How do you get a great DEAL?

[Ourusualbeach]

I'm shocked too. I spoke with them earlier this week and asked if we were eligible for the current promotion and was told no. Then I see this....

 

So, let's say RC can change me to 2 cabins instead of one. I've already paid in full. What happens with the difference in money? Because this new deal has me saving over $1,000.

 

Also, is there anyway I can just call RC myself and be done with the TA? I hate to do it, cuz we are friends... but my gut is saying something isn't right. Telling me I will have a change fee, when I see I won't and so forth. :(:(

 

Unfortunately Royal won’t talk to you...

Only to your TA.

 

You won’t get any money back as you are after final payment.

[MelBelle2001]

Unfortunately Royal won’t talk to you...

Only to your TA.

 

You won’t get any money back as you are after final payment.

 

Well that's disappointing and deflating...

 

As for the money, will RC give a credit or extra OBC?

[Ourusualbeach]

Well that's disappointing and deflating...

 

As for the money, will RC give a credit or extra OBC?

Nope, but you will get a better room.

 

After final payment there is no refund, credit or OBC. Just the chance to upgrade your accommodation.

[Iamcruzin]

Wait... I need more help.

My TA said the ship was sold out.

 

Get a new TA. It's not sold out. Personally you could probably do better on your own next time unless you can find a TA that can do better in pricing or offer you some OBC. Be leery of any TA that offers you OBC that the cruise line is giving to you but they take credit for it. I have dealt with those types. I say thank you very much and usually book direct with the cruise line.

[csnarpy]

Id seriously get RC to take over the reservation and then get them to do an upgrade.

 

My family did allure last thanksgiving and got 2 joined balcony’s for just under $3900

 

I know your ta is a friend but you can do much much better.

[MelBelle2001]

Id seriously get RC to take over the reservation and then get them to do an upgrade.

 

How do I do this?

[Ourusualbeach]

How do I do this?

It’s not easy and more so since you are past final payment.

 

I’ve hard of it being done when a travel agent will not return customers calls.

 

Personally in your case unfortunately I don’t think Roayl will do anything. It’s really only a very rare last resort option.

[The Sunset Glow]

Your sailing is not sold out.

 

CONTACT YOUR TA IMMEDIATELY.

 

Cabin #1700 category 3B is available. You can switch at no extra cost, this cabin is an aft cabin that is the size of a JS for the price of a balcony.

 

Ps. You need to fire your TA.

 

 

 

Wow! Can’t believe this awesome cabin is still available! Someone must have cancelled just before final payment. This would be an awesome score for the OP[emoji16]

 

And I agree, she needs to fire her TA[emoji52]

 

 

 

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[csnarpy]

If your unable to do it, then lay down the law with your TA. Figure out exactly what you want and ensure the costs. I’ve never heard of the $100 charge just to change rooms. (I’ve rebooked multiple times up to 3 weeks prior and no penalties. Sometime RC will give OBC if the new room is under.)

 

Then have your TA call Royal with your new plan and confirm it all. I’d ask to conference it (my TA has done this before) with RC

 

If your TA doesn’t comply or stalls then get Royal to take over.

 

 

At any rate, good luck.

[Iamcruzin]

I know your ta is a friend but you can do much much better.

 

 

 

Can’t be much of a friend if they didn’t even take the time to look to see that the ship is clearly not sold out. Even the OP was able to find availability as well as myself.

 

 

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[ReneeFLL]

So hubby and I bought this cruise back in February - and we are leaving in July. We overpaid - I'm sure of it. It's us and our 2 kids on a oceanview balcony. I won't tell you what we paid, because quite frankly I'm embarrassed.

 

We thought this would be a cheap, easy way to vacation. Our kids are getting older and have separate interests. And a cruise would have something for everyone.

 

Anyway... I know many of you plan your cruises months, even years in advance and pay significantly less than what we did. I worry hubby won't want to do this again...

 

So can anyone share their secrets?

And just a quick sidebar - we can only travel in the summer. For the most part, July is our best month. I know - this is high peak time. But hubby is a teacher and we don't want our kids to miss school.

 

Thanks in advance!!!

Melissa

 

Booking early is a great way to get a good deal. If you book early or not always regularly check if the prices have gone down and have them do a price adjustment. If the price goes down from what you paid you will only get a price reduction if it is before final payment. After that you might be able to upgrade, but that's very iffy. If you are sailing in July you might be past final payment and won't be able to get any price adjustments.

[frank808]

Ok, I'll spill.

 

I'm on a 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise on July 15th on Liberty of the Seas.

Total amount paid... $5485

 

And yes I booked with a TA because she was a friend and I have never booked a cruise before. And the cruise is paid in full as of last month.

July is expensive. When we cruised on allure in end of june it was about $3000 with taxes and port fees for 2 in boardwalk balcony. So your rate for 4 is not bad for july.

 

Now our cruise for 3 in oct this year for a crown loft on allure is $3600 with taxes and port fees. What month you cruise makes a big difference.

 

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[birdylady]

Everyone is saying 'fire' the TA. At this point, that's really not an option. But 2 things I would suggest. 1- Don't do a future booking on the ship as the booking will automatically 'go' to the TA that booked this sailing. You can say don't give it to them, but I found out you have to fill out paperwork, the booking does go to them, then RCI 'asks' the TA IF they will relinquish the new booking. Even if they say no, RCI will take it back, but then the TA KNOWS you didn't want them. And as you stated this is your friend. The other thing I would suggest is if you decide you do want to cruise again, find a better agent or control the booking yourself. CC doesn't allow TA names/agencies to be mentioned here so you will have to do that research elsewhere.

 

Ultimately, I agree with everyone else, tell your TA what you want and that RCI doesn't charge if only switching cabins. IF it is your TA charging that AND she's your friend, tell her that's to high. She should waive it, or reduce it unless it's her agencies' 'rules'. IF she's not a cruise specialist, then she probably doesn't understand all the cruise line rules.

 

Good luck. And do let us know how things work out.

Erika

[debshomespun]

Everyone is saying 'fire' the TA. At this point, that's really not an option. But 2 things I would suggest. 1- Don't do a future booking on the ship as the booking will automatically 'go' to the TA that booked this sailing. You can say don't give it to them, but I found out you have to fill out paperwork, the booking does go to them, then RCI 'asks' the TA IF they will relinquish the new booking. Even if they say no, RCI will take it back, but then the TA KNOWS you didn't want them. And as you stated this is your friend. The other thing I would suggest is if you decide you do want to cruise again, find a better agent or control the booking yourself. CC doesn't allow TA names/agencies to be mentioned here so you will have to do that research elsewhere.

 

Ultimately, I agree with everyone else, tell your TA what you want and that RCI doesn't charge if only switching cabins. IF it is your TA charging that AND she's your friend, tell her that's to high. She should waive it, or reduce it unless it's her agencies' 'rules'. IF she's not a cruise specialist, then she probably doesn't understand all the cruise line rules.

 

Good luck. And do let us know how things work out.

Erika

You can book on board and tell them you want it through Royal Caribbean and NOT the travel agent you had booked your cruise with. RC will not give it to your previous agent. I've done it before, and I'm now a TA. If the agent on board told you it had to go through the same agent you had booked with, they were wrong.

 

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[birdylady]

You can book on board and tell them you want it through Royal Caribbean and NOT the travel agent you had booked your cruise with. RC will not give it to your previous agent. I've done it before, and I'm now a TA. If the agent on board told you it had to go through the same agent you had booked with, they were wrong.

 

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Nope, I signed a form that said I did not want it to go to the previous agent. BUT When I called Royal saying I couldn't access it, they said they had to wait for the TA to release it. I asked what if they don't want to release it and I was told ultimately RCI WILL take it back, but since TA's are their partners, they 'ask' to be nice. And I KNOW that TA did know I asked for it back as she asked someone (a manager I know at that company) if they knew why (she did, but said she didn't). OH, and since it's on paper, it get's sent to the TA before the ship is docked and the paper is processed at Corporate. NOT a good situation.

With that said, this could have changed as this situation was 2 years ago.

 

Erika

[Laurin612]

Others have mentioned this, as well, but I find the best deals to be had are usually either "last minute" (and the ships are trying to fill all rooms) or traveling at "off" times (i.e., not during holidays and not when kids are off of school). Unfortunately, with kids in college and high school I am in the same boat (haha!) as you, having to vacation when the kids are out of school.

 

(Also, my son is 16 and is a 6 ft. tall hockey and lacrosse player who also eats everything in sight, so I can totally relate. That said, we always book a quad room and he sleeps in the pullman upper while my 20 year old daughter sleeps on the sleeper sofa that turns into a bed.)

[Friend100]

OP, enjoy your cruise this time. If you still like RCI product, purchase some future cruise certificate while onboard. You don't have to link up to your current TA. You can use it elsewhere.

[Andy C]

This may not apply to you since you need to travel during peak time but I will tell you about my last 2 reservations.

 

Last year my wife and our two little ones (1 and 3 at the time) travelled in a Grand Suite on Harmony of the Seas Eastern Caribbean. The price for the 4 of us was $4300 all in with trip insurance. We did have to pay gratuities and did purchase 2 deluxe beverage packages. We also had a $300 obc.

 

We are sailing again this coming September on Harmony of the Seas Eastern Caribbean in a Grand Suite. This time I am all in for $4,700 with trip insurance. We have a $100 obc.

 

When I looked into this September 2018 cruise last year in the suite lounge with the next cruise representative she quoted me over $10,000. I laughed in her face and told her I would be on board again for less than $5k and sure enough I found it. I really don't think buying that far in advance helps. Being flexible with dates helps but not much if you have no other choice but to travel during peak times. One day I will have to resume traveling peak times again when the boys are older and we will decide if we want to bite the bullet. For what a grand suite costs during peak times you are better off renting an apartment through VRBO or Airbnb in Europe and having a grand ol' time without Royal's sub par food.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[zlacruising]

You can book on board and tell them you want it through Royal Caribbean and NOT the travel agent you had booked your cruise with. RC will not give it to your previous agent. I've done it before, and I'm now a TA. If the agent on board told you it had to go through the same agent you had booked with, they were wrong.

 

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Hi Deb...this is the Debbie that was on a cruise with you. We took that snorkling excursion on that 10 day cruise at one of our ports. It was the one which made me think twice about ever doing that again...lol! Hope you are doing well.I see you are still cruising. Maybe we will meet up again!

 

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[LuCruise]

This may not apply to you since you need to travel during peak time but I will tell you about my last 2 reservations.

 

Last year my wife and our two little ones (1 and 3 at the time) travelled in a Grand Suite on Harmony of the Seas Eastern Caribbean. The price for the 4 of us was $4300 all in with trip insurance. We did have to pay gratuities and did purchase 2 deluxe beverage packages. We also had a $300 obc.

 

We are sailing again this coming September on Harmony of the Seas Eastern Caribbean in a Grand Suite. This time I am all in for $4,700 with trip insurance. We have a $100 obc.

 

When I looked into this September 2018 cruise last year in the suite lounge with the next cruise representative she quoted me over $10,000. I laughed in her face and told her I would be on board again for less than $5k and sure enough I found it. I really don't think buying that far in advance helps. Being flexible with dates helps but not much if you have no other choice but to travel during peak times. One day I will have to resume traveling peak times again when the boys are older and we will decide if we want to bite the bullet. For what a grand suite costs during peak times you are better off renting an apartment through VRBO or Airbnb in Europe and having a grand ol' time without Royal's sub par food.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Curious what time of year you got the grand suite for 4 on Harmony for that price? Whenever I've done mock bookings it shows closer to the 10k or more for four of us (I think even JS was 10K ...but I'm in CAD). You did amazing on your cruises.

[Thechamp555]

They are no really secrets in terms to find a good deal but one recommendation to you is too book early (approximately at least one year before the departure). My experience shows me that the price tends to go slowly higher when the date gets closer.

 

Another factor is certainly the time of the year. Because my agenda allows me to travel at different time of the year. I avoid the pricy time of summer, Christmas, etc. I always travel January or February to avoid these busy months.

 

Ex: I paid $625 (Inside) for a 7 days western Caribbean on the Allure next winter with a credit of $150. I find this is a good package in in order to avoid the cold and not going broke ! :D

[TimeToGetNauti]

I hope your TA is able to get you the better deal

[idjaffe]

Have your travel agent call Royal. I just checked and a balcony cabin 2D for 2 people is $2764. See if they will allow you to get 2 cabins without any penalties. It would only be an extra $64 and you would get double the space, 2 bathrooms and a proper bed for all.

 

Did your travel agent suggest getting 2 cabins (they should have) it is usually comparable in price to fitting 4 in one room.

 

100% agree - this is a no-brainer! And will make you feel much better about the costs.

[guinnessirish]

In answering the "how do you get a great deal?" question, my answer is flexibility. We are leaving next week out of NJ where we don't have to fly and are paying a little over $1600 for our cruise for a family of 4. Its the Adventure which isn't the newest ship and we are going to the Bahamas, not the most exotic of destinations and we are going during the school year which got us the Kids sail free promo and BOGO plus on-board spending. NOT in a balcony but a "Spacious Oceanview". Now that is a great deal! The children will miss a total of 5 days of school instead of 6 (Friday to Friday) because our district is closed on election day. If you can't be flexible on the date then look at the Voyager Class ships.

Also I wanted to add that I found my deal myself then called my travel agent. We booked it for around $2100 in August and in December my Travel agent called me to tell me the price dropped.

Edited May 4, 2018 by guinnessirish

[MelBelle2001]

So I spoke with my TA... she called RC. I told her I found two rooms (6400 & 6402) that would work for our family.

 

She said that RC didn't see these rooms available (yet, I did a search again and found them after I got off the phone). So RC looked for other rooms and found a set of connecting rooms with just twin beds. I told my TA that we would really prefer a room with a sofa bed for our son. My TA said that RC told her they can't book a room with a sofa bed with only double occupancy.

 

Is this true? And why couldn't RC see the two rooms I found?