I have a question

[violett123]

We have booked a guarantee belcony on the Noordam Feb 17. We booked back in August and put down a deposit. Now here is the question. Is it better to pay off the whole cruise right away or pay the remaining when it is due? Is there any benefits either way. For example will we have a better chance at an upgrade if it's paid in full.

[bepsf]

Nobody can say - There are absolutley no rules when it comes to upgrades as demand for categories and cancellations can vary the circumstances widely from cruise to cruise and week to week up until the day of departure.

 

Best thing is to book at least the minimum category you'd be happy with.

[AAAAmerican]

We have booked a guarantee belcony on the Noordam Feb 17. We booked back in August and put down a deposit. Now here is the question. Is it better to pay off the whole cruise right away or pay the remaining when it is due? Is there any benefits either way. For example will we have a better chance at an upgrade if it's paid in full.

 

 

WAIT as the price can and does drop a lot of times... and as well A large amount..

 

 

So you make the float and have the best advantages ..:cool:

[violett123]

So are you saying if I pay in full and the price drops I will not get a refund for that amount?

[AAAAmerican]

So are you saying if I pay in full and the price drops I will not get a refund for that amount?

 

 

Your length of time is quite a bit and wouldn't youall want to make the interest on those funds more than giving it away to a Division of a For Profit Corporation..?

 

 

That does depend on what arrangements..((In Writting)) you have made and agreed to.

 

Read everything full and in depth. :cool:

 

Consumers have little protection.. one day we shall with the numbers and percent of population growing now..

[bepsf]

So are you saying if I pay in full and the price drops I will not get a refund for that amount?

 

Probably not.

Would you give a refund if you were running the place?

[lizf]

Here's my $.02. Wait until the final payment is due. You never know when your plans will change and you always have the option of canceling the cruise up until the final payment is due. People are much more responsive to you if you owe them money. If you give them all that you will owe them and then need to ask for something, what if they don't respond to your liking? You have nothing left to offer.

 

I've never heard of a cash discount, i.e., 5% off for cash up front. With cruise lines, the price is the price. Unless they lower it to fill the ship. Pay when you have to because most communication stops after that. It seems like its the same with TAs. Once in a while we hear of one who doesn't send the payment on immediately. They pay the cruise line at the end. If they hold your money could they use it in the meantime? I don't know, I just wouldn't do it.

[lizf]

Sorry, duplicate post.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I read somewhere on another board that someone did pay their cruise in full (another line) way before it was due. Then the price went down -- cruise line would not give them the lower price.

[cruisecache&squash]

I paid for my upcoming one in full because my TA was offering a 5% discount if I used my Mastercard to pay for it. If it weren't for that incentive I doubt I would have paid until final payment was due.

[lizf]

Okay, I stand corrected. :D

 

Ya gotta admit that sure is a coincidence. 5% cash discount too. Who would have thought? Next time I'll say 7% or something. :)

[sail7seas]

I would never pay in full before it was due.

I seriously doubt it would influence you're getting an upgrade.

I think if the 'fairy' was going to dust you with an upgrade, the total cost of your cruise might be a factor but having paid in full before it was due shouldn't have an impact IMO

 

[gizmo]

 

I've never heard of a cash discount, i.e., 5% off for cash up front. With cruise lines, the price is the price. Unless they lower it to fill the ship.

 

Depending on who and what type of cruise, yes this is available.:)

From a TA's web site.

 

Earn extra savings just by paying for your trip earlier. With our Smart Full Payment Discount PlanSM, you'll earn a price reduction on your program — up to 10% annual tax-free interest on river cruise and escorted tour programs — up to 8% on ocean cruises. The earlier you pay, the greater your discount. You'll also be protected against increases in the cost of the land and international airfare portions of your trip

 

With XXXXXX Full Payment Discount Plan, the sooner you pay, the more you save! You'll not only save - but you'll lock in the price of your trip as well.* The price of the land, cruise and international airfare portions of your journey will be protected from "surprise" increases later.**

Depending how far in advance you pay - you'll earn a generous per person discount ... the equivalent of up to 10% annualized tax-free interest on the cost of escorted land tours and European River Cruises (up to 8% on ocean cruises).

The Full Payment Discount is based on the number of days you pay in full before the regular final payment due date. That means you'll receive the maximum discount by paying 12 months before your regular final payment is due. Depending on the type of cruise or tour you take, the final payment due date is generally 90 or 120 days prior to departure.

 

EXAMPLE:

Let's say you reserve a XXXXXX European River Cruise departing on October 31, 2007 and your final payment - due August 2, 2007 - is $4000. (After your deposit has been deducted and all supplements have been calculated).

Here's what you can save on your $4000 final payment:

• If you pay in full by August 2, 2006
  (12 months prior to your final payment due date) you will receive
  a cash discount of $400, or a savings of 10%.
  
• If you pay in full by November 2, 2006
  (9 months prior to your final payment due date) you will receive
  a cash discount of $300, or a savings of 7.5%.
  
• If you pay in full by February 2, 2007
  (6 months prior to your final payment due date) you will receive
  a cash discount of $200, or a savings of 5%

[FLACRUISER99]

Unless the TA goes Bankrupt.:eek: It looks like they are using your money until final payment is due.

[hammybee]

Generally speaking, mass marketed cruise lines do not offer a discount for payment in full, in advance of the final payment date. I am at a loss as to why a passenger would do this, beyond personal preference.

 

If however, a passenger, for whatever reason, makes full payment, before the final payment date, the terms and conditions of the booking apply. The consumer is entitled to a full refund ( less any TA cancellation fee) up to 75 days prior to booking. Cancellations made during the 57-75 days period carry a penalty of forfeiture of the REQUIRED deposit amount, not the actual amount on deposit.

 

Where I think it becomes sticky is that the TA may not be as well versed on the terms and conditions and / or may have already withheld or received thier commission. Again, the terms and conditions prevail and it is clear that the TA represent's the passenger, not the cruise line. The TA may have their own terms and conditions for cancellations or changes, independent of any cruise line.

[earl_m]

Its better to have the money in your bank instead of theirs.If you have to cancel your trip or they go bankrupt, it least not all is lost.

[kryos]

I've never heard of a cash discount, i.e., 5% off for cash up front. With cruise lines, the price is the price.

And I can't understand why the cruise lines don't offer such a thing. If someone were booking say a year out ... wouldn't it behoove me as the cruise line to offer them some kind of deal to make it a paid in full booking? Maybe a $500 OBC for the cabin if you pay in advance? The more credit the longer in advance you pay?

 

Doesn't cost the cruise line a dime to do something like that since the credit would be non-refundable; i.e., the passenger has to use it while onboard or lose it. The money for the credit is still going back into the pockets of the cruise line ... plus they can invest the passenger's advance payment monies and earn interest on them. Sounds like a great deal all around to me.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[lizf]

Rita- I'm 100% with you. I've long thought that it should be worthwhile to pay it all at booking for a discount. The World voyagers get a cash discount for paying early. Of course its a lot more money, but what the heck, why not for anyone?

[Sunshine91]

I read somewhere on another board that someone did pay their cruise in full (another line) way before it was due. Then the price went down -- cruise line would not give them the lower price.

 

That doesn't seem quite fair. Couple of weeks ago several of us on our January Noordam sailing were fortunate enough to get fare reductions. :) Whether we have paid in full or just have a deposit, to me, is irrelevant. The final payment due date is in about 3 weeks. That's the date that should matter.

 

Just my personal opinion. But to a cruiseline, does that count? :rolleyes:

[hammybee]

That doesn't seem quite fair. Couple of weeks ago several of us on our January Noordam sailing were fortunate enough to get fare reductions. :) Whether we have paid in full or just have a deposit, to me, is irrelevant. The final payment due date is in about 3 weeks. That's the date that should matter.

 

Just my personal opinion. But to a cruiseline, does that count? :rolleyes:

 

Would one not then cancel and rebook?

[violett123]

Thanks for the advice everyone I wil now wait to make final payment.