It is easy. Book yourself into a pre-existing group.

Travel agents, like myself, can get these special amenities for their clients by booking group space with the cruise lines. As a cruise specialist with Cruises, Inc. I have access to hundreds of cabins inside group space booked to offer all of my clients. Group amenities are wonderful to take advantage of when you can be flexible with your dates. Cruises, Inc. offers all types of cabins in pre-booked group space, on almost all sailings, on all the major cruise lines, every week of the year and to all destinations! To book a cabin in a group, reservations must be made at least 3 months in advance, since the cruise lines require travel agents to release any unsold space back to them usually 90-75 days prior to sailing.

All amenities are based on the destination and the length of the cruise. So a travelers will get more options on a longer cruise, than that of short 3 – 4 day cruise. Often there are no amenities offered on cruises less than 3 days.

Another advantage of booking into group space? Cost. Group space locks in cabin rates from future cabin rate increases plus many times there is a lower deposit amount due up front.

Even if you don’t want to meet anyone in the group while you are cruising, you can still take advantage of getting the best deals by booking your next cruise cabin as part of a group, and take advantage of getting all the special amenities the travel agent has negotiated with the cruise line on the groups behalf.

So next time you call or email about a cruise, ask ” Are there any groups I can get a cabin with and get some extra treats?” I know, I always try to offer these to my clients – it is an extra added value to the travel services I offer.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

How To Get The Best Rates & FREE Amenities On Your Next Cruise

This way you have extra outlets for your cell phone charger, digital camera charger, hair dryer, curling iron etc.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

It’s Electric!

They usually offer different styles of dance every day or so. You can learn popular Latin dance steps, the waltz to the latest line dancing craze. Besides if you don’t like it, you won’t feel like you are wasting your money because these classes are for free, where dance instruction on land can cost a small fortune. The dance classes are light hearted, fun and great exercise too.

Not sure about taking a dance lesson on board a cruise because you have two left feet – just blame your miss-steps on the ship moving and nobody will be the wiser!

Now Are you ready to Rumba? How about doing the foxtrot?

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Secrets of Cruising – Do the Cha Cha Cha…

Polo!

Marco?

Polo!

Don’t play games of Marco Polo on a cruise ship except in the pool. The cruise lines carry small versions on the ships deck plans that fit easily in your pocket. Also carry a copy of the daily program, so you know where an when the activities are planned will happen.

If you want to stay in-touch while in different areas of the ship with other family member or friends, I suggest you bring a pair of walkies talkies. They come is small hand held sizes and are great when you want to keep tabs on anyone.

‘Tiger one, come in…are you STILL in the casino? Come in Tiger one…’

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Secrets of Cruising – Don’t Get Lost

Now for black jack – you’ll have to ask for help from Lady Luck!

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Secrets of Cruising – Win Big On The Casino Slots

If you are sure ahead of time, then while booking your cruise to tell your travel agent what size table you’d like to be assigned. A table for 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 can be arranged. If you started off with a small table and want to be with others you’ve met while on the cruise just ask. Most times these changes can be made right away.

If you have had a great time with your new friends and table mates a good idea and nice gesture for everyone is to surprise everyone with a nice bottle of wine or champagne on the last night of the cruise to toast each other and future reunions on another cruise together!

To enjoy a private celebration, remember that almost all cruise lines now offer alternative dining for a small cover charge. If this is what you prefer, then make sure you make those arrangements ahead of time.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Secrets Of Cruising – Changing Dining Tables

Many of the cruise lines offer specialties such as acupuncture on board their ships, at reasonable rates, that this is often a good way to sample this technique for yourself. For this program they cruise lines employ certified, registered acupuncturist who will meet with you prior and explain all what their programs are about and do.  Ask for a free consultation, these are available to each passenger to learn more about the procedures. Most times the free consultation is not advertised, so all you have to do is ask to get one. If you decide to try this, ask what type of package can you get with them while on board. Again, by asking they will tell you any unadvertised specials they can offer because you came in for a consultation.

When you first get on board, go up to the spa and ask about any specials they may be offering for that particular cruise such as in port discounts. Since almost everyone gets off the ship on days in each port, spa treatments are often discounted to entice people to book during that time period. There is nothing like going out for a full day of exploring, coming back about 2 hours before leavng a port to enjoy a massage. It really is a wonderful treat. Ask the spa personnel about the times that qualify for the in port promotions, for many have booked something while still in port but not the time period designated by the spa to get the discounts, so it is best to ask ahead of time to be sure your appointment is inside that time frame specified.

Ask about bundle discounts, if you are planning to really pamper yourself with several spa treatments ask for discount packages that include 3 or more items that when bundled together will allow the cruise line to reduce the overall cost of all the items for that one package. If they don’t offer a regular package like that ask. If you are willing to pay for 5 treatments that are discounted versus 2-3 that are not, the cruise lines staff may offer you a break because of the number of treatments you are willing to pay a reduced price for. They are in business, so everything is negotiable. Be nice, polite and ask…I have often been happy and surprised and what I can get with adding more spa treatments to my cruise. Note  – make all these arrangements at once, if you come back at different times they will not remember who you are or be able to see all what you have booked. When you are given your appointment card, have the total price agreed upon written down on the card with the persons signature as proof, so there is no doubt when you are checking in or out for your scheduled appointments. This is best for your sake, so you are not charged extra because they ‘forgot’ or you don’t have the name of the person who made the agreed discounted rates and then the spa won’t honor the lower costs.

Next thing to do? Just sit back, relax and enjoy being pampered and spoiled!

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Secrets of Cruising – Ahhhhh The Spa

Don’t be hesitant to ask for something different, if a dish is truly disappointing, ask to try a new dish. Since the meals in the main dining rooms are all part of your cabin cost, be adventurous and try something new.

If you have special dietary needs, tell your travel agent ahead of time, so they can alert the cruise line and let your waiter reconfirm this for you.

Do you have a VERY special dish you just love? Ask your waiter if you can order off the menu for this special dish, many people don’t know this, but the chef’s enjoy cooking something different sometimes, so it never hurts to ask, your request may be honored!

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Secrets of Cruising – Ask Your Waiter

Kids programs – get your kids excited before you go on the cruise by letting them know about the kids programs.  Almost all cruise lines have kids programs divide up by appropriate age groups such as 2-5 years, 5-7 years, 7-10 years, 10-12 year, 12 – 14 years, 15-18years.  These programs are free to everyone.  These programs also let Mom and Dad have time to themselves as well. Ask your travel agent for a DVD about the cruise line that includes information about the kids programs to have your kids watch ahead of time and get excited about their upcoming cruise vacation.

Meals – There is something for everyone, no matter how picky your child may be.

Entertainment – most kids love the excitement and the grandeur of the live entertainment on board a cruise ship.  Except for a few late night programs that are previously announced that they are for adults only, most shows are family friendly. Many cruise lines also include first run movies, music events and live Broadway style shows.

All of this is covered in the cost of your cabin, so it really is a family vacation value.

Travel Lady Cruises, always providing you with TLC!

Secrets of Cruising – Cruising With Kids