For all of you who like good deals, whether it’s reduced deposits, onboard credits, reduced fares, cash back, upgrades, or onboard savings booklets…..an event is coming up that you really ought to know about!  This is an incredible week for booking the best cruise vacation deals ever!  When?  October 21 – October 27, 2012.  Why?  It’s CLIA’s National Cruise Vacation Week.  CLIA is Cruise Lines International Association, and it is the world’s largest cruise association (of which I am a member).

How about signing up for my free weekly newsletter which is an eSaver, and then you’ll be one step ahead of being apprised of all the latest deals.  To sign up simply send me an email to dkaur@cruiseone.com , and write Subscribe in the subject line.  I’ll be happy to sign you up, or you can sign up at my website at http://www.likecruises.com by inputting your email and zipcode in the green box on the right hand side that is titled “Sign Up for Exclusive Offers and Discounts”, then don’t forget to press Join.

First to clarify what some of the terms above are in plain English:

Reduced deposits – who wants to pay the full deposit, when you could pay half only?  You may only have to pay $100 or $200 per cabin.  Remember, the ability to pay a deposit instead of paying in full can only occur if you book way before your cruise – at least 60 days before or more.  If you book within 60 days of the cruise, you will have to make full payment.  It’s better to book early, and to have reserved your cabin with a deposit than it is to book too close to the cruise date (your desired cabin may not be available).   Paying reduced deposits is a DEAL!

Onboard credits (OBC)  – this is free spending money that you can use to pay for your mandatory gratuities, telephone calls, internet charges, specialty restaurant charges, alcohol and/or other bar purchases, etc.  These onboard credits will vary depending on what type of cabin you book.  You will get more of a higher OBC for booking a balcony cabin or a suite than you will for booking an interior cabin.  You could get an OBC from $50 to $300 per cabin (perhaps less or maybe even more) – this is a DEAL!

Reduced fares – this is your week to get special savings, as fares could be significantly discounted – this is a DEAL!

Cash back – this could be in the form of an OBC or cash back to your credit card, not sure on this, but if you call me – I will find out for you – this is a DEAL!

Upgrades – normally, you only get upgraded within the type of cabin type you book.  So booking an interior does not give you an upgrade to an ocean view, but to a better category interior.  However, this week is your lucky week where you can get upgraded from interior to ocean view or ocean view to balcony (based upon cruise line availability and cruise line specific offering of this promotion) – this is a DEAL!

Onboard saving booklets – these will come in handy when you wish to save on internet fees, or get a discount in the gift shop (you just might find a coupon in the booklet) or if you are interested in purchasing one of the professional pictures taken by the cruise line photographers – this is a DEAL!

Sorry for using the word “deal” so much, but it really is a great DEAL!  So, please visit my website now at http://www.likecruises.com or contact me at dkaur@cruiseone.com and let me know where you want to go to, how many people per cabin, what type of cabin (interior, ocean view or balcony), and it would be helpful if you could let me know if you have ever cruised before.  Please also tell me if you have a preference for a particular cruise line.  I am registered with all the cruise lines, and can book you on any cruise line that you choose.

Which cruise line you choose, and which particular ship within that cruise line’s offerings, will depend on which itinerary appeals to you, and whether you have a particular affinity to one cruise line over another.  These are just some of the ones you can choose from (I have personally been on all these ships):

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Splendor

Carnival Spirit in San Diego

Oceania Cruise Lines

Oceania Marina

MSC Cruise Lines

MSC Musica

Princess Cruise Lines

Golden Princess Cabin

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Of The Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Of The Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment Of The Seas

Cunard Cruise Lines

Cunard’s Queen Victoria

These are some of my ship inspection videos or a video that I made to help you see what it’s like on a cruise ship, this may help you decide which cruise line you wish to pick:

My ship inspection of the Carnival Splendor: 

My ship inspection of the Oceania Marina: 

My ship inspection of the Golden Princess: 

My ship inspection of the Oasis Of The Seas: 

My ship inspection of the Carnival Spirit: 

My ship inspection of the Queen Victoria: 

My cruise video of the Radiance Of The Seas: 

My cruise video of the Enchantment Of The Seas: 

Unfortunately, I did not make a video of the MSC Musica, I took that cruise way before I became a travel agent in late 2010, early 2011, and really got into video taping my holidays.  I’ve always enjoyed photography, but videography is something I really just got into in the last few years.

These links might also help you to make an informed choice on cruising, as this is definitely one of the best ways to travel:

Top 10 Reasons To Cruise and Frequently Asked Questions About Cruising

If you have any other questions…….please don’t hesitate to call me.  I’d be happy to hear from you!

Don’t forget, it’s better for you to book with a travel agent, because you know who to go back to each time you have questions, and you won’t get a different person answering the phone each time you call.  There are various other reasons as to why you should book with a travel agent.  So, please pick up the phone and call 858-427-4972 now……..I really want to hear my phone ringing off the hook during the National Cruise Vacation Week, and even before then.  Thank you, and I look forward to booking you on your best vacation ever!