This is the best time to book a cruise holiday

IN light of Royal Caribbean’s incredible half-yearly sale, Travel experts, Helloworld Travel, Australia’s largest network of independent franchised travel agents and The Travel Professionals, are on a mission to educate Aussies about the importance of booking early in order to secure the right sailing and cabin for their summer holiday at sea.

caribbean cruises

IN light of Royal Caribbean’s incredible half-yearly sale, Travel experts, Helloworld Travel, Australia’s largest network of independent franchised travel agents and The Travel Professionals, are on a mission to educate Aussies about the importance of booking early in order to secure the right sailing and cabin for their summer holiday at sea.

The sale is on a range of Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific itineraries departing this coming summer cruising season. According to Vice President and Managing Director of Royal Caribbean Australia & New Zealand, Susan Bonner, everyone has different tastes and requirements on their cruise holiday. She urges those thinking of a cruise holiday this summer or next summer, to start planning now.

 “For the ultimate summer cruise holiday, you really do need to book early. With more than 1.3 million Australians cruising every year, we are seeing our summer cruises filling up earlier, particularly over peak holiday periods. Australians need to know the importance of booking early and we want to provide them with the tips and tricks for securing the summer holiday they’ve been dreaming of.”

“Families who want a stateroom near the Adventure Ocean kids club or who require interconnecting staterooms would be well-placed to start planning their cruise now, so they can lock in their preferred location.”

“Or perhaps you’d like to be forward or aft of the ship, port or starboard, or on a particular deck,” Bonner said. “What’s perfect for one group of holidaymakers may be completely different for another. However, we find certain suites and balcony cabins get snapped up quickly and as the number of people taking a cruise continues to increase, demand for certain cabins and decks hots up.”

Additionally, with up to 40 per cent off for all guests and an early bird onboard credit (up to US$100 for sailings outside of six months), guests can lock in their holiday as well as a bargain.

Top tips for booking your cruise in advance

Some of Royal Caribbean’s other top tips for booking your cruise include:

• Visit your local Helloworld Travel agent to make sure you’re getting the best deal – but don’t wait too long! It’s the most common mistake to make. With a finite number of cabins, they will most certainly sell out quickly.
• If you are marking a significant milestone, let the cruise line or your Helloworld Travel agent know early so they can help you plan any surprises or special events.
• Keep an eye out for discounted or complimentary flight deals if you’re travelling to meet your cruise.
• Research your destinations and shore excursions before you travel, so you waste minimal time in ports and secure the shore excursion of your choice.
• If you’re cruising on an open-jaw itinerary, consider adding a land package on to the beginning or end of your cruise to really maximise your holiday time.
• Sign up with the cruise line or your local Helloworld Travel agent to receive alerts for deals on extras like beverage packages and specialty dining bundle-deals.
• Pre-pay and de-stress, knowing your holiday is completely taken care of in advance – this can be particularly motivating during the cold winter months. Then all there is to do is sit back and count down the days until your cruise!

“Are you ready to book your cruise? Which cruise do you choose? With so many choices, booking a cruise can sometimes be daunting. The best tip we can give you is to choose the cruise that’s right for you. How?  Easy! Pop into your local Helloworld Travel agency and have a chat to the staff about what you most want to experience in a cruise. We will advise you what cruise is most suited for you to make sure your trip is perfect!” - Arianna Albertazzi Owner/Director, Helloworld Travel Pakenham.

Originally published as This is the best time to book a cruise holiday