Significant price reduction for Eclipse Holiday Cruise

[zxcvgt]

Dear Fellow Holiday Cruisers,

 

Check the latest price of your holiday cruise! I'm on the Eclipse for the Dec 24 -31 sailing, having paid USD $2199 per pax for an AquaClass cabin total of $4398 (pre tax, pre gratuities). Knowing full well there is a markup for holiday sailings I went ahead and booked, assuming it's the price you pay to sail at a peak period. Much to my surprise I recently saw the same sailing on the Celebrity website for $1599 per pax for a total of $3198. The newly reduced price is more in line with the regular 7 day sailing price.

 

Now I know I was to pay a premium for the holiday cruise, but it still bothers me when I see I could have saved $1200 by waiting to book (acknowledging the chance you take). I called Celebrity and they were firm in that no refund would be offered as it is outside 48 hours of the final payment date (per terms of their "best price guarantee"). They did offer (and I accepted) an OBC of $1200 (combined with a $250 OBC for a summer special on the same cruise I have $1450 to spend during the week). So on one side a nice perk of a very big OBC, but I still cringe at the premium.

 

In the end, I'll ensure I make the best of my vacation time. I'll spend the $1450, but please do check your own bookings and call Celebrity for that OBC!

 

Best of luck. If you see me wobbling around the ship it's because I need to spend a lot of money on what I guess will be some pricey bottles of wine throughout the day:)

[ghstudio]

Dear Fellow Holiday Cruisers,

 

Check the latest price of your holiday cruise! I'm on the Eclipse for the Dec 24 -31 sailing, having paid USD $2199 per pax for an AquaClass cabin total of $4398 (pre tax, pre gratuities). Knowing full well there is a markup for holiday sailings I went ahead and booked, assuming it's the price you pay to sail at a peak period. Much to my surprise I recently saw the same sailing on the Celebrity website for $1599 per pax for a total of $3198. The newly reduced price is more in line with the regular 7 day sailing price.

 

Now I know I was to pay a premium for the holiday cruise, but it still bothers me when I see I could have saved $1200 by waiting to book (acknowledging the chance you take). I called Celebrity and they were firm in that no refund would be offered as it is outside 48 hours of the final payment date (per terms of their "best price guarantee"). They did offer (and I accepted) an OBC of $1200 (combined with a $250 OBC for a summer special on the same cruise I have $1450 to spend during the week). So on one side a nice perk of a very big OBC, but I still cringe at the premium.

 

In the end, I'll ensure I make the best of my vacation time. I'll spend the $1450, but please do check your own bookings and call Celebrity for that OBC!

 

Best of luck. If you see me wobbling around the ship it's because I need to spend a lot of money on what I guess will be some pricey bottles of wine throughout the day:)

 

Don't forget that you can take money out of your on board account in the casino with a charge of 3%...you might want to gamble some of that OBC...or if, after being given chips, you might decide not to gamble and turn them in for cash.

[mcrcruiser]

Dear Fellow Holiday Cruisers,

 

Check the latest price of your holiday cruise! I'm on the Eclipse for the Dec 24 -31 sailing, having paid USD $2199 per pax for an AquaClass cabin total of $4398 (pre tax, pre gratuities). Knowing full well there is a markup for holiday sailings I went ahead and booked, assuming it's the price you pay to sail at a peak period. Much to my surprise I recently saw the same sailing on the Celebrity website for $1599 per pax for a total of $3198. The newly reduced price is more in line with the regular 7 day sailing price.

 

Now I know I was to pay a premium for the holiday cruise, but it still bothers me when I see I could have saved $1200 by waiting to book (acknowledging the chance you take). I called Celebrity and they were firm in that no refund would be offered as it is outside 48 hours of the final payment date (per terms of their "best price guarantee"). They did offer (and I accepted) an OBC of $1200 (combined with a $250 OBC for a summer special on the same cruise I have $1450 to spend during the week). So on one side a nice perk of a very big OBC, but I still cringe at the premium.

 

In the end, I'll ensure I make the best of my vacation time. I'll spend the $1450, but please do check your own bookings and call Celebrity for that OBC!

 

Best of luck. If you see me wobbling around the ship it's because I need to spend a lot of money on what I guess will be some pricey bottles of wine throughout the day:)

 

Wow what a OBC :p At least X gave you that OBC & that is fortunate for you;)

[mcrcruiser]

Don't forget that you can take money out of your on board account in the casino with a charge of 3%...you might want to gamble some of that OBC...or if, after being given chips, you might decide not to gamble and turn them in for cash.

 

Hey that is a great idea for the OP :D

[zxcvgt]

Hey ghstudio:)

 

You are now my new best friend. You've made my day. Brilliant idea. Brilliant. So maybe 2 bottles of nice wine and a chunky pocketful or 2 of casino chips.

 

Brilliant. I am all smiles seeing the opportunities ahead of me.

 

Brilliant, did I already say that? Well ok, thank you!

[Orlandocruiser]

Make sure you check what kind of OBC you are getting - there was a thread here just a couple of days ago that discussed this. If it is marked OBN it is not refundable, OBR is. You can check your statement on your TV any time during the cruise.

[SusieV]

OP, was your booking made prior to May 2010? The policy now is not to give any OBC after final payment so I am very surprised they gave it to you.

[hulamoon]

Is this true? I was told no obc or adjustment after final payment.

[CRUISENAV8R]

However, they usually upgrade your room if it is the same or better price. So someone with an inside just might sneak up into AQ, though I have not looked at availability.

[zxcvgt]

Thanks all for the advise. I'll check the status of the OBC. The original booking was July 30, 2011.

[bplazo]

I am very suprised they gave you OBC. Might open a big can of worms if people start calling and demanding OBC after reading this.

 

Have a great cruise.

[pal4404]

Reading the post on this site never cease to amaze me. However this one tops them all. Booking a cruise in July for a December sailing could only be for one reason and that would be to obtain your choice of the best available cabin in the selected category. It is like I want my cake and eat it too. To expect a refund or adjustment after 5 months is incomprehensible to me particularly one when is fully aware of the 48 hour clause. In cases such as these Celebrity should offer a total refund of the cruise allowing the individual to rebook at the reduced price from whatever cabins are available.

 

It is like purchasing a vehicle when the new models are released to get your choice of color and options and once there is a year end close out you expect to be refunding the difference in cost or buying clothing when the selection is best and once the stock is reduced and they are put on closeout you expect to get an adjustment.

 

For those of you looking for the same treatment, Celebrity has beat you to the punch and increased the fare back to $2199.00

[srqman]

I would love to know who the poster spoke with at Celebrity. I booked a Royal Suite six months ago for 1/8/12 Solstice sailing, price never changed until 10 days after final payment when the price dropped by $1,000., I knew nothing could be done based on Celebrity's policy and was just glad we got the specific cabin we wanted. After reading this tread, I looked again and the price is now down by $2,000. My TA called Celebrity and they would do nothing. A $500 or less price drop is one thing but when it's $2,000 you really feel like you got ripped off by booking more than 75 days out. I didn't expect a refund but it would have been nice to at least get some kind of OBC no matter how small. What a way to take care of your top paying customers Celebrity!! I am really wondering if I should go back to HAL for our next cruise.

[mitttocs]

This is the reason we prefer to book on fairly short notice (usually 30 days or so beforehand). Although a $1200 OBC is like getting a check in the mail --- it's $1200 you won't have to spend out of pocket!

[FrankinPA]

This is the reason we prefer to book on fairly short notice (usually 30 days or so beforehand). Although a $1200 OBC is like getting a check in the mail --- it's $1200 you won't have to spend out of pocket!

 

It has often gone the other way for me. We booked a cruise this year back in January. Had I waited to last minute, it would have cost $2100 more. It really is a gamble. If you want on a very popular cruise that is likely to sell out, book early.