Seayalater Posted April 24, 2004 #1 Share Posted April 24, 2004 There was a thread notifiying cruisers that Travelocity periodically posts price drops. And that we can go back to our TA and (MAYBE) receive a credit. SO, I see on Travelocity that our cabin rate is about $140 cheaper, I tell my TA, whom calls Princess and says in actuality our rate has gone up.....Does the average TA automatically tell a client if a rate has dropped, or is this something we (the client) need to police? I just don't get how some folks save up to $800. I like a bargain the same as everyone else!! Century 2000 Millenium 2002 Caribbean Princess 2004 [This message was edited by Seayalater on 04-24-04 at 12:50 PM.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJS Posted April 24, 2004 #2 Share Posted April 24, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Does the average TA automatically tell a client if a rate has dropped, or is this something we (the client) need to police? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> NO - only the very best TA watches prices for their clients! Most are much too busy with new bookings to earn more money for themselves and just do not have the time. Was told by a TA they get a print out from the cruise lines with price drops and promos but honestly there is little time to double check all of their bookings. We have not been lucky enough to find one so do better booking with Princess directly. Often the stateroom category you have becomes higher price than a higher category room and they don't tell you that either. When I double check with Princess on the current price of our category I always ask if that if the lowest price for that type (balcony, outside, etc.) and they will tell me. Found at a past passanger rate, for our Sept. sailing, that the BE we booked when it was the lowest price was now $500pp higher than a BD and that was for both our back to back cruises which they checked for me without me having to ask. That was $2000 total for the two of us. Always keep on top of prices if you want the best deals! Future cruises: Sept. 04 Star Princess x 2 Jan. 05 Diamond Princess July 05 Star Princess Aug. 05 Star Pincess Past cruises: 04 Dawn Princess x 2 03 Grand,Sun,Tahitian, Royal Princess x 2,Island Princess 01 Ryndam x 2 00 Sky Princess 79 Sitmar's Fairwind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseFever Posted April 24, 2004 #3 Share Posted April 24, 2004 I check prices on anything we have booked every few days, even months out. Remember, you're in a much better position to get a price reduction before you've made final payment or are in penalties. You could just as easily cancel and re-book in many cases. Happy Cruising Chris www.LifeIsCruising.com Next up: Caribbean Princess 06/26/04 Star Princess 10/24/04 Diamond Princess 12/22/04 Carnival Miracle 03/13/05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertbelle Posted April 24, 2004 #4 Share Posted April 24, 2004 My TA sent me emails this pass month with two different price reductions. One for $269 and the other for $78. And that cruise isn't even until November! $347 total.....that's a lot of frozen drinks!! Some TA's are wonderful.....I think I'm going to keep this one!! Margie Celebrating Our Parents 60th Anniversary - Legend of the Seas to Mexico 9/5/04!! Join Our Legend Roll Call Here Our Dawn Princess Caribbean Medley Family Cruise 11/23/04 Join Our Dawn Roll Call Here Windjammer-Flying Cloud 1991 Carnival Elation 1999 NCL Sun 2002 Star Princess 2003 Legend of the Seas 2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveweese Posted April 24, 2004 #5 Share Posted April 24, 2004 Hi Margie, Who is your TA? Email me if you wish. ######steveweese@aol.com##### Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen2cruz Posted April 24, 2004 #6 Share Posted April 24, 2004 hi- Just call your TA. Tell them how much and where you saw the price drop and they will match it. They do appreciate saavy customers. I did this on my last cruise. Saved $200 per person. Sea Princess 2/02 DisneyWonder 6/03 Mariner of the Seas 4/04 Golden Princess 1/23/05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolmama_1 Posted April 24, 2004 #7 Share Posted April 24, 2004 I noticed that our cruise had dropped and when I called my TA, she had already called Princess. They honored our price drop and kept our 3 cat upgrade. Of course, we had not made our final payment yet. Judy Cruisin in July on the Golden Princess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dosi Posted April 24, 2004 #8 Share Posted April 24, 2004 ALso please remember that some of the folks who see large price drops may have initially paid alot more than you. Therefore their price drop may just put them to equal of what you have paid. doris "I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine"--Caskie Stinnett Elation 10/20/02 Paradise 9/21/03 Star Princess 10/24/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelaC Posted April 24, 2004 #9 Share Posted April 24, 2004 I asked my TA if he would match a price drop and his answer was "Well, I don't know". I'll be looking for a new TA before we book our next vacation. Until we sail again Caribbean Princess - May 22, 2004 Rhapsody of the Seas - 2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sultan_sfo Posted April 24, 2004 #10 Share Posted April 24, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AngelaC: I asked my TA if he would match a price drop and his answer was "Well, I don't know". <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> We had multiple reductions but each time we called our brick and mortar TA. We were very polite with our TA, informed them there might have been a drop, did not ask them to MATCH a price (matching has a different connotation) but asked them to check with Princess. And they gave us new prices which did not exactly "match" the on-line price. /Sultan Island Princess SFO - FLL 9/2003 Star Princess -- Alaska 6/2002 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeLeesCruisin Posted April 24, 2004 #11 Share Posted April 24, 2004 Our TA won't honor any rate drops, which I didn't know when I booked with them. I'm thinking about cancelling with them and booking with someone else. We're still 3 weeks from final payment. I'm just scared to do it because we ended up with a HUGE balcony and I don't want to lose a cabin on that deck. LeeLee Carnival Fantasy 9/6/01 RCI Sovereign of the Seas 8/1/04 Sapphire Princess Honeymoon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seayalater Posted April 24, 2004 Author #12 Share Posted April 24, 2004 thanks all for your recommendations. we made final payment 2 weeks ago, so I guess we don't have much leverage at this point. Century 2000 Millenium 2002 Caribbean Princess 2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzenmama Posted April 24, 2004 #13 Share Posted April 24, 2004 I am curious about this...my catagory is no longer showing on Travelocity. How will I know if there is a reduction in price? Jeanne-Marie Caribbean Princess 10/16/2004 Triumph 4/26/2003 Triumph 4/13/2002 Sensation 96-01 Destiny 97 Costa Victoria 99 Horizon 95 Noordam 89 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted April 24, 2004 #14 Share Posted April 24, 2004 If the category is no longer showing, that means that the category is sold out. I wouldn't count on a price reduction if the category is sold out (unless Princess shuffles people around - upgrades- or people cancel). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinflo Posted April 24, 2004 #15 Share Posted April 24, 2004 I had read the postings on this thread and another previous one on price drops. I went to travelocity and found the cabin next to mine on Golden Princess in August was showing at $53 pp less, then went to Expedia and found the same cabin for $216 pp less. Called my TA whom is a very good friend and asked her to check with Princess. Just heard back that Princess said this was the individual price by the agency (because of volume) and could not have my TA get me the lower price. Quite upset and dont' know what to do since the TA is a good friend. I have only put down the deposit not the final payment. Has anyone called Princess directly and asked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliejoe Posted April 25, 2004 #16 Share Posted April 25, 2004 cruisinflo - Proceed on Expedia like you are going to book with them and see if that price holds. If they are truly offering the same category for $216 pp less, your TA as a good friend should/would understand you switching your booking! (Be sure all port charges, taxes etc. are included in the Expedia price.) That's quite a chunk of change that anyone can use for tips, shore excursions etc. Julie Deuteronomy 4:29 <')))>< Grand Princess 8/17/04 Baltic B2B with 8/27/04 Transatlantic & 11/27/04 Western Caribbean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auntieann Posted April 25, 2004 #17 Share Posted April 25, 2004 Seayalater, Thanks to your post I called my TA to find out that my cruise had been reduced so you saved me $90.00. Its nice to know Princess will let you have the reduced price. Ann Until Golden Princess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twocats Posted April 25, 2004 #18 Share Posted April 25, 2004 I am such a newbie at making the deals, that I hope I can get some help. I booked with a TA in an Auto Ins company that has a Travel section. I believe she told me at the time that there could be a rate drop. (Don't know if I should say what company or if it makes a difference) and put a deposit down for a specific cabin but would accept upgrade. After reading the messages last week I went to Travelocity and found that the rates have dropped so... do I call my TA and ask for the lower rate? is it possible to rebook to a more expensive cabin since the price on those are now cheaper that what I booked. This all sounds so difficult but I would love a balcony if I could afford it. Help please. until we sail away....Panama Canal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimonzr4me Posted April 25, 2004 #19 Share Posted April 25, 2004 Yes,call your TA and ask for the price drop. I check prices like a hawk and have had the price lowered on every cruise including our first cruise. Sometimes I have had the price lowered 2 or 3 times. Very much worth your time and effort to monitor prices!!!! 4/9 2005 Dawn Princess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJS Posted April 25, 2004 #20 Share Posted April 25, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>do I call my TA and ask for the lower rate? is it possible to rebook to a more expensive cabin since the price on those are now cheaper that what I booked. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> If there are cabin's available you should be able to switch your booking. We have done this in the past. We also have gone from a lower category to a higher one when prices dropped and also received money back from Princess when this happened after final payment. Might be best just to ask your TA if the rate has decreased, rather than ask for a lower rate, and go from there. That doesn't put the TA on the defensive - another topic discusses this. If you want to go to a balcony ask what is the best rate you can get for a balcony and what is available. If you were booking directly with Princess you could just call them yourself and get the entire thing accomplished. Future cruises: Sept. 04 Star Princess x 2 Jan. 05 Diamond Princess July 05 Star Princess Aug. 05 Star Pincess Past cruises: 04 Dawn Princess x 2 03 Grand,Sun,Tahitian, Royal Princess x 2,Island Princess 01 Ryndam x 2 00 Sky Princess 79 Sitmar's Fairwind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seayalater Posted April 26, 2004 Author #21 Share Posted April 26, 2004 glad some folks get credits!! happy sailing Century 2000 Millenium 2002 Caribbean Princess 2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twocats Posted April 26, 2004 #22 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Wow, thanks for the advice, I called the TA today and she told me prices were down a bit over $400 per person, soo.... since I have all that extra $$ I am picking a new cabin. Does anyone know abour these possiblities: Caribe 520, it is well away from the bumpout section for viewing, bigger balcony OR Aloha 418. TA said hallway might be noisy??, smaller deck that others? but in the bumpout section which people seem to enjoy. The other choice is a AC mini suite D706. How would that room and balcony compare. How does one know if the balconies are covered or uncoverd from either viewing the web page or brochure? What would you choose and why? Thank you until we sail away....Panama Canal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted April 27, 2004 #23 Share Posted April 27, 2004 Always keep track of pricing trends YOURSELF. TA's MAY notify you but never count on it. Immediately contact your booking agent if you see a price drop. HAVE ALL information and any restrictions. If you have to cancel- do so if the price is important to you. BUT if you are attached to your particular cabin etc- then the pricing may not be available. It can pay to be very flexable. Be aware of any agency fees BEFORE you book, in addition to the cruiseline fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingfreak Posted April 27, 2004 #24 Share Posted April 27, 2004 twocats....I would go with cabin C520. We were in that cabin for our Panama cruise in Dec. It was so wonderful, that we'll be in that cabin again, on the Island Princess 15 day Hawaii cruise this coming Dec. The balcony was half covered. If you choose Dolphin Deck, it's totally uncovered. Minette Caribbean Princess......7/24/2004 Island Princess.......12/20/2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twocats Posted April 27, 2004 #25 Share Posted April 27, 2004 Thank you so much for the answer, I reposted desperate for some help. The call is in to the TA to finalize. The price drop was so great, didn't think I could get a balcony. Whoopee. Glad to know C520 is a good spot. until we sail away....Panama Canal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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