Frugal and frustrated

[ColoradoGurl]

I know how you feel!

I lost $800 on my first leg of a back to back and $300 on the 2nd leg.

I can't upgrade as I have a JS B2B and all other suites are gone.

Not happy!

 

 

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That's exactly why you should be glad you booked when you did, because if you waited it would have been sold out, and you would have lost out entirely. I don't get all these people saying they feel they've been had when they felt happy with the price when they booked. It's nice to get some money back if the price happens to go down before your final payment is due, and they only give that to you because otherwise you'd just cancel and book again, but why why why why do people think they got ripped off when the price goes down after the final payment?

 

 

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[JuliaMS]

That's the way the pricing always works. Either book very far out (like a year) or last minute. Pricing is based on occupancy - supply and demand. People cancel before final payment is due and they have a bunch of cabins to sell quick. If you have the flexibility to travel anytime and not worry much about cabin selection or ports last minute will always be a much better price.

[JuliaMS]

That's the way the pricing always works. Either book very far out (like a year) or last minute. Pricing is based on occupancy - supply and demand. People cancel before final payment is due and they have a bunch of cabins to sell quick. If you have the flexibility to travel anytime and not worry much about cabin selection or ports last minute will almost always be a much better price than something booked 6 months out.

.

Edited October 23, 2016 by JuliaMS

[tinkertwo]

Actually I get very few requests for RCI which is why I chose them for my family, so I could learn more and then sell more. It's not that I don't "have a handle on this" I was having a really bad day and it just slammed me. I get it, it's fine, I've moved on but now I get to read all about how horrible of a TA I am. That's awesome......

 

Nope, I never said you were a horrible TA. What I did say was I was surprised you didn't have a handle on this which is a big difference. I would never call you a horrible TA, I don't know you. What I do know is I read everything I can about anything I am doing that is new so this particular item should not show up as a surprise for me and I'm not a TA. Just very obsessed with knowing.

 

That's the reason a TA not knowing surprised me. Its like when I used to be a banker. I worked for one of the five big banks however I always knew what was going on with the other four. I had to keep my clients business so I better be able to answer the questions they have about the competition.

 

And again, just be happy you have the price you have and not the price DCL would have you have. You saved tons there.

[glittergal1]

Well here in the UK its even more frustrating when you have booked and then the prices drop or extras are offered because we cant cancel and rebook without loosing all of our deposit and dont seem to be offered any obc or extras . What we book is what we get for what we paid :( unless any UK bookers know different?

[sandancer]

No glittergal, I will be very surprised to hear that anyone from the UK has been able to get a better deal when prices drop and that applies to all of the cruise lines we have used. We have been cruising for many years and at one time you could call and get the lower price. One TA on the Indie, the price dropped 3 times and each time we got the lower price. That has not been the case in recent years though. Now we book and get the cabin we want, if there is a huge saving, cancel and lose the deposit and rebook at the new price. If the amount saved is higher than the deposit it's a no brainier.

 

 

 

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[island lady]

We're going to book a couple key cruises early, but I'm going to try for some last minute deals in 2018

 

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Last minute deals are good too, when you can find them, and your schedule is

free. :)

 

You found some good ones already that I read about. Seems they are always around

November into December. I can never grab those good November sales, since we

spend that month down here in the Keys. Trade offs I guess.

[island lady]

Impending retirement is going to make cruising last minute easier

 

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Congrats John...then Laura does not have to leave you behind anymore....but then

Bella loves having you home anyway. ;)

[island lady]

We always book early as well but now that I see some of these prices for late November and early December I am thinking I might have to change for the end of 2017. Easier said than done however as I am a planner:p

 

I think I need two Novembers during the year. ;)

[Thetrail]

Hi Thetrail... Actually in may of 2014 (BOGOHO #1) and for a year or so after that it was horrible advice but today it's great advice, and I have posted several prices I've attained Prior to BOGOHO#1 and over the last year after final payment that were much better than day 1 itinerary roll out that everyone seems to think is the best price possible but is not (my jewel, navigator and adventure sailings were less $ than original offering). It will not apply to every ship and sailing (Like first prices for harmony which I booked day #2) but a good number of sailings. Also take a Look at the current going going gone flyer.

There's been plenty of posts lately of people Asking advice about getting OBC or Refunds from RCL because they've had price drops after final Payment.

Can't argue with you on this, as you said there are exceptions to the rule. I usually book out as far in advance as possible, but there are last minute deals if your flexible. As John stated earlier about retirement, my retirement is on the horizon and that alone will have me keeping an eye out for the last minute sailing prices. Thanks for keeping me somewhat grounded.....K.O.;)

[psakid]

Not going to flame you or anyone else but as a former airline person you do know if you buy a seat today at x$ and the price goes down next week, unless cancellable you are SOL. Same goes for Hotels. Royals cancellation and price lowering are well known. Don't let it ruin a nice cruise, instead learn not to look at prices after final payment. Waiting to last minute doesn't always garner favorable results for cruises, ailines, or hotels.

 

 

Yes, your right. I just don't understand while others can upgrade and interline can't. The same room goes back into inventory at a loss in both examples. What's to say that my interline room is sold at the higher regular rate so RCL loses less than at an interline rate. That regular cabin retuned to inventory could go at the much lower interline rate, but it's those cruisers who get the chance to upgrade???

 

By the way, in my situation our cabin is lower on RCL website than my interline rate 5 weeks ago.

 

Pay your money, take your chances!

 

 

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[dwayneb236]

Thanks! YOU'RE a veteran forum member and being a jerk to a newbie. That's pretty sad. Rest assured I won't be asking questions on these boards anymore. Thanks for the encouragement

Sadly there are jerks on every forum I've been on. I guess they just can't help themselves. Makes them feel big and bad to be jerky I suppose.

[kcamp317]

Ive seen our prices go up and down in the past but as we need to fly to any port waiting until the last minute to get a cheaper price on a cruise can risk paying just as much of the difference if not substantially more on airfare by using the same tactic. Sure, we could drive to say Port of Miami but who wants a 16-17 or more hour drive there and then again back home? Yuk! Plus that could add an additional 2-4 days of travel which to me isn't worth the hassle. Just my opinion of course but I prefer to play it safe and have all our arrangements in order and ready to go even if I find out it cost us a few hundred more in the end for the piece of mind and convinience/relaxation factor.

 

Id try to ask for a cabin upgrade, why not? If they say no you still have a guaranteed room on the ship and will have a great time. I hope you enjoy it!

Edited October 24, 2016 by kcamp317

[kutchyone]

And Disney has also dropped prices in the past after final payment. It causes an even bigger uproar believe me.

 

I have never paid what I originally booked a cruise for. The last one dropped in price at least 5 times (yes I book early) and this one has dropped 3 times plus we picked up a $100 shipboard credit for the two of us. I continually check prices on all cruises booked by me and clients. Each time I tell my travel partner (Sister) we had another price drop she says the same thing, "they are going to be paying us to go on this cruise before it's all over." I love announcing in our roll call on CC another drop in price or shipboard credit offer.

[glittergal1]

And Disney has also dropped prices in the past after final payment. It causes an even bigger uproar believe me.

 

I have never paid what I originally booked a cruise for. The last one dropped in price at least 5 times (yes I book early) and this one has dropped 3 times plus we picked up a $100 shipboard credit for the two of us. I continually check prices on all cruises booked by me and clients. Each time I tell my travel partner (Sister) we had another price drop she says the same thing, "they are going to be paying us to go on this cruise before it's all over." I love announcing in our roll call on CC another drop in price or shipboard credit offer.

 

I am really pleased for you in getting price drops or ships credit but this is what also frustrates me in that Im always reading so many other threads about so many people also getting this but here in the UK we are offered nothing !!!!!!!!

So spare a thought for us please dont brag too much

[Biker19]

I am really pleased for you in getting price drops or ships credit but this is what also frustrates me in that Im always reading so many other threads about so many people also getting this but here in the UK we are offered nothing !!!!!!

Well then, don't get frustrated, book with a US TA and join the crowd that can get price drops.

Edited October 25, 2016 by Biker19

[John&LaLa]

Well then, don't get frustrated, book with a US TA and join the crowd that can get price drops.

I kind of get tired about people bragging about their prices when I can't get them. In particular the casino deals or the specials that are over by the time they announce. 😱

 

 

 

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[ColoradoGurl]

I am really pleased for you in getting price drops or ships credit but this is what also frustrates me in that Im always reading so many other threads about so many people also getting this but here in the UK we are offered nothing !!!!!!!!

 

So spare a thought for us please dont brag too much

 

 

You guys get free drink packages all the time that the US never gets.

 

 

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[kutchyone]

You guys get free drink packages all the time that the US never gets.

 

 

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Wow, I would love the free drink package over some of the discounts I've gotten. Missed out on the 30% drink package discount that was offered, I think it was only sent out to Diamond and above, and even with the 20% discount we did get it still cost each of us $651.36.

 

The reservations I book are usually done early and I don't think I ever had a single one that I did not get at least one price drop/discount/shipboard credit on. It's a line of business where you work hard to get paid less. LOL (banging my head against a brick wall)

[molly361]

I kind of get tired about people bragging about their prices when I can't get them. In particular the casino deals or the specials that are over by the time they announce.

 

 

 

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Like the Indy for $269??:)

 

I never pay much attention to the GGG flyer. I guess I never knew that those prices are capacity controlled. I thought if the sale is still on and they still had D3 cabins that you could get one for that price. Apparently that is not the case. Another poster tried and could not get it

Edited October 25, 2016 by molly361

[John&LaLa]

Like the Indy for $269??:)

 

I never pay much attention to the GGG flyer. I guess I never knew that those prices are capacity controlled. I thought if the sale is still on and they still had D3 cabins that you could get one for that price. Apparently that is not the case. Another poster tried and could not get it

Exactly. Early bird gets the worm

 

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[legaljen1969]

buy at a price you can live with and don't worry about it after the fact.

 

Best advice in this thread.

[ColoradoGurl]

Wow, I would love the free drink package over some of the discounts I've gotten. Missed out on the 30% drink package discount that was offered, I think it was only sent out to Diamond and above, and even with the 20% discount we did get it still cost each of us $651.36.

 

 

 

The reservations I book are usually done early and I don't think I ever had a single one that I did not get at least one price drop/discount/shipboard credit on. It's a line of business where you work hard to get paid less. LOL (banging my head against a brick wall)

 

 

I got the email and I'm not diamond. But there were lots of other people who didn't get the email, so I don't know how they decided who to send it to or not.

 

I'm not a big drinker, but I would still consider a free drink package a huge bonus. I would appreciate it more than a fake 30% off of cruise fare. The alcohol package on my sailing was only 20% off (same as it has been for 2 or 3 months now), but the refreshment package was on sale for 30% off for 4 days, so I bought that for my daughter because I thought $148 was very reasonable. I didn't buy it for me because I probably won't drink as much sugary stuff as she will. Drink package was still over $400 which I thought was way too much, I'll never drink enough to make it worth buying.

 

The best deal I've gotten on cruise fare was reserving the day after the schedule was released. The price has just gone up more and more ever since then. Even with a last minute price drop, it'll probably only go down to the amount I paid for it, because last year on the same ship that's about as low as it went.

 

 

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Edited October 26, 2016 by ColoradoGurl

[luckyprincess]

You have to admit its kind of ironic.. You were angry you paid a higher price for your original room and now you shelled out even more money for a room where you dont spend much time in...Just sayin,seems crazy to me.Enjoy

 

I always say to people if you don't spend much time in your room it's because your room sucks! lol I had an inside once and didn't spend much time in it. Now I do hump balcony cabins and looooove chilling in my room on my balcony with some bubbly... :D

[luckyprincess]

Thanks! YOU'RE a veteran forum member and being a jerk to a newbie. That's pretty sad. Rest assured I won't be asking questions on these boards anymore. Thanks for the encouragement

 

I promise not everyone here is a jerk! I think you can actually block the jerks on here too, lol! Welcome and I'm glad you are excited again!