New Deal Is OBC

[mxylpic]

So the main BOGOHO is gone. The holiday BOGOHO with an additional discount for Choice Air seems to still be around

 

The new deal is OBC - a lot of it. Up to $1,500 on a 7 day or longer Europe or Alaska.

 

And of course the base fares are up. And it's new bookings only, naturally.

 

But for comparison's sake I looked at my Southern March 22 on Adventure.

 

Currently $1,300 for an E1 balcony less $300 pp OBC brings it down to around 1,000 pp. Just prior to the expiration of the BOGOHO those balconies on this cruise were $951 pp, so not that much of a difference.

 

If you like OBC instead of a cheaper cruise fare. I suppose money is money but the bottom line cost including your cruise and excursions/on board spending is about the same.

[Clarea]

There are many restrictions in the OBC deal. No balcony discounts, no special fares (Senior, Residency, etc.), no ship/sail date changes and no price drops without losing OBC.

[3CatsInMA]

Looking at Royal's pricing structure these days is starting to feel like walking into a car showroom. :rolleyes::eek:

[shutterbug63]

LOL...I'm laughing because this is a joke. The Freedom cruise I've got booked, even taking into account the $500 per person OBC, is almost $400 overall MORE than what I originally paid when I booked a JS under the BOGOHO.

[mxylpic]

Looking at Royal's pricing structure these days is starting to feel like walking into a car showroom. :rolleyes::eek:

 

LOL. True. One thing I've figured out sailing Royal is that if you really dissect the deals and specials they all balance out to nothing special. I just try to get the best fare I can for where I want to go.

 

It really amazes me how some people get excited over a few dollars of OBC or the "reduced deposit" sale, which is really a scam because it saves you no real money.

[BND]

So many people gamed the system over the years and taught others how to do so on CC, that RCI is swinging to the other extreme. I had figured change was coming for quite a while. First it was no price drops after final payment and now more restrictions on the sales. So, do you book early and risk lower prices later? Is the OBC refundable?

 

The only time we've ever gotten anything was when the BOGOHO was announced and we were able to get a $900 drop on our JS for Vision next year. But, I don't monitor prices that closely either.

[CookieDiva]

I ran my numbers for our April 2016 trip that I just booked 2 days ago and we are still $100pp ahead. But seeing that this promotion doesn't include balcony rooms? Then we are $300 pp ahead. So I'm satisfied.

Until a better promotion comes along. [emoji6]

 

 

BethR - Bahama Mama

[Clarea]

So many people gamed the system over the years and taught others how to do so on CC, that RCI is swinging to the other extreme. I had figured change was coming for quite a while. First it was no price drops after final payment and now more restrictions on the sales. So, do you book early and risk lower prices later? Is the OBC refundable?

 

The only time we've ever gotten anything was when the BOGOHO was announced and we were able to get a $900 drop on our JS for Vision next year. But, I don't monitor prices that closely either.

From the terms:

 

OBC is in USD, has no cash value, is non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and will expire if not used by 10:00 PM on the last evening

of the cruise.

[mxylpic]

Is the OBC refundable? .

 

No. Fine print says it expires if not used by last night of cruise. And as another poster pointed out it goes away for any kind of fare change, which I assume includes a price drop.

[Clarea]

I ran my numbers for our April 2016 trip that I just booked 2 days ago and we are still $100pp ahead. But seeing that this promotion doesn't include balcony rooms? Then we are $300 pp ahead. So I'm satisfied.

Until a better promotion comes along. [emoji6]

 

 

BethR - Bahama Mama

The promo does include balcony staterooms, however you cannot get the C&A balcony discount with the promo.

Edited November 1, 2014 by clarea

[CookieDiva]

Thanks clarea for clearing that up for me. Still $200 ahead, so that's ok for me for now.

 

 

BethR - Bahama Mama

[brenderlou]

LOL. True. One thing I've figured out sailing Royal is that if you really dissect the deals and specials they all balance out to nothing special. I just try to get the best fare I can for where I want to go.

 

It really amazes me how some people get excited over a few dollars of OBC or the "reduced deposit" sale, which is really a scam because it saves you no real money.

 

 

We actually saved a lot of money on a 3rd sails free deal on our upcoming thanksgiving cruise......over $700!!! Had booked, checked a few weeks later and saw our daughter would sale free and 1st/2nd price dropped as well. I was thrilled!!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[jtdlmc]

I put a courtesy hold on a booking last night before this promotion started. The same booking today gets $600 OBC but costs $605 more!!! What a deal!!!

[VikingBride2Be]

I did a dummy booking on our 2016 cruise to see how this new deal affects fares. It gets $900 more than we have on our cruise currently but costs $2200 more.

 

I think I'll pass on trying to rebook under the current deal.

[orville99]

From the terms:

 

OBC is in USD, has no cash value, is non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and will expire if not used by 10:00 PM on the last evening

of the cruise.

 

This alone is a deal killer. If I read this correctly, I wouldn't even be able to cash it out in the casino:(

[LEtue]

I put a courtesy hold on a booking last night before this promotion started. The same booking today gets $600 OBC but costs $605 more!!! What a deal!!!

 

I did the same and the inside cabin I held on the Allure is $582 more pp person today :(

 

I want to head back to the Med next year and sail from Barcelona - but I guess it won't be in RCI since the only option is the Allure and prices are really high!

[Lionesss]

What would the OBC be good for?

 

Could you use it for lets say.........drink package and excursions?

 

Any other ideas besides buying stuff in gift shop?

 

Thanks

 

Sea Ya

[deliver42]

What a WOW sale this is. Are they kidding? I'm booked on the Enchantment for May, 2015, and the new price is $300.00 more than I paid. I'm also booked on the Serenade for Dec, 2015, which was booked at the beginning of the BOGOHO sale, and by balcony cabin is now $1600.00 more. Both are the totals for 2 people. Way to go Royal.They can keep the POBC.

[deliver42]

What a WOW sale this is. Are they kidding? I'm booked on the Enchantment for May, 2015, and the new price is $300.00 more than I paid. I'm also booked on the Serenade for Dec, 2015, which was booked at the beginning of the BOGOHO sale, and by balcony cabin is now $1600.00 more. Both are the totals for 2 people. Way to go Royal.They can keep the POBC.

Edited November 1, 2014 by deliver42
double post

[mxylpic]

What would the OBC be good for?

 

Could you use it for lets say.........drink package and excursions?

 

Any other ideas besides buying stuff in gift shop?

 

Thanks

 

Sea Ya

 

Drink packages if purchased on board I would think, drinks and on board shopping sure, excursions, yes as well. Probably also pictures and pretty much anything charged to your account.

[cot427]

You simply cannot book through the cruise line directly anymore. I booked two Oasis cruises next year, through a TA, one in June for a CP balcony plus on board credit and specialty dinner for $2500. Last week during their BOGOHO sale, RCI directly wanted $3600 and now for this "sale" they want $4500. Absolutely ridiculous.

Edited November 1, 2014 by cot427

[pcur]

RCCL's so-called sales are obviously not for price watchers like us. They are aimed at the new bookings.

 

I have 4 bookings right now, 3 on RCCL and 1 on Celebrity. Every single one has gone up in price.

[cot427]

RCCL's so-called sales are obviously not for price watchers like us. They are aimed at the new bookings.

 

I have 4 bookings right now, 3 on RCCL and 1 on Celebrity. Every single one has gone up in price.

 

You mean there are people out there that book a new cruise and then never look back? :eek: I think I look up prices almost daily. They won't fool us!

[VillaHappy]

Looking at Royal's pricing structure these days is starting to feel like walking into a car showroom. :rolleyes::eek:

 

YES! Good way to put it.... with lots of smoke and mirrors!!!

[Clarea]

You mean there are people out there that book a new cruise and then never look back? :eek: I think I look up prices almost daily. They won't fool us!

That's what we did on our first cruise, before discovering Cruise Critic.:o