Customers ask Vivian, Why do you suggest cruisers should buy early ?

This question comes up all the time.

#1, When rates first come out, the cruise lines plans, are that these are the best rates that should be offered for that sailing. Rates come out for the next year, around March; For Alaska, it may not be till September. You want to stop last minute sales, support the cruise lines by buying early. If you're going, what are you waiting for ?

#2, Know ... The more cruisers book on a sailing, it "drives the rate up". So as you wait, other cruisers are making the cost of Your cruise go up.

#3, Get the best cabin location. As cruisers buy, they choose the most mid-ship cabins. As you wait, everyone is getting Your well-deserved cabin. Closer to sailing, when you see the "sales", it's meant to be for the cabins that cruisers don't want. Only if someone cancels, who booked early, do you have a chance at getting a mid-ship cabin when buying last minute.

#4, To get in on Cruises Inc special dates, you must buy early. Cruises Inc constantly reserves dates to save their clients money. It's usually given in the form of amenities, like onboard credit, wine, etc. Just remember, since Cruises Inc also provides the cruises to Orbitz, Hotwire, Priceline, Airline's, and other company's, the space goes quick. Cruises Inc's 1st choice in reserving cruise date, for amenities, is FBO their own clients, not to these internet companies. But Cruises Inc too, is helping to fill the ships, so the space is given, first come first serve. The cruise dates Cruises Inc reserves the most, are Holland America, Princess, Norwegian, and select dates for Royal Caribbean. So if cruisers are buying direct at the cruise lines, they are missing the boat on savings, because the cruise lines can NOT give these offers to their callers (And, if you're buying Carnival Early Saver online, if you don't know all the rules, cruisers could loose all their money; so don't book at the cruise line and do not book these rates online any website ! Call to book direct with a cruise specialist, by phone). See: www.1000CruisSavings.com

#5. In general, the sale rates the cruise lines offer, are usually available to the public, up till final payment (Exception, Carnival Early saver and Princess/Holland America flash programs). Its the other offers, like onboard credit, etc, that you can only have, during the time to promo is going on. So again, the name of the game is to get in on the early pricing and the best cabins ... And Cruises Inc's reserved space. And then "watch your sailing", only up till final payment, and call your agent if rates go down, to see if you can qualify for the lower rate ! If you didn't know cruisers do this, I'm here to remind you ... Everyone does this !

#6. My thing is, if it's on your to-do list, get it done and over with. Don't look up info one day, then a week later, look again, then a week later, look again. Get it over with. Take one day (time management), set aside time, and get it done. It's one more thing off your to-do list. And it's a happy thing. It's something, once done, that you have to look forward to ... Vacation !

Day in and day out ... I notice that clients are NOT paying attention to the offers they receive by email (whether it be from Cruises Inc or from the cruise lines). Know how I know ? Cause one week later, cruisers will call to book that same cruise, AFTER the sail is over. The cruise lines, as well as Cruises Inc, work very hard in making available to clients, savings. My suggestion, even if you think you're not ready to cruise, look at the offers.

And, too many cruisers are buying last minute, and missing out on all the savings Cruises Inc makes available, when you buy early (before Orbits, Hotwire, Priceline, Airline Co customers buy them all up). Do you know the definition of last minute ? Last minute is no longer 6 weeks from sailing; Its 6 months from sailing ! So if you're booking less than 6 months from sailing, you have missed a many a sale offer !

Two more pieces of advice, by way of a questions. When you first think of cruising, why do you ponder over it for a couple months ? Why do you not see your choices online, and call and book right then ? Why waste so much of your time. Don't think about a cruise till you are ready to commit, right then, and then book. Time management. Who has a lot of free time anymore ? You're being pulled here and pulled there. So why not, get this one thing off our back ... Your vacation plans !

The cruise lines and Cruises Inc beg clients to help us save them money. What do they need to do, besides emails, to help remind you ? To help show you that your best interest is at heart, in SAVING ?!