jimmieg

So, working on adding wifi to a 21 day cruise that that already includes Bev's and grats.  BUT, my M6 cat is sold out, so can't just refare.  And no upgrade code for wifi only. Personalizer shows the normal pre-cruise rates ($700 for 2)

Anyone have an idea for a workaround to reduce cost?

Just an encouragement to ask your agent. I was coming up to final pay deadline this week. Had S&S,  shot my "competitive" online agent an email yesterday politely asking what perks or OBC could perhaps be added in light of new promotion.. Responded today they were adding the three best.ever perks, additional OBC and a significant reduction of fare.

Never hurts to ask.

51 minutes ago, WhiteRockMike said:

That's exactly what I do too!  I'm guessing engineer or accountant 😀.  I'm educated as the former, but spent most of my working life doing other stuff.

 

 

we've done several other lines but doing our first Celebrity cruise this Friday on the Edge.  Booked thru an online TA including OBC and drink package.  Looking forward to it!

Might be a likely guess, but pretty much the opposite.  I think I picked up those skills out of necessity.  But, they've served me well in a number of areas. Including taking more cruises.😉

4 hours ago, DebbieMacG said:

I’ve booked using EZ air for the first time for my flight in December from Miami to Inverness, the flight is business class with AA from Miami to Heathrow and a code share with BA from Heathrow to Inverness Scotland. I was able to select the seats on AA  when I booked and I rang BA and got my seats assigned for free with them.

 

I’m now 36 days from my flight, the flight was ticketed a while back and although I’ve had emails from HAL I’ve had nothing from AA, I can see my booking online on the AA website but haven’t received an email or anything from them, is this normal? I can’t check in online until 24 hours before the flight.

 

You should be able to print out your itinerary or confirmation from the EZair or carrier website. Nothing else needed until you print boarding pass 24 hours in advance. You can also load the carrier app and have info on your device.

Another advantage is I can go early or stay late, don't have to fly into port ship is departing from, can fly into one city (or country) sight see before or after and depart from another. Can even add a stop outbound or inbound.

And if you are trying to book the illusive Biz cabin using FF miles, EZair gives you months to look while still having a confirmed seat.

Flight can also be changed/cancelled after final (until 6 weeks ?) in advance of cruise with no penalties

All I'm seeing is wins.

1 minute ago, styme123 said:

Huh, when I try and pick the seats on my flight through EZAir it says to contact Brit Air directly to pick seats. Maybe it's because of the code sharing with AA. Did BA charge you to pick your seats? On their website it's $34 for the option and additional $84 for the ones we wanted in economy.

If it is a BA codeshare on AA flight, no seat selection.  

I have flown business LAX to AMS and return via Shannon.  Just booked LAX to Rome next summer at great Business fares which are not due until final. 

Key is to talk to actual carrier after booking and get THEIR confirmation # so you can deal with their website.

On 11/7/2019 at 7:05 AM, highway180 said:

yes

While dining in Blu earlier this year, I asked for a glass of wine I had enjoyed in CellarMasters (or maybe it was in the Ensemble lounge).  Was told they didn't stock it in Blu.  I said, no problem, I'll just walk down and get a glass.  It was shortly on hand, as it was every night after.

The sommelier was also able to suggest some limited supply wines that weren't on the list.

15 hours ago, hcat said:

Could someone post an easy template..dh will now be the booking agent for us!

 

We used to just pick our ship and itin/ date, book AQ class with the 2 perks.( classic alc and OBC or tips)...refundable fare.    Done.

 

We have decided we  will no longer pay the extra alc fee for Classic but still want refundable.  One reason we have not booked Azamara is the cancellation fee policy,

 

We do not chase bargains but do not like getting taken advantage of in the new  Celebrity priciing scheme of things

Just book the current Veterans Day all 4 perks plus 10% back in OBC if that fits what you want.  

9 minutes ago, Alsmez said:

 

True, but an actual person or people at the top had to decide to create this byzantine non-refundable vs. refundable vs. refundable with perks structure. Whether one paid more than the next cruiser for the same cruise is not the issue here; the deception and obfuscation are. 

I'm missing the deception. Yes, not as straight-forward as it could be. But it's marketing.  You should only pay what something is worth to you.

Here's how I research a cruise to take hype out, FWIW:

I use a spreadsheet to list price, taxes/fees/ value of perks(as I value them!) vs purchasing what I want/OBC.

Then I look at bottom line and make my choice.

I have columns for direct booking, a big box store, a couple discount websites and several for competing cruise bids I might see.

I've made a template and so actual entry of data is all I do. Obviously the thrill of the hunt is a hobby for me.😉

Too bad - have been there 3x and it is a highlight of each sailing.  But it would be hard to make it an add on to an existing planned itinerary with already booked other ports.

Check the credit card you booked with.  Many come with trip delay included.

Sophisticated revenue software is behind all pricing. The logarithm is dynamic- changing up or down- depending on bookings. They will fill the ships, and probably not at a loss, under normal circumstances.

Option is the same as non-refundable hotel or airfare.  Book at your comfort level and forget that somebody got it cheaper on another day under different rules.

Thanks for all the input folks!  Very helpful.  Weighing the pros and cons, at this point booked Rome departure yesterday based on Barcelona and Athens being easier for port day trips, and Italy where we might spend a couple extra days.

Anything can happen in 14 months, but have a cabin booked now.

Thanks again!

Booked the 3 Day sake today with Bev's and Grats. There was only one of the premium corner mini's with big balcony avail for the 21 day I wanted on new Enchanted next summer.

Odd thing was the rate for this promo was $130/pp more than "list price." Agent said this was a big point of contention with agents.

But she was conscientious, fare fully refundable until final next May, can watch for better promo's and my room is locked in.

BTW, unless Princess is holding back inventory, most categories are GTE only already.

Summer 2020 Enchanted is doing 21 day round-trips embarking at all three above ports. (Can also be booked OW as a 14 or 7).  I have not previously traveled Southern Europe/Mediterranean.

My schedule is flexible. Cruise $$ are the same. 

What are the pros/cons of embarking/disembarking from each of the above ports? Thinking of air, airports, shuttle convenience to port, pre-stay hotel cost, etc.

What would you folks experienced in these ports suggest?

Thanks!

Reel Love- it was about 90-120 days, but it was not targeted to me personally. AFAIK, a widely advertised sale on excursions, bev's, etc.

I also spotted a previously booked excursion I was able to cancel and rebook at a lower price.

Sail on!

15 minutes ago, ceba said:

So where do you go to find the sale?

15 minutes ago, ceba said:

So where do you go to find the sale?

In the cruise personalizer.  They sent email notifications that excursions, meals, beverage pkgs, etc were reduced for our "upcoming cruise." Usually promoted on the website, as well. Or you can just check periodically.

9 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

I'm not sure there is ever a good reason to upgrade prior to the cruise.  It will cost the same.  And if you upgrade onboard the bartender you buy it from will get the grats and will provide you with great service!  And sometimes it is a good idea just to make sure you want to upgrade versus just pay the difference as you go.  And if you have a port intensive cruise you can buy it later on in the cruise prorated.

Occasionally they have sales prior to the cruise. We upgraded for $5/day on two recent sailings.

Keep your eyes open.😉

My experience is you pack up.drawers/toiletries in suitcases. Items on hangers stay. Room attendant #1 coordinates a time with Room attendant #2 and then they move your things. Meanwhile you either do a walkoff and sightsee or meet others doing B2B for a walkthrough of immigration and early back on ship.

Easy.

4 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

I wish it was true. Even cruises sailing in 2-3 weeks are still full prices or sold out. Of course you need to compare apples to apples - Marina and Riviera will always be more expensive than the older ships (exactly like Celebrity S class are more expensive than the older ships).

😂

Oceania doesnt drop prices after final? Just out of curiosity I checked that "ticker" site and looks like every Oceania cruise over next two months (after final) is significantly discounted. Hmmm?

Perhaps you can take a policy with "cancel for any reason" for only the amount of time the deposit.

Or, check the rules -you may only lose a small amount of the deposit and get the rest as a future cruise credit.

Legend had it there was one guy on here that knew what actually happens to cash carefully folded and quietly slipped into a crew members hand with a wink, regardless of auto-gratuities ...but he is now in a witness protection program.

6 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

Don’t forget to bring along these essential articles...

and a dot matrix printer for those all-important boarding passes.

1 hour ago, clianmel said:

My regular internet guru is not traveling on our next cruise as her kindergarten won't release her. As a bit of a nerd, will the minimum package meet my requirement of checking e-mails and some minor checking out AOL of about 30 mins per day?  If so should I pre-book or wait till I'm on board My granddaughter says that my system should be able to handle all responses but just in case this my current set uo.

 

Operating system  Commodore 64

Search engine   Amtrak

RAM capacity  2 huggabites

Rom capacity 4 Huggabites

RUM capacity  4 doubles per evening

Screen performance    High Revolution of 820 pixies per acre

 

Looking forward to your responses

Make sure you bring an extra floppy disk.