Cruise Expo

[Raine66]

Hi all, just wanting to know if anyone has booked their cruise at a cruise expo, we have one in 3 weeks so wandered if you get better deals booking there on the day ..

also is it good to book directly with princess or a travel agent, we also need a one way flight and hotel ..

 

Thank you in advance :)

[icat2000]

Those expos are the Captain and affliated companies. They normally have some OBC if you book on the day. In the past I haven't really found anything they offered to be anything special that you couldn't procure through other means.

[dancinman66]

Hi all, just wanting to know if anyone has booked their cruise at a cruise expo, we have one in 3 weeks so wandered if you get better deals booking there on the day ..

also is it good to book directly with princess or a travel agent, we also need a one way flight and hotel ..

 

Thank you in advance :)

 

 

They are sales that aren't really a sale

Only occasionally is it really a good deal xxxx

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[goodycruising]

Know your prices before you go. Or at least how to look it up for yourself once you are there so you can compare. ;)

[fishtaco]

Those expos are the Captain and affliated companies. They normally have some OBC if you book on the day. In the past I haven't really found anything they offered to be anything special that you couldn't procure through other means.

 

 

I will give you top score for this reply:)

 

Cruise expo,s sell very expensive cruises and the people working at the booths are not always first hand cruising exprienced, meaning usually they have only ever been on a 7 night Bali package tour:D:D:D

[Royalty X]

A lot of cruise specialists at these expos do actually have first hand cruising experience. Look beyond the Captain because there are people who can help you.

[woodyren]

Ask them why you are paying more for the same cruise than a person in the USA.

[The_Big_M]

Ask them why you are paying more for the same cruise than a person in the USA.

 

Or ask them why we pay less.

 

Lots of good deals around at the moment.

[Dizziedi]

Or ask them why we pay less.

 

Lots of good deals around at the moment.

 

Yes I agree with you, there are some good deals around at the moment but when I take the OBC factor into account I am "generally" inclined to agree with woodyren.

 

Cheers

Di

[The_Big_M]

Yes I agree with you, there are some good deals around at the moment but when I take the OBC factor into account I am "generally" inclined to agree with woodyren.

 

Cheers

Di

 

Been looking at a few this past week that are about 25% less than US prices, some up close to 50%. Best I've seen for quite a while, and many already sold out.

 

OBC from the US is a bit different, as it comes out of the TAs pocket. TAs won't compete here to the same extent as they don't get the same volume as there (plus other costs are lower there too, so TAs can go to a lower cost model if they want to discount greatly by rebating commission).

[woodyren]

Been looking at a few this past week that are about 25% less than US prices, some up close to 50%. Best I've seen for quite a while, and many already sold out.

 

OBC from the US is a bit different, as it comes out of the TAs pocket. TAs won't compete here to the same extent as they don't get the same volume as there (plus other costs are lower there too, so TAs can go to a lower cost model if they want to discount greatly by rebating commission).

 

Great news. I would love to give my business to a local TA. Would you mind sharing a the best of these bargains. Just ship and date would be fine as I know we can't name TA's and prices are very similar from one to another anyway.

 

I am only going on the cruises that we have booked and they are substantially cheaper and additional perks from a US TA.

[Royalty X]

Ask them why you are paying more for the same cruise than a person in the USA.

That's something you'd have to ask the cruise lines, not the agents.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

That's something you'd have to ask the cruise lines, not the agents.

 

You have got that round the wrong way...

I think its something the agents should be asking the cruise lines.

 

We had a case where my TA asked why she could not sell a cruise to us at the same price. She went to the top and guess what.....We got it at the same price as being quoted overseas.(currency differences taken into account of course)

[icat2000]

You have got that round the wrong way...

I think its something the agents should be asking the cruise lines.

 

We had a case where my TA asked why she could not sell a cruise to us at the same price. She went to the top and guess what.....We got it at the same price as being quoted overseas.(currency differences taken into account of course)

And that highlights the difference between a great TA and a average one.

[fishtaco]

Or ask them why we pay less.

 

Lots of good deals around at the moment.

 

I disagree with you as usual and we obviously look at different pricing s but as of date i am yet to find a USA price greater than an Australian price and the readers along with research be the judge:)

[fishtaco]

A lot of cruise specialists at these expos do actually have first hand cruising experience. Look beyond the Captain because there are people who can help you.

 

"Baloney":D:D:D

 

I have been to cruise expos lol

Edited August 9, 2014 by fishtaco

[fishtaco]

Great news. I would love to give my business to a local TA. Would you mind sharing a the best of these bargains. Just ship and date would be fine as I know we can't name TA's and prices are very similar from one to another anyway.

 

I am only going on the cruises that we have booked and they are substantially cheaper and additional perks from a US TA.

 

The Big M cant tell you what you want to know but will only disagree on your own research and "cheaper" outcome! Its been happening with me for years lol There is defiantly some local AU T/A ties involved even though its denied;)

Edited August 9, 2014 by fishtaco

[fishtaco]

That's something you'd have to ask the cruise lines, not the agents.

 

And why can an agent not tell us what is is blatantly obvious:confused::confused::confused:

Edited August 9, 2014 by fishtaco

[fishtaco]

Great news. I would love to give my business to a local TA. Would you mind sharing a the best of these bargains. Just ship and date would be fine as I know we can't name TA's and prices are very similar from one to another anyway.

 

I am only going on the cruises that we have booked and they are substantially cheaper and additional perks from a US TA.

 

Actually I would be more than quite interested in the 50% Australian cheaper prices as well:rolleyes:

[woodyren]

Actually I would be more than quite interested in the 50% Australian cheaper prices as well:rolleyes:

 

In the name of a "fare" go. I looked at this thread.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2084124

 

Aussie price.

 

22 Sept on the Radiance - 18 day cruise Hawaii to Sydney from $1294 inside and $1921 for a balcony.

 

Under $4000 for two.

 

Price on my go to USA TA site.

 

$7852 US. So it just shows you need to check both.

Edited August 10, 2014 by woodyren

[Johhno]

I will give you top score for this reply:)

 

Cruise expo,s sell very expensive cruises and the people working at the booths are not always first hand cruising exprienced, meaning usually they have only ever been on a 7 night Bali package tour:D:D:D

 

I agree, the last few Expo's I have been to are a total waste of time. Only good for a carry bag and current brochures.

I asked a question from the Princess rep about the difference between the Sun/Dawn and Sea and was told the Sea was the same size as the Diamond and was better for longer cruising. Interesting !

 

Cheers Johhno.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

I asked a question from the Princess rep about the difference between the Sun/Dawn and Sea and was told the Sea was the same size as the Diamond and was better for longer cruising. Interesting !

Cheers Johhno.

 

I could understand a reply like that from a "booking bunny", but from a Princess Rep???

Oh boy !!!. It does not give you much confidence in the local staff.

 

Is it any wonder the public gets ripped off , when we are relying on folk like that to organise the best cruise deals for us.:eek:

 

A few years ago we were invited to tour a ship on its day visit to Auckland. The cruise Rep met us and was our tour guide of the ship.....unfortunately he did not have a clue and got us all lost and I had to take over and lead our group back to where we should have been.:confused:

 

 

[Cruise_me_Crazy]

My advice:

Research where you want to go and how much you want to spend for what category. We for example like balcony cabins so the advertised "bargain" rate does not apply to us. Look at 3x large online TA's to get a sense of costs. Compare dates and seasonal prices. For example a cruise over Chrissy n NY is going to be dearer than in the off season.

 

I look at balcony rates under $150 p.p. p.night as a minimum. After that itinerary and additional costs such as airfares.

 

However on our Chrissy cruise, we paid $200 p.p p.night but that included grats (plus we tipped additional - just incase karate man is lurking / reading :p:D)! We were happy with that due to the season.

 

If you have a rough idea of what the cruise costs then you will know what the bargains are. If you have your smart ph. Get the apps / websites downloaded & ready to go. Grab a coffee n do the research via matching their offer to what can be found elsewhere...... :) at least that way you won't get ripped off!

Have fun!!

[Cruise_me_Crazy]

I agree, the last few Expo's I have been to are a total waste of time. Only good for a carry bag and current brochures.

I asked a question from the Princess rep about the difference between the Sun/Dawn and Sea and was told the Sea was the same size as the Diamond and was better for longer cruising. Interesting !

 

Cheers Johhno.

 

Bwahhhhhhhh :D that is too funny! I can only imagine the look on your face!:p

[Johhno]

I could understand a reply like that from a "booking bunny", but from a Princess Rep???

Oh boy !!!. It does not give you much confidence in the local staff.

 

Is it any wonder the public gets ripped off , when we are relying on folk like that to organise the best cruise deals for us.:eek:

 

A few years ago we were invited to tour a ship on its day visit to Auckland. The cruise Rep met us and was our tour guide of the ship.....unfortunately he did not have a clue and got us all lost and I had to take over and lead our group back to where we should have been.:confused:

 

Hey David,

Ever thought of being a cruise consultant at an Expo.

Sounds like your guy was the same person I spoke to. Haha.

 

Cheers

Johhno