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.
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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:
Vacations To Go can help find specialty cruises for singles, honeymooners, expeditions, luxury, family-friendly cruises, and grand voyages.1
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 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
| Type of Cruise | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Cruise and Land Tours | Combination of a cruise and land tour |
| Expedition Cruises | Cruises to off-the-beaten-path ports and remote places |
| Family-Friendly Cruises | Ideal for family vacations with kids-only facilities |
| Grand Voyages | Extended cruise itineraries for 14 to over 100 days |
| Group Cruises | Ideal for family reunions, birthdays, company meetings, and conventions |
| Honeymoon Cruises | Perfect cruise for a special occasion |
| Incentive Cruises | Ideal for companies to reward their employees for superior performances |
| Luxury Cruises | Cruise with state-of-the-art facilities, high-quality cuisine, and first-rate entertainment |
| Meetings at Sea | Cruises that offer value for business meetings, conferences, and conventions |
| Cruise for travelers with special needs | Perfect for people with physical disabilities |
| Theme Cruises | Cruises offering special programs |
| Wedding Cruises | Cruises that offer destination wedding and honeymoon |
| World Cruise | Extended cruises that last for up to 100 nights or more |
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.
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 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.
Booking a cruise with Vacations To Go is a relatively straightforward process. Let’s walk through the steps on how to book a cruise.
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 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:
| Vacations To Go Discount Deals | Details in brief |
|---|---|
| Last-minute deals | Can be found within the 90-day ticker for last minute deals. |
| Early Bird Promotions | This discount is available for those who book their cruises well in advance. |
| Two-for-One offers | Travelers can enjoy the benefit of two cruises for the price of one. |
| Age 55+ | Some cruise lines offer discounts for travelers aged 55 and above. |
| Past Guests | Many cruise liners offer additional discounts to repeat customers as an appreciation of their loyalty. |
| Professionals | Some cruise liners offer discounts to specific professionals, such as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), police officers, firefighters, teachers, and the military. |
| Interline | Employees of some domestic or international passenger airlines get an interline discount on some cruise liners. |
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
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
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:
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:
| Traditional cruise booking | Vacations To Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | You may be limited as far deals unless you book ahead of time or research discounts | Last minute deals and bargain prices may be available |
| Convenience | Can be booked online directly | Need to be booked with cruise counselor |
| Options | You may have to search multiple sites for good deals across cruise lines | Multiple cruise line itineraries and options available through search |
| Payment method | Typically, full price paid upfront | Deposit required with remainder paid at least a month before sailing |
| Perks | Returning cruise line passengers may receive upgrades from booking directly. | Saving money on a cruise is the top perk of using Vacations To Go |
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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Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
Sources used for this article:
Sources verified on 4 September 2024.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
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