A recent survey shows two-thirds of cruise shoppers will book their next cruise based on price and are on the hunt for a great deal.

Cruise Critic^® — the world’s leading cruise reviews site and online community announced the launch of a brand-new cruise shopping tool. The new tool helps to demystify the complexities of pricing by outlining each deal’s incentives and bonus offers, and also leverages the company’s new deal algorithm to assign each a “Deal Score” to better understand the overall value.

Based on a recent survey of active shoppers on Cruise Critic, 62% say that price is the top consideration for booking their next cruise, specifically saying they’re looking for a great deal. When searching for deals, 71% of respondents find added-value bonus offers to be a preferred deal offering.

Of the most common added-value perks, free gratuities are considered to be of highest value according to the survey. The top five added-value perks are:

1. Free Tips/Gratuities
2. Free Drinks Package
3. Reduced Fares
4. Free Airfare
5. Onboard Credit

Features of Cruise Critic’s new deals tool include:

• Unbundled packages. Break down each deal’s inclusions and bonus offers so shoppers can better understand each deal and more clearly see exactly what’s included.
• Deal Score. The new deal algorithm evaluates and rates the true savings and value of each deal so shoppers are better able to compare apples-to-apples in the market place.
• Filter and Sort Capabilities. Shoppers can search for last-minute deals or certain destinations, cruise lines, styles or travel dates. In addition, deals can be sorted by Deal Score, popularity, price or recency.

For more information, visit www.cruisecritic.com/cruise-deals.

---