Can you save money booking your cruise through Costco Travel?
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Booked direct through the cruise line, a the lowest-priced balcony cabin came to $1,894 per person, including a $100 onboard credit offer. Costco offers these benefits to their customers on select cruises; executive-level Costco members usually receive even greater credits. Finally, Costco offers "Buyer's Choice" and "Kirkland Signature" cruise deals, which offer "exclusive savings and included extras," according to the Costco Cruises website. My quick search through these deals revealed that Costco's Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line cruises usually have the most added freebies. Norwegian cruises even feature free perks, such as a photo package or spa credit, that are combinable with the line's Free at Sea value-adds offered to everyone.
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The trick will be getting to Costco at the optimum time to avoid the bulk of the crowds, because that will truly be the worst part of shopping Costco for me. My two big reasons for contemplating a Costco membership are pretty compelling, but one big hurdle remains. I don't live especially close to a Costco location -- my closest one is about 50 miles away.
Things You Didn't Know About Booking a Costco Cruise
Its cruise change and cancellation policies are simply what the cruise lines put in place themselves. Costco wasn't always clear about whether all sail dates and cabin categories were eligible for deals. The links that prompted you to click them to determine eligibility never gave me that information.
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And, as anyone who regularly shops at Costco knows, it doesn't take long to blow through a few hundred dollars in gas fill-ups alone. Although we know (and love) Costco warehouses for their bulk bargains, not all categories at Costco require plus-sized buys. (Think jeans, mattresses and wine, which can be purchased individually.) Cruises are the same. You won't need to book multiple cabins or cruises in bulk to score these deals. Getting a Costco membership could be one of the smartest financial decisions you ever make. Not only do you get the opportunity to save on groceries and household items, but you also get access to special seasonal discounts that can help you budget for purchases you might not otherwise afford.
It's More Than the Usual Shipboard Credits
The Ascent is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money matters. If you're new to cruising or unsure of what you want, Costco might not be the best travel agency for you. "I think a first time cruiser would be better off using an agency that walks them through everything," says NoVa Mimi, who books all her cruises exclusively through Costco. "Costco does not do that. Many of their reps have not even been on a cruise." "We had already decided on where we were going, but we were flexible on the travel date and ship," said Ostrander.
When we checked, a Costco "savor and spa" cruise aboard Anthem of the Seas offered similar value. Costco Travel does not sell every cruise line, but it does handle all of the largest brands, including Carnival. There's no hard sell (phone reps are not on commission), cruise cancellations are handled efficiently and without hassle, and the invoicing is clear and easy to read. Lead-in rates were occasionally for guarantee rooms (where the cruise line picks your cabin), even when I thought I was choosing a regular cabin type. If you're not given a cabin number and you want control over your stateroom location, click the link to choose another room or cabin category. A six-night Mexico cruise on Carnival Miracle, departing from Los Angeles Oct. 8, was listed as $584 for a balcony cabin on Carnival and $564 on Costco.
Because I was not actually booking cruises, I could not see if these details became clearer just before you gave Costco your credit card information. Ultimately, this sailing priced out the same at $6,375.28 per balcony cabin, based on double occupancy. Norwegian might have the edge if you can take advantage of the airfare offer.
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With cruises, you'd earn the 2% back on the cruise fare but not on the taxes, fees, auto-gratuities, other surcharges and trip protection. Steven Porrello writes about personal finances topics ranging from credit card offers to Costco deals to choosing the best places to park your cash. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team. Thankfully, joining Costco isn't a financial risk for me -- or indeed, for anyone. A basic membership costs just $60 per year, and if I absorb that credit card hit and it turns out not to be worth it for me, I can lean on Costco's exemplary return policy. Costco will cancel and refund a membership fee at any time if you're not satisfied.
With a policy like that, I feel better about contemplating a Costco membership later this year. Unlike a typical travel agent, Costco Travel also offers rebates issued as Costco Cash Cards. There's no rebate form to fill out; the cash card arrives in the mail two to four weeks after your cruise, to be used at Costco's warehouses or for online orders. Because the cruise industry aims to enforce pricing parity across all booking channels, discounts don't usually appear in the upfront cruise fare. "Costco is usually the best deal," says KirkNC, who is careful to compare multiple outlets before locking in a fare. "We get around 8 percent back in onboard credits, which are refundable, so if we don't use them we get a credit back on our credit card."
Costco does not assign a specific agent to your booking, so you're unlikely to talk to the same call center representative twice. The cheapest balcony cabins where I could pick a cabin were Boardwalk-facing balcony cabins (inward-facing balconies toward the back of the ship) on Deck 14. Costco's final price for the two-person cabin was $1,849.56, plus a $95 shop card and the dining and credit perks. This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Since I have a household of one human and three cats, it's unlikely that I'll be taking advantage of Costco's deals on fresh produce and dairy products even after I move into a house. However, I am planning to get a second refrigerator or possibly a chest freezer for my basement, which opens the door to deals on frozen food from Costco. "They aren't active travel agents, they don't proactively check for price drops," noted kleptn. However, Costco does have pre- and post-travel support departments, as well as an after-hours phone number for travel emergencies, to assist travelers once they've booked their cruise. You will not be able to use your American Express and earn Membership Rewards points for your vacation purchase. Next, I priced out a Carnival cruise, which didn't offer as many extra perks.
The difference before the perks was $348, plus you get roughly $200 in value from the perks alone. So, if these outdoor items don't interest you, keep your eyes peeled for more great savings opportunities in the future. This small investment is well worth the time it will save your team in organizing and monitoring project work.
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Savvy cruisers, including many Cruise Critic members, have saved big by booking cruises through Costco. Here are five things you don't know about booking a Costco cruise -- and why Costco Travel is my first -- and usually last -- stop when shopping for a cruise. That's free money for you to spend, either in a Costco warehouse or on the ship – especially as Costco cruises typically have competitive fares. It's not like you're paying more than you would by booking directly and getting the difference in Costco money. The main benefit of booking a cruise through Costco is that every booking comes with a Digital Costco Shop Card and/or onboard credit.
Some cruises will be exceptionally good deals, especially ones that come with lots of complimentary extras. However, if you already have a membership and are planning a cruise, it's definitely worth seeing what the warehouse club is offering in terms of pricing and perks for the sailing you're contemplating. You might find a great deal and get a shop card to spend when you return home from vacation.
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