ceilidh1

That I don't know... Sorry

Categories, not specific cabins (at least that's how our agency does it). The cruiseline groups department keeps close watch to make sure they don't run out of categories available to sell to public if there are lots of unsold group holds in those categories. If that happens, the categories are traded or holds released.

Categories

No, being elite gets you around $100 or so off but the group holds are a lower fare than that usually. Not always. Sometimes the price is locked in as the same price it would be if you booked on day one of sales. As prices rise, the group hold price remains the same so that is the advantage. The group space works in a few ways - the BEST group pricing is that taken out by the big agency for all of their branches and agents to use. There is a whole department within our agency that figures out which ships/sailings/dates etc would be the most in demand, and they work with the cruiseline (not just Princess) groups department to put holds on large numbers of cabins. Once the cruise is on sale, any agent within that agency (and there are thousands and thousands of us throughout North America) can book into that rate. The holds stay in place until just before final payment - anything not sold is released back to inventory and from that point on, the regular "public" rate applies to any bookings BUT, if the cruise is selling well and the group holds still have space the holds may be taken back sooner or traded for other inventory (this is where a good TA can really cash in - if there are 20 oceanview cabins on group hold for $1000k, for example, but Princess has sold all of that category, they will "trade" the group hold cabins for balcony (or another higher category that has inventory available) for the SAME rate. A good TA should be watching for this kind of movement and snapping up those cabins at the bargain pricing! The other kind of group space is taken out by individual agents (usually only if you know you will be selling more than 3 or 4 cabins on a sailing). These rates are also locked in and work in the same way, but can only be accessed by the agent that placed the holds or the franchise that agent works for. In the event that Princess public pricing is lower than group rate pricing (definitely happens), agents can book into public pricing but slide the booking into the "group" to get the group amenities (usually OBC). These amenities are chosen when the holds are put on and are based on number of cabins held, etc - the group department has a lot of negotiating power because the cruiselines know that they typically sell most, if not all, of the group space by virtue of the fact there are so many agents accessing it.

This sums it up perfectly!

As someone that works for the agency having this sale, I can tell you 100% that we DO get group rates that are lower priced than cruiselines offer. This is because the group holds are taken out as soon as the cruise goes on sale. That price is locked in. The majority of times, the cruiseline rate goes up, but the locked in group rate doesn't - there are definitely exceptions, of course, (especially after final payment) when promos by the cruiseline mean they have lower pricing than the group rate. However, the agent is then free to use the promo rate and under no obligation to use the group rate. As an example, over Christmas I booked Ruby for myself and three additional cabins for friends. Since it was a holiday sailing, the cabins we were looking at were priced at $2200 pp on Princess site, with no OBC or packages included. Under my agency group rate, we got them for $1600 pp with Princess Plus (group rate was locked in while that was still included in the price - no longer the case) and $150 OBC per person. Neither my commission nor the agency commission paid for any of those "perks". Having said that, you have to shop around - not all agencies or agents are created equal and sometimes booking direct is the best way to go. I would never limit myself to one agent/agency, even though I'm an agent myself!

You would need to cancel and rebook through the agency that is having the sale. It's not direct through Princess.

Based on room type and cruise length. Plus and premiere are additional/regular pricing (unless gifted by TA)

June 8-10 OBC up to $1200 per room Free/reduced 3rd and 4th guest on select sailings Applies to all published sailings

This one’s for you @sid_9169

Personally I would be asking for the charges to either be corrected or removed. You don’t even have to go to sailor services. Just send them a message on the app. What’s the worst that could happen?

I would be interested to hear what sailor services would say if you asked why the same drink is more in a different bar..

Agreed! That was my one and only complaint on Virgin - no prices listed for drinks and they differed in every bar.

Have you had your first drink yet?

As someone that works in the theatre industry, I concur! When things go swimmingly at dress we are always like “what’s going to go wrong on opening”. When things go tits up at dress we can fix them and have a smooth show. Moral of the story…this cruise will be awesome

Woah. That is small! I just put a hold on the Homewood Suites in Brickell for my December Virgin sailing. It was a surprisingly low price so I grabbed it!

Woot - can I cash them in when we have the Tribe party at your place (don't think we have forgotten about that...)

Don't you usually have your special neck chain on?

Let's do this! Safe flight, looking forward to food and drink porn Miami style!

Finally here! Looking forward to another great review, and definitely interested in the "perks" as I'm meant to get them when I sail in December...

I can't handle anyone being that cheery and jolly before I've had at least 3 cups of coffee...lol

Oh no, that really suck! Librarians are so valuable in the school system - we have been lucky with the three we have had through both my kiddo's elementary years. They were all fantastic and fostered a love of reading in my kids. They are so much more than librarians! I'm hoping another position in an even better school comes your way!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Your dad is just the best! I don't know if it's the British gene, but he sounds just like my dad (who is no longer with us). Growing up, it drove me crazy that he complained (or grumbled, as us Brits say) about EVERYTHING! Now he is gone, I guess I would happily take another day to hear those moans...I vividly remember him sitting at the window for HOURS just watching and waiting for anything or anyone to do something that would give him cause to complain. Lol.