There's OBC and then there's OBC!!!

[prish]

Google cruise agency New Hampshire.

 

Another hint please!

[mikeysed]

Google cruise agency New Hampshire.

 

There is no con in doing that... thank you m8!

Edited March 5, 2014 by mikeysed

[mikeysed]

 

********************

I didn't do my math right. $982 of that total is money I would get from Celebrity. $2490 is what I got from my travel agent. That's about a 38% savings.

Grandgeezer - did you use a TA from New Hamp too?

[prish]

Is there any way we can get the names of these online travel agencies that are giving these huge OBCs? I scour the Internet all the time and have been on many major online TA and have never seen any deals that give OBC at amounts that have been stated in earlier posts. I am not talking about OBC from the cruise lines which I am aware of.

Thanks

 

from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Yes, I'd like to know how this works, haven't ever found such deals nor agencies which give these kind of OBCs!

[RealDeal]

Yes, I'd like to know how this works, haven't ever found such deals nor agencies which give these kind of OBCs!

 

Different agencies get different group rates & can offer different amenities at different times. Google the TA we referenced earlier & get on their email list. While my OBC from them wasn't earth-shattering ($340 on a $3100 cruise, pre-taxes), that rate was $300 less than X's b/c they had a group rate, so that was a nice bonus.

 

You can also go on a site that competes for your business & get an idea of what different agencies are offering that way.

[mikeysed]

My most recent deal utilizing the site that competes... I then contacted my TA that I know fairly well and she price matched the best deal.

 

Celebrity Reflection Nov 8th-15th.. Balcony mid ship no obstruction (2A category)... $2044 ($100 less than celebrity price), and a $230 OBC along with 123GO Promo (we got classic beverage package)... I feel for the price and length - 7 day... that's not too bad... however, I saw some deals posted above that are better... so although she price matched... maybe if I went with a larger agent as noted above... it could of been a bit better perhaps?

 

I think I may do the booking on the cruise, switch it to a TA... and if I did that, I would of received celebrity OBC in addition to what I got.

[RealDeal]

My most recent deal utilizing the site that competes... I then contacted my TA that I know fairly well and she price matched the best deal.

 

Celebrity Reflection Nov 8th-15th.. Balcony mid ship no obstruction (2A category)... $2044 ($100 less than celebrity price), and a $230 OBC along with 123GO Promo (we got classic beverage package)... I feel for the price and length - 7 day... that's not too bad... however, I saw some deals posted above that are better... so although she price matched... maybe if I went with a larger agent as noted above... it could of been a bit better perhaps?

 

I think I may do the booking on the cruise, switch it to a TA... and if I did that, I would of received celebrity OBC in addition to what I got.

 

Yes, booking onboard & transferring to a TA is a good idea. However, I think that for the price of your cruise, you got a very good amount of OBC....plus the 123. I don't think you could do much better. Keep an eye on prices, though, in case there's a drop.

[Loracpin2]

I've been using this TA in New Hampshire (used to be in MA) for 12 years. Always the best deal and perks available. Still don't understand CC's issue with naming TA's since CC always advertizes the TA's promotions, but I will abide by the rules.

[mickeysgal]

The most I've gotten was $750...it was on a NCL cruise to Alaska. Booked a Penthouse Suite...not part of the Haven suites. Got $500 for booking with American Express and combined that with $250 from my TA.

 

This upcoming cruise I was able to get $300 total for our balcony. $200 from the TA and a bonus $100 from the same TA for a 48 hour special they were running. This is in addition to the beverage package and prepaid gratuities from the Celebrity promotion.

 

And I'm using the same TA others are referencing. Booked many a cruise with them and have had no issues whatsoever. They do charge a cancellation fee though...to fend off the not-so-serious customers. That's the only con of using them that I can think of. Other than that, they're great...have delivered on their promises and perks each time we've used them.

Edited March 5, 2014 by mickeysgal

[dbsb3233]

I've been using this TA in New Hampshire (used to be in MA) for 12 years. Always the best deal and perks available. Still don't understand CC's issue with naming TA's since CC always advertizes the TA's promotions, but I will abide by the rules.

Guess I need to explore that TA more carefully. I've used them for reference material a few times but haven't been finding any great deals. (Plus their website isn't the clearest.) But I haven't looked at them a lot. Yet.

 

I think part of my problem is that I'm never looking for the Caribbean/Bahamas cruises, which seems to be the biggest target for deals. We have casino benefits that send us on Caribbean cruises all the time so when we pay for something on our own it's to Europe or Asia or somewhere like that. Doesn't seem like there's as many deals on those.

[Loracpin2]

Our best prices and perks with them have Europe/Med/Adriatic.

[rubydoobydoo]

Big fat zero, never had OBC :rolleyes:

[welshfamily]

We are with you .....absolutely zero OBC and this summer we will have our 9th Celebrity cruise in 6 years. We used to get a 10% discount from our TA which was worth quite a bit and we were far happier to do these but about 2years ago Celebrity stopped UK travel agents discounting their prices and the most you can get now is approx. £50 per cabin. To us this is not enough and we now book with Celebrity to allow us to price watch.

 

We travel AQ and this year have paid in excess of $4000 each. ( 14 days ) We did get the 123 go deal but choose drinks package and grats.

We are not complaining as last year we were not allowed the 123go deal. Progress then for UK cruisers.

 

Could we book with a US TA. Well my husband travels and works 4 times a year in Texas and Kentucky and if there was a good TA he could speak with face to face we would happily deal with them.

Unfortunately none of you are allowed to recommend.

[rubydoobydoo]

I find booking a Celebrity cruise confusing, we have just booked with our travel agent again as when I phoned Celebrity direct to make the booking they said they could not get anywhere near the travel agent price as they had no cabins available at that price :confused:

 

We have booked a guarantee balcony at what I think is a good price but didn't qualify for any perks, seeing as I don't drink that much the drink package wouldn't do me much good anyway so I wasn't bothered at not getting that

 

It does seem to me that if you live and book in the USA you get better deals

[Suzy Smith]

We are with you .....absolutely zero OBC and this summer we will have our 9th Celebrity cruise in 6 years. We used to get a 10% discount from our TA which was worth quite a bit and we were far happier to do these but about 2years ago Celebrity stopped UK travel agents discounting their prices and the most you can get now is approx. £50 per cabin. To us this is not enough and we now book with Celebrity to allow us to price watch.

 

We also no longer use a TA since X stopped British TAs discounting fares. It doesn't seem to have occurred to travel agents here that giving OBC in place of a discount would bring business back to them - unless Celebrity won't let them do that either. I would be interested to know if any UK cruisers have been successful in getting OBC from a TA (although I know we are not allowed to name the particular company).

 

Rubydoobydoo - some UK TAs who specialise in cruises take blocks of cabins and sell them at a lower price - is your TA one of those?

Edited March 5, 2014 by Suzy Smith

[MoyCoy]

$530 for my upcoming cruise on the Solstice. Future cruise ship OBC plus TA.

[happygran]

For the first time........we've got $75 OBC from our TA (a massive web-site) plus $100 from our onboard booking.........we thought it was Christmas!

 

Here in the UK we're very poor cousins to those across the pond.....plus we lose our deposits if we cancel etc. I know our booking conditions are supposed to be more protective for us......but personally I know which terms & conditions I would prefer.

 

We lose out all round.

[rubydoobydoo]

We also no longer use a TA since X stopped British TAs discounting fares. It doesn't seem to have occurred to travel agents here that giving OBC in place of a discount would bring business back to them - unless Celebrity won't let them do that either. I would be interested to know if any UK cruisers have been successful in getting OBC from a TA (although I know we are not allowed to name the particular company).

 

Rubydoobydoo - some UK TAs who specialise in cruises take blocks of cabins and sell them at a lower price - is your TA one of those?

 

Maybe, I am not sure, all I know is they said that celebrity were releasing the cabins and as soon as they showed up on her system she would book 2 for me so she took my card details there and then so there would not be any delays

 

The same travel agent has said in the past they were not allowed to offer any OBC that differed from the cruise line but that was P and O, this is only our 2nd Celebrity cruise

 

All we got was £15 discount from them for being a past customer, but I am happy as the price I paid for a balcony to the Fjords was better than I could have hoped for :D

[rubydoobydoo]

I have just looked on Celebrity web site at my cruise :confused:

 

It has been showing as sold out for anything lower than Concierge for days now, but today they have inside cabins available again, we paid in full as soon as we booked but could this be because they have had cancellations

 

I am itching to know what cabin I have been allocated ( I know it may not be until the day we sail ) but I was hoping once the cruise was sold out they would let us know

 

Is it normal for cabins to show as sold out and then later become available ?

 

We sail 2nd May so not long

[TravelerThom]

I have just looked on Celebrity web site at my cruise :confused:

It has been showing as sold out for anything lower than Concierge for days now, but today they have inside cabins available again, we paid in full as soon as we booked but could this be because they have had cancellations

I am itching to know what cabin I have been allocated ( I know it may not be until the day we sail ) but I was hoping once the cruise was sold out they would let us know

Is it normal for cabins to show as sold out and then later become available ?

We sail 2nd May so not long

A 2 May sailing would have recently passed Final Payment in the US. In the US, Celebrity gives FULL refund to cancellations before Final Payment date. It is common at this time for a number of cabins to be cancelled and become once again available. Usually GTYs are assigned cabins sooner rather than later - we have often had assignments within a few days, but the company reserves the right to not let you know until you are at the pier. Note that I have never been notified of cabin assignment; I've always had to look at my reservation on-line to see that I had received an assignment. Enjoy your Cruise:)

~~~~~~~~~~~

Returning to the general OBC discussion - I don't care how large my OBC is or how many dollars I "saved". The real issue is what is my final cost which I perceive is Base Fare + Taxes & Fees + Gratuities - OBCs from Celebrity - OBCs from the TA. If you are getting a promo beverage package (or similar) they are rarely free - LOTS of cruise line "sales" and "promos" are preceded by significant increases in base price, so consider what you are really getting, versus what you are paying versus what you would have spent anyway. Celebrity does not stay in business by giving stuff away.

 

IMO ALWAYS focus on what the trip is costing you and whether that is a good deal in your eyes; many times "savings" are an illusion.

 

Thom

[ariawoman]

I have just looked on Celebrity web site at my cruise :confused:

 

It has been showing as sold out for anything lower than Concierge for days now, but today they have inside cabins available again, we paid in full as soon as we booked but could this be because they have had cancellations

 

I am itching to know what cabin I have been allocated ( I know it may not be until the day we sail ) but I was hoping once the cruise was sold out they would let us know

 

Is it normal for cabins to show as sold out and then later become available ?

 

We sail 2nd May so not long

 

This is pretty common. TAs can be holding cabins in group space up until pretty close to final payment date. Also, some cancel prior to final payment, so there's that too.

[dbsb3233]

Returning to the general OBC discussion - I don't care how large my OBC is or how many dollars I "saved". The real issue is what is my final cost which I perceive is Base Fare + Taxes & Fees + Gratuities - OBCs from Celebrity - OBCs from the TA. If you are getting a promo beverage package (or similar) they are rarely free - LOTS of cruise line "sales" and "promos" are preceded by significant increases in base price, so consider what you are really getting, versus what you are paying versus what you would have spent anyway. Celebrity does not stay in business by giving stuff away.

 

IMO ALWAYS focus on what the trip is costing you and whether that is a good deal in your eyes; many times "savings" are an illusion.

 

Thom

Excellent point. It's the total net cost that matters, not just OBC. In fact, a lower cruise fare (by the same amount) is more valuable than OBC, since there's a temptation to go ahead and spend OBC. And even if you get the leftover refunded, you've "loaned" the cruise line that money for many months. Paying less up front is actually slightly better.

 

And while a free beverage package promo is nice, it's only "savings" up to the point that you would have spent on beverages anyway.

 

You may get "full value" out of airfare credit, but maybe not if their base airfares are more expensive that what you might otherwise be able to find externally. Plus there's more flexibility booking your own.

 

I'm learning more and more to check the cruise fares for the exact same cruise/date/cabin category across multiple sites. Sometimes they're the same, sometimes not.

[Coochuck]

Can OBC's be applied to gratuities?

[TravelerThom]

Can OBC's be applied to gratuities?

YES (but if you have signed up for MTD, tips must be paid before boarding; these can not be paid from OBCs)

[dbsb3233]

Can OBC's be applied to gratuities?

I believe so. Although then you can't choose Select (any time) Dining, because that option requires prepaid gratuities.

 

Some have said they initially reserve a traditional dining time (so as not to prepay gratuities, and thus apply OBC to them), and then once onboard they try to switch to Select dining. But sometimes people are unable to switch because that option is already maxed out, so you could get stuck with Traditional Dining (i.e. a fixed time).