Booking advice

[whiteladder42]

We are looking to book our 4th TA trip on QM2 and have never been offered any perks such as on board credit, free parking etc yet onboard it seems everyone has managed to wangle something! We have booked through a travel agent (we are UK based) and also direct with Cunard but does anyone have any tips on how to go about it? I'm not the most confident of negotiators but figured it might be worth a try!! There seems to be a good sale on inside cabins for the autumn/winter sailings at the moment :) hence preparing to book unusually early for us! Thanks.

[Underwatr]

I don't know about the UK but in the US there's a website that permits you to obtain competitive bids from several TAs after you enter the particulars of the cruise and cabin class you're interested in booking. Typically the fare offers are discounted and frequently include perks like onboard credit.

 

You don't get much hand holding with these low fare internet travel agents but I've managed to get done what I've needed to be done.

 

Also take advantage of onboard credit offered to military veterans (also available on Princess) and for being a CCL shareholder (available on all Carnival lines).

[pepperrn]

We are looking to book our 4th TA trip on QM2 and have never been offered any perks such as on board credit, free parking etc yet onboard it seems everyone has managed to wangle something! We have booked through a travel agent (we are UK based) and also direct with Cunard but does anyone have any tips on how to go about it? I'm not the most confident of negotiators but figured it might be worth a try!! There seems to be a good sale on inside cabins for the autumn/winter sailings at the moment :) hence preparing to book unusually early for us! Thanks.

Hi whiteladder42,

 

In the UK, if you book direct with Cunard (or through a good travel agent, pref one who deals with Cunard regularly) and choose the "Cunard Fare"...

 

"For cruises of seven nights or more, you can choose from one of the following complimentary benefits:

On board spending money

On board spending money varies by cruise duration and is based on the number of nights spent on board. The amount stated is per person and applies to the first two guests sharing a stateroom or one adult in a single stateroom.

On board spending money can be used for the purchase of drinks, shore excursions (purchased on board only), spa treatments or in the on board shops. It is not transferable, cannot be redeemed for cash, used for medical charges, on board gaming (including casino), to make charity donations, to pay for international visas or a future cruise. Overnight flights do not qualify for on board spending money.

Car parking at Southampton

Car parking in a secure car park (one space per booking) is available on all Southampton roundtrip cruises of seven nights or more (with the exception of 2016/17/18 Exotic Cruises and Full World Voyages). Please let us know at the time of booking if you wish to use this service and then contact Cruise & Passenger Services Ltd (the operator) direct on 0345 071 3939 (Calls cost 3.19p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge) or via cruiseparking.co.uk to arrange your car parking, at least 35 days in advance of your departure.

Return coach transfers

Return coach transfers available on all Southampton roundtrip cruises of seven nights or more (with the exception of 2016/17/18 Exotic Cruises and Full World Voyages). Coach transfers are available to all guests on the booking. Please let us know at the time of booking if you wish to use this service and then contact Intercruises on 0843 374 2246 (calls cost 3.19p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge)no later than 30 days prior to departure.

Airport parking

Airport parking is available for 2016 return fly-cruises of seven nights or more (with the exception of 2017 Exotic Cruises and Full World Voyages). Airport parking is off site parking at the relevant airport (one space per booking) for the duration of your holiday, with transfers between the car park and the airport terminal. Please let us know at the time of booking if you wish to use this service and then contact Airport Parking and Hotels Ltd (the operator) direct by calling 0844 871 7561 (Calls cost 5p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge), quoting your cruise booking reference number, no less than 35 days in advance of your departure. Amendments to car details can be made up to 48 hours prior to departure day at no additional cost.

In most cases airport transfers operate every 10 to 15 minutes however some will operate on a demand basis. Guests must check with APH and arrive in plenty of time to park their car before checking in for their flight. If you wish to cancel your booking you can do so up to 48 hours before departure, but please ensure you notify both Cunard Line and APH. Please note airport parking is not applicable to post World Voyage 2017/2018 cruises." (from Cunard.co.uk)

 

Most or all of these benefits do not apply if you choose "Early Saver" or "Late Saver" etc fare types (you get a discount instead). Short cruises are also excluded I believe.

Other benefits of the "Cunard Fare" are listed as...

"The Cunard Fare offers flexibility, value and peace of mind. Cunard Fares benefit from the following advantages:

Available on all cruises regardless of when you book

Choice of stateroom number (subject to availability)

First priority for receiving your chosen dining seating time (in Britannia Restaurant) and table size

Highest priority for receiving stateroom upgrades (where applicable)

Complimentary shuttle buses in port to get from the ship to the nearest town or transport hub (where applicable and provided by Cunard)

15% deposit

Flexibility to change your booking"

 

In addition a good Travel Agent may offer you additional benefits above and beyond what Cunard direct will give you, or extra incentives to book. Try and use one that specialises in Cruises (there are many independent ones who do)

 

Hope this helps.

Edited July 18, 2016 by pepperrn

[BlueRiband]

We are looking to book our 4th TA trip on QM2 and have never been offered any perks such as on board credit, free parking etc yet onboard it seems everyone has managed to wangle something! We have booked through a travel agent (we are UK based) and also direct with Cunard but does anyone have any tips on how to go about it? I'm not the most confident of negotiators but figured it might be worth a try!! There seems to be a good sale on inside cabins for the autumn/winter sailings at the moment :) hence preparing to book unusually early for us! Thanks.

 

Once on board it's best not to get into these "what did you pay" discussions as it is long past the point to do anything about it. The braggarts want to feel superior to you: due to their high IQ, masterful fact finding ability and shrewd negotiations skills they got the lowest price of anybody on board. (Or so they want others to believe.)

 

Some here have said they negotiated an upgrade when prices fall before final payment. For example, one booked an inside but now a balcony is selling for less. But I've not known anybody to successfully haggle down a price. You best offers will probably come from a TA that gives a lot of business to Cunard. (We aren't allowed to mention any here whether they are online or brick and mortar.)

 

If you feel that the autumn/winter sailing is a good price then book it and don't look back. You can miss out on a deal if you wait for an even better one that never happens.

[pepperrn]

Once on board it's best not to get into these "what did you pay" discussions as it is long past the point to do anything about it. The braggarts want to feel superior to you: due to their high IQ, masterful fact finding ability and shrewd negotiations skills they got the lowest price of anybody on board. (Or so they want others to believe.)

Some here have said they negotiated an upgrade when prices fall before final payment. For example, one booked an inside but now a balcony is selling for less. But I've not known anybody to successfully haggle down a price. You best offers will probably come from a TA that gives a lot of business to Cunard. (We aren't allowed to mention any here whether they are online or brick and mortar.)

If you feel that the autumn/winter sailing is a good price then book it and don't look back. You can miss out on a deal if you wait for an even better one that never happens.

Very well said BlueRiband; whiteladder42, follow this wise advice.

[Adammara]

At the moment Cunard are offering 3 night hotel stays in NY on a couple of trips in November and December, and the Cunard fare deal as well. It would tempt me if I was interested in a TA!