All of our years of hard work have resulted in our agency having numerous special rates that we are able to provide you. This is because we sell many more cruises than the typical agency and receive special prices as a result of our dollar volume.

The savings we offer varies between different cruise lines, that is why we say "at least 5%". We calculate the discount from the before-tax rate quoted by the cruise line.

Even greater discounts are available on the numerous sailings where we have established groups. Please ask for our "special agency promotions."

Carnival, Royal Caribbean, & Celebrity customers: this discount does not officially apply to you because we are not officially permitted to advertise this discount to you. We do however have many "special agency promotions" including GROUP RATES and SHIPBOARD CREDIT available for you, please call for details on OUR great prices!

2-Please clarify pricing and taxes.

All of our prices are per person. Port taxes are added to the base fare of each cruise. Most cruise lines keep it separate so that you have a specific understanding of the amount. There are new NAFTA taxes this year that range from $3 to $15.

3-Some cruises include pre-paid gratuities. How does that work?

One of the most confusing things that passengers have to deal with is deciding who and what amount to tip at the end of the cruise. Although there are often suggestions in the cruise pamphlets, brochures; more and more cruise lines have decided to INCLUDE tips in their basic price--therefore ending your confusion and making you more comfortable. You are always welcome to add to the pre-paid gratuities for special service, but it is not expected.

Be sure to ask us about the policy of some cruise lines adding their gratuities to your shipboard account without disclosing this to you.

4-Why is a single supplement so high?

When an individual travels alone in a cabin, the cruise line believes it is losing revenue as the cabins are designed for two people. Therefore most often, single occupants are asked to pay extra to compensate for their non-existent second guest. This extra amount is often as high as twice the regular price. Recently, the luxury cruise lines have started to offer reduced supplements on specific sailings.

5-What is the "drink" card?

Many cruise lines are sensitive to the amount you might pay for 7 days of soft drinks. Therefore, they have created a pay-once soft drink card. The price and restrictions vary -- usually it ranges from $27 to $30 per person. Although many people would like to have an "alcohol card" -- it doesn't exist.