Last minute cruise and price drop question

[sunrise&set]

We're considering booking a last minute cruise on Costa March 14. From what I understand, once you make final payment, they won't reduce your fare. The cruise we're looking at has a LOT of empty cabins according to various online websites so I think chances are good that prices may drop again. Do you think we should wait a little longer to book it? Do any cruise lines honor a price drop after final payment?

 

thanks!!!

[wants2cruise2]

i've learned that they will only offer SBC after you've made final payment. Still helps cover tips and things.

[brandy11]

What is SBC?

[PartyAllDaTyme]

What is SBC?

 

ShipBoard Credit, also known as OBC (OnBoard Credit), credit that's added to your shipboard account that's used to pay for drinks, spa treatments, shore excursions, whatever.

[brandy11]

Aha! Thanks!

[pearls4t]

ShipBoard Credit, also known as OBC (OnBoard Credit), credit that's added to your shipboard account that's used to pay for drinks, spa treatments, shore excursions, whatever.

 

 

 

Can you only get the OBC if you booked directly through the cruiseline? We booked on Princess last week through a TA and this week the price has dropped.

[geoherb]

Can you only get the OBC if you booked directly through the cruiseline? We booked on Princess last week through a TA and this week the price has dropped.

It depends. Is it after the final payment date? If so, the price reduction may be "for new bookings only." In those cases, Princess does not have to give you either. Some TAs also don't like doing price reductions and have some policies for making changes. It doesn't hurt to ask. In one instance, our TA was able to get us switched from a BD to a BB when prices dropped after final payment. She was a great TA, and unfortunately she has retired.

 

We booked right before the final payment date for next week's cruise because the price seemed very good. A couple of days later--still before the final payment date--our cabin was reduced even more. We ended up getting it for $20 less per person, $40 for the two of us. It's not a great reduction, but every little bit helps, especially since the first price was one I was happy about.

[shagdancer]

We have gotten on board credits on Royal Caribbean and Princess- after the final payment. Some times the price drop is only for new bookings. We got $480 on board credit in Nov on a 14 day RC cruise. My final bill was less than $5.

This week however princess offered a Flash price on our cruise in April and it was for new bookings only. To get it we would have to cancel our cruise, pay the fee for cancel and rebook to get the flash. It would have cost more. PLUS they do not tell you up front that a Flash price is non-refundable for any reason if you cancel and you can not get insurance.

Be very careful if it is a FLASH price.

[mickeysgal]

We have gotten on board credits on Royal Caribbean and Princess- after the final payment. Some times the price drop is only for new bookings. We got $480 on board credit in Nov on a 14 day RC cruise. My final bill was less than $5.

This week however princess offered a Flash price on our cruise in April and it was for new bookings only. To get it we would have to cancel our cruise, pay the fee for cancel and rebook to get the flash. It would have cost more. PLUS they do not tell you up front that a Flash price is non-refundable for any reason if you cancel and you can not get insurance.

Be very careful if it is a FLASH price.

 

Why can't you get insurance? Can't you go through an outside insurance agency (not the one offered by the cruiseline)?