Getting booked after cruise removed from listing

[bob brown]

I have been monitoring (lurking?) several roll calls, as well as the cruise line web sites, and see that some people have successfully snagged a last minute booking, even after the cruise was no longer offered on the web site...

I assume they did this either by calling the line or some TA...

Anyone have recent experience doing this?

[terry&mike]

There are times when a travel agent will have group space held on a ship 

[bob brown]

4 hours ago, terry&mike said:

There are times when a travel agent will have group space held on a ship 

But, don't they have to 'release' that space unsold, back into inventory after a certain date?

[bonvoyagie]

I am not sure about how close to a sail date they have - but I do know that they can reserve blocks of cabins but only for a limited amount of time.

[MCC retired]

1 hour ago, bonvoyagie said:

I am not sure about how close to a sail date they have - but I do know that they can reserve blocks of cabins but only for a limited amount of time.

TA releases inventory prior to Final or if recalled by the cruise line at anytime .

[terry&mike]

It depends on the cruise line, the deal they made with the cruise line, and how often they are actively booking in to the group. A TA with a good relationship with the line or with their BDM (line rep) can hold a block of cabins for a good bit of time.