Venting......

[Mudhen]

I've had to put this problem into the "stuff happens" category. I, like everyone else whom this has happened to, am not happy about the 200$ loss, but it's nothing compared to what some folks have lost. 

I'm a grown up....I can deal. Don't like it much, but will happily look forward to enjoying a great itinerary and lots of fun in Iceland!

[Cometman]

We booked our cruise for this October, last December. At that time the price was $4599 pp. During the next few months it was reduced to $3199.... each time it went down, I called Windstar and had a price reduction to my fare. I am now within the 120 day mark of departure and the price today went down to $2199 pp. $1000 less than my last booking price. Knowing the 120 day rule, I called them today to see what they can do. I haven't heard back yet, they said it could take 72 hours. I don't expect a fare reduction, but I do expect, a cabin upgrade or OBC. We will see. I'll post what they offer me.

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

When I book well in advance, I get to choose the 'best' cabin, in my opinion.  After final payment when they have to dump the remaining cabins, I expect prices to go down on what's left: the 'worst' cabins.  But I don't think it's fair to expect that the cruise line should cut their revenue by giving me a 'best' cabin at a 'worst' cabin price.  Because I want my favorite cruise lines to be around next year when I'm ready to cruise again.  If they offer something after final payment as a goodwill gesture, I would be thankful – but I might not even ask.

[avalong]

My travel agent told me that within the 120 days they will offer future cruise credits. We'll see what Cometman is offered.

[new_cruiser]

22 hours ago, Cometman said:

We booked our cruise for this October, last December. At that time the price was $4599 pp. During the next few months it was reduced to $3199.... each time it went down, I called Windstar and had a price reduction to my fare. I am now within the 120 day mark of departure and the price today went down to $2199 pp. $1000 less than my last booking price. Knowing the 120 day rule, I called them today to see what they can do. I haven't heard back yet, they said it could take 72 hours. I don't expect a fare reduction, but I do expect, a cabin upgrade or OBC. We will see. I'll post what they offer me.

 

Current price assurance policy is 90 days. It's been that for a while. I think 90 days is pretty reasonable. 

 

I have gotten fare reductions for significant amounts - > $1000 - under the policy.

 

Once when the price had gone down such that a balcony would cost a bit less than my prior ocean view fare, I asked my TA to check on upgrading, but the remaining ones were too far forward or aft (part of the cruise was an ocean crossing). So I agree with Host J.

 

Also, I've seen times where the price only goes up. 

Edited June 21, 2019 by new_cruiser

[Cometman]

According to my Windstar agent:

 

It was 120, they changed it but do not lower your price between 90-120 days. Instead they offer you the value of the difference.

 

It will come in the form of a SBC, a Future Cruise Credit or a fare reduction, depending on the dollar amount. They will also deduct existing values on your booking when figuring out compensation.

[Bluebird2x]

The Windstar website still has both 90 days and 120 re price assurance, so sort of confusing.  I did a screenshot to capture both places, but I think 90 is the correct one

[drneal]

Between 90-120 days the most they will do for OBC is $300

the rest will be future cruise credit

[new_cruiser]

22 hours ago, Cometman said:

According to my Windstar agent:

 

It was 120, they changed it but do not lower your price between 90-120 days. Instead they offer you the value of the difference.

 

It will come in the form of a SBC, a Future Cruise Credit or a fare reduction, depending on the dollar amount. They will also deduct existing values on your booking when figuring out compensation.

What your TA said doesn't make sense. A "fare reduction" is lowering your price. There was a price drop on our Jan 2018 Panama Canal & Costa Rica between 120 and 90 days and they reduced our fare. 

 

The fare dropped some more less than 90 days out but only some categories were available. I didn't mind not getting those drops. We had a cabin where we wanted.

[6rugrats]

You were too close in to get any price adjustment.  Sometimes, a sold out cruise still shows as available; not sure if this was the case with your cruise.

[Cometman]

My quote from above was from a Windstar sales person, not a travel agent.

[Cometman]

I am 99 days from sailing and they just gave me $500 OBC, and a $225 certificate for future cruise good for two years.  And I didn't lose the free gratuities that I received on another price adjustment.

 

Well done WS.