and expertise.
Key benefits of working with travel counselors:
- Customized attention to your specific needs
- Access to exclusive deals and promotions
- Professional guidance throughout the booking process
- Quick response to questions and concerns
- Assistance with special requests
Ask about insider tips and recommendations
Vacations To Go offers much more than simple booking services. Their travel counselors give explanations you won’t easily find online. Their team has aided thousands of successful trips since 2000 and understands the subtle differences between cruise lines, destinations, and travel packages.
Your travel counselor can help you with:
- Popular excursion options
- Best cabin locations that match your priorities
- Dining recommendations
- Transportation arrangements
- Special perks and amenities
Get help with complex itineraries
Planning a multi-destination cruise or combining pre-and post-cruise travel arrangements isn’t easy. Vacations To Go’s counselors are experts at handling complex itineraries. They will guide you through important details like:
Itinerary Planning Expertise: Your counselor knows all about the best port sequences, time you need at each stop, and practical logistics of your trip. They coordinate different parts of your vacation to give you a smooth travel experience start to finish.
The affiliated Personalized Services team offers full planning support for European cruises and other complex itineraries. This extra help means every part of your trip gets proper attention and arrangement.
Write down your questions before you call – the counselors want to help you make good decisions quickly. They aim to maximize your vacation value and help you avoid common mistakes.
Pro Tip: Vacations To Go has great online search tools, but their travel counselors know things about specific ships, ports, and experiences that aren’t on the website. Use their expertise to make better choices about your cruise vacation.
Consider Special Promotions and Discounts
Smart travelers know a great cruise deal depends on qualifying for special rates and promotions. Vacations To Go provides many ways to save substantially on your next cruise adventure. Their discounts that can reach up to 85% off regular prices make it an attractive option.
Look for age-based discounts (seniors, etc.)
Great news for travelers aged 55 and above! Vacations To Go provides special age-based discounts that make cruise travel more affordable. The discount applies when just one person in your cabin meets the age requirement, so everyone gets to save money.
Key benefits of age-based discounts:
- Popular cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival welcome these discounts
- You can stack these savings with other eligible deals
- The entire cabin enjoys the reduced rates
- These deals work with most destinations and sailing dates
Check for military and other occupation-based deals
Vacations To Go provides special military discounts that serve various service members. The discounts apply to:
- Active and retired military personnel
- Reserve members
- Veterans with honorable discharge
- Actively deployed personnel’s spouses
Princess cruise lines exemplifies these valuable savings through tiered shipboard credits based on cruise duration:
- Up to $50 per person on 6-night or shorter cruises
- Up to $100 per person on 7-13 night cruises
- Up to $250 per person on cruises 14 nights or longer
Make the Most of Your Past Guest Status
Loyal customers deserve great rewards! Cruise lines value returning guests and provide exclusive deals and perks. Your previous sailing experience with a cruise line can unlock special offers when you book through Vacations To Go.
Special Perks:
- Exclusive fare discounts
- Onboard credits
- Early booking windows
- Premium amenities
You’ll need proper documentation to claim these special rates. Military discounts require valid ID or service papers. Age-based discounts need proof of age, and past guest offers require verification of your previous sailing details.
Pro Tip: Your Vacations To Go cruise counselor can help you compare promotional rates. Combining eligible discounts often leads to bigger savings. Current deals include Virgin Voyages offering up to 79% off with free cabin upgrades. Oceania also provides up to 77% off plus extras like pre-paid gratuities and onboard credits.
Book Early for Best Cabin Selection
Securing your ideal cruise cabin depends entirely on perfect timing. Last-minute deals might save you money, but early bookings through Vacations To Go give better advantages to travelers who want to identify the best options.
Reserve popular cabin types in advance
Successful cruise planning depends on your cabin selection strategy. Your preferred cabin category needs a deposit between $100 to $1000, or 10-25% of the total cruise cost. Cruise lines determine cabin rankings through size, amenities, deck level, and location.
Smart travelers think about these cabin selection priorities before booking their cruise vacation:
- Premium locations with desired views
- Specific deck priorities for convenience
- Special cabin types (like spa cabins that sell quickly)
- Favorite ship amenities’ proximity
- Preferred bed configurations
Get early booking bonuses
Booking your cruise ahead of time gives you the best deals. Cruise prices work just like airline tickets and change based on how many people just need to travel. You can find the best rates during two specific periods: booking eight months or more before sailing, or waiting until two to six weeks before departure.
Early Booking Advantages:
- You can pick from preferred cabin categories
- You get more time to watch price changes
- Your chances for upgrades improve
- You can set up flexible payments
- You have time to plan your extras
Waiting for lower prices might look appealing, but this strategy is risky for popular cabin categories. Your desired cabin’s price will only go up as the sailing date gets closer if it sells well.
Have more time to plan excursions
Early booking through Vacations To Go gives you a most important edge to plan your complete cruise experience. The extra time allows you to:
Create a Complete Budget: Think about the total cost of your vacation, including:
- Pre-cruise hotels
- Flight arrangements
- Port activities and excursions
- Onboard expenses
- Travel insurance options
Securing your cabin early gives you flexibility to adjust your overall budget and grab many more promotions. This works best especially when you have complex itineraries or peak season travel plans.
Pro Tip: While choosing your cabin, remember to include shipboard credits in your planning. You can use these credits for onboard purchases like shore excursions, spa treatments, beverages, and souvenirs. Booking early helps you access these valuable perks.
Spa cabins and specialty accommodations need early booking. These premium rooms sell out months ahead, so early reservation becomes a vital part of securing your exceptional experience.
Cruise lines send final tickets after booking all cabins, usually a week before departure. This timing lets you review your documentation and adjust your travel plans as needed.
Protect Your Investment
Your vacation investment needs proper protection through insurance options and package details. Smart travelers pay attention to these policies. Understanding these elements is significant to enjoy a worry-free cruise experience.
Understand the cancelation policy
Cruise line cancelation policies can substantially affect your investment. Your booking through Vacations To Go requires attention to refund and cancelation terms that vary by cruise line. The penalties increase as your sail date gets closer.
Key cancelation considerations:
- Alert your cruise counselor about any changes right away
- Review specific cruise line refund policies
- Learn about penalty increase timelines
- Check deadline requirements to get full refunds
- Look into booking flexibility options
The cruise lines enforce strict cancelation charges. You might lose part or all of your payment based on timing. Several cruise packages use these penalty structures:
- 50-31 days before arrival: 75% penalty
- 30 days or less: 100% penalty
Travel Insurance Options You Need
Vacations To Go provides their own travel insurance called the “Go Plan,” which Generali Global Assistance underwrites. The policy comes with these coverage levels:
- Medical coverage: $50,000 per traveler
- Medical evacuation coverage: $250,000 per traveler
Important Insurance Details: The Go Plan protects you in many situations:
- Covered sickness or injury
- Common carrier delays from weather or mechanical issues
- Financial insolvency of travel suppliers
- Natural disasters affecting your residence or destination
- Mandatory hurricane evacuations
But the plan has significant limits you should think over. You must buy the policy on the same day as your first trip payment. On top of that, the Go Plan restricts coverage for pre-existing conditions – you won’t be covered for cancelation, interruption, medical treatment, or evacuation related to previous medical conditions.
International travelers need these minimum coverage amounts:
- Medical Insurance: $100,000
- Medical Evacuation: $250,000
Know what’s included in your package
Your cruise package’s components play a key role in avoiding surprise expenses. Check these items in “all-inclusive” prices:
- Port fees and taxes
- Gratuities
- Beverage packages
- Excursions
Package Exclusions: You won’t find these items in standard vacation packages:
- Tips/gratuities for tour directors, drivers, or local guides
- Passport and visa fees
- Personal insurance
- Beverages or food not specifically listed
- Personal items
Booking Air/Sea packages through Vacations To Go gives you extra protection against flight or sailing delays and cancelations. This all-encompassing approach makes your travel smoother, especially with complex itineraries.
Pro Tip: The Go Plan offers simple coverage, but you should compare it with other insurance options. Look for policies that include:
- Pre-existing condition coverage
- Higher medical insurance limits
- Flexible cancelation terms
- Broader evacuation coverage
Taxes and fees change based on the region rather than the cruise line. You need to look at the total cost with all mandatory charges when comparing prices. Vacations To Go acts as a clearinghouse between you and the cruise line, and their experienced cruise counselors can help explain these details.
A credit card booking gives you an extra layer of protection. This strategy, paired with the right insurance coverage, helps protect your vacation investment from unexpected events.
Conclusion
Planning a smart cruise vacation needs good research, perfect timing and expert advice to create the best experience. Vacations To Go’s detailed platform gives you powerful tools that help compare options. Their experienced travel counselors will explain how to make better decisions. You can choose between booking early to get premium cabins or find great last-minute deals on the 90-Day Ticker. Learning about available discounts and promotions helps you get the most value from your vacation.
The right cruise booking balances exciting possibilities with practical travel planning needs. Your investment stays protected when you have proper insurance coverage. Understanding cancelation policies and package inclusions brings peace of mind. These tested strategies work well with Vacations To Go’s rich resources and expertise. They help turn your dream vacation into reality while giving you the best value for your money.
FAQs
- How can I effectively plan my dream vacation while staying within budget?
- To plan your dream vacation economically, start by researching costs well in advance. Consider alternative transportation and lodging options, look into all-inclusive packages, be flexible with your travel dates, and set a daily budget to manage expenses effectively.
- What should I keep in mind when booking a trip?
- When booking a trip, it’s advisable to set up price alerts, opt for midweek flights, book several months in advance, travel during the destination’s off-season, and choose flights at less popular times to find the best deals. Flexibility with your travel times and dates can also lead to significant savings.
- What are the steps to booking the perfect vacation?
- To book the perfect vacation, choose a region and time of year first, then narrow it down to a specific destination. Decide on the ideal duration for your trip, start a countdown, handle all practical aspects such as passports and packing, plan your activities, or alternatively, plan to relax. You might also consider a tech-free vacation to fully unwind.
- What does a dream vacation look like for someone who loves mountains?
- A dream vacation for a mountain lover might involve visiting the Himalayas, where one can enjoy the majestic scenery and fresh, pollution-free air. It’s an opportunity to explore nature trails surrounded by diverse flora and fauna.
- Has anyone had experience booking a cruise with Vacations to Go?
- Some travelers considering booking a cruise for February have found that Vacations to Go offers appealing deals. However, it’s also worth comparing these deals with those offered directly by cruise lines like Princess to ensure the best value.