Price reduction in balcony cabins

[chrob]

We live in the UK and booked a D5 cabin on the transatlantic sailing (18th April) last April 06.

 

When I checked the current prices on the Cunard site last night I found that the price of balcony cabins have reduced to less than the price of an inside cabin.

 

I contacted my TA and Cunard customer services to ask if I could change cabins and upgrade to a B5 as the cost was less than we were paying for a D5. I was told by both that this was not possible and that no upgrade or refund could be made.

 

Has anyone upgraded when this has occurred in the past?

[Kindlychap]

We live in the UK and booked a D5 cabin on the transatlantic sailing (18th April) last April 06.

 

When I checked the current prices on the Cunard site last night I found that the price of balcony cabins have reduced to less than the price of an inside cabin.

 

I contacted my TA and Cunard customer services to ask if I could change cabins and upgrade to a B5 as the cost was less than we were paying for a D5. I was told by both that this was not possible and that no upgrade or refund could be made.

 

Has anyone upgraded when this has occurred in the past?

 

I have complained about this in the past, but can't recall what the outcome was. However you are dependent on goodwill only - you have no cause for complaint in the sense that the contract you formed is valid at the price you agreed.

 

This is one of the dangers of booking early. But at least you know you are going. It's a game on this side of the pond.

 

Would it be cost effective to cancel, lose your deposit and rebook? Or change to a different sailing - it may cost you £100 in fees, but you might regard that as well spent?

 

Best of luck.

 

Matthew

 

PS Leaving booking to the last minute can get you some cracking deals! Did you see the prices on the QE2 transatlantic earlier this month? £999 for a Queens' Grill cabin per person!

[DaddyWarbucks]

I'll second that! From this side of the pond, $900 (L450) p/p got us Princess grill accomodations. We should all wait until the last minute. Cunard will blink first and lower prices!:D

[planetcadillac]

I'll second that! From this side of the pond, $900 (L450) p/p got us Princess grill accomodations. We should all wait until the last minute. Cunard will blink first and lower prices!:D

 

Given the near record amount of upgrades and pricing schemes for the just finished January crossing, I have thought much about waiting and playing the game. However the January 08 crossing will be a Tandem and I do believe will sell faster given the fact that 3 Queens will be present in NYC (in some fashion if not all next to each other...). Such is the case it is a priority of ours NOT to miss the trip so I am thinking about swallowing my game and just dropping the deposit now. We always do M guarantees and then hope for the best. This past go around 1 cabin got bumped to Caronia 1 stayed in M but you live with it. Now if we could all be like Julia and get bumped to QG from M that would be living. As long as I am ON BOARD I am fine. Heck maybe they will overbook and allow us to put up tent cities in the public areas... :eek:

[Bramcruiser]

Has anyone upgraded when this has occurred in the past?

 

We had something similar last year. It was January of 2006 when we booked our QM2 Caribbean sailing out of Fort Lauderdale in December 2006. We originally booked an outside cabin with just a window. However, a few days later we joked about getting a balcony stateroom so I called the TA back "just for fun to see what the price would be to go to a balcony". Unknown to me Cunard was having a balcony sale and the price was only a ridiculous $50 more all together. Your deal sounds even better by the way! Anyway, we were able to change to a B3 in-hull balcony at the sale price with our original booking number. That's just my experience. I happen to be at the right place at the right time.

 

David

[2moose]

We live in the UK and booked a D5 cabin on the transatlantic sailing (18th April) last April 06.

 

When I checked the current prices on the Cunard site last night I found that the price of balcony cabins have reduced to less than the price of an inside cabin.

 

I contacted my TA and Cunard customer services to ask if I could change cabins and upgrade to a B5 as the cost was less than we were paying for a D5. I was told by both that this was not possible and that no upgrade or refund could be made.

 

Has anyone upgraded when this has occurred in the past?

 

 

SOMETHING SIMULAR HAPPENED TO MY WIFE AND I ON OUR LAST CRUISE .. WE BOOKED A GREAT PRICE THAT WAS OFFERED TO US VIA E MAIL FOR WORLD CLUB MEMBERS 5 MONTHS BEFORE THE CRUISE !!! JUST PRIOR TO SAILING THEY SENT US ANOTHER EMAIL THAT WAS QUITE A BIT CHEAPER.. WHEN WE CALLED CUNARD TO OBTAIN THE LOWER PRICE OR AN UPGRADE CUNARD SAID NO!!! BUT AFTER PLEADING OUR CASE TO CUSTOMER RELATIONS THEY AGREED TO GIVE US AN ADDITONAL ON BOARD CREDIT FOR THE ENTIRE DIFFERENCE WHICH OF COURSE WE DID SPEND!!!!!

SOOOOO!! MY SUGGESTION IS TO CALL CUSTOMER RELATONS PERHAPS THEY WILL RECONSIDER !!!! GOOD LUCK AND BON VOYAGE!!!

[DaddyWarbucks]

Given the near record amount of upgrades and pricing schemes for the just finished January crossing, I have thought much about waiting and playing the game. However the January 08 crossing will be a Tandem and I do believe will sell faster given the fact that 3 Queens will be present in NYC (in some fashion if not all next to each other...). Such is the case it is a priority of ours NOT to miss the trip so I am thinking about swallowing my game and just dropping the deposit now. We always do M guarantees and then hope for the best. This past go around 1 cabin got bumped to Caronia 1 stayed in M but you live with it. Now if we could all be like Julia and get bumped to QG from M that would be living. As long as I am ON BOARD I am fine. Heck maybe they will overbook and allow us to put up tent cities in the public areas... :eek:

 

The tandem crossing will require about 3500 people to fill both ships. Granted that most will want to experience the new QV. That leaves the QE2 to be filled up. My guess is that they will have a hard time filling her up again in January. However, one needs to remember that the most basic cabin in the QV is larger than most Caronia cabins on the QE2.;)

[2moose]

I'll second that! From this side of the pond, $900 (L450) p/p got us Princess grill accomodations. We should all wait until the last minute. Cunard will blink first and lower prices!:D

 

 

WOW GREAT PRICE !!! HOW MANY NITES!!!!!!!!!!

[DaddyWarbucks]

WOW GREAT PRICE !!! HOW MANY NITES!!!!!!!!!!

 

6 nights, I am referring to last QE2 transatlantic westbound on Jan.2nd.

 

Cunard, under U.S. management now has a policy of sailing with as close to full capacity as possible. (an empty cabin is seen as lost revenue) So if reservations are slow, prices will be lowered until the ship is filled. Don't expect great buys in June, July and August or at anytime of high demand. Few people want to cross the Atlantic mid winter what with rough seas, cold weather that bans on-deck activities and balconies that are useless. So prices drop considerably.

[2moose]

6 nights, I am referring to last QE2 transatlantic westbound on Jan.2nd.

 

Cunard, under U.S. management now has a policy of sailing with as close to full capacity as possible. (an empty cabin is seen as lost revenue) So if reservations are slow, prices will be lowered until the ship is filled. Don't expect great buys in June, July and August or at anytime of high demand. Few people want to cross the Atlantic mid winter what with rough seas, cold weather that bans on-deck activities and balconies that are useless. So prices drop considerably.

 

YOU HIT THE LOTTERY!! LOWEST PRICES I HAVE EVER HEARD OF!!!

[chrob]

Thanks for all your replies. I have sent an e-mail to Cunard expressing my disappointment but as yet have not had a reply.

 

I will keep you posted.

[Kindlychap]

We had something similar last year. It was January of 2006 when we booked our QM2 Caribbean sailing out of Fort Lauderdale in December 2006. We originally booked an outside cabin with just a window. However, a few days later we joked about getting a balcony stateroom so I called the TA back "just for fun to see what the price would be to go to a balcony". Unknown to me Cunard was having a balcony sale and the price was only a ridiculous $50 more all together. Your deal sounds even better by the way! Anyway, we were able to change to a B3 in-hull balcony at the sale price with our original booking number. That's just my experience. I happen to be at the right place at the right time.

 

David

 

You're the other side of the pond. I think that makes a big difference, as I understand deposits are refundable?

[ladykt]

No deposits are not refundable in the UK and we also have a $300 shipboard credit that we would lose if we were to cancel.

[Kindlychap]

No deposits are not refundable in the UK and we also have a $300 shipboard credit that we would lose if we were to cancel.

 

I'm in the UK.

 

$300 isn't really much against a 10% deposit over here.

 

If you are North America, and that is the most you can lose, then effectively surely you're able to rebook nearer the time if prices significantly drop?

 

Matthew

[Kindlychap]

6 nights, I am referring to last QE2 transatlantic westbound on Jan.2nd.

 

Cunard, under U.S. management now has a policy of sailing with as close to full capacity as possible. (an empty cabin is seen as lost revenue) So if reservations are slow, prices will be lowered until the ship is filled. Don't expect great buys in June, July and August or at anytime of high demand. Few people want to cross the Atlantic mid winter what with rough seas, cold weather that bans on-deck activities and balconies that are useless. So prices drop considerably.

 

Given my bar bill on the last crossing, I can see their point!

 

I'm not sure I'd agree about balconies being useless. I used mine, albeit it little and often!

 

Matthew

[Bramcruiser]

You're the other side of the pond. I think that makes a big difference, as I understand deposits are refundable?

 

Could be. I am used to most promotions over here being advertised as "on new bookings only" though. I can only relate what happened to me in my situation.

 

Yes, deposits here are usually refundable. I take it that they are not over there? I'm learning more and more just how some things are done differently on either side of the pond.

 

David

[cusyl]

My travel agent is usually able to at least get me onboard credit if there is a price drop.

[transat_jon]

The fact that US deposits are usually refundable makes a big difference to the leverage you can get when it comes to sorting out a deal.

 

In the UK, a helpful specialist agent should be able to get you something to compensate for the subsequent price reductions (upgrade or on board credit). If you have booked with one of the huge call centre agencies you are probably going to be out of luck there (the staff do not have the time or experience to sort these kind of things out).

 

It could also be worth the £100 charge to re-book the trip under the new deal.

 

My advice is to always to book late, with one real exception : if you want a single cabin on QE2. Early booking discount on a single is still in most cases cheaper than a last minute deal for single occupancy in a twin.

[sfo-john]

Jon,

 

That's a really good point and so true about the single cabins on QE2. At the very least the last minute discounts on single occupancy of a twin are on par with the early booking discount. You might as well know that you have the security of the booking ahead of time. You may end up getting upgraded to a twin, which is what happened to me last time.

[chrob]

Thank you to all who replied. We have cancelled our original booking for the D5 cabin and rebooked a B5. This still worked out cheaper even though we lost our deposit and $300 onboard credit.

 

We have booked cabin 8029 for us and 8022 for my parents. Anyone have any experience of these cabins?