P and O cruises - price significantly lower than when we booked!

24

Comments

  • IvanOpinion
    IvanOpinion Posts: 22,183 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post Combo Breaker First Anniversary
    Are you definitely comparing like-with-like ?
    Is the OBC the same?
    Is it possible one is an early saver fare and the other is a select fare?
    Past caring about first world problems.
  • BarryBlue
    BarryBlue Posts: 4,179 Forumite
    Neil49 wrote: »
    Cruise prices can drop as the departure date gets to less than 12 weeks as this is the time when full payment is required. It's at this point that people change their minds and cancel.

    The gamble of booking late is that the supply of cabins can be limited and we have found that you tend to get cabins in poorer locations on the ship while those who book early can find that they have been moved to a better cabin automatically.

    On a short cruise cabin location isn't that important but do you want to be situated under the nightclub or the kitchens for 2 weeks? That is what can happen if you leave it to the last minute.

    Take the upgrade and enjoy yourselves.
    This is true, the 10/12-week cut off for payment did seem to release cabins and there were good prices to be found. This is not always so true now. As I said before, there are also great off-peak bargains available around 18 months in advance these days. You have to be flexible to get the best deals.

    For example, we booked a 12-night cruise to the Canaries in November. Booking last December it cost £649, and is now showing at £729. Our December one to the Med cost us £547 at the same time, but is now £699. Both still decent prices though.

    We aren't too worried where our cabin is. Some people prefer to be in the middle and on a higher deck, so those cabins cost more even though they are all the same. But on the large modern ships you feel far less movement anyway. We are happy to have a 'guarantee' cabin which is the lowest price and allocated nearer departure. You invariably get a higher grade than you paid for. If we do get a choice, we choose one convenient for lifts, restaurants and pools. We have never been allocated a less than satisfactory cabin.
    :dance:We're gonna be alright, dancin' on a Saturday night:dance:
  • ToxicWomble
    ToxicWomble Posts: 882 Forumite
    First Post Name Dropper First Anniversary
    If the price had gone up would you be happy to stump up the extra ??

    Thought not.
  • NoodleDoodleMan
    NoodleDoodleMan Posts: 3,354 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    It does if you book with an American agent, who will rebook you at a lower price if the price drops. You do need to ask them first, though


    From what I've heard, certain cruise lines won't accept a booking made by a UK resident using a non British travel agent.
  • travellerboy
    travellerboy Posts: 797 Forumite
    edited 20 May 2019 at 3:38PM
    NoodleDoodleMan wrote: »
    From what I've heard, certain cruise lines won't accept a booking made by a UK resident using a non British travel agent.

    You can book any cruise other than those owned by Carnival Corp that includes Carnival, Cunard, Princess, P&O, Holland America, Costa, Aida and Seabourne. There is no problem booking any other cruise line.
    We have booked Celebrity , Royal Caribbean and MSC via a US travel agency.
    One of the best US agents is https://www.americandiscountcruises.com they offer great deals, many with onboard credit, free gratuities and all with refundable deposits and have a free UK telephone number ( 0800 098 8041 )
    These days some of the cruise deals are cheaper in the UK, you need to research the one you are interested in before you jump.
    Also try https://www.seascanner.com they are a German company charges in Euros but their deposits are non-refundable like the UK. The best UK cruise agent is https://www.vivavoyage.co.uk great service and lowest price in the UK.

    Our next two MSC cruises are booked with the American agency - no problem, great service always pay by CC and refundable up to final payment any price drops are always honoured. Happy cruising.
  • davelewis
    davelewis Posts: 471 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post I've been Money Tipped!
    Cruises are notorious for price changes. I have a cruise on my laptop that I keep an eye on - the price changes every few days when I refresh the screen. When the price is right - I'll pounce and not look again!
  • harz99
    harz99 Posts: 3,640 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary Home Insurance Hacker!
    travellerboy wrote: »
    You can book any cruise other than those owned by Carnival Corp that includes Carnival, Cunard, Princess, P&O, Holland America, Costa, Aida and Seabourne. There is no problem booking any other cruise line.
    We have booked Celebrity , Royal Caribbean and MSC via a US travel agency.
    One of the best US agents is https://www.americandiscountcruises.com they offer great deals, many with onboard credit, free gratuities and all with refundable deposits and have a free UK telephone number ( 0800 098 8041 )
    These days some of the cruise deals are cheaper in the UK, you need to research the one you are interested in before you jump.
    Also try https://www.seascanner.com they are a German company charges in Euros but their deposits are non-refundable like the UK. The best UK cruise agent is https://www.vivavoyage.co.uk great service and lowest price in the UK.

    Our next two MSC cruises are booked with the American agency - no problem, great service always pay by CC and refundable up to final payment any price drops are always honoured. Happy cruising.

    Be careful with US agents when booking Royal Caribbean and Celebrity nowadays, they are moving ever closer towards non refundable deposits.

    People considering a US agency might also consider Vacationtogo.com.
  • mickey234
    mickey234 Posts: 81 Forumite
    harz99 wrote: »
    Be careful with US agents when booking Royal Caribbean and Celebrity nowadays, they are moving ever closer towards non refundable deposits.

    Not correct. Both Celebrity and RCL offer refundable deposits and for a further discount offer a non-refundable option.
    They make it very clear when booking and its your choice which option you choose. Our US cousins wouldn't stand for the way we are treated and our consumer protection is a long way behind the US.
  • PompeyPete
    PompeyPete Posts: 7,126 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    travellerboy wrote: »
    Our next two MSC cruises are booked with the American agency - no problem, great service always pay by CC and refundable up to final payment any price drops are always honoured. Happy cruising.

    Excellent info in your posting.

    Any particular reason you're going with MSC?
  • harz99
    harz99 Posts: 3,640 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary Home Insurance Hacker!
    mickey234 wrote: »
    Not correct. Both Celebrity and RCL offer refundable deposits and for a further discount offer a non-refundable option.
    They make it very clear when booking and its your choice which option you choose. Our US cousins wouldn't stand for the way we are treated and our consumer protection is a long way behind the US.

    What's not correct, as you've just said they offer both, they never used to do, so yes they are moving ever closer.

    But, often the offer prices nowadays are for the non refundable option (which was never even on the table a couple of years ago) hence the warning.
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