Where's that Cruise Deal? - AOS Cruise Prices

[Ocruise]

Hi all. I was pricing my July Southern Carribbean Adventure of the Seas Cruise and my price results were interesting. I called the following:

 

1- RCCL

2- Cruises Only (1-800-Cruises)

3-Liberty Travel

4- Aadvantage Cruising (for American Airline Aadvantage members, which I am)

5-Online at LowestCruisePrices.com

 

Here is what I found

 

1) RCCL had the same exact prices as everyone else, their travel insurance was 139.00 per person

2) Cruises Only was 15.00 per person HIGHER than RCCL, when I told them they were higher, they said this was beause of their processing fee (15.00 per person,) They said they would waive this if I would book with them. But I said if i'm going to pay exactly the same price, I would rather book with RCCL and avoid a middle-party. I mentioned I thought they were a discount booking service, but they did not offer a better rate after I mentioned this. At this point I did not even ask how much their insurance was, I just thanked them & said goodbye.

3) Liberty Travel had the exact same rate as RCCL, but cheaper insurance, 99.00 per person

4) Aadvantage Cruising also had exactly the same rate as RCCL, however they charged more for insurance at 144.00 per person. The only "advantage' here is that I would get an extra 3,000 advantage miles for booking with them that I could redeem for a free flight when I collect enough miles

5)LowestCruisePrices.com was the worst, 230.00 per person higher than RCCL

 

It seems to me that most of the agencies (that I researched anway) have the same price as the cruise line itself. The way I figure it, why deal with a third party ? (I always do my own airfare, anyway, i'm very fussy with the flights I want) I'm just curious how does anyone get a cruise deal, lower than what the line is offering?

 

~ Marina

[yarlenna]

I do not like to book my insurance with the cruise line. I get mine from my TA and usually am able to find a policy that includes cruise line bankruptcy.

I have used Cruises Only for about 15 years. I KNOW I could have gotten some of my cruises cheaper, but my individual agent gives great service. If he leaves during the current reorganization, my business will follow him. The services of a good travel agent are like the services of any professional. I suppose if all you want is the cheapest fare, then any agent will do. I feel that if I find one who can give me the kind of help I need when things aren't going right, then I stick with that person. I want my agent to do more than collect his commission. No, I am not a TA. I just believe that when I am paying for a service, I look for the service. In the long run, I have gotten a very good value for my money.

 

Work like a dog. Live like a pauper. Save all your money. Then Cruise!

 

[OBX Bill]

I suggest you try cruisequick.com for a quote on your cruise....bet you'll be surprised. And try insuremytrip.com to compare insurance options.

 

Read Cruise Quicks Web site before you book..as they only do email communication. They have been great with us and come highly recommended on this board.

 

Good Luck

 

Go Red sox.

 

Bill

 

"You need a holiday..Take a holiday, Grab your pack and hit the trail, hoist your sail and wind up on some moonlite bay"

 

Jimmy Buffett

 

Grandeur of The Seas New Orleans to Baltimore

 

 

 

 

Till we take "Grandeur of the Seas"

from The French Quarter to Fells Point.

 

Navigator of the Seas 04/03

 

 

[cruisinfanatic]

Marina

 

Since you're booking in a high season time, rates are more because of less availability. You are also not looking in the right places. CruiseQuick is a good start.

 

Tropical 9/91

Ecstasy 9/93

Monarch 9/95

Sensation 9/96

Grandeur 9/97

Inspiration 9/98

Enchantment 9/99

Grandeur 9/00

Explorer 3/01

Grand 9/01.........Review!!

Victory 9/02........Review!!

Navigator 3/03....Review!!

Adventure 9/03....Review!!

Voyager 9/04

[cruisinfanatic]

I just looked at the July 18th sailing of the Adventure for example.

RCCI charges $1174.05pp for and inside cat N

RCCI charges $1524.05pp for an ocean view cat I

 

I looked at only one online agency and found the following

Cat N inside $1110pp

Cat I outside $1410pp

All taxes and port included in all prices.

With more research, I know that I could do much better.

 

Tropical 9/91

Ecstasy 9/93

Monarch 9/95

Sensation 9/96

Grandeur 9/97

Inspiration 9/98

Enchantment 9/99

Grandeur 9/00

Explorer 3/01

Grand 9/01.........Review!!

Victory 9/02........Review!!

Navigator 3/03....Review!!

Adventure 9/03....Review!!

Voyager 9/04

[Ocruise]

cruisefanatic,

 

Those are better prices. Who did you use?

[39august]

ocruise-Be sure to purchase insurance from a third party, not RCI, since you (as I do) make your own flight and hotel arrangements. Cruiseline insurance ONLY insures what is purchased through them. You might also try calling CruCon. Thier number is on thier web site.

[cruisinfanatic]

Ocruise

Post your email and I'll contact you.

 

Tropical 9/91

Ecstasy 9/93

Monarch 9/95

Sensation 9/96

Grandeur 9/97

Inspiration 9/98

Enchantment 9/99

Grandeur 9/00

Explorer 3/01

Grand 9/01.........Review!!

Victory 9/02........Review!!

Navigator 3/03....Review!!

Adventure 9/03....Review!!

Voyager 9/04

[TheParrotHeads]

try www.smartcruiser.com . They are worth it and even throw some perks in for you. If you RCI drops their prices smartcruiser will refund you the difference as well.

 

The PH'S (Lauren & Andrew)

 

<img src=http://www.caribbeansoul.com/images/animation.gif>

<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;6;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500> 'Till the AOS

 

2001 NCL SKY-Western Caribbean

2001 NCL Sun-Exotic W. Caribbean

2004 RCCL Navigator of the Seas-Western Caribbean

[Rachelleh]

Hi everyone, great posts as usual, I have become addicted to cruising recently, we took our 3 kids 6, 8, &10 on Carnival Glory 11/03, my husband and I went on Celebrity Constellation 3/04 and we are going again with the kids 11/04 on the NOS. I have checked every web site recommened here and have gotten some great pricing, but no one has been able to beat the price and service from a TA from Cruise Holidays, she has been wonderful, attentive, cabins and pricing have been great. I don't know if all cruise holidays locations have the same pricing as they are a franchise, and the Kansas City office (the one I use) has been the top seller in lots of catagories and the owner has a local radio program on the weekends, and lots of reps. from the various cruise lines are on the shows with great info., always talking about how this location is a big seller for them. If anyone is interested just post a reply and I'll check with my TA and ask if she minds if I post her phone/email. I have done a lot with her via email and phone, she even works on Sunday.

 

I have also checked with internet/TA on insurance and have found the best pkg and pricing from AAA, and believe me I check w/ 5 traveling ins. can really add up.

 

 

Rachelle

[Ocruise]

cruisinfanatic,

 

my e-mail addy is:

 

oceanmarina@aol.com

 

Thanks for the info!

[Virginia Zees]

ocruise,

try cruise.com

July 18th Cat I is 1089 and Cat N is 1389

 

AOS 4/25/2004

[dennis46]

Can anyone give me some feed back on booking with CruiseQuick.com? I am a little nervous not having any human contact in booking a cruise. How soon do you get your paperwork? Any chance for an upgrade?

 

Thanks

 

[Donnaluv2cruise]

We used bestpricecruises.com last year and no one could beat their price. We booked a 1A and were upgraded to a SS when we arrived. We had no problems at all.

[luv2travel2]

I booked our November cruise through Cruisequick and had absolutely no problems. Best price I found and great service.

 

[glentally]

I booked my cruise in 3/05 with cruisequick. They had the lowest prices . They send you a confirmation with room number and all the details. I'm not worried a bit.

 

Glen

 

CCL Fantasty - 85

CCL Destiny - 99

NCL Sky - 00

CCL Destiny - 01

NCL Star - 02

CCL Inspiration - 03

vegas trip- can I do this on a cruise board?

The big 50 years old cruise

RCI Adventure - 05 'BIG 50'

[D4]

I used CruiseQuick for my next cruise. Their prices are fantastic and they respond to emails very quickly (usually 20 minutes or less.) I've read so many great things about them that I'm not nervous at all. This is our 10th cruise. After our first cruise, we've always known exactly what ship we want, the date, and the cabin category.

 

But read their website carefully. They don't claim to be for everyone. Their market is experienced cruisers that know exactly what they want and don't need hand-holding. They also limit the number of quotes they'll give, so put some careful thought into your quote request. (By the way, once you've booked through them, you're not limited on quotes. I think their policy allows them to keep up the great and fast service to the serious cruisers.)

[-Cree�-]

Hey Parrotheads,

What perks did you get from Smartcruiser? We booked our last cruise through them and did'nt get any perks

 

The do have good prices, but they don't answer their emails very promptly. When our price dropped, I sent them three emails with no response. I finally had to call them but by that time, the price had already gone back up to the origional price. That cost me over $80.

 

Todd & Cindy

Our Sovereign Cruise

 

Our Grand Princess Cruise

 

Carnival Victory Mar 2001

Carnival Fantasy Nov 2001

RCI Sovereign Feb 2002

Grand Princess Feb 2003

Carnival Victory Feb 2004

[mstelly]

Cruisequick.com is a yes, I've used them several times, but if your a first time cruiser with alot of questions, you may want to try another. Cruisequick is for the cruiser that knows what he wants and wants a good price for it!

[RonnieS]

I agree in part with both the first two posters on this thread. A good travel agent is great if you're in need of more than just the cheapest price. However that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice good price for good service, you can have your cake and eat it too. Good agents may also offer both, service and price.

 

As a former agency owner, I know my way around a bit so I don't need the research that a good agent would offer. I usualy book my own arrangements.

 

But let me mention that Cruises International in Schaumburg, Illinois a couple of times a year has what they call a Cruise Expo. Represenatives of all major and some minor cruise lines are there to pitch their ships. This is as good as it gets I feel with cruise offerings, discounts, upgrades, etc. If you're in the Chicago area I highly recommend attending one of their Expos. I don't believe they accept on-line bookings, however.

 

Ron

 

NCL Starward 3/86

Tropicale 10/86

Royal Hawaiian Stardancer 10/93

Cunard Crown Jewell 12/94

RCL Monarch of the Seas 12/96

RCL Enchantment of the Seas 12/02

 

 

 

Adventure of the Seas 12/07/03

 

 

[melissa76]

HI,

 

I booked an Owner's Suite on NOS in June. RCCL wanted $3000 pp. Most online places wanted between $2700-$3000. Bestpricecruises.com was under $2500. So I saved $1000 booking with them. Good deal, huh?

 

Melissa

[TheParrotHeads]

Hey Creed (Todd & Cindy),

 

Sorry for not looking over this post more frequently. I used them for the second NCL cruise I took. They worked for me, threw a few 2 for 1 drink coupons in, some casino chips, wine waiting in room, and some other little things. I cannot say how they respond to e-mails, since I choose not to do business this way. I know friends that use only e-mail and the same sort of thing has happened to them using other TA's. It's simply personal preference, what works for me may not work for you. I'm sorry you ended up with a bad experience. They refunded me the $200 difference within a week. Thats sad to hear about their inconsistent service.

 

The PH'S (Lauren & Andrew)

 

<img src=http://www.caribbeansoul.com/images/animation.gif>

<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;6;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500> 'Till the AOS

 

2001 NCL SKY-Western Caribbean

2001 NCL Sun-Exotic W. Caribbean

2004 RCCL Navigator of the Seas-Western Caribbean

[nomad498]

I'd also suggest cruising during the low season for best pricing.

 

For the caribbean, the low season is:

 

May

September (after labor day)-November (before turkey day)

and usually 1 week in December (before Christmas and after turkey day).

 

Occasionally there are deals throughout the year, however these months are usually the lowest published fares, and they go up as the dates get closer. I am booked on Jewel in November for a 6 nite. Got the balcony for 600 pp including tax and port. Booked it about 2 months ago. Now, the same room is 829 and more pp. Just keep an eye out for rate changes. Possibly get those notifications from the cruise line. Typically, if the line drops the price, so does the TA. (Typically).

 

Good luck!

 

Chris, Jim

Marlene and John (my parents)

 

 till the sun and fun on Adventure!

 

 

 Till the sun and fun on Jewel of the Seas!