"Best" options for booking a Celebrity cruise?

[TheBar1]

Hello.

 

My wife and I are considering a Celebrity cruise to Bermuda to celebrate our 9th anniversay this September, but I am a bit overwhelmed by the different options we have to book with "bonus offers". One site I found is advertising a coupon book and Casino/Spa credit. Another is offering free travel insurance.

 

We have cruised twice before on Royal Caribbean and loved it, but the price and dates for Celebrity have us intersted in trying that line for a change. I'd just like to know I got the best deal for outr money, so any suggestions from "veteran" cruisers would be appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

Justin

[espmass]

I never found the coupons or travel insurance offers of any great value but maybe you found something more worthwhile. I took the Zenith to Bermuda and enjoyed it. It's one of Celebrity's oldest ships but still perfectly elegant and we had a terrific time.

[julieanne]

Online vacation center. Hands down, if they are booking your trip, they will have the best price. I would wait until the last possible moment as they always reduce the price. They buy the cabins in bulk, pre-paid, so they can sell them at the lowest price. They are American Express' travel center. Since you have sailed with RCI, ask for status with Celebrity. This will make you a classic member with a few perks.

[julieanne]

As for the coupon book , the reps are giving them to the TA's anyway. Whoever you decide to book with, ask for the coupon book. We got two for our cruise leaving this weekend!

[Host Kewlguy]

We used to book all our cruises exclusively with a quick online travel agent until this past year. Now we just book directly with the cruise line. It's nice to be able to control your own booking rather than relying on someone else. Who needs all the gimmicks?

[lysolqn]

If you know you when you want to go and what category cabin you want, spend some time comparison shopping - check with online agencies and call the big cruise-only agencies as well. Ask about special promotions like regional discounts, group fares or senior discounts (if it applies). Re coupon books and even free insurance (free coverage is usually very limited), IMHO they're not worth much and shouldn't sway you one way or the other.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise!

[spalady]

Just butting in with my 2 cents:

You probably already know this but consider carefully when booking a cruise to Bermuda in Sept. That is hurricane season.

And hurricane season has been awful lately.

 

Just a thought

[TheBar1]

Thanks for the feedback, spalady.

 

My wife and I have our hearts set on cruising close to our anniversary, and the opportunity to get on a ship so close to home was enough of an incentive to beat any concerns we'd have about hurricane season. I was originally considering a western Caribbean trip since the prices were so low, but the prospect of a storm hitting the Gulf steered me away from there and toward Bermuda.

 

Our sea legs are pretty good, so we should be fine even if its a stormy week :-)

[cappy09]

If you go to http://www.RCCI.com/sales/promowave/CEL.pdf you will find sale prices for Celebrity Zeith sailing on 9/9/06 & 9/30/06.

 

Interion $599. pp and ocean view $699.pp

 

Hope this will help you out. You book directly with the Captains Club and get a 1 catagory upgrade automaticly for being a member. Good deal IMHO :)

[TheBar1]

Thanks for the suggestion, cappy09.

 

I tried to follow your link for the PDF you mentioned and it came back as not found. Is this a file from Royal Caribbean's site?

 

Thanks,

 

Justin

[flashdog_1]

The trip insurance is more valuable than a coupon book. You might use $10 worth of coupons ( buy one, get one free drink) but the insurance would cost you about $84-118 for a one week cruise, depending on the company. Take a look at the brochure for your policy before deciding.

[cappy09]

Hello Thebar1 I would call Celebrity directly and inquire about special prices for Sept. cruises to Bermuda. My DH and I will be on the Aug. 12th sailing and are spending more that the prices quoted for Sept. :( If your a CC member call them direct as you will get an 1 catagory upgrade.

[calberry]

If you go to www.RCCI.com/sales/promowave/CEL.pdf you will find sale prices for Celebrity Zeith sailing on 9/9/06 & 9/30/06.

 

Interion $599. pp and ocean view $699.pp

 

Hope this will help you out. You book directly with the Captains Club and get a 1 catagory upgrade automaticly for being a member. Good deal IMHO :)

 

I tried this like and got an error message. When I deleted back to the www.RCCI.com I got a construction company. :eek:

 

Steve

[pattycakes]

http://www.creative.rccl.com/sales/promowave/

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/sales/happy_hour/

 

sorry promowave fans, but I'm finding that a lot of the sailings in the promowaves are no different than what is posted on the celebrity or rccl websites (unless its a resident or senior special). I too would recommend going for the free trip insurance. You will be taking a chance in Sept on the Atlantic, but its worth it.

[Cathy Maneri]

Just butting in with my 2 cents:

You probably already know this but consider carefully when booking a cruise to Bermuda in Sept. That is hurricane season.

And hurricane season has been awful lately.

 

Just a thought

 

 

I have to agree with Spalady, I would reconsider booking a cruise to Bermuda in September.

 

I went on the Horizon in May and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. No rain upper 70's nice calm seas. Of course that changes from year to year, but I live in South Florida and I never..never...cruise during hurricane season.

 

Now I know the prices are the lowest then, but you might just wind up in New England which the cruise lines have the option of going to protect it's passengers and it's ship.

 

If you really have your heart set on Bermuda then I would go in May or June and even July you would be safe.

 

If you don't care and just want to cruise in September...have a great time.

 

As far as the perks go, I never book a cruise around them. Although I do take advantage of booking onboard for a shipboard credit. But I always book way in advance anyway.

[Cachecara]

We did the Zenith to Bermuda last Sept. and rebooked for the 9-9-06. Last year was a horrendous hurricane season--but it was horrendous from end of JUNE THRU OCT. So there is NO safe time. LOL-- It's a crap shoot. We had a great time anyway and the ocean temp was perfect.

 

Yes, unfortunately a hurricane did threaten during our cruise, but the captain--who is also the same captain on Zenith now--was super. We ended up having an extra sea day vs that extra day in St. Georges. Bermuda had all cruise lines leave early due to the perspective hurricane. The Captain steered us clear of choppy weather and the sea day was as perfect as it could be. So he really took lemons (leaving Bermuda a day early) and made great lemonade.

[SheilaNC]

YES, frequent cruisers receive reciprocal status between RCL and Celebrity. Do call and get your Captain's Club number before you sail so that you can get the amenities.

[karensi]

Thanks so much spengle. Just what do you mean by "frequent cruisers"? I belong to Crown and Anchor and have done 5 (I think) cruises on RCI. Thanks again, loved RCI but looking forward to trying celebrity.

[SheilaNC]

Sorry, I always think of C and A and Captain's Club as being like frequent flyer programs on airlines (thus 'frequent cruisers'). Meant to say that C and A and Captain's Club programs are reciprocal. You can't combine the number of cruises on both to add up to a higher level, but you do get the same level in each club based on the number of cruises on your primary line (in your case RCL). If I've made this even more confusing, try calling the C and A number and tell them that you want to get a Captain's Club number. They will let you know the process.

[signman]

You have to reach the mid tier for reciprocity. So if you've done 5 on RCCL, you're Platinum which will give you Select status with Celebrity.

[karensi]

Thanks, will call C&A today.

[Llav01]

I tired *****.com and purchased a cruise in March. One of the TA was offering a $140 on board credit. I had heard of the TA from a friend whom had used them before. I went ahead and used them and once on board we had our credit on our account. In fact I'm looking at booking another cruise in November and the same TA on the site is offering spa/excursion credit. You'll love Celebrity! Have fun!