British passengers booking with American travel agent, have you??

[newparents]

Hi all

 

I have heard a couple of stories recently about brits booking with American travel agents and got cruise for waaay cheaper, my husbands colleague has done this and got b2b with Allure for almost £1000 cheaper.

Is this something you have heard of or tried?

Thanks

 

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[Ali70]

I'm from Ireland and I booked once with an American agent a few years ago. It's a well known cruise website so I felt safe booking with them and I got a great deal.

[ChipLondon]

There are often "good deals" to be found both sides of the pond. People often see good US based cruise prices but do not realise that the initial price quoted often do not include taxes :mad:

 

Hi all

 

I have heard a couple of stories recently about brits booking with American travel agents and got cruise for waaay cheaper, my husbands colleague has done this and got b2b with Allure for almost £1000 cheaper.

Is this something you have heard of or tried?

Thanks

 

Sent from my GT-P5210 using Forums mobile app

[UKcruisefan69]

The exchange rate is very good at the moment but it's worth keeping in mind how that might change in future between deposit and balance due dates.

 

I think as long as you are aware of that, and make sure you have adequate travel insurance (not all policy's cover 'DIY' holidays) there is no problem and I have always booked via the US for both my RCL cruise and my Disney Cruises in the past.

 

I just find it more flexible in general, especially if I want to change my reservation (without penalty).

[heatherbelle]

I also use USA based TA's to book with, although with my current Carnival cruise I booked directly on .com rather than . UK. You can do this with RCL too. One cruise next summer is nearly £2000 cheaper by using the US website.

 

I usually allow an exchange rate of 1.5 just in case things go pear shaped. I have just paid off a big chunk of this years cruise due to the good rate at the moment. Also pay on your CC for extra protection.

 

For TA's I tend to use ones that specialise in Disney, smaller companies rather than big ones. They tend to sell most of the brands.

 

I bank with Nationwide and I have paid £50 for An upgrade on my free travel insurance to make it Worldwide and include everyone. It covers DIY, cruises, hurricanes and any medical emergency that requires you to be airlifted off the ship. I checked this time when I upgraded the policy.

Edited March 1, 2014 by heatherbelle

[SHAZA0208]

I also use USA based TA's to book with, although with my current Carnival cruise I booked directly on .com rather than . UK. You can do this with RCL too. One cruise next summer is nearly £2000 cheaper by using the US website.

 

I usually allow an exchange rate of 1.5 just in case things go pear shaped. I have just paid off a big chunk of this years cruise due to the good rate at the moment. Also pay on your CC for extra protection.

 

For TA's I tend to use ones that specialise in Disney, smaller companies rather than big ones. They tend to sell most of the brands.

 

I bank with Nationwide and I have paid £50 for An upgrade on my free travel insurance to make it Worldwide and include everyone. It covers DIY, cruises, hurricanes and any medical emergency that requires you to be airlifted off the ship. I checked this time when I upgraded the policy.

 

Hi Heatherbelle.

I remember your posts from the Carnival Sunshine Cruise from Venice last year.

Sailing with RCI this Aug and had lots of trouble with price drops due to booking with RCI UK.

I'm all set for next time.

[suekay]

I've booked many times with a US TA without any problem. Just be aware of possible currency fluctuations. I read "somewhere" that the £ was likely to drop to its lowest level for years against the $ by the end of 2013........so paid off our cruise balance early @ 1.47. Balance was due in January when the rate was actually 1.67:(:(:( I'd never make a successful currency speculator

Edited March 1, 2014 by suekay

[klfrodo]

I may be mistaken on the info I'm about to provide, so if I'm way off base, someone please correct me.

 

One of the reasons why UK prices are higher is the consumer protection laws and regulations that provide the UK consumers a level of protection not provided by US regulations.

I "believe" one of the protections is that your travel provider is responsible to get you from point A, to point B, and back to point A. If anything goes haywire in between, you have the UK consumers laws that puts the onus of responsibility on the travel provider.

In the US, you don't have that level of protection.

 

Case in point was when the volcano blew a few years ago and international flights were halted. Those from the UK were stranded but their travel providers found hotels, meals, flights, etc.

US travelers were on their own to find a way to get back home.

[JM-1972]

I have booked with a US TA and have another cruise booked with the same online TA. I had no problem getting a price drop on my last booking for a European cruise and the price I initially booked my cabin for was much cheaper than UK price. The UK price was almost double when I got my price drop. My next upcoming cruise was booked as the US TA had a block booking and the cruise fare was half the price of UK website. I have another booking which I have no success getting any incentives or price drops that is booked directly with RCCL UK. I used RCCL UK as I had a next booking certificate that would only be accepted if I used a UK TA or RCCL UK as it was purchased in pounds.

 

The US TA I use is a large online agency that offers a freephone number from the UK. I have used the same consultant for each cruise booked.

 

As others have said you are not protected with ABTA etc and you do have to add in the taxes as the online price does not include them. The advantages are:

 

-refundable deposit

-more likely to have price drops honoured or upgrade after final payment if prices drop

-can still use a next booking certificate if you have the US TA's details or if you purchase the certificate on a cruise booked through a US TA and purchase it in dollars.

[BekkaW]

I'm in Australia and it is similar to UK. I use a US based TA because:

 

I can get price drops

The initial price is sometimes cheaper (including taxes) when the TA has a group booking

I get OBC

 

In Australia I can't get any of this, although I do have more consumer protections. We always buy insurance anyway so I'm not worried about that.

[sandancer]

I may be mistaken on the info I'm about to provide, so if I'm way off base, someone please correct me.

 

One of the reasons why UK prices are higher is the consumer protection laws and regulations that provide the UK consumers a level of protection not provided by US regulations.

I "believe" one of the protections is that your travel provider is responsible to get you from point A, to point B, and back to point A. If anything goes haywire in between, you have the UK consumers laws that puts the onus of responsibility on the travel provider.

In the US, you don't have that level of protection.

 

Case in point was when the volcano blew a few years ago and international flights were halted. Those from the UK were stranded but their travel providers found hotels, meals, flights, etc.

US travelers were on their own to find a way to get back home.

This consumer law in the UK is not any reason for the cruise lines to load the cruise prices at all. The protection only kicks in if you purchase a "package Deal" where all elements of the holiday i.e. flights, transfers, accommodation, whether hotel, villa or cruise ship have been provided on the same booking. If you book cruise only and book your own flights, there is no protection. Using a credit card and having good (expensive) travel insurance is essential if you want the freedom of choosing your own travel dates and airline.

[Cotswold Eagle]

This consumer law in the UK is not any reason for the cruise lines to load the cruise prices at all. The protection only kicks in if you purchase a "package Deal" where all elements of the holiday i.e. flights, transfers, accommodation, whether hotel, villa or cruise ship have been provided on the same booking. If you book cruise only and book your own flights, there is no protection. Using a credit card and having good (expensive) travel insurance is essential if you want the freedom of choosing your own travel dates and airline.

 

You are describing ATOL protection. There is a degree of comfort to be had booking through an ABTA member, which would apply to standalone cruise arrangements. But I absolutely agree about the need for good travel insurance, although "expensive" is subjective. For what I am covered for, I find my annual policy to be good value.

[heatherbelle]

Hello Shaz:D. I'm on the Breeze this year from Miami.

 

Yes you are protected by ABTA, but if you have good trip insurance you will be covered for most eventualities. A lot of people are not comfortable with booking outside of the UK and I can completely understand this. However the savings can be substantial if you book via the US. Last year I booked with a Bran company and had to fight for a price drop. In the end they came through for me, but only after I got. Carnival in Miami involved. I booked with a UK TA because I was worried about missing the bait we were flying in the same day. Had we not I would have done it all myself.

 

If there is a problem with the ship whilst you are on it most cruise lines will take care of you they don't want bad PR.

 

Some companies do not allow Brits to book via a US TA for example Princess, but they do offer price drops to UK clients up until final payment and you can cancel and your deposit is refunded, if before final payment.

[PORT ROYAL]

Hi all

 

I have heard a couple of stories recently about brits booking with American travel agents and got cruise for waaay cheaper, my husbands colleague has done this and got b2b with Allure for almost £1000 cheaper.

Is this something you have heard of or tried?

Thanks

 

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Here are just some of the reasons to book via the USA

Better rates

Better deals

Better service

Free OBC, Upgrades can be available, Free wine, Free speciality dining

Able to rebook when prices goes down without loss of deposit

Able to pay for an upgrade if available without loss of deposit

 

The list goes on and on

[Spurschick]

Case in point was when the volcano blew a few years ago and international flights were halted. Those from the UK were stranded but their travel providers found hotels, meals, flights, etc.

US travelers were on their own to find a way to get back home.

 

Sorry extracted from above not sure why it didn't highlight!

 

I'm originally from uk but now live in US. Whilst travel providers over here may not give the same protection, there are several exceptionally good and relatively inexpensive insurance policies available that offer that protection. They offer everything from cruise only to cruise and flights to standard vacations and base the policy on cost of the trip.

 

Have had coverage with them every time we travel outside us mainly because wanted medical insurance overseas just in case.

 

Never had an issue cruising (other than minor on board medical bill) but did get snowed in to Bermuda on a regular vacation one year due to snow in north east and they had me on next available flight via Miami and covered hotel and food till I could get out. Airline wasn't going to offer me anything as out of their control.:)

Edited March 2, 2014 by Spurschick
Edit

[UKcruisefan69]

Case in point was when the volcano blew a few years ago and international flights were halted. Those from the UK were stranded but their travel providers found hotels, meals, flights, etc.

US travelers were on their own to find a way to get back home.

 

Yes, as mentioned, if we have a package then we do extra protection in those circumstances. However, as also mentioned, having good travel insurance also protects against that (though need to make sure you have a proper policy that is 'DIY friendly' and insures individual components of a trip) - and most, if not all EU passengers will have Travel Insurance for the States due to medical coverage if nothing else.

 

The way I personally look at it is like this.

 

If, as a previous poster in the thread mentioned, I save £2000 ($3k) in booking my cruise with a US Travel Agent and then a situation occurs like the Volcano, then in theory, travel insurance aside, I have £2000 in hand to spend rectifying the situation before I'm equal to the UK price.

 

In the event there is no volcano-like incident (which is 99% of the time), I'm £2000 better off.

[mc-cruiser]

Hi all

 

I have heard a couple of stories recently about brits booking with American travel agents and got cruise for waaay cheaper, my husbands colleague has done this and got b2b with Allure for almost £1000 cheaper.

Is this something you have heard of or tried?

Thanks

 

Sent from my GT-P5210 using Forums mobile app

 

First, this is the sort of question CC moderator should jump in and clarify since, although they claim not to be,they are connected to travel agencies.

 

I understand it is illegal, unlawful, against cruise line rules etc for a US based agency to book an international guest. On cruise line websites and many larger agencies, they have a link to the international booking site. It would be cheaper for international passengers to book through US agents but the agent may be risking their relationship with any line that finds out.

[nomad098]

I understand it is illegal, unlawful, against cruise line rules etc for a US based agency to book an international guest. On cruise line websites and many larger agencies, they have a link to the international booking site. It would be cheaper for international passengers to book through US agents but the agent may be risking their relationship with any line that finds out.

 

This is not true and very misleading

 

there are a few lines who will not accept bookings from outside the US/Canada

this is a cruise lines choice not a legal requirement

 

the cruise lines that do allow for international bookings are not breaking any laws

 

I booked direct with RCI in the US and they are fully aware I am a UK citizen living in the UK

 

RCI even have a number for international guests to contact and book on

 

Damon

[Elizanessie]

First, this is the sort of question CC moderator should jump in and clarify since, although they claim not to be,they are connected to travel agencies.

 

I understand it is illegal, unlawful, against cruise line rules etc for a US based agency to book an international guest. On cruise line websites and many larger agencies, they have a link to the international booking site. It would be cheaper for international passengers to book through US agents but the agent may be risking their relationship with any line that finds out.

 

It is not illegal, unlawful or against cruise line rules etc for US TAs to accept bookings from UK clients.

 

CC moderators have nothing what so ever to do with travel agencies.

[Alohaaloha]

We have just used a US based TA for our up coming cruise as the price was so much more favourable than the prices quoted by British TA's.

The service was exemplary, nothing too much trouble at all. I appreciate we do not have the ABTA cover, however, I have excellent travel insurance that covers most eventualities and the savings we have made will more than cover our onboard spends.

The company was recommended by a Canadian friend of ours who has used the said company eleven times with excellent experiences.

Of course I would prefer to use a British TA, however, at the moment, they cannot compete with price or service in our experience.

[bigeck]

It is not illegal, unlawful or against cruise line rules etc for US TAs to accept bookings from UK clients.

 

CC moderators have nothing what so ever to do with travel agencies.

 

Agreed

[newparents]

Thank you everyone for ur replies, soooo interesting and helpful, I realise that we are probably not allowed to mention and travel agent names but how would I know a good US travel agent from a bad one? Also do they negotiate prices as they do in UK? I literally have no idea, thanks

 

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[UKcruisefan69]

I understand it is illegal, unlawful, against cruise line rules etc for a US based agency to book an international guest. On cruise line websites and many larger agencies, they have a link to the international booking site. It would be cheaper for international passengers to book through US agents but the agent may be risking their relationship with any line that finds out.

 

It is against the forum rules to discuss Travel Agents so I will phrase the following very carefully.

 

I live in the UK and am a UK citizen. I might have daily dealings with a certain American based type of business so trust me when I say I would 100% know if it was illegal and leave it at that.

 

More to the point, all the cruise companies require your home address AND passport and citizenship details when booking and so are fully aware of who is booking and where from.

 

They might prefer for regional business to go via their regional offices but it's not in any way a requirement.

[UKcruisefan69]

Thank you everyone for ur replies, soooo interesting and helpful, I realise that we are probably not allowed to mention and travel agent names but how would I know a good US travel agent from a bad one? Also do they negotiate prices as they do in UK? I literally have no idea, thanks

 

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I think Cruise Critic has a relationship with some TA's, try under the Find a Cruise tab at the top of the page.

 

You are correct that TA's aren't allowed to be named which is unfortunate as then people with good experiences with their agents can't share the details but the flip side is that the forums would probably turn into 5% regular posters and 95% TA's fighting for everyone's business so good probably outweighs the bad in the long run.

[suekay]

First, this is the sort of question CC moderator should jump in and clarify since, although they claim not to be,they are connected to travel agencies.

 

I understand it is illegal, unlawful, against cruise line rules etc for a US based agency to book an international guest. On cruise line websites and many larger agencies, they have a link to the international booking site. It would be cheaper for international passengers to book through US agents but the agent may be risking their relationship with any line that finds out.

 

Sorry, but you are wrong. Certainly some cruiselines won't book international clients and that is why we no longer book Princess cruises, but Royal Caribbean and Celebrity don't discrimate. We have often bought next cruise certs together in both $$ and ££ whilst onboard Rccl and Celebrity ships.