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CruiseDirect Review
4.7 Overall Rating
Bottom Line
If you are considering a cruise and aren’t sure how to get started, CruiseDirect can help. This online travel agency partners with major cruise lines like Carnival, Disney Cruise Lines and Viking River Cruises to coordinate your vacation.
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About CruiseDirect
If you are considering a cruise and aren’t sure how to get started, CruiseDirect can help. This online travel agency partners with major cruise lines like Carnival, Disney Cruise Lines, and Viking River Cruises to coordinate your vacation.
CruiseDirect is a New Jersey-based online travel broker. Founded in 2001, the company has worked with over half a million customers. CruiseDirect also does business under the name of its parent company, International Voyager, Inc. CruiseDirect is licensed to issue travel insurance under the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
CruiseDirect tries to take the hassle out of planning a cruise vacation. The website can help you research vacation options, book reservations, and plan your itinerary through their major cruise line partners. CruiseDirect’s online platform eases price comparisons across different cruise lines and destinations.
Pros
- No booking fees
- Flexible payment plans
- Best price guarantee
Cons
- Can be difficult to communicate directly with cruise line
CruiseDirect Services
CruiseDirect lists cruises from 20 major cruise lines with hundreds of destinations. A powerful search engine allows you to filter all available cruises by these criteria:
- Price per person
- Trip duration
- Destination
- Cruise line
- Departure date
- Departure city
- Cruise ship
- Amenities
- Consumer ratings
If you’re traveling with children, honeymooning, or want river cruises or luxury vacations, use the “Best For” search option for recommendations. You book cruises directly through CruiseDirect’s website. The site often features deals like onboard credits or discounts. A price match guarantee ensures you don’t overpay for your vacation. CruiseDirect offers some flights and hotel options, mostly for departure cities within the United States.
River Cruises with CruiseDirect
CruiseDirect makes it easy to find a river cruise to fit your vacation preferences. River cruise destinations include Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Africa, Asia, and many more. CruiseDirect’s river cruise line partners include the most well-known names in river cruises: AmaWaterways, Azamara, Carnival, Crystal River, and Viking River Cruises. River cruises start at $70/night.
The chart below shows some examples of river cruises available through CruiseDirect.
| Destination | Cruise Line | Per Person Starting Rate | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England & Canada | Carnival | $70/night | 7 night |
| Europe (Spain, Croatia, Montenegro, Italy) | Carnival | $65/night | 10 night |
| South America (Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil) | Azamara | $142/night | 12 night |
| Far East (Vietnam, Cambodia) | Ama- Waterways | $142/night | 12 night |
| France | Viking River Cruises | $321/night | 7 night |
*Trip examples based on available cruises on 9/13/19.
CruiseDirect Costs
Prices for cruises vary depending on the cruise line, destination, ship and many other factors. There are no booking fees. CruiseDirect is a broker and does not set prices, but offers an industry-best price guarantee. If you find the same cruise listed elsewhere for a better price within 24 hours of booking your cruise, CruiseDirect refunds the difference.
CruiseDirect also offers a Low Price Assurance policy. If your cruise line lowers rates on your trip after you book, but before you make your final payment, CruiseDirect will refund you the difference.
| Destination | Cruise Line | Per Person Starting Rate | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahamas | Carnival | $56/night | 3 night |
| Canada (New England) | Holland America | $68/night | 11 night |
| Caribbean | Royal Caribbean | $42/night | 5 night |
| Europe | Costa | $64/night | 4 night |
| Panama | Carnival | $68/night | 11 night |
*Trip examples based on popular cruises. Prices as of 9/26/19.
How to Book a Trip With CruiseDirect
To get started, visit CruiseDirect’s website and click on the tab that says, “Find Your Perfect Cruise.” Filter your search to find a cruise that fits your schedule, budget, and preferences. Be sure to read all of the details about each particular trip before making your selection. You should review terms, insurance options, and the cancellation policy. Every cruise line sets its own separate policies.
When you’ve chosen a cruise, you’ll book it online through CruiseDirect. You’ll need to provide information about all of the people traveling with you, including names, ages, and states or countries of residence. You’ll then select from available rooms on your cruise ship and finalize your trip details.
Most trips must be paid in full 75 days before departure. You’ll need to pay earlier for some long cruises. These policies are set by the cruise lines, not by CruiseDirect, so they will vary depending on the cruise line you choose.
CruiseDirect Complaints
CruiseDirect receives high reviews online. The Better Business Bureau gives its parent company, International Voyager, Inc., an A+ rating, and its users give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. CruiseDirect addressed eight complaints registered through the BBB. About half settled in the customer’s favor.
CruiseDirect also receives 4.7 out of 5 on ShopperApproved, with nearly 9,000 consumer reviews.
Trustpilot reviewers give the company 5 out of 5 stars. Many reviewers mention their excellent customer service and attention to detail.
Because CruiseDirect is a broker, customers sometimes say it is difficult to communicate directly with the cruise line before a trip to request special accommodations or clarify problems.
CruiseDirect FAQs
In addition to CruiseDirect’s price match guarantee, you can choose from a list of last-minute cruises on the website for even deeper discounts.
Deals vary by cruise but may include onboard spending money, a discount for third and fourth guests, percent-off discounts for shore excursions and similar offers.
You’ll use an e-ticket for most CruiseDirect trips, which you download and show to boarding personnel. Two cruise line partners, Crystal and Cunard, do not accept eTickets, so you’ll print them from an email from CruiseDirect.
Create an account on CruiseDirect’s website to save cruises you like on your favorites list. You can view the list later and compare your favorites.
CruiseDirect offers a wide variety of educational content about various destinations, cruise types and activities to help you choose the kind of trip that would be best.
Conclusion
CruiseDirect makes it easy to compare cruise destinations and book your trip online with price guarantees. You’ll also find last-minute deals and other money-saving perks on the site. Be sure to read the contract details for your trip before finalizing your selection, since policies vary by the cruise line.