El Cheapo Cruises Thread

[GUT2407]

If it is the one I tried 1st I agree

 

Your first choice isn't always the best.

 

I've tried a few and had some nightmare experiences.

 

I'd love to find a TA that really understands cruising and wants to take care of me.

 

But I guess while I'm not too busy I'll just have to be my own, but when you are flat out with making a quid it's not easy.

[windsor26]

Your first choice isn't always the best.

 

I've tried a few and had some nightmare experiences.

 

I'd love to find a TA that really understands cruising and wants to take care of me.

 

But I guess while I'm not too busy I'll just have to be my own, but when you are flat out with making a quid it's not easy.

 

It is not often first choice but we have cruised 1st

We have two who are excellent but sometimes the offer with a package is better and my other 2 do not offer packages

[spudstrawb]

...but sometimes the offer with a package is better and ...

 

Agreed. They do have some really good deals at times. If we ever use them again, I will make sure that we have any little changes agreed to upfront before we commit. Otherwise if you want to make any changes later on (cabin upgrades etc) there is a fair chance that you will have to pay through the nose for it.

[MicCanberra]

Agreed. They do have some really good deals at times. If we ever use them again, I will make sure that we have any little changes agreed to upfront before we commit. Otherwise if you want to make any changes later on (cabin upgrades etc) there is a fair chance that you will have to pay through the nose for it.

 

Always best to do no matter who you use.

[ninjacat8]

Just saw this one -

 

Todays Friday Fare Frenzy needs to be seen to be believed! It's not every day that you can get all inclusive Europe Fly' date=' Cruise & Stay deal like this one. Our 14 night itinerary includes return flights from Sydney, 2 nights stay in Istanbul, 7 night cruise aboard luxury Celebrity Equinox in a Balcony Stateroom and 2 nights stay in Rome - plus receive a FREE Classic Beverage Package and choose 1 bonus offer; US$150 onboard credit per person, Prepaid Gratuities or Unlimited Internet. All this for an incredible price from only $2899pp, twin share! This offer is only available today or until sold out - don't miss

Return Economy Class airfare from Sydney,

2 night stay in Istanbul

7 night cruise aboard Celebrity Equinox from Istanbul to Rome

FREE Balcony Upgrade

All meals and entertainment onboard the ship

FREE Classic Beverage Package

Choice of 1 bonus offers: US$150 onboard credit per person, Prepaid Gratuities or Unlimited Internet

2 night stay in Rome

All taxes

 

Not bad I thought.... Departs 15th June 2016[/quote']

 

Shame we will be on the way to Seattle on the Explorer of the Seas at that time

[MicCanberra]

Shame we will be on the way to Seattle on the Explorer of the Seas at that time

 

The sacrifices you have to make hey.;)

[B'Elanna]

There's a variation on that package I posted on Friday. A 2 day trip to Gallipoli has been added for $3592pp twin share:

 

All Inclusive Balcony Greek Isles – Fly, Cruise, Stay & Tour

13 June 2016 – 16 nights – Celebrity Equinox

Fly to Istanbul and stay 1 night in Istanbul before enjoying a 2 day /1 night escorted tour of Gallipoli, ANZAC Cove, the ancient city of Troy and much more before returning to Istanbul for a further 2 night stay. Embark on a 7 night cruise aboard Celebrity Equinox cruising in a Balcony Stateroom from Istanbul visiting Mykonos (overnight onboard), Valletta, Catania, Amalfi Coast (Salerno) and Rome. Disembark the cruise ship and stay 2 nights in Rome before flying back to Sydney (call for other gateways).

Whats included:

- Return Economy Class airfare from Sydney (call for other gateways)

- 1 night stay in Istanbul

- 2 day / 1 night escorted tour of Gallipoli visiting Kabatepe Museum, ANZAC, Lone Pine Cemetery and the ancient city of Troy and more including most meals, hotel transfers in Istanbul, sightseeing with English speaking guides, transportation, 1 night Superior First Class Hotel in Canakkale including dinner and breakfast

- 2 night stay in Istanbul

- 7 night cruise aboard Celebrity Equinox from Istanbul to Rome

- FREE Balcony Upgrade

- All meals and entertainment onboard

- FREE Beverage Package

- Choice of 1 bonus offer: US$150 onboard credit, Prepaid Gratuities or Unlimited Internet

- 2 night stay in Rome

- All taxes

[MicCanberra]

There's a variation on that package I posted on Friday. A 2 day trip to Gallipoli has been added for $3592pp twin share:

 

All Inclusive Balcony Greek Isles – Fly' date=' Cruise, Stay & Tour

[/b']13 June 2016 – 16 nights – Celebrity Equinox

Fly to Istanbul and stay 1 night in Istanbul before enjoying a 2 day /1 night escorted tour of Gallipoli, ANZAC Cove, the ancient city of Troy and much more before returning to Istanbul for a further 2 night stay. Embark on a 7 night cruise aboard Celebrity Equinox cruising in a Balcony Stateroom from Istanbul visiting Mykonos (overnight onboard), Valletta, Catania, Amalfi Coast (Salerno) and Rome. Disembark the cruise ship and stay 2 nights in Rome before flying back to Sydney (call for other gateways).

Whats included:

- Return Economy Class airfare from Sydney (call for other gateways)

- 1 night stay in Istanbul

- 2 day / 1 night escorted tour of Gallipoli visiting Kabatepe Museum, ANZAC, Lone Pine Cemetery and the ancient city of Troy and more including most meals, hotel transfers in Istanbul, sightseeing with English speaking guides, transportation, 1 night Superior First Class Hotel in Canakkale including dinner and breakfast

- 2 night stay in Istanbul

- 7 night cruise aboard Celebrity Equinox from Istanbul to Rome

- FREE Balcony Upgrade

- All meals and entertainment onboard

- FREE Beverage Package

- Choice of 1 bonus offer: US$150 onboard credit, Prepaid Gratuities or Unlimited Internet

- 2 night stay in Rome

- All taxes

 

That is another great trip.:D

[B'Elanna]

Hi all,

 

This has to be the bargain of the week! If you can go, GRAB this!!!!! You even have a choice if traveling solo or with a friend!

 

10 Nights - Explorer of the Seas

Ports - Noumea, Isle of Pines, Mystery Island and Lifou

Departs on Sunday (14th Feb) from Sydney

 

SOLO - $1255 (Inside Guarantee) - No twin available in this type of cabin $125.50 a night! SOLO

 

TWIN - $1290 pp for a Deluxe Stateroom Guarantee - this is a SUITE with a balcony!!!!!! $129 a night IN A SUITE

Edited February 9, 2016 by B'Elanna

[Esilef]

Hi all' date='

 

This has to be the bargain of the week! If you can go, GRAB this!!!!! You even have a choice if traveling solo or with a friend!

 

10 Nights - Explorer of the Seas

Ports - Noumea, Isle of Pines, Mystery Island and Lifou

Departs on Sunday (14th Feb) from Sydney

 

SOLO - $1255 (Inside Guarantee) - No twin available in this type of cabin $125.50 a night! SOLO

 

TWIN - $1290 pp for a Deluxe Stateroom Guarantee - this is a SUITE with a balcony!!!!!! $129 a night IN A SUITE[/quote']

 

 

I've said it before..... I'll say it again... I want to be retired. Just so that I can cruise all the time with bargains like this..

 

Omg work and bills really ruin my cruising lifestyle

[robinph]

Hi all' date='

 

This has to be the bargain of the week! If you can go, GRAB this!!!!! You even have a choice if traveling solo or with a friend!

 

10 Nights - Explorer of the Seas

Ports - Noumea, Isle of Pines, Mystery Island and Lifou

Departs on Sunday (14th Feb) from Sydney

 

SOLO - $1255 (Inside Guarantee) - No twin available in this type of cabin $125.50 a night! SOLO

 

TWIN - $1290 pp for a Deluxe Stateroom Guarantee - this is a SUITE with a balcony!!!!!! $129 a night IN A SUITE[/quote']

 

 

We are on this cruise, and the itinerary has been changed, we are now going to Vila instead of Lifou........ great change as far as we are concerned. Robin:)

[The_Big_M]

Hi all' date='

 

This has to be the bargain of the week! If you can go, GRAB this!!!!! You even have a choice if traveling solo or with a friend!

 

10 Nights - Explorer of the Seas

Ports - Noumea, Isle of Pines, Mystery Island and Lifou

Departs on Sunday (14th Feb) from Sydney

 

SOLO - $1255 (Inside Guarantee) - No twin available in this type of cabin $125.50 a night! SOLO

 

TWIN - $1290 pp for a Deluxe Stateroom Guarantee - this is a SUITE with a balcony!!!!!! $129 a night IN A SUITE[/quote']

 

Definitely a good deal.

 

Can't believe the bargains we get here... better than the rest of the world gets!

[circuitrider]

The 23rd April Explorer of the Seas 24 night Sydney to Seattle mentioned earlier has had a small price drop ($1,585.18 inside guarantee).

 

We booked when it was $1800-something, direct with Royal Caribbean because I heard it was easier to deal with them directly. I know I've heard stories of people calling when the price went down and getting on onboard credit or upgrade to compensate (no actual drop in price). Well, was I misinformed, or is there a special number I have to call? I'm just told "cancel and rebook, you'll pay penalties" (and the penalties are more than the deposit I paid...stupid me paying more than the bare minimum).

 

Just curious.

[Guest012]

Surprised these never made it onto the board yesterday.....some great deals still available from Royal Caribbean direct for their Royal Valentine Sale..........we have no time left to do them:(:( repo to Singapore crazy price ;)

 

BEST BUY.............;):eek:

APRIL 16 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS REPO EX SYD-SINGAPORE - 14 NIGHTS FROM $585.66 INSIDE GTY PP BARGAIN BARGAIN BARGAIN...

 

MARCH 13 LEGEND OF THE SEAS EX BNE 11 NIGHTS FROM $798.11 INSIDE GTY PP

MARCH 25 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS EX SYD 10 NIGHTS FROM $723.63 OUTSIDE GTY ....BALCONY GTY $823.63

APRIL 3 LEGEND OF THE SEAS EX BNE 8 NIGHTS FROM $653.04 INSIDE GTY PP

[MicCanberra]

Surprised these never made it onto the board yesterday.....some great deals still available from Royal Caribbean direct for their Royal Valentine Sale..........we have no time left to do them:(:( repo to Singapore crazy price ;)

 

BEST BUY.............;):eek:

APRIL 16 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS REPO EX SYD-SINGAPORE - 14 NIGHTS FROM $585.66 INSIDE GTY PP BARGAIN BARGAIN BARGAIN...

 

MARCH 13 LEGEND OF THE SEAS EX BNE 11 NIGHTS FROM $798.11 INSIDE GTY PP

MARCH 25 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS EX SYD 10 NIGHTS FROM $723.63 OUTSIDE GTY ....BALCONY GTY $823.63

APRIL 3 LEGEND OF THE SEAS EX BNE 8 NIGHTS FROM $653.04 INSIDE GTY PP

My goodness, they are bargains, especially the April 16 one.

[traveldayz]

There are great bargains on some repositioning cruises but we have found the one way airfares are exhorbitant unless you get a cruise/ fly deal. Anybody know a way around this?

[Esilef]

There are great bargains on some repositioning cruises but we have found the one way airfares are exhorbitant unless you get a cruise/ fly deal. Anybody know a way around this?

 

 

We did Sydney to Singapore last year.

 

Jetstars website is zoned. Ie if you book just from Singapore to Sydney 1 way it thinks your in Singapore & u get their prices which were higher. To get the cheaper prices I had to book multi trip travel. Ie melbourne to Sydney & then Singapore to melbourne.

 

This was cheaper.....

 

Don't ask why.

 

Plus I got offered an upgrade to starclass for $200 pp. cheaper than some people paid Singapore to Sydney.

 

From memory I paid $179 Singapore to melbourne

[cruisine21]

We did Sydney to Singapore last year.

 

Jetstars website is zoned. Ie if you book just from Singapore to Sydney 1 way it thinks your in Singapore & u get their prices which were higher. To get the cheaper prices I had to book multi trip travel. Ie melbourne to Sydney & then Singapore to melbourne.

 

This was cheaper.....

 

Don't ask why.

 

Plus I got offered an upgrade to starclass for $200 pp. cheaper than some people paid Singapore to Sydney.

 

From memory I paid $179 Singapore to melbourne

 

That's a great idea. I don't think it would work if you lived in Sydney though.

[cruisine21]

Same repo cruise as above. Sydney-Singapore 16th April including flight back to Sydney $1199pp. If you book an inside stateroom you will receive US$200 OBC.

1 night post cruise in Singpore.

[MicCanberra]

Unfortunately any savings on the last minute cruises are spent on the airfares, sometimes you can get lucky but most of the time you have to just bite the bullet.

[The_Big_M]

Same repo cruise as above. Sydney-Singapore 16th April including flight back to Sydney $1199pp. If you book an inside stateroom you will receive US$200 OBC.

1 night post cruise in Singpore.

 

Pretty incredible deal for all that's included.

[woodyren]

There are great bargains on some repositioning cruises but we have found the one way airfares are exhorbitant unless you get a cruise/ fly deal. Anybody know a way around this?

 

Here is something I posted in Sept last year in the Voyager 16th April repo thread.

 

"While we haven't officially booked yet we will be joining this cruise. So I will be lurking and posting on here if it is OK. We have booked our air back from Kuala Lumpur in late May taking advantage of some fantastic recent prices on Air Asia and plan to spend 4 weeks after disembarking in Singapore travelling around Malaysia and possibly other neighbouring countries before flying home."

 

 

 

I think I also posted in this thread but cant be bothered looking. Had a few discussions with "el cheapo" legend Gaechan as well about the air issue.

 

My plan was to book the air (anywhere a likely cheap repo has happened) when a great price came up and then wait till the last minute to book a cruise.

 

In this example Air Asia had return from KL to Sydney for $105 last year. We ended up booking a flatbed for about $400 but still half price compared to what it is now.

 

We then waited and watched cabin availability on this cruise. I guessed and also posted in the "Aussie cruise bargain" group on social media a few times that prices will drop based on what I had seen over past years. I ended up pulling the trigger when balconies came down to about $1500pp (under $1200 when discounts OBC added) for the14 days. I did this because I was on board another cruise and so could combine my $380 diamond balc discount and get the $200 USD OBC for booking on board. They are now around $1900. Whenever gty's are on sale now RCL usually do not give any OBC and you cant use your diamond discount.

 

Probably got cold feet and could have waited for the inside mega bargain but still happy with my strategy.

 

So after rambling on. To answer your question. Take the risk and book air first if a great bargain comes up. Monitor cabins and if they are slow selling wait till the last minute. That last minute may be 30-45 days out as RCL seem to have altered their strategy a little.

 

We will be doing the same for a Pacific repo or Trans Atlantic next year. Even better this time is that I can book air using points (thanks to a few CC velocity bonus points offers) and if the cruise doesn't drop to a cheap enough cost we can cancel the air for a loss of only a few thousand points.

 

In the meantime will just continue to pick off the last minute bargains from Sydney.

 

It is a gamble booking air first but almost every one of these repos come down to ridiculous price levels in the last few years.

 

Solstice Honolulu - Syd last Sept was $217. :D:D:D:D

[MicCanberra]

An interesting strategy that works for people if they can be very flexible with their arrangements or if the cruises do not drop.:D

[traveldayz]

Thanks for your responses.

We are doing the Explorer trip 23 April Syd to Seattle. Most of the airfares were more expensive for a one-way than a return! We ended up going for a cruise/fly deal. Because we wanted to stay longer in the USA the price went up even more.

So, need to be more canny for our next one way trip. I keep telling my husband to stop looking at the latest prices now we've paid fir it...

[SunnyinDubai]

Air Asia is currently having a 20% off sale now...