Booking next cruise whilst onboard

[mardavbetale]

We've seen a cruise we'd like to book for next year but should we wait and book whikst on board so we get a better deal?

[Clarea]

We've seen a cruise we'd like to book for next year but should we wait and book whikst on board so we get a better deal?

I would not wait, as most of the prices I am watching just seem to go up. In other words, if you wait, you may find the price goes up more than any benefit given by booking on board.

 

Also, if you are in a situation where you can cancel without penalty (like if you book with a US travel agent), then if the price has not gone up when you get onboard, you can cancel and rebook.

Edited August 9, 2015 by clarea

[pcur]

I would not wait, as most of the prices I am watching just seem to go up. In other words, if you wait, you may find the price goes up more than any benefit given by booking on board.

 

Also, if you are in a situation where you can cancel without penalty (like if you book with a US travel agent), then if the price has not gone up when you get onboard, you can cancel and rebook.

 

I agree with Bob. However, if you book through a travel agent, then you will have to have him/her cancel the 1st reservation, and that means you probably won't get the same cabin. If the reservation is booked directly by you, then the Future Cruise Specialist can cancel and rebook in one sitting, and you will most likely get the same cabin.

[Clarea]

I agree with Bob. However, if you book through a travel agent, then you will have to have him/her cancel the 1st reservation, and that means you probably won't get the same cabin. If the reservation is booked directly by you, then the Future Cruise Specialist can cancel and rebook in one sitting, and you will most likely get the same cabin.

I was thinking that the OP is in the UK and would not likely be able to make any changes without penalty if they booked direct under UK rules.

[pcur]

I was thinking that the OP is in the UK and would not likely be able to make any changes without penalty if they booked direct under UK rules.

 

Ooops! I have to remember to see where the poster is from!

[cymru cruiser]

We've seen a cruise we'd like to book for next year but should we wait and book whikst on board so we get a better deal?

 

Other than what others have said, I guess it also depends on how far away your next cruise is for you to be able to book once on board and then how far away from that date the cruise you are interested in.

 

We sailed on Explorer at the end of June. During June we discussed booking Harmony for next year. A U.K based member posted a review a fortnight before we went saying that the U.S promotion of 30% off balcony cabins for the 30 days of June was running on board. Which got me very interested.

 

I checked the Harmony cruise we were interested in whilst in the hotel in Southampton an hour before we boarded. At 2pm we went and spoke to Jose in the next cruise section. He quoted the exact cruise, cabin grade etc and it was £900 cheaper under the U.S promotion than the U.K.

That to us made a difference of being able to afford it or not. £900 is a whacking difference. We also got $100 obc on our current cruise and $100 obc on our Harmony cruise.

 

We didn't get the free grats or drink package from the U.K promotion but we are still quids in as only one of us 4 drinks alchohol, its a port intensive itinerary so there won't be as much drinking on board as on other cruises we've been on but even if we have 2 replenish, 2 refreshment and our grats we are still over £500 better off.

 

All you can do is your research and go with whats best for you. In our experience booking on board has worked out best twice so far.

[icsys]

We sailed on Explorer at the end of June. During June we discussed booking Harmony for next year. A U.K based member posted a review a fortnight before we went saying that the U.S promotion of 30% off balcony cabins for the 30 days of June was running on board. Which got me very interested.

 

I checked the Harmony cruise we were interested in whilst in the hotel in Southampton an hour before we boarded. At 2pm we went and spoke to Jose in the next cruise section. He quoted the exact cruise, cabin grade etc and it was £900 cheaper under the U.S promotion than the U.K.

That to us made a difference of being able to afford it or not. £900 is a whacking difference. We also got $100 obc on our current cruise and $100 obc on our Harmony cruise.

 

So you booked onboard in USD under US Ts&Cs ?

Booking with a US TA... no problem. Booking through RCI... I wasn't aware we could do that.

Edited August 10, 2015 by icsys

[cymru cruiser]

So you booked onboard in USD under US Ts&Cs ?

Booking with a US TA... no problem. Booking through RCI... I wasn't aware we could do that.

 

U.K t&c's but U.S promotion and very low deposit, it was a cracking deal.

[moshek]

Just back from cruise yesterday and booked for next cruise on board. Current offer on UK sailings is the US deal of 50% off second person. We paid $200 deposit which we immediately received back as an OBC (paid for my drinks package upgrade!). I had also checked UK price online the night before and for the 3 of us the offer saved us around £600 ($900) on our 14 night cruise next summer.

 

Note in some cases if there are 4/6 in your party if may be cheaper to book multiple cabins rather than squeeze 3 or 4 in a cabin.