Saver Fares

I just noticed a cruise that looks interesting, leaving in 8 weeks time. We usually book earlier than this so are not really sure about Saver fares, is it likely that the price may come down further or would it be better to book now ( the price is pretty good - 29 % less than select fare ).

P&O pricing is very volatile and the price could as easily go up rather than down further.

It you think it's a good deal now and you want it, best to grab it when you can and then not look again to see if you could have got it for less by waiting.

:D

I would wait for the 5 to 6 week mark but keep an eye on it every day to see if there is any movement. We have noticed in the oast that there is a big drop one day only to rise again the day after.

8 weeks takes you into the school hols so peak time. It depends on how much you really want this cruise.

Sue

It all depends on how popular the cruise is.

Saver fares often come down to less than 50% of the Select price within 4 weeks of sailing but then again if you wait the cruise may sell out.

As has been previously pointed out, the pricing is volatile and can change daily. One indicator is the amount of extra on board spending money that is being offered with a Select fare... a larger figure suggests the cruise is not selling well so the Saver price has a better chance of being reduced.

Looking at the July 6, 2015 sailing of Britannia and we are new to P&O - trying to sort out the select/saver issues.

We prefer the fixed late seating for dinner - are we likely to get this or is that popular on this cruise line?

Can anyone explain their favorite benefits of select? We would have liked the port transfer but it looks like we may be too late to use that (FAQs says must book 35 days ahead)

The website says "up to" 180 pounds on board spending credit. How can we calculate how much we will actually receive?

Thank you for any help. We are waiting for that perfect blend of cruise price and airfare and may need to act quickly.

Looking at the July 6, 2015 sailing of Britannia and we are new to P&O - trying to sort out the select/saver issues.

 

We prefer the fixed late seating for dinner - are we likely to get this or is that popular on this cruise line?

 

Can anyone explain their favorite benefits of select? We would have liked the port transfer but it looks like we may be too late to use that (FAQs says must book 35 days ahead)

 

The website says "up to" 180 pounds on board spending credit. How can we calculate how much we will actually receive?

 

Thank you for any help. We are waiting for that perfect blend of cruise price and airfare and may need to act quickly.

Britannia only has 1 fixed dining restaurant so as you are booking late it is unlikely that you will get fixed dining, but if you are allocated freedom dining you can go to see the Maitre d' when you board to see if he can change you from freedom to fixed.

We always check whether the OBC for 2 of us is greater than the car parking fee and then choose whichever is the better benefit for us.

To find out how much OBC you would get you could do a dummy booking and it will tell you how much OBC you can get for the type of cabin that you choose.

Britannia only has 1 fixed dining restaurant so as you are booking late it is unlikely that you will get fixed dining, but if you are allocated freedom dining you can go to see the Maitre d' when you board to see if he can change you from freedom to fixed.

 

We always check whether the OBC for 2 of us is greater than the car parking fee and then choose whichever is the better benefit for us.

 

To find out how much OBC you would get you could do a dummy booking and it will tell you how much OBC you can get for the type of cabin that you choose.

As has been posted if you want a preferred dining option you may be too late for that already. 1st sitting seems to be the most popular at the moment ,but I think Saver fares tend to be given the freedom option. if you book and get freedom you can try asking the MD on boarding. However there is no guarantee he would be able to swap you.

Britannia being a new ship ,she may be popular, and with it being the school holidays I would say book now, don't look again.

Different ship etc scenario, we wanted to do a certain cruise for a special birthday. we were looking nearly a year in advance, and the grade we wanted had sold out. This is different I know, but if you want the cruise grab it.

Overall the cruise might not be selling, but what about the grade you actually want.

Looking at the July 6, 2015 sailing of Britannia and we are new to P&O - trying to sort out the select/saver issues.

 

We prefer the fixed late seating for dinner - are we likely to get this or is that popular on this cruise line?

 

Can anyone explain their favorite benefits of select? We would have liked the port transfer but it looks like we may be too late to use that (FAQs says must book 35 days ahead)

 

The website says "up to" 180 pounds on board spending credit. How can we calculate how much we will actually receive?

 

Thank you for any help. We are waiting for that perfect blend of cruise price and airfare and may need to act quickly.

I note that you are from the USA.

By port transfer, I assume you mean from Heathrow airport to Southampton which is about 60 miles.

Other than the P&O designated coach operator there are a couple of other options.

Eavesway travel operate a cruise connection service from various points in the UK, including Heathrow where the pick up point is the Renaissance hotel.

http://mobile.eaveswaytravel.com/index.asp

The departure time is 1215 and the cost is £48 one way or £71 return. They will take you direct to your cruise terminal and once your luggage is on the coach you won't see it again until it gets delivered to your cabin.

A cheaper option is to use National Express who operate frequent services from Heathrow to Southampton. However, they will drop you off at the Southampton coach station which is about a mile from the cruise terminals so you will then need a short taxi ride to get you and your luggage to the cruise terminal.

http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx

On the P&O website, the on board credit for an inside or balcony is shown as £60 per person or £120 for two. The higher figure of £180 probably relates to suites which are sold out.

For your flight I would suggest you fly a few days before your cruise and spend some time in London to get over your jet lag. If you do this you can get a National Express coach from the Victoria coach station in central London or take the train

Train details here

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk

Brian

Thank you all so much. This is shortest time frame we have ever considered booking a cruise and on a new line too so I am really overwhelmed trying to learn the nuances of P&O, as well as deal with all the ports. We do plan to get in to London a day or so early and stay a day or so post cruise too so this has been very helpful.

Now if the airlines would just cooperate with some more reasonable fares...