baffles Posted March 29 #1 Share Posted March 29 Does QM2 ever have reduced deposits on there cruises, and if so generally when? Thanks, Baffles............... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted March 29 #2 Share Posted March 29 If you book on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemarble Posted March 29 #3 Share Posted March 29 (edited) For US bookings, Cunard used to offer reduced deposits on most of their short-term promotions (Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, etc.). I haven't seen as many of those short-term promotions lately though and I haven't happened to notice reduced deposits on those they have run lately. All I can suggest is to keep an eye out for future promotions that may offer reduced deposits. Sorry I can't offer more help than that unfortunately. Cunard does offer what they call "Our Lowest Fare" in the US for Britannia category cabins on their 2024/2025 cruises. That fare offers a 50% reduced deposit (12.5% instead of the usual 25% in the US). The catch though is that deposit is non-refundable (and it's a guarantee-only booking). Edited March 29 by bluemarble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted March 29 #4 Share Posted March 29 For US booking , I find reduced deposits on many of the promo (sales) throughout the year. Current Upgrades on Us and OBC sale are reduced deposit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemarble Posted March 29 #5 Share Posted March 29 30 minutes ago, MCC retired said: For US booking , I find reduced deposits on many of the promo (sales) throughout the year. Current Upgrades on Us and OBC sale are reduced deposit. That's very interesting. Yeah, it definitely depends where you look. I'm not seeing a reduced deposit mentioned in the terms and conditions of the current "Upgrades on Us" promotion. When I price voyages using that promotion on the Cunard US website, I am seeing the standard 25% deposit being requested. Here's an example. Cunard US Website Westbound Transatlantic Crossing (M425B) Category: Sheltered Balcony BV Promotion: Upgrades on Us Base Fare: $2,169 per person (double occupancy) Total Base Fare: $4,338 for two (before TFPE) Deposit: $1,085 = 25% of $4,338 However, when I price that same voyage on the website for one of the travel agents I routinely check, here is what I am seeing. US Travel Agent Website Westbound Transatlantic Crossing (M425B) Category: Sheltered Balcony BV Promotion: Upgrades on Us Base Fare: $2,169 per person (double occupancy) Total Base Fare: $4,338 for two (before TFPE) Deposit: $542 = 12.5% of $4,338 I suppose this is another good reason to be looking into using a travel agent in the US. And that's not factoring in the discount off the base fare when I book through this agent. Thanks for encouraging me to look further into this @MCC retired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_P Posted March 29 #6 Share Posted March 29 The recent "summer sale" promo on the Australian website that ended yesterday had 5% deposits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted March 29 #7 Share Posted March 29 2 minutes ago, bluemarble said: That's very interesting. Yeah, it definitely depends where you look. I'm not seeing a reduced deposit mentioned in the terms and conditions of the current "Upgrades on Us" promotion. When I price voyages using that promotion on the Cunard US website, I am seeing the standard 25% deposit being requested. Here's an example. Cunard US Website Westbound Transatlantic Crossing (M425B) Category: Sheltered Balcony BV Promotion: Upgrades on Us Base Fare: $2,169 per person (double occupancy) Total Base Fare: $4,338 for two (before TFPE) Deposit: $1,085 = 25% of $4,338 However, when I price that same voyage on the website for one of the travel agents I routinely check, here is what I am seeing. US Travel Agent Website Westbound Transatlantic Crossing (M425B) Category: Sheltered Balcony BV Promotion: Upgrades on Us Base Fare: $2,169 per person (double occupancy) Total Base Fare: $4,338 for two (before TFPE) Deposit: $542 = 12.5% of $4,338 I suppose this is another good reason to be looking into using a travel agent in the US. And that's not factoring in the discount off the base fare when I book through this agent. Thanks for encouraging me to look further into this @MCC retired. Yes, the TA sites show the reduced deposit . We never book Cunard Directly so I was not aware that deposits would be different there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted March 30 #8 Share Posted March 30 I have the answer to the Reduced Deposit by US travel agents . It is tied to bookings done during the week long Cruise Night sales. One of the extra benefits offered for booking with the agency during that week. Agencies can also offer other goodies like additional OBC and group amenities. Some of the larger cruise only agencies have these Cruise Night sales almost every week. The one I use does . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baffles Posted March 30 Author #9 Share Posted March 30 Thanks all for the input on possible reduced deposits. I am seeing my AAA travel agent on Monday and we'll see what she can come up with. The deposit, just looking at Cunard's web site, and doing a make up cruise, the deposit is $3020.00.........This cruise is next July and is a 31day deal. Will let you know what I find. If it is a non refundable deposit then that's a no go for that. Always get refundable deposit, and very good cancellation insurance. Both a must. Thanks, baffles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemarble Posted March 30 #10 Share Posted March 30 16 minutes ago, baffles said: Thanks all for the input on possible reduced deposits. I am seeing my AAA travel agent on Monday and we'll see what she can come up with. The deposit, just looking at Cunard's web site, and doing a make up cruise, the deposit is $3020.00.........This cruise is next July and is a 31day deal. Will let you know what I find. If it is a non refundable deposit then that's a no go for that. Always get refundable deposit, and very good cancellation insurance. Both a must. Thanks, baffles For the cruise you're looking at, you'll benefit from Cunard's standard US refundable deposit being lowered to 20% on voyages of 31 nights or more, rather than a 25% US deposit Cunard requests on voyages of 30 nights or less. You're just getting in under the wire for that policy with a 31-night cruise. Hopefully your travel agent will be able to reduce that deposit for you. Mine is quoting a 10% deposit for the "Upgrades on Us" promotion on that 31-night cruise on their website. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Oldpeopleinlove Posted March 30 #11 Share Posted March 30 This is one reason we book onboard….reduced and fully refundable deposits up to date of final payment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baffles Posted March 30 Author #12 Share Posted March 30 25 minutes ago, 2Oldpeopleinlove said: This is one reason we book onboard….reduced and fully refundable deposits up to date of final payment. That's what Exlondoner said earlier. We'll see what my agent can do, and what Bluemarble said about getting 10% deposit with his agent. I have some fuel for the fire now....... If all else fails we are booked on the Queen Elizabeth in September for Alaska out of Vancouver. These are the last Cunard cruise out of Vancouver for 2024.........Seattle next season!!!! Thanks, baffles 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baffles Posted April 5 Author #13 Share Posted April 5 Just a quick follow up. My TA was able to get a very good reduced deposit, plus a big OBC for certain reasons. Glad to have the credit but it will be gone with the new daily crew appreciation rate and the 31 day cruise time frame. Looking forward to this bucket list check off.............baffles Thanks for all the inputs! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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