Queen Mary 2 cruise dilemma...

Lieutenant_Thrift

I've been invited by some American friends on a Soton to NYC trip on the QM2 later this year. They want me to book through their travel agent who is in the US. He's able to give a substantial discount on what's advertised on cunard.com however it does not include flight back to this country. I emailed Cunard UK to make sure that they would be OK with me booking through a US travel agent, they emailed back at length essentially saying they had to "make sure" the booking was made in the UK and they a US travel agent was "not able" to take my booking however the US travel agent disagrees. My friends are long time clients of his and he says he's booked for UK residents before. Cunard UK pointed out I wouldn't have ABTA protection and there would be other risks associated with this. The US travel agent seems content to do the transaction entirely through email, I would expect him to ask about my personal details for homeland security purposes at least. On Friday, he said he'd reserved a cabin for me on the ship despite me not having paid anything yet. I'm a bit uncertain about what I should do. I've known the friends involved for about ten years and I would like to go with them. Cunard UK quotes the fares for the voyage starting at £996 whereas the US travel agent's price is about half that at the current rate of exchange. It's lower partly because I'm going as a guest of my friends but it doesn't include flight back to the UK. Iceland Air currently offer the best rate of £244 single with a stop over in Rekyavik. I'll also have to stay with friends in New York. The question is basically what should I do. I'm speak to the US travel agent tomorrow over the phone and I will be seeking guarantees from him. However, having read about the UK deal, I would prefer to take a direct flight back and possibly also the other perks the UK deal offers. If that's the case, should I go directly through Cunard or via a travel agent. Which is the best travel agent in that case?Thanks,LT

getmore4less

We have booked cruises through the US no problems (but not cunard).

ABTA does not help much for cruises, Cunard is not likely to go bust.

For flights try 1800flyeurope.com they got us a Virgin flight back from MIami for £180. (I phoned to do the deal it was on vigins site on line in an hour)

Another good site for one way flights is bt-store.com used them as well.

Check you UK trave insurance covers cruise and one way flights.

pjran

I have copied and pasted a link to a Cunard QM2 transatlantic offer, the price includes the return flight = £675.

Queen Mary 2710-11-2010Transatlantic Crossing (Cruise Finders)
Fly/Cruise £675.00 »


From past experience you can request your return flight several days after the ship has arrived in NY enabling you stay with your friends.

It is usually cheaper to book through a good cruise agent as they generally offer greater discounts, also worth asking Virgin cruises to see if they can beat the quote, http://www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk/?&source=google&gclid=CI_B_vacwJQCFQOuFQodLlEXTQ

Lieutenant_Thrift

Thanks for those replies. I should perhaps add that I'm probably going to be travelling alone and the US travel agent has got them to waive the single person supplement. If there's no issue with this in the above deal, it would certainly work out cheaper and more convenient.

moonrakerz

I think it boils down to how much you think you might save set against the risk of the people you are dealing with going bust.

If you deal through any agent you may be losing some of the protection offered by the Consumer Credit Act, if you deal direct with Cunard, it may cost more, but your payment is safe. It really is a case of "you pays your money.............".

If you have to book flights outside of whatever package you do take up, ask Cunard for a quote for the flights. They got me some very good UK to LA business class fares on BA, as a stand alone item.