El Cheapo Cruises Thread

[MicCanberra]

My First contribution to this thread.

 

RCL – 7 Night Thailand & Vietnam Cruise – 11th Feb 2015 to 18th Feb 2015 Singapore to Singapore – Mariner Of the Seas

 

I’m a gold member Crown and Anchor member (1 previous RCL crusie)

 

Cost booking direct through RCL for me with C&A membership logged in is

$873.64AUD for ocean view guarantee with $100 obc(USD?) including pre-paid tips for 2 people. Or 62$ a day per person.

 

Hope someone can take advantage!

 

 

$806 for internal guarantee but no obc included (last night It was included.)

$1332 for balcony guarantee with $200 obc (95$ a night for balcony per person per day)

OV is the sweet spot imo.

 

Welcome to Cruise critic.:D

[sheridan318]

rhapsody 28th feb to the islands for eight nights $556 inside guarantee and $656 ocean view

Jacquie

[sheridan318]

just seen the same cruise advertised on another site for $519 inside and $599 outside so some bargains to be had:D

[GUT2407]

RCI have their 72 hour sale, some real goodies there today if you can take advantage, Carnival also seem to have some pretty good last minute deals today.

[cruisine21]

RCI have their 72 hour sale, some real goodies there today if you can take advantage, Carnival also seem to have some pretty good last minute deals today.

 

 

They have balconys for $925 and balcony GTY for $898 on the Voyager sampler on the 19th Feb. Does anyone know if that price is reasonable?

 

 

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[goodycruising]

They have balconys for $925 and balcony GTY for $898 on the Voyager sampler on the 19th Feb. Does anyone know if that price is reasonable?

 

Personally I don't research samplers much as they are not what I would consider value for money. That may be an average sort of prices, others would know better.

 

Remember that if you have a 3 night cruise, you get 2 full days on board. You get on in the afternoon, and are off the ship early on the last morning, so basically you are looking at 2 1/2 days accommodation and food etc. for $1800, plus the cost of drinks.

 

We tend to look more for 8 to 10 nighters that go for a similar prices. Maybe a few hundred more. If you are nervous of whether you will like it, make sure you do a cruise that stops at an aussie port early in the piece so that you can get off and go home. That would be my value for money advice.

[B'Elanna]

I found one - Voyager of the Seas on 5th Feb - in a oceanview Guarentee $989 per person Twin share ($70.64 per night) for 14 nights. Solo in the same cabin type is $1799 ($128.50 per night). It comes with up to $400 OBC. (Noumea, Lautoka, Auckland, Tauranga and Wellington from Syd). Prices include taxes but not tips.

 

If a price like this comes up this time next year (or later this year), I would be booking it!

[The_Big_M]

They have balconys for $925 and balcony GTY for $898 on the Voyager sampler on the 19th Feb. Does anyone know if that price is reasonable?

 

They're not part of the sale, so the price hasn't really changed.

 

That price is 'reasonable' by the short cruise standard, but it's not cheap, working out around $300/person/night.

[MicCanberra]

They have balconys for $925 and balcony GTY for $898 on the Voyager sampler on the 19th Feb. Does anyone know if that price is reasonable?

 

 

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We are on that cruise but we have an inside cabin, the prices have gone up considerably (nearly doubled). For a sampler on the VOTS those prices are not too bad but there is certainly better value on other cruises.:D

[cruisine21]

We are on that cruise but we have an inside cabin, the prices have gone up considerably (nearly doubled). For a sampler on the VOTS those prices are not too bad but there is certainly better value on other cruises.:D

 

 

Thanks Mic

My travel agent has insides for $644.

 

 

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[The_Big_M]

$215/night/person still isn't cheap by cruise standards.

 

Given you're only on for 2 and a bit days, they tend to be active/party cruises so often people don't spend so much time in the cabin except to sleep. Hence insides are often worthwhile.

[MicCanberra]

$215/night/person still isn't cheap by cruise standards.

 

Given you're only on for 2 and a bit days, they tend to be active/party cruises so often people don't spend so much time in the cabin except to sleep. Hence insides are often worthwhile.

 

Even if we party longer and harder than a longer cruise, I hope to still get a good night sleep. Earplugs may be needed.:D

[goodycruising]

Even if we party longer and harder than a longer cruise, I hope to still get a good night sleep. Earplugs may be needed.:D

 

Haha, sounds like you know what to expect anyhow. I see you mentioned a drink package elsewhere, how much a day would they hit you for that, and two days or three?

[MicCanberra]

Haha, sounds like you know what to expect anyhow. I see you mentioned a drink package elsewhere, how much a day would they hit you for that, and two days or three?

 

Theoretically the packages go for nights rather than days so 3 nights / 3 days worth of package. Depending on the package, most likely the select package $35 x 3 = $105 for the cruise. :D

[taffy62]

Whoop Whoop! So excited:)

Just secured a 14 night Island and Fiji depart 28th Jan

only $699:)

Done 4 cruises on the Pearl but this is on the Jewel looking forward to trying a different ship hope its as nice as the Pearl.

Been very hectic trying to arrange everything at such short notice but I'm sure once I'm lying by that pool with cocktail in hand all stress with be forgotten :)

[The_Big_M]

Theoretically the packages go for nights rather than days so 3 nights / 3 days worth of package. Depending on the package, most likely the select package $35 x 3 = $105 for the cruise. :D

 

Two things:

1) The select package is USD$40/day.

2) It would not be available as they are only sold for minimum 4 night cruises.

:D

[goodycruising]

Whoop Whoop! So excited:)

Just secured a 14 night Island and Fiji depart 28th Jan

only $699:)

Done 4 cruises on the Pearl but this is on the Jewel looking forward to trying a different ship hope its as nice as the Pearl.

Been very hectic trying to arrange everything at such short notice but I'm sure once I'm lying by that pool with cocktail in hand all stress with be forgotten :)

 

Great that you could lock that price in and get away at short notice! Have a great time :)

[MicCanberra]

Two things:

1) The select package is USD$40/day.

2) It would not be available as they are only sold for minimum 4 night cruises.

:D

 

Not so.

 

ROYAL REPLENISH - $19 USD

SELECT - $35 USD

PREMIUM - $49 USD

ULTIMATE - $55 USD

 

BEVERAGE PACKAGES*

Reserve your beverage packages today!

Visit RoyalCaribbean.com/CruisePlanner

Available on sailings of 3 nights or longer.

[cruisine21]

What a saga I went through. I rang my TA yesterday about a price on the Voyager to NZ for Feb. After pondering overnight I rang her up to book this morning only to discover she was off sick. I spoke to another agent in the office and she said the price I had was booked out and the only cabin available was $650 more for 2.

I decided to check the website again 2 hours later and low and behold my preferred cabin was available for the original price. So now it's all booked. Phew. What a drama

 

 

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Edited January 15, 2015 by cruisine21

[The_Big_M]

Not so.

 

ROYAL REPLENISH - $19 USD

SELECT - $35 USD

PREMIUM - $49 USD

ULTIMATE - $55 USD

 

BEVERAGE PACKAGES*

Reserve your beverage packages today!

Visit RoyalCaribbean.com/CruisePlanner

Available on sailings of 3 nights or longer.

 

Not so according to RCL:

 

Royal Caribbean offers convenient, all-inclusive beverage packages to keep you refreshed throughout your voyage. Pay just one flat price and enjoy a wide selection of beers, wines and spirits, plus non-alcoholic beverages, for the duration of your cruise. It's the ultimate in convenience and value. Cheers!

 

 

Alcoholic Packages

The Select Package: US$40 per guest / per day. Includes:

- Beer

- Wines by the glass (up to US$9 value)

- Fountain soda with Coca Cola® souvenir cup

- Non-alcoholic cocktails



The Premium Package: USD$55 per guest / per day. Includes:

- Call, and premium cocktails (up to US$12 value)

- Frozen cocktails

- Beer

- Premium wines by the glass (up to US$14 value)

- Non-alcoholic cocktails

- Bottled water still (500ml)

- Fountain soda with Coca Cola® souvenir cup

 

The Ultimate Package: USD$65 per guest / per day. Includes:

Virtually unlimited options. A combination of all the benefits from Premium and Royal Replenish packages.

 

 

Non-Alcoholic Packages

Royal Replenish: US$20 per guest / per day. Includes:

- Premium coffee

- Premium tea

- Bottled water: Sparkling (375ml) or Still (500ml)

- Fresh squeezed orange juice

- Non-alcoholic cocktails

- Fountain soda with Coca Cola® souvenir cup

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com.au/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&faqId=5531&faqSubjectId=336

 

Q. Are all-inclusive beverage packages available on all sailings?

 

A. All-inclusive beverage packages are available on all itineraries sailing 4 nights or longer.

 

:D

[MicCanberra]

The websites contradict themselves then.

I got my details off their website (http://www.royalcaribbean.com.au/findacruise/experiencetypes/category.do?pagename=onboard_cat_dining_options) click on the PDF. It is also confirmed in the personal planner for my cruise, when booking.:D

[The_Big_M]

The websites contradict themselves then.

 

Heh, no never! :D

[goodycruising]

I can't be that hard to get the same information everywhere! I still don't understand that they do refurbishments on ships and don't even update the cabin photos! I haven't seen a CRT TV on-board for years, but they still show proud with the old furnishings.

 

Anyhow, if you got it on the planner Mic it should be the current deal. I tried to look on the website but unless I put my cruise details in I couldn't get more info, apart from what Big M listed (which I saw some of in FAQ), but I didn't see the 4 day thing.

 

We don't actually have any experience with drink packages ourselves, but sometimes people as us questions as "experienced" cruisers, but you look like a dummy if you try and go to the website and it gives different info.

 

I will be interested to hear how you like the offerings on the level you have gone for Mic.

[stki]

We are also on the 3 day Voyager cruise in Feb and have paid $65 USD pp for the Ultimate package. (I booked through a US TA, so maybe thats why it is in USD.). It appears on our cruise planner.:)

 

We paid $462 USD pp for Promenade Inside (includes Tips as we have Mytime).

Original $100pp deposit was paid 12 mths ago, when the rate was around parity. Paid the final 362.00 in Dec at .85, so was still a lot cheaper than the OZ pricing.

 

Tanya

[goodycruising]

What a saga I went through. I rang my TA yesterday about a price on the Voyager to NZ for Feb. After pondering overnight I rang her up to book this morning only to discover she was off sick. I spoke to another agent in the office and she said the price I had was booked out and the only cabin available was $650 more for 2.

I decided to check the website again 2 hours later and low and behold my preferred cabin was available for the original price. So now it's all booked. Phew. What a drama

 

I find some of the behaviour of agents very disturbing. Are they just lazy or stupid, or both? We tried to use a local agent a few years ago, not a cruise specialist, but a big chain. They said nothing was available for the cruise we wanted. So we thought, ok, maybe all sold out in 2 hours? Went home and there was some available. I know the sites can be hard to navigate, but we were total newbies then! We were able to find it.

 

Do they get any training? Could they have asked the other people sitting nearby to show some interest. I am sure their job would be less boring and they would work better if they could get some teamwork happening and help each other.

 

I am glad you sorted it out, but this story is a very good warning for people to not be mislead by the agent you trust to have more info than you.

 

For a good special I would go direct to the site and put down a hold if possible. Much of the time you can hold without financial commitment for 24 hours.

 

I know there are good agents out there, and many people are happy with their TA, but maybe this is a sign of the cuts to commissions? The customer has so much more knowledge these days. A good agent should find that makes their job easier. When we booked on board last year we had our printed deck plan with preferred cabin choices and knew exactly what we wanted to book. In and out in about 10 minutes.