rugbypopsie

Part of the issue for us Aussies and Kiwis is the flexible booking conditions in the USA not generally available through our T/A's here. If the price drops stateside they either match it or the passenger can cancel and rebook..no penalty...we cant even substitute another name!

I think we are too nice/laid back/complacent call it what you will...we get lots of flak over the tipping issue (lets not go there now) but from what I have seen US passengers expect a great deal more service compared to the average Aussie and complain about it their expectations are not met..

I am not being critical just an observation of cultural differences.

It is common practice in the states based bookings that they will match price drops I suggest they ask it cant hurt.

Sandielle, I think "he" has learnt his lesson now but "she"s still won't have a bar of buying an outside cabin !! lol

 

Rugbypopsie, no we're not on the March cruise, we're on the first one in January I think. We're really looking forward to it as we've wanted to do this cruise for ages but could never make up our minds about the big ship and scenic cruising vs small ship and stepping foot on Antarctica. Well when our friend booked and she found after a bit of a toussle that she could book us, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.

 

Would any one mind sharing which TA they used in the UK...or give us a clue please because I have no idea whatsoever.

 

I can tell you that I booked a cruise today at what I think is a good rate - the old Pacific Sun - 20 nights to Tahiti out of Auckland and back departing on 3rd May '10. Outside twin share cabins started from around $1,700 I think. Our TA said that the list price for an inside cabin was more than $4K originally. I've always wanted to say "Tahiti looks nice, dear" -lol.

That's a good price for the Tahiti trip! I think anytime I can cruise for $100 AUD a day or less is a good price. And Tahiti and the islands are lovely.

Cant give you any clues for the T/A here I would be sent to cyberspace otherwise known as the "naughty chair". lol

Best advice is to hook up with other cruise critics...generally everyone is happy to pass on information that they find helpful. :)

Dougo I hope you are booked on the same Sth American cruise that a large group of cruise critics have already booked...Mar 2011? If so you are going to have a fantastic time with a great bunch of people. Check out the roll call for the Star Princess 3 Mar 2011 sailing. I am so jealous I so want to join them...lotto come on!

Back to the topic...I don't see how the current "restriction of trade" can continue...keep up the noise about how unfair these restrictions are...but try as they might it will not prevent us dedicated cruisers managing to get on board at the right price so we can cruise more often.

We want more competitive prices, we understand that the US is a bigger market but our local prices are ridiculous.

Flexible booking, name changes without penalty (or small penalty), smaller deposits (some indications that this is starting to happen), to be able to switch to another cruise if we need to without losing deposit, price drops honoured (in the US if the price drops and you notify your T/a the new price will be honoured). Also honouring of FCC letters irrespective, it shouldn't matter if it was issued on a US Princess ship or an Aussie Princess ship.

I would also like to see a loyalty program along the same lines as the airlines do....Carnival owns more than P and O and Princess why cant we also get credits for sailings on Cunard, Carnival etc? Airlines can have alliances where you still get credit for flights on associated airlines...Carnival is one big cruise family...why not credits for all the ships?

"Billy and Charlie's Mum, if you know a TA in the States who is travelling on a cruise that you would like to do, my understanding is that probably won't have any problems boarding the ship if you book and pay their price in US $$ and travel with the TA."

I dont understand the "travel with the T/A" if you book with an o'seas t/a and they handle your booking there is no problem. Some will discourage you and some will ask for a USA address...there is nothing illegal about booking o'seas...it is the cruise lines themselves...we have had no explanation from them about why..other than some indication that it is related to currency rates....I dont see that should be the issue. We understand currency rates fluctuate if we book in USD then obviously we have to pay in the eviqualent AUD .

Many of us feel that we should be entitled to take our business wherever we get the best deal...I will happily and have done support Aussie t/a's but money is money and I dont see why I have to pay more, much much more when I can book any other type of travel over the net at the best price I can find.

Also the US booking conditions are much more flexible...I see change coming but unless the Australian cruise customers keep asking for better prices and conditions they will be a long time coming. Give our T/a access to decent prices and booking conditions and we will support them rather than being forced to take our business elsewhere.

Just goes to show that everyone's experience is relative. I had the pub lunch on the Diamond recently and honestly it was awful!

I usually love the food on Princess but this was just gross..and in case you are wondering my husband is english.

No one on our table of 8 enjoyed it and most left it almost untouched.

Never mind one missed meal was a good thing...the rest of the meals were toooo goood!

Hi. I share the frustration. Here's an extract from an email I received from a leading online US TA a few days ago when I tried to book a Royal Caribbean cruise with them:

 

"...I am sorry to say that Royal Caribbean now prohibits U.S. travel agencies (including XXXXXXXX) from selling cruises to citizens of countries other than the United States and Canada, unless they have a residence in the U.S. or Canada. This is not a XXXXXXXX policy or a U.S. government policy, it is a corporate policy instituted by each of these cruise lines. We are very disappointed in the restrictions that have been placed on U.S. travel agencies..."

Absoutely on the money! This is not a law of any country but a restriction on free trade by the cruise lines and perhaps the Australian travel agents! Unless we continue to protest we will be held to ransom by unfair practices and booking conditions...we dont want much just a fair go...all of us irrespective of whatever cruise line you support should continue to let them know how we feel...these practices are causing a great deal of ill will and resentment in the cruise loving Australian public.

Why should we part with more of our hard earned wages than we have to?

Get out your pens, emails, or whatever and join the campaign we all stand to gain. Find out the CEO of your favourite cruise line and drop them a line...I am thinking of approaching the new Ambassador to Australia since he is just down the road.

Welcome home Rugbypopsie. It's noice to have you back. The Diamond is one liner we will have to book on. I believe she has the 'wow' factor.

Cheers,

Anna

Hi Anna, the Diamond certainly is a lovely ship and we had a great crew on board...but honestly the wow factor was the fantastic CC roll call, what a happy bunch of campers we were...one of the best cruises ever and I have made so many new friends..

I have nothing booked now..after 78 days with Princess this year I am having separation anxiety and I only got off yesterday:eek:

OMG' date=' what a way to sail into Sydney Harbour with the Jewel and Sun Princess. I wish I was on the cruise with you.[/quote']

 

It was the icing on the cake of a truly fabulous cruise more than 160+ cc'ers on board and a great bunch they were!!!

 

Now I just have to think what next...it will be hard to top this one.

Just off the Diamond this morning...and yes we raised this issue on board too...it is not just the pricing...which is bad enough compared to the prices available through US t/a but also the booking conditions...

consider...US passengers pay much smaller deposits and with FCC letters only a $100 or so...we pay much much more

also...price drops are honoured in the US, if the price drops you notify your t/a and they match the new price..doesn't happen here

flexibility in the US... you can change your booking, add different names or cancel and rebook at little or no cost, try that in Aussie

We want to support local t/a's but travel is a world wide market if I can book any other sort of travel holiday anywhere in the world at a competitive price what makes cruising different...give us a break and we will happily book locally.

Was a fantastic cruise anyway!!!!!!!!

We are taking all 100% cotton clothes to cope with humidity, but they are a pain when you take them out of the bag, all crushed! Any hints on how best to pack or, failing that, where is the iron and ironing board on the Pacific Sun? :(

You can pack them between tissue paper, plastic dry cleaner bags etc. but basically I dont bother, ..dont pack them until the last minute. Unpack as soon as possible and hang them on their hangers in the steamy bathroom..a lot of the wrinkles may drop out. There is a line usually in the shower.

Deck plans will show you where the laundries are on the ship.

Anyway after a day in the tropics we all look the same, wrinkley:p:p

Have a great holiday.

You are right about Japanese immigration. We were there in October last year and everyone had to be eye and finger scannedbefore the ship is cleared. \Travelling from Osaka Port to the train station could also take some time. Realise that Osaka is the third largest city in Japan after Tokyo and Yokohama and distances and traffic are very misleading if one is looking at a map.

Can you give me any indication of how long it may take...I need to meet up with our guide in Kyoto and am not sure how long to estimate. We are berthing at 8.00am and thinking of taking the train in...is that a good plan..any info would be appreciated.

wow...the power of mobile phones....wonder how he ended up overboard:confused: