TAs, LAs, OBC, XYZ...argh my head is spinning...

[FOURunderFOUR]

I just read a bunch of posts on NextCruises and OBC. I am a bit dizzy, but still determined to get the most for my dollar, so I want to understand all of this.

 

I think I am clear on the NextCruise program. If I am correct, the major (only??) benefit of booking onboard (either for an actual sail or NextCruise) is that you get OBC? Oh, and potentially a Friend Cert? What is the benefit of transferring this booking to a TA? Our current cruise was booked from that online site where the TA's "compete" for your booking. in reality, all the quotes were exactly the same, so we went with the person who replied back to us first. He offered us $50 OBO, but on my email reservation it states "As a booking incentive, you will receive a Royal Caribbean on board savings booklet, a Bottle of Wine plus on board amenities valued at $50.00 per cabin." Is this OBC? If not, what is OBC and what can it be used for? Can we buy a soda card with it? Can we use it like cash in the bar? Casino? Other restaurants (chops?). Can you get additional OBC from transferring your reservation from the NextCruise to your TA? Also, I think I recall something about booking yourself thru the RCI website, watching for price changes (although my current cruise seems to be increasing, not decreasing) and then transferring to a TA before final payment?? I am confused about the benefits of a TA too? I tend to be a person who wants to do things for myself, unless there is some benefit for "paying" someone else to do it for me. I know I am not really paying the TA out of pocket, but I assume he IS getting paid somehow (and I realize they need to make money too), but what benefit is it to me to transfer the reservation I made (and watched for for price drops) to him?? Is there anything I am missing here?

 

Thanks for all your help!

 

J

[traveling1969]

The only benefit of the Nextcruise program, or to put it in plain language, booking another cruise while on board, is that you get an on board credit; the amount of that credit depending on the length of the cruise booked. Now they have it so you don't even have to book the cruise; just put down a deposit and book within a set time period. RCCL's time period is 2 yrs and Princess's 4 yrs. No other advantage. As far as transferring the booking to a TA, that depends on the TA. Our TA is always able to beat RCCL's price. For example, if the RCCL price is $1000.00, our TA's price is $60 or $70 less on average. Also, whenever there is a price drop, I just call my TA and he gets the booking repriced (the newly advertised price minus the $60-$70 discount). He makes sure our preferences are communicated to the cruise line (dining time, bed configuration etc). I usually do all the research prior to booking, then I call him and he does the rest. He also makes sure I get any discounts available(military, over 55, residence etc). He takes care of price reductions if the cruise line offers a savings certificate or if I get a Reward points certificate. I keep an eye on the web sites for these things and let him know right away. I usually check prices 2 or 3 times a week. It's too much to expect him to stay on top of those things and recheck prices as often as I do but he always acts quickly when I notify him. Some TA"s will have a bottle of wine or perhaps some canapes sent to your stateroom. That's why I use a TA. Some folks have nothing but trouble with their TA's. Our friends had used our TA previously and recommended him to us. We have booked 7 cruises with him so far and couldn't be happier.

 

As for your question regarding on-board credits, they are used to reduce your stateroom bill. In other words if you have a $50 OBC, you will see it credited to your account. It doesn't matter what the charge is.

 

It's impossible to make a blanket statement about TA's; some are good and some are bad. Ask your friends or fellow cruisers on your next cruise.

Good luck and Bon Voyage!

[cruisenfever]

The other benefit to NextCruise bookings is that even though it is a non-refundable deposit of $100pp, it is good indefinitely. You don't have to pay out $500 for a 7 night cruise if you don't know what cruise you want to book while on board. And then when you do finally make a decision the NextCruise deposit will be deducted from the deposit made on a specific cruise.

[traveling1969]

Very good point cruisenfever. I had forgotten about the reduced deposit to hold the option of booking later.

[cruisenfever]

Very good point cruisenfever. I had forgotten about the reduced deposit to hold the option of booking later.

I'm always looking to save a few bucks!!:D

[robtulipe]

When we did the Next Cruise booking while on Legend last Nov., we were told that the future cruise booking did not have to be done within a certain period of time ( it didn't expire) and the deposit was non refundable.

[cruisenfever]

When we did the Next Cruise booking while on Legend last Nov., we were told that the future cruise booking did not have to be done within a certain period of time ( it didn't expire) and the deposit was non refundable.

Bob, that's correct...........you can take as long as you want to book a cruise.

[Lynnees]

The only benefit of the Nextcruise program, or to put it in plain language, booking another cruise while on board, is that you get an on board credit; the amount of that credit depending on the length of the cruise booked. Now they have it so you don't even have to book the cruise; just put down a deposit and book within a set time period. RCCL's time period is 2 yrs (no time period on NextCruise)and Princess's 4 yrs. No other advantage. As far as transferring the booking to a TA, that depends on the TA. Our TA is always able to beat RCCL's price. For example, if the RCCL price is $1000.00, our TA's price is $60 or $70 less on average TA's cannot undercut RCCL - unless he/she is holding group space this is illegal.. Also, whenever there is a price drop, I just call my TA and he gets the booking repriced (the newly advertised price minus the $60-$70 discount). He makes sure our preferences are communicated to the cruise line (dining time, bed configuration etc). I usually do all the research prior to booking, then I call him and he does the rest. He also makes sure I get any discounts available(military, over 55, residence etc). He takes care of price reductions if the cruise line offers a savings certificate or if I get a Reward points certificate. I keep an eye on the web sites for these things and let him know right away. I usually check prices 2 or 3 times a week. It's too much to expect him to stay on top of those things and recheck prices as often as I do but he always acts quickly when I notify him. Some TA"s will have a bottle of wine or perhaps some canapes sent to your stateroom. That's why I use a TA. Some folks have nothing but trouble with their TA's. Our friends had used our TA previously and recommended him to us. We have booked 7 cruises with him so far and couldn't be happier.

 

As for your question regarding on-board credits, they are used to reduce your stateroom bill. In other words if you have a $50 OBC, you will see it credited to your account. It doesn't matter what the charge is.

 

It's impossible to make a blanket statement about TA's; some are good and some are bad. Ask your friends or fellow cruisers on your next cruise.

Good luck and Bon Voyage!

 

Just a couple of remarks about your costing. Illegal is a bad choice of words on my part. I should have said this is not allowed by RCL and if your TA gets caught doing it RCCL will stop accepting bookings from his agency.

[petel]

Hi Patti, Happy Friday :)

 

One thing I think no one said anything about ...... "If not, what is OBC and what can it be used for?"

 

OBC is ca$h. It is applied to your on board account and you can spend it any way you wish ...... including getting a refund before you get off the ship at the end of the cruise. Enjoy :)

[FOURunderFOUR]

thank you so much for all your replies.

 

J

[cruisenfever]

Hi Patti, Happy Friday :)

 

One thing I think no one said anything about ...... "If not, what is OBC and what can it be used for?"

 

OBC is ca$h. It is applied to your on board account and you can spend it any way you wish ...... including getting a refund before you get off the ship at the end of the cruise. Enjoy :)

Thanks Pete.........how could I have forgotten the "OBC". :o Oh, and happy TGIF back! Enjoy your weekend.

[traveling1969]

Just a couple of remarks about your costing. Illegal is a bad choice of words on my part. I should have said this is not allowed by RCL and if your TA gets caught doing it RCCL will stop accepting bookings from his agency.

Gee, I had no idea. He always does this with every booking whether it's RCCL, Carnival, or Princess. I told my Carnival Rep that that was why I stopped booking directly with him and he said it was OK if I booked through him then turned the booking over to my TA and subsequently had it repriced. He said lots of folks did the same thing. I always assumed my TA was sacrificing a portion of his commission.