Celebrity Cruises

[LabGuy64]

I think it is worth it......I got more than 2000.00 in OBC...I think that is worth a bit of work. Why don't you have time? is your cruise next month?

 

 

I tried the thing you're talking about for my upcoming Eclipse sailing. I only got a few bites, all of which cost more than booking through the box store I used. Believe me, the stories people tell of scoring great deals through TAs makes me envious, but I don't have the time to play the guessing games of finding a "good" one.

[perditax]

Haha, I assure you there is no way I'll be getting $2000 OBC. After spending the last 30 minutes searching, no one is offering more than about $100 OBC for my sailing. Less OBC than the box store. Then again, I suppose the box store IS a TA so it sort of proves your point.

[Fossil1948]

As I've said, I've since spoken to TA's but the cruise is full and apparently there is no leeway.

 

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[laslomas]

In the US we have 60 days to transfer to a Travel Agent (TA).

 

I think in the UK you may be strictly limited, maybe even as little as 48 hours? Can anyone comment definitively?

 

Yes, we need to move faster in UK. This is from Celebrity UK FAQs

 

"Can I transfer my reservation to a travel agent if I purchased my cruise directly from Celebrity Cruises?

If you have made a booking directly with one of our personal cruise specialists you may transfer your reservation within 48 hours of paying the deposit, any booking paid in full cannot be transferred. Please read the Terms and Conditions on this form before completing Travel Agent Transfer Form PDF and send it back to us by one of the options outlined on the form."

[asmith19]

Not to start (continue??) an argument, but since there were some very, ahem, *straightforward* :-) responses to my reply, I accepted the challenge and checked with a high-volume cruise TA. Not cheaper than booking online (in fact it was a class lower), no extra perks/ OBC, etc. Maybe I did it wrong, talked to the wrong TA, hadn't built up a relationship over decades to earn better rates, or something else-- this was just my experience. YMMV, but just thought I would pass it along.

[tbugstwo]

Perhaps those who try to use large online TA without getting anything extra offered are trying to book inside or OV? I know that my particular agency of choice always gives prepaid grats for balcony or above cabins and generally I can get an extra onboard credit of $100 on top of gratuities in a balcony or coincerege cabin. Much moe onboard credit given for highend suites---generally totaling about $1500-2000. Note this in addition to the TA paying my grats!

[perditax]

I'm putting my money where my mouth is, and I've reached out to a locally based TA that also does a podcast I enjoy. I told them what I'd already booked through the box store. And yeah, it's a balcony/AQ. If they can beat what I have, I will be the first to come back here and happily eat crow.

[grandgeezer]

Perhaps those who try to use large online TA without getting anything extra offered are trying to book inside or OV? I know that my particular agency of choice always gives prepaid grats for balcony or above cabins and generally I can get an extra onboard credit of $100 on top of gratuities in a balcony or coincerege cabin. Much moe onboard credit given for highend suites---generally totaling about $1500-2000. Note this in addition to the TA paying my grats!

 

Since the perks they give you come out of their commission, it makes sense that the more money you spend, the more they can give you. We always book balconys and longer cruises so we always get prepaid gratuities, a couple hundred dollars obc, and on the longer cruises meals in a specialty restaurant.

[asmith19]

Perhaps those who try to use large online TA without getting anything extra offered are trying to book inside or OV? I know that my particular agency of choice always gives prepaid grats for balcony or above cabins and generally I can get an extra onboard credit of $100 on top of gratuities in a balcony or coincerege cabin. Much moe onboard credit given for highend suites---generally totaling about $1500-2000. Note this in addition to the TA paying my grats!

 

I inquired about a veranda room, which is what I already have booked.

[Iamcruzin]

I've contacted Celebrity and all I'm told is "when you ticked the guarantee" box, you were advised that no other offers could be included". How flaky is that as a get-out clause? Surely what you are giving up and at what cost, should be advised at that point?

 

 

 

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You have to read what's included in the pricing. It usually says something like this is the best price and then lists all of the amenities. At the bottom of the list it says do you accept this offer? I do mock bookings all of the time. One with the perk offer and then I price it at a senior rate or residence rate. The difference in price usually doesn't even cover the drink package or gratuity for one passenger. After I have made my decision I phone Celebrity to book. I don't trust their make shift website.

Edited September 8, 2015 by Iamcruzin

[Fossil1948]

As I have said before, you are easy prey to this kind of online booking of unscrupulous companies but you live and learn. I have booked many other offers with British companies with no problems. It just makes you mistrust the Americans. If you offer website booking, there really should be complete transparency. Let's hope I'm not fool enough to not learn from the experience? What is unforgiveable is the fact that nobody from Celebrity answered my emails regarding the perks directly after booking when I could have re booked with a TA!

 

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[Iamcruzin]

Not to start (continue??) an argument, but since there were some very, ahem, *straightforward* :-) responses to my reply, I accepted the challenge and checked with a high-volume cruise TA. Not cheaper than booking online (in fact it was a class lower), no extra perks/ OBC, etc. Maybe I did it wrong, talked to the wrong TA, hadn't built up a relationship over decades to earn better rates, or something else-- this was just my experience. YMMV, but just thought I would pass it along.

 

I have found that those who boast about large OBC or deep discounts from a TA neglect to tell you that they booked a 30 day cruise in a suite. If you are only booking an interior, ocean view or balcony for a 7 day cruise you are looking at a $50 OBC. They may offer a lower rate or bump you up one category with in your room selection. If you have sailed with Celebrity one time prior they will upgrade you the same way. You can also receive a reduced deposit if you have sailed prior with them. I find that most of these online sites just advertise what Celebrity is already giving. The first time cruiser has no idea so they think it's a great deal. I'm not willing to risk my booking with some fly by night online TA for $50 who may or may not be there in a year when I am actually on the ship and I need them to advocate for me. If I were going to use a TA it would be someone who was recommended, an actual name of a person not something something dot com. There are also some horror stories on CC about TA's who lost or canceled bookings unintentionally or never paid the balance of the cruise.

 

I forgot to mention that I also looked into the on line site that bids for your business. They give you a list of TA's with their address along with the offer. I use google maps to locate the business. Most of the locations are residential. I know people operate successful businesses out of their home. However as a jaded New Yorker I'm not willing to turn my credit card information over to someone who I don't know who is operating a part time business out of their garage or basement.

Edited September 8, 2015 by Iamcruzin

[Fossil1948]

Good points, well made.

 

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[asmith19]

Thank you! I was feeling really alone, and it is nice to see someone else with a similar approach. Very kind of you to weigh in!

[perditax]

I have found that those who boast about large OBC or deep discounts from a TA neglect to tell you that they booked a 30 day cruise in a suite.

 

I had been slowly coming to this realization. >.>

[tgg]

I have found that those who boast about large OBC or deep discounts from a TA neglect to tell you that they booked a 30 day cruise in a suite. If you are only booking an interior, ocean view or balcony for a 7 day cruise you are looking at a $50 OBC. They may offer a lower rate or bump you up one category with in your room selection. If you have sailed with Celebrity one time prior they will upgrade you the same way. You can also receive a reduced deposit if you have sailed prior with them. I find that most of these online sites just advertise what Celebrity is already giving. The first time cruiser has no idea so they think it's a great deal. I'm not willing to risk my booking with some fly by night online TA for $50 who may or may not be there in a year when I am actually on the ship and I need them to advocate for me. If I were going to use a TA it would be someone who was recommended, an actual name of a person not something something dot com. There are also some horror stories on CC about TA's who lost or canceled bookings unintentionally or never paid the balance of the cruise.

 

I forgot to mention that I also looked into the on line site that bids for your business. They give you a list of TA's with their address along with the offer. I use google maps to locate the business. Most of the locations are residential. I know people operate successful businesses out of their home. However as a jaded New Yorker I'm not willing to turn my credit card information over to someone who I don't know who is operating a part time business out of their garage or basement.

 

Those of us who get great deals from our travel agents are NOT BOASTING. We're trying to help you save money.

 

Some people consider it gauche to talk about money, but I though I'd lay out exactly how much our most recent booking cost, for those who are skeptical.

 

I don't book 30 day cruises in suites. My latest booking is a 14 day Infinity Aqua Class Guarantee (A2) sailing this January (2016).

 

I paid $3,249 plus $ 243 taxes/port per person. My travel agent had group space on this sailing, which lowered the price considerably. In addition I received the 1-2-3-GO promotion (drinks, grats, $300 OBC). In addition, my travel agent kicked in $400 refundable OBC.

 

The travel agency I use has been in business for 20 years and has a brick and mortar location in one of the New England states in addition to having a great website. They are also advertisers on CruiseCritic. They have been honored by RCCL, Celebrity, Azamara and other cruise lines as top producers. This is no fly-by-night organization. I do not deal with whoever happens to pick up the phone. I have a woman who knows the business inside out. She has been a source of great advice and great savings for many years.

 

P.S. I wouldn't use that bid-for-your-business website either:)

[perditax]

The local brick-and-mortar company I mentioned contacting night before last emailed me yesterday morning, wanted to know how I'd heard about their podcast (which I complimented in my email), and said they'd get back to me later in the morning (yesterday morning) with some quotes.

 

I never heard back from them again, so I guess I only get the quotes if I tell them where I heard about their podcast.

 

>.>

 

(I should mention that I am not on some anti-TA vendetta, I am legitimately frustrated at not being able to acquire these amazing deals.)

[grandgeezer]

I have found that those who boast about large OBC or deep discounts from a TA neglect to tell you that they booked a 30 day cruise in a suite. If you are only booking an interior, ocean view or balcony for a 7 day cruise you are looking at a $50 OBC. They may offer a lower rate or bump you up one category with in your room selection. If you have sailed with Celebrity one time prior they will upgrade you the same way. You can also receive a reduced deposit if you have sailed prior with them. I find that most of these online sites just advertise what Celebrity is already giving. The first time cruiser has no idea so they think it's a great deal. I'm not willing to risk my booking with some fly by night online TA for $50 who may or may not be there in a year when I am actually on the ship and I need them to advocate for me. If I were going to use a TA it would be someone who was recommended, an actual name of a person not something something dot com. There are also some horror stories on CC about TA's who lost or canceled bookings unintentionally or never paid the balance of the cruise.

 

I forgot to mention that I also looked into the on line site that bids for your business. They give you a list of TA's with their address along with the offer. I use google maps to locate the business. Most of the locations are residential. I know people operate successful businesses out of their home. However as a jaded New Yorker I'm not willing to turn my credit card information over to someone who I don't know who is operating a part time business out of their garage or basement.

 

Do I detect a hint of jealousy or insecurity here? We are booked on a B2B on Celebrity Silhouette, for a total of 14 days, in December. The online agency we've used for our last 14 bookings had group space for both legs. For a B1 balcony, we paid a hair under $1600 p.p., including all taxes and fees. We are getting the classic rink package for two, and prepaid gratuities for two for the whole trip. We are also getting $300 obc from them that we won't spend and be credited back to our credit card at the end.

I've read horror stories about people have trouble with Celebrity also.

I agree with your comments about the site that let's cruise lines compete for your business. Besides the one I use, I can name two other online agencies that blow them out of the water.

One other point in your favor, Unless I'm mistaken, all agencies can't discount the cruises unless they have group space. They make up for it by sharing their commission with such things as obc, prepaid gratuities, and dining in specialty restaurants.

[perditax]

I'm sure some of you who are in the 'smug' camp can see how the information firewall in place here on the forums can be frustrating for those of us who can't find these mythical TAs.

[grandgeezer]

I'm sure some of you who are in the 'smug' camp can see how the information firewall in place here on the forums can be frustrating for those of us who can't find these mythical TAs.

 

They are out there, all you have to do is put in a little work and find them. The first thing you have to do is identify exactly you want from them. If you want dedicated service that's one thing, if, like me, price that's something all together different. If you want someone in between, that's something different. Normally, the ones that sell on price are high volume brokers who are so busy booking that their hand holding time is at a minimum. Once you've established that, ask friends and fellow cruisers for recommendations keeping in mind what they want from an agent might be different than what you want. Also research online, Google is a magnificent tool. If you find some possible candidates, pick out a cruise, get pricing from your normal agent, then call your candidate and ask them for pricing and any other perks they offer as most of the time their websites doesn't list them all. Also ask about other policies such as contact hours and cancellation fees.

The one I use has a cancellation fee, but so far, knock on wood, I've booked 39 cruises and cancelled 0. After booking over the phone, I never talk to them again. All my communication with them is via e-mail. My choice is 100% based on $$.

One last thing, not every cruise is "on sale". If you have some flexibility, you can save money by moving your cruise forward, or back a few weeks.

[Iamcruzin]

I'm sure some of you who are in the 'smug' camp can see how the information firewall in place here on the forums can be frustrating for those of us who can't find these mythical TAs.

 

There is a site which of course I can't mention where people are allowed to discuss TA's who discount. I have to tell you nobody on that site is getting these $300 or $400 OBC's either. They get free gratuity or a small OBC but I haven't seen anything outrageous. They may just be booking lower category rooms on shorter itineraries so there is less commission. My next attempt will be to see if I can find a TA who will upgrade to at least the go better plan. If Celebrity offers the drink package for go big and I can get a choice of go better included from a TA then I would be willing to give them a try. But a $50 OBC or a cheap bottle of wine is just not worth it to me.

[Iamcruzin]

They are out there, all you have to do is put in a little work and find them. The first thing you have to do is identify exactly you want from them. If you want dedicated service that's one thing, if, like me, price that's something all together different. If you want someone in between, that's something different. Normally, the ones that sell on price are high volume brokers who are so busy booking that their hand holding time is at a minimum. Once you've established that, ask friends and fellow cruisers for recommendations keeping in mind what they want from an agent might be different than what you want. Also research online, Google is a magnificent tool. If you find some possible candidates, pick out a cruise, get pricing from your normal agent, then call your candidate and ask them for pricing and any other perks they offer as most of the time their websites doesn't list them all. Also ask about other policies such as contact hours and cancellation fees.

The one I use has a cancellation fee, but so far, knock on wood, I've booked 39 cruises and cancelled 0. After booking over the phone, I never talk to them again. All my communication with them is via e-mail. My choice is 100% based on $$.

One last thing, not every cruise is "on sale". If you have some flexibility, you can save money by moving your cruise forward, or back a few weeks.

And this is the answer that I was looking for. This is great if you are retired but if you are still in the work force then this can make a big difference. Also I would never book with an agency that charges fees for changing a booking or canceling. This is why I don't get the deals that everyone else claims to be receiving.

Edited September 9, 2015 by Iamcruzin

[perditax]

The local TA company (who are large enough to run a regular, well-produced podcast) got back to me with quotes that are all the exact same prices as the website (multiple cruises). No extra OBC, nada, which means the box store ($120 OBC) is still the way to go. And I feel bad for wasting someone's time.

[CathyCruises]

Here is my most recent experience. No boasting, this is what I got last week. I booked a guarantee inside cabin on Silhouette 10/17 sailing, eastern Med and Israel, 14 nights. It was $1039/pp plus taxes of about $98. I got $250 obc from my 'large Internet TA' based on the east coast, and I hope to get an additional $250 OBC from shareholder credit, although I haven't applied for it yet. I'd be happy to send anyone the copy of my confirmation if you doubt me.

 

I have gotten a similar deal from the same TA before, this was actually an expensive cabin compared to what we usually pay, and we have never done an inside before but that's all that was left except for Royal Suites. I still don't have a room assignment yet, hoping for one of those Royals!! ;);)

[Orator]

Here is my most recent experience. No boasting, this is what I got last week. I booked a guarantee inside cabin on Silhouette 10/17 sailing, eastern Med and Israel, 14 nights. It was $1039/pp plus taxes of about $98. I got $250 obc from my 'large Internet TA' based on the east coast, and I hope to get an additional $250 OBC from shareholder credit, although I haven't applied for it yet. I'd be happy to send anyone the copy of my confirmation if you doubt me.

 

I have gotten a similar deal from the same TA before, this was actually an expensive cabin compared to what we usually pay, and we have never done an inside before but that's all that was left except for Royal Suites. I still don't have a room assignment yet, hoping for one of those Royals!! ;);)

 

I booked a AQ guarantee with what I'm guessing is the same TA. Received a AQ1. My favorite large balcony AQ became available and I switched. Hope you get the RS and can enjoy Michael's Club. Also applied for shareholder credit since the perks came from the TA and waiting to hear. I'll post on the Roll Call if I hear anything.