FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: cruise

  • Best Websites for Cruise Vacation Deals

    Is the weather starting to get chilly in your neck of the woods? Perhaps a cruise would really hit the spot but you don’t think you can afford one.

    Think again. There are plenty of cruise deals to be found online, you just have to know where to look. Start doing your research now before the snow falls and you’ll be on cruise before you can say “ship’s ahoy!” Here are some online resources to get you started. Cruise Deals Cruise Deals provides you with the opportunity to search a variety of Caribbean, Alaskan, Hawaiian, Mexican or European cruises at low prices. The search engine allows you to search by date, location, length of cruise and price. You can also see pictures of the cruise ships and locations. Booking can be done online 24-7 or you can call 1-800-866-6414 during normal business hours to book a cruise or ask questions. Orbitz Cruises [caption id="attachment_4530" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Photo Credit: Orlovic"][/caption] This spin-off of the larger Orbitz search engine is where to go to find some of the lowest prices on cruises throughout the world. Go here to find rock bottom prices and last minute deals as well as package deals (include flight and attractions). The search engine allows you to refine your criteria based on cruise location, date, length of cruise, departure port, cruise line and type of ship. Last Minute Cruises If you’re feeling adventurous and have a flexible schedule, then head to Last Minute Cruises for some of the best deals around (you’ll save on average 50-65%). Their extensive search engine will help you find amazing deals on cruises leaving in the near future (you can search by destinations, cruise lines and special deals). Book online 24/7 or call 1-866- 836-6963 during normal business hours to book a cruise. Cruise.com Cruise.com boasts a large database of bargain cruises and special offers across all major cruise lines and in a variety of locations. This is the place to look for package deals and free upgrades. Book online 24/7 or call the “cruise experts” at 1-888-333-3116 during normal business hours to ask specific questions about the deals offered on the site. Cruise Cheap Cruise Cheap allows you to search cruise deals in a variety of locations. They specialize in package deals comprised of a combination of airfare/cruise/land excursion/hotel/cruise upgrades. You can search by destination, cruise line and departure date/cruise length. Book cruises 24/7 online or call 1-800- 543-1915 to speak to an agent. Cruise Critic: Cruises Reviews and News In addition to providing you with the latest news regarding various cruise lines and up-to-date reviews of cruises by actual vacationers like yourself, Cruise Critic offers a searchable database including a variety of cruise deals. Of course, you should also check the big travel sites: Orbitz, Priceline, Expedia, and Travelocity. Keep in mind that going straight to the source (individual cruise lines themselves) may be another effective way to find excellent deals. All of the major cruise lines have websites that feature last minute cruises and package deals. Many of these cruise line also have reward programs that will allow you to go on the cruise of your dreams for much, much less. Here are some suggestions: Carnival Cruises Royal Caribbean International Princess Cruises Disney Cruise Line What are you waiting for? Go for it! Set sail!

  • Meet Crocs and Snakes in Australia on the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise

    The Northern Territory is a place that’s not for the faint of heart. It’s an Australian stereotype come to life, with scorching sun, the unforgiving deserts of The Outback, and nasties lurking around every corner.

    If the snakes don't get you, the crocs just might. If that thought doesn't terrify you, you might be a good candidate for a trip on the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise. The boat takes a leisurely trip down the Adelaide River, which is home to more than 80, 000 saltwater crocs, or salties as they're known in these parts. These man-eaters can measure up to six meters, and when they jump out of the water you'll be able to take all of that length in. But don't be scared. They're more interested in the raw buffalo meat the tour operators dangle from the long feeding sticks than you. If you're game, the crew will even let you give the crocs their tucker. Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruises has two boats: the 8.7 meters Wildcat, and the double-decker Northern Adventurer, which measures a massive 18.2 meters. The cruises' hosts are incredibly knowledgeable about the area's native wildlife, which also includes bats, snakes, and the enormous kites. These birds, with their awe-inspiring wingspans, will happily swoop in on the crocs' buffalo, and often get away with it too. That's one brave bird! [caption id="attachment_3021" align="alignright" width="150" caption="A saltwater crocodile jumping for food in the Northern Territory, Australia"]A saltwater crocodile jumping for food in the Northern Territory, Australia[/caption] Speaking of those snakes, you can meet some of those too. Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruises has a large collection of pythons which they'll happily pass around to any brave guests. If you do hope to handle a snake make sure you're not wearing sunblock, perfume, or insect repellent. These products can offend the snakes' delicate sense of smell, and you really don't want to do that! Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruises cost $35 for adults and $20 for kids, including complimentary tea and coffee. Discounted family, group, and senior passes are also available. The cruises last for one hour and leave at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm every day.

  • The Majesty of the Eighth Wonder of the World, New Zealand’s Milford Sound

    The peaks of Milford Sound, New Zealand
    The peaks of Milford Sound, New Zealand

    So gorgeous is New Zealand’s Milford Sound that British writer Rudyard Kipling once called it the “eighth wonder of the world.” The dark brooding waters, rocky cliffs, and lush forests of this photogenic area inspire around half a million tourists to visit this spot on New Zealand’s South Island every year.

    Milford Sound is the crown of Fiordland National Park. A cruise with an operator such as Scenic Pacific or Real Journeys is one of the best ways to see the region. During a day trip, or a longer overnight journey, guests can see the area’s marine animals, including seals and dolphins, and awe-inspiring natural features.

    Mitre Peak is particularly imposing, rising 1692 meters skyward, and the cascading waterfalls are stunning after showers. With Milford Sound receiving seven meters of rain on average each year, these falls rarely disappoint! The cost of many tours includes coach transfers to the cruise wharf. However the region is also accessible on foot via Milford Track, and it's a short drive from Te Anau. Many tourists use this lakeside area as a base for their Milford Sound journey, as the township of Milford has few facilities for travelers. Most tourists visit Milford Sound during the summer months of January and February, so if you prefer to avoid the crowds consider traveling once the weather cools. Just remember to pack a warm, waterproof jacket if you do!

  • Cruise Down Li River in China

    While China is known for its fast-paced urban cities, that’s not all this Asian nation has to offer.


    For a more relaxed experience make sure you set aside some time to boat down the Li River, or Lijiang River as it is sometimes known. Cruising from Guilin to Yangshuo is an excellent way to enjoy the beauty of the Guangxi Province.

    The journey gives you a taste of a different side of China, one far removed from the vibrant metropolises of Beijing and Shanghai. You’ll drift past peasants enjoying a simpler way of life, tending their rice paddies and floating about on bamboo rafts. The scenery too is spectacular, from the stunning Karst peaks to the mysterious caves. Keep your eyes peeled for wandering water buffalo and fishing cormorants.

    The 52-mile journey takes around seven to eight hours. It can be done in a day, and companies including Great Wall Tours and Yes China Tour do just that.

    Li River in Guilin, China photo
    The Li River in Guilin, China

    However other tour operators including Lychee Travel and China Odyssey Tours take a little more time and enjoy the journey at a more leisurely pace.

    These longer tours generally include an overnight stopover at Yangshuo. While the center of this small town features modern restaurants and shopping opportunities, the quaint rural villages show a different side to the area. These tours also often make stops at various points of interest on the river passage, including the Elephant Trunk Hill, Yao Mountain, and Solitary Beauty Peak. While the extended tours are more expensive than day trips, they also include accommodation and more meals.

  • Travel Jobs in The Cruise Industry

    You may have heard us sound off about the cruise industry a time or two. Well, it’s probably because we’re big fans of the places cruise ships can take you. Did you know that when the cruise industry first started, cruises only served as a means for travel across the Atlantic? And that after the introduction of the plane into the travel industry the cruise ship industry suffered?


    Now, however, because of a resurgence in popularity and because of access to places all over the world, the cruise industry is back and better than ever. And has been for quite some time. Find out how you can be a part of it by getting a job in the travel industry and working on a cruise ship.

    Working in the cruise industry is a popular choice for people who are looking for seasonal travel. Because a great deal of money can be made in a short amount of time, people who are interested in traveling (but who also want to make money) find that jobs in the cruise industry offer them the perfect work scenario. It is essentially the perfect job for college graduates or students during a summer off from school. It also serves as an excellent segue into the travel industry for those who are interested in making cruising a career. Take some time to learn about working on a cruise ship and procuring a job in the travel industry on our FrugalMonkey travel job pages.

    In our cruise section, you will learn about working on all sorts of different types of cruise ships.


    Find out about working on smaller cruises, river cruises, and how to get a job working on a big ocean liner. Jobs like those we cover in our cruise ship jobs section will lead you towards a career that allows you to take cruises into Alaska and Mexico, and even places like Antarctica.

    Find out about exciting travel and work opportunities by learning a little bit more about the cruise ship industry. Although the economy is in a rut, people are still taking cruises all over the world, and the cruise ship industry still needs hardworking employees to make their cruises successful. Traveling the world doesn’t have to be on your own dime, in fact, some one might even pay you for it! Find out more!

  • Last Minute Travel Deals to The Caribbean

    Sometimes the best last minute travel deals aren’t those that leave right away but are those that you need to book right away. Right now from July 15 the Caribbean island of Barbados is offering incredible travel deals for September through December. If you book within the next week and a half, a number of Barbados hotels are participating in a program that offers free breakfast, first night hotel stay for free and an air credit for up to $300 a person. Check out visitbarbados.org for more details and check out other area vacations like cruises to Mexico.

    Don’t forget to plan your vacation with FrugalMonkey’s city profiles and vacation guides.


  • Don’t Miss Out on Mexico

    Last month the Center for Disease Control removed travel restrictions from Mexico, giving travelers the green light for sunny skies, beaches and margaritas.


    However, the recent swine flu scare is keeping travelers at an unhealthy distance, causing the tourism industry in Mexico to falter. The result? Cheap prices on travel to Mexico.

    Although travel to the region is perfectly safe, people have canceled vacations and re-booked elsewhere, causing some hotels to be as much as 70% below capacity. The swine flu scare, in addition to the economic slump has put travel on the back burner for a lot of families. This combination has been disastrous for the economy and tourism industry in Mexico and as a result, prices are very low.

    Priceline spokesmen Brian Ek states that packages available on travel auction sites like Priceline are as much as 30%-50% off, providing incredible savings to people interested in travel to Mexico. The country is so desperate to attract travelers back to their resorts, beaches and cities, that hotels, flights and vacation packages are lower than they’ve ever been. By pricing vacations so low, the Tourism Board hopes to attract summer travelers and inspire more people to visit to the area.

    Even cruises to Mexico are behind in numbers. Carnival and other cruise lines that recently cancelled trips into the area due to swine flue and are just now starting to rebook lost customers. While this is bad for the Mexican cruising industry, the result is cheap vacation deals for travelers. Cruises into Mexico are priced lower than they’ve ever been, providing an appealing package for summer travel at an amazing price.

    People interested in a fun and cheap summer vacation should certainly consider Mexico. On travel auction sites like applevacations.com, packages are 70% off. Other sites have deals like half off flights to Mexico and resort hotels for less than $100 a night. These deals include vacation packages to some of Mexico’s most famous resort towns where travelers will enjoy discounts on travel to Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cancun and Acapulco.

    Check out some of these currently available deals on travel to Mexico and book your summer vacation now!

    You can enjoy three nights hotel stay in Cozumel including airfare from Houston for only $349 in July. That means amazing Fourth of July travel dates and discounts. For this vacation package search Cozumel travel deals on GoFox.com

    Other vacation packages include three nights in Cancun with airfare from San Antonio for $299.


    Or maybe you’re looking for a longer vacation. In this case take a look at the seven night Regency Cancun deal, which includes airfare from Houston through July and August for only $592 on Priceline. At Palaceresorts.com enjoy airfare discounts from $100-$400 in Cancun, Cuzmel and Nayarit. These deals will be valid from June 30 – September 30, 2009.

    We mentioned the cheap cruise deals available and we weren’t kidding. Carnival has five night cruises available from Galveston through Progreso and Cozumel for as low as $380 and seven night cruise deals in August for only $550 a person.

    Get on these incredible travel discounts now, they won’t last!

  • Alaskan Cruise Deals

    Check out some of this summer’s hottest cruises to Alaska. Right now you can join the thousands of people who will be taking a luxury cruise into Alaskan waters this summer.

    Our Top Pick for Alaskan Cruises this week comes from Celebrity Cruises. This summer you can take a 7-night cruise through Alaskan waters and Hubbard Glacier for as low as $379. Dates for this price run through September.

    Or, sail from Anchorage with Sapphire Princess Sailing on another 7-night cruise for only $449.

    Cruises to Alaska are a great way to enjoy a summer vacation and experience the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. Check out more about cruises into Alaska and travel into Alaska with FrugalMonkey.


  • Greece Vacation Deals

    See Greece the way it was intended with a six-night cruise from Athens, Greece through the Greek Islands.


    When you’ve only got a week, but still want to bask in luxury consider taking a cruise and having all the hard work done for you. Right now when you book through Homeric Tours you will enjoy seeing the architecture and cultural sights with two days in Athens. You can take advantage of the many excursions and guided tours or take off by yourself to explore independently. When you spend the next four nights touring Crete, Mykonos and Patmos you’ll have to be sure to pinch yourself as a reminder that you aren’t dreaming. This six-night Athens and Greek Island vacation is only $750 and won’t last long so check out Homeric Tours and book now!

    Perhaps though, you’re only interested in beach lounging and want to enjoy Greece the way it was intended – sunning in the islands. Right now you can find incredible hotel deals in Mykonos, one of the most beautiful and world famous Greek Islands. Enjoy strolling down whitewashed streets or enjoy the beautiful views from its many luxury hotels. Right now you can find incredible hotel and flight deals into the area through Orbitz, Travel Zoo, Homeric Travel and Kayak. Your summer Grecian vacation is only weeks away, if you book now!

    Greece is an amazing place to visit and is unique to all other parts of Europe. Check out the wildlife in Thessalonica or go sight-seeing in Santorini. With so many potentially amazing vacations, Greece is an excellent choice for honeymooners, families or for vacationing with friends. Check out FrugalMonkey’s country profile on travel in Greece and find hotels, travel information and tips for making travel plans.

  • Summer Cruises in Alaska

    What better way to spend a summer than cruising the Gulf of Alaska. Right now you can book amazing Alaska cruise deals through Island Princess and go fishing off the coast of Alaska, bear and wildlife watching during shore excursions and experience it all on a summery Alaskan vacation. Right now prices through Island Princess start at $349 for inside cabins and include a seven-night voyage from Anchorage, through Glacier Bay with many stops along the way. Finish your trip at Vancouver, B.C and enjoy amazing cruise deals this summer. Island Princess sends vacationers on Alaskan cruises all summer so if you miss this trip, which launches June 1, check back for more amazing deals.