Surprised at the rate difference

[lbfluffy]

I booked an inside guarantee for our Mexican cruise about 4 months ago. We decided to go cheap since we are splurging on our Alaskan cruise next summer. Today I decided to check how much more a balcony is compared to our inside. It is over a thousand dollars more. That is a big increase. I'll keep our little inside. We have been to these ports many times and are rarely in our cabin. I was just surprised at the big increase.

[Pam in CA]

I booked an inside guarantee for our Mexican cruise about 4 months ago. We decided to go cheap since we are splurging on our Alaskan cruise next summer. Today I decided to check how much more a balcony is compared to our inside. It is over a thousand dollars more. That is a big increase. I'll keep our little inside. We have been to these ports many times and are rarely in our cabin. I was just surprised at the big increase.

I'm not surprised. There are a lot of cabin categories between an inside GTY and a balcony. Your best bet is to find a TA who specializes in Princess cruises, books a lot of them, and discounts fares. You can save 10-20%.

[lbfluffy]

I'm happy with my rate because she gave me the lowest rate. I shopped around. She also gave us $200 OBC.

[Retiring cajun]

Pam, I sure wish I could find a TA with discounts. I've used 2 different TA's and they offered nothing!! I just book online myself now

[Steelers36]

I'm happy with my rate because she gave me the lowest rate. I shopped around. She also gave us $200 OBC.

 

WOW. $200 OBC for an Inside?? I didn't think TA's made that much on Insides to give that much away.

[Pam in CA]

WOW. $200 OBC for an Inside?? I didn't think TA's made that much on Insides to give that much away.

Some TAs choose to give OBC instead of a discount. It's their choice. I prefer to get a much lower rate and OBC. :)

[skynight]

I booked an inside guarantee for our Mexican cruise about 4 months ago. We decided to go cheap since we are splurging on our Alaskan cruise next summer. Today I decided to check how much more a balcony is compared to our inside. It is over a thousand dollars more. That is a big increase. I'll keep our little inside. We have been to these ports many times and are rarely in our cabin. I was just surprised at the big increase.

 

10 day Sea of Cortez? The basic fare difference is in the area of $500/pp for the lowest category balcony. I suppose this is your $1,000. I don't find this unusual as the Sea of Cortez itinerary is very popular and in demand.

[newcruzer2]

I'm not surprised. There are a lot of cabin categories between an inside GTY and a balcony. Your best bet is to find a TA who specializes in Princess cruises, books a lot of them, and discounts fares. You can save 10-20%.

 

Dear Pam, I have a question for you. I have a cruise booked from late next year which I wouldn't want to mess with , I received the aibp free. But my question is about booking for this Nov. I have NEVER booked with TA but considering because of possibly having to cancel > I understand from some the threads the insurance claim is easier to navigate through a TA. But your above comment made me wonder if a discount is always OR just possible? It seems counterintuitive that the TA gets paid thru cruise lines and can book cruise cheaper than me booking direct thru cruise line.

[MCC retired]

WOW. $200 OBC for an Inside?? I didn't think TA's made that much on Insides to give that much away.

 

Some or most of that $200 OBC must be coming from the cruise line promotion as even a Top Producing Agency would not be able to rebate that much comm. on an Inside Guarantee rate????????

[suzyed]

Dear Pam, I have a question for you. I have a cruise booked from late next year which I wouldn't want to mess with , I received the aibp free. But my question is about booking for this Nov. I have NEVER booked with TA but considering because of possibly having to cancel > I understand from some the threads the insurance claim is easier to navigate through a TA. But your above comment made me wonder if a discount is always OR just possible? It seems counterintuitive that the TA gets paid thru cruise lines and can book cruise cheaper than me booking direct thru cruise line.

 

I have ALWAYS paid less with a TA! Sometime just a little with some OBC and some a big difference! I have tried getting the cruise line to match the online TA and they will not. If you have insurance, it doesn't matter if you used a TA to book...the insurance is a separate issue. At least, this has been our experience.

[lbfluffy]

We got an $100 OBC per person. At first we only got a $50 OBC pp, but I found an agency that was lower so my TA matched it by way of another OBC.

[Colo Cruiser]

Prices are based on supply and demand, and good marketing.

[newcruzer2]

I have ALWAYS paid less with a TA! Sometime just a little with some OBC and some a big difference! I have tried getting the cruise line to match the online TA and they will not. If you have insurance, it doesn't matter if you used a TA to book...the insurance is a separate issue. At least, this has been our experience.

 

Ty :) will try TA :)

[jasbo49]

I may be missing something here, but I'm looking at your cruise and seeing balconies are available for $629 pp. That sounds pretty cheap for a 7-day Princess cruise. There's even a Caribe balcony for that price. I might grab it myself if we didn't have other plans.

 

Jim

Edited September 10, 2015 by jasbo49

[Colo Cruiser]

I may be missing something here, but I'm looking at your cruise and seeing balconies are available for $629 pp. That sounds pretty cheap for a 7-day Princess cruise.

 

Jim

 

 

 

Final payment?

[mamaboss]

Dear Pam, I have a question for you. I have a cruise booked from late next year which I wouldn't want to mess with , I received the aibp free. But my question is about booking for this Nov. I have NEVER booked with TA but considering because of possibly having to cancel > I understand from some the threads the insurance claim is easier to navigate through a TA. But your above comment made me wonder if a discount is always OR just possible? It seems counterintuitive that the TA gets paid thru cruise lines and can book cruise cheaper than me booking direct thru cruise line.

 

I always buy insurance and finally had to use it this past March. My TA is big but was of no help with reimbursement from insurance. I really did not expect her to be but when our flights were cancelled TA was my first call. She said to call the insurance and they will gladly help, which they did. We usually get a lower rate through TA but not our btb coming up in 2016. Just small on board credit. Has anyone booked with their TA then switched to another to get a lower rate?

[lbfluffy]

I looked at prices. We paid total $1088 then I got the OBC so my total is less than $900. My TA said the balcony now is close to $2000. I will have to see if I can find it lower.

[Colo Cruiser]

I looked at prices. We paid total $1088 then I got the OBC so my total is less than $900. My TA said the balcony now is close to $2000. I will have to see if I can find it lower.

 

 

Your TA price is a big difference if there are cabins at $629. :eek:

[rdsqrl]

Your TA price is a big difference if there are cabins at $629. :eek:

There aren't. I got all excited and rushed over to check it out. Balconies are going for $1000+ per person.

[Shelly97060]

There aren't. I got all excited and rushed over to check it out. Balconies are going for $1000+ per person.

 

If it's the Crown voyage on 11/28/15 I just checked the Princess site and I see the 629 pp rate and there is a Caribe balcony left in that price range (C749) :). Even lower if you have the casino rate ;) . No OBC or promotions but still a darn good rate.

 

if it is the Grand voyage then you're correct, there are no balcony ( or inside) cabins that cheap.

Edited September 10, 2015 by Shelly97060

[Retiring cajun]

Pam, I would love to find a TA who specializes in Princess? Google?

[biker1972]

mamaboss, it is possible to to transfer a booking from one TA to another, but can be a major headache. The issue is the the TA you booked with "owns" the reservation. To prevent poaching by other TA's there are protections in place that allow the transfer to be made only if the "owning" TA gives permission. Sometimes service issues occur and there is a complete breakdown in communication with the TA. In these cases it takes some effort to get the cruise line to release the reservation back to the cruiser. All in all, if it is only pricing or OBC issues, try to prevail on the TA to improve the bottom line and if nothing happens take your business elsewhere next cruise. (Prior to final payment, if there is no cancellation fee due the TA, you can opt to use that club.)

[mamaboss]

Thanks biker! I wouldn't change TA for these cruises. I was just curious for future reference. From now on I will shop around before booking.

[lbfluffy]

If it's the Crown voyage on 11/28/15 I just checked the Princess site and I see the 629 pp rate and there is a Caribe balcony left in that price range (C749) :). Even lower if you have the casino rate ;) . No OBC or promotions but still a darn good rate.

 

if it is the Grand voyage then you're correct, there are no balcony ( or inside) cabins that cheap.

 

I saw this fare and called my agent. At first she could not get that rate. She even called Princess. So I booked it and held it and it came up total $1448 for two for the BD category. The reason her rate was showing over $2000 because the rate I found was a regional rate for me. Since I live near Fresno they were able to get me the rate. So I went ahead and did it. I lost $100 of my OBC so all in all I am paying $450 more with the loss of the OBC, but I still have the OBC from the agency. I hope I did not make a mistake. I did this as a surprise for my hubby. I paid the difference with my credit card. Now I just need to figure out what to tell him when the luggage tags say balcony. I will figure something out.

I am so glad I found this out all due to this board. Thank you.

 

Oh and I went ahead and booked a guarantee in the BD category. Do you think I should grab the Caribe that is left? I really do not care where our cabin ends up. I thought that Caribe looked odd. Not sure about the layout.

 

Again a BIG THANK YOU!!

[shredie]

Oh and I went ahead and booked a guarantee in the BD category. Do you think I should grab the Caribe that is left? I really do not care where our cabin ends up. I thought that Caribe looked odd. Not sure about the layout.

 

The layout is the same in all balcony cabins. Caribe cabins just have a bigger balcony. You'll be happy no matter what you get, I'm sure.