By AAA – The Auto Club Group
After nearly three years of challenges and uncertainty, cruise lines are gearing up for a strong year with travel demand rising and Americans eager to set sail. A new AAA survey finds 52% of U.S. adults are just as likely or more likely to consider taking a cruise vacation than they were before the pandemic. That number is up from 45% one year ago.
“Cruising is back in a big way. We expect a lot more people to book cruises in 2023 as several new ships have entered the market,” says Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We already saw this in November which proved to be a record-breaking month for cruise bookings. For many cruise companies, Black Friday was the single largest booking day in history.”
Forgoing a travel agent and travel insurance. Travel agents are experts who can help you select the cruise line, ship, and itinerary that best fit your lifestyle, budget, and interests. They have access to the same pricing as booking through a cruise line directly and can provide additional savings, onboard credit, complimentary gratuities, and other amenities you won’t get from booking on your own. Travel insurance gives you peace of mind for many unexpected situations. Without it, you could be on the hook for 100% of your trip if you must cancel unexpectedly. Insuring your trip allows you to breathe a little easier, knowing your travel investment is protected.
Delaying booking in hopes of getting a deal. Think you’ll get a better deal at the last minute? Think again! Cruises can be booked as far as two years in advance. Waiting too long can result in the cruise or stateroom category you want being sold out. With lower stateroom inventory as the sailing date approaches, many cruise lines increase prices as the sailing date gets closer. So, it’s best to book early to get the specific cruise and stateroom you want.
Waiting to book shore excursions or onboard dining and shows. Putting off booking a shore excursion is risky because the most popular tours may be sold out by the time you’re on board. The same goes for certain restaurants or shows. Often, cruise lines will offer lower prices for shore excursions booked in advance. That’s another way travel agents can help. They can guide you through the pre-cruise process and assist with those types of reservations.
Flying in on the day of sailing. Weather delays or mechanical issues can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare if you are flying in on the day you are sailing. The stress of possibly missing your cruise is not the way to start a relaxing trip. AAA recommends flying in a day early and enjoying an evening at your port of embarkation before setting sail.
Picking a cruise based solely on price. There are cruise lines for all types of budgets. Travel agents can be invaluable in this area because they can match your interests with your budget while laying out exactly what experiences and service you can expect at different price points.
About AAA – The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states, the province of Quebec and two U.S. territories.
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