Royalty X Posted October 25, 2012 #1 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I know this has been discussed on quite a few occasions but I've just checked out prices for a cruise we're keen to do next year (with RCI) and it's around $500 per person cheaper on several U.S. travel agent sites (plus a little more with the current exchange rate). The cruise is from Sydney but this is a huge saving! Just wondering if anyone has ever booked with a U.S. agent and did you have any problems doing so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted October 25, 2012 #2 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I know this has been discussed on quite a few occasions but I've just checked out prices for a cruise we're keen to do next year (with RCI) and it's around $500 per person cheaper on several U.S. travel agent sites (plus a little more with the current exchange rate). The cruise is from Sydney but this is a huge saving! Just wondering if anyone has ever booked with a U.S. agent and did you have any problems doing so? Yes and no problems whatsoever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyg0 Posted October 25, 2012 #3 Share Posted October 25, 2012 What MMDownUnder said. I do it all the time and never had any problems. Do it :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debsta Posted October 25, 2012 #4 Share Posted October 25, 2012 Yes also, no problems whatsoever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royalty X Posted October 25, 2012 Author #5 Share Posted October 25, 2012 That's good news, thanks all!:) Will I need a US postal address or anything like that? Or don't they care? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted October 25, 2012 #6 Share Posted October 25, 2012 That's good news, thanks all!:) Will I need a US postal address or anything like that? Or don't they care? No Royal Caribbean lets Australians buy their cruises overseas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinman66 Posted October 25, 2012 #7 Share Posted October 25, 2012 that is why i atually became a us travel agent myself for the savings it works for most cruises very well plus deposit an dcancellation policies are better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicorn Posted October 25, 2012 #8 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I agree with all of the above. So long as you are honest and tell them you are an Aussie and use your Aussie Passport there are no problems. I totally agree with the cancellation fees being less in fact with my Agent I get a total refund up until the final payment date with no charges. I also get more OBC than any agent in Australia gives me. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattandkelly Posted October 25, 2012 #9 Share Posted October 25, 2012 We booked through a US TA for the first time this year - in August she advised that RCCL were 'disallowing them from booking non-North American citizens unless they had an American residential address'. We were told to use an American address for online check-in to circumvent any problems but state that we were Australian and using Australian passports. I have to admit I am nervous that we may face issues when we come to board in November - fingers crossed that we dont :( but going off the previous replies it seems that it should be ok - touch wood!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinman66 Posted October 25, 2012 #10 Share Posted October 25, 2012 We booked through a US TA for the first time this year - in August she advised that RCCL were 'disallowing them from booking non-North American citizens unless they had an American residential address'. We were told to use an American address for online check-in to circumvent any problems but state that we were Australian and using Australian passports. I have to admit I am nervous that we may face issues when we come to board in November - fingers crossed that we dont :( but going off the previous replies it seems that it should be ok - touch wood!!! i book through us with an australian address etc but i am the us ta this gets me past the rules of rccl of us residency and it now is residency not just address but that is the ta issue not for you to worry about just be honest cheers Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugbypopsie Posted October 25, 2012 #11 Share Posted October 25, 2012 There are only a few lines that do not allow Australians to book at US prices...even those will book you, just not at the same price. It is not illegal to book through the US...google and you will find any number of agencies. The only issue is to ALWAYS have travel insurance since the US rules are not the same as here regarding agents going bust...if you deal with a large company you will be absolutely fine. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted October 25, 2012 #12 Share Posted October 25, 2012 We booked through a US TA for the first time this year - in August she advised that RCCL were 'disallowing them from booking non-North American citizens unless they had an American residential address'. We were told to use an American address for online check-in to circumvent any problems but state that we were Australian and using Australian passports. I have to admit I am nervous that we may face issues when we come to board in November - fingers crossed that we dont :( but going off the previous replies it seems that it should be ok - touch wood!!! I wouldn't worry. Bookings on RCCL didn't used to be allowed, but is now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted October 25, 2012 #13 Share Posted October 25, 2012 There are only a few lines that do not allow Australians to book at US prices...even those will book you, just not at the same price. It is not illegal to book through the US...google and you will find any number of agencies. The only issue is to ALWAYS have travel insurance since the US rules are not the same as here regarding agents going bust...if you deal with a large company you will be absolutely fine. Sue Check whether the US TA pays the money direct to the Cruise Line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugbypopsie Posted October 25, 2012 #14 Share Posted October 25, 2012 My bookings have always showed up immediately on the cruise lines site.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted October 25, 2012 #15 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I booked a princess European cruise with a European TA because of savings of about $1000. I rang princess this week about visa issues and told them about the booking and they said it was fine. The only issue is that the TA can't really help me with visas and princess don't help Aussies with visas so will need to organise those on my own. Even though I'd advised the TA of my credit card it was actually princess who took the deposit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oz_Steve Posted October 31, 2012 #16 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I booked through the US (RCI) and had a question so I rang the Aus number. They refused to give me any information and was told that I should call the US number. I sent an email to RCL and they haven't responded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted October 31, 2012 #17 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I booked a princess European cruise with a European TA because of savings of about $1000. I rang princess this week about visa issues and told them about the booking and they said it was fine. The only issue is that the TA can't really help me with visas and princess don't help Aussies with visas so will need to organise those on my own. Even though I'd advised the TA of my credit card it was actually princess who took the deposit. You may find you don't need European visas. If you're not sure, just contact the relevant consulate. The following is an alphabetical list - http://protocol.dfat.gov.au/Mission/list.rails My payments through overseas TAs have all been paid directly to the cruiseline also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizziedi Posted October 31, 2012 #18 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Our Solstice cruise is booked through a US agent with a huge saving and $1200 OBC. Someone ran a thread sometime ago about which lines can be booked through US agents and I remember that you can't with Princess or HAL. I know of numerous people on CC who use US agents with no problems. Cheers Di Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted November 1, 2012 #19 Share Posted November 1, 2012 You may find you don't need European visas. If you're not sure, just contact the relevant consulate. The following is an alphabetical list - http://protocol.dfat.gov.au/Mission/list.rails My payments through overseas TAs have all been paid directly to the cruiseline also. I'm travelling to Egypt and Israel, so the Egypt port stop (and likely overnight tour) is the one that is causing the issue. We will already have been to Turkey so getting a multi entry one for that one OK, but Egypt is the one Princess won't touch for Aussies. We are also passing through Dubai on the way back so have to get a loose leaf Israel visa on arrival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windsor26 Posted November 1, 2012 #20 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I'm travelling to Egypt and Israel, so the Egypt port stop (and likely overnight tour) is the one that is causing the issue. We will already have been to Turkey so getting a multi entry one for that one OK, but Egypt is the one Princess won't touch for Aussies. We are also passing through Dubai on the way back so have to get a loose leaf Israel visa on arrival. On my last trip to Egypt we were given the visa at the airport so perhaps there is a way to get this at the port google the details and check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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