Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    White Travel Service, Inc. 1-800-547-4790
    

I would like to recommend CruiseDocktors in NH.  We have booked two cruises
with them (we took one to the Caribbean this past June, and we just booked a 
Bermuda cruise for next June) and they have been GREAT!   The person I've
worked with is Janet Franklin - she is SUPER!!

			    CruiseDocktors 
			    1-800-325-2873 (NH)
			    1-800-682-0135 (Out of State)
			    Monday-Friday 9 - 5  
			    Leave a message for Janet Franklin or call Janet
			    evenings after 5pm and anytime on weekends at
			    (603)429-1979 (Merrimack NH)

Patty Leone

    I'll second, CruiseDocktors and Janet Franklin.  
    
    We went on a 10th anniversary cruise in February along with
    11 of our friends... they did a wonderful job!
    
    Judi Reddy

    Here's another vote for Janet and CruiseDocktors.
    
    She was very helpful and we had a great cruise.
    
    Karen Overton

    I've got to add it in too....
    
    Janet Franklin of CruiseDocktors handled our cruise wonderfully!
    
    Give her a call; she's very helpful and she can get you some
    fantastic rates!
    
    Bon Voyage!
    
    Linda

	****

	Another vote for CruiseDockters.  We made our reservations with

	Wanda Bogin.  She was very helpful and knowledgable.  We got a 
	
	lower rate in a higher category than any of the others we called.

	
	Can't wait,


	Cyndi

    
    
    Another great agency is Global Cruise Vacations in Hudson, NH. They
    also have great rates and upgrades. Their number is 800-858-0676.
    They have personnaly gone on every major line so they can tell you
    all about the ships and ports. They have just come back from an
    European cruise, They are very helpful and friendly also. I would
    recommend them higly
    
    Cindi
    
    

    Lots of the replies here have pointed out how helpful or friendly the
    travel agent was. I entered note 388.1 because several times I have
    wanted to take advantage of an advertised special and everyone else
    I called said about what is standard for trying to book based on an
    ad which sounded to good to be true; namely, that was what went into
    the Globe, but here's what's available. I'll give a couple examples
    of my successes with this agency but before you read on if you want
    helpful and friendly, "next". These folks are in business for the
    experienced cruiser who knows what they want and want to get it at
    the best possible price. If you need to know whether your stateroom
    will have a potty, don't call. The response you'll get is if you're
    not sure what you want and what you'll be getting, call your local
    travel agent. Don't get me wrong, they are willing to be helpful but
    the reason they can deliver is most of their customers don't want to
    smooze about the dimensions of their stateroom. If you call and they
    can negotiate with the cruise line something approximating what you
    wanted, they'll call you back, book it if you agree, send you a bill
    for a deposit explaining future payment dates and that's it. Obviously
    you would return the deposit but there is no future mailing about
    balance due, etc. They assume you are grown up and can follow
    directions. No wine or flowers sent to you stateroom either. Between
    this no nonsense approach (oh that we could learn how to do it so well
    over the phone) and volume, they have lots of clout with the cruise
    lines and they deliver what you want (no frills but you get what you
    want at the price you're willing to pay). Now, a couple of examples.
    I should point out that both were based on ads which promised enormous
    savings on something I wanted to do and I called "my travel agent -
    who I love BTW, she always send champagne, wine, and flowers to wish
    us bon voyage", other prominent agents in the area and was told that
    nothing like what was advertised was still available:

    	NCL ran an ad for "two for one" on several cruises (this was a couple
        of years ago when the two for one was a first). Sunday ad, I called
        my travel agent Monday morning and she called back at 17:00 saying
        I've been calling all day; never got anything but a busy signal;
        should I keep trying? I said yes and Tuesday night she called back
        and said everything was sold out. Even though we are well traveled
        (including cruises), we had never been to Bermuda and after getting
        enticed by the ad, I was reluctant to give up (even if it meant
        paying "full" price) but the next Sunday, White had an ad in the
        Globe saying exactly what the NCL ad had said the week before. I
        thought, just a come on but I had the SO call. Well, they didn't
        have the bottom basement thing but we did get booked and it
        included a five level upgrade for about a 10% increase in price
        beyond the advertised rate for the cheapest seat.

        This past weekend, Regency advertised an 11 day cruise in the
        eastern/southern Caribbean. I've been almost everywhere you can
        go on almost every cruise line you can go on in the Caribbean
    	and we have almost always avoided going anywhere we've been
    	before but I've never been to Aruba and with the current climate
        at DEC, I really felt a few days away were just what the doctor
    	ordered in terms of sanity continuance. I called my travel agent
        and she said, its an advertising scam. They don't have anything
        available for the $1059 that was the 2 for one price I saw in
        the ad. In fact, the best she could book was about $2500 and that
        wouldn't include air fare (BTW, that wouldn't be a bad price for
        an 11 day cruise). Well, this whole thing was really prompted
        by the ad so I told her no. Then I thought of White. I asked my
        SO to give them a call. No $1059 seats available but because
        Regency does a lot of business with White, a stateroom several
        categories higher can be made available at that price. Once again,
        $400 deposit required next week, balance due November 4th, no
        additional calls, reminders, or bills but I got WHAT I WANTED
        and probably would not cruise this year if I hadn't.

    Summary: If you know what you want and want the best price (the price
    you have in mind if you've seen an ad), I mean you really don't need
    any hand holding, you can get exactly what I hope you can get from
    PCBYDEC by calling White. If you can call White and say I want to go
    on xx date and reserve a category yy stateroom at zz price, they will
    either book it, tell you about an available attractive upgrade (only
    if your expressed choice is sold out), or tell you sorry. No BS, in my
    opinion, best agent for an experienced cruiser.

    Jim,
    
    Thanks for the info.  I'll be looking for an expensive cruise in the
    Feb or April school vacation timeframe and will remember to give White
    a call if I have not luck with my usual travel agent.
    
    Ro
    
    
    

    We're trying now to get a deal on Royal Carribean's Majesty of
    the Seas. This is the Western Carribean. I've contacted A AAABCO
    and got a price from them. Is it feasible to call White's or
    Cruise Docktor's and tell them that I already have one price?
    I know that AAAABCO took down the names to hold the room if
    we decide to go with her quote. Or should we call anyway and
    give different names, just to get a price. Does anyone know how
    the companies look at the price comparison shopper?
    

    
    Go ahead and call!  Tell them the price you got and see if they can
    beat it.  That is what I did.  For my last cruise, Cruise Docktors came
    up with the best price.
    
    Good luck!
    
    Patty

	I agree with Patty.  We called a long list of Agents. 
	CruiseDocktors came up with the best price for a 
	higher category cabin.

	We sail on Majesty of the Seas on October 25th for our 
	Honeymoon.  I can't wait.

	Still haven't received our itinerary.  We leave in 19 days.
	I am unfamilar with the way they do this.  Is this normal?
	We got our flights from Wanda at CruiseDocktors	but no other
	information.

	
	Cyndi


	

    Cyndi,
    
    Best wishes on your impending cruise.  You should get your cruise
    stuff about 2 weeks or so in advance of departure date.  I too 
    took my first cruise on the Majesty at end of June.  
    
    You will not be disappointed!  
    
    /john

My GOAL is to get ALL of these into one note so that it can be extracted and we
can start doing the cost comparison - 2nd attempt

A AAABCO Cruise Center  P.O. Box 630877 Miami, Florida 33163
        OUT-OF-STATE: 1-800-327-0699, Miami Line: 935-1091
        IN FLORIDA/OUT OF DADE COUNTY: 1-800-432-3662
Admiral Pat's Cruise Vacations, Inc.  1-800-445-6541
American-Canadian Lines (New Shoreham II) has an 800 556-7450
Certified Travel - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Ask for Lee Boyan 800-327-2041
Colorado Discount Cruises, 719-260-0186 or 800-388-CRUISE
CruiseDocktors 1-800-325-2873 (NH) 1-800-682-0135 (Out of State) M-F:9 - 5  
	Janet Franklin, Wanda Bogin.
Cruise Holidays of Nashua (603)881-7300 (800)369-8650
Cruise Holidays of Sudbury 1-800-648-2469
cruise place brother in law found in Florida - 407-898-5353 Chuck
Cruise Warehouse 1-800-541-7327 John
CRUISES, INC., 1-800-854-0500
Diana's Travel Service, Inc. Riverhead, NY 1-800-654-8814 NY - 516-369-1188
Global Cruise Vacations in Hudson, NH. 800-858-0676.
Just Cruises is 800-331-SHIP
Ship Shop Debbi Adams (1-800-922-5510)
South Florida Cruises 2069 N. University Drive Fort Lauderdale, FL  33323
	800-327-SHIP
Spur of the Moment Cruises 10780 Jefferson Boulevard Culver City, CA 90203
	800-343-1991
Travel Boutique is 800-477-1854
travel channel on TV 1-800-321-cruise
White Travel Service, Inc. 1-800-547-4790

I had read through the this note and here is a little feedback.

	On White Travel Service, which was mentioned. They have
	an information number with a lot of cruise specials listed
	that you can call. No person to hassle you, they also have
	a mailing list to send you specials.

	the number is 203 236 6176. It is a long recording.
	the only charge is it is long distance to connecticut.
	I believe it is updatted every week. Some of the
	prices may only be available for one date. Like anything
	else they list the very best prices, you may not
	get them.

Another thing is comparisons can be tricky. If someone calls
Travel Agent A in September and gets some rates, then calls
Travel Agent B in October and gets different rates then this
probably is a useless comparison. Things can change very 
quickly. The bottom line is the prices are really determined
by the how the bookings are doing for a specific date by
the cruise line itself. High volume agents will get a larger
larger commission typically or lower price. They usually
pass some of this on to the buyer to give you a good deal and
they make out because they sale so much.

I do believe you are better off with a high volume agent in
cruises, 		if you know what you want, 
they usually can offer a small price advantage, but
the main advantage is they will know about every special around.
In some cases this could be a large difference in price. The smaller
agent who maybe books a few cruises a year will not know all the
ropes and may not know or try hard to find the best deals.

If you have never cruised then you probably should see in person
a knowledgeable agent for your first cruise. Make sure you get
someone who has cruised, preferably at least 5 times on 
different lines. They can provide valuable information, all the
brochures, etc. and usually their price will be within a $100
of the discount outfits. The first time I went I got lucky and
one of the agents had been on 13 cruises on just about every
cruise line and I got a lot of good information which was
very helpful. Later I went back for another cruise, at that time
he was gone and the other agents did not really know much
about cruising. 
		
I've been on 7 cruises to date, starting in 85, and just booked
number 8. I tradionally went with a small travel agent.
This time I thought I would try someone on the list in 388.14.

I used White Travel Service. I did not call any others, mainly 
because I did not have much time and I do not like to hassle 
people if I am not going to give them any business.

I was very limited on dates also. Either Nov 28/29 or Dec 5/6 (92) to 
start the cruise. Needed 7 day cruise, did not have time for longer one, 
we do not really like the short ones, just too short.
I called and requested cruises on RCCL, mainly
because we really like RCCL, we know what we will get, and I do
not want to be killed by my wife if I book a cruise on another line
and it is does not measure up to RCCL.

We have been on the Sovereign of the Seas and wanted to try for
the Majesty or Monarch this time. We ended up booking the
Sovereign again because it was the best deal. Since we like to stay
at sea and the ports are not that critical we know we will like it
again. This will be our 3rd cruise on Sovereign, the other RCCL cruise was
on Song of  America in 87. Our other cruises were SS Norway 85 (NCL),
Regency, Regent Sea and Star, and the Disney cruise (4 days).
We like RCCL the best but we enjoyed all of our cruises.

	We booked Nov 28 cruise,  "OUTSIDE" cabin including air for $899 +
	the port charges etc. It was a really nice deal. Our cabin is
	the cheapest outside cabin (lowest deck). But that is fine
	with us, we have stayed on the lowest deck before. The $799
	inside cabin special was all booked up for this date.

	Others available where, all include air, prices do not include
	port charges, airport taxes etc. Approximately $95 per person.
	all are 7 day. Prices are per person for 2.
	
	Dec 5 Sovereign INSIDE cabin $959

	Nov 29/Dec 6 Monarch of Seas cheapest room was INSIDE at $1229 
	Nov 29/Dec 6 Majesty of Seas cheapest room was INSIDE at $1159

	There are probably a few dates available on Sovereign which
	offer a INSIDE cabin at $799.

        Remember I only checked 2 dates.
    
	On some dates the prices are much higher. The lowest prices
	are on dates they have the most unsold cabins.

Please NOTE these specials are a moving target, they can change quickly.
As soon as enough rooms sale the cruise lines jack the prices back
up closer to the brochure rate. They obviously want to leave with
a full ship and the highest price per passenger possible.

	There are also some really good deals on other cruise lines such
	as Regency Cruises (starting as low as 750 each including
	air) , Holland America, etc.

White Travel Service, Inc. 1-800-547-4790  Located in Connecticut, only
open to 5:30 PM.
24 hr information line recording 203 236-6176.

Another possible agent is the Magic Kingdom Travel Club. YOu can
join for free at personnel. I do not know what they offer now but
a few years ago we used them and they provided a flat 5% off any
official cruise rates for RCCL and a few other deals. At that
time they also had a interesting deal for cruise  only, you got
a 15% discount (RCCL only). It was only useful if you could get cheap
airfare. It is hard to beat the $250 credit unless the air season
is really slack. That $250 also  includes your transfer to the port
and your luggage is handle automatically from Boston straight to the
ship (RCCL at least).

					Harold C.

    

    I also vote for Cruise Docktors.  My fiance and I planned our honey
    moon with them.  Wanda Bogin is great she told us everything that we
    needed to know.  She also got us a great price.  We are going on the
    Song of America on Oct. 3, 1993 and we will be leaving out of New York.
    We are paying 890.00 per person that includes everything.  We will be
    taking a bus out of Worcestor.  We were going to take the guarantee but
    we were advised not to take it.  According to Wanda our travel agent
    she said that we will be taking a risk of geting a cabin with two
    single beds bolted to the floor.  I figured we will only be in the
    cabin at night and we dont need all that much space.  I still might see
    if they can guarantee us a cabin with a double bed.  We will see what
    happens.  Other than that I can not wait.  I have never been on a
    cruise.  The cruise goes to Bermuda.  So to all you cruisers I
    recommend cruise Docktors.
    
    Aimee

    I believe Wanda is off a little on the two beds Bolted to the floor.
    Song of America is a modern ship and basically all cabins except the
    highest 4 categories have a similar layout depending if inside or out.
    
    Inside cabins have 2 parallel beds separated by a 2 ft space. The
    default is to leave them that way. If you desire the cabin steward
    will move one bed over to make a single queen bed. The only
    disadvantage is it moves the aisle over to one side of the room. The
    bed that  moves just simply slides, it is very light. What we did
    was to leave them made up individual and at night just slide them
    together. 
    
    Outside cabins have the 2 beds in a L pattern. One is right against
    the window I believe. They can slide them together also.
    
    I am reasonably sure that just about all rooms can have a queen bed
    if desired. But if Wanda checked specifically with RCCL then maybe
    some rooms are an exception.
    
    Our first cruise was on the SS Norway (NCL) and the lower end room
    we got there had to vertical bunks. No chance for a queen there. The
    older ships a lot of the time have bunks in the cheapest rooms.
    Just about all ships built in last 10 years or more normally have
    both beds or floor or large single beds.
    
    Song of America is a nice ship and was the best cruise we have been
    on, then it was in Caribbean in 87.
    
    				Harold C.
    
    
    

Edited from 388.14 note.
    

When comparing rates the make sure the comparisons are valid.

    	1) Rates must be for exact same ship.
    	2) Exact same category of room
    	3) If air included then exact same departure airport !!!
        4) AND COMPARISONS SHOULD BE DONE ON SAME DAY OR NO MORE THAN
           A FEW DAYS DIFFERENCE and if so note the difference. I quite
    	   frankly do not feel comfortable unless same date, the rates
    	   for all can change very quickly.
        5) Specify if port charges and airport charges included. Usually
    	   these charges are fixed for specific itineraies. They have
    	   been going up like crazy. A few years ago typically $25 to $35
    	   for 7 days, now $80 to $100++ is normal.

When speaking to others if they say agent A was less than B then ask
if the above is true. In many cases people tell you about 
so called good deals when in reality the comparisons were not for the
same product and is not a fair comparison.




On list below some of they high volume agents are only open during
week and 9 to 5 hours is not unusual. If no answer on weekend or
evening then try during workday, most have 800 numbers.
There were a lot of positive repsonses especially for CruiseDocktors.



            <<< KOALA::ARKD$:[NOTES$LIBRARY]CRUISE_TRAVEL.NOTE;2 >>>
                               -< CRUISE TRAVEL >-
================================================================================
Note 388.14                       Travel agents                         14 of 17
COOKIE::SAMPLE                                       28 lines  13-OCT-1992 12:37
                             -< Consolidated list >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My GOAL is to get ALL of these into one note so that it can be extracted and we
can start doing the cost comparison - 2nd attempt

A AAABCO Cruise Center  P.O. Box 630877 Miami, Florida 33163
        OUT-OF-STATE: 1-800-327-0699, Miami Line: 935-1091
        IN FLORIDA/OUT OF DADE COUNTY: 1-800-432-3662
Admiral Pat's Cruise Vacations, Inc.  1-800-445-6541
American-Canadian Lines (New Shoreham II) has an 800 556-7450
Certified Travel - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Ask for Lee Boyan 800-327-2041
Colorado Discount Cruises, 719-260-0186 or 800-388-CRUISE
CruiseDocktors 1-800-325-2873 (NH) 1-800-682-0135 (Out of State) M-F:9 - 5  
	Janet Franklin, Wanda Bogin.
Cruise Holidays of Nashua (603)881-7300 (800)369-8650
Cruise Holidays of Sudbury 1-800-648-2469
cruise place brother in law found in Florida - 407-898-5353 Chuck
Cruise Warehouse 1-800-541-7327 John
CRUISES, INC., 1-800-854-0500
Diana's Travel Service, Inc. Riverhead, NY 1-800-654-8814 NY - 516-369-1188
Global Cruise Vacations in Hudson, NH. 800-858-0676.
Just Cruises is 800-331-SHIP
Ship Shop Debbi Adams (1-800-922-5510)
South Florida Cruises 2069 N. University Drive Fort Lauderdale, FL  33323
	800-327-SHIP
Spur of the Moment Cruises 10780 Jefferson Boulevard Culver City, CA 90203
	800-343-1991
Travel Boutique is 800-477-1854
travel channel on TV 1-800-321-cruise

White Travel Service, Inc. 1-800-547-4790  Located in Connecticut.
   24 hr information line recording 203 236-6176. Gives information on
   various cruises at low price, generally anything mentioned is lowest
   category and least popular date. The $999 special may not be available
   for date you want or available for only one or two date.
Cruises of Distinction  201 744 1331 but use the toll free
   number of 800 634 3445 to save money. (New Jersey)




A few years ago most of the best deals were had by waiting late
and booking the leftover rooms which were very cheap in some cases.
Now most cruise lines are offering discounts as needed far in advance
with the best discounts usually the farthest in advance. Six to
nine months out is a good time to book. Generally you need a $200
to $300 deposit per person up till 60 to 90 days before cruise.
If you change your mind up to this point then the cruise lines refund
it all, it is possible however for the agent to make a charge for
their time, you can ask about this.

Generally the cruise lines discount the book rates as needed to
fill the ship. They may start with 30 or 40 % and if ship fills 
up well they reduce discount as departure nears. Many cases the
discount is nearly the same up to departure. Many cruise lines
and some agents guarantee that if you book early and the rate
went down below your booked price they will give you difference.


There will still be cases of people who can be at the ship at the
last minute with very little warning who can get great deals.
But generally speaking if you wait you will have very little selection
etc. and probably save no more and maybe less. If a ship has
 a lot of cabins available near departure date then they probably
are not high up on list of good cruises. Popular cruise lines
will generally have few rooms to choose close to departure. You
also will probably lose out on late dinning room seating if
this is desired.

    			Harold C.
    
    

    This agency is fairly new and they try to get the best rates and offer
    them to you. Alot of times they suceede in getting the best rates you
    can find. Their speciality is cruises and they deliver your tickets
    (although I imagine there is a milage radius).
    
    GIVE THEM A CALL AND CHECK IT OUT what do you have to lose EXCEPT maybe
    some money and comfort by going to another agency.
    
    
                                 C.S. CRUISES
                                       &
                                     TOURS
    
                          25 Russel St., Woburn MA. 01801
    
                          Bus. (617)933-8880  Fax (617)933-6735
    
                           Proprieter:  Connie Slauenwhite (slow-en-white)

    AND ONE MORE THING
    
     C.S. Cruises & Tours are a full service agency (Airline tickets,
    Cruise Tickets) Just because their name says "Cruise", doesn't mean
    that all they deal in are crusies.
    
    They also cater to corporate and leisure customers.

	Just wanted to let you all know I got my best price frmo Calmark Travel,
Inc...their price was even better than Cruise Doktors by about $200!
They're located in Leominster, MA.  Phone number is (508)534-6175 or
(800)466-7245.

	Laura