What the consumer doesn’t know about Cruises Inc price advantage.

What the consumer doesn’t know. 

Understanding Cruises Inc price advantage.

Our price advantage* is for the “Individual Traveler” …

What does this mean ?

Over 25 years ago, when Cruises Inc first formed, it was for the benefit of the “Individual Traveler”. 

Are we talking singles ? 

No, we’re talking per cabin.
Know, that for years, the only cruisers who received discounts or amenities were those that traveled in a group.   Though traveling in a group can offer some of the most fun and memories, not every travels this way.  And some cruisers have more vacation than others, and can cruise more than once a year.  Also, not every wants to take their family, kids, co-workers with them.  Some folk are looking for some quiet and quality time with their significant other.

That’s when the original owners of Cruises Inc decided, they needed to focus on helping the “Individual Traveler”.  It was then, that Cruises Inc put up their own money, to hold “Group Space”, so cruisers from around the US could book into this space, for the added savings and/or amenities, yet never even know who the other guest are that booked into this space.

Today, Cruises Inc continues to provide this opportunity for the “Individual Traveler”.  We reserve over 1400+ sail dates for the “Individual Traveler” to take advantage of.  And we have many Exclusive offers not related to this 1400+ dates.

Does this mean every date ?

No, there are more than 1400 sailings out there !
However, through the year, we have Exclusive offers.  If you receive my staff’s weekly emails, you’ll notice that we constantly offer Exclusives with cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean.  Which often means, instead of us reserving a bunch of space with them, we bargain instead for, Exclusive offers.  Often we have “cruise nights” with Princess, which often means lower deposit required and/or a Value Booklet will be placed onboard for you.

Do we have the same amount of space reserved on each cruise line ?

No.    We reserve almost every date on Norwegian.  We use to offer almost every date with Princess and Holland America.  For example, with Crystal and Regent and Cunard, we may only have 10 dates for the year.

Does this mean if our date is not on the list, you can not get an Exclusive advantage ?

No ! 
If you book early enough, where the ship is not already almost sold out, then we can most certainly take a look at the cruisers advantage in Cruises Inc blocking space to receive amenities. 
Know:  Only select cruise lines will offer lower rates if we are not up your date till the date You call us !  Carnival, Princess, and Holland America, possibly others.  Others like Royal Caribbean, will not !
Know:  The closer it gets to sailing, the cruise line continues to reduce the available amenities, such as Royal Caribbean.  Which is why you want to book as early as you can !
Know:  Sometimes the current cruise line offer, won’t allow you to have “our advantage” too (however, in most cases, Norwegian will) !  The purpose of an added advantage is for providing a savings to many folks; but it’s not about giving 2 savings or trying to rip off the cruise line !

What about Travelers in a Group ?

For the most part, group travelers book early.  10 months to 15 months in advance.  At this point, we reserve space just for this group.  This way, you can choose your own amenities.  Your own cabin category and deck locations.

What if we don’t sell the required 8 cabins to fill up this group space ?

That’s an advantage that Cruises Inc has over other agencies.  We are only required to sell one cabin !

What if there is no more group space available at the cruise line to reserve, yet Cruises Inc has their own space on that date ?

Then the group travelers can take advantage of the space till we run out.  However, we have chosen which category is being held and we choose the amenities.  And in most cases, the group leader may not be able to receive an added bonus !  Whatever is set, can not be changed.  You see the advantage of group travelers booking early ?

What if you run out of space before all of our cruisers book ?

Unfortunately, we can not buy more space at the lower rates, unless rates have not gone up.  More space is at whatever the rate is today.  It’s why we repeat over and over, buy early !
Know:  Our space is being eat up by other companies that we provide to, as we are speaking right now.  We provide to Orbitz, Hotwire, Priceline, the Airlines, Cruises.com, and many more sites out there.

Is there an advantage to just buying our cruise from these Internet companies that you provide rates too ?

No.  There are many disadvantages

·         Cruises Inc has been made available for the general public to “call”,, bypass the Internet, and book direct with us !  If we do not have enough cruisers calling to book direct, then we would choose to close up our offices and allow only our rates off the “net”.

·         When booking direct with us, we watch over your cruise.  Most consumers don’t realize, that things can happen to their cruise, even if they book directly at the cruise line.  And when there is a problem, it’s you against their word !  The advantage of having someone monitor your cabin for you, is to jump in and fix the problem before even You know about it !  It’s not about you fighting with the cruise lines or Internet companies … Its about Cruises Inc handling all this for you !  Many cruisers have “yet to” have a problem when buying on their own thru the “net” or the cruise lines.  Notice I said “yet to” !  Why take a chance when this service is provided to you at no cost !

·         Not all our offers are seen online.  It’s the advantage of calling !

·         Often you pay a $24.95 service fee by booking online.  When you call Vivian’s office, this is waived (as long as you don’t cancel or you book your cruise onboard).

·         Often when you call these cruise lines or Internet Companies, you talk to a different person every time.  Here at Cruises Inc, you have Vivian and her staff.  Yes, you might get a different staff out of the 10 who man the phones, but after time you can get to know them all or you can ask if you might have their extension so you can talk to the same person each time.

·         Often at these Internet Companies and the cruise line, the staff turnover is tremendous.  Before these folks can barely get all the info and rules down, they leave.  Vivian has been here 23 years, and our staff up to 15 years !  Buying your cruise is about buying from someone with experience … Though “cruising experience” is vital, it’s about how many Problems they have encountered.  Cruises Inc is involved with over 100,000 cruises a year … The average agency handles 200-600 a year !

·         Last but not least … Just because these Internet Companies buy from us … We do not service their clients nor the agents (internet) selling you these cruises.  They can tell you anything, such as you will receive a balcony, when they only ordered an inside cabin from us. Cruises Inc can not help you if you get in this bind/fix.  You must buy from us directly to receive such servicing !

 

Is there an advantage to buying a cruise off your website ?
No.  Could be many disadvantages !

·         Our rates may be lower if you call !  We may have offers we have not posted.

·         You will pay a $24.95 fee, that can be waived if you call Vivian to buy your cruise.

·         You may buy a cruise that we can not get you out of !

·         You may have mis-typed the spelling of someone’s name and then lose all your money.

·         You might buy something you think you are getting, but in reality, you are not !

 

So what do you suggest ?
Call – Call – Call !
Buy Early – Buy Early !