Changes to Booking with Next Cruise??

[gaylemh]

6 hours ago, twangster said:

The key are the words "up to". 

 

The OBC for refundable or NRDB isn't fixed or easily determined.  You need to ask Next for a specific sailing.  For one sailing the OBC difference for NRDB vs. refundable might be substantial.  For another not so much.  In most cases they can't be combined with a C&A balcony discount.  

 

Maybe other's are more lucky finding the cruises that truly achieve the maximum OBC available but every time I ask about a cruise at Next the OBC is no where near the "up to" figure.  The $150 OBC for a balcony was decent enough but their base fare wasn't.   It's like they just increased the base fare so they could 'give me' OBC.  

I've been booking all my cruises with Next Cruise.  All non-refundable.  Three at the end of October.  I have been given the same price as online including my D+ balcony discount and 150% solo rate.  On 12 night cruises, booked 6 months in advance, I was given $300 OBC. 7-8 days $200 OBC.  When I go home I call the casino and add my casino certificate, usually $300-$500 off, and then transfer to my TA for additional OBC. 

 

The trick is, you get the best deal booking non-refundable, and you need to know your prices for the cabin you want before you go.  I have everything written down and it takes me less than 10 minutes of my time to book with Next Cruise for hundreds of extra OBC.

[twangster]

Who pays the price on Royal's website?  That isn't the measure of a good deal.

 

When I booked Ovation to Alaska in a JS for 3 guests I paid $1,300 less than Royal's website on the same day for the same cabin.  Paying the price on Royal's website and getting $300 in OBC is not a deal.  I'm still a thousand under that and fully refundable.  

[Clarea]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

Who pays the price on Royal's website?  That isn't the measure of a good deal.

 

When I booked Ovation to Alaska in a JS for 3 guests I paid $1,300 less than Royal's website on the same day for the same cabin.  Paying the price on Royal's website and getting $300 in OBC is not a deal.  I'm still a thousand under that and fully refundable.  

 

Did you find a travel agency with group space?

[twangster]

6 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Did you find a travel agency with group space?

 

Not that I'm aware of.  He is consistently cheaper than Royal's website.  Not so dramatic for an interior cabin, more like $50 or $75 cheaper but better rates with each cabin class.  Some friends who book Star class through him gave me his number.  They saved more than I did.  

 

I have four agencies I use depending on circumstances.   This one is an example of one of the better deals I've gotten.  It isn't always that dramatic.   However the point remains valid,  I always book under the website rate.   

[steveru621]

8 hours ago, twangster said:

The key are the words "up to". 

 

The OBC for refundable or NRDB isn't fixed or easily determined.  You need to ask Next for a specific sailing.  For one sailing the OBC difference for NRDB vs. refundable might be substantial.  For another not so much.  In most cases they can't be combined with a C&A balcony discount.  

 

Maybe other's are more lucky finding the cruises that truly achieve the maximum OBC available but every time I ask about a cruise at Next the OBC is no where near the "up to" figure.  The $150 OBC for a balcony was decent enough but their base fare wasn't.   It's like they just increased the base fare so they could 'give me' OBC.  

4

 

In all cases, OBC for booking onboard can be combined with C&A discounts.

 

All of the numbers are clearly laid out by cruise length and cabin type.  There is no 'luck' involved.

 

[steveru621]

13 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

Not that I'm aware of.  He is consistently cheaper than Royal's website.  Not so dramatic for an interior cabin, more like $50 or $75 cheaper but better rates with each cabin class.  Some friends who book Star class through him gave me his number.  They saved more than I did.  

 

I have four agencies I use depending on circumstances.   This one is an example of one of the better deals I've gotten.  It isn't always that dramatic.   However the point remains valid,  I always book under the website rate.   

Just book onboard and have them transfer.  

[twangster]

19 minutes ago, steveru621 said:

 

In all cases, OBC for booking onboard can be combined with C&A discounts.

 

All of the numbers are clearly laid out by cruise length and cabin type.  There is no 'luck' involved.

 

 

I have examples such as the Symphony TA booked on Anthem where C&A discounts could not be combined.  At first they said they could but when the papers were printed they confessed they could not.   It was really kind of sleazy like a used car transaction.  Despite my objections and pointing out the error they insisted C&A is NOT Combinable.   

 

I have since paid more attention and ask lots of questions.  

 

Like many things Royal, YMMV. 

 

Of 14 cruises in 2018 and 12 booked for 2019 (so far) only one was through Next.  I still check with Next seeking the unicorn but a wise shopper can do better.  

[Biker19]

^ still confused - why not book Next strictly for the OBC and then transfer it to your agency, RCI’s price  doesn’t matter - you can still get whatever your TA gives you but keep the on board booking OBC. 

[gaylemh]

2 hours ago, twangster said:

Who pays the price on Royal's website?  That isn't the measure of a good deal.

 

When I booked Ovation to Alaska in a JS for 3 guests I paid $1,300 less than Royal's website on the same day for the same cabin.  Paying the price on Royal's website and getting $300 in OBC is not a deal.  I'm still a thousand under that and fully refundable.  

So if you booked on board you would have the OBC and when transferred to the TA you would have gotten a price reduction to their price.  

[steveru621]

20 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

^ still confused - why not book Next strictly for the OBC and then transfer it to your agency, RCI’s price  doesn’t matter - you can still get whatever your TA gives you but keep the on board booking OBC. 

 

15 minutes ago, gaylemh said:

So if you booked on board you would have the OBC and when transferred to the TA you would have gotten a price reduction to their price.  

I think he is talking about promotional OBC.  Not NEXT booking OBC.   I have never run into anything like what is being posted.

 

It is certainly not sleazy.  Apparently, twangster has a bad opinion of NEXT and intends on keeping it.  That's fine.

 

TA's are not allowed to undercut RCI online prices unless they are offering a group rate.  

[twangster]

26 minutes ago, gaylemh said:

So if you booked on board you would have the OBC and when transferred to the TA you would have gotten a price reduction to their price.  

 

I'm not a TA and don't understand all the ins and outs but I know his rates are not always available on Next transfers.   I've always assumed it has to do with the agency agreement with Royal but to be honest I don't know.  

 

I do know his rates do not utilize D+ C&A balcony discounts.  He looks at all options and gives me his best price that usually beats C&A.   

[gaylemh]

2 minutes ago, steveru621 said:

I have never run into anything like what is being posted.

Neither have I, and I book 7-9 cruises a year.

[twangster]

14 minutes ago, steveru621 said:

It is certainly not sleazy.  Apparently, twangster has a bad opinion of NEXT and intends on keeping it.  That's fine.

 

TA's are not allowed to undercut RCI online prices unless they are offering a group rate.  

 

What occurred when I booked Symphony was not short of sleazy.   The whole time I was offered $400 OBC but when the paper was given to me it was $300.   When I objected I received a range of excuses none of which made any sense.   In the end it netted me $100 over my best other deal so I stayed with it despite the used car "talk to my manager tomorrow" which resulted in "I checked with Miami and C&A balcony discount is not combineable so only $300" experience.   

 

I still check Next.   I'm on Serenade and have price checked them 3 times this cruise.   I'm a deal hunter who doesn't leave money on the table.   I know the questions to ask.   

 

If I ever get the right answer I'll book with Next  it just rarely happens.  

Edited November 17, 2018 by twangster