cruise, where to book? confused

st999

So I have decided to go on a cruise next June and went to a travel agent to get ideas.

I decided on the cruise and got details from the travel agent but did not book it as I had went on my own so had to get my wife to approve so would call back later.

Tip for someone who does not want to be pressured into signing on the day

Flights, transfers, upgrades and insurance all included in the price

Then the fun begins:rotfl:.

I have searched on line and all the prices I get for my cruise are approx what the travel agent wants. In fact one site was £100 dearer than the travel agent and that did not include insurance and an upgrade to all inclusive.

Even the Thomson site was dearer than the travel agent after the insurance was factored in.

So how can I go back to the travel agent and say I can get it cheaper online will you match the price?

I suppose I will have to edit the print outs and be economical with the truth.:D

I would prefer to deal with the travel agent for the sake of a few pounds, who knows what will happen in 8 months time or should I wait until after the new year?

Stan

juliescot

There are lost of sites selling cruises.

My relatives cruise a lot in the Caribbean and buy their tickets from US companies - much much cheaper.

Do shop around but if the travel agent is offering a good price and service than go with that

Pollycat

Unless I'm missing your point here, how can you go back to the travel agent and ask them to price match if you CAN'T get it cheaper online?

They'll probably want to see your quote so editing out prices isn't going to work.

If they're giving you a really good deal why not book with them?

As for waiting, the deal that is currently on the table (if it still is when you go back in) may not be available when you decide you do want to book.
Or it may not be available because it's fully booked.

st999

Unless I'm missing your point here, how can you go back to the travel agent and ask them to price match if you CAN'T get it cheaper online?

Because everybody says travel agents rip you off, you can always get a better deal online.

I am finding out that that is not true.
That is why I am confused.

My relatives cruise a lot in the Caribbean

I have been on a Caribbean cruise and my wife and I were the only people from the UK on the ship, and to be perfectly honest the Americans are a bunch of !!!!!! and racist as well.

The crew were from the Philipines and because they were not white a lot of the Americans treated them like !!!!.

There were some black American passengers on board and some of the white Americans treated them like !!! as well.

Stan

Pollycat

st999 wrote: »

Because everybody says travel agents rip you off, you can always get a better deal online.

I am finding out that that is not true.
That is why I am confused.

So I wasn't missing your point, you automatically expected to find your cruise cheaper on-line - but can't.

Not all travel agents rip people off, many are good and will do their best to beat on-line quotes.
If your Travel Agent is quoting you a cheaper price than the actual company that you're thinking of booking with - ASSUMING THAT THE 2 QUOTES ARE IDENTICAL - doesn't that tell you something?

There is the added advantage of being able to go into the shop and speak to an actual person in the unfortunate event that something goes wrong.

Be absolutely sure you are comparing the quote you've got from the travel Agent to the ones you've got on-line.
Is EVERYTHING the same?

If you don't have an identical quote from on-line to take into the travel agent, you can't ask them to beat it, can you?

As for choosing your cruise ship, that is part of the value-added service that the Travel Agent should be able to offer - face-to-face advice.

And THIS:

I have been on a Caribbean cruise and my wife and I were the only people from the UK on the ship, and to be perfectly honest the Americans are a bunch of !!!!!! and racist as well.

doesn't sound like you're very tolerant to other people, either. :rolleyes:

shoppaholic_returns

I have never found the quotes online to be cheaper,I always shop around but always end up with Bolsover cruise club, they are great and deal with everything over the phone . They are one of the biggest uk cruise agents and more often than not they will have someone in their offices that will have been on the cruise line/ship you are looking at,so great for advice.

They have a website,but are unable to keep updating it evryday as offers come in,so you are much better either going to them, or dealing over the phone, I am a Cruisecritic forum leader, and have travelled on a huge number of cruises, and find them to be the best of the bunch.

Have fun, pm me if you need any further help!

HoofeHearted

I have been on quite a few Thomson cruises. I always do my research online, use discount codes when available and print out the quote from the Thomson site. Then I go to the local Thomson shop and they will always match the internet price.

The advantage of using the shop is the fact that there is somewhere to go if there are any problems. Also, somewhere to pickup the tickets if/when there is a postal strike on.:rolleyes2

Rikki

shoppaholic_returns wrote: »

I have never found the quotes online to be cheaper,I always shop around but always end up with Bolsover cruise club, they are great and deal with everything over the phone . They are one of the biggest uk cruise agents and more often than not they will have someone in their offices that will have been on the cruise line/ship you are looking at,so great for advice.

They have a website,but are unable to keep updating it evryday as offers come in,so you are much better either going to them, or dealing over the phone, I am a Cruisecritic forum leader, and have travelled on a huge number of cruises, and find them to be the best of the bunch.

Have fun, pm me if you need any further help!

Another vote for www.bolsovercruiseclub.co.uk.
They will find you the best deal and advice you on cabins, cabin position, dinning, anything you want to ask. Also they have been on most ships and can offer tips about anything.

Give them a ring or look on their web site you have nothing to loose. Friendly and knowledgeable.

st999

doesn't sound like you're very tolerant to other people, either

I am very tolerant, I was quite shocked at the way some of the white passengers treated the crew and their fellow black American passengers.

The price I got from the travel agent seemed high compared to what I had originally researched online but as someone said, was I comparing like for like.

It seems not.

Does £2340 for a couple for a week AI including flights and insurance from Scotland to Palma on a Thomson cruise seem about right?

Stan

Pollycat

st999 wrote: »

I am very tolerant, I was quite shocked at the way some of the white passengers treated the crew and their fellow black American passengers.

The price I got from the travel agent seemed high compared to what I had originally researched online but as someone said, was I comparing like for like.

It seems not.

Does £2340 for a couple for a week AI including flights and insurance from Scotland to Palma on a Thomson cruise seem about right?

Stan

You didn't actually come across as very tolerant towards Americans by saying they were a bunch of !!!!!! . :rolleyes:

However, on to your question, it depends on:
What ship?
What's the name of the cruise?
What cabin grade?
Dates?
Departure airport?
What's included in your price? Full board? Any drinks credit? All Inclusive?

I can't really see whether the price you've been quoted seems 'about right' to other people if you've been given a price by a travel agent that you can't beat on-line.
Have you tried contacting Bolsover Cruise Club as others have suggested?

doelani

st999 wrote: »

I am very tolerant, I was quite shocked at the way some of the white passengers treated the crew and their fellow black American passengers.

The price I got from the travel agent seemed high compared to what I had originally researched online but as someone said, was I comparing like for like.

It seems not.

Does £2340 for a couple for a week AI including flights and insurance from Scotland to Palma on a Thomson cruise seem about right?

Stan

HI Stan

Cruise prices can like other holidays go up and down. I have seen me pricing one and a few dasy later the price rise.

You need to do a like for like comparission and take a print off for lower price to travel agent, I would not amend any prices, what happens if they check it online?

I have been on 2 crusies and have just booked anotehr for next year. We got price from travel agent, got cheaper prices online and travel agent matched it. I have also done this in the past wth package holidays.

You have mentioned the price you have got for Thomson and I know they do all inclusive but a few things to check...........

What is the price for " cruise only" then book flights yourself especially if going to europe.

an expample is , cruise we booked for next year we paid £312 for our flights, to book through cruise company the price was about £800 more expensive, we booked cruise through travel agent and flights ourselves.

Hope you get sorted.