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Topic: Booking last minute?

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 10-19-2000 06:33 PM

We are planning to take a cruise during the last week of February 2001. I've been seeing so many great last minute "cruise deals" via websites and such, and was wondering what risks are involved? We're not too picky and don't mind what ship we're on, or where our cabin is, although we'd prefer any Royal Caribbean ship. And we can pick and go within a month's notice. (Most of these deals are a month out or so.) Is this too risky to try? Or are we better off booking in advance?

Are the cabins on these "rock bottom deals" inferior cabins? Is it too late to book airfare if you wait too long?

What is everybody's experience? TAs - what do you think my risks are?

We are just trying to get the lowest possible price we can this time and would love to be able to take advantage of these "so called deals" if they're not too risky.

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 10-19-2000 06:42 PM

Hi Laura, Yes you can get good deals at the last minute - particularly if you are flexible. Many attractive deals are based on low grade cabins - but you do get good deals on balcony cabins too. You even get 2 for 1 deal occasionally and sometimes on board credit.

It's a very big gamble if you are waiting for a particular ship and itinerary, it might just sell out while you are waiting. On the other hand if you were just looking for a cheap Caribbean cruise - you would almost certainly find one.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 10-19-2000 07:22 PM

The problem really is not getting the cabin its getting the air to get to the cruise ship. If you leave it to the last minute you are competing with not only those going on cruises but those going to land destinations.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 10-19-2000 07:32 PM

DianaD,
Do you think most travel agents would be able to find air for us within a month's notice?

[This message has been edited by Laura (edited 10-19-2000).]

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Justine
First Class Passenger
Member # 1335

posted 10-19-2000 09:49 PM

I usually fly to Florida on reasonably priced tickets purchased a few weeks prior. I take a
Mid week flight with a two or three week return date. I gamble on the fact that I might not get a cruise and go prepared to enjoy the area. As luck would have it, the weekend papers are loaded with specials and I have been lucky enough once to get a deal the first week, sometimes the second. I have never had to spend the entire week on shore. Never did I have a ship that wasn't to my liking. There usually are plenty of choice and plenty of different categories at very good prices. Expect good bargains but not rock bottom prices.

Posts: 126 | From: Northern Ontario | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Jules
First Class Passenger
Member # 1529

posted 10-20-2000 08:23 AM

Be careful that they do not cut some of the package on last minute deals eg transfers, pre-paid tips etc. Look at the small print carefully.

Buying early is no guarantee of any better service. I have booked cruises a year in advance to get what I wnated and had my flights changed weeks before the sailing date to times which are unacceptable and meant extra nights at hub airport hotel as there was now no connection to home on the same day.

With a little care as suggested by other posters - go for it.

Posts: 136 | From: Scotland | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 10-20-2000 08:29 AM

Your biggest problem in booking last minute is getting air. Sometimes the cruise line does not have any air and being from Cincinnati also, I know we have no cheap air because of being a Delta hub. What you save on the cruise you'll probably spend on airfare unless you go a couple of days before and stay a couple of days after, which defeats the purpose of getting a good deal. Also, unless a ship has lots of cancellations your best deals are usually several months out. Also, if you are booked and the price goes down, your TA can get you the cheaper rate, a lot of them don't like to do it because with most lines their commission goes down also, but it can be done.

Posts: 223 | From: Cincinnati, OH USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 10-20-2000 06:53 PM

Jwine: The majority of the cruise lines do not reduce our commissions if the prices are reduced after booking.
Laura: Getting air at a months notice really depends on where you are leaving from and what time of year it is. Obviously March break and other holidays are booked early. The airlines do not have the same amount of extra space that they used to have, they have cut back considerably.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 10-21-2000 09:25 AM

We recently booked with a new agent and got an excellent last minute deal and a great trip.

The booking was not however without its problems.

The agent was over 75 miles from us and all communications were by phone and E mail

We asked for cancellation and medical coverage, and were charged for this. Unfortunately the policy was never received and we left on the cruise with the uncomfortable feeling that we might not be covered.

In addition, as a result of income generated from my writing I am able to deduct some expenses for tax purposes. Again in dealing with the new agent, our invoice was apparently 'lost in the mail'. We are now home, and after more than five E Mail requests and two phone calls, we still have not received an invoice

To me the moral of all this is-------By all means if you are flexible enough,take the advantage of last minute bookings. Do however deal with an agent sufficiently close to you. This will allow you to drive down to the agency and clear up on the spot, any administrative screw ups that may occur.

[This message has been edited by topgun (edited 10-21-2000).]

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 10-21-2000 01:14 PM

This year I booked a month before and I was luck in several aspects. For one, it is very hard to get a cabin on an Airtours ship because they do beeok out very fast (they aren't that huge which means there aren't as many cabins). Also, all Airtours holidays are air-inclusive, which means you don't have to go looking for something. However, out of Belfast Airtours operate the smallest aircraft in their fleet - the 180 seat Airbus A320 (they operate 223 seat 757s and 300+ seat 767s and A330s, but not from here).
So getting the flight from my local airport is hard (we are pretty much out on our own here as the don't operate from Dublin and we can't exactly drive across the Irish Sea to Luton or Manchester). I really didn't expect to find anything, but keep looking and above all be as flexible as you can.

Paddy.

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 10-22-2000 11:39 AM

DianeD - Princess is the only cruise line that does not lower our commission if the price goes down after booking.

Posts: 223 | From: Cincinnati, OH USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 10-22-2000 12:46 PM

Holland America protects our commission as well. Most of our other cruises have to be booked through wholesalers in Canada for us to get the full commission. Holland America used to be booked direct but now is being booked through Encore Cruises. Princess is one of the few cruise lines that we book direct now.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 10-22-2000 02:12 PM

Jwine,
Are you a travel agent??? I just noticed in the above post you said "our commission..." Just curious.

Thanks again, everybody, for all your help! We will probably book a few months in advance - and hopefully a good deal will pop up. We are extremely flexible and feel like any ship will be the most wonderful vacation in the world!!!

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

BALCONY
First Class Passenger
Member # 1553

posted 10-22-2000 03:57 PM

Is it TRUE? I've been told that some travelers who SWEAR to "just showing up" right before the ship departs and pay ridiculous rates - just so the ship goes out at full capacity.

My husband and I are willing to chance it, since it's less than a 4 hr drive to Miami & 2 hrs to Tampa for us. Any knowledge or experience?

Posts: 67 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 10-22-2000 04:31 PM

The only thing we have been told by the cruise lines is that they do put specials out to local agencies in the Miami etc areas but those turning up to the ship will pay the full cruise price - no deals. I cannot tell you whether this is true or not but I do know if you ask for an upgrade when you get on the ship they will charge you the full amount of difference between the catagories.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

BALCONY
First Class Passenger
Member # 1553

posted 10-22-2000 06:11 PM

THANKS DianaD
It sounds like you know - TA?

Posts: 67 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 10-22-2000 11:04 PM

Yes.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 10-23-2000 08:44 AM

Laura - yes I am a TA.

Balcony - Agree with DianaD, we have been told by the cruiselines that if people show up at the pier and there are any cabins available they will be charged brochure rate. I don't know if this is true, have read that people get fantastic deals this way, but personally I do not know of anyone who has tried this.

Posts: 223 | From: Cincinnati, OH USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 10-23-2000 11:14 AM

DianaD: You seem to be very knowlegable and caring TA and if you were located in my town I would have you serve me. When you talk about upgrading on the ship you know they will charge you full rate. What line and how do you know? On the ship I can not comment but, at dockside you are incorrect as I have done it on HA, NCL several times at the costomer service desk before check in and been further upgraded for $0x2,$28,&100 per person. Inside to outside costs more but lower cat.outside to a suite was $28.00 outside to outside was $0. As stated this I know as wI have done it! Maybe they tell you that so you won't advertise it. Plus they always ask how much we paid and who we booked through when we booked direct through the line it was cheaper and the upgrade was better. Could this be because they did not have to pay a comission?
Kevin

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 10-23-2000 12:12 PM

I truly wish I could answer that. Upgrades can be a mystery at times, we had a client recently who was booked in a D cat on Voyager of the Seas, this was a Cabin # already selected, so not a guarantee and they were upgraded at check in (not at their request) to a Cat B. Our Reps tell us that upgrades at the dock will be at full brochure price, this could be to stop a slew of people all wanting upgrades which takes more time that an ordinary check in. Again there is the problem where we know the ship is not full yet at the Pursers desk at says this ship is full. All I can say is if you are prepared to risk it by all means do and if the risk works great and you are going to get a really good deal but please dont take it forgranted otherwise you are going to be in for a disappointment.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

BALCONY
First Class Passenger
Member # 1553

posted 10-24-2000 09:56 PM

Mr. Balcony and I JUST HAD TO GET AWAY for the weekend. Totally Stressed!

I called Carnival direct and was quoted a rate $23 more than the TA. Called TA right back and we're booked on the Fantasy departing this Sunday, (4day Inside) for $199 each. Not a bad quick gettaway. Actually, it's going to be pretty romantic since this will be the same ship/itineray as our first cruise together in 1990. Last minute deals are possible. But at the dock???? who knows?

Posts: 67 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 10-24-2000 10:36 PM

Hi Balcony, you just learned an interesting lesson, Cruise Lines are not necessarily the best place to book. There are wonderful weekend rates at the moment. Have a wonderful romantic few days.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

geno-r
First Class Passenger
Member # 931

posted 10-25-2000 09:50 AM

Every time we call the cruise lines direct,it's always more than the TA. On the cruise we are taking this XMAS it was hundreds more!

Posts: 549 | From: Mt. Pocono,Pa. Usa | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 10-25-2000 11:23 AM

Laura: If you e-mail me I have info on a great deal on the vision of the seas Jan 19 or the 29th. I posted it but seems to be deleted. If you are interested let me know if not no problem I understand some people do not like their address to go out to anyone.
Kevin

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 10-25-2000 11:48 AM

I have had good deals on last minute cruises
out of Florida. I can see that the flights
could be a problem. I have always been in FL
when I've taken these cruises and I believe
they were last minute cancellations. I have
enjoyed these last minute cruises on HAL,
Crystal, and Princess.

Good luck and enjoy.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

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