Question on Cruise Fares

[iluvwesties]

Hi- I have been lurking here for a while and have gotten tons of useful info so many thanks for that. I do have a question for you HAL experts. I am booked on the Rotterdam South America cruise leaving Dec. 2. We booked this trip ages ago. At the time, we were quoted a fare of $6,739 for a deluxe suite. We were given certain discounts for mariner status, early booking, etc. This brought the fare down to $6,170 which is exactly the amount of the fare quoted on HAL's website. So... are these "discounts" just a sham? We booked thru a travel agent who does quite a bit of business with HAL and she is looking into this. So far, she has gotten nowhere.

I know the cruise will be great and I love HAL but I hate being ripped off even if the dollars are not all that significant in the scheme of things. Do you think HAL is doing a number on us?

Thanks in advance.

Geri

[sungoddess]

Are you sure you were given a Mariner discount? The early booking discounts would appear on the website because everyone is eligible for that discount. The Mariner discount is another story; I would verify that with your TA.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Iluvwesties

Can't answer your question but see that you are new here/\.

Welcome to CC.[/B]

[hammybee]

It is not uncommon for a cruise line to quote the same rates as offered by a travel agent especially on the more exotic voyages or those not selling well. This is especially true, the closer it gets to sailing date.

A cruise cabin, like an airline seat is a commodity and will sell for as much as the market will bear at the point of sail. Wait a minute, day, week, month or year and the only thing certain, is that the price will change in either direction, dependent on how well or not, a flight or cruise is selling.

I am not sure why you feel ripped-off. Those who are in a position to book closer to the sail date balance the uncertaintly of cabin availability with the potential of getting a better price than those who booked early on. This is true of all cruises, all cruise lines, tours and airline seats.

Given your cruise includes Brazil, and the lead time to acquire a VISA , I am thinking that what you are seeing now is 11 hour marketing of a cruise at a slower season, before the holidays.

The only thing certain is that someone paid more than you and someone will pay less than you for the same cabin accommodations.

[iluvwesties]

Are you sure you were given a Mariner discount? The early booking discounts would appear on the website because everyone is eligible for that discount. The Mariner discount is another story; I would verify that with your TA.

We were given the Mariner discount (or so we were told). I doubt that the price on the website includes early booking discount as the cruise is in December and we had to pay in full this week.

[iluvwesties]

It is not uncommon for a cruise line to quote the same rates as offered by a travel agent especially on the more exotic voyages or those not selling well. This is especially true, the closer it gets to sailing date.

A cruise cabin, like an airline seat is a commodity and will sell for as much as the market will bear at the point of sail. Wait a minute, day, week, month or year and the only thing certain, is that the price will change in either direction, dependent on how well or not, a flight or cruise is selling.

I am not sure why you feel ripped-off. Those who are in a position to book closer to the sail date balance the uncertaintly of cabin availability with the potential of getting a better price than those who booked early on. This is true of all cruises, all cruise lines, tours and airline seats.

Given your cruise includes Brazil, and the lead time to acquire a VISA , I am thinking that what you are seeing now is 11 hour marketing of a cruise at a slower season, before the holidays.

The only thing certain is that someone paid more than you and someone will pay less than you for the same cabin accommodations.

Thanks for the explanation. I'm from NYC so am naturally a little cynical!

[hammybee]

Thanks for the explanation. I'm from NYC so am naturally a little cynical!

I understand.:)

Have a fabulous cruise.

[Two if by Sea]

The only thing certain is that someone paid more than you and someone will pay less than you for the same cabin accommodations.

Surely there are (at least) two people per cabin class for whom the above statement is guaranteed to be incorrect :).

[lorekauf]

Are you sure you were given a Mariner discount? The early booking discounts would appear on the website because everyone is eligible for that discount. The Mariner discount is another story; I would verify that with your TA.

If you put your mariner number it will give you the discount??

I had asked a similiar question a few months back about pricing. I always get the same rate as HAL shows on their website. Several people said they always pay lower and encouraged me to book through an internet agency. I may do this for a shorter cruise on the future but the last one I booked was long and expensive.

[WillieF]

I don't believe discounts are combinable! :confused: Someone correct me if I'm wrong please. Perhaps it's different in the States.

Between TA's, I recall my DH booking directly with HAL during the Early Booking time frame. Long time Mariners, he inquired if the quoted price included our Mariner 'perk' and was assured it did. So much for 'Mariner perks'. There are several threads on that subject.

As I recall it was a good deal - much more that the paltry Mariner offer!

We've also booked, thru a TA, cabin on a group cruise the agency was running - no Mariner discount there either! - being a group, the cost was already discounted.

[NancyIL]

There are discounts beyond what you can get by booking directly through HAL. I booked the least expensive inside cabin for Alaska next summer on the Veendam. HAL's price was $1307/pp. I checked prices with a number of online agencies and booked with the company offering the same cabin for $1050/pp. It's obviously too late for you to change travel agents, but for future cruises - shop around.

[CruiserBruce]

I have the same question as lorekauf- is the price you paid listed on the HAL website as the Mariner price, or the public price?

HAL has tremondous demand for the S level cabins, particularly on the "S" and "R" type ships. They don't have to discount those very much, if at all. Even on a longer or exotic cruise like yours. I am somewhat surprised they are still listing a "S" level cabin as still available.

As others have mentioned, there are a certain number of people who will make a big deal about how much less or more they paid than someone else for their cruise. I doubt most of the monetary differences are more than a couple of dollars per day of the cruise. We avoid talking about prices to make sure we don't worry about these things.

Enjoy your cruise, I am sure it will be something special.

[WillieF]

And then there are the 'private arrangements' the Agency/TA makes with you.

You pay the Line's quoted amount on your CC, directly to the Line and you invoice reflects that amount!!! :D The TA/Agency makes it up to you one way or another - from his/her/commission.

Our TA has done it several times - our choice of wine, liquor in the cabin, a tour he/she knows we'd like, etc.etc.

Never quite worked out how it all works but for sure it's done!

[WillieF]

I have the same question as lorekauf- is the price you paid listed on the HAL website as the Mariner price, or the public price?

I've never seen Mariner or Public prices listed on HAL's or any other line's websites. Early Booking discounts are different.

[hammybee]

I have the same question as lorekauf- is the price you paid listed on the HAL website as the Mariner price, or the public price?

HAL has tremondous demand for the S level cabins, particularly on the "S" and "R" type ships. They don't have to discount those very much, if at all. Even on a longer or exotic cruise like yours. I am somewhat surprised they are still listing a "S" level cabin as still available.

Perhaps the issue is the timing of this cruise, relative to the holidays and of course the lead time necessary to obtain a VISA. Some of the online sites are showing as many as 7 "S" cabins available.

[hammybee]

I've never seen Mariner or Public prices listed on HAL's or any other line's websites. Early Booking discounts are different.
You can price any HAL cruise off their web site. As it relates to this cruise, there is no difference between Mariner and non-Mariner pricing. I have seen this before, close to sail date. Given passengers on this cruise need a VISA, now is probably getting close to the bone.

[WillieF]

You can price any HAL cruise off their web site. As it relates to this cruise, there is no difference between Mariner and non-Mariner pricing. I have seen this before, close to sail date. Given passengers on this cruise need a VISA, now is probably getting close to the bone.

I know, my point was badly put, sorry:). I meant that HAL, nor any other web sites, actually post the 'Mariner' discount cruise price.

Occasionally, as Mariners, we're advised, by HAL, of special discounts for designated sailings. We've usually booked by then (like so many, we have favorite cabins and locations:D ) By then, of course, the brochure 'EB discount window' is closed and the web agencies are taking less in commission.

[hammybee]

Surely there are (at least) two people per cabin class for whom the above statement is guaranteed to be incorrect :).

Love it. You made me laugh and of course you are correct. I hope for their sake they are not seated together, over dinner.