Can a UK citizen book an Australian cruise through an Australian travel agent?

[mcgorr]

I realise there is a significant difference in price booking through an Australian agency and a UK one.  If I try to do this online there is no option for adding a UK contact number so perhaps it isn't possible?

[Ozwoody]

24 minutes ago, mcgorr said:

I realise there is a significant difference in price booking through an Australian agency and a UK one.  If I try to do this online there is no option for adding a UK contact number so perhaps it isn't possible?

You could try e-mailing some TA's to see what they can do.

Just do your research about they first.

[arxcards]

Many of the cruise lines set it this way so that they can control pricing in different countries. It is also restrictive for us to book via the US or UK.

 

Email, or some have online chat to find out what can be done.

[Aus Traveller]

2 hours ago, mcgorr said:

I realise there is a significant difference in price booking through an Australian agency and a UK one.  If I try to do this online there is no option for adding a UK contact number so perhaps it isn't possible?

Do you know at this time which cruise line and when the cruise will be? Contact a company or a couple that specialise in cruises - they often have the word 'Cruise' in their name. Please come back and let us know how you go.

 

You probably realise that when you book through an Aust TA, gratuities are included in the fare with most cruise companies. I am not sure if it is with all, but it definitely is with P&O Aust and Princess. I will also make the comment that P&O Aust isn't exactly the same as P&O UK which is more like Princess.

Edited August 20, 2022 by Aus Traveller

[yes!yes!yes!]

Royal Caribbean  also include all taxes, fees and gratuities in a fare booked thru an Australian agent.

As far as I'm aware it is a law in Australia  to include everything in an advertised price.

[Aus Traveller]

14 minutes ago, yes!yes!yes! said:

Royal Caribbean  also include all taxes, fees and gratuities in a fare booked thru an Australian agent.

As far as I'm aware it is a law in Australia  to include everything in an advertised price.

I agree that prices in Australia have to include all fees and taxes, however they don't have to include gratuities. These are deemed to be discretionary. The inclusion of gratuities into the fares came several years after the introduction of GST and the law that it has to be included in the advertised price. P&O was the first to include gratuities (2008 or 2009 I believe) followed quickly by Princess. I think that RCI was much later.

[buchhalm]

I gave previously booked a Caribbean cruise with a friend's New York address (any US address , even the street address of a hotel should work).

I used a UAE issued credit card and booked via a VPN. No issue.

The only issue that MAY  arise is the use of an non country specific credit card.

[MMDown Under]

57 minutes ago, buchhalm said:

I gave previously booked a Caribbean cruise with a friend's New York address (any US address , even the street address of a hotel should work).

I used a UAE issued credit card and booked via a VPN. No issue.

The only issue that MAY  arise is the use of an non country specific credit card.

I have booked a number of overseas cruises through a USTA, using my Australian address.  I book all my overseas travel direct as well (hotel, transport, theatre, etc.)  I just don't see why booking overseas cruises should be any different.  

[Aus Traveller]

3 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

I have booked a number of overseas cruises through a USTA, using my Australian address.  I book all my overseas travel direct as well (hotel, transport, theatre, etc.)  I just don't see why booking overseas cruises should be any different.  

Booking a cruise is quite different from booking hotels etc. Several years ago the TAs and the cruiselines struck a deal that resulted in Aussies not being able to book through US TAs. In some cases it was allowed if they had booked through that TA before the 'ban' came into force. However, there were claims that Aussies who booked through a US TA wouldn't be allowed to board the ship. I think this was just an idle threat because I didn't hear of it ever happening. Since then, a few TAs use their own address as the address for their Australian clients. Other people use a friend or relative's address.

[subaru94]

11 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

Booking a cruise is quite different from booking hotels etc. Several years ago the TAs and the cruiselines struck a deal that resulted in Aussies not being able to book through US TAs. In some cases it was allowed if they had booked through that TA before the 'ban' came into force. However, there were claims that Aussies who booked through a US TA wouldn't be allowed to board the ship. I think this was just an idle threat because I didn't hear of it ever happening. Since then, a few TAs use their own address as the address for their Australian clients. Other people use a friend or relative's address.

We  booked through US TA and had no problems, I believe cruise ships have relaxed this I think due to the pandemic.  Can't name the one I use which is a shame as they were really good as soon as price went down rang an 1800 number and price got reduced, also had onboard credit.  US seem to get a lot better deals than us Aussies for some reason.

[MMDown Under]

11 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

Booking a cruise is quite different from booking hotels etc. Several years ago the TAs and the cruiselines struck a deal that resulted in Aussies not being able to book through US TAs. In some cases it was allowed if they had booked through that TA before the 'ban' came into force. However, there were claims that Aussies who booked through a US TA wouldn't be allowed to board the ship. I think this was just an idle threat because I didn't hear of it ever happening. Since then, a few TAs use their own address as the address for their Australian clients. Other people use a friend or relative's address.

I have close friends in the US but it wasn't necessary to use their addresses.  I still receive specials from the TA, as recently as this month.  I never believed paying passengers wouldn't be allowed to board, if they bought their cruise fare from a US TA.  If it was true, I would have bought land travel direct!

Of course, I buy Australian cruises direct from Australian cruise line in Australia. 

[MMDown Under]

3 minutes ago, subaru94 said:

We  booked through US TA and had no problems, I believe cruise ships have relaxed this I think due to the pandemic.  Can't name the one I use which is a shame as they were really good as soon as price went down rang an 1800 number and price got reduced, also had onboard credit.  US seem to get a lot better deals than us Aussies for some reason.

Simply because cruise lines had a monopoly in Australia.  A bit like companies selling books, which divided the world for their benefit.  

[mcgorr]

I will try some of the options offered.  Thanks so much for the replies.

[arxcards]

On 8/21/2022 at 10:45 AM, MMDown Under said:

Simply because cruise lines had a monopoly in Australia.  A bit like companies selling books, which divided the world for their benefit.  

Region coding of DVD's is another.

 

For cruise lines, it depends on the line. I have booked a Princess cruise from the US several years ago, and it was perfectly acceptable then. Princess came along and pretty much made that impossible on their booking systems, but you could still book with a US agent you had previously used. The agent we used is still active, so I believe that is still an option for us.

 

However, if you haven't previously booked in the US, a US agent can't book you on Princess with an Australian address. Sure, try a US address, but your Captains Circle membership says otherwise. The agency will give you a wide berth, as any discrepancy will mean they don't get their commission. 

 

Royal Caribbean used to allow you to book with overseas agents, but I am not sure if that is still the case.

[jessandarnie]

On 8/21/2022 at 4:56 AM, arxcards said:

Many of the cruise lines set it this way so that they can control pricing in different countries. It is also restrictive for us to book via the US or UK.

 

Email, or some have online chat to find out what can be done.

We have booked 4 cruises on U.S websites, and also communicated via email. Better pricing and inclusions, also aware of currency exchanges negative or positive. Cruise agents are not really concerned about where you come from, it’s a booking for them. Never a problem, OBC and communication always available.

[Gwendy]

On 8/21/2022 at 10:27 AM, Aus Traveller said:

Booking a cruise is quite different from booking hotels etc. Several years ago the TAs and the cruiselines struck a deal that resulted in Aussies not being able to book through US TAs. In some cases it was allowed if they had booked through that TA before the 'ban' came into force. However, there were claims that Aussies who booked through a US TA wouldn't be allowed to board the ship. I think this was just an idle threat because I didn't hear of it ever happening. Since then, a few TAs use their own address as the address for their Australian clients. Other people use a friend or relative's address.

Years ago we booked an Antarctic cruise through a US travel agent.  Showed as booked out on Australian websites but available in US.  A week before leaving Australia to fly to Buenos Aries Celebrity contacted us and said we may be denied boarding.  Long discussions back and forth but all worked out except for major anxiety on my part until we were on ship.  By the way best cruise ever.

[Aus Traveller]

4 hours ago, Gwendy said:

Years ago we booked an Antarctic cruise through a US travel agent.  Showed as booked out on Australian websites but available in US.  A week before leaving Australia to fly to Buenos Aries Celebrity contacted us and said we may be denied boarding.  Long discussions back and forth but all worked out except for major anxiety on my part until we were on ship.  By the way best cruise ever.

The threat of denied boarding happened for a couple of years. I never heard of anyone who was actually turned away from the ship, but it must have been incredibly stressful for you. My husband is such a worrier I hate to think how he would have reacted in your situation.