last minute call?

[Cockatoos]

Is there any one in Aus who has received a call from a cruise line offering a last minute deal to fill the ship. I know our friends in the US but never heard of the same thing here in Auz/NZ

[sewgood]

Never happened to me but then I'm not retired. Maybe they target a certain demographic.

[woodyren]

Never heard of anyone getting an offer. We would love to be on a list as living in Sydney we would certainly be ready at the drop of a hat if a good offer came up.

[Aus Traveller]

I have received emails from TA's offering "Drop and Go" fares. I haven't heard of a cruise company phoning people and offering deals and I doubt that would be cost-effective.

[MicCanberra]

I think the TAs would all snap them up before calling any of their regular clients.:D

[The_Big_M]

Even in the US I'd say it would be on a personal/preferred basis; not just calling all past clients.

 

The same would apply here. If you have a TA who knows you and your interests well they may personally call you. But the agency operations don't. It would cost more than they could recover in their margin (hence the e-mail blasts).

Edited February 16, 2016 by The_Big_M

[Goldygolfer]

About 4 years ago we received an email from our TA with an unbelievable deal for a repositioning cruise from Istanbul to Singapore with Azamara - included air and accom both ends. We packed and left in 9 days, which was rather frantic because we had to get visas for India in that time. It was worth it

 

Getting old sucks, but being retired does have some benefits !!!

[MicCanberra]

About 4 years ago we received an email from our TA with an unbelievable deal for a repositioning cruise from Istanbul to Singapore with Azamara - included air and accom both ends. We packed and left in 9 days, which was rather frantic because we had to get visas for India in that time. It was worth it

 

Getting old sucks, but being retired does have some benefits !!!

 

Great work to be able to pick it up.

Yes getting old may suck but it is certainly better than the alternative.:D

[Kinkacruiser]

Flash fares are released by our favorite line (Princess) around final payment time and our TA emails them to us. Unfortunately we are always well booked up to accept. You have to pay on full and be ready to cruise in 1-3 months. Often the least favorable cabins are available by that stage. Still, at the bargain prices offered why worry about the cabin ;).

[Kiwi Kruzer]

I think you need to realise that the very , very short notice cruise deals would only be for a very limited number of cabins, sometimes only 1 or 2.

As Anna said you have to be ready to make a decision when the offer is made, pay that day and be ready to go....ie passport up to date etc.

We have had 2 or 3 over the years, all from a phone call from the TA. The cruise lines usually give those agents who have a big client base any special deals as they would usually know of someone who would take it up . Another reason we got a phone call was that the TA said the offer had come through and there was no one in the office who wanted to take it up..:eek:

[MicCanberra]

I think you need to realise that the very , very short notice cruise deals would only be for a very limited number of cabins, sometimes only 1 or 2.

As Anna said you have to be ready to make a decision when the offer is made, pay that day and be ready to go....ie passport up to date etc.

We have had 2 or 3 over the years, all from a phone call from the TA. The cruise lines usually give those agents who have a big client base any special deals as they would usually know of someone who would take it up . Another reason we got a phone call was that the TA said the offer had come through and there was no one in the office who wanted to take it up..:eek:

 

That was my point. Clients would rarely get a look in.:(

[Kiwi Kruzer]

You also need to have a credit card that will take the full cost of the cruise fare there and then ,without running to the bank for approval. If you dont the next one they phone will take the deal and you may lose out.:rolleyes:

 

What knocks a lot of the last minute deals is if you have to fly , as last minite air can be very pricey and negate any savings.