what are the pros/cons to booking next cruise while on the ship?

[just4kixx]

Are the prices any better than you'd get on land, on line or from your TA? Can you change your mind once booked? Can you use C&A coupons?

 

Would love to hear why so many of you choose this option!

 

Thanks in advance

A

 

'95 Carnival Sensation

4/28/97 RCCL Sovereign of the Seas

7/01 Celebrity Horizon

6/02 Norwegian Sea

6/22/03 Disney Wonder

... till 6/20/04 Rhapsody of the Seas

[Driftwoodgal]

Just4kixx,

 

We booked our next cruise on board the ship and received a $200 ship board credit on the cruise. If we change ships and dates we can still receive the credit as long as we keep the same booking number. We had to give a deposit of $900 for our cruise. The deposit is completely refundable as long as we cancel more than 71 days out. We have already used a coupon of $50 that RCCL sent up after we booked on ship. We transferred our reservation to a Travel Agent that is watching our price. If the price drops our TA with adjust the price. If we get a C & A coupon that is higher than the $50 coupon we have used we will be able to use the higher coupon instead of the lower one. Booking in advance gives you a better choice of cabins to pick from. Cons would be that you bought insurance and cancelled your trip. Your insurance is not refundable. Also, the cruise line holds your deposit earning interest on your money. We will buy our insurance for the trip before our final payment is due. Another plus is that I have a smile on my face knowing that I will get to cruise again in 278 days.

 

God bless you and yours.

[just4kixx]

So... the moral is, do... but don't buy insurance until the final payment is due? Can you do that?

Thanks for your reply

A

 

'95 Carnival Sensation

4/28/97 RCCL Sovereign of the Seas

7/01 Celebrity Horizon

6/02 Norwegian Sea

6/22/03 Disney Wonder

... till 6/20/04 Rhapsody of the Seas

 

[mafig]

Does not seem like such a deal to me.

 

On Princess, I think the deposit is only $100 with final payment due the normal time and a shipboard credit. At least that's how it was pre-Carnival.

[coupleofcruisers]

I believe with Travelguard you can purchase insurance up to 24 hours before you sail. However, for any preexisting conditions to be covered you must purchase insurance within 15 days of making your deposit.

[Bookit]

I have wondered the pros and cons, as well. Only booked once onboard (2 years ago), and at that time, you couldn't use a C&A coupon in conjunction with the onboard credit. I think that is no longer true. Anyone know?

 

Thanks.

Bookit

[billylen]

You can use your coupon in conjunction with the shipboard credit..just did it!

 

Bill in Monrovia

 

"Everyone has some good in them. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder to find it..."

 

6/27 Serenade of the Seas

[kc320]

we booked our S.Carib. cruise while on the Sovereign last Dec. Nice to know we have $100 credit waiting for us in Oct.

Since DH has a heart condition we have to buy the insurance within the 15 days but then it's paid for & out of the way.

We also changed dates &cabins & kept the credit.

 

Sovereign Again

Halloween on the Serenade

[Bookit]

Thanks, Billelen!

[Travelgrrl]

You can also switch to your regular agency afterwards; I booked on board last week and changed to cruise411 this week and saved $250 on two cabins. The deposit was $250 each (the $900 must have been for a longer cruise) and the credit was $100 per cabin (for a 7 day cruise). The $200 shipboard credit advertised on board is for longer cruises.

[superjerryw]

There are no cons to booking on board. If you book on board you get a credit on the future cruise that depends on the length of the cruise. For a 7 day cruise the credit is $100 per cabin. If you have any Crown & Anchor coupons they can be applied as well. If you change your mind later on the booking can be moved to another cruise and the credit will be retained. If you use a discount travel agency and you give them the booking they can apply their discount as well.

 

 

Donuts, is there anything they can't do....

[jkrislc]

The only real con is that you tie up your deposit money perhaps longer than you would if you booked later when you got home. Although the onboard deposit is an incentive, I like Princess' policy better as they reduce the deposit amount as well, which is also completely refundable like RCI.

 

KLC

UPCOMING CRUISES:

---------------------

MONARCH OF THE SEAS (04/04)

PRIDE OF ???????-HAWAII (01/05)

 

PREVIOUS CRUISES

-------------------------

RCI's Monarch of the Seas (01/04)

Star Princess (6/03)

RCI's Rhapsody of the Seas (4/01)

Carnival's Ecstasy (6/96)

RCI's Viking Serenade (1/94)

[just4kixx]

thanks for all the replies

keep 'em comin!

A

 

'95 Carnival Sensation

4/28/97 RCCL Sovereign of the Seas

7/01 Celebrity Horizon

6/02 Norwegian Sea

6/22/03 Disney Wonder

... till 6/20/04 Rhapsody of the Seas

 

[Kelina]

I think Royal Caribbean requires a $900 deposit for all future bookings made on ship - I know it was that way when I booked the last one on there. Seems a little steep for a deposit, but I wanted that credit

 

Keli

 

December 15 Adventure of The Seas!!!

 

Rhapsody of the Seas

 

Rhapsody BIRTHDAY CRUISE - Happy Birthday To Me!

 

[cruisinfanatic]

There is no difference in the deposit requirements whether booking on board or with your TA at home. $100pp for 1-5 days, $250 pp for 6-8 days, $450 for 9 days and longer.

 

Tropical 9/91

Ecstasy 9/93

Monarch 9/95

Sensation 9/96

Grandeur 9/97

Inspiration 9/98

Enchantment 9/99

Grandeur 9/00

Explorer 3/01

Grand 9/01.........Review!!

Victory 9/02........Review!!

Navigator 3/03....Review!!

Adventure 9/03....Review!!

Voyager 9/04

Email....Cruisinfanatic@AOL.COM