Who to book from

[scottie86]

Hi i just come back from a cruise i booked direct with P&O thought price was good, but thought i shop around for my next one so far have found a saving of £178

 

i want to know who you use and how good their service is,

I was also wondering if anyone has used preffered cruising?

[Janey]

P&O online will give 5 percent, any high street travel agent will give you 10 percent at least, plus onboard credit. Booking on board is the most expensive way unless you transfer the booking to a high street agent.

[Cabinboy1943]

Hi scottie86

 

Before going on Oriana last June I got a price from our usual TA. On board We booked for this April,still put it through our TA and received an extra £50 PP on board spend in addition to the £75 pp and free car parking that went with the offer when booked before 31st August.

I am told it is normal to receive extra perks if booked on board but always make sure it goes through your TA which should be cheaper.

 

regards

 

cabinboy

[K8T]

Hi there

 

Good deals can be had on board and on line, if you are looking for on board credits, free parking etc. If you do buy on line, like the others say, have it go through your own travel agent.

 

However, a good travel agent, who specialises in cruises may get a better rate if you go direct.

 

The reason is that the more cruises an agent books with P&O the better discounts they get and they can pass this onto the customer.

 

Look for a travel agent who sells lots of cruises, they generally are independents and are more likely to try that bit harder than the high street.

 

Wherever you end up booking, make sure they are ABTA bonded and your money and holiday will be safe.

 

Kate

[LibraLass41]

I get at least 6 prices from internet travel agents which are 10% CHEAPER THAN P&O, so thats a £400 saving on a £2000pp balcony cabin!

 

The cheapest and friedliest were ****CO.UK, ask for Les

 

Sue

[southwinds]

*** *** ***, dont know if they still are but they are P&O's biggest customer and get a discount based on volume of sales, the offer no frills or add ons, ie free transportation, free flowers in the cabin etc etc , just the cheapest they can do. EXCELLENT service, and a good relationship with all P&O depts. They will match most quoted prices. So shop around then try them.

[LibraLass41]

What £500 cheaper than xxxx? or just p&o original price?

 

I find there is only £20/30/40pp between the Internet TA's.... but all of them are cheaper than booking direct with p&o or internet p&o price

 

 

Sue

[Host Walt]

Interesting note about high street TA's. For over a year, now, the cruise lines here in the USA do not permit any price competition or commission rebates on any high street TA (we call them "brick and mortar agencies") bookings.

 

In any case please remember that we do not permit the identification of specific agencies.

 

From our Guidelines:

"There shall be no third-party recommendation of travel agencies on any forums within Cruise Critic. General discussions regarding the TYPE of AGENCY to be used to purchase a cruise will be allowed, as long as no recommendations for any source of purchase are posted."

[jeanlyon]

Gosh, just realized my posts had disappeared. Tut, broke the rules. Bit of a shame that we can't discuss the best place to book though :-(

[old git]

got a quote oft int last year then went till local TA got a better quote off them???

i'll try a few more next time,swing's and round-about's i suppose.

 

MERRY XMAS all******

[BrianI]

I have often found that when you phone a agent, the price quoted over the phone is a few pounds cheaper than that posted on their internet site. Obviously agents do not want to declare their real prices to their competitors.

 

Brian

[scareyness]

Following advice from one of my guests at my B&B I got around 10-12 quotes. P&O was the most expensive!

 

I booked with someone working from home (note I can't post who) with a saving of about 70% on brochure price. I expected it to be more expensive at Christmas but there were passengers on ship all 'experienced cruisers' this being only our 2nd cruise, who had paid up to £2000 more than we did!!!