how can obc be used

[FLACRUISER99]

Sort of. If you call ANY travel agent for a quote on a cruise they will all give you the SAME price if an RCI cruise. RCI sets the price.

True except if the TA has group bookings in its inventory. They can sell them lower then the Current price. This only applies if there has been a price increase since the TA purchased the group.

[SteveinPhilly]

Probably means overhead costs

 

Yep, that's what I meant. Bricks and mortar etc. Also, some of the online TA's actually BUY blocks of cabins to be exclusive but then they have to unload them.

 

As I mentioned before (I think) I originally found my TA (who doesn't lots of advertising) using Cruise Compete which is a great resource for anyone who hasn't used it. You enter your cruise and various agents "bid for your business). They do NOT have your info (you have theirs though) unless you want to contact them. It never hurts to use it.

 

S

[dixiesue]

On any thing you want on the ship.

[SteveinPhilly]

I just got this in email.

Won't affect us now because we don't do Carnival. But sure hope this doesn't start a trend!

 

Steve

 

Sent: 7/9/2012 6:36:45 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Subj: NEWSFLASH: New Carnival Policy goes in effect August 1st, 2012

 

NEWSFLASH: New Carnival Policy goes in effect August 1st, 2012

Carnival has just announced that effective 8/1/12, they will not allow travel agents to give

ANY

cash equivalent value-adds (i.e shipboard credit, pre-paid gratuities, gas cards, airline miles, reduced airfare; free or discounted travel insurance, hotel nights, or shore excursions) and will be limiting any booking incentives to a $ 25 pp non-cash equivalent item (like a tote bag, hat, beach towel, memory book, sunglasses and Carnival gifts delivered onboard (Bon Voyage items)). This new policy applies not only to advertising, but all forms of communication, including in-person, phone or any other means. If any travel agent is caught violating the policy, (whether big, small or even a home based agent belonging to a host agency) their commission can be eliminated and they can be put on a "no book" status.

 

What does this mean for you??

 

If you are a consumer and have been thinking of booking a Carnival cruise sailing in 2012, 2013 or 2014...make sure you book it before July 31, 2012 with

a CLIA certified

travel agency so that you can maximize your booking bonus before this new policy becomes effective. If you have a Travel Agency you already book with, use them. If you don't, give us a try. Either way, support the Travel Agent community and make sure you book with a cruise specialist before August 1, 2012.

 

For more details on this new policy, go to

:

https://www.goccl.com/content/form-policy/documents/ValueAddPolicy_FAQ.pdf

</B>

 

[Havingfun2010]

Thank you all for your reply. Wow, that's great to know we're not limited to how we can spend it. We've got play money to use however we want.

 

It will buy 21 bottles of beer, or 16 specialty drinks! However you want to spend it, it will dissappear fast.

[monn_a]

As I mentioned before (I think) I originally found my TA (who doesn't lots of advertising) using Cruise Compete which is a great resource for anyone who hasn't used it.

This how I found the TA I use now...I tried some of the bigger agencies, then I found my current and he's so awesome I use him all the time...