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Cruise Direct vs Orbitz

Friday, December 13th

2024 Cruise Vacation Site Reviews

Cruise Direct Review 5 Star Rating

Cruise Direct

5 Star Rating
  • 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
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

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.

Orbitz Review 2 Star Rating

Orbitz

2 Star Rating
  • Prices started at $527 for a 4-night Caribbean cruise, with potential savings of $81 compared to direct booking
  • Large inventory with 51,000+ sailings from 25 cruise lines
  • Operating since 2001 as part of the Expedia family
  • Comprehensive search filters including cruise line, ship, and special deals
  • Agency Specials include onboard credits, shore excursion credits, drink packages, discounts on additional guests, and pre-paid gratuities

You'll want to steer clear of Orbitz for booking cruises, despite their large selection of over 51,000 sailings from 25 cruise lines. While you might save a small amount through their Agency Specials and onboard perks, their "C-” rating from the Better Business Bureau and poor customer service make them a risky choice. Their website lacks helpful features like curated collections, and they're not transparent about their fees and policies, making it safer to book directly through cruise lines or use a more reputable travel agency.

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.

The Best Cruise Vacation Sites Compare Cruise Vacation Sites Compare Cruise Vacation Site Reviews What are the best Cruise Vacation Sites Best Cruise Vacation Site Reviews

Cruise Vacation Site FAQ

While people joke that cruises are only for the "newly-wed and nearly dead”, there are lots of loyal cruisers across all ages. People love the opportunity to see several different destinations during one trip (with the convenience of having all of your belongings safely kept in your stateroom, no need to change hotels), to try world-class cuisine, or even to have the kids happily entertained by cruise staff while the adults relax, gamble, or go to performances.
Each company has its own personality: some lines pride themselves on being family-friendly, while others actually prohibit guests under the age of 18 or 21! Are you looking for a "party boat” with plenty of drinks and dancing, a more formal atmosphere with tuxedos and ball gowns for dinner, or something in between? Do some research online and with people you know who have cruised before: you'll get plenty of input to help you choose a cruise you'll love.
Yes and no. It's possible to get a great deal on a cruise in the off-season (in the US, that's usually May and September/October): you could have an amazing vacation for under $100/night per person. On the other hand, if you've always dreamed of sailing at Christmas or you're only available during spring break, expect to pay premium prices. The type of stateroom you select will also affect the price: an interior stateroom will be the most economical, while an ocean view, veranda, or concierge-level stateroom will increase your fare. Also, many cruise lines give you a discount for the third and fourth guests within a single cabin.
Most cruise lines only allow reservations about 18 months in advance. If you're able to book that early, that's likely when you'll get the lowest possible fares. However, if you've got some flexibility, you can often find good deals on last-minute cruises too (e.g. anywhere from two weeks to two months before sailing): as people cancel, the cruise lines want to fill those spots up, even at a discount. Whether you're booking well in advance or close to your sailing date, it's always wise to get a travel insurance policy because you may not get your money back if you cancel.
Not exactly. Each cruise line varies with respect to what's included and what's not. For example, one family-favorite cruise line has a complimentary soda station that's open 24 hours, while another line popular among college kids and bargain hunters only offers lemonade, coffee and tea. You'll never be lacking opportunities to eat, but many cruise ships have premium restaurants that are reservation-only and come with an extra cost. Alcoholic beverages, spa services, and off-ship experiences are almost never included in the cruise fare. And, don't forget the gratuities!
Shore excursions are organized activities you can participate in during your ports of call. These include active adventures like snorkeling or hiking to ancient ruins, food experiences like wine tasting or chocolate tours, and so much more. You can book shore excursions directly through your cruise line or through a third-party company; just make sure that you're guaranteed to be returned to your ship on time if you go with an outside provider!
Not necessarily. On the largest cruise ships - the kinds that carry thousands of passengers - you might not even realize that you're moving! If you're prone to motion sickness, however, you may want to bring an over-the-counter motion sickness medication or consider alternative remedies like acupressure bands or ginger capsules.
Are you sure you want to? If you need to stay on top of world events, most ships give you access to cable news networks, The Weather Channel, and several other stations on the TV in your stateroom. You can make calls using the ship's phones, though it's usually around $3/minute. Your cruise line probably has options for internet access as well. And, you can often find free Wifi access in your ports of call; lots of cruisers use their stops to quickly check emails and let people back home know that all is well.
Compare the Best Reviews

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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