What's the best method for choosing the best cruise?

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This was published 7 years ago

What's the best method for choosing the best cruise?

By Michael Gebicki
APT ship AmaReina on the Rhine in Germany.

APT ship AmaReina on the Rhine in Germany.Credit: APT

HAVING EXPERIENCED THE EASE AND JOY OF A RHINE RIVER CRUISE IN 2014 WE ARE PLANNING ANOTHER IN JULY 2017, TAKING MY 89-YEAR-OLD FATHER ALONG. HOWEVER THE PLETHORA OF CRUISES MAKES IT TIME CONSUMING TO NAVIGATE THROUGH CRUISE WEBSITES TO GET THE BEST VALUE. IS THERE ONE COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE THAT ALLOWS ME TO SEE WHAT IS AVAILABLE? WOULD I GET A BETTER DEAL IF I BOOK NOW?

J. LUO, PYRMONT

Comparing cruises is like trying to work out which mobile phone plan gives you the best deal, and there is no single website that compares all European river cruises in a comprehensive way. However there are a couple of Australian cruise specialist travel agencies that can help you narrow down your choices. One is Cruise Express cruiseexpress.com.au the other is Cruiseco cruising.com.au.

You might get a better deal if you book now but July is peak period, it's unlikely that there will be too many suites empty on those river cruises and therefore little motivation for cruise operators to offer a discount. If you were to wait and it did happen to be a slow season you might get a better deal but it's more likely you'd find yourselves with a reduced choice of vessels with your first choices all full, and that's probably a gamble you don't want to take.

Check the cruises on your shortlist against reviews on Cruise Critic cruisecritic.com.au, it's a great resource.

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