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Lois Jan 14th, 2003 09:26 AM

Booking a Cruise
 
Who are some good, reliable sources for booking cruises at very discounted rates?

Petlover Jan 14th, 2003 12:48 PM

I went through a similar dilemma last week checking with many land based TA's as well as many internet companies. I found the best rate (and so far I've received great service) from a company which is internet based called cruisequick.com I originally was a bit concerned using a company that is strictly internet based but now I realize that I had nothing to worry about. In fact, I actually prefer it since I never miss their phone calls and everything is in writing so I can check and double check. I've already received my confirmation!

Starfish Jan 15th, 2003 03:55 AM

Lots of people use cruisequick BUT you must be aware that you never get to talk to a humane being. It is email only. There are plenty of other good .com sites that you can talk to a person. Bestcruiseprices and Buycruises seems very popular.

xxx Jan 15th, 2003 09:23 AM

Leaving next week on my third cruise through buycruises.com. Never a problem - prompt emails and they do have a phone number too. After much internet searching, they had the best rate around for my cruises.

Marcie Jan 15th, 2003 09:56 AM

Everyone has their favorite and rates can vary week to week, ship to ship. I was able to get the very best rate (even better than buycruise,bestcruise,icruise,(and many more I checked) Costco or any any land based TA) from Ray at cruisequick.com <BR><BR>(email: [email protected])<BR><BR>It is all through the internet but I've found this works great. I never miss any calls, he's always &quot;open&quot; and everything is always in writing which gives me peace of mind. You will need to do what suits you best. I can't imagine receiving any better service than I've received from Ray. You can always check and compare rates before deciding for yourself. I've already received upgrades too! You're welcome to tell him I referred you should you check/compare. Good Luck!<BR><BR>

buck Jan 17th, 2003 04:00 PM

I have used expedia.com for flights and cruises, they have always did a good job for me with competitive prices. I checked about a dozen sites for the Feb. 23 cruise on the Rhap and they were no more than 3 bucks apart, so I booked with expedia since I have used them in the past and they have a good customer service dept. that will answer your ?s, IMO, Buck

Sandy Jan 17th, 2003 04:34 PM

I bet I have gotten at least 10 quotes from various &quot;discount, no-one-sells-lower-than-I, every-cruise-discounted&quot; places, as well as seeing supposedly &quot;great&quot; rates on the normal places (Orbitz, Expedia, etc.). I haven't gotten any quotes that are $3 apart or even $100 apart . . . my quotes have been hundreds of dollars apart. There surely is a big difference out there for the same cruise on the same ship with the same cabin class (I have used the same ship/date/cabin on every request for a quote).<BR><BR>I finally went with Cruisequick.com. They had the cheapest rate. I had one TA tell me I had an impossible fare, that he had checked with the Princess rep and she said it was impossible.<BR><BR>I have a confirmation number and my credit card has been debited by Princess for the deposit . . . I hope that means everything is OK.<BR><BR>Y'all can count on me to post it here (and often) if something happens and my rate is not honored. But, until then, I'm all grins on my great rate for my Alaska trip.<BR><BR>This will be our first cruise and we're VERY excited. Please keep posting great questions/answers on this forum . . . we need all the help we can get.<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Sandy

Patricia Jan 17th, 2003 08:56 PM

Marci, I hope you don't mind but I did use you as a reference with cruisequick.com with Ray (he certainly seems to know you, maybe you've used him a few times??) Thanks, his rate was approximately 19% less than the next closes competitor. We're booking! I found him extremely competent and quick.Thanks!

Paul Therault Jan 17th, 2003 11:52 PM

Are you kidding. A travel agent can get you a price of say $290 per person plus port and tax for a seven night Carnival Elation cruise out of LA to the Mex. Riviera on Feruary 2 and throw in a 4 Category upgrade to a window. Get that over the net!<BR><BR>Paul

Peter Jan 18th, 2003 08:08 AM

Gee Paul, that was tough. First shot on icruise got me a window (no upgrade needed) for $276 plus taxes and fees of $169.26 for a total price of $490.26.<BR><BR>The days of the &quot;brick and mortar&quot; travel agents are numbered.

Starfish Jan 18th, 2003 08:24 AM

Sometimes the trick is to actually talk to some of the TA's from the .com sites. I have found that sometimes they will do better than the advertised price. <BR>A very recent Example:<BR><BR>A relative booked a cruise through Carnival. Cat 8A, (didn't know any better) Robbery!<BR>I looked around and found Buycruise and Bestcruiseprices were much cheaper.<BR>Bestcruiseprices was a little cheaper but found out they has a transfer fee, which made BuyCruises slightly cheaper.<BR><BR>He called Buycrusies to get his booking moved from Carnival, his fare was reduced and he got an 8I, which has a larger balcony, for a lot less than what Carnival had on their site AND LESS than what Buycruises has advertised on their site for the 8A.!!! <BR><BR>It pays to at least call and talk to someone. <BR>ps. These were not guaranteed rates, he picked his cabin.<BR>

Marcie Jan 18th, 2003 08:28 AM

Peter, cruisequick.com (Ray)was able to beat icruise.com by $162. for an outside with balcony, plus icruise.com wanted to charge $14. for shipping and a $25. inhouse charge for cancellation (even if you cancelled 5 minutes later). cruisequick.com does not charge for any shipping nor do they have any inhouse cancellation fee. You may want to look at cruisequick.com to compare....

Starfish Jan 18th, 2003 09:05 AM

Good point about extra charges. <BR>Always check for:<BR>Cancellation Fees<BR>Transfer Fees<BR>Shipping Fees<BR>Booking/Handling Fees<BR>Any fees if you decide to upgrade or change cabins.

Keith Jan 18th, 2003 10:14 AM

I was very happy with booking I just completed with Expedia. Norwegian Majesty in November, 4 nights, $179 pp plus $45.05 taxes &amp; $7.50 booking fee, for a total of $231.55 a person. They upgraded me to Superior Inside Cabin (145 sq. ft. as opposed to 108...). While there may be websites that don't add the $7.50, I found Expedia extremely helpful (they even called NCL when I asked questions the TA couldn't answer), and they surprised me with a $50 shipboard credit that wasn't even mentioned anywhere else! The agent was friendlier than the local TA who wanted a LOT more money to book same cruise.

Peter Jan 18th, 2003 11:21 AM

Like I said, Paul - your days of overcharging for cruises is over!!! We're going to pocket your profit instead of lining your pockets.

Bob Jan 18th, 2003 02:14 PM

Keith, It is hard to know what you asked your TA to check on, by that I mean what type cabin he was pricing. I can tell this though that any good TA out there could have gotten you on the Majesty for $169.00 instead of the $179.00 that you paid plus you would not have had the $7.50 service fee.<BR><BR>Beware of NCL though, you will get what you paid for. It may not be worth the $179.00 that you paid.

Fran Jan 18th, 2003 02:24 PM

Bob, tell me more. I've never sailed on NCL and picked NCL Sun because my sister had raved about it. Now I'm worried! I have sailed Carnival, HAL (my favorite), Celebrity and RCI with no problems whatsoever. Is NCL not too good? I'd love to hear more.

Bob Jan 18th, 2003 02:46 PM

When you figure that NCL is charging $169.00 for the cruise, this INCLUDES $99.00 of what used to be called Port Charges, now has another name, that means that the cruise fare alone is $70.00 for a four night cruise.<BR><BR>Sure we all want a good deal but that is way to low to expect alot.<BR><BR>I know of people sailing on the February 2nd Norway and they paid $159.00 for the cruise. They could gone on the Sun for less than $300.00 but thought that was to much.<BR><BR>You may see these fares as good deals. I see them and ask, what are they cutting back on in order to almost be giving the cruises away.

Fran Jan 18th, 2003 02:54 PM

We're on a 7 night cruise to Alaska the end of June in a balcony cabin (category BB). I hope NCL isn't cutting back on that. The prices weren't anything like you're talking about. We're paying total(husband and wife) over $3,000!!

Jan Jan 18th, 2003 03:30 PM

Yes, I just looked at the Majesty for Feb. 03 and it was pricing around $55-65.00 lowest, inside cabin. Obviously this is just the 4 day cruise price. Sure made me think twice about booking it!! Must be a reason to stay off this ship, huh?!

Keith Jan 18th, 2003 03:56 PM

Gee, Bob--you're just a ray of sunshine, aren't you? Don't worry-- I realize I'm not sailing on a luxury ship, but that's what I chose. I was only trying to explain the price I got, and that I'm very happy with Expedia because of it. I am smart enough to understand exactly what cabin the original TA was pricing -- pretty simple, since I simply asked for the least expensive, and both agents offered the same upgrage. It's just that Expedia had a better price (and a shipboard credit). If it's true that any good TA out there could have gotten the Majesty for $169.00, then it only goes to show that the 'bricks and mortar' TA, at a very nice office in a good location, just wasn't making the effort to get me that price. By the way, when you factor in the $50 shipboard credit, I still came out ahead of a $169++ price.<BR>Someone I know loved an NCL cruise he took recently, and I've read the pro's and con's...so I'm looking forward to a cruise at a bargain price. I won't compare it to Celebrity or HAL, and I'll just enjoy it for what it is.

Paul Therault Jan 18th, 2003 10:07 PM

Peter, anyone that listens to you has their head in the sand.<BR><BR>The price for the Elation is TOTAL WITH PORT AND TAXES $459.26 and that is with an upgrade to an outside cabin. No service charges or shipping fees. And this is a 7 NIGHT CRUISE. ANY TRAVEL AGENT!<BR><BR>The price you said on icruise was $490.26.<BR><BR>Did I see your brain rolling down the street?<BR><BR>Paul

Peter Jan 19th, 2003 06:38 AM

So Paul, your absolute best &quot;brick and mortar&quot; price is $459.26 and no online price will beat that - right???<BR><BR>Now that we've got your total (you didn't give it to us before) - rest assured I will find a less expensive price online and report it here. My $490 was just the first try.

NIC Jan 19th, 2003 01:08 PM

and the price from travelocity is 429.96 and that includes a 4 cat upgrade to an oceanview !!!!!!! and thats not including a residency promo!!!! so paul.. you still wanna say you can beat any online agency???

nic Jan 19th, 2003 01:09 PM

on second thought.. i got it... sorry should have read a little better.. you said any GOOD ta can beat it!!! now i'll watch you back down again and not answer me AGAIN... just like anytime someone prooves you wrong.

xxx Jan 19th, 2003 01:39 PM

Nic are you talking about the Feb 2nd rate Paul was referring to &amp; the $30 departure tax? I can't find that rate.

nic Jan 19th, 2003 01:58 PM

yes... i am refering to the feb 2nd... it's $399 and when you add the gvmnt taxes you come up w/ 429.96 .. not sure what you mean when you say.. and the $30 departure tax

xxx Jan 19th, 2003 02:39 PM

thanks I'll look again, must've done something wrong. When I priced it fully there were departure fees of about $60 for 2 people.

Peter Jan 19th, 2003 07:02 PM

Guess nic did my work for me. Think I'll go to bed.

Paul Therault Jan 19th, 2003 11:43 PM

Hi Nic,<BR><BR>I think you better recheck your prices. I doubt they are giving a 5C window stateroom for $429.96. Sounds to me like a 4A or a 4B.<BR><BR>Paul

Peter Jan 20th, 2003 04:22 AM

Just can't believe your price isn't the lowest or what Paul. No one asked you to recheck your price. Take it for what it is - a better price than yours.

nic Jan 20th, 2003 02:27 PM

its a 5a cabin (typo) but the price is totally correct.... there is even an additional discount for residents of certain states which is NOT included in that price... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Paul Therault Jan 20th, 2003 10:30 PM

Hey Nic, I went on the site and they want $80 more for the cabin if you choose a 5A. I don't know where you found the &quot;certain states discount.&quot; I just typed in LA.<BR><BR>The prices I received are directly from Carnival. Not saying that some travel agents will not reduce their commission to make the sale.<BR><BR>Paul

Peter Jan 21st, 2003 04:27 AM

What you aren't saying is that someone found a .com that beat your price. You can challenge it all you want.

Lenore Jan 21st, 2003 06:36 AM

I've been waiting since Saturday for a quote from cruisequick.com. Since I hadn't heard from them, I decided to e-mail this Ray mention above in Marcie's post. I got a delivery failure message immediately after sending the e-mail. What's the story with him and this company????

Patsy Jan 21st, 2003 07:18 AM

[email protected]<BR>You should hear back quickly. I too mentioned &quot;Marcie referred me&quot; about a week or so ago. I'm working on a European cruise and getting excited....<BR>try again.

Lenore Jan 21st, 2003 01:24 PM

Okay.....I did try again and bingo! I just got a quote that was $300 cheaper than the next best quote. So this is really and truly and good, reputable place to book a cruise, right? I need assurance please!<BR><BR>

jeanne Jan 22nd, 2003 05:34 AM

I am very confused about all this information. Paul, can you help, please. I am very interested in sailing the Elation on 2/2 and want to book as a surprise for my husband for our anniversary. What is the best price for a window room and how do I go about booking it. Can I email you with my request? Is your price the lowest? If it isn't, how do I get the lower price? Thank you.

Caleb Jan 22nd, 2003 07:00 AM

Hi Jeanne: Keep checking around, but just for the fun of it I priced your Feb. 2nd cruise on www.icruise.com. I found Category 4A for $231. (of course you need to add air, port taxes, etc.)<BR>

nic Jan 22nd, 2003 01:40 PM

paul.. the prices i have given are accurate.. and if you call in there is a residents promo..(less 50pp) and there is no extra charge for upgrade to 5a catagory... jeanne.. paul will claim his prices are the lowest.. but he isnt.. do yourself a favor and do your research on some different agencies.


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