Best Prices?

[kontraxed]

This is a generic question. Where have people found the absolute best prices on cruising in general and with NCL in particular?

 

So far, I have heard that booking through the casino can get a NCL discount but I'm not sure how much you have to play to get that discount.

 

Then you can wait for the "Upsell Fairy" but that's like waiting to win Lotto.

 

I have looked at other websites including the travel websites and the cruise specific websites. For the most part, they claim great discounts against the so called Brochure Price, but that just seems to be the current cruise line price.

 

Finally, I have heard that you can wait until the last minute to book a cruise but then you are taking chance on being sold out or not getting the type of room you wanted.

 

Is there anything really better (i.e. cheaper)?

[LONESTAR 101]

This is a generic question. Where have people found the absolute best prices on cruising in general and with NCL in particular?

 

So far, I have heard that booking through the casino can get a NCL discount but I'm not sure how much you have to play to get that discount.

 

Then you can wait for the "Upsell Fairy" but that's like waiting to win Lotto.

 

I have looked at other websites including the travel websites and the cruise specific websites. For the most part, they claim great discounts against the so called Brochure Price, but that just seems to be the current cruise line price.

 

Finally, I have heard that you can wait until the last minute to book a cruise but then you are taking chance on being sold out or not getting the type of room you wanted.

 

Is there anything really better (i.e. cheaper)?

 

 

I book directly through a Cruise Specialist with the cruiselines and it's free, I get a Military discount and most of the lines have senior discounts,police too, just call the cruiseline and ask what they have!! Of course TA"s have discounts but ive had better luck dealing with the cruiselines directly and no miscommunications with a TA!!;)

[weltek]

I'm sure you've already heard most of this, but I'll say it again for you.

 

Base prices don't vary that much, generally speaking (less than $100 difference pp can be found commonly, though), between cruise line vs. travel agents. However, several travel sites, agencies and such will offer bonuses that the cruise line doesn't. Just make sure you are really clear on what you are getting for the price. Sometimes it's a guarantee room, and that's not always desireable for people. Some people don't mind taking the risk, though.

 

I'd say being flexible on time of year, itinerary and room type are you best chances for scoring a great deal. Non-spring break, and non-holiday times are cheapest. Repositioning cruises are another great deal. Alaska in the earlier season is also going to be cheaper than when the kids are out of school in the summer. Also, unless you have severe clausterphobia issues, an inside stateroom isn't as bad as it sounds. They are decent sized and comfortable.

 

Additional note: Make sure you know all the discounts you can get. Union discounts, military discounts, coupons from your credit card co, rewards programs, etc. are easy to forget! Do your homework!

[LONESTAR 101]

I'm sure you've already heard most of this, but I'll say it again for you.

 

Base prices don't vary that much, generally speaking (less than $100 difference pp can be found commonly, though), between cruise line vs. travel agents. However, several travel sites, agencies and such will offer bonuses that the cruise line doesn't. Just make sure you are really clear on what you are getting for the price. Sometimes it's a guarantee room, and that's not always desireable for people. Some people don't mind taking the risk, though.

 

I'd say being flexible on time of year, itinerary and room type are you best chances for scoring a great deal. Non-spring break, and non-holiday times are cheapest. Repositioning cruises are another great deal. Alaska in the earlier season is also going to be cheaper than when the kids are out of school in the summer. Also, unless you have severe clausterphobia issues, an inside stateroom isn't as bad as it sounds. They are decent sized and comfortable.

 

Additional note: Make sure you know all the discounts you can get. Union discounts, military discounts, coupons from your credit card co, rewards programs, etc. are easy to forget! Do your homework!

 

 

You forgot Hurricane Season July Through October are excellent as well if you want to take the risk which I do and have done for 8 Cruises and no Problems!! I got a Extended Balcony For Sept. 14th. 2008 for Two and the Total including fuel,Prepaid Gratuities and fees for $1,649.00;) That included my $250.00 Military discount and a very good Friend and PVP for carnival she gives me all the credits and discounts allowable!! But Im not putting anyone down for their way of doing things their way either just telling the way I do it, I used a TA Once and My hotel wasnt booked, and my cruise wasnt all paid for when I got down to galveston Saturday, and I called their Office and the card that they could be reached at for emergencies, and no answers ony a recording, we will return Monday at 10 AM!!:rolleyes: Not all TA"s are bad I just got burned and I never stick my hand back in the fire again!!;) .

[coka]

I am currently trying to get on a ship last minute...it is not easy and the price is not that different from a few months ago. I think last minute discounts are far and few between...great...just when I am able to go on a whim! Wish me luck!

coka

[garycarla]

You are so right that waiting until the last minute can be good or be bad as rates rise. You will also find that most sites have just about the same price.

 

Big warning - make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Same dates. Taxes, port charges, possibly booking fees, fuel surcharges, transfers, etc.

 

If you want the home page at ncl.com you will see some cruises highlighted, meaning they need to sell more cabins, and therefore will discount.

[deepnite10]

I book directly through a Cruise Specialist with the cruiselines and it's free, I get a Military discount and most of the lines have senior discounts,police too, just call the cruiseline and ask what they have!! Of course TA"s have discounts but ive had better luck dealing with the cruiselines directly and no miscommunications with a TA!!;)

 

same on all counts..US ARMY 1968-1974:(

[retiredonthesea]

I'am always shopping for a cruise deal, whether it be through cruisline or our TA. Plus we do the compass rewards and book through CAS when the deals TA have aren't so good. We have to book a few months ahead as flights at the last minute are hard to come by. We do take advantage of the Freestyle cruise rewards program too. Every little bit helps!:D

[Brickwood]

I've consistenly found the best prices with online travel sites although we did book directly with Princess last year at an excellent price based on a mailing we received due to having cruised with them in the past.

 

I've also found substantial price differences with online agencies so check around. As someone else mentioned, you do need to compare final prices on these sites because it seems that the taxes and surcharges vary.

 

And lastly, I wouldn't recommend booking online unless you know what you want and don't expect much extra service. Works for us, not for everone.

[Addictedtwo]

I book directly through a Cruise Specialist with the cruiselines and it's free, I get a Military discount and most of the lines have senior discounts,police too, just call the cruiseline and ask what they have!! Of course TA"s have discounts but ive had better luck dealing with the cruiselines directly and no miscommunications with a TA!!;)[/quote

 

I don't know where your traveling from but you need to be aware that what you may save on booking last minute cruise you will end up paying for a last minute flight and then some.

[Ms belp]

I book directly through a Cruise Specialist with the cruiselines and it's free, I get a Military discount and most of the lines have senior discounts,police too, just call the cruiseline and ask what they have!! Of course TA"s have discounts but ive had better luck dealing with the cruiselines directly and no miscommunications with a TA!!;)

 

I agree. We have had problems with booking though a travel agent, even though we love them for land based vacations. I personally like booking through NCL with a PCC. We've never had a problem going that route.

[Boat_Drinks]

This is a generic question. Where have people found the absolute best prices on cruising in general and with NCL in particular?

 

So far, I have heard that booking through the casino can get a NCL discount but I'm not sure how much you have to play to get that discount.

 

I just booked a 2BD/2Bath A3 Courtyard Villa for a 14 day European trip on the Jade through CAS. Although I am a Platinum ranked player on Princess, I've only done a bit of play on NCL and I know my ranking is low (Inside-Comp), but still CAS gave me a fantastic discount (around 48% off the rack rate, my total savings was around $5,000!).

 

A fellow traveller is not a ranked player, but IS known to CAS from his play on a recent cruise. They extended him the "casino rate", which was nearly 36% off rack rates. So even if you have "light play" with CAS on a prior cruise, it doesn't hurt to ask and see what offer can be extended to you.

 

You may also have heard that NCL is working out a reciprical arrangement with Harrah's Total Rewards members. IMO, if you have ANY play with CAS you should try them first. The Harrah's Total Rewards discounts are not nearly as good as getting a casino rate directly from CAS.

 

Here is the Total Rewards player discount tier:

• Gold: 5%
  
• Platinum: 10%
  
• Diamond: 20%
  
• Triple-Diamond 30%

To be ranked triple-diamond by Harrah's you need to do a LOT of HIGH play, and yet I got a MUCH better discount (nearly 50% off) with a small fraction of that play directly with CAS, and my friend who is not ranked was offered the Casino Rate realized about a 36% savings (BETTER than a Harrah's Triple-Diamond).

 

So shop around, and don't be afraid to ask for a Casino Rate. The worst they can do is say "Sorry, you do not qualify for that rate" - maybe they'll still give you a little something like some "free-play" money. And next time you are cruising NCL, pop-in and play a bit in the casino. You'll have some fun, you may win some money, and you may just find that your play paid for itself by qualifying you for a Casino Rate on your next NCL cruise. ;)