What is the process of going on a cruise with friends?

Question

How does the pay a portion of the ticket now, pay a portion later work? I imagine you get the tickets after you've paid everything up first. Do they mail them to you or can you print them out? I want to go with friends. Do we all have to book at the same time? There will be about 4 of us, two to a room. I'm just confused about how all of this works. Can someone give me a step by step. Thanks!

Answer 1

We haven't cruised with friends, but I have been reading at cruiselinefans.com about many people who do so.  You would need to book at the same time.  You put down a deposit at the time of your booking.  A few months before the cruise, the rest of the money is due.  Then you either you print out the e-ticket (for those lines that provide this) or your final docs are sent in the mail.

Answer 2

i suggest that you book together. check this site for more tips on choosing your cruise:

http://allcruiselines.info/help-choosing...

Answer 3

You are required to make a deposit at the time of booking.  The amount of the deposit depends on the length and time of the cruise.  The longer the cruise, the more the deposit that is required.  If the cruise is during a vacation period, a bigger deposit is required.  

A typical deposit for a one week cruise is $250 per person.  However, for a two week cruise I had to pay $400 per person for a deposit.

Final payment is typically due between 60 and 100 days prior to the cruise.  The lower number is for shorter cruises, the higher number is for longer cruises during holiday periods.

Between the time you make your deposit and your final payment is due, you can make partial payments.  For example, say you book a cruise costing $1000 one year in advance.  You pay $250 deposit and owe $750.  Then you pay $75 per month for eight months.  Between your deposit and the monthly payments you have paid $850 and would owe $150 more.

Tickets are typically mailed out about 30 days prior to the cruise.  However, many of the cruise lines are now offering e-tickets, which means you print the tickets out on your computer.

If two people are sharing a cabin, you'll want to have both sign up at the same time.  If you want the two others sharing a different cabin to be near you, then it it best that all four of you sign up at the same time.  However, it only takes one person to reserve a cabin and the others can be added prior to the time the final payment is due.

If you are going to use a travel agent, make sure you ask about any cancellation fees and and service fees (if you are going to make monthly payments).  I have a great travel agent who does not charge either a cancellation fee nor a service fee (he gets a commission from the cruise line).

Answer 4

you can pay on time for cruises. usually they require a deposit on the rooms.  You would want to book both rooms at the same time. Yes you would get access to your boarding passes and tickets after you paid the last part of your ticket price.  (you print out the boarding passes and cruise tickets and bring them to the registration for the cruise along with your passport/or/I.D. and other cruise documents.  I would suggest finding a good travel agent if its your first cruise so they can steer you to the right cruise and a good price.

heres a good site

cruiseclues.com

cruisecritic.com

Answer 5

I have been on many cruise and regularly book my cruises on line.  Here's how it works.  You go to the cruise line web site and select the cruise that you want and then click on begin the registration process.  The web site may or may not let you book two cabins at once, some do.  (if the site does not let you book two cabin at once then call the customer service number on the site and explain that you want two cabins for your cruise and you would like them adjoining or in close proximity or on the same floor, whichever applies)  

The web site will ask you questions about whether you want air transportation included, whether you want transfers between the airport and the ship (both ways) included, whether you belong to their cruise club (they give discounts for that), and whether you want travel insurance protection included.  The web site will take you through the process or registering, allowing you to pick a date, cabin type (inside, outside, balcony, suite), and the other options mentioned and then it will give you a total price.  

The web site will require a minimum deposit of $250 per person (for a 7-day cruise ..... less for a shorter cruise).  You will then be able to elect to continue with booking and enter the names of passengers and eventually your credit card information, OR, if you don't like the total you can just cancel or quit the site and start over.

If you finish the registration and make your deposit you will have to set up a profile (user ID and passworded) on the web site's system which will allow you to view your reservations on line, and also make changes and  payments.  You can make payments in increments of $100 at any time just by logging into the web site using your user name and password.  You will also be able to complete all of the pre-cruise information that is required.  They will ask for your home address and phone number, passport number and its expiration date, the telephone number of a person to notify in the event of an accident, your air or other arrangements made to get to the port, and finally you can set up your accounts for charges aboard the ship.

When you have finished all of this your will be required to print several pages from the web site which has your reservation number on it and the information which you have input.  You will be requested to bring this with you to check in at the ship.  You will in effect have printed your whole cruise contract, ticket, and boarding pass.  Royal Caribbean calls their boarding pass a "SET SAIL" pass. Other lines call their's something similar.

About 30 days before your cruise, and assuming you have made all of your payments, the cruise line will send you more information in the mail.  This will include information about tours from the ship, formal wear rental if you need it, gifts you can purchase for your cruise, and most important, they will include luggage tags (usually 3 per person) for your bags.

Answer 6

My husband and I are taking a cruise with another couple and we booked separately with different travel agents. We are requesting a dinner table together. Other than that, we made all of the arrangements separately. I have met friends from other cities on cruise ships. I would think that the two who are staying in the same room should book together.