Going on a cruise, Payments?????????

Question

We are planning to go on a cruise next Febuary and I found a cruise I want online. If I book it (while i am booking it) will it allow me to make a choice to make payments on it or do I have to call an agency to do that?? How much are the deposits usually??? Any help much appreciated!!

Answer 1

Generally the price you find online can also be got through an agent.  There are several cruise lines that will not let agencies charge different prices including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Disney Cruise Lines. Generally most online agencies will make you pay the whole amount up front.  There are a few agencies that will let you pay the deposit and then pay the final at the final payment date.  Deposits are usually $200 per person.  Some itineraries have lowered deposits.

Answer 2

We paid off our last cruise through payments. We put down a deposit of 10% per person and then payed off the rest before we cruised. We used an agency. You can compare pricing and then see if the agency can get you the same deal or comps (like shipboard credit or excursion credit).  Check with different agents too.

Answer 3

We booked through Carnival and made payments on our cruise.

Our down payment was $250 per person.   Then we could make payments for our choice amount at any time.

We went in December and the final payment was due in October.  

I have taken two cruises and payed for them this way.  It is much easier to make payments than it is to pay it all at once!

Answer 4

you are free to book it on-line, and just pay the deposit, but I prefer to call the line directly. We use Carnival and have a vacation planner through them and after we book we can get any upgrade and sales. On every cruise we have been on we only pay for the lowest far on the lowest deck and always get an upgrade to a higher deck. then last 2 cruises we changed the cruise several times. We can also have all our questions asked to.

Answer 5

anything closer than 75 days you must pay the entire thing, so if you are looking at feb 2008 then you have to pay the entire thing, it is too close to sailing. If you are talking about 2009, then you can pay $250 per person for a 7 days cruise, or $200 per person on a 5 day. Call a cruise agent for more details.

Answer 6

When you say "next February" do you mean next month (Feb 2008)?  If so you will be very close to the date on which final payment is due.  The cruise lines, and I have done this with 3 cruise lines (RC, NCL and Holland America) will require an initial deposit when you make your reservation and a deposit will be required for each guest in your cabin.  The amount will vary by cruise line and by the length of your cruise.  For example, a 7 day cruise on RC requires a deposit of $250 for each person.  A 14 day cruise with them requires a $450 deposit per person.  As I recall from my last reservation on line on an NCL ship the deposit requirement was the same.

I just made a reservation for a Holladn America ship for later this year and the deposit for a 7 day cruise was $350 per person.  

At any rate once you make your reservation and all of the extras are added in (taxes, insurance if you want it, air fare if you want it) they will give you a total.  Then You will be requested to make the required deposit.  When that is done they will tell you the balance due and the date for final payment.  You can pay on it on line by credit card any time you want as long as you finish by the final payment due date.  Or, you can go pay the final balance on that date.

When you complete your online reservation the cruise line will send you an email with a PDF file showing the particulars of your reservation.  You will also be able to access your reservation on line and make payment, complete the pre-cruise document, and order special things like flowers or wine for your cabin.  You can also go online and look at the port stops and tours and activities available and reserve them.

I have done my last 5 or 6 cruises completely on line and had no problems.  If you have a question about your reservation there is a contact number to call and the cruise line will help you.

So you do not need a travel agent unless you want one.