what are my chances?

[ConnCruise]

Hey, we're on the Connie for the Oct 2 trip out of Barcelona. Can't wait.

 

 

Anyway, just got a link here through another thread that shows X offering a huge 2 for 1 sale on our cruise. The deal begins this Tuesday and would shave almost $1,000 off our price.

 

I called up reservations (we booked direct) and the rep told me that this was for new bookings only. Now when we booked we asked if they would support price changes. They had said yes, just call us if you see our price drop. So, looking for advice here. We're paid in full now, so we could cancel and take the $500 cancellation fee and still come out $500 ahead. But we'd really rather not go through the hassle if we don't need to. We'd take onboard credit in compensation for sure.

 

So, anyone have any advice? The deal goes into effect on Tuesday, we're gonna call back then.

 

Here's the link to the sale prices. (we're in a c3)

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/exciting_deals/XcitingDeals_cel_tues.pdf

[Rysyonok]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't count as a new booking if exact same names go on the same itinerary.

 

Not to mention that if you had air tied in, or shorexes and other reservations, all of that would have to be redone (and those refunds take a few days to come back while new charges are immediate...).

 

You could follow the crowd. Watch open cabins using sites that offer that option, and see if you notice movements in the morning. But personally I'd just hold ground.

[Giorgi-one]

No offense to the OP but it seems that most people on these boards expect to get every price reduction and every sale price. That is just not realistic. The cruise line cannot rebook everyone each time they have a sale. There are advantages to booking early - stateroom selection and price will not increase. Try doing that with an airline. Or bring your new car back at the end of the model year reduction sale.

[Chicago Boy]

Here is what we do. We book early and lock in the price. Just before we make our final payment (usually the day it is due) our travel agent will check with the cruise line to see if anything is being offered. Sometimes there is sometimes not. Then we make our payment and forget about it.

Enjoy your cruise.:)

[kannna]

HI there,

 

THe tuesday sales are very strict "new bookings only" there's no way around it. Many have tried and failed. Have a great day!

[riandei]

HI there,

 

THe tuesday sales are very strict "new bookings only" there's no way around it. Many have tried and failed. Have a great day!

 

 

 

we did get the 'new booking only' OBC ...but we had not made final pymt yet

[GeorgeL]

Hey, we're on the Connie for the Oct 2 trip out of Barcelona. Can't wait.

 

 

Anyway, just got a link here through another thread that shows X offering a huge 2 for 1 sale on our cruise. The deal begins this Tuesday and would shave almost $1,000 off our price.

 

I called up reservations (we booked direct) and the rep told me that this was for new bookings only. Now when we booked we asked if they would support price changes. They had said yes, just call us if you see our price drop. So, looking for advice here. We're paid in full now, so we could cancel and take the $500 cancellation fee and still come out $500 ahead. But we'd really rather not go through the hassle if we don't need to. We'd take onboard credit in compensation for sure.

 

So, anyone have any advice? The deal goes into effect on Tuesday, we're gonna call back then.

 

Here's the link to the sale prices. (we're in a c3)

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/exciting_deals/XcitingDeals_cel_tues.pdf

 

I think that once you made the final payment it's too late to make such changes. The deal is done.

[algorithmannie]

I don't have any suggestions, but just wanted to post in support of the op. I recognize that you can't get every price reduction, but $1000 is a lot and I can understand why they want to try!

[gbearbuck]

Anyway, just got a link here through another thread that shows X offering a huge 2 for 1 sale on our cruise. The deal begins this Tuesday and would shave almost $1,000 off our price.

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/exciting_deals/XcitingDeals_cel_tues.pdf

 

It's actually 2 for 1.5 :D

[elena7seas]

Hey, we're on the Connie for the Oct 2 trip out of Barcelona. Can't wait.

 

 

Anyway, just got a link here through another thread that shows X offering a huge 2 for 1 sale on our cruise. The deal begins this Tuesday and would shave almost $1,000 off our price.

 

I called up reservations (we booked direct) and the rep told me that this was for new bookings only. Now when we booked we asked if they would support price changes. They had said yes, just call us if you see our price drop. So, looking for advice here. We're paid in full now, so we could cancel and take the $500 cancellation fee and still come out $500 ahead. But we'd really rather not go through the hassle if we don't need to. We'd take onboard credit in compensation for sure.

 

So, anyone have any advice? The deal goes into effect on Tuesday, we're gonna call back then.

 

Here's the link to the sale prices. (we're in a c3)

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/exciting_deals/XcitingDeals_cel_tues.pdf

 

These "Xciting Deals" sales are done near the end of the pre-cruise period to fill up the ships. Usually around the time of final payment, a number of people cancel their reservations and the cruise line has to fill up the cabins in a short period of time, so they offer these terrific deals. It works to the advantage of people who are able to book at the last minute.

 

The ship's expenses are pretty much set up for a fully-subscribed cruise. In order to remain profitable, the cruise lines have to fill up the ships with people who will buy drinks, purchase shore excursions, and other profit-generating activities. They also have to fill up the cabins with passengers who will pay gratuities to the staff.

 

I know it is tough to see these reduced prices when you have booked earlier at a higher price, but I can totally understand that the cruise line would not be able to backdate such low prices to everyone who has already booked, or they would go out of business.

 

To the best of my knowledge, you cannot cancel your existing reservation, pay the penalty and rebook as a "new booking", as your cancelled reservation remains on Celebrity's system, and you would be flagged as ineligible to qualify as a "new booking". I have read on CC that there was a 90 period after you cancel a booking before you could be considered a "new booking" on the same sailing. If this is no longer true, perhaps someone will correct me here.

 

I hope you have a great time on your cruise!

[biker1972]

I know people who have cruised on short notice as very good rates when the cruise line has empty cabins. There is no choice, however, and they got an empty cabin, period. Perhaps my "perfect" cabin is wait-listed. I cancel to get a better deal, and opps, I just lost that perfect cabin and get one of those cheap empties. It is not always about the deal. Want cheap, wait for the deals to book :).

[ConnCruise]

Yup, I always expect to get the best price for my money. And If you don't try you won't get.

 

I'll let everyone know how we do tomorrow.

[elena7seas]

Yup, I always expect to get the best price for my money. And If you don't try you won't get.

 

I'll let everyone know how we do tomorrow.

 

I look forward to hearing how things go for you tomorrow. :)

[lysolqn]

The Tuesday "Xciting Deals" clearly specifiy they are for new bookings only. I seem to recall reading a post awhile ago in which someone cancelled their existing booking and then tried to re-book as a new booking and were denied. If you try to do the same and are likewise unsuccessful, you not only run the risk of losing your current cabin, but there's also a possibility that the price has gone up since first booked and X may no longer be willing to honor that price, forcing you to re-book at a higher fare.

[ConnCruise]

Just because they say its for new bookings only, does not mean that there is not room for negotiation. They (X) told us, when we booked, that they would honor all price reductions. Seems to me this is a price reduction, even if only for a limited time.

 

Can't hurt here to negotiate. I'll let you know how we do.

[ConnCruise]

Algorith,

 

Thanx for your support!

[ConnCruise]

I would not expect anything, except at the time of booking they told me clearly that they would honor price reductions. Well, from my vantage point this is a price reduction. They can say no and I'll still go on my cruise and have a nice time. But as they say in sales, you won't make the sale, if you don't make the call.

 

Over the years I've found that if you're polite, non threatening , but persistant, 75% of the time you'll get something for your trouble.

[ISABELLA]

"huge 2 for 1 sale on our cruise"

It is NOT 2 for 1 sale - it is 50% off the second person.

[ConnCruise]

You must be a belt and suspenders kind of gal because someone else was kind enough to correct me. But thanks for the redundancy.

[lysolqn]

I would not expect anything, except at the time of booking they told me clearly that they would honor price reductions. Well, from my vantage point this is a price reduction. They can say no and I'll still go on my cruise and have a nice time. But as they say in sales, you won't make the sale, if you don't make the call.

 

Over the years I've found that if you're polite, non threatening , but persistant, 75% of the time you'll get something for your trouble.

 

Far be it for me to discourage your best efforts, but Celebrity makes it quite clear that Tuesday Xciting Deals are not price reductions, and my guess is that no matter how polite, non-threatening and peristent you are, you won't be successful in changing company policy. You have to qualify for the Tuesday deals just as you have to qualify for a resident or senior discount - despite the fact that from your unique vantage point those discounts may qualify as price reductions. Unfortunately for all of us, Celebrity's vantage point is the only one that counts.

 

Good luck...keep us posted.

[reklawr]

I look forward to hearing how things go for you tomorrow. :)

 

 

Good luck ConnCruise. I'll be interested in knowing how you do.

[ConnCruise]

tommorrow, as most here seem to predict, but what will I have lost? Nothing. I'm still going on a nice vacation aboard a cool ship. If I get something from X then who's better than me?

 

 

To those folks who have taken the time here to explain the cruise business to me: I understand, really I do. A stateroom full is way better than a stateroom empty. But I also know that I'm gonna be spending a big pile of dough on shore excursions (Its Europe, we ain't staying on the boat)( from what I understand those shore excursions are high margin for the cruise line) A fair amount in the casino too and possibly some in the spa, as well. (We don't drink..sorry X) Anyway, if they were to toss a bit of a refund my way or even shipboard credit, it sure would be giving me warm fuzzies about X and hence I would be spending more $$$$$. And from X's point of view, isn't that the point?

 

But we'll see.

[lysolqn]

tommorrow, as most here seem to predict, but what will I have lost? Nothing. I'm still going on a nice vacation aboard a cool ship. If I get something from X then who's better than me?

 

 

To those folks who have taken the time here to explain the cruise business to me: I understand, really I do. A stateroom full is way better than a stateroom empty. But I also know that I'm gonna be spending a big pile of dough on shore excursions (Its Europe, we ain't staying on the boat)( from what I understand those shore excursions are high margin for the cruise line) A fair amount in the casino too and possibly some in the spa, as well. (We don't drink..sorry X) Anyway, if they were to toss a bit of a refund my way or even shipboard credit, it sure would be giving me warm fuzzies about X and hence I would be spending more $$$$$. And from X's point of view, isn't that the point?

 

But we'll see.

 

You're right; you will have lost nothing. But if it's "warm fuzzies" you're after, perhaps you'd best start looking elsewhere. Good luck.

[ConnCruise]

I'm 54 years old and not to be a baby about this but...WE a DISCOUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

We'll not quite $600, but they estimate about $300

 

 

My girlfriend did the negotiating. she'll be emailing the details shortly.

 

heh heh heh

[ConnCruise]

update

 

We're getting over $400 greenbacks back. We did the rebook. No questions were asked. X just did it with a smile. We tried for an upgraded room too, but none were left, so were still in the same one, which is not a problem at all. So to all you well meaning naysayers, (and some who were a tad snooty) you've learned a valuable lesson today. Ask and ye shall recieve.