Price Reduction

[ladyjane550]

Our February Solstice cruise is now $700.00 cheaper than what we paid a year ago. Celebrity will not do anything about it. These good prices are for NEW bookings only. I guess I should of waited to book. I make me sick though.

[kenevenpar]

Many discussions about this. It comes down to do you want to take a chance on booking "last minute" and taking your chances on category and location and itinerary? Or, do you want the piece of mind of knowing you got exactly what you want.

 

We usually opt for the former, as our work schedules are a bit flexible.

 

I know how you feel, we ended up paying the surcharge, even though it is ending next week. We look at it this way; if we book something, we are happy with the price etc., and if there are any reductions, oh well/.

 

Hope you have a great cruise on Solstice, it sounds like a great ship.

 

Ken

[BurgerBits]

Our February Solstice cruise is now $700.00 cheaper than what we paid a year ago. Celebrity will not do anything about it. These good prices are for NEW bookings only. I guess I should of waited to book. I make me sick though.

 

On which sailing are you booked??

[floridatravelersforlife]

In these times, I would book at the last moment.

[RealDeal]

Over $600 here...fuming.

[ladyjane550]

REAL DEAL - You could of saved over $600.00 also??? I am fuming with you.

[rosesplus]

I got off the Constellation last month and lots of people were talking about the price drops. Celebrity is now just going after any $$ they can get without regard to either their regular cruisers or the people that booked well in advance. Celebrity has chosen only to discount new bookings and doesn't care if you've booked in advance, they wait until the final payments are in then they offer big discounts to late bookers. Some people on our cruise had paid $1949pp for a CC only to find that last minute bookings were getting CC's for $949pp!!

 

Welcome to the club, make sure you let Celebrity know what you think of their pricing policies!! Anybody that books in advance with Celebrity is IMHO is crazy.

[RealDeal]

Yup....in a C2 on the Solstice 2/1 sailing. I'm so ticked, but hoping they lower the price on the X web site...as of yesterday I counted 33 C2's still open. Oh, did I mention that I'm overpaying for a balcony cabin in which I can't smoke on the balcony??? (I literally learned of this new rule the day after FP.) They would not allow me to cancel w/out penalties based on this b/c I was ONE day after FP. Fuming??? Yup.

[lais]

Yup....in a C2 on the Solstice 2/1 sailing. I'm so ticked, but hoping they lower the price on the X web site...as of yesterday I counted 33 C2's still open. Oh, did I mention that I'm overpaying for a balcony cabin in which I can't smoke on the balcony??? (I literally learned of this new rule the day after FP.) They would not allow me to cancel w/out penalties based on this b/c I was ONE day after FP. Fuming??? Yup.

 

I didn't know about the smoking either and I paid ALOT of money for my cabin. I can live with that but then they just outlawed smoking in the casino where I like to spend my nights when my DH is sleeping as he is not a gambler. I spend alot of money in the casinos but I won't be doing that on this trip. If I had known I would have chosen another ship.

[RealDeal]

Lais: I hear ya loud & clear. I really, really love X, but this has left a really bad taste in my mouth. It's highly unlikely I will be cruising with X after this trip & I absolutely will never book prior to FP again.

[jackdiamond]

Yup....in a C2 on the Solstice 2/1 sailing. I'm so ticked, but hoping they lower the price on the X web site...as of yesterday I counted 33 C2's still open. Oh, did I mention that I'm overpaying for a balcony cabin in which I can't smoke on the balcony??? (I literally learned of this new rule the day after FP.) They would not allow me to cancel w/out penalties based on this b/c I was ONE day after FP. Fuming??? Yup.

Perhaps my memory is failing me, but I seem to recall that the new smoking policy was announced last summer, and it became effective October 1, 2008. While I am a non-smoker, I personally believe that Celebrity went too far in proscribing smoking on the balconies. Otherwise, I am comfortable with their smoking policy.

[hajekfam]

Celebrity as well as Royal Caribbean have always had these specials for new bookings only - it is not something new. These sale prices are only for a limited number of cruises and must be booked between a short time frame - usually a Tuesday. As previously stated, if you wait to see if the cruise you want comes up on the specials you risk taking a cabin or category that is left if the cruise even shows up on the special. By booking early, you get the cabin you want on the sailing you want.

And Celebrity does honor normal price reductions including senior and resident pricing (unless the price is for new bookings only) even after final payment - if you see the price lower on Celebrity's website, you (if you booked directly) or your agent can call them and get the lower price.

[Lsimon]

It is hard to decide some times. I too have been on cruises that had a price decrease after FP that wasn't available to us. But we've also had several cruises where the price increased well over $1,000/pp even before final payment, and more afterward, and it was very nice to have both our price and our cabin locked in.

 

I guess it comes down to both flexibility and expectations. Unfortunately none of us knows what the economy or the demand for cruises is going to be like over a year away. If I could predict the future that far I'd spend much more of my time working on the stock market than my cruise bookings and then the price wouldn't matter.

 

More seriously, we tend to book far in advance to both secure prices in case the go up, and more importantly, to get first choice on cabin selection. No one is holding a gun to our head and we know the door swings both ways. We also know that we need to re-research our decisions and check pricing along the way and especially before final payment date. Researching the day after doesn't do much good.

[RealDeal]

I know you're right, Larry, but still...I feel like a got a double whammy with the smoking thing and then the price. I can understand running a special if there are just a few cabins left, but in this case there were 33 in my category still available. Therefore, cabin selection really wasn't an issue.

 

Live and learn. Will not be booking in advance anytime soon!

[BrendaJ]

Hi Larry

 

We also book early - first to secure a cabin we want and secondly, to get a good air price through Celebrity. For example, we booked the Solstice for March 1 last April. Although I expect the price of the cruise will drop, there's no way we could match the air price we got when we booked, and we deviated our air and got the direct flight we chose for no extra cost. The flight through the airline would now be more than double what we're paying.

 

I think we cruisers are spoiled in being able to cancel or get a price reduction before final payment. We used to go on package Caribbean land vacations, and once you booked, you were committed. The deposits for those trips, which were quite high, were non-movable and non-refundable, at least not without a sizable penalty. Last minute, the prices for the land vacations always came down, assuming there was availability, but to ensure we got what we wanted when we wanted it, we generally booked early as well, knowing prices would come down, but not being willing to take the chance the resort we wanted would be full or air would no longer be available.

 

We book our cruises early and get a lot of joy out of anticipating it for many months ahead of time, making Cruise Critic friends months in advance, and planning hotels, excursions and activities. Looking forward to our next cruise gets us through some long work days. Booking last minute would deprive us of much of that enjoyment. However, I do see how Americans, who tend to have many more flight options, could save money by booking after final payment is due, and if you don't care about cabin location, then it's probably a good idea to book last minute. If I could drive to a port, and was retired and could go anytime, well, I'd probably always book last minute, at least for the Caribbean, where there are so many options that you're bound to get something if you're not too picky.

 

Let's face it - the cruise line has to fill empty cabins or they lose money. They make much of their revenue with on-board charges, and even giving the cabin away last minute is better than leaving it empty. I used to hear stories of people who would go to the port the day a ship left and see if there were empty cabins. Those people were sometimes able to cruise for a few dollars a day. Think of it as buying a 2008 model car. If you bought it at the end of 2007, you'd pay top price, but you'd be sure to get your choice of colours, options, etc. You could wait until the end of 2008 to buy the 2008 model. You'd get a great deal since the 2009's are out, but inventory is probably depleted, and you might not get your first choice of options. It all depends on your priorities.

 

Personally, I book cruises at a price I think is fair, and if someone in the cabin next door booked last minute and got a great deal, I'm happy for them.

 

In these troubled economic times, I'm just happy to be able to cruise at all.

[lais]

Perhaps my memory is failing me, but I seem to recall that the new smoking policy was announced last summer, and it became effective October 1, 2008. While I am a non-smoker, I personally believe that Celebrity went too far in proscribing smoking on the balconies. Otherwise, I am comfortable with their smoking policy.

 

Nothing is ever mentioned about smoking during the booking process. So it can be a bad thing for smokers when they find out. I smoke but I really need to quit. Smoking does stink especially when confined to a small space. I am thinking of quitting right now and I think of all of the money I'll save not buying cigarettes. I won't drink as much as I don't like to drink without a cigarette so I'll save money on alcohol, and cigarettes and alcohol go hand and hand with how much I gamble so I'll save money there also. I bet I'll save $2000 on the gambling alone. It is too bad for the occasional smoker who loves a cig after dinner in the comfort of their balcony without having to go to the smoke pit. Those areas do get pretty gross with the concentrated smoke. Wish me luck on quitting.

[ladyeight]

I booked the Solstice over a year ago and we had made our final payment in October for the 1/11/09 cruise. When we got all our information a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that the price had gone down. I called Celebrity and my travel agent and did a credit for the difference. This has happened a couple of times before and we never had a problem getting a credit.

 

My husband does not smoke, but I do, and was very upset when I read that there was no smoking on our veranda. I have never smoked inside the cabin (even when there was not a restriction).

 

We enjoy the Casino after dinner or the shows, and go everynight...so needless to say, it was annoying to hear that there is only a small area at the slots, to smoke. I guess I will have to make do with the new rules, but I am not happy about it. I am thinking positive about the ship and trying not to let this get to me.

[Cindy G]

I can feel your pain...we're paying more than $1700 for a CC cabin that was on the Exciting Deals for the last several weeks. Celebrity will not budge on a price reduction. We'll not book early ever again. In fact, I told my TA that if I ever try to book early to hang up on me. It has left a very bad taste in the mouth of several Celebrity loyalists. Even if we paid the $900.00 rebooking penality, Celebrity would not assure us of the same cabin. That really stinks!!

[ladyeight]

When I contacted Celebrity about the price reduction they informed me that my TA paid them the "new price", therefore the TA is responsible for the credit. Actually, they were going to credit my credit card, but I requested a ship board credit instead. Since I already paid for it, I know we will have no problem using the SBC for gratuties, specialty restaurants or shopping on board.

 

Have you contacted you TA and asked for the credit? Good luck.:):rolleyes:

[Denny01]

I'm sitting here watching the news, and they are talking about major discounts on various toys and items today and the day after Christmas. Most would not get the same discount going back to the store and asking for a discount for an item bought earlier - it's called business.

 

I keep an eye on the Celebrity site to watch cruises I've reserved, but when you see those general discounts on other sites that show major reductions, they can be misleading - the general price they show for a room can sometimes suddenly change when you start talking specifics which most of us don't do who already have reservations.

 

Example of 'discounts' that aren't exactly that: For my upcoming S American cruise, the cost for a former military was discounted $400 each, but the flight cost $600 each more. I couldn't find a discount flight that equaled what I set up months ago. A cost increase.

 

So it all depends. My Transatlantic went up $200pp from when I got it 2 months ago. I guess if I expect the cruise line to give me the new pricing for new discounted bookings, they should also raise my price if it goes up near the end. Not.

 

if you can wait, don't care too much about location/stateroom type, and can book another cruise if what you want last minute isn't avail, and don't mind paying more if it doesn't pan out, go for it. Personally, I need to have a set reservation; my job; we usually travel with friends; I love to plan and get all ready by reading and making plans and talking on the rollcall. Maybe not worth the discount I MAY get, but it is to me.

 

By the way, Celebrity isn't the only cruise line that sometimes discounts last-minute cruises - all of them do.

 

The point for me is not exactly what I pay, but the cruise itself. You can drive yourself nuts by finding what you think are cheaper tickets or listening to boasters. It occurs with cars, computers, etc.

 

Denny

[BEAV]

Unless Celebrity has very recently changed their policy, they will refund/credit price drops on fares that are not designated as "for new bookings only".

 

Celebrity often comes out with senior (55+) and/or resident rates after final payment time. For example, if you paid $1000 per person for Concierge Class, but now they've come out with a price of $900 for seniors, then you can get the $100 per person refund/credit as long as one person in the cabin 55 or older. Senior/resident fares do not come with the "new bookings only" designation.

 

Be proactive -- go to Celebrity's website and price your sailing date three or four times a week. Be sure and click the box for seniors (if it applies) as well as selecting your state of residency. Don't rely on your Travel Agent to do price checks every day -- they don't have the incentive to do so!

[Napi's Mom]

No matter how the fares are reduced, we with "cruise air special" (A fairly good special) can NOT take advantage of any of the price reductions. Don't think it's fair to penalize people for booking at full price and with their air plans! Since The CC cabin was reduced $1000 and SS were going for less than we paid, some sort of OBC should be afforded us I think. People actually got a REFUND for upgrading to SS...but they had their own air. Our air is cheap enough that the difference is less than it looks BUT...

[stereo]

Hi all I have posted my comments on a thread for Millie roll calls.--My wife and I are not cruisers We have enjoyed the two cruises that we have been on and liked the Connie much better than the HAL Osterdam. In Dec of 08 we booked a ov on the Mill.ie to visit NZ/OZ. Spring of 08 we booked frequent flyer flights and hotels for the March sail. Summer of 08 the market started to crash Fallof 08 Celeb had a sale for new bookings we called our TA --cancelled and rebooked an inside. Found a great site called Cruise Critic and you folks told me about the tuesday sales for new bookings only. Realized that they applied to certain unfilled cruises but only after finalpayment date. Called Celeb and was told that Celeb would notprotect my price if the sale was afterfinal payment date. Called my TA and have cancelled my cruise. For every sail in 09 to NZ/OZ there are around 100 cabins available. Not understanding this absurd pricing --anti loyal Celeb cruisers and according to a celeb spokesman Celeb does not post the tuesday sale on its web site. I plan to rebook with my TA pick up what is left on a tuesday sale I find absolutely no downside since I do not want a specific cabin I p lan to upgrade upon embarkation How can a Celeb "cruiser" not know this. If one knows about the tuesday sale and does not cancel before final payment date how can one complain?Not being a "cruiser' and not being a loyal Celeb passenger I do not understand the complaint

[cruisinfanatic]

Hi all I have posted my comments on a thread for Millie roll calls.--My wife and I are not cruisers We have enjoyed the two cruises that we have been on and liked the Connie much better than the HAL Osterdam. In Dec of 08 we booked a ov on the Mill.ie to visit NZ/OZ. Spring of 08 we booked frequent flyer flights and hotels for the March sail. Summer of 08 the market started to crash Fallof 08 Celeb had a sale for new bookings we called our TA --cancelled and rebooked an inside. Found a great site called Cruise Critic and you folks told me about the tuesday sales for new bookings only. Realized that they applied to certain unfilled cruises but only after finalpayment date. Called Celeb and was told that Celeb would notprotect my price if the sale was afterfinal payment date. Called my TA and have cancelled my cruise. For every sail in 09 to NZ/OZ there are around 100 cabins available. Not understanding this absurd pricing --anti loyal Celeb cruisers and according to a celeb spokesman Celeb does not post the tuesday sale on its web site. I plan to rebook with my TA pick up what is left on a tuesday sale I find absolutely no downside since I do not want a specific cabin I p lan to upgrade upon embarkation How can a Celeb "cruiser" not know this. If one knows about the tuesday sale and does not cancel before final payment date how can one complain?Not being a "cruiser' and not being a loyal Celeb passenger I do not understand the complaint

You are making some assumptions. There are not Tuesday sales for every sailing. You most likely will not be able to upgrade upon embarkation as most ships sale full.

[stereo]

Hi Cruisinfanatic--So far every tuesday sale lists the NZ/OZ sails at reduced sale prices --so far for Dec.--Jan and Feb sails . According to my count there are many empty cabinsI can not understand the fuming from those who decide to book early Knowing that Celeb will probably dump cabins the closer to sail date and not protect the frequent Celeb. passenger. If the cruiser wants a cheaper price they should book late and accept what is then offered .Otherwise pay the full price and get the cabin of your choice.Please do not blame Celeb--just go with the flow and enjoy your cruise