• Spenders don’t normally need much encouragement to spoil themselves – but what are the best value options?
• Savers are reluctant to spend more, but sometimes a little can go a long way, and a wee splurge can enhance your holiday experience.

Here are our 3 worthwhile splurges to consider on your Luxury Cruise…

1. Upgrade your cabin.

If you are going to spend a little more on your holiday we find the best splurge is for a bigger or better cabin. You will find that you’re in your cabin longer than you think.

While some people are content in an Inside Cabin, we say, if your bedroom at home has a window, then surely your cruise cabin should too. The natural light alone is worth the price of an upgrade.

And you must consider a balcony, the ability to leave the door open to the fresh sea air is lovely.

2. Splash out on some Shore Excursions.

While Shore Excursions can often be expensive, they can truly transform your experience. Sure, you can have a great time exploring places on your own and can save money doing it yourself. But, if your cruise is taking you to an interesting destination you will benefit by seeing the city through the eyes of a local guide.

The advantage of travelling on a Luxury Cruise line is that you may have a few, or all your Shore Excursions included!

3. Give the Specialty Dining Venues a try.

Another benefit of Luxury cruising is that Specialty Dining is often included in your price as well. Oceania for example includes all meals, snacks, room service and specialty dining by appointment.

Azamara however include your drinks but charge a small fee to dine at their 2 specialty dining venues. While the food in the main dining room is fabulous, I can highly recommend trying out Prime C and Aqualina. Just USD$30 will get you a magnificent meal that could easily cost you hundreds on land.

For expert advice on cabin upgrades, shore excursions and specialty restaurants – call our friendly Cruise Champions today on 0800 66 55 33.

Most luxury cruise lines include your tips – regular cruise lines don’t.

This is an automatic saving of at least USD$15 per person each day.

Many Luxury Cruises include your Drinks and/or Specialty Dining. Some even include unlimited shore tours! That value can be hundreds of dollars a day!

The mainstream cruise lines often charge a basic fee to get passengers on board. Once they have a full ship, everything is set up to get you to pay for extras. Drinks, Tips, Specialty Restaurants, Shore Excursions, Photos, Fitness Classes, Laundry, they all add up, to a big room bill to settle on your last day. I can honestly say that I have walked off Regent Seven Seas and Scenic River Cruises without a single cent to pay!

Then consider the higher quality fixtures and fittings on luxury ships, such as the best mattresses and pillows money can buy. And the better service that comes with lower passenger numbers.

It can be a big decision choosing between a suite on a mainstream megaship, opposed to a stateroom on a luxury cruise. But I can assure you once you have sampled the luxury cruise experience – you’ll be ready to plan your next one.

Take the first step now – call our friendly Cruise Champions today for a chat about the best Luxury Cruise Holiday for you on 0800 66 55 33.

It’s not hard to imagine how long the queue can be for a modern 6,000 passenger megaship. Why waste hours of your valuable holiday time lining up in the hot sun, just to get on and off your ship each day?

Or queue up for breakfast, lunch, dinner, for tender tickets, or a show.

One thing all the luxury cruise lines have in common – is smaller ships!

Smaller ships carry less people. A higher staff to passenger ratio will make a massive difference to your holiday experience. Your embarkation check in is often done onboard the ship in a cool lounge with a nice glass of bubbles. And when you go ashore you are welcomed back with cold towels and refreshing drinks.

Why not choose a holiday where the crew know you by name? Work together with our friendly Cruise Champions to create your perfect holiday on 0800 66 55 33.

Here are 5 secrets to help you make the most of your first day onboard.

1. Take a backpack.

Fill a cabin bagwith the essentials that you may need for your first afternoon such as a windbreaker, swimming togs, a book, and toiletries. Occasionally suitcases aren’t delivered to your cabin until after you set sail. So Be Prepared – if it’s hot you can go for a swim, or if it’s cooler you can comfortably be up topside for the fun sail away party.

2. Nab the best guidebook from the library.

There’s a saying that after boarding… First time cruisers hit the buffet – while Experienced cruisers hit the library.

3. Get Lost!

Spend the afternoon exploring. Don’t be shy, poke your nose into the spa and the gym, the library, and all the lounges, bars, and restaurants. There’s nothing more disappointing than discovering a cool little bar on the last day of your cruise!

4. Make friends with the staff.

Ask the crew for their advice, and you may find out some valuable tips like the best seats in the theatre, or the least busy self-service laundry. If things go wrong anywhere on the ship – you might find your cabin steward is better at getting a problem solved than the front desk staff.

5. Book in reservations.

Get in quick and book for seminars, exercise classes and hair and spa appointments. Numbers at classes are often capped, and hair appointments and spa treatments are hard to get on any of the “Sea Days”.

And here’s a bonus tip on what to do on Day One of your cruise…

6. Create a noticeboard in your cabin with Magnets.

The walls in your cabin are steel take some cute fridge magnets to stick important notices or invitations to a wall so you don’t miss anything exciting.

Our team of Cruise Champions have been there and done that – before you. We have a ton of advice that can easily turn a good holiday into a truly outstanding one. So, if you are looking for a stress-free holiday experience, don’t delay, call our friendly Cruise Champions now on 0800 66 55 33.

It is so sad when we get a call from customers that their hearts set on a bucket list trip. Like an Around the World cruise and we must break it to them, that they have missed out. All the cabins have sold out for this year and probably for next year too.

Here are 5 times when it is vital to you plan and book early!

1. Christmas & New Year Celebration Sailings.

Some people like to escape the stress of Christmas and let the staff onboard a luxury ship pamper them or take part in a fabulous New Year’s Party at sea. Both are super popular.

2. Maiden Voyages.

Sailing on the first cruise of a brand-new ship is a big deal for some frequent cruisers. So, if you want to join in on the fun and excitement of a new ship’s maiden voyage – you need to be in quick.

3. Mid-Summer Sailings.

Our kiwi winter coincides with the Northern Hemisphere Summer. The July-August Holiday Period is peak time, so again it’s important to book early.

4. Exotic Locations.

Cruises to popular destinations like the Caribbean, Alaska and Greek Islands are frequent, sometimes every 7 days. But if your cruise is to somewhere exotic like Iceland, Antarctica, or the Amazon there will only be a smaller number of sailings – and they fill up fast!

5. Around the World Cruises.

This is a BIG “bucket list” thing to do and most people planning on spending 3-6 months sailing around the world, plan well in advance. Round the World cruises often sell out on the first day they’re released!

And here’s a bonus tip on when to book early…

• Anytime you want a specific cabin. Luxury ships tend to be small and fill up fast. From the top down – the best suites often sell out first. If you want a specific type of cabin, or suite, or a specific location – book early or miss out.

So, if any of these cruises are on your travel wish list, let us know early. We can pre-register you and hold an option for you on the day the cruise is released! Don’t delay call our friendly Cruise Champions now on 0800 66 55 33.