I don't quite understand...

[ScubaShari]

I read how the price of a cruise drops and people get either upgraded cabins or on board credit.

When you book through a travel agency, are the prices set in stone or is there possibilities of these perks as well. I know I am sounding ignorant, but I don't get it.

When we book our land vacations, I book them myself the only time we have used a TA is when cruising, so I am not quite sure how TA's work in general.

I am just wondering how the price break thing works when using a travel agent.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;06;06;13;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]  days till I am cruising the Caribbean

Royal Caribbean - Viking Seranade, 1993
Carnival - Paradise, 2001
Carnival - Ecstacy, 2001
Norwegin - Wind June, 2003

[halos]

Cruise prices fluctuate constantly from the time you book through when you sail.
You can call your TA occasionally if it's not an on-line agenct, just to check with him/her to see if there were any price drops. If there are, you should be able to get something...upgrade/ship credit or an actual refund right in your pocket if your final payment wasn't made yet.
If you book through a TA on line, you can check the prices daily yourself and then call if you see a decrease.

I believe in Miracles
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MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004
Calm Seas, Good Friends

[britt-britt]

I don't think you sound ignorant at all! This is something I would like to know, also. Like you, we only use a TA when we cruise.

[BigDoug]

If you have been reading this board then you know that the price of a cruise is not set in stone. You have to know your TA's policies regarding price drops. Will they honor a competitor's price or only the cruiseline's. Many TA's will match a price you find online if you are outside your penalty period. If they don't, they know you can cancel and rebook at the lower price. Some won't match the price but will call the cruiseline and try to negotiate an upgrade for you. It all depends on how aggressive you are. Do you monitor the online TA's for prices? Do you check the cruiseline's website for price drops? Did you price shop before booking? I have heard that some TA's actually call their clients about specials and price drops/upgrades. Mine didn't, so I now price my own cruises. I booked 5 cabins on Wed. 4/28 with a TA who would honor a price I found online. It was a great deal for both of us. I did the research, found a price I was willing to pay and he got a commission for booking it. He got a smaller commission but had to do a lot less work. I usually pays to shop around.

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Beating the Winter Blues on the Legend


Tropicale 9/95
Sensation 9/97
Carnival Destiny 10/00
Fascination 3/02
Imagination 3/03
Carnival Legend 10/28/03
Carnival Triumph 3/13/04
Carnival Legend 3/19/05

[weswas]

We book a year in advance, so I call our TA monthly to see what is going on or I stop in to see her. This is their job so don't feel like your bugging them and if they seem annoyed get a new agent. WE book with the hope that we will either get a price break or ship credit.

UNTIL WE SAIL AGAIN.......
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[ScubaShari]

I appreciate this information.

Thank you [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;06;06;13;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]  days till I am cruising the Caribbean

Royal Caribbean - Viking Seranade, 1993
Carnival - Paradise, 2001
Carnival - Ecstacy, 2001
Norwegin - Wind June, 2003

[sallyb]

What if you booked directly with Carnival and then you see a lower price at an online TA, or even at their web site? Will they do anything for you in these cases?
Thanks

To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive.
Robert Louis Stevenson

[LizT]

I have been calling or emailing weekly for the past 2 weeks. You never know, right?

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5/15 Glory

[dickinson]

Sallyb- if you booked with Carnival they will lower the price if their prices went down. This is as long as it is outside the penalty period. Once inside the penalty period, you can usually get either an onboard credit or an upgrade. You can request which you want but it is ultimately their decision which to give. My last cruise I booked directly through them and my reservationist said to keep calling up until the day we sail! she said sometimes the price goes down then too.

Mardi Gras 4/1988
NCL Norway 8/1990
Sensation 8/1996
Sensation 4/9/2000
Paradise 2/1/2002
Triumph 1/31/2004

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9/5 Paradise- Panama Canal

[sallyb]

So, did the price go down? I don't want an upgrade, already had that offered, but I will keep checking for a shipboard credit. If I find a better price somewhere else, should I call my PVP and try for credit?

To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive.
Robert Louis Stevenson

[S.S.Oceanlover]

before booking with anyone I always ask what their policies are in regards to lowering prices. Some agencies won't lower them so make sure before you book. I also ask about cancellation fees imposed by the agent. If they charge a fee to cancel then I'm outta there.

I found a really grat agent now who has her own agency and has done a wonderful job on our current bookings. I'll be sticking with her. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Bill

[img]http://home.comcast.net/~w.coleman43/1a.jpg[/img]


[url="http://home.comcast.net/~w.coleman43"]Caribbean Princess Eastern Caribbean cruise page[/url]

[crazy4bears]

I used a TA and received a refund check for $350 even though I had already made my final payment.

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[RinaJune612]

I booked directly with Carnival and the final payment has been made. I sail in 43 days should I call them to see if the prices went down? or try to get a quote from someone else?

[Cotton]

Rina, call your Carnival PVP and ask. Those folks are there to help you, and do not mind your calling. Just ask her/him if there has been a rate reduction on your cabin. If so, since you've made final payment, they should give you a shipboard credit. All you have to do is ask. If you don't, you'll never know. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[RinaJune612]

Thank you so much Cotton your a big help.