Cruise pricing con.

[itsbigmal]

Booked for Far East on a Celebrity ship a year in advance hoping to get the best deal through an agent, only to find the price we paid is now £950 cheaper, per person!!!!

 

We have come across a thing called Fluid Pricing which we are told by the agent is what they have to abide by when they priced the cruise for us. It's still 3 months till we sail so can't see that its a last minute deal.

 

We have been in touch with Celebrity and had a very nice email from them basically saying nothing they can do but they are sure we will have a lovely cruise an to get in touch with the agent. We have done this and all they say there is nothing they can do because of Fluid Pricing and we have entered into a contract at that price.

 

Well so much for booking in advance, what a waste of time and money, our cruise is spoilt months before we go. We have looked on line and some other agents have offered a cabin upgrade in some circumstances. With our agent, who are the cruise company we always use just are not interested, you just feel so ripped off.

 

Anybody had experience of this sales con???

 

Malcolm Porter

[navybankerteacher]

It sounds like price of cruise has dropped in the nine months since you booked it.  I am not familiar with the meaning of the term “Fluid Pricing”, but I know that cruise prices frequently fluctuate as sailing date nears  — generally reflecting how demand for the particular itinerary affects sales.  

 

It is hard to see a “sales con”.  If prices had gone the other way, would you feel that you had conned your agent or the cruise line?

[John Bull]

Fluid pricing isn't a con, it's the norm in the UK.

OK, that cruise may now be cheaper - though it may not include any early-booking freebies that you got, and no choice of cabin location, no choice on dining times, etc.

On the other hand, if it was popular that cruise would have gone up in price, or may have even sold-out.

 

Since we're now retired we look for those late bargains, on the basis that if a price goes up or doesn't come down significantly or the cruise books out we simply keep our eyes open for another one.

In the past few years we've only booked one cruise relatively early, a Caribbean cruise which included some unusual ports that we'd not visited. Because we're flexible on dates and the cruise line offered several dates we held back and kept an eye on those prices. When one date sold-out, we booked another of the dates. We'd played it clever (we thought ) but the price came down after we'd booked. C'est la vie, we were comfortable that we hadn't missed out on that itinerary. 

 

It's no different to buying a something like a washing machine, and the store offering a big discount a week later.  Or booking a hotel and finding that it's available at the last minute for a much lower price.

 

One further thought.

In the USA you'd simply cancel & re-book, because at this stage your deposit is refundable.

In the UK your deposit is non-refundable - but if the saving is significantly more than the deposit, consider cancelling and re-booking at the lower price.

But be aware of those differences like cabin choice etc. 

 

Most important of all.

It may be galling, but don't let it spoil your cruise even before it's started. Otherwise it will have cost you a lot more than money.

 

JB 

[spookwife]

you booked at a price you were happy with.   there's no con or misleading going on at all.    its common for  prices to drop  closer to sailing if the ship isn't filling, and they do limit it to new bookings only.  

 

there are pros and cons go booking early versus waiting until closer to sail date.   you just need to weigh them out for your personal edification.  

 

the fact that you are letting it ruin your cruise without having even set foot on the ship is  a reflection on you , not the cruise line.  in no way whatsoever have you been ripped off.   

 

I'll use the same argument others have:  if the  cost of your cabin category had gone up in the interim, would you expect to  be charged more?    supply and demand works  the same way everywhere.  

 

me, personally, I book at a price we  are happy with then we stop  worrying about whether or not the price goes up or down.  

 

 

[MCC retired]

It is not a con job at all.

It is normal practice for every cruise line to fill out a  soft sailing after "their"  Final Payment Date passes.

OP had the choice of booking early or waiting with the benefits that each choice may  have .

Also, OP could have found a better TA to begin with for help and amenities.

 

 

Edited November 18, 2019 by MCC retired

[Itchy&Scratchy]

same with airline tickets: the price goes up and down, sometimes - daily. It's not a con. It's just what the price does.

 

[Heidi13]

Welcome to the world of supply & demand. Cruise pricing is no different from air fares, fuel, etc. Booking early has a number of benefits, but on mainstream mega ships, getting the cheapest price is generally not one of them.

 

Had you read and understood the terms & conditions, this would have been explained and you would be an informed traveller.

 

Since we booked our next cruise (20 months before departure) our cabin increased $1,000 and the benefits dropped by $20,000. We signed a contract for a specific price and stated benefits. Had the price dropped, we wouldn't get the reduced price, but we also didn't pay more. This was all included in the T&C.

[VMax1700]

4 hours ago, itsbigmal said:

Booked for Far East on a Celebrity ship a year in advance hoping to get the best deal through an agent, only to find the price we paid is now £950 cheaper, per person!!!!

When is the final payment date and how much deposit did you pay?

Then do the math and see if it makes sense to cancel your original booking and make a new one. However, check that all things are equal.  Did you receive any OBC for the first booking?  Is the new booking to be paid immediately?  Is the new booking a 'guarantee' cabin whereas your original booking you could chose your cabin?  etc, 

[taglovestocruise]

On 11/18/2019 at 5:19 AM, John Bull said:

F

 

One further thought.

In the USA you'd simply cancel & re-book, because at this stage your deposit is refundable.

In the UK your deposit is non-refundable - but if the saving is significantly more than the deposit, consider cancelling and re-booking at the lower price.

But be aware of those differences like cabin choice etc. 

 

Most important of all.

It may be galling, but don't let it spoil your cruise even before it's started. Otherwise it will have cost you a lot more than money.

 

JB 

One very small correction, in the US you simply call the cruise line or the TA if you see a price reduction on your booked category.  No canceling,  just a quick on the phone reprice.  This must be done before final payment date.  We have had as many as 3 price reductions on the same cruise, some as small as $15. happy cruising

[GUT2407]

Every time I put fuel in the car, the price changes the next day, am I entitled to a refund if it drops? Of course not.

[NLH Arizona]

On 11/18/2019 at 4:28 AM, itsbigmal said:

Booked for Far East on a Celebrity ship a year in advance hoping to get the best deal through an agent, only to find the price we paid is now £950 cheaper, per person!!!!

 

We have come across a thing called Fluid Pricing which we are told by the agent is what they have to abide by when they priced the cruise for us. It's still 3 months till we sail so can't see that its a last minute deal.

 

We have been in touch with Celebrity and had a very nice email from them basically saying nothing they can do but they are sure we will have a lovely cruise an to get in touch with the agent. We have done this and all they say there is nothing they can do because of Fluid Pricing and we have entered into a contract at that price.

 

Well so much for booking in advance, what a waste of time and money, our cruise is spoilt months before we go. We have looked on line and some other agents have offered a cabin upgrade in some circumstances. With our agent, who are the cruise company we always use just are not interested, you just feel so ripped off.

 

Anybody had experience of this sales con???

 

Malcolm Porter

Read your post a number of times and still can find any sales con.  Prices go up and prices go down depending on whether they have cabins available or not.  

[zqvol]

On 11/18/2019 at 6:28 AM, itsbigmal said:

Booked for Far East on a Celebrity ship a year in advance hoping to get the best deal through an agent, only to find the price we paid is now £950 cheaper, per person!!!!

 

We have come across a thing called Fluid Pricing which we are told by the agent is what they have to abide by when they priced the cruise for us. It's still 3 months till we sail so can't see that its a last minute deal.

 

We have been in touch with Celebrity and had a very nice email from them basically saying nothing they can do but they are sure we will have a lovely cruise an to get in touch with the agent. We have done this and all they say there is nothing they can do because of Fluid Pricing and we have entered into a contract at that price.

 

Well so much for booking in advance, what a waste of time and money, our cruise is spoilt months before we go. We have looked on line and some other agents have offered a cabin upgrade in some circumstances. With our agent, who are the cruise company we always use just are not interested, you just feel so ripped off.

 

Anybody had experience of this sales con???

 

Malcolm Porter

 

Since you quoted a price in pounds, I am assuming that you are in the UK. The UK rules are very different than the US rules. In the US this is very common, and happens on almost every cruise. Prices go up and down all the time. The good thing is that when the price goes up you don't have to pay the higher rate.

[FlyerTalker]

On 11/18/2019 at 4:28 AM, itsbigmal said:

Booked for Far East on a Celebrity ship a year in advance hoping to get the best deal through an agent, only to find the price we paid is now £950 cheaper, per person!!!!

 

That pretty much set the tone for the whole complaint.

 

On 11/18/2019 at 4:28 AM, itsbigmal said:

Well so much for booking in advance, what a waste of time and money, our cruise is spoilt months before we go.

 

If that will be what spoils your cruise, perhaps you should just not go.  Take the money and do a staycation at home and at your local.

 

On 11/18/2019 at 4:28 AM, itsbigmal said:

With our agent, who are the cruise company we always use just are not interested, you just feel so ripped off.

 

And what due diligence did you perform before buying through this company?  I'm gonna guess that they gave you a low price at some time in the past, and that's the extent of their qualification.

 

I don't find an "con" in this whole situation.  You made a purchase that was subject to a number of conditions.  The price changed and you want those conditions not to apply.  Were you not cognizant?  Or did you just assume.

 

Luckily, this can serve as a great teaching moment for other folks.....read the fine print, know what you are committing to, and use your own independent judgment in making your own informed decision.

 

Caveat emptor.

[Mike981]

OP I hope you can find peace.

When I look at your post history...it's hard not to make an opinion.

[wwcruisers]

1 hour ago, Mike981 said:

OP I hope you can find peace.

When I look at your post history...it's hard not to make an opinion.

LOL, Mike!  To quote my Dad: "If you always go looking for trouble, it's a sure bet that you're always going to find it!"😏

[VMax1700]

OP, perhaps you should try a land based package holiday?  Wait, oh no, those prices fluctuate also! 😭

Perhaps just book airline tickets - oh no, those prices fluctuate! 😭

Well then just drive to a hotel - oh no, those prices fluctuate! 😭

Welcome to the big world of supply and demand and retail marketing.

[John Bull]

15 hours ago, taglovestocruise said:

One very small correction, in the US you simply call the cruise line or the TA if you see a price reduction on your booked category.  No canceling,  just a quick on the phone reprice.  This must be done before final payment date.  We have had as many as 3 price reductions on the same cruise, some as small as $15. happy cruising

 

Don't tell me this sort of stuff - I'm too old to emigrate 

 

JB 

[Mike981]

13 hours ago, wwcruisers said:

LOL, Mike!  To quote my Dad: "If you always go looking for trouble, it's a sure bet that you're always going to find it!"😏

 

My Dad told me to "never tell your guests where the good booze is."

[awhcruiser]

Where is the con?

[navybankerteacher]

On 11/20/2019 at 8:24 PM, Mike981 said:

OP I hope you can find peace.

When I look at your post history...it's hard not to make an opinion.

Right - he does not seem to like dealing with cruise lines.

[FlyerTalker]

2 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

Right - he does not seem to like dealing with cruise lines.

 

But keeps sailing with them.

 

????

 

 

[njhorseman]

On 11/20/2019 at 2:54 PM, taglovestocruise said:

One very small correction, in the US you simply call the cruise line or the TA if you see a price reduction on your booked category.  No canceling,  just a quick on the phone reprice.  This must be done before final payment date.  We have had as many as 3 price reductions on the same cruise, some as small as $15. happy cruising

It technically operates as a cancellation and rebooking although you may see no evidence of that such as no change in reservation number. If your cruise line has given you any perks as part of your original booking such as  onboard credit or free gratuities or a free beverage package or free specialty restaurant dining, if those perks have changed or been eliminated at the time you request the fare reduction you will only be entitled to the perks in effect at the time of repricing, which may cause you to lose a perk you previously had. You also may lose perks offered by your travel agency if they are no longer in effect at the time of repricing.

[FlyerTalker]

Also, it is dependent on the individual cruise line.  Not all lines have this blanket policy of allowing a cancellation and rebooking on the same cruise for a different price.

[geoherb]

As someone who likes the last-minute bargains, booking most of our cruises after the final payment date, I hope the cruise lines never change their policy. It would make them less likely to offer these bargains if those already locked in to a higher price could simply change to the lower price. That's probably one of the reasons Princess recently moved its final payment date to be 90 days before cruises.