Price drops & OBC questions PLUS T.A. question

[tandaart]

I just got off the phone with a NCL reservations rep after complaining of the large price drop in my cabin category from when I booked my cruise.

The $300 OBC was clearly an incentive for cruisers to rebook with NCL since I received the credit while onboard ship and no cruise purchased. So it clearly was not associated with the cruise fare. NCL further offered a $250 fare reduction for booking early after our january 2009 cruise. Having noticed the other day that the difference now is $1566 I asked NCL to adjust the fare, which they did, after some on phone haggling.

First, the new fare only applies to seniors according to the rep, no where is that stated or shown online. Secondly she removed our $300 onboard credit, while not happy I will continue to press NCL for some OBC.

I guess the lesson here is to watch the fare rates if you book early.

[flashdog_1]

The $300 OBC was clearly an incentive for cruisers to rebook with NCL since I received the credit while onboard ship and no cruise purchased.

 

Please tell us how that was done. I've heard of the $100 immediate OBC when you purchase a future cruise credit for $250 (in other words paying only $150 which will hold any cruise other than a suite) but not this great $300 OBC. Fill us in. I'm very interested how you found this incentive! Thanks

 

 

So it clearly was not associated with the cruise fare. NCL further offered a $250 fare reduction for booking early after our january 2009 cruise.

 

Is that the future cruise credit or something you got in the mail from them? I received a card from NCL months after our last cruise (in the mail) offering a one category upgrade which they have not honored. The card was so slow in arriving that I'd already booked a cruise. Now they have the certificate and I've booked another and can't use it since they have it!

 

 

Having noticed the other day that the difference now is $1566 I asked NCL to adjust the fare, which they did, after some on phone haggling.

 

Wow. You are the lucky one!

 

First, the new fare only applies to seniors according to the rep, no where is that stated or shown online. Secondly she removed our $300 onboard credit, while not happy I will continue to press NCL for some OBC. I guess the lesson here is to watch the fare rates if you book early.

 

I guess anyone would take $1566 reduced fare over a $300 OBC. Thanks for letting us know your good fortune.

 

When is your cruise where the fare was reduced? Thanks

[icouldahadav8]

The American Express promotion giving an on board credit has specific beginning and ending dates.

If a guest were to call in and get lower pricing, (thereby using a different promotion code that was in effect at that time) they would lose the original promotion, and the on board credit.

So, if you got a $300 price reduction (these are just examples) and lost $100 obc...isn't that a better deal?

 

Different topic:

 

Cruise lines and travel agents are in a legal contract with each other. One of the stipulations of that contract is that the line will not discuss a guests private information with anyone but the agent/agency. Not even the guest.

 

Happy Cruising!!

[1greencar]

The other consideration is sometimes OBC is given as a special for a limited time. If you change to a lower priced room or upgrade or whatever you are cancelling your old reservation and starting a new one. If the time for the special has passed then you aren't entitled to the OBC.

 

A case in point- I just reserved next year's cruise during the 50% off deposit special. If I called NCL and changed cabins I would be on the hook for the entire deposit at that time, the money that I've all ready paid would no longer be sufficient to hold the reservation.

 

What it all boils down to is who gave you the OBC for what purpose with what limitations. It does not automatically stay with you under all circumstances.

 

good explanation, thank you

[1greencar]

The hocus pocus happened to my group's fares 34 days out. Therefore I suggest asking for the NCL GUEST INVOICE two to three weeks out.

 

The NCL GUEST INVOICE comes as a PDF file. NCL told me that you should have the NCL GUEST INVOICE very shortly after the request.

 

 

do I request the NCL Guest Invoice from NCL or from the TA?

[tandaart]

I am pretty sure we were offered $150 per person OBC when signing up aboard the GEM in january. Of course we placed $250 credit down at the time for cruise. Our recently discounted cruise will be in Hawaii in October aboard POA the cabin class is BA. Whatever the amount of the onboard credit may be, I still feel that we're intitled to it since there was no stipulation that it was in any way connected to the fare paid for the cruise.

Just plug in $1600 to the recent online fare for BA cabin, that was the original fare price. In no way do I think that I'm lucky in getting the fare reduction, I could have easily canceled the existing reservation and booked another BA cabin on another deck. This booking was done through NCL, not with a TA, so I don't know if that makes a difference.

My assigned Cruise rewards specialist will not be in her office until next week, so I will wait until then to further pursue the lost OBC

[PassionFruit]

I'm kind of amazed that people EXPECT a price reduction after final payment. After final payment, I rarely look at the pricing again. At that point, I look at the price I've paid as being locked in.

 

I also am surprised that people expect to keep OBC while changing to lower fares. I look at these as different types of sales. Do you go to a store and demand the sale price they were running on an item 2 weeks ago PLUS the % off they have this week? Trying to "stack codes" on a cruise makes about as much sense to me. Do you like the "sale" you got when you booked, or would you prefer the "sale" they're running now?

 

For the OP's original question, though.....often times TA's can't get the same deal that another agency is offering. They may have blocked rooms early on when the price was lower and those prices may not be offered still. So, if you wanted the other TA's pricing, you probably should have booked with them. However, if you're trying to match pricing from NCL's website, your TA should do this without any hassle to you. Honestly, I'd try another TA if you aren't happy with the one you have. If what you want is reasonable, a good TA will get it for you. And if you find yourself in the same boat with other TA's, then you may have to re-evaluate your expectations.