UK pricing RCCL online vs travel agent

[spirite]

We have always found Royal Caribbean online to be at least as cheap as any travel agent. However, looking at a cruise for October we have found some travel agents (online version of high street) to be several hundred pounds cheaper - has anyone else noticed this?

 

(btw, we think we are comparing like with like with taxes, pre-pay gratuities etc, European itinerary)

[Lushpuppy]

We have always found Royal Caribbean online to be at least as cheap as any travel agent. However, looking at a cruise for October we have found some travel agents (online version of high street) to be several hundred pounds cheaper - has anyone else noticed this?

 

(btw, we think we are comparing like with like with taxes, pre-pay gratuities etc, European itinerary)

Thomas cook always give us 10% off the online price we get good service from them and like to support a high street small agency - that works for us. I have seen cheaper deals going with cruise agencies but in this day and age I like to play safe.

[Elizanessie]

I much prefer to use RCCL UK rather than a UK TA.

 

If you book online with RCCL UK, you now get 5% discount. :D

 

If you book with RCCL UK and you see a price drop in your category it is so much easier to get it than when booking with many UK TAs,heck most UK TAs dont know RCCL gives price drops to UK Cruisers.

 

With RCCL UK you are in control of your booking :D

 

 

ps. Lushpuppy, for future reference, it is against CC guidelines to name TAs ;)

[Lushpuppy]

My ta also honors price drops. But u do have to call them. Our bank also give 10% off any rci price quoted as well as free travel insurance and executive lounge vouchers for the airport. You then present that to a reputable high st agent who offers a price promise match and it is cheaper than rci direct.

[NorbertsNiece]

• I made a significant saving booking our air inclusive cruise through a TA rather than thru RCCL. As a result I upgraded our included flights way cheaper than thru the airline direct.
  
• True I had to call them to get the price drop but it was one quick call. They were then very amenable to using the fuel surcharge to prepay gratuities and just refunded me that difference.
  
• Whilst I would have preferred to have my online reservation accessible through the RCCL website I am more inclined to book thru this particular agent in the future. Had a problem printing off the set sail pass due to the fact the agent didn't pay RCCL my balance until the very last minute but that is all resolved.
  

[raffles]

If you book online with RCCL UK, you now get 5% discount. :D

With RCCL UK you are in control of your booking :D

 

I know I could get a better price with some TA's but like you I prefer to have some control over my booking. I have had a price drop and have been able to change my cabin with no problems.

 

However - I booked my previous Royal Caribbean cruise and 2 forthcoming cruises with RCCL UK and had to push for a $50 OBC :eek: - no discount despite trying hard. I use the same person for all my bookings, is he being naughty?? Should I ask again? 5% would work out much more than a $50 OBC. I am also having problems getting them to accept a C&A coupon which I posted to them when I made my booking. If I book online instead of telephoning where would the discount show and how could I show C&A coupons? Sadly I will not be booking any more cruises for a while :( but it would be nice to know - just in case ;)

[raffles]

• I made a significant saving booking our air inclusive cruise through a TA rather than thru RCCL. As a result I upgraded our included flights way cheaper than thru the airline direct.
  

 

I booked my upcoming Celebrity cruise including air through a TA 2 years ago. How did you go about getting your flights upgraded? I was not sure whether it would be the TA, Celebrity or BA who I should contact. I have not yet received my travel documents although I know the flight numbers. I would be grateful for your advice.

 

By the way, there was a significant price drop on this cruise and the TA flat out refused to honor it, I spoke to the supervisor, then the manager but still no joy:mad:. Obviously I can't name and shame but it is a major High Street TA - which I will not use again.

[spirite]

The 5% for RCCL online discount is nice. But RC prices were over £1600 for this particular cruise (no flights) - 5% = £80.

 

Online price from well know high street TA = £1250, £400 cheaper! We have never come across this sort of price difference before.

[Lushpuppy]

When you are paying several thousand pounds, I do think it pays to shop around. We originally had our cruise booked with air. One day, I priced it individually..saved over £500!!!! We paid the £35 fee each to change the booking and booked the SAME identical flight online. And that £500 saving was including the costs of our pre cruise accommodation.

Also, by booking our flights direct, we were able to choose seating etc as soon as we booked.

Our TA totally understood where we were coming from and agreed they just couldnt compete with that..

It is absolutely worth checking cruiseair/ or cruise and air seperately. This is the first time we have done this, and we are flying out a few days early. I dont know if I was flying out same day etc I would want to risk it as the advantage of course with cruise air package is that they do take responsibility to get you there.

Just a thought..:rolleyes:

[cavkc]

We have always used a local specialist cruise TA. As a general rule their prices always work out 10-15% cheaper than booking direct. When our average cruise cost is in the region of £10k this makes a huge difference.

 

That said, we always book our flights ourselves as we generally find better deals and like the flexibility of making our own decisions.

[NorbertsNiece]

I booked my upcoming Celebrity cruise including air through a TA 2 years ago. How did you go about getting your flights upgraded? I was not sure whether it would be the TA, Celebrity or BA who I should contact. I have not yet received my travel documents although I know the flight numbers. I would be grateful for your advice.

 

By the way, there was a significant price drop on this cruise and the TA flat out refused to honor it, I spoke to the supervisor, then the manager but still no joy:mad:. Obviously I can't name and shame but it is a major High Street TA - which I will not use again.

 

I phoned the TA to ask them to price the upgrade.... when I compared their charges with how much the same flight would be had I booked direct with the airline I was amazed and grabbed it before they could change their minds.... talking hundreds of £ difference here. The booking confirmation paperwork from my TA broke down every aspect of the cruise so I could see how much they were being charged by RCCL for the flights. That way I could work out the price drop when it happened.

As you say it's a major high street TA have you thought of calling another branch and asking them the question..... If I book a cruise through you will you honour a price drop? If they say yes you have ammunition to go back to your original branch and have that conversation. You could also contact RCCL and tell them that the TA won't honor the price drop and could they intervene..... just a thought.....

[trfccruiser]

I would only book on line if it was much cheaper but have always found it to be cheaper with a TA.Pick one that's ABTA bonded and it's just as safe as booking direct and if they know their stuff which my TA does,you get a personal touch and useful info.e.g. don't consider this deck it's noisy above etc.I was able to book particular cabins in the same way too.

[Elizanessie]

The 5% for RCCL online discount is nice. But RC prices were over £1600 for this particular cruise (no flights) - 5% = £80.

 

Online price from well know high street TA = £1250, £400 cheaper! We have never come across this sort of price difference before.

 

The £400 is most probably the Early Booking Discount and this does not show on your RCCL booking online...it shows on the invoice :D

 

There are a few different offers on just now, on some sailings there is OBC or £100 pp off, and of course the EBD, some TAs forget to mention the EBD so that they look cheaper. Perhaps you could ask that TA which was cheaper about the Early Booking Discount and see what they say ;)

[Elizanessie]

I know I could get a better price with some TA's but like you I prefer to have some control over my booking. I have had a price drop and have been able to change my cabin with no problems.

 

However - I booked my previous Royal Caribbean cruise and 2 forthcoming cruises with RCCL UK and had to push for a $50 OBC :eek: - no discount despite trying hard. I use the same person for all my bookings, is he being naughty?? Should I ask again? 5% would work out much more than a $50 OBC. I am also having problems getting them to accept a C&A coupon which I posted to them when I made my booking. If I book online instead of telephoning where would the discount show and how could I show C&A coupons? Sadly I will not be booking any more cruises for a while :( but it would be nice to know - just in case ;)

 

When you do a booking online to get the 5% discount you just send in your C&A coupon :D

[diat68]

I booked my upcoming Celebrity cruise including air through a TA 2 years ago. How did you go about getting your flights upgraded? I was not sure whether it would be the TA, Celebrity or BA who I should contact. I have not yet received my travel documents although I know the flight numbers. I would be grateful for your advice.

 

By the way, there was a significant price drop on this cruise and the TA flat out refused to honor it, I spoke to the supervisor, then the manager but still no joy. Obviously I can't name and shame but it is a major High Street TA - which I will not use again.

 

 

I booked a Royal Caribbean cruise for this March through a TA - there then was a £50 pp price drop - phoned TA and she said I had agreed to pay the original price - through reading these boards I knew I was entitled to the price drop - so told her to phone RCCl and request this - she came back with a price of one-half of the price drop, which I agreed to. If you read RCCLs conditions it states that if the price of the cruise drops beyond a certain percentage, then we are entitled to a price adjustment.

My agent also didn't know that as a Platinum member I was entitled to balcony privileges - so, last time I use that particular agent.

[spirite]

The £400 is most probably the Early Booking Discount and this does not show on your RCCL booking online...it shows on the invoice :D

 

Yes, it could be. I'm not sure why RCCL do not show the additional savings online. The online TA did have the same £100pp offer but it was not clear if the Early Booking discount was already deducted or would be taken off later.

 

There do seem to be some good offers out there right now.

[peck]

My TA gave the all in price identical to the web price with RCCL and then took 10% off a quite substanial saving.

If the TA can give 10% off and still get paid comission from the booking, how much extra are RCCL making from on-line bookings 20% or 30% .Looks like there is some more room for on line savings for RCCL on-line bookings, come on RCCL give us some of these savings!

[coxswain]

I prefer my TA - i use the RCCL website hold a cruise then transfer it to my TA. If the price drops i just contact my TA haven't had problem.

 

 

 

 

jj...

[Carol4158]

The £400 is most probably the Early Booking Discount and this does not show on your RCCL booking online...it shows on the invoice :D

 

There are a few different offers on just now, on some sailings there is OBC or £100 pp off, and of course the EBD, some TAs forget to mention the EBD so that they look cheaper. Perhaps you could ask that TA which was cheaper about the Early Booking Discount and see what they say ;)

 

Hi

 

Just wondering if you can explain this further. I booked a cruise direct with RCCL during December. After I booked I received a flier through the post quoting an EBD and OBC for our cruise when booked after 1st December. Does that mean this will apply to the price that I booked online? Can I expect an invoice with a reduction and OBC? Should I be doing anything about this or will it just happen? What happens with the 5% discount for booking online? Sorry for so many questions - please advise.

[NorbertsNiece]

Sounds like the flier you got was marketing post and would relate to new bookings. As you already have a booking the new prices won't apply..... check online and see what price they're quoting for new bookings and give them a ring in the morning and see if they'll give you the latest rate..... they're great over the phone and will absolutely make sure you will receive anything you are entitled to..... if you are entitled to it. You also need sight of your confirmation invoice to compare the price of what you have been charged to the rate shown on the website.....

Just a suggestion to print screen the website to show the going rate at the time so that you can monitor the booking for price drops....

[Elizanessie]

Hi

 

Just wondering if you can explain this further. I booked a cruise direct with RCCL during December. After I booked I received a flier through the post quoting an EBD and OBC for our cruise when booked after 1st December. Does that mean this will apply to the price that I booked online? Can I expect an invoice with a reduction and OBC? Should I be doing anything about this or will it just happen? What happens with the 5% discount for booking online? Sorry for so many questions - please advise.

 

To give you correct info can you tell me please which ship and sailing? The EBD applies to certain sailings i.e.7 nights or longer.

 

The 5% online discount should I believe show when you make the booking.

This discount is new and to be honest I myself havent used it yet.

 

The EBD and OBC offer started on 1st December so on any booking which qualifies this will be done automatically.

[MAKEM]

To give you correct info can you tell me please which ship and sailing? The EBD applies to certain sailings i.e.7 nights or longer.

 

The 5% online discount should I believe show when you make the booking.

This discount is new and to be honest I myself havent used it yet.

 

The EBD and OBC offer started on 1st December so on any booking which qualifies this will be done automatically.

 

It has been said ,that if you book on line & get the price 5% reduction,then if there is a price drop,you cannot go to RCCL booking agent for the new price, But,also has been said ,price drops will only be for new bookings, not as previous, where they honoured any reductions up to sailing date.

seems to be many changes coming from RCI?

[Albert Ross]

It has been said ,that if you book on line & get the price 5% reduction,then if there is a price drop,you cannot go to RCCL booking agent for the new price, But,also has been said ,price drops will only be for new bookings, not as previous, where they honoured any reductions up to sailing date.

seems to be many changes coming from RCI?

Both are incorrect I'm afraid.

You see price drop- you call and get the new price code -irrespective of whether you have booked on line or not.

Yes some price codes are for totally new bookings only, ususally for the WXYZ guarentee rooms, and have quirky rules such as no flights allowed, and you cannot swap an existing booking to that guarentee to take advantage of that costing, in my experience.

How can you have a price drop on a new booking anyway - it is new so that is the price, there is nothing previous to compare it to?

[Carol4158]

To give you correct info can you tell me please which ship and sailing? The EBD applies to certain sailings i.e.7 nights or longer.

 

The 5% online discount should I believe show when you make the booking.

This discount is new and to be honest I myself havent used it yet.

 

The EBD and OBC offer started on 1st December so on any booking which qualifies this will be done automatically.

 

 

We are on Voyager on 25th October for seven nights. I booked on 16th Dec and the online 5% discount is showing on my booking. It was only this week that I got the flier about the EBD and OBC but it does say that it applies to bookings made after 1st December.

 

The advertised price hasn't changed at all since our booking was made so I'm not sure if it already has the EBD deducted.

 

Thanks for your help.

[livylotte]

To the OP

 

I booked a cruise yesterday and was comparing online prices/cabins available between a well known UK high street TA and RCCI. There was one cruise I found that was considerably cheaper than RCCI (around £300-£400 per person!!!), I can't remember which cruise it was because I didn't book it but I wonder if it's the same one you found.

 

For the cruise I was booking this TA showed many more cabins available than RCCI did. Actually, it was quite shocking looking at the number of available cabins. In particular, TA's site showed 1400 and 1402 available on Indy but RCCI's didn't.

 

I booked online with RCCI, firstly to get the 5% online discount :p and secondly because I dislike the above TA alot because they won't pass on price drops :mad: I then called RCCI straight afterwards and got them to move me to above cabins :p

 

And even better this morning ....less than 24 hours after booking ....the price went down so I called RCCI and got a very nice price drop for the 3rd person in both cabins :D

 

I've have major hassle with this high street TA in the past and will never, ever use them again. Perhaps the prices they are quoting includes the early booking discount which RCCI don't add to the booking till later. Or maybe they are desperate for bookings... I don't really know why but what I do know is I'd choose booking direct every time!

 

Feeling very pleased with mysef today :D