Pre-cruise hotel

[MrsPete]

Just a reminder of what you already know: Always ASK for a lower rate. Sometimes you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I called this evening to make a reservation for our pre-cruise hotel. I'd already looked at the internet, and I knew what the lowest published rate was. I called the hotel directly to see what price they'd give me. Sure enough, they quoted the same thing (with AAA discount).

I asked them nicely if they had any unpublished promotions or specials for which I might qualify . . . the clerk asked me to wait a moment, he mumbled a minute as he looked through a list, and he said, "Oh, yes! You're traveling in July -- we have a July special." I thought that was a little weird, but it took $20 off the cost of my pre-cruise hotel.

The moral: always ASK. The worst thing they can say is, "No, the published rate is the best we can do."

[cb at sea]

Oh, YES! We always call the hotel directly and book, asking for "specials" all the way! We've gotten some truly nice deals that way!
The hotel clerks WANT to fill the rooms....and they know better than the 800 numbers how the hotel is selling....
Always call directly and ask for a deal!