Florida including a cruise

[Sally42]

We are planning for December and would love to include a cruise (not a Disney one)

Looking at Royal Caribbean from Tampa for just 5 nights, and having 5 nights prior and 4 nights after, and ideally be back in the UK by 22/12.
Has anyone any tips or advice for us please?

Sally x

[Scotty]

Get prices from a US travel agent. I have found they generally have better prices.

[Sally42]

Originally Posted by Scotty

Get prices from a US travel agent. I have found they generally have better prices.

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Even better than than direct from the cruise line itself?

Silly Q - where so I find an American travel agent!

[Scotty]

Originally Posted by sally42

Even better than than direct from the cruise line itself?

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Yes, because the UK prices do not reflect the US ones unless they have a very good offer on.

I'm not sure if we can recommend non disney TA's on here.

[LRMD]

We did this in January, 7 nights at Universal and 7 night cruise with Royal Caribbean on Oasis of the Seas from Port Canaveral, was brilliant, we just booked through a UK agent and all went so smoothly.

[anneeb]

We booked one for this July through an American website, phoned them up (UK Freephone number but American office), paid in dollars and got a good deal. We looked at various sites before booking, found that going through them we got better deal than direct with cruise line.

[TGT]

I used michelle@mei-travel.com to book our Disney Cruise but she does other cruises (she came recommended and she was great at communicating and we had no issues, did everything via email) - but you should price up both ways. [If I can't recommend, please remove - don't want to break any rules]

We've just booked our second Norwegian cruise and while the prices are a bit lower in the US, it's not low enough to cover the extras included in the UK price (if you want those extras of course) - all drinks (soft and alcohol, some specialty dining, some internet, tips/gratuities mostly covered, etc). So, I've booked the second through NCL directly. The drinks package is sometimes included in the US as a special offer, but if you have to pay for it it's something like $89 per person per day and everyone in the cabin has to have it - or you have to pay for your drinks. Depends what - and how much you drink, for instance, how long the cruise, how much at sea/on board ship, etc etc.

However, I'm going with people again so need it organised.

If it was just me and the OH, and I could go last minute I'd be looking for a bargain with the likes of vacationstogo etc.

[Katnic1]

I booked a 5 night RCI cruise from Tampa departing August. The Uk price was £1700 so I booked through a US agent for less than $1400.