OnBoard Booking

[Kinkajou]

My new Travel Agent said that if you do an onboard booking you still have to make up the difference of the reduced deposit within 30 days. Has anyone else heard of this? That would make the $100 onboard the only perk for booking onboard.

[wcsdkqh]

That is not what my TA advised me. The greatly reduced deposit applies for cruises 15 days or less. For longer cruises, the deposit will be more, but still less than it would be if not booking on board. In addition to the reduced deposit, there is also supposed to be an additional discount on the cruise fare being booked that varies based on how far out the booked cruise is, and some other factors.

 

Here is a link to details right here on CC website. I assume the info is correct.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1581

Edited August 25, 2017 by wcsdkqh
add info.

[Travelcat2]

Agree that discounted deposits do not apply to upper suites.

 

In addition to the $100 OBC, there is a price guarantee and an additional credit (the amount of which is dependent upon the cruise and the suite category that you will be sailing in). For instance, the NYC to Montreal 10 night sailing on the Navigator has a $400/person credit for a Navigator through Master suites but only a $200/person credit for "G" and "H" suites. An 11 night Mariner itinerary has a $700/person credit for upper suites and $300/person for the two lowest categories.

 

Whatever you book onboard can be transferred to another cruise one time and, if I recall correctly, you have 30 days to cancel without penalty.

[LadyandtheTramp]

Whatever you book onboard can be transferred to another cruise one time and, if I recall correctly, you have 30 days to cancel without penalty.

 

That was our understanding when we booked last December onboard, but when we wanted to transfer it to another cruise, Regent wanted us to pony up more money until we hit the normal deposit. Discussed this with our TA, who called Regent, and Regent informed the TA that they have changed their policy so that the onboard deposit, while transferable, is no longer accepted as full deposit, but that the client needs to pay the rest of the full deposit. When our TA inquired as to then the policy changed, it was determined that it changed about three days after we paid our deposit, so Regent did not require us to deposit more. But be forewarned about this change, as it eliminates one of the biggest perks for doing an onboard booking.

[Travelcat2]

That was our understanding when we booked last December onboard, but when we wanted to transfer it to another cruise, Regent wanted us to pony up more money until we hit the normal deposit. Discussed this with our TA, who called Regent, and Regent informed the TA that they have changed their policy so that the onboard deposit, while transferable, is no longer accepted as full deposit, but that the client needs to pay the rest of the full deposit. When our TA inquired as to then the policy changed, it was determined that it changed about three days after we paid our deposit, so Regent did not require us to deposit more. But be forewarned about this change, as it eliminates one of the biggest perks for doing an onboard booking.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I guess that it makes sense to have to pay a higher deposit if you switch to a more expensive cruise. To me, the two biggest benefits of booking onboard is the price guarantee and the onboard booking credit. Due to the suites that we book, we always end up paying the regular deposit.

[wcsdkqh]

If you are not absolutely sure which future cruise you want to book, perhaps purchasing the future cruise certificate is a better way to go. I would think the reduced deposit would apply, but of course still not able to switch cruises without additional deposit

[Kinkajou]

The TA is asking me to book now, even though I will be cruising in September. She says I can than give my booking number and get the $100 onboard credit. I already booked one cruise with her this month. A Signature Travel Network consortium member. Had been booking with AmEx but get an extra $100. Not sure it's worth it. The next cruise is in 2019.

[Kinkajou]

while transferable, is no longer accepted as full deposit, but that the client needs to pay the rest of the full deposit.

 

 

That has been true on Oceania for a while. I definitely have had increase deposit on the last cruise that I changed.

[Kinkajou]

I called Regent to clarify a number of things I have been told by my TA, including that if I book now, I will be able to get the onboard booking credit of $100 by giving Regent my booking number when I get onboard. This is supposed to also be the case with the booking I made last week also. The Regent representative said she doesn't know how it will be handled. I guess I will find out next month.

[Travelcat2]

I called Regent to clarify a number of things I have been told by my TA, including that if I book now, I will be able to get the onboard booking credit of $100 by giving Regent my booking number when I get onboard. This is supposed to also be the case with the booking I made last week also. The Regent representative said she doesn't know how it will be handled. I guess I will find out next month.

 

Please let us know if you were able to do this. In the past people could book and receive onboard booking credit (not the same as $100 OBC that is offered) up 30 days after your cruise. This was discontinued some time ago. Will also be interested in learning if you receive the price guarantee. I wouldn't take the change ........ we are booking two cruises once we board the Mariner next week.

 

Note: If it doesn't work out, perhaps you can cancel the cruise that you just booked and rebook onboard. Regent will charge you $200 but that would immediately be applied to your next cruise.

 

Thinking further, we have booked a cruise in advance and had it rebooked by our TA once we were onboard. This could only be done if the category suite we wanted was still available. We did get the onboard credit but did not receive the $100 OBC's and the price guarantee was not in effect at that time.

[ronrick1943]

I called Regent to clarify a number of things I have been told by my TA, including that if I book now, I will be able to get the onboard booking credit of $100 by giving Regent my booking number when I get onboard. This is supposed to also be the case with the booking I made last week also. The Regent representative said she doesn't know how it will be handled. I guess I will find out next month.

 

Please let us know how it's handled. Thanks

[Portolan]

My new Travel Agent said that if you do an onboard booking you still have to make up the difference of the reduced deposit within 30 days. Has anyone else heard of this? That would make the $100 onboard the only perk for booking onboard.

 

I don't see where anyone actually addressed your question. As I understand it, your TA said you'd pay a reduced deposit on-board, but have to pony up the balance to the normal deposit within 30 days?

 

BS. You might want to find a TA who knows Regent. What you pay on-board as the reduced deposit is it (unless, as some have described, you change your booking). Of course, you effectively pay the balance of the deposit when you make the final cruise payment since your final payment will be larger. While tangentially mentioned, another major benefit is a credit which reduces the cost of your cruise. This varies with suite categories. So, you get the $100 on-board credit, a reduction on the cruise cost and a lower deposit. All of what I've stated certainly applies to the standard suites. No experience with anything above PH.

[Kinkajou]

Will definitely post when cruise is over.

 

I was hoping to refer some friends on the the 2019 cruise. They may not want to wait to book their cruise, but would prefer not to make another significant deposit until next month. I think the agent suggested making the booking and making a second deposit when onboard. I wasn't entirely sure how that would work. My friends don't have a TA, they usually book directly with the cruise line.

[Kinkajou]

I don't see where anyone actually addressed your question. As I understand it, your TA said you'd pay a reduced deposit on-board, but have to pony up the balance to the normal deposit within 30 days?

 

BS. You might want to find a TA who knows Regent. What you pay on-board as the reduced deposit is it (unless, as some have described, you change your booking). Of course, you effectively pay the balance of the deposit when you make the final cruise payment since your final payment will be larger. While tangentially mentioned, another major benefit is a credit which reduces the cost of your cruise. This varies with suite categories. So, you get the $100 on-board credit, a reduction on the cruise cost and a lower deposit. All of what I've stated certainly applies to the standard suites. No experience with anything above PH.

 

This is how I got here. This TA is supposed to be a luxury cruise specialist.

[Kinkajou]

We normally book concierge or penthouse.

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

I will book a cruise before I am onboard, then meet with the cruise consultant, once onboard. We get most of the benefits of the onboard booking, including the onboard savings, which is usually several hundred dollars per person. That is the same fixed number either way. My simple reason for earlier booking is I have a better selection of cabins. Why wait? That's the most important issue.

Yes, I pay the full deposit when booking before we do our next cruise. What's the big deal? If we are able to do the cruise, it all washes in the final payment. At the end, the amount is the same. If we cancel it's the same $100 per person penalty, which is restored on our next booking.

However, there is one catch. The category we prebooked must be available, when rebooking onboard. But, if I hadn't booked it earlier, it might not be available at that time either . . Also, we could switch categories at that time. But, if the ship is sold out by then, or no good cabin selections are available, I would rather spend a couple of hundred dollars extra than miss the cruise or the cabin I want.

It's a win, win situation.

[Kinkajou]

Bellagio Cruisers Thank you for explaining it. I don't have a problem paying the full deposit, it just wasn't presented as having to be re-booked once onboard. This is my first experience with this TA, and nothing is in writing until booked. If I cancel there is an additional $200 non-refundable to the agent which seems fair, but was not mentioned until I got the booking paperwork. I am hesitant to book an additional cruise until I see how this works.

There are lots of available cabins in all categories (on the preferred side of the ship) for both cruises—so not worried about that.

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Bellagio Cruisers Thank you for explaining it. I don't have a problem paying the full deposit, it just wasn't presented as having to be re-booked once onboard. This is my first experience with this TA, and nothing is in writing until booked. If I cancel there is an additional $200 non-refundable to the agent which seems fair, but was not mentioned until I got the booking paperwork. I am hesitant to book an additional cruise until I see how this works.

There are lots of available cabins in all categories (on the preferred side of the ship) for both cruises—so not worried about that.

 

Hi

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel several cruises over the years. My TA never had any non refundable fee due her. I would never use her if she did that. Perhaps you need to find a better TA. We have done lots of business with ours for many years. She has made lots of money with us as her client. In addition, there is always a nice gift waiting for us upon our return.

Regards

Sheila

[mrlevin]

In April 2016 I made an onboard booking for a 21 day cruise in February 2018; I made a deposit of $1000. Yesterday, 18 months after initial deposit, I paid off the cruise. I did not have to make any additional payment (I also added pre-cruise to trip without additional payment).

 

As for price guarantee, not worth much; Regent has found other ways to discount cruise for later bookings without actually lowering price.

 

Marc

[flossie009]

As for price guarantee, not worth much; Regent has found other ways to discount cruise for later bookings without actually lowering price.

 

Marc

The price guarantee does not just cover the price; if additional amenities are added, suite upgrades etc the price guarantee will kick in - albeit the customer or their TA has to keep an eye on what is being offered in order to claim parity

[mrlevin]

The price guarantee does not just cover the price; if additional amenities are added, suite upgrades etc the price guarantee will kick in - albeit the customer or their TA has to keep an eye on what is being offered in order to claim parity

 

Agreed, however, I was looking for hard cash; not necessarily a suite upgrade. I am fine with Cat H on all Regent ships (which is why I sail Regent).

 

Marc

[wcsdkqh]

If you cancel the future cruise on board and immediately re-book I wouldn't think there would be a problem keeping the current suites since you would be re-reserving them within a few seconds. This doesn't help with a reduced deposit since it has already been paid, but may allow for the future cruise additional credit. Does anyone see a flaw with this scenario?

[mrlevin]

If you cancel the future cruise on board and immediately re-book I wouldn't think there would be a problem keeping the current suites since you would be re-reserving them within a few seconds. This doesn't help with a reduced deposit since it has already been paid, but may allow for the future cruise additional credit. Does anyone see a flaw with this scenario?

 

It is even easier than that; just have your TA handle it from shore while you are on the ship or the Cruise consultant can do it onboard; only requirement is that same category needs to be "Available." I think the only negative is that it may not be transferable.

 

Marc

[wcsdkqh]

Thx, Marc for thought of TA doing the cancel / re-book while we are onboard. When you say "I think the only negative is that it may not be transferable.", what are you referring to?

 

thx again

[mrlevin]

A new onboard booking is transferrable once. I think when you add onboard booking discount retroactively, you do not have that benefit. If you are really concerned about that; I guess you could totally cancel your old booking and make a new booking; not been a concern for me so I have just done it the easy way.

 

Marc

 

PS I am not always the smart one. Doing it retroactively does not let you have the $1000 deposit; you don't get a refund of your higher deposit you have already made. Up to you on which way to handle it (and how much pain you want to put your TA through). I just have gone for the "easy" way as it is easier on everyone.