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CruiseCompete LLC

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3314 SW 33rd St

Des Moines, IA 50321

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I've used cruise compete on two occasions both were positive experiences. saves time in hunting down the best deal what's important to you bottom line lowest price or getting the extras OBC or gratuities paid you get multiple offers with choices that best fit your needs . booked a cruise for 3 couples once we agreed on the offer for us I gave the basic info to the rep . then any extra questions can be handled separate. the process was so easy and no worries if you decide to book elsewhere just turn off offers and answer a few simple questions... but plz don't waste the reps time

I've been a Cruise Compete member for over 20 years. Great prices and service. I would recommend CruiseCompete to anyone going on a cruise and wants to Save money$$.

I had a very poor experience with cruise compete. The agent that I dealt with gave various misinformation on my initial cruise. When I booked a cruise with a different travel agent at a later date, they initially denied release of my reservation. After multiple unprofessional and rude emails, the reservation was finally released. I would not recommend cruise compete as there are many better alternatives.

I've been a platinum member since 2015 and have given this company lots of business. I recently had a very bad experience regarding them and the company I used through their website. I emailed them of my experience using two different ways to contact them. They never responded so I have to believe they don't care about the service their members receive or to make a bad situation better.

We booked 3 cruises back in October 2018 . At the time of booking I told the agent that we wanted early dining. Well!!! When I printed out our boarding passes , we found out that we had anytime dining. We don't like that and don't want it . I also found out that you cant change anything with the cruise lines ...you have to go through your travel agent ecen though i have all our booking numbers . . It's like your a second class citizen and have no control of your " own " cruise. You have to go through a lots of trouble to get your dining changed ..and still its a month till our cruise. We have been on 18 cruises and always had early dining. That way you are assigned the same table every evening and the same waiters. I'm at the point where I'm having second thoughts about using any travel agent ! Their mistake is now my problem . The booking agent was very nice ...but told us we would have to get on a wait list to change our dining options WTF.... it's our cruise and asking very little . Ive wrote Carnival, cruisecompete, and haven't gotten satisfaction from anyone yet! This may seem like a small problem ...but its a big problem to us. It just doesn't make any sense to be even having this conversation. So to summarize... beware , and make sure your agent listens to you when booking.

This is a first for me that I actually had to add a business not "local" to me. But, I just a a really great experience using a cruise booking site, and felt the need to write a review of my experience. I read a positive piece about CruiseCompete.com on the Forbes.com website. So I decided to check it out. We (my wife and I) are looking to do another cruise this year in November. The past 2 cruises we always booked directly with the cruise line. So the way CruiseCompete.com works is you search for the specific cruise you want to take, and then several established cruise travel agents send you the best price they can do that cruise for. A few of the quotes I received also included extra "perks" like on board spending credit, and a bottle of wine in the cabin. The deal we received was fairly close to the advertised price on the cruise companies website, but the we also received a $150 on-board credit, and a bottle of wine...so about $200 worth of perks. The agent we book through was incredibly helpful and answered all of our silly questions. So, if you are looking to go on a cruise in the near future, give CruiseComepete.com a try... you truly have nothing to loose, and a lot to gain if it works in your favor.

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See What The Press Has to Say About Cruise Compete!

CruiseCompete: Since Our Inception in 2003, We’ve Received Compliments and Mentions Each Year From the World’s Most Influential Publications & Writers

Since 2011, and year after year  Kiplinger.com lists CruiseCompete as one of the best 26 secrets to save on travel.

From AARP & Fodors to The Wall Street Journal to … Time, Esquire, Kiplinger, LA Times, Globe & Mail, MSNBC, Retirement Millionaire Daily, The Street, Newsday, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Zagat, Miami Herald, Chicago Tribune, Royal Caribbean Blog, Gayot, The Detroit News, The Boston Globe, plus Examiner, The Huffington Post and many, many more … the compliments and mentions here can give you insight into our website and why we are so highly acclaimed with travelers and the media alike!

See Full Stories

Travel + Leisure  CruiseCompete Named as one of …  23 Sites to Help You Find the Best Deals on Flights, Hotels, and More

AARP Great Ways to Save  –  16 Ways to Travel Cheap  –  Number 6

The Wall Street Journal The Best in… Travel: Cruise Deals

Travel + Leisure CruiseCompete Takes Top Honors in Travel + Leisure’s “Top 60 Best Apps and Websites for Travelers”

Kiplinger Best Travel Sites

Travel + Leisure The Best Sites for Deals and Up-to-Date Travel Information

Retirement Millionaire Daily A Luxury Cruise Without the Luxury Price Tag

31 Best Travel Sites to Save You Money MSN – Canada Via Kiplinger   Examiner.com Top cruise trends for 2016: What’s new, what’s hip?

Pauline Frommer on MSNBC “A revolutionary new web site is going to change how you shop for cruises.”

CNN.COM … Specify which cruise ship you want … agencies then get back to you with best deals they have …

Los Angeles Times What should you consider when planning a family cruise? This free guide tells all!

Find a vacation cruise that suits you 16 things travelers should know before planning their 2016 adventures Sailing this year? Here are 5 top cruise trends to look for in 2016

Zagat 5 Great Websites to Search for Amazing Cruise Offers

Fodors How to Choose the Right Cruise …

The Street.com Score Luxury Cruises at Bargain Prices

Yahoo Finance 26 secrets to save on travel (#23)

Gayot–The Guide to the Good life Top 10 Cruise Lines for Specialty Dining – Unique Fine Dining Experiences at Sea With the help of CruiseCompete

Examiner.com Top 7 reasons CruiseCompete is best

Chicago Tribune Spending: how to get the best deal on a cruise (from Kiplinger’s Money Power)

The Huffington Post   The Ultimate List Of Cheap Vacation Resources

See Full Stories Below

23 Sites to Help You Find the Best Deals on Flights, Hotels, and More Travel + Leisure  Elizabeth Preske May 19, 2018 When you factor in flights, hotels, transportation, food, and activities, planning a trip can become overwhelming and stressful. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to all the major travel deal sites for plane tickets, hotels and home rentals, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/budgeting-currency/travel-deal-sites

Booking a cruise? Here are 3 tips on how to do it for less  Clark.Com Craig Johnson April 10, 2018  With the vacation season underway, more Americans are gearing up for getaways in distant cities and destinations. While many prefer to travel by plane or even automobile, for others, it’s cruisin’ time.

But before you board that ship you need to do all you can to score a deal. After all, you’ll have much fonder memories of your trip if you know that you enjoyed yourself and was able to save some serious coin in the process. Clark’s tips: How to book a cruise for less https://clark.com/travel/how-to-save-money-when-booking-a-cruise/

Can I Go On A Cruise While Pregnant? The Rules Are Surprisingly Strict  Mommies.today Mayra Rodriguez April 2018 So, what are your options if you’re prego and longing for a little luxury on the high seas? Unfortunately, if you’re in, or close to, your third trimester, you’re probably not going to have many options, warned Cruise Compete. Most cruise lines do not allow anyone who is past 24 weeks pregnant, in accordance with guidelines from the American College of Emergency Physicians. http://mommies.today/can-i-go-on-a-cruise-while-pregnant-the-rules-are-surprisingly-strict/

26 Secrets To Save On Travel Kiplinger.com The Editors of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance March 2018 And cruise lines invite passengers aboard for the ride at deeply discounted rates. Look to CruiseCompete.com for current deals on repositioning cruises. https://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T059-C000-S001-21-secrets-to-save-on-travel.html

26 Secrets To Save On Travel Kiplinger.com The Editors of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance March 2018 At CruiseCompete.com, submit your cruise preferences, and the site will relay your request to more than 300 travel agents, who will then make you their best offers. https://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T059-C000-S001-21-secrets-to-save-on-travel.html

The Best Cruise Deals This March 2018! Beabroda.com Bea Broda March 2018 For more information on these promotions, or to book a cruise that features one of these promotions, please visit CruiseCompete at  www.CruiseCompete.com . http://beabroda.com/cruise-ships/the-best-cruise-deals-this-march-2018/

Thrifty Thimking: 3 Simple Steps To Get The Best Cruise Deal  Motherhood Moment Bekah March 2018 CruiseCompete member-agents are the most well-educated, forward-thinking and trusted cruise specialists in the industry. https://motherhood-moment.blogspot.com/2018/03/thrifty-thinking-3-simple-steps-to-get.html  

How Much Does It Cost To Take A Trip To Jamica & Puerto Rico?  USA Today Jae Allen, Leaf Group March 2018 “Resources” Cruise Compete: MSC Cruises – MSC Poesia http://traveltips.usatoday.com/much-cost-trip-jamaica-puerto-rico-61597.html  

Reasons To Consider A Wedding At Sea The Active Times The Editors March 2018 The cruise travel experts at CruiseCompete point out several reasons why saying “I Do” at sea is a good idea. https://www.theactivetimes.com/water/n/reasons-consider-wedding-sea

7 Exceptional Reseasons To Consider An Inaugural Cruise  The Active Times The Editors March 2018 CruiseCompete, the premier online cruise marketplace, has a list of seven things to love about an inaugural cruise, which is basically the first time a cruise ship sails with paying passengers. https://www.theactivetimes.com/water/n/7-exceptional-reasons-consider-inaugural-cruise

Emerald Waterways Opoens Bookings For 2019 Yacht Sailings Along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast Cruise Addicts John Shallo  March 2018 CruiseCompete.com allows you to easily compare multiple offers from Cruise Experts. https://cruise-addicts.com/emerald-waterways-opens-bookings-for-2019-yacht-sailings-along-croatias-dalmatian-coast/

Taking The Kids Annual Family Cruise Guide Taking The Kids Eileen Ogintz January 2018 Cruisers communicate anonymously through the CruiseCompete.com inmail system to avoid unsolicited bids and spam. You’re in charge: you’ll review all the options, decide which are of interest, then contact the preferred agencies directly to book your trip. https://www.takingthekids.com/travel-topics/cruises/taking-the-kids-annual-family-cruise-guide/#.WukTE4jwbIW

Taking The Kids Annual Family Cruise Guide Taking The Kids Eileen Ogintz January 2018 That’s where CruiseCompete.com comes in. Lauded by top travel publications, the site doesn’t sell travel but helps cruisers find the best values for where and when they want to travel. https://www.takingthekids.com/travel-topics/cruises/taking-the-kids-annual-family-cruise-guide/#.WukTE4jwbIW

You cruised where? Far-flung destinations lure the cruising crowd off the beaten port Boston Globe Diane Bair February 2018 One constant within the cruise industry is that the lines are always looking to create intriguing, ground-breaking experiences,” says Heidi Allison of  CruiseCompete.com and  AllThingsCruise.com . The CruiseCompete booking site has a search tool where travelers can plug in a desired destination and length of trip and find out which ships go there. Once you start scrolling, you’ll likely be astonished at how many cool ports — and how many countries —

https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2018/02/06/you-cruised-where-far-flung-destinations-lure-cruising-crowd-off-beaten-port/3X2n2cowXLgxCdEOykf97M/story.html

Mexico named most popular cruise destination in 2017 LA Times Rosemary McClure January 2018

…(Mexico) won the popularity contest in an end-of-year cruise trends report by CruiseCompete.com. It was the “most popular country visited” for those sailing on general cruise ships in the Cruise Trends 2017 Annual Report, which collates data for the last 12 months “to produce a snapshot of the most popular consumer trends in cruising,” according to the company. http://www.latimes.com/travel/cruises/la-tr-cruises-mexico-favorite-trending-destination-20180105-story.html

CruiseCompete lets you in on travel trends. Snorkeling in Tahiti anyone? LA Times January 2018 “Papeete is a small, walkable city with a lively night life and restaurants,” said Bob Levinstein, chief executive of CruiseCompete, which compiles statistics that give an inside look at consumer cruise trends…  http://www.latimes.com/travel/cruises/la-tr-cruise-column-20160327-story.html

How to Name Your Own Price for Cruises  USA Today Tammy Dray January 2018  Visit CruiseCompete.com and search for the type of cruise you want. The website allows you to search by date, length of cruise, destination or specific cruise lines.  http://traveltips.usatoday.com/name-own-price-cruises-106087.html

Why booking a cruise far in advance may be the only way to get exactly what you want LA Times Rosemary McClure December 2017 “In general, to get the best deals, you should either book early or book last minute,” said Bob Levinstein, chief executive of CruiseCompete.com.  http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-cruise-news-20171210-story.html

CruiseTrends report: Consumer behavior in cruise travel and tourism eTurbo News October 2017 CruiseCompete has released its CruiseTrends report for the month of October 2017. Cruise experts have mined the wealth of data to provide information on the most popular cruise trends among consumers, including the top ships, lines and travel dates for premium, luxury and river cruising.  https://eturbonews.com/166660/cruisetrends-report-consumer-behavior-cruise-travel-tourism

Research Shows Anticipation of Travel Experiences Extends Vacations in The Mind, Planning is an Integral Part of the Vacation BeaBroda.com Bea Broda October 2017 CruiseCompete has made dreaming about and planning travel experiences easier, offering online tools to book land tour activities or shore excursions at substantially discounted rates prior to arriving at a selected destination.  http://beabroda.com/cruise-ships/research-shows-anticipation-of-travel-experiences-extends-vacations-in-the-mind-planning-is-an-integral-part-of-the-vacation/

We Dreamed Up an Innovative Way to Compare Cruise Offers from Multiple Cruise Travel Specialists Business Insider September 2017 The travel experts at CruiseCompete dreamed up a new way for travel consumers to find exceptional cruise deals. This revolutionary website has set the cruise-travel website standard, and this month CruiseCompete celebrates its 14th anniversary with close to 16 million consumer-requested quotes.  http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/We-Dreamed-Up-an-Innovative-Way-to-Compare-Cruise-Offers-from-Multiple-Cruise-Travel-Specialists-1002384036

Revolutionary Website, CruiseCompete, Boasts Close to 16 Million Consumer-Requested Quotes on 14 Year Anniversary  Yahoo Finance September 2017 The travel experts at  CruiseCompete  dreamed up a new way for travel consumers to find exceptional cruise deals. This revolutionary website has set the cruise-travel website standard, and this month  CruiseCompete  celebrates its 14th anniversary with close to 16 million consumer-requested quotes.  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dreamed-innovative-way-compare-cruise-170000272.html

Christmas market cruises are a gift that jump-starts holiday shopping and saves you money LA Times Rosemary McClure August 2017

Here are two examples, both on Ama, from  CruiseCompete .   A  seven-night Christmas Markets on the Rhine  cruise departs Nov. 25 from Amsterdam to Basel, from $2,899 per person, or a seven-night  Christmas Markets on the Danube  from $2,149 a person, departs Dec. 1 from Budapest to Nuremberg.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-cruise-20170820-story.html Magnify the Sea’s Curative Properties with Anti-Aging Treatments – An Ocean of Healing & Restorative Powers On A Cruise Vacation BeaBroda.com Bea Broda August 2017 Throughout history, physicians have recommended a trip to the seaside to cure what ails us. The effect is undeniable- but have you ever wondered why you feel so much healthier and more relaxed in the sea air?…If you’d like more information or assistance planning a future cruise and spa services, please visit CruiseCompete.com. http://beabroda.com/cruise-ships/magnify-the-seas-curative-properties-with-anti-aging-treatments-an-ocean-of-healing-restorative-powers-on-a-cruise-vacation/

Isla Cozumel ranks high with cruise ship travelers, CruiseCompete says L.A. Times Rosemary McClure June 2017 CruiseCompete’s data are drawn from the consumers who use the website to find cruise deals. Those requests contain data about favorite ports, destinations, ships and cruise lines. “We mine data to determine what is most popular across a variety of cruise categories,” said Bob Levinstein, chief executive.  http://www.latimes.com/travel/cruises/la-tr-cruises-mexico-cozumel-trend-20170612-story.html

31 Best Travel Sites to Save You Money Kiplinger By The Editors Of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance May 17, 2017 At   CruiseCompete.com ,  more than 300 travel agencies vie to give you the lowest prices for dates, ports and ships you specify, whether you’re booking well in advance or at the eleventh hour.   You set up a CruiseCompete account, and they send you their best offers without ever seeing your personal information. Plus, the site has live agents available to guide you through the process through a live chat or by phone. http://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T059-C000-S001-23-best-travel-sites-to-save-you-money.html

How to Find the Cheapest Cruises Twitter Johnny Jet May 2017 I’m a big fan of using a travel agent when booking cruises—especially if it’s your first time. If you don’t know which agency to use or which one has the best deals, make sure to check out CruiseCompete! It’s a quick and easy way to get independent travel agencies to compete to offer you the best cruise deal.   https://twitter.com/JohnnyJet/status/864902587895603201

6 Budget-Friendly Travel Ideas AARP Jayne Clark May 2017

Hit the high seas on a cruise line that is moving ships seasonally from one region to another (such as the Caribbean to the Mediterranean in the spring, and the reverse in the fall). Since these one-way cruises require more sea days, they’re less popular, and that translates to lower fares. Added bonus: To fill staterooms, lines often sweeten the pot with free upgrades, shipboard credits and other goodies. Shop around on CruiseCompete.com for the best deal. http://travel.aarp.org/articles-tips/articles/info-2017/budget-friendly-vacation-ideas-photo.html

31 Best Travel Sites to Save You Money MSN – Canada Via Kiplinger May 2017 Vacation Packages- At  CruiseCompete.com , more than 300 travel agencies vie to give you the lowest prices for dates, ports and ships you specify, whether you’re booking well in advance or at the eleventh hour. You set up a CruiseCompete account, and they send you their best offers without ever seeing your personal information. Plus, the site has live agents available to guide you through the process through a live chat or by phone. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/travel/news/31-best-travel-sites-to-save-you-money/ar-BBBeQqM

CruiseCompete lets you in on travel trends. Snorkeling in Tahiti, anyone? LA Times Travel March 2017

Tahiti, the home of blue lagoons, misty green mountains and golden sunsets, has scored a win as one of the world’s most popular cruise ports. The French Polynesian island, along with Amsterdam and Cozumel, Mexico, was among the top three destinations in a survey by CruiseCompete, an online travel company. http://www.latimes.com/travel/cruises/la-tr-cruise-column-20160327-story.html

15 Travel Sites for Scoring the Best Deals Esquire Jill Fergus March 2017 “ CruiseCompete.com – What you’ll find: If cruises are your thing — or even if you are a first timer — you can get quotes from multiple travel agencies to get the very best cruise deal, perhaps a seven-night Canada/England sailing from Holland America. You can also get special deals, such as two-for-one cruises and select sailings where kids cruise free.” http://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/a54235/travel-sites-best-deals/

The Best Cruises for Your Money in 2017 Time March 2017 Kerri Anne Renzulli, Megan Leonhardt “And the value proposition is clear: The average per-person cost in 2016 was $169 per day, vs. $214 for the mega-ships MONEY surveyed, according to CruiseCompete.” http://time.com/money/4695415/best-cruises-2017/

The Best of Cruise Lines’ Idyllic Private Islands Forbes Lea Lane March 2017 “ In fact, according to cruise experts  CruiseCompete , private islands rank “Number One” on cruisers’ to-do lists.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/lealane/2017/03/06/the-best-of-cruise-lines-idyllic-private-islands/#63c3aabb60da

10 Ways To Save Money When Booking A Royal Caribbean Cruise Royal Caribbean blog Secrets & Tips April 2017 Travel agents are often the best people to assist in finding these booking incentive deals and we’ve become fans of using a site called CruiseCompete. http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/12/26/10-ways-save-money-when-booking-royal-caribbean-cruise

CruiseCompete Breaks Down 7 Reasons to Take an Inaugural Cruise Travel Agent Central March 2017 CruiseCompete   has released its list of seven reasons why travelers should consider taking an inaugural cruise, noting that avid cruisers often add these voyages to the top of their vacation lists due to the many perks and bonuses of the sailings. http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/cruisecompete-breaks-down-7-reasons-to-take-inaugural-cruise

Spring Brings A Slew Of Special Deals For Families Wanting To Relax, Recharge And Regroup With Their Peeps LA Times  Rosemary McClure February 2017 “Cruise lines make things easy for parents and grandparents, said Bob Levinstein, chief executive of CruiseCompete, which helps travelers compare fares from multiple agencies. http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-money-cruise-20170226-story.html

Should you choose a boutique cruise? Boston Globe Diane Bair Feb 2017 “You can definitely capture the boutique hotel experience on a cruise, and at a variety of price points,” says cruise expert Heidi Allison Shane, publisher of  www.All ThingsCruise.com  and senior partner at  www.CruiseCompete.com .” http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2017/02/09/should-you-choose-boutique-cruise/TU8FiQb4QMCSqdwujXldMM/story.html

CruiseCompete’s Annual Report: What Can We Learn? Travel Pulse Jason Leppert January 2017 Every year, CruiseCompete compiles a very telling CruiseTrends Annual Report looking at the popularity of lots of industry categories from cruise lines to preferred sailing months. http://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/cruisecompete-s-annual-report-what-can-we-learn.html

3 Great Ways to Score January Vacation Deals Time.com- Money Stirling Kelso December 2016 “You’ll see some of the lowest cruise prices of the year in the first two weeks of January,” says Bob Levinstein, CEO of CruiseCompete.com . http://time.com/money/4579921/january-travel-bargains-save-skiing-new-orleans-cruise/

Navigating Discount Travel Sites RealSimple.com Susan Stellin Copyrighted in 2016 Cruise Compete To plan your trip: cruisecompete.com. Best for: Cruises. Winning features: Choose a cruise and, within a few days, the site’s network of 400-plus travel agencies will search for the lowest price they can offer for it. Most customers receive five to seven quotes via e-mail; these may include perks like cabin upgrades. http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/travel/travel-planning/discount-travel-sites/cruise-compete-travel

In the Zika Zone, Deals Amid Uncertainty New York Times Elaine Glusac October 2016 “They’re probably thinking that if they’re in the middle of the ocean, they’re not getting bitten by mosquitoes,” said Bob Levinstein, chief executive of CruiseCompete.com, a cruise comparison site, where a recent search turned up a seven-night cruise in December for less than $600 a person.” http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/16/travel/zika-deals-florida-caribbean-getaway.html?_r=0

The Best of the Cruise Industry Luxe Getaways Damon M. Banks September 2016 “Working with Heidi Allison-Shane and her team at CruiseCompete, we have put together a collection of popular cruise choices for those trying to make an educated decision on which ship is best fitted for their next getaway.” http://luxegetaways.com/fall-2016-cruises/?utm_content=buffer2bef5&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Zika virus sparks concern among Florida tourism industry officials Fox News Eileen Ogintz August 2016   “At this point, bookings remain up compared to last year,” said Bob Levinstein, CEO of CruiseCompete.com.” http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2016/08/19/zika-virus-sparks-concern-among-florida-tourism-industry-officials.html

River cruises are gaining popularity as new routes arrive on US waterways Amarillo Globe News Dustin Turner June 2016 “In the U.S. alone, river cruising has seen 22 percent growth over the past two years, said Heidi M. Allison, the president of CruiseCompete, a website for booking ocean and river cruises. She attributes the growth to the ease of cruising American rivers. “You don’t have to drive to an airport and fly to a port city then board a ship with thousands of other people. You can usually drive to any number of river ports. And you don’t need a passport,” she said. Allison added that the growth of cruising America’s waterways has been noticed worldwide. Viking, a leader in river cruises throughout Europe and Asia, will be entering the Mississippi River market with two new ships in 2017.” http://amarillo.com/lifestyle/2016-06-17/river-cruises-are-gaining-popularity-new-routes-arrive-us-waterways

Growing pains for Fathom cruises to Cuba, Dominican Republic AP.org Beth J. Harpaz June 2016 “But travel agents say Fathom’s reception has been lukewarm. “Fathom seems to be having a slow start and the agent members of CruiseCompete are not 100 percent certain the ship will ever sell out,” said Heidi Allison-Shane, editor-at-large for CruiseCompete.com. She said CruiseCompete has had a number of requests for information about Fathom, “but very few bookings.”” http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7a8b95215b304c279b9b9264770e9de5/growing-pains-fathom-cruises-cuba-dominican-republic

Antarctica Gets Hot for Another Reason: Tourists Bloomberg.com Justin Bachman April 2016 “An Antarctic cruise is at least $10,000 and goes north from there, steeply, said Bob Levinstein, chief executive of CruiseCompete.com, which helps connect travel agents with cruise shoppers.” https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-25/antarctica-luxury-cruises-world-s-hottest-coldest-tourist-spot

Most luxurious cruise suites on the seas TorontoSun.com April 2016 “Think you’re sacrificing luxury when booking a cabin on a cruise ship? The cruise experts at CruiseCompete.com  beg to differ! The team has compiled a list of the most luxurious suites on the seas. These opulent rooms offer exceptional services and lovely ocean views, perfect for the discerning traveller. Click through our gallery to see CruiseCompete’s picks for the most luxurious cruise ship suites.” http://www.torontosun.com/2016/04/14/most-luxurious-cruise-suites-on-the-seas

Book a ship excursion or plan your own outing? It’s a tough call LA Times Rosemary McClure April 2016   “Bob Levinstein, chief executive of CruiseCompete.com, often advises against ship excursions.” http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-tr-cruise-column-20160417-story.html

How to save on a cruise LATimes.com Rosemary McClure April 2016 Shop around: Surf the Web for deals, which will help you find the sailings with the lowest demand and thus the greatest value, said Bob Levinstein, chief executive of CruiseCompete. Once you find a sailing you like, get custom quotes directly from agents. http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-cruise-column20160424-snap-story.html

Best upscale cruise ship cabins for your next family sailing LATimes.com Mary Forgione March 2016 “If you want to kick it up a notch on your next family cruise, CruiseCompete offers some suite suggestions.” http://www.latimes.com/travel/cruises/la-trb-best-cruise-cabins-family-20160324-story.html

Cruise Trends: Will They Hold in 2016? Forbes.com Lea Lane January 2016 “The following trending reports on cruising are compiled based on consumer quote requests and transactions. Consumers request an average of more than 25,000 cruise quotes per month via CruiseCompete.” http://www.forbes.com/sites/lealane/2016/01/10/2015-cruise-trends-will-they-hold-in-2016/#4f280793753c

Retirement Millionaire Daily A Luxury Cruise Without the Luxury Price Tag Dr. David Eifrig January 2016 http://retirementmillionairedaily.com/a-luxury-cruise-without-the-luxury-price-tag-2/

BellaOnline How To Find A Great Cruise Deal Nancy Shretter – Cruise Editor January 2016 http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art302300.asp

Los Angeles Times Sailing this year? Here are 5 top cruise trends to look for in 2016 January 2016 Here are five trends  CruiseCompete  says to look for in 2016. http://www.latimes.com/travel/cruises/la-trb-cruise-trends-2016-20151230-story.html

Examiner.com  Top cruise trends for 2016: What’s new, what’s hip? January 2016 What are the trends in cruising for 2016 and what can travelers expect from the  cruise  industry? CruiseCompete  revealed its list of emerging trends based on its own research and on feedback from consumers who visit the site. http://www.examiner.com/article/top-cruise-trends-for-2016-what-s-new-what-s-hip

Travel Agent Central CruiseCompete Names Top Cruise Trends for 2016 January 2016 What’s next for cruise travel in 2016?  CruiseCompete  has compiled a list of top cruise trends for the coming year, based on feedback from the company’s customers. http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/cruisecompete-names-top-cruise-trends-2016-54581

Los Angeles Times 16 things travelers should know before planning their 2016 adventures December 2015 River cruises have become popular in Myanmar and China, even Ireland, but they’re also to be found in the U.S., said Heidi Allison-Shane, president of the CruiseCompete booking site. http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-d-16-things-20151227-story.html

Los Angeles Times What should you consider when planning a family cruise? This free guide tells all October 2015 The recently released  2016 Family-Friendly Cruise Travel Planner  written by Heidi Allison, the co-founder of  CruiseCompete,  is packed with reviews and practical tips to help you choose which cruise line is right for you and your family. http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trb-deal-family-cruise-planning-guide-20151016-story.html

The Globe and Mail CruiseCompete.com October 2015 If you’re the kind of shopper who likes to check out all the options and make sure you are getting a competitive price, this cruise website is for you. You can review a relatively comprehensive listing of cruises available, and ask travel agencies to bid against each other for your business. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/cruisecompetecom/article18250825/

Los Angeles Times Find a vacation cruise that suits you June 2015 …Bob Levinstein, CEO of online marketplace CruiseCompete. Levinstein said many people worry that cruises are too expensive. The average expense per person is $2,200, including airfare, the cost of the cruise and onboard expenses such as cocktails and spa treatments, according to the cruise association. But people willing to shop around can find some astonishing deals. http://www.latimes.com/travel/cruises/sc-trav-0609-cruise-vacations-20150602-story.html

Travel Agent Central Top 7 Most Popular Cruise Ships by Category From CruiseCompete July 2015 The online cruise marketplace CruiseCompete has just revealed its list of the seven most popular cruise ships by category, according to thousands of consumer reviews between January and June 2015. http://www.travelagentcentral.com/ocean-cruises/top-7-most-popular-cruise-ships-category-cruisecompete-52132

Travel Agent Central CruiseCompete Releases June 2015 CruiseTrends June 2015 CruiseCompete has just released its monthly CruiseTrends report for June 2015. The report outlines the most popular cruises in a variety of categories, including consumer trends, top ships, departure ports, and luxury and river cruising. http://www.travelagentcentral.com/trends-research/cruisecompete-releases-june-2015-cruisetrends-51703

Chicago Tribune  Find a Vacation that suits you June 2015 Bob Levinstein, CEO of online marketplace CruiseCompete… said many people worry that cruises are too expensive. The average expense per person is $2,200, including airfare, the cost of the cruise and onboard expenses such as cocktails and spa treatments, according to the cruise association. But people willing to shop around can find some astonishing deals.” http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/travel/sc-trav-0609-cruise-vacations-20150602-story.html?track=rss 

The Huffington Post  The Ultimate List Of Cheap Vacation Resources May 2014 Cruise Compete : an aggregator that helps you compare based on destination, date, length and line. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/09/the-ultimate-list-of-cheap-vacation-resources_n_5206351.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

Miami Herald  More than two dozen new cruise ships are on order April 2015 “Perhaps more importantly, their numbers will keep cruise prices low, says Bob Levinstein, CEO of CruiseCompete.com, a major online travel marketplace. “We’re over capacity now and the ships keep coming,” Levinstein said. “That’s pushing prices down.”” http://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/article16930706.html#storylink=cpy

Examiner.com Carnival Vista’s SkyRide Feature April 2015 Contact your travel agency for more information or find the best cruise deals at CruiseCompete.com where Cruise Agents compete to win your business. http://www.examiner.com/article/carnival-vista-s-skyride-feature

Examiner.com 8 predictions for 2015 cruising January 2015 The cruise specialists at  CruiseCompete , (who provide on average a million quotes a year,) are able provide insight on ocean and river  cruising  trends you might experience in 2015. http://www.examiner.com/article/8-predictions-for-2015-cruising

Newsday Cruise trends of 2015 March 2015 … But there are still bargains. CruiseCompete.com has a webpage devoted to cruises less than $300, including three-night trips on Golden Princess…. http://www.newsday.com/travel/cruise-trends-of-2015-1.10006267

Kiplinger 20 Best Travel Sites to Save You Money January 2015 At CruiseCompete.com, more than 300 travel agencies vie to give you the lowest prices for dates, ports and ships you specify, whether you’re booking well in advance or at the eleventh hour. You set up a CruiseCompete account, and they send you their best offers without ever seeing your personal information. Plus, the site has live agents available to guide you through the process through a live chat or by phone. http://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T059-C000-S001-23-best-travel-sites-to-save-you-money.html?page=3

Yahoo Travel Party Like It’s 1899 With These Round-the-World Cruises May 2014 Heidi Allison, senior partner at cruise booking website  Cruise Compete , told Yahoo Travel that their world-cruise bookings have increased 72% over the last five years. https://www.yahoo.com/travel/party-like-its-1899-with-these-round-the-world-cruises-87230420917.html

Yahoo Finance What Is Your River Ship Size – XS, S, M or L? Choose the Perfect River Cruise Ship Size in 2014 February 2014 River cruises top the list of many vacationer’s to-do lists and rightfully so. The charm of a river cruise cannot be denied. The pace is slower, so the experiences are richer … To learn more about river cruises, or to book a cruise, please visit  www.CruiseCompete.com . http://finance.yahoo.com/news/river-ship-size-xs-m-184133999.html

The New York Times  Travel – March 2014 Choose Your Own Cruise  The complexity of picking the right cruise has kept travel agencies flush for years. The accompanying flow chart, assembled with the help of  CruiseCompete.com , a site that compiles competing cruise offers, is intended to help sort through some of the choices that factor into that decision-making process, from pricing to destinations to theme. At the end of each route, you will find a recommended option — but there are many more out there. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/03/16/travel/choose-your-own-cruise.html?_r=1

Toronto Sun Top cruise trends for end-of-winter getaways February 2014 Thanks to just-released data from the 2014 CruiseTrends report by CruiseCompete, the top ships, cruise lines and departure destinations for the upcoming cruise season have been revealed – and we’re sharing the results with you so you can make the most when planning your own end-of-winter cruise vacation! http://www.torontosun.com/2014/02/11/top-cruise-trends-for-end-of-winter-getaways

Bloomberg Business Week A Caribbean Crowded With Ships Means Discounts for Cruise-Goers February 2014 … Bob Levinstein, chief executive of CruiseCompete.com, which helps travel agents place bids for cruise itineraries … “There’s a glut of sailings in the Caribbean.” http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-12/a-caribbean-crowded-with-ships-means-discounts-for-cruise-goers

New York Post 5 cruises to take you around the globe in style April 2014 Heidi Allison, senior partner at cruise booking website  Cruise Compete , told Yahoo Travel that their world-cruise bookings have increased 72% over the last five years. http://nypost.com/2014/05/30/5-cruises-to-take-you-around-the-globe-in-style/

Kiplinger 5 Steps to Get the Best Deal on a Cruise (Kiplinger’s Personal Finance) February 2014 A good agent can land you freebies and the best cabin, as well as offer expertise in whatever kind of cruise you’re taking. At www.cruisecompete.com, cruise agents vie to find you the best deal. http://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T059-C011-S002-get-the-best-deal-on-a-cruise.html

Toronto Sun World’s top 20 cruise ships for families August 2014 CruiseCompete.com, one of the world’s top cruise marketplaces, has released its list of the world’s top 20 cruise ships for families, based on the reviews of its users. http://www.torontosun.com/2014/08/12/worlds-top-20-cruise-ships-for-families

Lifestyle WebTV.com The Best Cruise Deals in July 2014 from CruiseCompete July 2014 Keep up with the latest deals and promotions by following the CruiseCompete Blog at https://blog.cruisecompete.com/ . http://lifestylewebtv.com/2014/07/02/the-best-cruise-deals-in-july-2014-from-cruisecompete/

Fodors How to Choose the Right Cruise: Couples Edition January 2014 To get an idea of the itineraries offered during your vacation dates, do a search at an online travel site like …  CruiseCompete . http://www.fodors.com/news/how-to-choose-the-right-cruise-couples-edition-10264.html

CNN.com / BudgetTravel.com Secrets to the most popular cruise ports March 2012 If you’re planning a cruise in 2012, chances are high that you’ll be traveling to the Caribbean. According to  CruiseCompete.com ‘s annual report, nine of the ten most popular cruise ports in the world are in the Caribbean (or close enough to count). The website’s list, which is compiled from cruise quotes requested by potential customers, shows that Alaska is also a perennial favorite for cruisers. Several Inside Passage ports made the cut, with Juneau coming out as the most requested cruise stop in the 50 states. http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/07/travel/popular-cruise-port-secrets/index.html

CNN.com / BudgetTravel.com How to earn more frequent-flier miles September 2009 Word to the wise: To get airline miles from a cruise line, you have to book through the airline’s reservations system — meaning you may pay more. Confirm that you’re getting a good price at cruisecompete.com, where you pick a cruise and then agents e-mail you their best offers. http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/traveltips/09/11/frequent.flier.miles/index.html

CNN.com / BudgetTravel.com Family cruises, easy as 1-2-3 December 2007 You may also want to check out CruiseCompete.com. This online service allows you to specify which cruise ship you want to sail on and when. Cruise-only agencies then get back to you with the best deals they have for that particular cruise. http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/getaways/12/04/planning.family.cruise/index.html

ETurbo News Consumer trend reports for ocean and river cruises released April 2014 CruiseCompete has released its CruiseTrends and Cruise Index reports for the month of April 2014. http://www.eturbonews.com/44345/consumer-trend-reports-ocean-and-river-cruises-released

Kiplinger 23 Best Travel Sites to Save You Money September 2013 At CruiseCompete.com, more than 300 travel agents vie to give you the lowest prices for dates, ports and ships you specify, whether you’re booking well in advance or at the eleventh hour. http://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T059-C000-S001-23-best-travel-sites-to-save-you-money.html?page=3

The Street 5 Travel Trends You’ll See on the High Seas in 2014 January 2014 According to J.D. Power and Associates, 80% of all cruise line consumers experience a trouble-free excursion, paying on average $1,628 per person to hit the high seas….An online consumer cruise and travel service provider called CruiseCompete has a report on the travel trends that might induce even members of that 20% to come back. http://www.thestreet.com/story/12199580/1/5-travel-trends-youll-see-on-the-high-seas-in-2014.html

What to Expect From Cruise Lines In ’14   Main Street, January 2014  CruiseCompete says that so-called “educational travel” will be a big hit with consumers in 2014. Sea-going travelers want to “seek destinations related to places they have either read about or seen on television documentaries,” the firm says, citing the Audie Murphy Memorial in France as one example of a popular destination http://www.mainstreet.com/article/lifestyle/travel/what-expect-cruise-lines-14?page=1

Travel Mole Pauline Frommer releases cruise insight for today’s traveler January 2014 Always use a cruise agent to book your trip because you are more likely to get extras, such as ship-board amenities and travel to and from the port. Cruisecompete.com is a site where cruise passengers can shop for an agent and a price for a particular destination. http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?id=1134726

The New York Times More Ships Sailing the Caribbean January 2014 For example, prices on the nine-month-old Norwegian Breakaway or Allure of the Seas “won’t suffer much because they’re brand new or spectacular or both,” said Bob Levinstein, chief executive of  CruiseCompete.com , an online agency. “Where there will be a lot of deals is on older ships. They offer great experience but don’t have the buzz.” http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/28/more-ships-sailing-the-caribbean/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Miami Herald New and larger ports in works, more choices for cruisers January 2014 For passengers, any new destination is intriguing. “A major part of vacation planning is dreaming about where you wish to go,” said Bob Levenstein, CEO of Cruise Compete, a major travel agency. New ports and new itineraries fuel those dreams. http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/01/25/3885807/new-and-larger-ports-in-works.html

Cruise Addicts Newsletters of Particular Interest To Cruise Travelers June 2014 CruiseCompete.com has a newsletter that is mostly offers from Internet cruise brokers. Look beyond that to a dynamic search engine that allows us to find interesting information like all ships that sail from a certain port, when they do and what to expect for pricing. http://www.cruise-addicts.com/forums/content/inside-cruise-vacations-chris-owen/1329-newsletters-particular-interest-cruise-travelers.html

Examiner.com 2014 Cruise Trends by CruiseCompete January 2014 CruiseCompete has polled close to one million consumers, over 20 seasoned travel writers, plus cruising colleagues, to ascertain the latest trends in cruising for oceans and rivers. http://www.examiner.com/article/2014-cruise-trends-by-cruisecompete

Top 7 reasons CruiseCompete is best September 2013 While countless other consumer-oriented websites have come and gone during the past ten years, CruiseCompete continues to thrive. Why? The cruise travelers who use the site to research and plan their cruise vacations have their expectations exceeded and then recommend CruiseCompete to friends and family. http://www.examiner.com/article/top-7-reasons-cruisecompete-is-best

Mediterranean Top sacred sites from CruiseCompete September 2013 CruiseCompete reports the top Spiritual pilgrimages in Europe via Cruise Ship. http://www.examiner.com/article/mediterranean-top-sacred-sites-from-cruisecompete

Chicago Tribune Spending: how to get the best deal on a cruise (from Kiplinger’s Money Power) January 2014 At  https://www.cruisecompete.com , cruise agents vie to find you the best deal. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-201401021130–tms–kplngmpctnkm-a20140124-20140124,0,1610238.story

There’s still time to catch a cruise ship for the holidays. November 2013 Another consumer-smart option: Cruisecompete.com has an online list of cabin openings for holiday cruises on MSC, Princess, Disney, Royal Caribbean and Cunard. After you select a particular cruise, individual agents bid for your business. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-11-22/travel/sc-trav-1122-strip-christmas-cruise-20111122_1_cruise-ship-holiday-hassles-holiday-cruises

Spending: Secrets for saving on cruise fares  September 2013 Use an agent. A good cruise agent can land you solid deals, cabin upgrades and other extras. Find one… at https://www.cruisecompete.com, where more than 300 agencies vie for your business. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-201306131730–tms–kplngmpctnkm-a20130628-20130628,0,1652797.story

Yahoo Finance 26 secrets to save on travel (#23) June 2013 Use a travel agent. Cruises can prove more complicated than your standard trip by air or land, especially if you’re a first-time cruiser, and booking snafus can cost you. And a good cruise agent can land you solid deals, cabin upgrades and other extras. At  CruiseCompete.com , submit your cruise preferences, and the site will relay your request to more than 300 travel agents, who will then make you their best offers. http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/26-secrets-save-travel-040001191.html?.tsrc=yahoo

Travel + Leisure Magazine CruiseCompete Takes Top Honors in Travel + Leisure Magazine’s “Top 60 Best Apps and Websites for Travelers” September 2012 Honorable Mention http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-apps-and-websites-for-travelers/9

Travel + Leisure Most Important Travel Trends of 2012 August 2012 “’An explosion of capacity in the luxury cruise market is helping to drive never-before-seen early-bookings,’ says Bob Levinstein, CEO of deal site CruiseCompete, citing Azamara Club Cruises’ and Seabourn’s growing fleets.” http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/most-important-travel-trends-of-2012/5

The Wall Street Journal The Best in… Travel: Cruise Deals November 2009 “As with virtually every part of the travel industry, cruise lines are offering some sizable discounts to fill their ships. CruiseCompete is a great place to begin looking for bargains. Based in Des Moines, Iowa (with nary a cruise ship in sight), the service asks you first to pick a cruise ship and the dates you wish to sail. It then shares that information with more than 300 travel agencies, which email prices back to you. You pick the lowest bid and book with that agent. The service is free. Clicking on “View all Cruise Specials” on the Web site’s home page allows you to search cruises by various categories: region, cruise line, length of cruise and type of traveler. To learn more, visit CruiseCompete.com.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704746304574505881588371464.html

Gayot–The Guide to the Good life Top 10 Cruise Lines for Specialty Dining- Unique Fine Dining Experiences at Sea “With the help of CruiseCompete, we have compiled a list of the best cruise lines for specialty dining, all of which offer a wide range of options, from upscale steakhouses to casual Coney Island-style boardwalk stands to haute French and Italian venues curated by top restaurateurs and celebrity chefs.” http://www.gayot.com/travel/cruises/top10cruises-specialty-dining/main.html

AARP Great Ways to Save – 16 Ways to Travel Cheap – Number 6 June 2012 “Smooth sailing. Cruises — especially shorter and less-expensive sailings, but luxury trips as well — will be bargains by midsummer and fall. Check out  cruisecompete.com .” http://www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-06-2012/16-ways-to-travel-cheap.html

Successful Meetings CruiseCompete Previews Fall, Winter Cruise Trends August 2011 “Before they book a fall or winter cruise event, meeting planners and incentive specialists should consider the latest cruise trends, published … by cruise booking website CruiseCompete…” http://www.successfulmeetings.com/Conference-News/Research-White-Papers/Articles/CruiseCompete-Previews-Fall,-Winter-Cruise-Trends/

Zagat 5 Great Websites to Search for Amazing Cruise Offers March 2013 CruiseCompete.com -This free clearing house lets you choose your cruise and get competing bids from agents. Hundreds of agents have access to your request and respond with their best offers via the site.” http://blog.zagat.com/2013/03/five-great-websites-to-search-for.html

Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) Clark Howard: Sail away with a deal on cruising March 2013 “To check out deals on cruises, I have several websites for you to check out: CruiseCompete.com, DealNews.com and VacationsToGo.com.” http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/atlanta-bargain-hunter/2013/mar/07/clark-howard-sail-away-deal-cruising/

FoxNews.com Secrets to the 10 most popular cruise ports February 2012 “According to  CruiseCompete.com ‘s annual report, nine of the ten most popular cruise ports in the world are in the Caribbean (or close enough to count). The website’s list, which is compiled from cruise quotes requested by potential customers, shows that Alaska is also a perennial favorite for cruisers. Several Inside Passage ports made the cut, with Juneau coming out as the most requested cruise stop in the 50 states.” http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2012/02/27/secrets-to-10-most-popular-cruise-ports/

USA Today- Weekend Smooth sailing- Summer sales make cruises even more tempting August 2012 “Save on travel agents. Make sure in writing that if your fare drops, your travel agent will refund the difference without a fee or penalty, and make sure you can get your deposit back if you cancel by the final payment date. Travel agents will bid for your business on cruisecompete.com  by lowering prices or throwing in free extras.” http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20120817/LIVING01/308170012/Smooth-sailing

Kiplinger 23 Best Travel Sites to Save You Money…Find the best deals online………. September 2012 “At  CruiseCompete.com , more than 300 travel agents vie to give you the lowest prices for dates, ports and ships you specify, whether you’re booking well in advance or at the eleventh hour. You provide an e-mail address and they send you their best offers. Plus, the site has live agents available to guide you through the process through a live chat or by phone.” http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/best-travel-sites-to-save-you-money3.html?kipad_id=33

The New York Times For Cruise Deals, the Time Is Now February 2012 “You can hunt and peck for such online deals on your own by plugging in your state of residence, or you can work with an agent who specializes in cruises to figure out how much you’ll actually save on a particular sailing. One place you can find an agent is CruiseCompete.com  ….” http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/travel/after-a-shipwreck-cruise-lines-try-to-win-passengers-back-with-discounts.html?_r=0

Bloomberg Business Week 2012 “CruiseCompete LLC operates a cruise pricing Web site that enables cruisers to find and compare deals on cruise vacations.” http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=44516488

Kiplinger Best Travel Sites March 2011 “At CruiseCompete.com, more than 300 travel agents vie to give you the lowest prices for dates, ports and ships you specify — whether you’re booking well in advance or at the eleventh hour. You provide an e-mail address and they send you their best offers. Plus, the site even staffs live agents that guide you through the process via live chat or by phone.” http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2004/06/travelsites.html

Kiplinger Secrets to Save on Travel March 2011 “Visit CruiseCompete.com, where you submit your cruise preferences and more than 300 travel agents compete for your business.” http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2009/09/21-travel-secrets.html

Travel + Leisure Ask T+L: San Francisco Dining, Affordable Cruises, Spain Tour February 2009 “Search…forums like…cruisecompete.com, which submits your desired ship, sail date, and cabin type to dozens of travel agents, who get back to you with competing offers in just hours..” http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/ask-tl-february-2009

Travel + Leisure The Best Sites for Deals and Up-to-Date Travel Information June 2006 As shown in sidebar:  http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/sail-away/sidebar/1

Travel + Leisure 12 Tips for Avoiding Storms at Sea February 2005 “If you’re price-conscious and you already know which line and ship you want, it’s worth shopping around on … cruise-specific on-line agencies, such as …Cruisecompete.com.” http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/smooth-sailing

Travel + Leisure Seek Deals June 2007 “With large groups and advance planning come bargains, especially from cruise lines (see cruisecompete.com).” http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/all-together-now/sidebar/1\

The Street.com Best of the Best — Cruises are Afloat Despite Caribbean Fatigue November 2011 Read The Street’s interview of CruiseCompete’ s Chief Executive Bob Levinstein http://www.thestreet.com/story/11313741/1/cruises-are-afloat-despite-caribbean-fatigue.html

The Street.com Score Luxury Cruises at Bargain Prices June 2010 “The best way to get a good deal is to put it out to bid. CruiseCompete.com enables travelers to plug in details — destination, season, bargain or luxe line, length of trip and so on — submit a cruise request, and review competitive bids from travel agents.” http://www.thestreet.com/story/10788621/1/score-luxury-cruises-at-bargain-prices.html

Frommer’s Arthur Frommer Interview of CruiseCompete CEO Bob Levinstein “As Bob (CEO CruiseCompete) put it, “Things that are posted out for everyone to see are not always the best price…”

Arthur Frommer October 2007 “If you’re an avid cruiser, you’ll want to know about CruiseCompete. Let’s say you’ve been attracted by a particular cruise — a specific ship sailing on a specific date — but you want to make sure you’re buying it at the lowest possible price. That’s a task for CruiseCompete. http://www.frommers.com/community/forum.cfm/arthur-frommers-blog/arthur-frommers-blog/avid-cruiser-youll-want-cruisecompete

Pauline Frommer March 2012 “What’s Right and What’s Wrong in Travel” (5 Things Pauline Frommer Liked) “Cruise Prices Drop -The reason for the prices drops is that when the world economy was rolling, cruise lines ordered mega ships with a ton of rooms. Now they have to fill those cabins in a global recession. How do you do that? You drop the price until people start showing up at the docks ready to hit the open seas. Never book from the cruise lines directly. Use a cruise specialist travel agent or a site like CruiseCompete.com” http://nodebtworldtravel.com/2010/03/couldnt-be-there-new-york-times-travel.html

Pauline Frommer on MSNBC 2004 “A revolutionary new web site is going to change how you shop for cruises.”

The Washington Post What a Site: 36 Web Addresses You Should Know (CruiseCompete- Cruises) 2007 “Plug in cruise particulars and site peddles your request to nearly 90 travel agencies who then send you bids. Service is free, and prices are often lower than those on traditional cruise-booking sites.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48067-2004Sep24.html

SmartMoney.com 6 Costly Mistakes Cruise Goers Make May 2008 “To find the best deal on any given cruise, compare prices on CruiseCompete.com, recommends Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com. The site allows users to solicit multiple price quotes from agents around the country for the exact sailing dates you request.” http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/deals/6-costly-mistakes-cruise-goers-make-23190/

Budget Travel 105 Supersmart Strategies June 2007 “Let cruise brokers fight over you. CruiseCompete.com is a website where you post info on the cruise you want to take, and then agents bid against each other to get your business. You’re under no obligation to buy anything if you don’t like what you see.” http://budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2007/05/06/AR2007050600458.html

Budget Travel — MSNBC / Overhead Bin July 2011 “Now’s the perfect time to book a fall repositioning cruise. When cruise ships change locations, like many will in the coming months, passengers going along for the ride often score remarkable deals. CruiseCompete  makes it easy to browse all sorts of repositioning cruise specials in one spot …” http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/07/27/7178525-nows-the-perfect-time-to-book-a-fall-repositioning-cruise

Los Angeles Times A travel agent can help you find the best cruise and the best deal July 2008 “You also can book through an on-line third-party agency or go to a site that will compete for your business, such as CruiseCompete.com. If I set sail again, I’ll use an agent, whether it’s clicks or bricks because, frankly, he or she (or it) will offer to help. And when was the last time anybody else in the travel industry bothered to do that?” http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-spot13-2008jul13,0,1439331.story

About.com Family Deals “CruiseCompete.com — Handy! This site organizes bargains by categories, and has a page for Family Cruise Specials: a good way to find cheaper cruises, on a variety of lines.” http://travelwithkids.about.com/od/familycruises/a/cheap_cruises.htm

LovetoKnow.com Top 10 Cruise Web Sites (CruiseCompete is No. 5) http://www.lovetoknow.com/top10/cruises.html

The New York Times The Cruise Issue: Practical Traveler — How to Find Cruise Line Deals February 2011 “…  CruiseCompete.com , allows you to select the cruise you want to take, and independent travel agents compete to offer you the best deal. You compare the offers in your account, and then contact the agent with the best rates directly by phone or e-mail to book.” http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/travel/13pracdeals.html

USA Today Comparison-shopping tools lure travelers October 2003 “Would-be passengers register an e-mail address and fill out a form indicating which ship, cabin type and date they’re interested in, and they are notified by CruiseCompete.com whenever one of 20 participating cruise agencies provides a rate quote. The service is free to consumers but not to the agencies, which pay a commission for any resulting sales.” http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/road/bly.htm

Money (in magazine only, not online) Best Deals on Everything – Part 1 “The real fun of most cruises is exploring when the ship docks. Cruise lines typically mark up guided shore excursions 100%. Book one of those jaunts with a local company on your own instead, and you may save about $200 for a family of four”, says Bob Levinstein, CEO of online marketplace CruiseCompete.com.

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CruiseCompete LLC

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CruiseCompete LLC (Des Moines, IA): Address, Phone Number - Tripadvisor

How CruiseCompete Works CruiseCompete is a quick, easy way to anonymously have independent travel agencies compete to offer you the best cruise deal (you have no obligation to accept any of the cruise price quotes or to contact any of those agents providing the quotes).   This process is easy.  If you decide to get quotes from CruiseCompete, you may elect not to read the following & just go to CruiseCompete , & click on Get Cruise Quotes . 1. Create a CruiseCompete account (once a CruiseCompete account is created, this step can be omitted whenever you request a quote in the future...cruise agents do not get your account or contact information unless you give it to them).   Set-up a CruiseCompete account so you can request and receive quotes anonymously . 2. Choose a cruise. The cruise ship, sail date, & length of cruise...you can use CruiseCompete's Cruise Search or find the information prior to going to the CruiseCompete website.  You can also just go through the Get Cruise Quotes process (& pull down on the Please select a ship , & on the following page (via clicking the NEXT button), pull down on the Select sail date ...use the browser BACK button to view other ships & sail dates).

3. Request Cruise Quotes . Select the ship, sail date, passengers, & the number and type of cabins. More than 300 independent travel agencies will immediately have everything they need to respond with their best package offers .   You can now sit back & wait for an email notification (from CruiseCompete) of a new cruise quote on your request ...or you can visit CruiseCompete anytime to check the quotes on your quote requests (just click Your Account on the CruiseCompete Home page).   The quotes contain:  the specific cruise agent, their cruise agency (via the why you can trust link), the cruise quote price, & any additional comments the quoting agent wishes to supply.  4. Compare Cruise Quotes . For each new cruise quote, CruiseCompete will email you a notification with a link to your account on the CruiseCompete website.  You can visit your account at any time to see the latest cruise quotes. There is no obligation to buy, and travel agents will NOT have your contact information unless you give it to them (see CruiseCompete's Privacy Policy). 5. Contact the cruise agents (...whose quotes you would like to investigate farther...or don't contact any of them if their cruise quotes do not entice you). You may contact any of the agents making the quotes by phone or e-mail (supplied in the specific cruise quote) for more information or to book your cruise.  

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CruiseCompete   Reviews

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Reviews 3.4.

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We have been using Cruise compete for…

We have been using Cruise compete for many years and have never been disappointed until now. We booked with Cruiser Travels for a family of 10 Alaska cruise with Celebrity. Our Agent is/was Felix. It started off very well when we initially called him on a Friday afternoon. He took all the names, etc and stated that although his office was closed on Saturday and Sunday he would come into office in AM on Saturday to input all the data and he would call me when it was done. He is located on East coast while we are in California. He called us at 05:30 on Saturday morning. Now is that totally inappropriate or what...I could use other words. When i tried reaching him by way of phone and e-mail I discovered that he was gone for a week or so and it seemed that no one ever picked up the phone in their office. It was always a message saying they would get back. Wrong ! I finally got a-hold of Jeremy in Customer Relations who was very helpful. There web site is terrible, however, in that I cannot access my invoice on-line. Remind me not to use Cruiser Travels in the future.

Date of experience : January 13, 2024

Reply from CruiseCompete

Dear Jay, Thank you for sharing your recent experience with Cruiser Travels and your booking with Celebrity for an Alaska cruise. We're truly sorry to hear about the inconvenience you've encountered, and we understand how frustrating it must have been. First and foremost, we sincerely apologize for any inappropriate timing of calls you experienced with Felix. We agree that a call at 05:30 AM is far from ideal and should not have occurred. We will address this matter with CT team to ensure such instances do not happen again in the future. Furthermore, we regret the difficulty you faced in reaching CT office while Felix was away. It is their priority to provide timely assistance to all our clients, and it seems there was a lapse in our communication during that period. We appreciate your patience in connecting with Jeremy in Customer Relations and are glad to hear that he was able to assist you effectively. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we appreciate you bringing these issues to our attention. We take your concerns seriously, and we will use them as an opportunity to enhance the services CT for the future. We understand your hesitation about using Cruiser Travels again. Please consider CruiseCompete in the future. Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience you've faced, and we appreciate your understanding and patience. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to assist you in any way we can. Sincerely, Heidi / president CruiseCompete

booked a snorkel/boat tour in Costa…

booked a snorkel/boat tour in Costa Maya December 11, was awful at Mar Adentro Dive Center inside Blue Kay Ecocabanas. Was supposed to be 2 hours, we had to go INTO the water up to my chest to get into the smallest boat I've ever seen. No seats that you could be comfortable in, not even a bottle of water. Was horrible..Never again

Date of experience : December 11, 2023

Hello Sandra, Update: Hello Sandra. A full refund is on its way to you. We sincerely thank you for your feedback and wish you wonderful travels in the New Year! ------------- Hello Sandra, We're truly sorry to hear about your disappointing experience during your recent snorkel/boat tour at Mar Adentro Dive Center inside Blue Kay Ecocabanas on December 11. Your feedback is essential to us, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns. We deeply regret that your tour did not meet your expectations. Our shore partners strive to provide exceptional experiences to all our guests, and it appears that they fell short on this occasion. Your comments regarding the boat size, seating comfort, and the absence of amenities like water are duly noted, and we'll be looking into these issues to ensure they are addressed promptly. Our goal is to make every guest's visit enjoyable and memorable, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you experienced during your tour. We take your feedback seriously and will use it as an opportunity for improvement. Please feel free to reach out to us directly at [email protected] and we'll do our best to make your next visit a better one. Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience you encountered, and we appreciate your feedback, which helps us enhance our services. Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future.

I booked 2 tours with Cruise Compete

I booked 2 tours with Cruise Compete 1st tour Exclusive Mykonos Old and New was successful. 2nd tour BOOKED was Highlights of Corfu With the 2nd tour I reported to Travel Co and duly commenced the tour. At the 1st stop I checked my itinerary and as this was not on my tour. Spoke to the Guide who said "oh didn't they tell you. Our tour does not go to that area". I asked for a refund for the tour which I did not have. In the end they where untruthful about what had happened so I told them I would not communicate any further but write review instead After further discussion with Cruise compete I have now been given a FULL REFUND and a discount for another tour as a goodwill gesture. I am pleased with the outcome.

Date of experience : August 18, 2023

ShorEx - Moorea Island Safari

We booked Moorea Island Safari with Cruise Compete / ShorEx and enjoyed the experience thouroughly. Mario from SafariMario.com changed the time of our tour from morning to afternoon so we could do the tour with our friends. Thanks Mario. We travelled to Moorea on a cruise ship and were picked up and dropped off at the pier entrance. The tour got us back to the tender area in the afternoon comfortably in time to get back to our tender and ship. Ron our Guide (originally from Holland) was excellent - so polite, informative and friendly. Thanks Ron. The tour was in a jeep with deep cushioned bench seats and back rests. Yes it was bumpy at times, made it a little fun, this was to be expected given the off road dirt tracks we used to get to some of the highlights. The views on some of our stops overlooking the island were breath taking. We recognised some of the sights from musical film South Pacific (Bali High). A stunning island. Would recommend.

Date of experience : May 01, 2023

Hello Adrian, We are truly honored you used our website for your vacation. Thank you, Heidi, President, CruiseCompete.com

Great deals and excellent service!

I have booked several cruises using Cruise Compete. I always get a great deal and excellent service from the agencies I have chosen. Having so many offers in one place makes it very easy!

Date of experience : June 23, 2023

Thank you Pat for your 5 Star review. We are honored you visited our website and found what you wanted, plus enjoyed excellent service. Thank you.

Some of deals offered did not offer…

Some of deals offered did not offer extra OBC which I would have needed and some who did just look like they had higher costs for cruise for same cabins. Did not book yet.

Date of experience : June 16, 2023

Hello Neal, Thank you for your review. Please send privately to [email protected] your ID and we will see what we can find for you. We are truly honored you have visited our website. Sincerely, Heidi , President

Company has worked to make me happy

4 stars because they didn't respond to the email I sent them directly but after the poor review they have really stepped up. I will use their service again.

Date of experience : February 24, 2023

I did not book through you for my most…

I did not book through you for my most recent cruise.....why do you say that I did...In fact, I used to love your site but this last visit fell far short.... I went back to a travel agent that I used to use... The reason is...that of the skimpy number of respones a got - most of them were NOT quotes....they just asked me to call them...If I wanted to call ppl I would not be using Crise Critic - it defeats the purpose....you need to crack down on travel agents that use the site and insist that they provide actual quotes the way that they used to. Second reason - I gave specific detailed info on a cruise I was planning on turning over to an agent...everything they would need to know - they did not bother to read it and did not reply with any detail

Date of experience : May 09, 2023

Hello There, Thank you for your very frank review. We receive hundreds of Kudos monthly and rarely this kind of review. Therefore, we did not know that there were some areas that need to be improved. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. Rest assured, we are committed to resolving the issue promptly and ensuring your satisfaction. Our team is actively working on finding a solution. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work towards resolving this matter to your complete satisfaction. If you care to share your userid with [email protected] we will advise you of the changes we make so you Love Our Site again. Sincerely, Heidi , President

Cruise Compete allows you to receive several quotes in the same place.

Date of experience : March 22, 2023

Wow, thank you for your review. We are truly honored every time a guest enters our website.

Easy, efficient and comprehensive.

Date of experience : June 14, 2023

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