Booking thru RCI

sjay80 · July 7, 2004

Hi, I am new here and new to cruising. We just booked our first one but won't be going until May '05 (Western Carribbean). When I went to book thru RCI and give up our timeshare week I decided to compare and got the same cruise for $210 less thru cruise.com. I'm just wondering if it's ever worth trading in your timeshare week for a cruise at RCI?

bicker · July 7, 2004

I do something similar with my DVC timeshare. I rent the points and use the cash for a cruise. Much more cost-effective than using the points directly for a cruise.

Dan · July 7, 2004

I have no idea about the timeshare thing, but it almost never makes sense financially to book direct with a cruise line.

DaCruzNut · July 7, 2004

In most cases, it's best to use a good, reliable, "cruise only" travel agency. Not only do they get volume discounts, but they can go to bat for you should somehting go wrong. A dependable travel agent will also keep checking prices, once you're booked, and, if there is a drop in the fare, can, as a rule, obtain a refund or shipboard credit for you.

One exception to using a travel agent is "last minute" bookings. I live near both Port Everglades and the Port of Miami, and book my cruiises about 2-4 weeks prior to sailing. If I want to go on a Carnival ship, I call them directly and book with a "friend" I've made, there. I've booked 3 cruises with Mike, and gotten some terrific deals. On my last cruise, he was able to waive the "single supplement!"

When a cruise line is stuck with an empty cabin, they want to fill it!

For most other cruise lines, I use a TA.

KeithnRita · July 7, 2004

Our last cruise was a late direct booking with Celebrity, our first without a TA. We were driving to port and made our own hotel and transportation to and from ship arraignments. It worked out well. For the same reasons DaCruzNut states, we are using a TA for our next cruise as it was booked far in advance.