Table Of Content
Thanks to its generous 12-foot-by-24-foot floor plan, too, this structure is incredibly roomy. Another member, RSF Cruiser, has booked about two Princess cruises a year for the past five years and has been "totally pleased." You can spend a lot of time searching the site for the most amazing Kirkland Signature or Buyer's Choice steal, but it isn't always simple to assess the value. Still, if you're flexible, focus on these featured offers, especially ones with lots of freebies. The Hidden Wild Bugnet Travel Hammock comes in a carry bag, can be suspended on two tension lines, and has a fine net bug screen over top to protect you from mosquitoes and other creepy insects. The tension lines are attached by carabiners to two tree straps on both sides, which makes it super easy to assemble and disassemble.
Costco cruise deals: How to save money booking travel at a warehouse club
3 Costco Vacations Reviewed: 'Stunning,' 'Seamless,' and 10 out of 10 - The Motley Fool
3 Costco Vacations Reviewed: 'Stunning,' 'Seamless,' and 10 out of 10.
Posted: Tue, 04 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
On the other hand, Norwegian listed additional Free at Sea perks – free airfare and free third and fourth guests – that Costco did not mention on its site.
Award vs. cash calculator
After deciding that a Costco membership isn't in the cards for me, and writing about it, I'm currently reconsidering. My life is set to change in a major way in 2024, which means joining Costco might make more sense than I originally thought. The Yardline Upton Wood Shed is comprised of pre-cut pieces, so it can be a DIY project.
Costco cruise cancellation policy
With a policy like that, I feel better about contemplating a Costco membership later this year. 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." 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.
Card Type
Cruise like the Jetsons on a $550 Folding eBike From Costco - BikeRumor.com
Cruise like the Jetsons on a $550 Folding eBike From Costco.
Posted: Thu, 28 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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. 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. I was not surprised to see that you could book Disney cruises through Costco, but they are not eligible for either Kirkland Signature or Buyer's Choice deals.
It's More Than the Usual Shipboard Credits
But for experienced cruisers who have a good idea of the ships and cabins they want, Costco Travel is worth checking out. The company does not sell some of the more upscale or boutique lines, such as Oceania, Silversea and Windstar, but Costco is definitely looking to expand its selection of cruise lines, according to Zegers. It's worth digging a little deeper on the Costco Travel website for even better deals. For instance, sailings marked "Buyer's Choice" or "Kirkland Signature" come with extra perks and amenities, exclusive to Costco members.
Learn About Credit Cards
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. 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. You can, however, use a future cruise credit from a cruise line to pay for all or part of your Costco cruise. Your shop card amount will be determined by the cost of the cruise fare, not how you pay for it. So, if you use FCC to pay for your entire sailing, you will still get the shop card based on the invoice price.
Things to know when booking Costco cruises
Final prices worked out to $1,478.40 on Carnival (for two people sharing a cabin) and $1,444.40 on Costco. The Costco cruise deal was slightly better, especially if it really did come with shipboard credit. That's because low fares and value-added extras are hallmarks of Costco cruise bookings.
If you're looking to embrace small spaces for less this month then, Costco has you covered. From now until March 31, Costco shoppers can snag up to $3,000 off the Yardline Upton Wood Shed. While the disadvantage of a cash card over a shipboard credit is that Costco hangs onto your rebate for a month longer, the payoff is usually greater.
For folks who prefer to vacation at sea, Costco cruise deals can be among the most lucrative offers you can find. 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. Traditionally, I haven't had a lot of money available in my budget for travel, and as such, tended to be more of a road tripper. But looking at the available Costco packages for destinations such as Greece and Fiji has me dreaming of saving up the cash and letting someone else handle all the planning for me. If the money I save on a Costco vacation adds up to more than $60 (and this seems likely), a membership will have paid for itself.
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. That's been my experience when booking my own cruises, as well as sailings for family and friends. I've booked direct with cruise lines, used traditional brick-and-mortar travel agencies and gone through online travel suppliers like Expedia, Vacations To Go and American Discount Cruises.
If you need to change or cancel your Costco cruise, you may be subject to fees or forfeit your deposit or portion of your cruise fare, according to each cruise line's rules. I noticed a few things as I road-tested Costco's booking tool and compared it to the cruise lines' versions. The difference before the perks was $348, plus you get roughly $200 in value from the perks alone. But keep in mind Costco will have plenty more spring and summer sales. So, if these outdoor items don't interest you, keep your eyes peeled for more great savings opportunities in the future. When we checked, a Costco "savor and spa" cruise aboard Anthem of the Seas offered similar value.
But more often than not, when shipboard credits and other incentives were tallied, Costco Travel came out as low as, or lower than, other options. Zeger explains that Kirkland Signature deals need to represent a value at least 20% better than offers you'd find elsewhere in the market; this applies to travel or anything you'd buy in the warehouse. " Typically these required values are achieved by negotiating exclusive amenities with the cruise lines such as specialty dining, spa treatments, private events, etc.," she says. Travelers generally report having good experiences with Costco, either booking online or using one of their agents.
