Didnt know Next Cruise on board booking is this Good

I have always thought that the only way a TA can charge less than RCL is if they have group space

You said your travel agent gives you a price that is 20% less than RCCL? I would like to find out about that. So when you booked on board, RCCL gave you an additional 20% off of your TA price, is that correct? Going on Harmony in November and I would like to be prepared for a deal like this. Thanks. Barb

I have always thought that the only way a TA can charge less than RCL is if they have group space

My TA always gives me a discount instead of perks.

Going on Harmony in November and I would like to be prepared for a deal like this.

Folks, read the OP's post, this is a very unique situation that will not apply 99% of the time.

but they were NEVER able to see the historic prices that we had paid.....so I question the truth to the statement being made of "must know the price the TA is selling to me".

Read the post again, the OP is not talking about historic prices, he is talking about current available online prices.

I know to the great majority of NA cruisers booking NA rules this seems so foreign, but there are rules outside of NA that are different. At the same time, don't expect this to happen on any NA sailing (except the previously mention exception)

I have always thought that the only way a TA can charge less than RCL is if they have group space

That was my understanding too.

I have always thought that the only way a TA can charge less than RCL is if they have group space

Once my TA was running a group trip and was able to add our reservation to the group. I did not have to do anything with the group, not meals even. She just listed our reservation under the group ID and viola, we got their rate -- the way the group handled their pricing was the trip organizer got a free cabin for every 10 cabins that were part of the group. The rates were reduced for all the cabins to benefit from the 'free cabin' deal being given to the group from Royal. It was a nice savings and I appreciated that my TA was able to do it. From the TA's POV, she earned more money the larger the group became, so if it fit into a cruise plan for one of her customers it made sense for her to offer it.

Read the post again, the OP is not talking about historic prices, he is talking about current available online prices.

 

I know to the great majority of NA cruisers booking NA rules this seems so foreign, but there are rules outside of NA that are different. At the same time, don't expect this to happen on any NA sailing (except the previously mention exception)

The OP is saying that the Next Cruise Ambassador is giving him pricing for a future cruise.... but when the OP mentions he "must know the price the TA is selling to me" how would the Ambassador know what the TA was offering on an UPCOMING cruise? The Ambassador would ONLY know what Royal is offering. The Ambassador wouldn't just take the word of the cruiser.

The OP is saying that the Next Cruise Ambassador is giving him pricing for a future cruise.... but when the OP mentions he "must know the price the TA is selling to me" how would the Ambassador know what the TA was offering on an UPCOMING cruise?

As the OP mentioned, he checked the TA rate on the TA web site - the NC staff could do the same. But none of that matters, RCI offered this to the OP, regardless of any TA price. I think the OP confused some by including any info about the TA - the bottom line is that OP got 40% off the MSRP of the future cruise.

As the OP mentioned, he checked the TA rate on the TA web site - the NC staff could do the same. But none of that matters, RCI offered this to the OP, regardless of any TA price. I think the OP confused some by including any info about the TA - the bottom line is that OP got 40% off the MSRP of the future cruise.

You are right in how the confusion was created. I also thought that TA's were not allowed to 'advertise' prices different from what Royal advertised? What they actually gave to cruisers who book through them would therefore be done on a one by one basis, not because of advertised 'specials'.

Just got off the Ovation.

Last day thought I drop by the Next Cruise station for some info.

For the cruise on some future date this is what they offer.

20% off on my TA price. My TA price is already 20% lower than the ship RCL website price.

Also instant $200 OBC. Since it is the last night already l cash out the $200 in the ship casino. No gamble required. There is a 5% or $10 charge to do this.

So all in I am paying about 40% of the RC price. Paying $400 gratuities included for 3N on Mariner balcony cruising solo.

SG007, I hope you don't mind me asking some questions on the Ovation separate from Next Cruise. We are interested in a cruise out of Hong Kong but there has been very little information on these boards about the experience. Can you let me know:

1. Did the specialty restaurants have special Asian menus? One review mentioned that Wonderland was a high-end Chinese restaurant, and a few reviews have mentioned a special whole fish menu item at Michael's Genuine Pub.

2. What is the Golden Suites program? Is it for GS and above only?

3. What C&A benefits were offered? We are D+ and understand the Diamond Lounge is used as a VIP gambling room.

Many thanks in advance!

I also thought that TA's were not allowed to 'advertise' prices different from what Royal advertised? .

There might some understanding for most not to do it, but there are some that do. The only thing that's not obvious when some do it, is whether it's a group discount or they are fronting you the perks.

There might some understanding for most not to do it, but there are some that do. The only thing that's not obvious when some do it, is whether it's a group discount or they are fronting you the perks.

I’ve been offered a discount in lieu of OBC by at least one TA, leading me to believe you are correct with the latter in at least some cases.

There might some understanding for most not to do it, but there are some that do. The only thing that's not obvious when some do it, is whether it's a group discount or they are fronting you the perks.

I can imagine a social or philanthropic group, not wanting their group prices 'advertised' and open to the general public and wanting to keep the promotion that they are offering available only to their 'members' for example. On the other hand, if it is a group that the TA put together for the purpose of 'reduce rate offering' that is something else and probably large TA's do that. I just don't know if I believe that is right to be able to do.

Just got off the Ovation.

Last day thought I drop by the Next Cruise station for some info.

For the cruise on some future date this is what they offer.

20% off on my TA price. My TA price is already 20% lower than the ship RCL website price.

Also instant $200 OBC. Since it is the last night already l cash out the $200 in the ship casino. No gamble required. There is a 5% or $10 charge to do this.

So all in I am paying about 40% of the RC price. Paying $400 gratuities included for 3N on Mariner balcony cruising solo.

Great deal.

Appreciate all the posting here.

After Bob said that he no longer book from NC on board here I and many others here just have a passing interest on the NC cruises. I will answer all after lunch here while you are all asleep.

I can imagine a social or philanthropic group, not wanting their group prices 'advertised' and open to the general public and wanting to keep the promotion that they are offering available only to their 'members' for example. On the other hand, if it is a group that the TA put together for the purpose of 'reduce rate offering' that is something else and probably large TA's do that. I just don't know if I believe that is right to be able to do.

From what I can see from the postings here RCL marketing operate differently outside the USA.

We don't have the same price offering for cruises and any additional discount or entitlement is what comes out off the TAs pocket.

Here in SG the TA price is 20% lower than RCL. RCL has a local office here and if I go down to their office I will get the local TA prices. But if I phone the local office number the line jump to the RCL office in the UK and I get the RCL website prices which is higher. I have not seen any price competition from the local TAs so my guess is they are not allowed to advertise the pricing.

As an interesting sidebar RCL appears to be awfully generous and nice to the local TAs here. When I made my booking on board The guy says he will inform my TA about this booking. I ask him why and if my TA will get a commission from this booking. He said yes. My TA did zero work on this booking and still get a commission here. I told him my TA is doing a very bad job and I don't want to use them anymore. He made me sign a waiver with reasons given to release RCL from their commitment to their TAs here.

SG007, I hope you don't mind me asking some questions on the Ovation separate from Next Cruise. We are interested in a cruise out of Hong Kong but there has been very little information on these boards about the experience. Can you let me know:

 

1. Did the specialty restaurants have special Asian menus? One review mentioned that Wonderland was a high-end Chinese restaurant, and a few reviews have mentioned a special whole fish menu item at Michael's Genuine Pub.

 

2. What is the Golden Suites program? Is it for GS and above only?

 

3. What C&A benefits were offered? We are D+ and understand the Diamond Lounge is used as a VIP gambling room.

 

Many thanks in advance!

1. Yes They have special Asian menus. Wonderland offers a 10 course meal for $70+ which includes the famous Peking Duck, steak and seafood. Don't know about Michael's Pub.

2. I am not up to that level so maybe others want to take this one.

3. Others may want to take this one.

SG007, I hope you don't mind me asking some questions on the Ovation separate from Next Cruise. We are interested in a cruise out of Hong Kong but there has been very little information on these boards about the experience. Can you let me know:

 

1. Did the specialty restaurants have special Asian menus? One review mentioned that Wonderland was a high-end Chinese restaurant, and a few reviews have mentioned a special whole fish menu item at Michael's Genuine Pub.

 

2. What is the Golden Suites program? Is it for GS and above only?

 

3. What C&A benefits were offered? We are D+ and understand the Diamond Lounge is used as a VIP gambling room.

 

Many thanks in advance!

2) Golden Suite Program is just like the normal concierge or diamond lounge benefits. They just combined the 2 together and call it the Golden Suites program as there aren't many Diamond and above members in China to make it worthwhile opening 2 lounges.

3) Depending on the number of guests, they will either let the Diamond and above members into the Concierge Lounge or use Deck 4 Music Hall as the Diamond Lounge.

... He made me sign a waiver with reasons given to release RCL from their commitment to their TAs here.

We've encountered the same thing starting a few years ago. Apparently, some TAs were accusing Royal of "stealing" their clients, so now Royal has to keep written proof.

1. Yes They have special Asian menus. Wonderland offers a 10 course meal for $70+ which includes the famous Peking Duck, steak and seafood. Don't know about Michael's Pub.

2. I am not up to that level so maybe others want to take this one.

3. Others may want to take this one.

2) Golden Suite Program is just like the normal concierge or diamond lounge benefits. They just combined the 2 together and call it the Golden Suites program as there aren't many Diamond and above members in China to make it worthwhile opening 2 lounges.

 

3) Depending on the number of guests, they will either let the Diamond and above members into the Concierge Lounge or use Deck 4 Music Hall as the Diamond Lounge.

Many thanks SG007 and direptor. 10 courses!

Good to know about Golden Suite Program -- we weren't even sure if C&A status was recognized. Not that we are 'flaunters' but certain perks like balcony seating in theaters are nice to have.

Michaels Pub is definately an Asian menu and not a bad one at that.Try to pick up a dining package for at least three restaurants on Cruise Planner site as you wont be disappointed.

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