take higher OBC or lower base fair

[travelhome]

I'm planning for our very first ever cruise for next summer Aug12, 2012 to Alaska on Pearl. It will be for two cabins and 6 people.

 

I got quotes from two different TAs. TA#1 gave 10% discount at base fare + total $150 OBC and the other one TA#2 gave higher OBC equivalent to 10% basefare discount (total OBC $600). So in the end, the difference is $55 with TA#1 slightly cheaper overall but it has $75 cancellation policy while TA#2 does not have cancellation charge.

 

They both seemed legitimate. Which one would you use to book? I've never done any cruise before so don't know the likely hood of future price drop or anything implications I should consider when choosing one way or the other.

 

I'm new and learning all these. Hopefully this post could stay because I did not disclose TA information and was just asking about different scenarios.

 

Thanks so much!

 

Tiff

[peg013]

I would be tempted to book with the TA that does not have cancellation fees. Make sure you google both TAs to see if there are any complaints about either. It would be much easier if we were allowed to discuss actual TA's and their practices.

[STARFISH*4]

i would be tempted to book with the ta that does not have cancellation fees. Make sure you google both tas to see if there are any complaints about either..

 

good advice:)

[SilentHill]

I would be tempted to book with the TA that does not have cancellation fees. Make sure you google both TAs to see if there are any complaints about either. It would be much easier if we were allowed to discuss actual TA's and their practices.

 

I'm still confused as to why we can't discuss travel agents. I guess I'll never get it.

 

Also what kid of cabin do you have to book to get a $600 OBC? lol I got $75 on my mini suite. Seems kind of far off, but I also got a ton of other perks that aren't directly related to the cruise.

 

Me personally, I would go with the one with cancellation fee. I have never cancelled a vacation before so I don't see this as a bad thing. If you think there is an event that would cause you from going on the cruise then I'd book the other one.

[bakerintn]

I believe that booking through a TA who has a block of cabins, you will not get to take advantage of any fare reductions that may come up before final payment. I believe that having a block of cabins is the only way that a TA can give you a discount on the base fare.

[garycarla]

I tend to sway away from TA with a cancellation fee. Just me. Of course over the past 5 years, I think we have booked 4-5 trips that never came to be. Still, it is just the idea.

 

$55 is not a big dollar variance.

[SilentHill]

also if you went with option 2 u have to make sure you spend 600 in OBC.

[Flip2cruise]

I would suggest getting more quotes.

[APDMOM]

First step is definitely to research both TA's online and with the BBB. We had a poor booking experience on our first cruise because we did not research enough... At least the cruise went pretty well!

 

I would personally book the cheaper base if you are convinced you are taking the cruise. However, our onboard bill is always very low - under $300, because we do not buy many drinks and we do not use the casino, so $600 would be hard to spend.

 

However, if you are planning on spending a lot of money onboard (drinks, bingo, casino, shops, paid restaurants, photo's) then take the higher OBC.

 

Hope this helps... Enjoy planning! I wish we knew about cruise critic before our first cruise :rolleyes:

 

[travelhome]

I believe that booking through a TA who has a block of cabins, you will not get to take advantage of any fare reductions that may come up before final payment. I believe that having a block of cabins is the only way that a TA can give you a discount on the base fare.

 

Bakerintn, you are probably right because I heard both TA mentioned that the balcony cabin had group rate that is better than NCL's rate. This group rate does not come with $50 NCL OBC, while the inside cabin had the NCL rate so it came with $50 OBC. Seems that both TA gave 10% discount, just one applied that to base fare and the other applied that as extra OBC.

 

Why do you think group rate makes it hard to take advantage of fare reduction? Both TA promised that they would lower the price if NCL reduces fare. Can I believe them?

[travelhome]

I would personally book the cheaper base if you are convinced you are taking the cruise. However, our onboard bill is always very low - under $300, because we do not buy many drinks and we do not use the casino, so $600 would be hard to spend.

 

 

 

I was thinking about applying OBC to pay gratitude, which will be $12*7*6=$504. Then, the left over can be used for say bowling, or shore excursion.

 

I don't think we are high spending group so, yes, indeed it may become a burden to spend all that money!

[travelhome]

Also what kid of cabin do you have to book to get a $600 OBC? lol I got $75 on my mini suite. Seems kind of far off, but I also got a ton of other perks that aren't directly related to the cruise.

 

 

$600 is combined total of two cabins. Balcony got $300 and inside got $250+NCL$50.

 

What kind of other perks you got? TA websites always mentioned about "amenities". Upon inquiry, they say that's just OBC.

[travelhome]

I would be tempted to book with the TA that does not have cancellation fees. Make sure you google both TAs to see if there are any complaints about either. It would be much easier if we were allowed to discuss actual TA's and their practices.

 

 

Thanks for the advice! Both TAs were from a website where different TA submit quotes. TA1 had 98% positive 2% negative rating and TA2 had 99% positive and 1% negative rating. I was trying to find forum discussions on them (fodor, frommers trip, advisors, cruisemates etc.) There are always praises and complaints. TA1 is older and has done more bookings. But statistical wise, I feel 98% vs 99% are close enough.

 

I will keep researching. Yes, spending $600 may become a burden...

[APDMOM]

I was thinking about applying OBC to pay gratitude, which will be $12*7*6=$504. Then, the left over can be used for say bowling, or shore excursion.

 

I don't think we are high spending group so, yes, indeed it may become a burden to spend all that money!

 

Wow! "6 people" - that changes the picture quite a bit... I missed that part in your original post :D Among the six of you I'm sure you can spend the $96 after gratuities... Hope you have an excellent first cruise!

[ClarkBHM]

I was thinking about applying OBC to pay gratitude, which will be $12*7*6=$504.

 

Can you do that? I didn't think OBC could be used to pay the tips...

[APDMOM]

Can you do that? I didn't think OBC could be used to pay the tips...

 

Yes, most of the time you can, but there are exceptions. Just double check with the TA, OP...

[billet]

Have you tried shopping locally and talking to a human TA. You may be suprised how helpful that could be :) I would certainly not go with an agent that charges cancellation fees who will probably also charge for lowering the price and other stuff. As someone else said I would keep looking because the cheapest deal is not necessarily the best value in the long run.

[garycarla]

Can you do that? I didn't think OBC could be used to pay the tips...

 

At one time there was a policy against this. But, even so, the system did it anyways. It is just a credit on your account, and just gets balanced with your charges. Simple accounting.

 

It has been a rare situation that somebody had a problem... such that I can not remember one complaint.

[NW Pacific]

Oh, wish I could say that I was ever worried about spending down a $600.00 OBC, never happen, but to answer; in our experience any OBC can be used for the daily service charge or anything else they swipe your card for once you get onboard.

[travelhome]

Geeezzz, just read a post that there is a policy change that shore excursions have to be prepaid by credit card instead of OBC. Looks like it is better to go with low base fare route then...

 

BTW, some promotion only applies to new bookings. I'm wondering whether I should wait for a promotion or book now for Aug12, 2012. If one cancels and rebook, does that count as a new booking to take advantage of any new booking promotion? TA1 has $75 cancellation fee so it has to be a big promotion with price drop to justify the cancellation...

[cruise pup]

If you take insurance and you cancel for any reason covered by the insurance then the cancellation fee should be covered by your insurance. So the cancellation fee might not be such a deal breaker. Just double check with the insurer.

[GSLMOM]

Oh, wish I could say that I was ever worried about spending down a $600.00 OBC, never happen.

 

DITTO!!! :eek::eek::o:o

[APDMOM]

Geeezzz, just read a post that there is a policy change that shore excursions have to be prepaid by credit card instead of OBC. Looks like it is better to go with low base fare route then...

 

BTW, some promotion only applies to new bookings. I'm wondering whether I should wait for a promotion or book now for Aug12, 2012. If one cancels and rebook, does that count as a new booking to take advantage of any new booking promotion? TA1 has $75 cancellation fee so it has to be a big promotion with price drop to justify the cancellation...

 

You can cancel before the full payment is due without penalty from NCL. I would be very careful about booking with a TA who has a cancellation fee - that is just not very customer friendly and we have never run into that.

 

If the price suits you it is best to book well in advance and just cancel and rebook for a new special, should it come along.

 

"Specials" are not always that special... We booked our current cruise in May. Last weekend, NCL had the "special" where you could get double OBC. I checked the price of our cruise to see if it would be worth rebooking. It was up $539! After the promotion the price dropped a bit again and our same category is now $302 more. Lesson learned: Book early :)

 

[cruise pup]

I would be very careful about booking with a TA who has a cancellation fee - that is just not very customer friendly and we have never run into that.

 

It's also not very friendly to have a t.a. go through the trouble of setting up a booking when the booker is only "shopping around" and places holds on more than one cruise. People do that and I guess some agencies just want to discourage that. I dealt with a very reputable firm who gives excellent prices and service. You get a lot of extras when you book with them. But they tell you up front that there is a $50. cancellation fee. Unfortunately I had to cancel the cruise but my insurance covered the cancellation fee.

[APDMOM]

It's also not very friendly to have a t.a. go through the trouble of setting up a booking when the booker is only "shopping around" and places holds on more than one cruise. People do that and I guess some agencies just want to discourage that. I dealt with a very reputable firm who gives excellent prices and service. You get a lot of extras when you book with them. But they tell you up front that there is a $50. cancellation fee. Unfortunately I had to cancel the cruise but my insurance covered the cancellation fee.

 

Good point, but it is business. If I find similar great deals with two TA's, and one does not have a cancellation fee, I'm booking with them, just because unforseen circumstances may come up.

 

OP will have to decide based on input from all and what they know about the TA's.