does anyone offer discounted rates?
 

Hi ? I?m trying to book the 5 day Voyager cruise leaving out of New Jersey for next July. It seems the ship is already fully booked and the only availability for a family of four are inside cabins and suites. The price I am getting for an inside cabin with port charges and all is $4,043. Considering there is no airfare involved, I think this is a lot. I did a 7 day Carnival Destiny a couple of years back for $3200. I have tried the following sites and got the same price: AAA, RCCL, Liberty Travel, Expedia, Cruise 411, American Express Travel, Bj?s Travel. Unfortunately, because of the kids, I can only go in the summer and because of hurricane season, I don?t want to risk it in August. Even July is pushing it. And why the Voyager, because we have been wanting to sail on it, since it?s debut and it always has gone to places we have already been to. This is the first time, I noticed it came out of the Caribbean. Does anyone know of any legitimate site that would be offering a lower price or does RCCL have a pricing policy and it?s the same everywhere?

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have locked in their prices -- no discounts anymore for travel agents.

July is a peak month, especially for sailings out of NY, NJ, and Phila. ((b))

Terrible for us bargain hunters. I just priced and all inclusive in Riviera Maya with airfare for $3500 plus bonus air miles. I might have to go that route.

Try Cheapertravel.com, they usually have good rates. Generally the Nova Scotia sailings have better prices out of New York.

Try going to Ann Stilson, 888-800-1177. also her companies site, cruise.com. (Tell her Bonnie said to call) She saved a friend $2,000 last spring. Ann has been a cruise only agent for years and before that was with NCL. A lot of companies hold cabins so there are probably cabins available. WE got a New Years Eve (the Millenium) the day befoer sailing when everyone said everyone was booked! And, people cancel. If anyone can help you Ann can. Give her a try!

To get quotes from multiple, competing agents in one place go to:

www.cruisecompete.com

If the ship is essentially sold out it may not help--but someone might be holding onto some group space that they have at a lower rate.

Good luck!

I recommend www.makingmemories.com Linda Suit was very helpful, and the rate was excellent.

Don't waste your time looking for lower price on Celebrity or RCCL. They are the same at every agency. Unless you absolutely must go with them, check Princess, NCL or HAL. You may find much better prices.

The cruise rates are NOT the same at all agencies for RC and Celebrity. They still have discounts that don't show up on a lot of web site. Try skyscrapertours.com and cruisequick.com.

I would not recommend Skyscraper Tours. I had the hardest time having them return a phone call or email after I booked.

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Some agencies which sell more RCCL/Celebrity can provide better prices.

Thank you everyone for the great information. I will get busy and try some of these suggestions. If it doesn't work, I'm going to Riviera Maya or Punta Cana instead and cruise in 2006.

Why don't try the last week on June. we did a European cruise for 12 nights starting June and the prices were cheaper. The children may have to miss a day or two of school but unless they are graduating at that time of year how much do they really miss. If you can't get a better rate try leaving out of Florida. If you plan now and watch the airfares, you should be able to get a good deal.
Karen
Karen

My experience based on only 4 cruises on 4 and 5 star ships is at most $100/person.
Some charge more then give you a shipboard credit but when you do the math the difference is $50-$100. Therefore, I use the same agent and always find a bouquet of flowers (probably cost them $60-$75) for us to enjoy for the cruise.One time rate lowered 2 days before travel and savings was passed along to us.
There are probably a number of good firms.
I use Ann Santillan at Coastline Travel Advisors-(800) 448-2374.Hope this helps.

Since this has been topped again, I'm curious to know of an exact website or travel agent that reduces the price of a RCCL cruise these days.... I haven't been able to find one. Please let me know if anyone has had luck.

Wifey:

Agent's can't rebate commissions anymore on RCL anymore, so you have to find agencies that are holding older group space on specific sailings.

CruiseCompete.com is a good place to start because the member-agencies look through for dates where they have group space (and thus, a pricing advantage) to quote. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't...

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have a new ruling.......there will be no discounts for anyone

This is correct. No more rebating, period.

As a career TA, I am thrilled!

Again, while it's true that there is no more rebating (one FORM of discounting) on RCL and Celebrity, that doesn't mean everyone gets the same deal on these lines.

1. Agencies holding group space can offer lower prices.

2. Some agencies may have the same price, but offer free extras like free travel insurance or hotel stays.

It still pays to shop around.

Although we live in Australia my brother, his family and myself all book with a TA in Houston <www.vacationstogo.com> and have received excellent service and prices from them on HAL and other Cruise Lines. We find we can save up to $1000.00AUD and the Cruise Line sends the documentation etc by DHL or similar. They also quote savings off Recommended Price.

Regards

I have been on about a dozen cruises and I believe the best rates for oceanviews and balconies are often through Costco. I just booked Pride of America for Hawaii through Costco and when I called NCL to ask a question, they said they show my cruise as costing $200 more than Costco charged me. They said that Costco is taking less of a cut to give me the discount.