Originally Posted by
diburning
1. What are some things I should look out for when booking a cruise?
2. Are cruises like hotels and airlines where it's best to book direct? Or should I take advantage of all the offers and rewards that a package seller would offer me (ie United Cruises)?
3. How does dining and drinks work? Are the packages worth it, or are the included meals (if any) decent enough if I'm not looking to get fancy?
4. Are there any fees that I should be aware of that aren't included in the price shown? (Internet? Food? Entertainment?)
1. There is a huge range of experiences available, from low-end party ships to high-end luxury cruises. Most (but not all) cruise lines will also allow you to take advantage of price drops.
2. There's no advantage to booking directly. Some travel agents give onboard credit, some give cash back. You can also put up a request for quotes on cruisecompete.com.
3. It depends on the cruise line. If you drink a lot, the packages can be worth it. We rarely book specialty dining because most of them aren't worth the cost and we're generally really happy with the including dining options.
4. It depends on the line. Most of the lower tiers charge extra for internet and gratuities. Also watch out for refundable vs. non-refundable deposits.
Also, some lines will match status from hotel and airline programs, so that can be nice to get started.