sandancer Posted November 26, 2015 #51 Share Posted November 26, 2015 No free Bev package on TAs on UK bookings. Steph did not actually say it was free just that it was included in the cost he quoted. At today's exchange rate his price is $1523. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gracie115 Posted November 26, 2015 #52 Share Posted November 26, 2015 In the US we are unable to book a free beverage package included on a TA as far as I know. I guess this is a wake up call for all of those people that say the Americans get all of the good deals. If any in the US are able to get a free beverage package on a TA, please correct me. If so, I'd love to know your TA! You are correct....they stopped offering that perk on TA's about 2 years ago....too bad... and the package itself is WAY too expensive for us....no way we would drink enough to make it worthwhile.....especially with all the ports at the end of the cruise.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted November 26, 2015 #53 Share Posted November 26, 2015 You are correct....they stopped offering that perk on TA's about 2 years ago....too bad... and the package itself is WAY too expensive for us....no way we would drink enough to make it worthwhile.....especially with all the ports at the end of the cruise.... There now is a reluctance, by the cruise lines, to offer good deals on drink packages for the TA cruises. Apparently, because there are so many sea days, folks take advantage of all that onboard time to utilize the package benefits (I am being politically correct). Cruise lines prefer to have folks paying for those packages (even at a discount with promotions) when the passengers are off the ship at a lot of ports (and not ordering drinks). Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gracie115 Posted November 26, 2015 #54 Share Posted November 26, 2015 There now is a reluctance, by the cruise lines, to offer good deals on drink packages for the TA cruises. Apparently, because there are so many sea days, folks take advantage of all that onboard time to utilize the package benefits (I am being politically correct). Cruise lines prefer to have folks paying for those packages (even at a discount with promotions) when the passengers are off the ship at a lot of ports (and not ordering drinks). Hank Yes...you're right...at least with Celebrity...I note that Princess was including it as a "perk" on their TA on the Regal this spring...at least they were for awhile, haven't looked in the last few weeks....so some lines do...some lines don't.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-Airbalancer Posted November 27, 2015 #55 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Looking at RCL TAs now :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pugdad1 Posted November 27, 2015 #56 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Looking at RCL TAs now :rolleyes: Same here...about 1500.00 cheaper w/300.00 OBC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jade13 Posted November 27, 2015 #57 Share Posted November 27, 2015 There now is a reluctance, by the cruise lines, to offer good deals on drink packages for the TA cruises. Apparently, because there are so many sea days, folks take advantage of all that onboard time to utilize the package benefits (I am being politically correct). Cruise lines prefer to have folks paying for those packages (even at a discount with promotions) when the passengers are off the ship at a lot of ports (and not ordering drinks). Hank We are booked on a HAL TA next year that included a beverage package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise Junky Posted November 27, 2015 #58 Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) Yes...you're right...at least with Celebrity...I note that Princess was including it as a "perk" on their TA on the Regal this spring...at least they were for awhile, haven't looked in the last few weeks....so some lines do...some lines don't.... Before we decided to switch to an Aussie land trip next fall we were booked on a Princess TA that included a drink package I'd love if Celebrity would offer some kind of deal on TAs and TPs. Maybe 50% off a premium package rather than nothing. Their crazy drink prices have now priced them out of the market for a lot of people, especially Canadians who need to add 35% to all drink prices. Edited November 27, 2015 by Cruise Junky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elena7seas Posted November 27, 2015 #59 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Looking at RCL TAs now :rolleyes: We had an 18-night transpacific to Sydney booked on the Solstice, but have now booked a 25 night transpacific on the Explorer of the Seas for half the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise Junky Posted November 27, 2015 #60 Share Posted November 27, 2015 We had an 18-night transpacific to Sydney booked on the Solstice, but have now booked a 25 night transpacific on the Explorer of the Seas for half the price. Wow. That's quite the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted November 27, 2015 #61 Share Posted November 27, 2015 In the end it comes down to supply and demand. If there will the ship than the pricing is working. If not, adjustments would be made. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandancer Posted November 27, 2015 #62 Share Posted November 27, 2015 We are booked on a HAL TA next year that included a beverage package. And we booked the NCL Epic TA which included a beverage package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lam8 Posted November 27, 2015 #63 Share Posted November 27, 2015 I'm new to cruising and don't understand about price drops and how you know if they have happened, how do access them. We booked through a travel agent a concierge room, 2 years in advance. Any advise would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gracie115 Posted November 27, 2015 #64 Share Posted November 27, 2015 I'm new to cruising and don't understand about price drops and how you know if they have happened, how do access them. We booked through a travel agent a concierge room, 2 years in advance. Any advise would be appreciated. Check the Celebrity website, regularly, even daily....prices change frequently is you see a lower price call your TA and have them get it for you by contacting Celebrity. As long as you are before the final payment date you should be able to get any reductions they may have, or perhaps upgrade to a better stateroom at the same price you have already paid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandancer Posted November 27, 2015 #65 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Can I just point out that you can only get price drops in North America. If you book in the UK you don't get the new price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cle-guy Posted November 27, 2015 #66 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Can I just point out that you can only get price drops in North America. If you book in the UK you don't get the new price. However if you book using a US-based TA, you can have the flexibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandancer Posted November 27, 2015 #67 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Absolutely true. We use agents in both the UK and US and depending on the circumstances will book with the one offering the best terms. We have booked a TA for 2017 with a UK agency as the cost was much lower then our US based agent could offer. However, the next time the US agent may have a better offer on OBC or perks. You have to be a savvy traveller and consider all the options. It works for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twin123185 Posted December 8, 2015 #68 Share Posted December 8, 2015 The 2017 TA's are out and they are ridiculously overpriced. Especially the one I want a Reflection Miami to Rome April 22. I booked the future cruise special on board the Silhouette. Never would have done that if I knew this would be their most expensive I have ever seen! Ocean view $1799 pp starting. Terrible. I am booking it because they already have my deposit but if the price doesn't go down significantly I will cancel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmk Posted December 8, 2015 #69 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I just took at the prices for a TA on Princess and RCCL and they have the same exhorbitant prices as Celebrity:eek::eek:?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise Junky Posted December 8, 2015 #70 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I just took at the prices for a TA on Princess and RCCL and they have the same exhorbitant prices as Celebrity:eek::eek:?? Princess is the same as X but it's always been high. I think the sticker shock is because X has always been quite low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wine-O Posted December 8, 2015 #71 Share Posted December 8, 2015 A lot of us booked on a TA where they gave us free gratuities, but actually, they are collecting it back on the cost of the cruise. For example, my C1 costs $1699, but I get $188 in free grats, so that would bring the normal booking price as $1499. They just added the gratuities onto what the normal price would have been so to make you feel you are getting something for free. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatplan Posted December 8, 2015 #72 Share Posted December 8, 2015 The T/A top suites are up 35% over 2015/2016 pricing. A CS costs what a RS did and went from $8000 to $12000. RS went from $12000 to $16000 so up $4000 and close to $300/day more. PH went from $19000 to $28000 so up $9000 or $600+/day! I am not aware of any significant enhancements in the suite life to merit a 35% increase? RS still gets drinks and specialties, I think laundry gets added (but the coupons were enough). There are some improved afternoon treats, not that I need another meal. MC is a net loss of space to PH-RS-CS. (And BTW anything new is subject to change or deletion.) Luminae is not that good to be worth $300/day more, especially compared to premium lines SilverSea, Regent,Oceania that have much better food and service. To have a shot at getting one of these very limited rooms you have to book now, also to get the free gratuities promo. With so few rooms I expect they will book up and doubt the price will drop. Just disappointed, I liked the suite product and found the room and 2016 price acceptable. On the plus side with this 2017 booking opening so far in advance of other lines it gives me 12 to 18 months to find an alternative cruise and cancel X. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mynki Posted December 8, 2015 #73 Share Posted December 8, 2015 A lot of us booked on a TA where they gave us free gratuities, but actually, they are collecting it back on the cost of the cruise. For example, my C1 costs $1699, but I get $188 in free grats, so that would bring the normal booking price as $1499. They just added the gratuities onto what the normal price would have been so to make you feel you are getting something for free. :rolleyes: Would it not have been cheaper to book a C2 and use your captains club membership to bump you to a C1, gratis? Genuinely don't know, hence the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WEGL81 Posted December 8, 2015 #74 Share Posted December 8, 2015 is it just me or do all the "Iceland/Northern Lights" itineraries show up with what looks like a Portugal/Spain itinerary? This is what it shows on my iPad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagoffee Posted December 8, 2015 #75 Share Posted December 8, 2015 The T/A top suites are up 35% over 2015/2016 pricing. A CS costs what a RS did and went from $8000 to $12000. RS went from $12000 to $16000 so up $4000 and close to $300/day more. PH went from $19000 to $28000 so up $9000 or $600+/day! I am not aware of any significant enhancements in the suite life to merit a 35% increase? RS still gets drinks and specialties, I think laundry gets added (but the coupons were enough). There are some improved afternoon treats, not that I need another meal. MC is a net loss of space to PH-RS-CS. (And BTW anything new is subject to change or deletion.) Luminae is not that good to be worth $300/day more, especially compared to premium lines SilverSea, Regent,Oceania that have much better food and service. To have a shot at getting one of these very limited rooms you have to book now, also to get the free gratuities promo. With so few rooms I expect they will book up and doubt the price will drop. Just disappointed, I liked the suite product and found the room and 2016 price acceptable. On the plus side with this 2017 booking opening so far in advance of other lines it gives me 12 to 18 months to find an alternative cruise and cancel X. What is amazing that in less than one day the RS on the Reflection 2017 fall TA are sold out at the higher prices. The S1 is the one that increased the most. Almost double and one less day. The different in price between the S1 and CS is much less as it probably should be. It looks like Celebrity is not having any issues convincing people that the new suite enhancements are significantly more valuable. I agree and several years ago they were not competitive in the Suite area and probably sold suites at great discounts unlike today. It will be interesting to see how the new prices compares to the competition. I think we will all be looking for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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