I can't believe how quickly the summer is slipping away! It's been a struggle to quickly plan our cruise to Hawaii, but in the past few days we've finalized our itinerary. Now we're just counting down to the sail-away!Since our usual travel agent doesn't work with Norwegian Cruise Line, we decided to book with an Internet agency. After searching for price and extras (like complimentary travel insurance and onboard credits) we narrowed down the agencies to Cruise Brothers, American Express, and Best Price Cruises. We actually found Best Price Cruises through CruiseCompete.com. This is a useful site for comparison shopping. You simply type in the cruise you're interested in and several agencies respond with their rates and special offers. What makes Cruise Compete unique is that your message to their group of travel agents is "cloaked." None of your personal information is shared and you won't be added to a million e-mail lists.
Best Price Cruises had a slick real-time booking engine at their website and the cruise fare for two in an AB Deluxe Penthouse was nearly $1,000 cheaper than all the other agencies. Of course, there is a trade off. You'll receive less personalized service in exchange for the discounted cruise fare. However, if you'd prefer to speak with an agent directly and book over the phone, you may do so for a slightly higher per person cruise fare.Basically, if you know the exact cruise you wish to book and you don't need advice on stateroom categories and locations, this may be a good option for you. However, if you're new to cruising or to the cruise line you're interested in, it's best to call and speak with a travel agent directly. They can offer you information and tips you may not easily find online.
While I tend to buy just about everything online—from clothes to music downloads to Persian rugs—it was still a bit strange to book a cruise without the usual back-and-forth conversations with an agent. I'm pleased to say that Best Price Cruises has been very responsive via e-mail. Upon booking this cruise, my confirmation was e-mailed within minutes and a few hours later I had my NCL reservation number. Travel insurance paperwork and cruise documents arrived within a week.
Still, it's easy to see the differences between the mainstream cruise lines and the luxury lines I usually write about here. We initially received our NCL cruise documents electronically. eDocs make a lot of sense, but it's a bit of let down. It's always such a happy day when the upscale lines deliver cruise docs via DHL. You rip open the package to ogle the faux leather document holder and run to your luggage to affix your new name tags. No such luck with Norwegian. They actually e-mailed luggage tags to print out on our own computer. Okay, that's a bit too "Freestyle" for me. I emailed Best Price Cruises and they made sure NCL mailed us paper copies of our documents—in a simple plastic folder—along with some paper adhesive luggage tags.
We've filled out passenger profile forms, arranged for our frequent flier tickets (thank you Continental and direct flights!), and made most of our plans.
In future blog entries before we sail and while onboard the Pride of America, I'll write about...
- Our pre-cruise stay at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa and a post-cruise stay at The Kahala Resort, both on Oahu.
- Daybreak breakfast at Leonard's Bakery for malasadas!
- Climbing Diamond Head.
- Lunch at Alan Wong's Pineapple Room at the Ala Moana Shopping Center.
- NCL's Deluxe Penthouse suite and butler service aboard NCL's Pride of America.
- Exploring Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, and Akaka Falls on the Big Island.
- Traveling the Road to Hana with private tour guide Steve Sargenti of Maui Custom Tours.
- The Feast at Lele on Maui.
- Sunrise at Haleakala Crater.
- Waimea Canyon, Poipu Beach, and Spouting Horn on Kauai.
- ...and more
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