Vantage v Getaway Fares

[Reallygoodguy]

Having waited patiently I secured a cabin on Azura at a Getaway fare - saving of £350.00 per passenger.

Interestingly the retail travel trade appear to very reluctant to promote Getaway rates - One major chain sent me a mailing today - all the Spring departures featured Vantage rates only, not one mention of Getaway. Yet in the travel press the trave trade is bemoaning that Cruise Bookings are down for UK departures.

Methinks the is a lot od double dealing going on.

Finally - 18 days car parking at Southampton is only £67.00, lot better that CPS's £175.00, OK you need a taxi transfer at £32.00, but still quids in..........

[crafty sue]

Hi, We flew down to Sounthampton with flybe out of Leeds, and it only cost us about £60 each, it was easy no 8 hour drive, no parking, only downside is luggage weight, but then we always take too much on holidays don't we ?

[winniesbestm8]

I still actually don't know the difference between the two since they have come in!!

[tillybilly321]

Originally Posted by winniesbestm8

I still actually don't know the difference between the two since they have come in!!

I think the only real benefit of booking a Vantage fare is if you want a specific cabin or it is a cruise which is likely to sell out,(very few of the run of the mill ones do!) The free parking / Obc is insignificant when you take into account the price drops on Getaway fares. As another post on here proves, the Vantage fare counts for little if you book less than 90 days before departure.

The only other people who may be affected are families, as far as I understand no family cabins will be available on Getaway fares so they will always have to pay more for the Vantage fare. I can't understand why they have done this, but I'm sure there will be a few ideas out there !

[daiB]

Originally Posted by tillybilly321

I think the only real benefit of booking a Vantage fare is if you want a specific cabin or it is a cruise which is likely to sell out,(very few of the run of the mill ones do!) The free parking / Obc is insignificant when you take into account the price drops on Getaway fares. As another post on here proves, the Vantage fare counts for little if you book less than 90 days before departure.

The only other people who may be affected are families, as far as I understand no family cabins will be available on Getaway fares so they will always have to pay more for the Vantage fare. I can't understand why they have done this, but I'm sure there will be a few ideas out there !

Getaway fares are for cabins they have difficulty selling. They have no difficulty with family cabins

If you are a couple who do not mind when you go or which cabin you have then getaway fares are for you. Of course a number of cruises sell out and then you would miss out. Remember there is not only you looking for the cheap deals.

My advice is to book very early and that means the week the bookings start, so up to 2 years ahead or late inside 90 days. In between you will not get the best deal.

Remember also that cruising is now very cheap compared with when I started 12 years ago. I can still book a cruise in the same cabin on the same ship for the same length of cruise for less than I paid in 2001.

Last piece of advice book early book often.



Gan Canny


Dai

[winniesbestm8]

Originally Posted by daiB

Getaway fares are for cabins they have difficulty selling. They have no difficulty with family cabins

If you are a couple who do not mind when you go or which cabin you have then getaway fares are for you. Of course a number of cruises sell out and then you would miss out. Remember there is not only you looking for the cheap deals.

My advice is to book very early and that means the week the bookings start, so up to 2 years ahead or late inside 90 days. In between you will not get the best deal.

Remember also that cruising is now very cheap compared with when I started 12 years ago. I can still book a cruise in the same cabin on the same ship for the same length of cruise for less than I paid in 2001.

Last piece of advice book early book often.



Gan Canny


Dai

We usually book as soon as brochure is out (this one is 3 weeks was booked nearly 2 years ago!! and I did wonder if we were getting a good deal, but 2 x free child places and £680 OBC isn't a bad deal)

Now we are tied to school holidays so I would rather book early to get the cruise we want

[Reallygoodguy]

Thanks to all who kindly replied.

My comments were to highlight the fact that Getaway Fares are currently available. Fortunately I am now in a position to be able to wait and see what offers are on hand, rather than have to book 6months to a year in advance. My frustration is bourne from the high street multiple travel agents in Preston, especially TC and Coop, stating that there would be no further discounting other than Vantage - something I did not believe.

With regards to travelling to Southampton, I did check Flybe, unfortunately the costs were in excess of £130 - £150 per person, so driving down is the most economic.

I must admit I do wish someone other than Olsen or Cruise Maritime would offer Liverpool as a departure point. In all probability 50% to 60% of those travelling on Arcadia last November were from Midlands and the North - hey hp another story!

[jeanlyon]

I don't think Getaway Fares would suit me if it's for cabins that nobody wants. Already changed cabin on our Fred O cruise, as there was an airconditioning fan above us - nightmare.

Apart from that I think we preferred Fred - we are going to do another one with them.

[Norfolk Brit]

Originally Posted by jeanlyon

I don't think Getaway Fares would suit me if it's for cabins that nobody wants. Already changed cabin on our Fred O cruise, as there was an airconditioning fan above us - nightmare.

Apart from that I think we preferred Fred - we are going to do another one with them.

It all depends on what category of guarantee cabin one books - we've booked four getaway-type deals over the years, and never had a bad cabin. Unless particularly picky about where the cabin is on the ship, the knack is to book the minimum acceptable grade of cabin - for us that's one above obstructed view balcony. We've never ended up with a cabin with any problems whatsoever.

Of course, if you book the lowest inside grade there's a strong possibility of ending up with something undesirable. Luck of the draw.

Agree with your comments on Fred Olsen, our second choice after Cunard - we booked a guarantee with them as well, and ended up with a very nice suite.

Mary

[daiB]

Originally Posted by Reallygoodguy

Thanks to all who kindly replied.

My comments were to highlight the fact that Getaway Fares are currently available. Fortunately I am now in a position to be able to wait and see what offers are on hand, rather than have to book 6months to a year in advance. My frustration is bourne from the high street multiple travel agents in Preston, especially TC and Coop, stating that there would be no further discounting other than Vantage - something I did not believe.

With regards to travelling to Southampton, I did check Flybe, unfortunately the costs were in excess of £130 - £150 per person, so driving down is the most economic.

I must admit I do wish someone other than Olsen or Cruise Maritime would offer Liverpool as a departure point. In all probability 50% to 60% of those travelling on Arcadia last November were from Midlands and the North - hey hp another story!

Your ta's in Preston were quite correct there are no further discounts to be had. Came in over a year ago.

Gan Canny

Dai

[HomelessBear]

Originally Posted by daiB

Your ta's in Preston were quite correct there are no further discounts to be had. Came in over a year ago.

Gan Canny

Dai

Sorry but this has not been my experience (despite the fact that I was told that there would be no more discounted fares).

Apart from the Azura special cruise last July, I have ALWAYS managed to get some sort of discount, and I have booked 3 cruises since this "rule" came in. It's ranged from around £20 to £200pp discount and yes, it has included P&O fares. So it is worth looking around and finding the best deal, as my experience shows, if you don't try, you don't get.

[Norfolk Brit]

Originally Posted by daiB

Your ta's in Preston were quite correct there are no further discounts to be had. Came in over a year ago.
Dai

I understood the OP's meaning to be that travel agents were saying that no discounts would ever be available other than Vantage Fares, ie that later Getaways were now defunct.

If I've read it right, I was told the same thing by a travel agent a few weeks ago, as was another poster in a different thread on here. A couple of days after I was told that, the first batch of Getaways appeared. Someone is not being entirely straight.

Apologies if I've misread anything.

Mary