TRAVEL BLOG

When you are in the midst of planning your cruise travel vacation, the last thing on your mind is thinking about the possibility that you might have to cancel your plans. People often completely overlook cruise travel insurance or they simply put it on the back burner and forget about it altogether. But, if you are spending thousands of dollars for your dream cruise, then you should take the time to know what vacation coverage options are available.

When you do go out to buy travel insurance, you need to be sure that you take the time to compare the different cruise insurance policies in order to be sure you get the coverage you are expecting. As with most things, you need to take the approach of “buyer beware” and be careful not to assume anything. In other words, ask plenty of questions and get things clarified before you buy.

This word of warning should not be construed as an implication that all travel insurance companies are only after your money, with the intent of not paying if a claim is filed. The fact is that any insurance company, cruise travel insurance companies included, are governed by state and federal regulations and most are on the up and up.

But the problems arise when people try to economize and cut corners when buying it. When it comes to cruise insurance, or any kind of indemnity coverage for that matter, you can be assured that you will only get what you paid for in the end. Buying the cheapest policy you can find will make you feel that you have been ripped off if it doesn’t give you the coverage you need, when it is needed.

It’s easy to get either overwhelmed or simply become complacent when looking at all of the options and variables that come up when trying to secure travel insurance. When you are scrambling to make your cruise travel vacation plans and then are busy getting ready for the voyage, it is often hard to focus and sort through the different policy options. This combined with trying to go for the cheapest coverage possible can contribute to dissatisfaction when it comes time to file a claim.

Before making a final decision and buying such a policy, be sure that you know exactly what is covered and what is not. Some travel insurance companies offer Comprehensive Coverage policies that will cover just about any contingency. These are usually the more expensive because they will pay benefits under the widest set of circumstances.

Other policies for it cover a very narrow set of conditions. Because they cover fewer circumstances, they are less likely to pay for a claim and so the premiums on these policies are considerably less. But the danger here is getting a policy that is essentially worthless because the terms and conditions are so narrowly defined that you are not likely to benefit from a claim, should the need arise.

When you have put your money, your hopes and your dreams into your cruise vacation, be sure that you protect that travel investment by getting good cruise travel insurance. Spend some focused, quality time in researching your options and always read the fine print before making a final decision about coverage. Travel agents can recommend good travel insurance companies, and online travel forums can provide candid reviews and honest experiences from other travelers.

Are you looking for the most luxurious 5-star around the world cruise at the very lowest price? You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for that five star treatment. Instead you can go onto web sites that specialize in online travel auctions and get a real bargain. These web sites are ideal for finding the vacation of your dreams, because they all collaborate together in order to present the very best in vacation deals and rates for their clientele. Although they are in direct competition with each other, they also in a sense help each other out by comparing prices, causing each travel site to drop their prices in order to have the cheapest rates.

An online travel auction is basically just another type of market or bazaar. The only difference is that the product sold is a 5-star around the world cruise (http://www.amttravel.com/cruise-lines/world-cruises.html). As is true of any auction sellers, these 5-star around the world cruise packages will be sold just one offering at a time. If more than one 5-star around the cruise travel auction is sold at a time then the travel auction is called a Dutch or English auction.

On almost all travel auction sites the seller of the package can set a minimum bid. This is called the reserve price, which is the lowest price that the seller will accept for the deal. Some auction travel sites disclose the reserve-bidding price during the auction and others don’t. Lots of times you can get an incredible deal for a 5-star around the world cruise by just bidding the reserve price.

The bidding for each travel auction both opens closes at a scheduled time. You’ll be alerted via e-mail if someone outbids you, and then its decision time.

The key is to not get too carried away. Decide in advance on the maximum amount you’ll spend on your 5-star around the world cruise travel auctions, and stick to it. Getting swept away by the competitive spirit that is generated by online bidding has led many people to pay more than market value for what is supposed to be a discounted vacation cruise package!

After the bidding closes it is automatically disclosed who the highest bidder is. In the case of sales of multiple lots, the participants with the highest bids at the close of the auction are obligated to buy the cruise that was bid on .

At the close of a successful auction, the buyer and seller communicate, usually by e-mail, to arrange for payment and information about the 5-star world cruise you have won. It is usually at this point that it is revealed exactly where you are going along with any caveats such as blackout dates for travel, fees, taxes and site charges.

Most travel auction sites offer all types of different payment options including credit card, debit card, personal check, cashier’s check, money order, cash on delivery and escrow services. Payment methods are usually thoroughly explained in the FAQ, help or fine print sections on the auction travel web site that is offering the 5-star around the world cruise.

A family cruise vacation is a great way to get away and spend time with your children. Almost of the cruise lines offer packages that cater to families. Surf the web for the right family cruise vacation that will cater to all of your needs. Better yet, talk to a cruise travel agent. Make sure they are a member of CLIA (the industries organization) and have taken many cruise vacations on several cruise lines. The cruise travel agent will be able to steer you to the cruise lines that have children’s programs that are age specific, have trained youth counselors and will fulfill your desires on your family cruise vacation.

The great thing about these programs on the cruise lines is that your children will be with qualified people all day, doing all kinds of activities and you are free to do your own thing with no worries.

A family cruise vacation takes you to many destinations without the rigors of packing and unpacking. A cruise vacation will also alleviate the stress of airport security. You might have to fly to your port of embarkation but after that there will be no more checking in and long security lines.

The cruise ship will take you to many ports where you get off the ship and enjoy your day on shore. Before you leave on your family cruise vacation research the ports you will be visiting. Plan what you want to do in each port ahead of time. Since it is a family cruise vacation, discuss this with all your family members. You can find out what the cruise lines offer in the way of tours on their website. In many cases the cruise lines let you book tours online or by fax.

Here are some guidelines to help you choose the perfect family cruise vacation.

First find out if they allow kids in your children’s age group. Cruise lines may limit the amount of children in certain age groups. This applies especially at times like Easter or spring break

Do some digging to find out what kind of children’s facility the cruise line has. You will want to check what the activities will be, are there play areas, and baby sitting available. Find out the rules for placing your children in the child care center. Most times you must sign your child into the play areas and the kids will not be allowed to leave until you sign them out.

It is important to know the ratio of counselors to children. You want to know that there are adequate supervisors for your kids. Know the qualifications of the care giver. For instance, on the Queen Mary II they have licensed nannies.

If you will need a cot or crib find out if they are available and if there is a fee. Sometimes these need to be reserved in advance of the family cruise vacation. The size of the cabin should be noted. If the cabin is too small, you will be cramped. If you are not taking toddlers it is best to book cabins across from each other. You and your spouse take the outside cabin and give the one across the hall from it to your children. This not only affords you privacy but the kids will feel “grown up” with their own cabin.

Check to see if they have a kids menu. A lot of kids don’t eat a variety of foods. If they are particularly picky it is nice to know that the cruise lines offer food for kids, like hamburgers and hot dogs. Almost all cruise lines offer hamburgers and hot dogs at lunch around the pool but what about dinner? Find out in advance of your family cruise vacation so you know everyone will be happy.

If anyone in your family has special needs make sure your cruise travel agent asks the ship if they will provide for them. There may be two or three formal nights. If you do not feel comfortable participating in them with little children, find out what kind of alternative dining the cruise line offers. Many ships have alterative dining rooms for just this purpose. Some of the cruise lines have kid’s dinners where only the children and the caregivers can attend. If this coincides with a formal night it would be nice to know.

Some of the children’s activity that are offered on cruise lines are scavenger hunts, pizza parties, disco parties for teens, arts and crafts and pool parties. The cruise line will bend over backwards to keep your children entertained. They want you to come back.

So call your cruise travel agent and start planning the perfect family cruise vacation. It will be one vacation that you and your kids won’t forget.

Happy Cruising!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

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