"If you build it, they will come."
That advice, which prompted an Iowa farmer in the 1989 movie "Field of Dreams" to plow over his corn field and build a baseball diamond, has become the mantra of many high-tech startups promoting electronic commerce on the Internet. And the cruise travel industry has also embraced this "shop by computer" concept.
Indeed the Internet can be a wonderful source of information to help you plan an exciting holiday, obtaining ship and stateroom descriptions, itineraries, tips on sites to see, passport and visa requirements, shore excursion, shopping, weather and local interest information,but is it the right place to book your dream vacation?
Cruise lines are investing over US$15 billion to build at least 50 new ships in the first half of this decade in addition to the over 300 vessels already in service. Each of these ships offer different amenities with unique ambiance and often this kind of information can only be understood and communicated by face to face discussions with a cruise expert to avoid turning a terrific vacation into a mediocre experience.
There is a common misconception that because something is offered for sale on the Internet, it will be an exceptional or a major saving for the consumer. More often than not however it is the ease of completing a transaction that is the major benefit for certain types of travel.
Do not assume that pricing on the Internet will automatically be the lowest. Often local agencies will have agreements with the cruiselines that allow them to offer exceptional "not to be advertised" specials.
Sometimes there are "residents specials" which are applicable only to residents of a particular country, state or province. Most cruise lines offer price protection to the consumer should the fare for your category of stateroom be reduced. A good agent will watch for reductions and ensure you receive the adjustment. Using an electronic service may not provide the same protection or make available specific specials applicable to your requirements.
Arrangements unique to your vacation such as special dietary requirements, handling disabilities, and providing meet and greet services, may be overlooked booking on-line and there may be no way to get answers your very specific questions.
On the other hand booking your frequent flyer points travel directly with the airlines or even obtaining a air ticket can be a simple process with little risk if you are dealing directly with the airline's booking engine. Above all make sure about who you are giving your credit card to.
Where are they located, and how long have they been in business? Can you get references? Are the web transactions secure? Is the currency my currency? How will my documents get to me and are there additional charges that have not been itemized? What happens if I do not receive the tickets?
Now for the good news! As a research tool, the Internet is second to none. Most cruiselines have sites that provide detailed information on their offerings. Carnival Cruise Lines at www.carnival.com offers comprehensive information on their ships, itineraries and even the shore excursions available for each sailing.
Similar sites are available from Princess Cruises at www.princess.com or Royal Caribbean International at www.rccl.com where you can print a custom information brochure in full color if you wish!
The official trade organization of the cruise industry is the Cruise Lines International Association (www.cruising.org). They work in partnership with nearly 21,000 affiliated travel agencies throughout North America to ensure the highest caliber of cruise sales expertise and service for cruise vacationers.
This is a fun place for exploring what cruising is all about and CLIA provides links to all major cruiselines, frequently asked questions, vacation planning information and even a cruise expert locator to find an Accredited Cruise Counsellor near you.
If you would like to create a printed mini-guide to your vacation destination, you may wish to visit www.fodors.com. The creators of the famous travel books allow you to create your own mini-guides to a destination covering transport, lodging, dining, currency, health, and more in a personalized format.
The Columbus World Travel Guide (www.wtgonline.com) is a resource often used by travel agents for complete information on almost any destination in the world. This site will give you history, maps, visa and passport requirements, how to get there, public holidays, political structure, useful addresses, accommodation, business profiles, climate, social profiles and much more.
There are also links to other very useful areas on the Internet such as Mapquest, Yahoo Weather, Traveller's Health Services, World Tourism Offices, the Government Travel Advisory and Information services as well as links to ship bridge cameras offering live pictures from their vessels.
Having both a computer and travel background, I am excited by the potential of the Internet as a comprehensive research tool. My practical side reminds me that there is no such thing as a "free lunch". It is not how much you save but what you get for what you pay!
Sid Kaplan has extensive experience in the travel business. He owned and operated a large retail cruise only agency in Canada and his wife has 25 years experience working for major cruise lines. Their website is http://www.cruisevacationsguide.com which offers advice and tips to those look to create memorable cruise vacations.
Committed to elegance, luxury and gracious hospitality, Silversea Cruises is... Read More
For centuries, the Nile River has been at the center... Read More
Hawaiian Cruises are everyone's dream cruise to the Hawaiian Islands... Read More
A Mediterranean cruise is without doubt the most varied type... Read More
Imagine a cruise line where choices include ships with golf... Read More
When to GoThe sailing season in Greece lasts from March... Read More
The drug smugglers have ultra fast boats, skimmer craft and... Read More
Early summertime is the time of year, when boat owners... Read More
Experiencing the magic of Disney at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney... Read More
A great addition to cleaning boats in a marina will... Read More
Every cruise vacation offers passengers a luxurious cruising experience. Some... Read More
First-time cruisers sometimes confuse about choosing the destination for neither... Read More
Some vacations are just more fun than others!There will be... Read More
If you spend any time in or around the water... Read More
There's magic in everything that team Disney touches and their... Read More
Take an Arctic Tour by flying north of Fairbanks to... Read More
If you've dreamed of sailing the seven seas, but don't... Read More
The maritime history of the Isle of Man dates from... Read More
Boats are a fine part of any man's retirement. They... Read More
1. If you're 55 or older, you can get senior... Read More
The Alaska cruise is a major attraction drawing vacationers with... Read More
It has been called "the big ditch", "the bridge between... Read More
Luxury goes exploring! How faithfully these words portray the elegance,... Read More
As a boat owner you know that washing the boat... Read More
Well my sister in law is in town this week... Read More
History, wine, serene beauty, dramatic people and stunning views -... Read More
It is important when cleaning a dock that you use... Read More
An Amazon cruise is the ultimate jungle adventure. From the... Read More
"Whether you boat on fresh water or on the ocean,... Read More
If you want to have fun for one low price,... Read More
Many academics are unable to handle the possibility of ships... Read More
We all want to please and impress that special someone... Read More
So, you are contemplating a European cruise. You are looking... Read More
The golden age of transatlantic ocean shipping and travel began... Read More
Hawaiian Cruises are everyone's dream cruise to the Hawaiian Islands... Read More
A web site dedicated to the writings of the sea,... Read More
The Bahamas is arguably the most popular cruise destination for... Read More
We all want to please and impress that special someone... Read More
Asia Cruises: Lasting Impressions of Culture and TraditionAn Asia cruise... Read More
Have you ever thought what it would be like to... Read More
Finding Cruise Deals are half the battle when considering a... Read More
In the 1980s, Croatia - then part of Yugoslavia -... Read More
Have you considered taking a cruise vacation but just aren't... Read More
This year more than 10.5 million people will go on... Read More
New Zealand is a country guaranteed to surprise. Emerald green... Read More
How do you clean the hull on a boat when... Read More
The world is blessed with wonderful beautiful sandy tropical beaches.... Read More
Philippines surfing is not quite a destination that would conjure... Read More
Good quality deck hardware of stainless steel or chrome is... Read More
The Alaska cruise is a major attraction drawing vacationers with... Read More
Over 72 million Americans participated in recreational boating in 2003... Read More
Each year hundreds of propeller accidents leave tragedy in their... Read More
Why is it, that when you are looking to buy... Read More
Alaska is a place to experience not merely to visit... Read More
Experiencing the magic of Disney at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney... Read More
Under the "G" for Great Holiday. Bingo players can take... Read More
Take an Arctic Tour by flying north of Fairbanks to... Read More
High Speed boat-car, Hydrofoil. Hey slow down so we can... Read More
Robotic Underwater ship cleaning robotic unit, the M3500 Robotic System... Read More
The maritime history of the Isle of Man dates from... Read More
Owning a boat has an oxymoronic quality to it. "The... Read More
When it comes to sailing, there are all kinds of... Read More
The Alaska cruise is a breathtaking adventure that you'll never... Read More
Many cruise ships today have standard cabins of similar size... Read More
Yacht racing, though it may seem like "a breeze" to... Read More
On a Crystal cruise it is not difficult to find... Read More
Cruising & Sailing |