US travel agencies for non US

[drewlin]

We are Brits and have cruised four times and the last 3 we have booked through an American travel agency and got very good deals paying in dollars. However on browsing their website for our next cruise in 2011 we saw a notice to the effect that certain cruise lines will not accept bookings from non US or non Canadian residents through American travel agencies. We are trying to get this verified but if it is true it greatly limits our choice and cost of future cruises. For example a transalantic cruise with Royal Caribbean for an inside cabin for 55+ would be $549 (approx.£352) or £640 through a UK agent. That's almost double!

[smeyer418]

We are Brits and have cruised four times and the last 3 we have booked through an American travel agency and got very good deals paying in dollars. However on browsing their website for our next cruise in 2011 we saw a notice to the effect that certain cruise lines will not accept bookings from non US or non Canadian residents through American travel agencies. We are trying to get this verified but if it is true it greatly limits our choice and cost of future cruises. For example a transalantic cruise with Royal Caribbean for an inside cabin for 55+ would be $549 (approx.£352) or £640 through a UK agent. That's almost double!

 

 

some of the cruise lines have told the US based TA's not to sell to non-residents. They can do that. The reason that there is a difference in cost is that the cruiselines have different costs based on where you live(the EU countries in general give their residents more consumer protection that the US gives its residents). They have different rules too(like cancellation charges). If of course you have a US address you can use.....

[John Bull]

some of the cruise lines have told the US based TA's not to sell to non-residents. They can do that. The reason that there is a difference in cost is that the cruiselines have different costs based on where you live(the EU countries in general give their residents more consumer protection that the US gives its residents). They have different rules too(like cancellation charges). If of course you have a US address you can use.....

 

Yes, I'm afraid I've heard the same. And I don't think that simply using a friend's US address solves the problem.

 

The "different cancellation charges" are surely not part of the reason - in the UK your deposit is effectively lost as soon as its paid, and there are swingeing cancellation charges (whether the money has already been paid or not) as the cruise date approaches. Up to 100% as much as a month ahead in some cases. Way tougher than in the US.

UK agencies do pay into an industry fund to cover money paid or re-patriation costs in the event of a registered agent going belly-up.

 

I don't think this restriction is industry-wide, sorry I don't know the cruise lines involved, you'll need to ask Mr Google

 

John Bull (whingeing pom :D)

[smeyer418]

Yes, I'm afraid I've heard the same. And I don't think that simply using a friend's US address solves the problem.

 

...(whingeing pom :D)

 

I don't see why not. At least in the US your passport doesn't contain your home address and a passport is all you need to get on the ship. You temporarily put it in the passport in Pencil!. Credit cards can be used anywhere in the world.

USDHS(department of Homeland security) may have an issue if you are leaving from the US....but if its a European or other destination....how are they to know? You US friend may have to send you the paper luggage tags but everything else is done electronically....

[Texas Tillie]

According to the website of a large internet agency down here in my neck of the woods (I used to live 3 blocks from the building with their name on the top), the following lines do not allow US travel agents to book cruises for non-US residents -

 

Costa, Cunard, Holland America, MSC, Oceania, Princess and Royal Caribbean

 

The one exception is that Princess allows Mexican residents to book with US agents.

[Moeve]

Well then that is just about all of them......

[smeyer418]

According to the website of a large internet agency down here in my neck of the woods (I used to live 3 blocks from the building with their name on the top), the following lines do not allow US travel agents to book cruises for non-US residents -

 

Costa, Cunard, Holland America, MSC, Oceania, Princess and Royal Caribbean

 

The one exception is that Princess allows Mexican residents to book with US agents.

since Costa Cunard Holland America and Princess(is MSC I forget) are all owned by Carnival- I would assume all of carnival brands too.

 

RC is the parent of Celebrity and Azamara

 

so the only Major not on this list is NCL...(although the Company that owns Oceania also owns a controlling interest in NCL)

[John Bull]

Well then that is just about all of them......

 

Just leaves NCL & the Staten Island ferry, then :(

 

No home address in UK/EU passports either, though the front cover is a bit of a giveaway. Ditto the source/currency of credit cards.

 

Not gonna disagree with you, number 418, cos I haven't really got a clue. But I'd be interested in first-hand experiences of those who've tried this.

 

Or indeed booking a Brit ship on a euro-itinerary via a US agent.

 

John Bull (still whingeing :D)

[smeyer418]

...

Not gonna disagree with you, number 418, cos I haven't really got a clue. But I'd be interested in first-hand experiences of those who've tried this.

....

 

John Bull (still whingeing :D)

 

me too. I am not pushing it but I would suspect you won't hear from people unless they make them pay extra....

 

those that get by aren't going to post and let the cruise lines know...they read these threads.

 

 

and the Staten Island Ferry is free to all so it doesn't matter.

[Texas Tillie]

Not all of the Carnival companies are on the list - Carnival and Seabourn - for example. Also, Celebrity isn't on the list. The other high end lines - Crystal, Silverseas, Regent aren't on the list. HAL has just been added. I'd imagine that the ones not on the list are going to see how it goes now that more are going this direction.

[smeyer418]

here it is from one TA's website

 

 

International customers that wish to pay for a cruise using an international credit card must contact our cruise specialists by calling one of the following phone numbers to complete their purchase:

 

USA

Canada

UK

 

 

 

 

If your country is not listed above, you may reach our cruise specialists by calling You may also contact us via

 

... accepts most major international credit cards issued by banks worldwide. Your credit card company will normally convert your payment(s) from U.S. dollars to your local currency at the time of processing. International currency rates vary from day to day; ... has no control over the final conversion rate. We will provide confirmation of your booking via email or FAX. Upon review of the details of your booking, you will be asked to acknowledge receipt and acceptance of the information provided in the confirmation of your booking.

 

All passengers must present specific documentation before boarding their cruise ship and visa requirements vary from country to country. International customers are encouraged to confirm their proof of citizenship requirements with the appropriate consulate. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program Countries who present valid, machine-readable passports may enter the U.S. without a visa. Citizens of these countries who travel without a machine-readable passport will be required to have a U.S. visa and a passport to enter the U.S. (for cruises departing the U.S.) or a valid multiple-entry visa (for cruises that depart and return to the U.S.). Visa Waiver Program Countries include Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

 

Please note that international customers may be required to pre-pay gratuities when booking sailings aboard certain cruise lines. Your cruise specialist will communicate this requirement at the time of booking when applicable.

 

Note: Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International now prohibit U.S. travel agencies (including ...) from selling cruises to customers who do not have a residence in the U.S. or Canada.(emphasis added)

 

I redacted the phone numbers note that this TA has a UK 800 line for use by UK residents

[imsulin]

We are Brits and have cruised four times and the last 3 we have booked through an American travel agency and got very good deals paying in dollars. However on browsing their website for our next cruise in 2011 we saw a notice to the effect that certain cruise lines will not accept bookings from non US or non Canadian residents through American travel agencies. We are trying to get this verified but if it is true it greatly limits our choice and cost of future cruises. For example a transalantic cruise with Royal Caribbean for an inside cabin for 55+ would be $549 (approx.£352) or £640 through a UK agent. That's almost double!

 

There's a very good and explanatory post by spongerob on the Princess Board addressing this issue. I think the title of the thread is "Can cruise lines really do this?" or something similar. It's gotten quite a few responses. You might want to take a look at it. Good luck!

[fridaythecat.u.k.]

There's a very good and explanatory post by spongerob on the Princess Board addressing this issue. I think the title of the thread is "Can cruise lines really do this?" or something similar. It's gotten quite a few responses. You might want to take a look at it. Good luck!

 

For all you Brits who are regular Tesco shoppers, there is also a thread about using your Clubcard vouchers to convert into £££ off Princess, Cunard, Costa and P&O cruises for you to have a look at on the Princess boards whilst you are over there ;)

[John Bull]

There's a very good and explanatory post by spongerob on the Princess Board addressing this issue. I think the title of the thread is "Can cruise lines really do this?" or something similar. It's gotten quite a few responses. You might want to take a look at it. Good luck!

 

Found it, many thanks http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1142220

 

Have put in my four eggs. :)

In Mr Angry tones :mad:

Wonder how long before the moderators pull it :D

 

John Bull

[smeyer418]

you rant wasn't anything to be pulled....although I did respond to it....

 

I understand that you are angry about it. But you anger is misplaced....

[imsulin]

Found it, many thanks http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1142220

 

Have put in my four eggs. :)

In Mr Angry tones :mad:

Wonder how long before the moderators pull it :D

 

John Bull

 

Don't think you'll be pulled at all, and I don't blame you for being upset. In Jan. 2000, I got an amazing deal for r/t air from LAX - NAN, Fiji for $198.00! I was working as a TA at the time. So, quickly grabbed a Fiji brochure and booked a week at a cute little resort on the Coral Coast for DD and I, which included 3 meals daily. Thought I got a heckuva deal! Had our own bure, good food, free snorkeling, and we paid for SCUBA diving. We were the only Yanks, and met some lovely Aussie guests who quickly became our friends. There was also a German couple and a single Canadian TA. One day, while enjoying a sun-filled beach day, we all started talking. The Aussies got a better bure with more amenities for HALF of what we paid. The Canadian TA got the same air we did, but two FREE weeks at the resort, including meals. The German couple paid THREE times what we paid. So....we looked at each other with hate-filled eyes and proceeded to allay this with lots of Fiji Bitters and home-grown Kava. My pleas of "Hey - I was British a few hundred years ago" fell upon deaf management ears. Anyway - great trip!

 

Aside: Is John Bull in the same era as Richard II and Wat Tyler? I was totally fascinated with John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford. And isn't there an Abbey in Romsey? Or used to be?

[John Bull]

you rant wasn't anything to be pulled....although I did respond to it....

 

....

 

And I in turn to yours.

Regards

(still angry, but not with you) :D John Bull

[John Bull]

 

Aside: Is John Bull in the same era as Richard II and Wat Tyler? I was totally fascinated with John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford. And isn't there an Abbey in Romsey? Or used to be?

 

Err, you're out by the small matter of about 400 years :rolleyes:

 

But no problem, JB was as real as Uncle Sam :D

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/JohnBull.htm

 

Abbey was still there when I attended a wedding saturday.

 

John Bull

[drewlin]

Thanks for all your responses and have had a look at the Princess thread. We definitely think that it is discrimination against non US. We owned a villa in Florida until recently but were not resident but had a residence there. If we still owned it would that mean we could book through a US TA. Similarly would a US citizen residing in the UK but with no residence back in US be allowed to book through a US TA?

Does this mean if we were on holiday in Florida for a couple of weeks and decided at the beginning of the holiday to take a short cruise to the Bahamas whilst there that we couldn't????

Also have heard back from our agent at Vacations to Go and she tells us that Carnival will accept bookings from international customers which seems peculiar as the rest of its associated companies will not!!

[imsulin]

Err, you're out by the small matter of about 400 years :rolleyes:

 

But no problem, JB was as real as Uncle Sam :D

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/JohnBull.htm

 

Abbey was still there when I attended a wedding saturday.

 

John Bull

 

Yeah, you're right. Sorry - I was thinking of John Ball. (Please don't rolleyes at me. I'm doing the best I can for an American with an interest in British history). Romsey Abbey - where Katherine Swynford lived before going to Windsor as lady's maid for Lady Blanche, wife of John of Gault, who was brother of Edward the Black Prince and uncle of Richard II. I'm quoting from memory here. Katherine's sister Phillipa was married to Geoffrey Chaucer. They were daughters of a Flemish (Belgian) knight. So. Now I feel better. Didn't even Google.

[John Bull]

Yeah, you're right. Sorry - I was thinking of John Ball. (Please don't rolleyes at me. I'm doing the best I can for an American with an interest in British history). Romsey Abbey - where Katherine Swynford lived before going to Windsor as lady's maid for Lady Blanche, wife of John of Gault, who was brother of Edward the Black Prince and uncle of Richard II. I'm quoting from memory here. Katherine's sister Phillipa was married to Geoffrey Chaucer. They were daughters of a Flemish (Belgian) knight. So. Now I feel better. Didn't even Google.

 

Shame about John of GAUNT or you'd have got top marks.

But 9 out of 10 is better'n I'd have done.:)

The feller was born in Ghent (another Flemish connection), then known by the English as Gaunt.

Errr, yes of course I googled that :D

 

Romsey's main claims to fame (a bit limited, I'm afraid) :

Broadlands, the big house at the bottom of our road, was home to the Queen's uncle, Earl Mountbatten of Burma and where Charles & Diana spent their wedding night.

Lord Palmerston, British prime minister in 18-something lived in Romsey.

Florence Nightingale (the lady with the lamp, Crimean War, pioneer of nursing in the UK) lived not 2 miles from me at Embley Park, & buried in the local church.

That's about it.

 

Back on-topic, just learned that RCI have apparently pulled the plug on their price promise here, it now "applies only to guests in the 50 states & Canada"

But as per previous postings that no longer concerns me

 

John Bull (now in philosophical mood :cool:)

[Slipper of the Yard]

According to the website of a large internet agency down here in my neck of the woods (I used to live 3 blocks from the building with their name on the top), the following lines do not allow US travel agents to book cruises for non-US residents -

 

Costa, Cunard, Holland America, MSC, Oceania, Princess and Royal Caribbean

 

The one exception is that Princess allows Mexican residents to book with US agents.

 

I have booked a number of cruises with Cunard with a US agent and am a UK resident AND Citizen, and know others who also have or had similar bookings.

 

One friend has never booked through the UK!

 

So get yourself the right agent and you'll be fine.

[imsulin]

Shame about John of GAUNT or you'd have got top marks.

But 9 out of 10 is better'n I'd have done.:)

The feller was born in Ghent (another Flemish connection), then known by the English as Gaunt.

Errr, yes of course I googled that :D

 

Romsey's main claims to fame (a bit limited, I'm afraid) :

Broadlands, the big house at the bottom of our road, was home to the Queen's uncle, Earl Mountbatten of Burma and where Charles & Diana spent their wedding night.

Lord Palmerston, British prime minister in 18-something lived in Romsey.

Florence Nightingale (the lady with the lamp, Crimean War, pioneer of nursing in the UK) lived not 2 miles from me at Embley Park, & buried in the local church.

That's about it.

 

Back on-topic, just learned that RCI have apparently pulled the plug on their price promise here, it now "applies only to guests in the 50 states & Canada"

But as per previous postings that no longer concerns me

 

John Bull (now in philosophical mood :cool:)

 

Yep - I knew about Ghent, but in the mid 1300's, the local English called him "John 'O Gaunt", because his mother, Queen Phillipa, was born there. In Ghent. (Belgium) During the Peasant's Revolt, Johnny's Savoy Palace (where Katherine staid with their illegitimates - J was still married to Wife 2 (Spanish Constanza of Castile at the time.) First wife Blanche died of the plague - Chaucer fantasized her. Savoy palace destroyed, Wat Tyler's head on a spike on London Bridge, Dicky II betrayed the peasants, and J never became King. When skinny Costanza died, J lost Castile, married Katherine, and their children became legit, using the name Beaufort. And became future Plantagenet Kings and Bishops. Mr. Shakespeare's great play, Henry V, paid homage to J's offspring. Dicky III was the last Plantagenet. Then the Tudors. Then Cromwell and no monarchy. Then the Stuarts. Then the Windsors. Sorry, still quoting from memory. Still fascinated by Edward III, since Eddy I killed Wallace, and Henry II and Ellie produced John of Magna Carta fame. Thanks for that Common Law! Crimean War - and Charge of the Light Brigade. Ouch! TG for Florence N! World War years. Mountbatten - killed by an IRA bomb. OK - off my British history soapbox now. Whew!

 

Done without Googling. (Would fail any basic algebra class.)

 

BTW - feel your pain. Don't know if you read my post about our vacation in Fiji, but pricing turned out to be a Commonwealth thing. We Yanks paid twice the price - without even knowing, until late in the game. Keep on cruising!

[John Bull]

 

Back on-topic, just learned that RCI have apparently pulled the plug on their price promise here, it now "applies only to guests in the 50 states & Canada"

But as per previous postings that no longer concerns me

 

John Bull (now in philosophical mood :cool:)

 

Wish I hadn't put that in red. Guess I'd better grovel & correct it in the same colour.:o

Have now learned that I was mis-informed & that RCI's price promise is alive & well in the UK. This from a friend who was given the price-drop yesterday.

 

But the core subject of this thread, various cruise lines' policy on prohibiting T/As from selling to those resident outside of the US/Canada is confirmed from a number of sources & Brits have reported being declined by US T/As, incl. cruise specialists. Has anyone this side/down-under achieved such a booking in the past few weeks ?

 

John Bull (not related to royalty or continentals :D)

[smeyer418]

FYI its my understanding that the directive to the US based TA's is relatively new-within the last six months. Similar directions were given to TA's a number of years ago when they were warned to stop allowing non-eligible people to get discounts(like senior discounts and state of residence discounts). After the warning period, the cruise lines started enforcing the rules they had set.