I want to share a recent Cruise Critic article with you because it has a lot of important points about the realities of booking a cruise these days. 

Here's my take-away from this article:  don't wait for 'The Deal to Eclipse Any and All Other Possible Deals' when you're ready to book a cruise! 

Why?  There are almost always promotions (early booking incentives!) & great deals to be had if you book your cruise 9-12 months in advance.  If you wait, you risk facing:

-Rising cruise fares (Carnival & NCL raised their in Spring 2010-others will follow!)
-Fewer deals/promotions (the cruise lines WANT you to book early, so they can plan better, so their early booking incentives are generally the best!)
-Losing your preferred stateroom category & location

Cruises are still a great deal for your vacation dollar and a wonderful way to eliminate lots of the hassles of vacationing.  Your onboard activities, meals (including room service!), select beverages, entertainment, and accommodations are all included in the price.  Plus, unpack ONCE, and visit multiple destinations in one vacation!  Generally, you pay a deposit of around $100-300 per person, then your final payment isn't due until 90 days prior to sailing.

Want to sail for free (except for taxes)?  Then organize a group cruise, where generally every 16th berth (bed, so basically half a stateroom) is FREE!  A group is a minimum of only 8 staterooms  at double occupancy, which is perfect for family reunions, couples' getaways, multiple families vacationing together, etc. 

A good deal isn't a good deal if it isn't the right cruise line, itinerary, and stateroom category for YOUR needs!  Let me help! :)

I'm going on a cruise and you can all come along!  But, only if you want to have fun...a lot of fun! 

Join me on The Pleasure Cruise, February 5-10, 2011 on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas!  Bring your spouse, your partner, your significant other, or that special someone in your life and GET THE HECK OUTTA HERE with us! 

The Pleasure Cruise is a one-of-a-kind couple's dream escape from the ordinary.  Because don't we all need that every once in awhile?!

This cruise has been designed by yours truly, the travel expert, and my fabulous friend Melanie, the relationship enhancement specialist (independent Passion Parties consultant), to combine the many benefits of a cruise vacation with secrets guaranteed to ignite a fire in your relationship!

Why The Pleasure Cruise?

-Almost everything you need for your vacation is included:  all your onboard meals (even room service!), most onboard activities and entertainment (movies, live shows, rock-climbing wall, fitness center, pools, & more!), stateroom category of your choice, etc.

-The cruise lines LOVE groups and take very good care of them.  We've arranged for you to have a great rate, bottle of wine in your stateroom, an exclusive cocktail reception, fun samples from Passion Parties, and much more!

-Opportunities for fun excursions in Cozumel and Costa Maya, either with our exciting group or on your own.

Prices for The Pleasure Cruise start at just $613.76 per person and that is INCLUDING taxes & fees for a 5-night cruise vacation!  And kill 2 birds with one stone, because we've scheduled The Pleasure Cruise conveniently close to Valentine's Day...

Book your stateroom by July 31st, 2010 and benefit from Early Booking Incentives, including a discount on Passion Party products!

Ah, Royal Caribbean, you are very smart, indeed!

Norwegian Cruise Line has a partnership with Nickelodeon and a new ship (Epic), Disney Cruise Line has a partnership with, naturally, anything Disney and a new ship (Dream) and now Royal Caribbean follows suit with a Dreamworks Animation partnership onboard the Allure of the Seas!

Dreamworks Animation is responsible for such hits as the Shrek movies, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon.  This new partnership with Royal Caribbean means lots of fun character events (meet & greets, photo opps, meals, etc.) and exclusive new onboard shows such as How to Train Your Dragon on Ice and the Madagascar Aqua Show, which features high divers, swimmers, and acrobats.

Please let me know if you're interested in taking a cruise aboard any of these amazing new ships!  But, keep in mind that these same cruise lines are offering great deals on their older-but-still-fabulous ships  because of the new ones! 

Happy Sailing!

Then let me help you put a group cruise together! 

BTW, a group is generally considered 8 or more staterooms on most cruise lines.

Why cruise with a group of family members, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, classmates, random people you met on the street, etc.? 

Everyone benefits:
-Receive special group pricing
-Generally every 16th person in the group sails FREE!  (based on 8 staterooms at double occupancy)
-Use group points towards onboard receptions, stateroom gift baskets/wine, or onboard credit (good for spa, beverages, etc.).

Best of all, I can handle ALL of the details for you.  Recommending the best cruise line, ship, and destination for your group, organizing deposits & payments, finding unique & discounted shore excursions, dealing with your cousin Bob so YOU don't have to...

Cruises have something for everyone, so they are great for multi-generational gatherings like family reunions.  But what about a bachelorette party cruise (think of all that quality spa time you could get with your onboard credit!) or a destination wedding cruise (get married on or off the ship for far less than a land-based wedding!).  The possibilities are endless.