Cruise Prices..?

[LetmeCurise]

After reading many posts on this board regarding prices, I have a question.

What is the diferance between broch. price, EBD price listed in the princess broch. LBS fares that people talk about and all the great prices that everyone seemes to get ?

 

We booked the Diamond princess for mexico in Oct. 04

and after calling princess for a price, checking the broch. calling the local TA. and online sites. everyone had the same price.

We paid the EBD. price listed for a Cat. AA mini on the Diamond.

Now i am wondering after reading so many posts that we paid WAY to much.

 

Any thoughts for you experts ?

 

Dale & Evelyn

[srphnx]

Good news bad news.

Good news, there are ways to book for much less than any rate you find in a brochure, bad news is that we can't tell you specifically with who.

Now that doesn't mean you can't investigate and find them, most of us did that on our own anyway. Bascially you are looking for a cruise specialist, a company that does enough volume that they discount the 10-18% commission they get selling a cruise. Even popular cabins and sailings get discounted as it is the policy of those companies to be competitive. I tried to dig up a rate for you to compare but OCT Diamond sailings have no balcony cabins open now. So live and learn. Use the info to save on future cruises.

For practice, pick a sailing in March or April and shop around, you will know when you find one of the cruise specialists, *hint* these are not big travel companies, they are big cruise companies.

After reading many posts on this board regarding prices, I have a question.

What is the diferance between broch. price, EBD price listed in the princess broch. LBS fares that people talk about and all the great prices that everyone seemes to get ?

 

We booked the Diamond princess for mexico in Oct. 04

and after calling princess for a price, checking the broch. calling the local TA. and online sites. everyone had the same price.

We paid the EBD. price listed for a Cat. AA mini on the Diamond.

Now i am wondering after reading so many posts that we paid WAY to much.

 

Any thoughts for you experts ?

 

Dale & Evelyn

[spongerob]

I wouldn't lose a whole lot of sleep over this. It is possible that you booked one of the few remaining mini-suites, and therefore paid list price. If it wasn't offered at significant discount at this late date it might mean that the cruise you have booked is close to being sold out, or at least the category you booked was in short supply.

 

One reason that most of us dislike any discussion of the particulars of pricing is that there are too many variables involved. It is hard to make apples-to-apples comparisons. Some will say, "No way would I pay that much," others will say, "That's not a bad price." If you checked around and it's the best you can do, you got the cabin you wanted, and you're not having to put a 4th mortgage on the old homestead, then you can say you covered the bases and focus on your upcoming cruise in a little more than a month. Have fun!

[CruisinChris]

LBS is the old name for EBD. It pays to shop around. Pick up one of the big cruise magazines like Porthole or even better Cruise News. Call the agencies advertising there for prices. Most of the big producing companies are here and they will have very competitive prices. It is possible on a new ship in the category you booked AA that there were discounts available (anymore). Minis on the big ships do get discounted especially if you book far enough out. you have to watch the prices though (use an online booking engine to monitor prices).

[sunluva7]

Since I can only sail in August (not the cheapest time to sail the Caribbean) due to job restrictions, the hardest part was picking the ship and the itinerary. After deciding on the Caribbean Pricess for next summer, it was just a matter of researching prices with several TA's (web, live and otherwise) for the couple of weeks I could actually travel. Although the pricing varied among TA's, I was able to make an informed choice and got a great price (it helped that I booked when we were still able to mention specific TA's ;). I look forward to someday being able to travel at a more economical time of year! :D

[LetmeCurise]

Thanks for all your responses,

We felt that we had reserched it pretty well, Back when we booked in Feb. At that time, everyone we called or checked with online had the same price, as the Princes broch. for EBD. price.

We went with an major online TA. as the were the only ones offering onboard credits of $50.00 per person, and because we paid with a certin major CC, we will receive a prepaid credit card for $150.00 once the cruise is over.

Oh well as for over paying, live and learn. We do have the catagory that we wanted and have been assigned a cabin almost dead center on the dolphin deck.(we had booked Cat. AA Grty) so life is good, Now if Oct. will just get here so we can cruise..

 

Dale & Evelyn

[hollym]

I wondered if you were still coming with us on 10/16? You just dropped out of sight. Are you still monitoring the Diamond Roll Call?

Cheers,

Holly

[merela]

After reading many posts on this board regarding prices, I have a question.

What is the diferance between broch. price, EBD price listed in the princess broch. LBS fares that people talk about and all the great prices that everyone seemes to get ?

 

We booked the Diamond princess for mexico in Oct. 04

and after calling princess for a price, checking the broch. calling the local TA. and online sites. everyone had the same price.

We paid the EBD. price listed for a Cat. AA mini on the Diamond.

Now i am wondering after reading so many posts that we paid WAY to much.

 

Any thoughts for you experts ?

 

Dale & Evelyn

 

If you have done your best doing some research before you book your trip, then don't worry, you probably got the best price possible for that period. Cruise fares and airfares are becoming very similar--it's supply and demand and cruiselines adjust their pricing accordingly.

 

If you have booked a price that is comfortable for you, don't look further. Just enjoy all your pre-cruise preparations and get ready for your trip.

 

But it's always great to read posts about pricing so you can keep in mind where to look the next time you want to book another cruise.

[LetmeCurise]

I knew that you folks could answer our questions.. I thank you so very much for all the great info.

 

Were happy with what we paid, it's close to what we have paid on our prev. Carnival cruises. And the bottom line is that were just so thankful that we can afford to cruise. Life could be worse..

Now in just a little over a month were cruising on the Diamond Princess....

Now thats what i call a good deal...

 

Thank you evevr so much once agagin.

And Holly, yes were still cruising, but can not find the rool call thread.

Thats why you have not seen anything from us.

 

Dale & Evelyn

[Sheebah]

Let me Cruise,

 

I'm sailing the Diamond in October too, and bet that you probably got a fine deal. I shopped extensively before committing to a price, found that prices for AC mini's (a few categories lower than yours, but similar) varied by no more than $100 per person, and STILL booked through an actual, flesh and blood TA. I KNOW I paid $50 more than I would have if I did the booking online (since they did their best to match lower rates I found online), but felt that the onboard credit (much like yours it sounds) and the personal attention were worth it. I'm sure you did Great!!

 

Happy Cruising,

Sheebah

[West Coast]

Thanks for all your responses,

We felt that we had reserched it pretty well, Back when we booked in Feb. At that time, everyone we called or checked with online had the same price, as the Princes broch. for EBD. price.

We went with an major online TA. as the were the only ones offering onboard credits of $50.00 per person, and because we paid with a certin major CC, we will receive a prepaid credit card for $150.00 once the cruise is over.

If you're both receiving $50 p/p OBC plus a $150 prepaid MasterCard then you have paid $250 less the published rate. You need to look at the 'NET' cost when comparing prices. At the end of the day, you didn't really pay the EBD price :)

[bardgal]

Saw this in yesterday's LATIMES:

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http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-insider12sep12,1,1642938.story?coll=la-travel-headlines

TRAVEL INSIDER

2 cruise lines try to simplify rates by halting rebate ads

One company strives for consistency in pricing by banning the deals altogether. But will customers benefit?

By James Gilden

Special to The Times

 

September 12, 2004

 

Cruise fares, like pricing in much of the travel industry, can be a labyrinth in which consumers often find themselves scurrying like the mouse trying to reach the cheese (read: deal) at the end of the maze.

 

Two of the major cruise lines, Carnival and Royal Caribbean/Celebrity, last month acted to take at least some of the confusion out of their pricing. Both now restrict travel agents from advertising "rebated" pricing.

 

Royal Caribbean/Celebrity took its action one step further: It not only doesn't allow advertising of rebates, but it also forbids the practice of rebating altogether.

 

In cruise parlance, a rebate means that a travel agent gives a customer money if he buys a sea voyage from that agent. In essence, this means the agent is giving back a part of his or her commission in exchange for the customer's business.

 

"Many times people are rebating half their commission," said Mike Driscoll, editor of the industry newsletter Cruise Week. Repeat cruisers have grown used to shopping for rebates because they can sometimes save hundreds of dollars.

 

The practice "created a situation whereby you could pick up the travel section of any major newspaper with five different prices in it for the same product," said Jack Williams, president and chief operating officer of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. "We don't want agencies to decide what prices are for our products. They're our products."

 

The American Society of Travel Agents applauded the decision to abolish such advertising. "By ensuring the consistency in Carnival rates advertised, Carnival is giving travel agents the opportunity to emphasize the quality of service and expertise they provide to customers," Richard M. Copland, the society's president and chief executive, said in a press release in response to Carnival's announcement in early August.

 

Agents who specialize in cruises but do not offer rebates also praised the new policies.

 

"I think it is way overdue," said Judy Lucas, manager of Concierge Cruises and Tours near Tucson. "It makes it a level playing field."

 

Some agencies that practice rebating, though abiding by the new policies, predict that consumers will be on the short end of this leveling stick. Driscoll reports in Cruise Week that one such retailer estimated it could cost consumers $400 million per year.

 

Royal Caribbean's Williams disagrees. "The consumer is going to determine whether they want to pay a price," he said. "If they perceive it to be a good value, they will buy it, and if there are enough people out there not buying, then the price will drop to meet demand."

 

At least one business that specializes in finding consumers the lowest price sees the policy as a boon. "It's going to be a big help," said Bob Levinstein, chief executive of *****.com, a website on which travel agents bid for customers' business. He thinks the new policy will drive rebating underground, making it more difficult for consumers to find rebates except through a site like his.

 

He notes that other lines still allow rebates and that there are many ways for an agent to give legitimately lower fares, such as group pricing, special coupons or senior discounts. "It's a horribly complicated process," he said of booking a cruise. "Talk to two reps at the cruise line and you'll get two different prices. Smart agents know how to navigate this stuff and can get you better deals."

 

Eighty-five agencies are active with the year-old *****.com. It receives about 10,000 requests for quotes per month and has 70,000 registered users.

 

But even Levinstein acknowledges that his way may not be the best way for all travelers. ***** is really for people who know what they want already or who are willing to do the research themselves.

 

"If you need an agent to spend three hours with you and research a bunch of different options, you should be willing to pay more," he said. "But if you want to do all your own research and just want to book, you should have that option."

 

The variables involved in a cruise can make booking it on your own a daunting task. In fact, travel agents still sell about 90% of cruises.

 

"For beginning cruisers and bargain hunters, they won't care if they're going to get a great price if a great price is under the disco," Lucas said. "Savvy travelers will come to somebody they trust."

 

Some in the industry think cruise lines are tightening up because the soft market for travel after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks has given way to increasing demand for cruises at a time when fewer new cruise ships will be coming into service.

 

"Post 9/11 [rebates] made sense," said Cruise Week's Driscoll. "They saw it happening and didn't mind. They just wanted people on board ships."

 

Now, however, cruisers are back. Since 1980, annual passenger growth has averaged 8% per year; 2002 and 2003 were boom years, recording 10.6% and 7.3% annual growth, and 2004 also is expected to be a record-setter.

 

The growth in new berths scheduled to come online in 2005 through 2007, however, will be single-digit percentages, probably not enough to keep up with demand, Driscoll said. "It's really about supply and demand," he said. "And it's hard to ignore the prevalence of [rebating] on the Internet. That extends it beyond the few savvy shoppers and weakens the distribution system, according to the cruise lines."

 

Cruise line representatives said their decisions were not influenced by the Internet or supply-and-demand issues. Their main motivation was controlling the price of their product.

 

"We'd like to think there is going to be a positive impact if this enables consumers to worry less about shopping around and saving that 14 bucks as opposed to finding a travel agent who will provide service and professionalism," said Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz.

 

 

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James Gilden can be reached at http://www.theinternettraveler.com . Travel Insider welcomes comments and questions, but we can't respond individually to letters and calls. Write Travel Insider, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, or e-mail travel@latimes.com.

[GloriaF]

LetMeCruise, the roll call is on a different board. Go to the bottom of the page to the Forum Jump bar and scroll to Roll Calls, then Princess, then you can find yours. I'm not Holly, but since she hasn't checked back thought I would offer this advice.

[JanetMarie]

Everyone has provided great responses, so I'll just post what DH and I do. I peruse the various web sites, find the ship and cabin that I want (and price, too!!!) and give that info to MY TA. She will book it for us at that fare. Never had a problem, and I don't mind scouring the sites. ;)

[hollym]

Hey Dale,

I wondered if the CC board change had lost you to us permanently. Easier way to get to the roll call is to click on my name, then on my posts, and the Diamond 10/16 Roll Call will be listed there. Common Home!

Cheers,

Holly