There are many good reasons to book a cruise online. Not only does it allow you the convenience of searching for the itinerary want, when you want it, in the comfort of your own home, but you can also compare prices, apply discounts or check reviews instantaneously. And the reservation you book can be confirmed in a matter of minutes.
However, it can be overwhelming! How do you narrow it down to find the best option? What about entering your card details? Is it safe?
To help you safely navigate the endless aisles of online shopping, we’ve put together this handy guide on how to book your cruise online.
1. Find a reputable company with a secure website.
One of the most important parts of planning your cruise vacation is finding the right company to book your cruise with in the first place. You want to make sure that you are working with a reputable company that specializes in cruises and makes it easy for you to contact them. Online Vacation Center has been around for nearly 50 years. And with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and high customer satisfaction ratings, you know you’re in good hands.
To make sure the website you’re on is secure, look for the “padlock” icon in the search bar. Also, check to see that the website address starts with HTTPS (the “S” indicates that it is secure!). As an added layer of protection and peace of mind, we have a dedicated IT and security team on staff to ensure your information is safe at OnlineVacationCenter.com.
2. Set a budget and choose your cruise.
With access to all the major cruise lines and over 15,000 itineraries to choose from, your options are virtually endless. Start by filtering down to what matters to you most; do you have a destination in mind? A specific month of travel? How long of a trip do you want to take? Do you have a favorite cruise line? After filtering down your results, sort by price and find the sweet spot for your budget.
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3. Now for the easy part…just follow the prompts to book!
So you’ve found your dream cruise and you’re ready to book it – how exciting! Just click the “Book” button and follow the simple prompts. You’ll have the opportunity to apply discounts or past passenger numbers, select your cabin type and enter other travel preferences before reaching the payment section. At the end, you’ll have a chance to review your trip total and all the inclusions it comes with.
Pro Tip: When you are shopping around for price comparisons, be sure you are comparing apples to apples. What you see on the search results page might not be what you see as your trip total (including at OnlineVacationCenter.com). That is because the final rates are inclusive of all port charges, taxes, and government fees. Also, if you see a cheaper price elsewhere, check to see what it includes. There’s a chance it may not include as many amenities as the more inclusive price.
And…success!
Once you submit it, you’ll receive an acknowledgment email in a matter of minutes. You may also receive additional information about things like shore excursions, flights, etc. If you have special notes, discounts, or other travel preferences you didn’t get to enter, don’t worry! Once you complete your online booking, your reservation will be reviewed by a Personal Vacation Manager who will reach out to you (via your preferred contact method) to confirm the final details and review all of your included extras. Then, they will confirm your reservation at the cruise line. And voila! You’re ready to start packing.
If you’re still hesitant about booking online, rest assured your reservation will still receive the same exclusive pricing, promotions, and attention to detail you would receive if you called in and booked. Not to mention, you’re protected by our Low Price Guarantee.
Even when you book online, we’re still here for you. You can call your Personal Vacation Manager who has access to your reservation at any time. The best part about booking online is, you can do it yourself 24/7/365 and it’s secure! We look forward to assisting you plan your next dream cruise vacation.
