Wednesday, December 11th
2024 Cruise Vacation Site Reviews
Cruise Direct
- Base price may be comparable to booking direct, but extra perks can make it a deal
- Buy now, pay later
- 47,000+ sailings available across 14 cruise lines
- Excursions guaranteed with smaller tour groups (avg. 12 people) and up to 40% lower prices, $1,000 compensation plus expenses if tour causes missed departure
- Free price hold option during booking process
- No cancellation or booking fees
- 100% Best Price Guarantee within 24 hours of booking
- Exclusive bonuses like free gratuities, WiFi, and gift cards up to $500
- 4.9/5 stars on Trustpilot from 1,600+ reviews
- "A+” BBB rating for parent company International Voyager
Founded by an experienced cruise industry veteran, Cruise Direct partners with 14 cruise lines to offer over 47,000 sailings with competitive pricing and valuable perks. Their user-friendly website features curated collections that make it easy to browse destinations and excursions, while their risk-free shore excursions come with smaller tour groups and a $1,000 missed-ship guarantee. Cruise Direct's helpful agents provide personalized assistance throughout the booking process, and you'll find bonuses like free gratuities, WiFi, and gift cards up to $500. With no booking or cancellation fees, a free price hold option, and a 100% Best Price Guarantee, Cruise Direct stands out from competitors. Their exceptional 4.9-star Trustpilot rating and "A+” BBB rating reflect strong customer satisfaction, particularly with their booking experience and responsive customer service. When compared to other booking platforms, Cruise Direct excels, making it the top choice for your next cruise vacation.
Expedia
- Interior room cruise prices can be $126 cheaper than booking direct ($315 vs $441 for 4-night Bahamas cruise)
- Comprehensive sorting and filtering tools for cruise searches
- Onboard credits, shore excursion credits, and drink/dining packages
- Landing page features curated collections of popular destinations, ports, and cruise lines
- Ability to book hotels, rental cars, and flights in addition to cruises
Expedia offers some savings on cruise bookings compared to direct bookings, with discounts (up to $126 in one case) and good search features. But there are major problems with this online travel agency. It has a very low 1.2-star rating average on Trustpilot, bad customer service, unclear fees, and confusing rules for cashing in your bonus offers like onboard credits. While you can sort cruise options easily and book different travel services together, the many negative customer reviews about refunds and communication issues make it too risky to book your cruise through Expedia.
More Cruise Vacation Site Reviews
The 10 Best Cruise Vacation Sites
What is the Best Website for Booking a Cruise?
Cruise vacations are an experience like no other, combining relaxation, adventure, and a variety of destinations - all while unpacking your bags just once. Whether you're a first-time cruiser looking for a family-friendly getaway or an experienced traveler searching for a luxury experience, online cruise vacation booking sites can help you find the perfect match. These platforms solve common problems, such as comparing different cruise lines, finding the best deals, or narrowing down your options based on specific needs like budget, amenities, or destination.
Some booking sites offer sailings from dozens of cruise lines, from mainstream ones like Carnival and Royal Caribbean to more specialized luxury brands like Seabourn or Oceania. The more options available, the easier it is to find the perfect cruise for your preferences.
Cruise Vacation Site FAQ
Continued from above...
Some sites focus only on cruise bookings and offer specialized knowledge, perks like onboard credits and included gratuities, and great customer service. Other cruise vacation sites may seem to have lower prices but charge booking and cancellation fees and offer less specialized help. General travel agency sites may include cruise bookings as part of their services, but they may offer fewer perks and don't handle cruise-specific concerns as well as the specialists can.
Some cruise booking services charge booking fees, cancellation fees, or both - sometimes in addition to the cruise line's fees. Look for a booking site that is transparent about their cancellation, refund, and booking policies - and in writing.
When you shop for cruises online, there are several important factors to consider before making a booking. Here's a quick overview to help you navigate your options:
- Pricing and deals. Prices for cruises can vary greatly depending on the time of year, the cruise line, and the type of cabin you choose. If price is your greatest concern, you'll want to go with a site that offers special offers, discounts, and/or price-match guarantees.
- Search filters and customization. A good cruise booking site will allow you to filter your search based on destination, cruise length, amenities, specific dates, or even ship. You should be able to save your top candidates to a list of favorites for easy reference.
- Customer reviews and ratings. User reviews can give you a window into any loopholes the cruise booking site might be trying to take advantage of. After all, you want a deal, and the booking site wants to make as much money as possible.
- Customer service and support. Booking a cruise can be a complex process, and responsive customer support can make all the difference if you have any issues with your booking or need assistance planning your trip. Choose a site with a reputation for excellent customer service, including 24/7 support and easy-to-reach agents.
Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best cruise vacation booking sites available. We hope this review helps you find the best service for your cruise adventure. Bon voyage!
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