Is Celebrity's pricing policy fair?

[Iamcruzin]

If all I could get was a bottle of wine I would always booked direct. I am a little surprised because I get e mails almost everyday with offers more than a bottle of wine (not my TA). Although I find that the best offers are not usually advertised.

Most of the ads I receive are offering the Celebrity perks but they make it seem like the offer is coming from the Travel Agency. There are other online travel agencies that inflate the brochure price to make it seem like you are saving more than you actually are.

[jagoffee]

Most of the ads I receive are offering the Celebrity perks but they make it seem like the offer is coming from the Travel Agency. There are other online travel agencies that inflate the brochure price to make it seem like you are saving more than you actually are.

I certainly concur with the first part, but I always see e mails offering additional OBC or perhaps free gratuities on a regular basis. Not really sure why yours are different.

[keishashadow]

I enjoy the hunt for the next cruise & only use a TA when an offer is above & beyond what the line is offering.

 

Best prices I've found (but certainly not personalized service) is from one of the mega online agencies that advertises here. The lower out-the-door price typically includes pre-paid gratuities, specialty dinner & OBC, plus whatever the line is offering i.e. the 123 promo. It is my understanding that they are able to offer the difference in price/perks due to booking a large block of cabins as to X number in different categories.

 

It's certainly a trade-off accepting a rate that is not flexible (can only be cancelled by paying a $100 pp penalty fee in addition to whatever final payment restrictions the cruise line imposes). I don't jump until I'm 100% sure. It's actually nice to settle upon a package that fits my needs, commit & not be concerned with watching the rates to try and leverage a better deal.

Edited April 13, 2014 by keishashadow

[miched]

Don't sweat it. You booked what you wanted. I hear many claim that they don't need a balcony because they are never in the cabin.

 

Look at it this way, you still got the cabin you wanted and saved the extra for a cabin that you didn't want to begin with.

 

💰

[4774Papa]

This debate has been going on forever. Many of us will only book after final payment for this exact reason.

Most of the cruises that we book are sold out or nearly sold out at final payment. That is why I book early.

[Christine Frances]

Most of the cruises that we book are sold out or nearly sold out at final payment. That is why I book early.

 

Even the TA we booked 16 months out is now $1000 pp more (C3). I have the cabin I love, drink pkg and OBC. Really don't care what Tue special they offer lol

Because we book for itinerary (no Caribbean) the cruises are popular and always go up in price eg South America.

[woodyren]

What does THAT have to do with anything?

 

As a TA, I have gotten clients several upgrades with purchase on new booking only sales.

 

As far as the OP is concerned, consider it this way. They have to fill the ships. What would be unfair is if you had to pay a higher rate on a sailing that is selling well because someone was willing to pay more for your location!

 

I know one cruise line that looked at floating rates that could go up before final payment unless it was paid in full!

 

 

Can you please email me at woody3155@gmaildotcom. I would like to discuss this further.

 

John

[boogs]

Even the TA we booked 16 months out is now $1000 pp more (C3). I have the cabin I love, drink pkg and OBC. Really don't care what Tue special they offer lol

Because we book for itinerary (no Caribbean) the cruises are popular and always go up in price eg South America.

 

You've touched on an important distinction. The Caribbean cruise market is over saturated with too many ships sailing almost the same itineraries. Competition is stiff and cruise lines usually have to drop prices substantially to fill their ships. Too many berths for the market, and not enough customers.

 

On many other itineraries, such as Asia or Austraila/New Zealand, their isn't as much competition and the demand is high, so ships fill up more quickly. Prices will stay stable or rise in these markets.

 

If all one is interested in are the cookie cutter, dime a dozen Caribbean itineraries, then you have many opportunities to wait until the last minute for the inevitable lower fares. But if one is interested in the more unique and interesting itineraries, then the opportunities for low fares are simply not there. Fortunately, the itineraries are so much more interesting that they more than make up for the lack of "closeout sales" to fill the ships.

Edited April 13, 2014 by boogs

[woodyren]

What I do when I find a good deal after hours, is book it so it's held, then have TA take control and cancel the other one once they reopen. In order to get same cabin, will cancel them immediately grab back that room for the reservation I made over the weekend. Sometimes I can get by with 24 hour hold, sometimes have to book and pay deposit and wait for other deposit to refund.

 

She's also customer friendly, so I have her mobile and she replies to emails all day and weekend unless on a cruise herself.

 

My TA gives me 50% of her commission as OBC. That makes it work very well for me!

 

I am from Australia and have been reasonably happy using USA online TA's.

 

I am always on the hunt for a better solution and would like to establish a relationship wit a US TA. I would appreciate it if we could discuss this more outside of this forum. My email is woody3155atgmaildotcom.