Cruises - UK ripped off again

miken

Saw an offer on a number of US sites for a cruise on the Princess line, round the UK and Europe for $1399 (£730ish).
The price to book the same cruise from various UK agents is £1300.
I contact the US agent only to be told that certain cruise lines (Princess, Cunard, Costa and a couple of others) do NOT allow American agents to sell their cruises to UK residents.
What a rip off, it surely should be get bums on seats, I wanted to book 3 cabins for 6 people. Now there is no way I will book a Princess cruise so how does that help them?????
I would love to write to their CEO but cannot yet find their name and address, anyone know, please post here.

blindman

Could it be Peter G. Ratcliffe


Cruising
Another reference


Cruise forum might be of assistance.

miken

Thanks blindman, I will send him a letter, no doubt banging my head against a brick wall but at least I will get it off my chest.

WillieL

If you have a relative or friend living in USA, why not put money in their account and get them to purchase the tickets. Saving of 6 x £570 = £3420

Worth the effort finding someone to book for you.

miken

Thought of that WillieL but the US agent stated that they would need a utility bill with my name and address on as a form of proof.
Snookered again.

WillieL

Yes, well the person living in USA would have that. They would pay for it and receive tickets with your names as the passengers. You could even pay for them to come on cruise and still save money.

robnye

WillieL wrote:

Yes, well the person living in USA would have that. They would pay for it and receive tickets with your names as the passengers. You could even pay for them to come on cruise and still save money.

thats worth thinking about, perhaps we can start 'a foster an american to get a cheap cruise' group

Fatboy_NSS

When do you want to go? My cousins from the US are coming over here in September, I'm sure they'd love to go on a cruise with you (if you paid)!!

saveapenny

Miken which crusie is it ..date? ship?

saveapenny

I had the same proble but approached this company who said it was ok to sell to poeple in the UK http://www.cruise411.com/home.asp
This one is on offer through a UK company
http://www.1st4cruising.com/page.asp?w=8&ref=99&Offer=hotdeal&form_type=100&cruise_no=39901
Dont know if its the same cruise
This is an american company also that will sell in the UK http://www.vacationstogo.co.uk

miken

saveapenny wrote:

Miken which crusie is it ..date? ship?

We wanted to book 3 cabins (staterooms as they call them) on a cruise leaving Southampton on the 31st July on the Golden Princess. It was a 10 day cruise and we were looking for either 3 inside cabins or possibly 3 outside ones. The US site quoted $1399 for inside, $1499 for outside. The GB sites want £1300 for inside. It looks like I'm back to the Norfolk Broards.
Tried Vacationstogo but not allowed to sell to UK. Will look at the others though.