Complete Guide to Vacations To Go for NZ Residents

Sailing on a cruise across the world's seas is a breathtaking experience, but the cost may give you pause. If you're looking for a cruise at a low price, Vacations To Go may be able to help. Read on to learn more about how Vacations To Go works if you live in New Zealand, the benefits, and overall pros and cons to see if it’s a good option for you the next time you book a cruise.

What is Vacations To Go?

Vacations To Go is a website where you can search for cruises, get discounted rates and book your next trip. It is one of the world’s most popular cruise agencies and has been operating since 1984.

You can book a cruise through Vacations To Go with 36 different cruise lines across the globe. In addition to popular destinations like Europe or the Caribbean, Vacations To Go also provides deals to destinations like:

• The Arctic
• South America
• Canary Islands
• Transatlantic
• Northwest Passage
• Panama Canal
• Galapagos Islands

Vacations To Go can help find specialty cruises for singles, honeymooners, expeditions, luxury, family-friendly cruises, and grand voyages.¹

Is Vacations To Go legit?

Vacations To Go is a legitimate website where anyone, including New Zealand residents, can book a cruise on some of the major global cruise lines. The company’s website says that it has helped more than 8 million vacationers to save millions of dollars on discount cruises since the 1980s.²

Vacations To Go Offers

Vacations To Go offers 13 different types of cruises, each with its unique charm and adventure. New Zealand residents can choose from over 300 ships that sail across the oceans worldwide.

With custom search options, you can find the perfect cruise that matches your dream vacation. Here is a list of some of the cruises available on Vacations To Go:³

Vacations To Go offers cruise discounts for senior citizens, singles, returning guests, firefighters, teachers, military personnel, police, and early bird buyers.

In addition to ocean itineraries, Vacations To Go offers river cruises in the U.S., Africa and Europe. You can also book guided tours and get additional accommodation deals for your trip through the website.

Unique Selling Points of Vacations To Go

Rather than booking directly with cruise lines, Vacations To Go can help provide discounts and allow for easy last minute bookings. Here are a few more reasons why Vacations To Go is unique:

• Vacations To Go offers discounts of up to 85% on cruises, saving NZ travelers money.
• You can use the 90-day Ticker to book cruise expeditions at the last minute.
• Additional discount offers like “Early Bird,” “Two-for-One,” and other “Cut-Rate Promotions” can help make cruises affordable.
• The simple website and easy-to-search tools make it convenient to book cruises.
• There are no booking fees.

Detailed Review of Vacations To Go

Vacations To Go has been a popular cruise booking service, but customers have had mixed experiences. Many customers have had a positive experience with customer service and booking last minute, while others have been unhappy with the amount of personal information needed to look at quotes, and find the discounts lacking.⁴

It is always best to shop around when looking to spend on a holiday. Cruise lines may offer discount codes or rewards, while other sites may help you find the best deal or make the experience easier. No matter the cruise you’re looking for, consider looking at multiple quotes before moving forward with a payment.

Vacations To Go Booking Process

Booking a cruise with Vacations To Go is a relatively straightforward process. Let’s walk through the steps on how to book a cruise.

1. Visit the Vacations To Go home page.
2. Enter your desired cruise details on the left-hand side.
3. Click on ‘Show me the deals’
4. Register at Vacations To Go. The process is free.
5. You’ll get a list of the lowest cruise prices.
6. Call Vacations To Go to chat with a cruise counselor and to book your trip.

Depending on the cruise line, you may have to pay a deposit, typically between 10% to 25% of the cruise cost. After paying the deposit, Vacations To Go secures your reservation and informs you of the due date to make the final payment, which can be from 45 to 120 days before sailing. You will receive your cruise tickets after you have paid the balance in full.

Vacations To Go Discounts and Deals

Vacations To Go is known for its discounts, where you could get up to a 85% discount on a cruise. However, most of the time you’ll have to qualify for a discount first and it will depend on the cruise line. Here is a list of some of the popular discounts:

For more information, you can find these cruise discounts on “Find a Bargain” on the Vacations To Go website.

Answers to additional questions or help can be found by calling +1-713-974-2121 or by contacting customer service by email at contact@vacationstogo.com.⁵

What is the Vacations To Go 90-Day Ticker?

Vacations To Go’s 90-day Ticker is a unique feature for last-minute cruise deals. Travellers can click on the 90-day ticker tab on the website to get the current list of deals - but you will need to register or log in first. Usually, the average availability of the deals is around seven days, but some cruises sell out quickly.⁶

Vacations To Go: Pros and Cons

Trying to decide whether to book with Vacations To Go? Check out your list of pros and cons so you can make an informed decision:

Pros

• Large selection of cruise options.
• Last-minute deals on cruises available.
• All prices include all taxes, fees and port charges.
• Easy-to-use search tools on the Vacation To Go website.
• Can build out your cruise with add-ons, like with tours and additional stays.
• Vacations to Go offers subscribers a free cruise letter with information on the latest events in the cruise world.

Cons

• You have to register before looking at the deals.
• You can’t book directly online; instead, you have to speak with a cruise counselor on the phone.
• Some prices may not be cheaper than booking directly with a cruise line.
• Some customers have had trouble getting issues resolved.
• Customers have complained about not receiving perks offered by other sites.

Comparison: Vacations To Go vs traditional cruise booking

You may be trying to decide whether to book a cruise through traditional methods, like a travel agent or cruise line website, or Vacations To Go. There are pluses and minuses to each. Here is how both methods generally compare to each other:

The best option for you is always going to be the one that offers the cruise you want at a price point that works for your budget. Think about your ideal length of time, destination and level of service to figure out a cruise line and itinerary. Also keep in mind extra costs, like flights to the destination port and on-board activities that may add to your bottom line.

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Sources verified on 4 September 2024.