Could this be too good to be true?

[newfarmers]

as a result of a post on another thread by dougo that he'd booked Pacific Sun Tahitian Treasures (and got it for under $100pp per day) I did a bit of a search and have come up with a cat D for $1842pp plus $150 onboard credit per pax. I can't of course mention the Australian online agent with whom I found this price but they have their travel agent number and compensation fund number etc etc on the website. Oh, and a warning that does the big "if you book with a US or UK agent you may be denied boarding blah blah blah".

 

where am I going with this? my folks are booked on this cruise and have paid a deposit for an E gtd. their rate - $3800 pp. the rate I got today for a D is $3735 all up for the two of them.

 

could this be to good to be true? have I possibly snagged an amazing bargain for them? F GG and G are all also way under $2000pp. even if they were to lose their $400 deposit they'd still be thousands in front. I wish I wish I could say the name of the company so that I could ask if anyone has used them

 

thanks in advance

 

pete

[Boboz]

G'day I was offered the Tahitian treasures Yesterday via an online agent I have used before several times, the deal was from Syd return flights on Emirates and 2 nights at the Stamford Hotel in AK plus inside cabin twin $2149 but all insides were gone and the offer was for an outside for $2399

Regards Bob

[rugbypopsie]

I would cancel and rebook in a heartbeat..this stuff does happen.

 

On a cruise last year my husband and I paid $5,000 EACH more because we booked 18 months ahead. Others that booked, not last minute, got the same category on the same cruise for thousands less than we paid. Our friends who booked the same cruise were treated even worse.

 

Despite major whingeing on our part..we only received part compensation in way of OBC!

 

Hence the reason I am a cheerleader for better booking terms and conditions for Australian cruisers.:mad:

[rugbypopsie]

By the way small matter...the Stamford in Auckland is in my opinion a very ordinary hotel.

 

Poor tired rooms, stained carpets, disinterested staff..but for the price of the cruise I would put up with it. Best thing about the place is the Thai restaurant downstairs.

 

If you can try the Sebel instead.

 

 

[newfarmers]

I've made an enquiry that constitutes a five day hold. if they confirm availability you pay $600 deposit and then balance within two days. the website appears to be part of a much bigger UK concern.

 

the local agent mum and dad have booked with has got them return flights with Qantas for $407 (a really good deal for the two of them) and they're booked into a hotel that is down on the harbour right next to where the ship docks apparently. can't remember the name.

 

so I'm thinking this may well be legit

 

would love to save them the money

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed

 

thanks again

pete

[MargnGrah]

From my investigations, no one TA seems to stand out from another. While one has a good deal on a particular cruise, another will have a good one on a different cruise. You have to do a fair bit of research, then see if anyone can better the deal.. Luck of the draw, sometimes. :)

 

I agree Sandy. Most on-line T/A's have similar pricing. If you can book in their 'specials week' and receive half deposit and extra OBC, then it does make a little more difference.:)

[Australian family]

Looks like some posts have disappeared off this thread!

[newfarmers]

Looks like some posts have disappeared off this thread!

 

 

it's disappointing that this happens. I understand the rules are no mention of agents but there was just hints, no actual names. I just don't understand why.

 

we're all here because we enjoy cruising and we all want the best deal we can get. if we have to resort to emailing each other to share info of good deals then CC becomes redundant. I love CC, possibly too much, but this has always been a rule I've never understood.

 

maybe one of the moderators can jump in here and explain why we can't discuss good deals we've found (and with whom), the actual reason, not just that 'it's the rules'?

 

ps, please don't ban me:)

 

pete

[kaseyoz]

it's disappointing that this happens. I understand the rules are no mention of agents but there was just hints, no actual names. I just don't understand why.

 

we're all here because we enjoy cruising and we all want the best deal we can get. if we have to resort to emailing each other to share info of good deals then CC becomes redundant. I love CC, possibly too much, but this has always been a rule I've never understood.

 

maybe one of the moderators can jump in here and explain why we can't discuss good deals we've found (and with whom), the actual reason, not just that 'it's the rules'?

 

ps, please don't ban me:)

 

You are correct in that the TA's names cannot be mentioned here. However, the missing posts were not all due to that reason.

 

It is mainly to prevent TA's signing on and badmouthing others for their own gain.

[Sandielle]

Now you will notice more posts/posters have gone. It is the same person who keeps joining under a different name (lost count this month) just to try to cause trouble. He has nothing better to do - it's a pity, with all the people who need help these days, he doesn't spend his spare time doing some good in the world.

It's best just to ignore him.

[Sandielle]

Hi Karon, I suppose you could always write to the moderators directly and ask them why this rule was made. I'm sure they would be please to tell you.

 

Cheers

[aussie57]

It is the same person who keeps joining under a different name (lost count this month) just to try to cause trouble. He has nothing better to do - it's a pity, with all the people who need help these days, he doesn't spend his spare time doing some good in the world.

It's best just to ignore him.

 

He must keep changing his email address?? Wouldn't the moderators be able to block him otherwise, no matter how many new times he joined? It makes it hard for genuine new members when someone with a very small number of posts appears from nowhere & speaks with "authority" about the site after only 2 or 3 posts :mad:

[kaseyoz]

He must keep changing his email address?? Wouldn't the moderators be able to block him otherwise, no matter how many new times he joined? It makes it hard for genuine new members when someone with a very small number of posts appears from nowhere & speaks with "authority" about the site after only 2 or 3 posts :mad:

 

The mods are working very hard to keep this board fun for all. As you have already seen most dubious posts and ID's are quickly deleted.:mad::(

 

I also agree about the genuine new posters.

[Gold Coast Cruisers]

I agree 100% with all your positive comments.

I've been lying low recently because I was sick of all the rubbish I was reading by a 'minority' who is persistant.

 

I love to chip in my pennies worth if I can help someone as much as I love to hear from others who can help me. One big discussion should be the T/A's and deals available because, after all this is what we are here for...CRUISING.... and I can positively say that everyone looks for the best deal when they begin researching for a cruise. Usually it comes down to the daily on board rate per person per day.

 

My thoughts are that CC have a close alliance with one particular T/A. Have to say, one that didn't not treat us well. So they are sort of protecting them by not allowing us to discuss T/A's on here. Well that's just my personal thoughts.

 

Please don't Block me Mr Moderator, I'm only putting in my pennies worth.

 

At the end of the day our P & O Australia covers cruise companies, T/A's and individual ships, I am sure we're not going to change the world by discussing T/A's on our little corner of this huge Cruise Critic site.

 

In this big ocean we call Cruise Critic, we down here are only guppies.;)

 

Jillybean:)

[Australian family]

as a result of a post on another thread by dougo that he'd booked Pacific Sun Tahitian Treasures (and got it for under $100pp per day) I did a bit of a search and have come up with a cat D for $1842pp plus $150 onboard credit per pax. I can't of course mention the Australian online agent with whom I found this price but they have their travel agent number and compensation fund number etc etc on the website. Oh, and a warning that does the big "if you book with a US or UK agent you may be denied boarding blah blah blah".

 

where am I going with this? my folks are booked on this cruise and have paid a deposit for an E gtd. their rate - $3800 pp. the rate I got today for a D is $3735 all up for the two of them.

 

could this be to good to be true? have I possibly snagged an amazing bargain for them? F GG and G are all also way under $2000pp. even if they were to lose their $400 deposit they'd still be thousands in front. I wish I wish I could say the name of the company so that I could ask if anyone has used them

 

thanks in advance

 

pete

 

Received an email today for this cruise from a well known "Ozzie" online cruising company and they have really good prices with $300 onboard credit as well.

[newfarmers]

just got home and mum's left me a message to call them. I'm now too excited and happy for words.

 

they called their TA yesterday morning about trying to snag one of the bargain Ds discussed in this thread that were out on the web. as we know they'd gone in a flash but she said she'd keep looking.

 

called them back this morning to say she'd got them an E for 2555 (they'd paid over $4000 including taxes). only thing was they'd have to lose their initial deposit of $400. they of course jumped. when they got up to her office it worked out even cheaper!!

 

so from $8790, and including the lost $400 deposit, they've saved $3572!!!

 

I'm so excited, happy, relieved:). I was devastated that I'd gotten their hopes up and then it had come to nothing. now I'm back up on cloud nine. they've even got a cabin number - U43 I think dad said

 

so I'm logging on to P&O to do their personalising as they don't have a computer

 

thanks for everyone's input and support with this

 

really really appreciated

 

pete

[Australian family]

So how much did they pay and was that with airfares? It is so good when you can get a bargain. Did they then book through an online agency?

[newfarmers]

So how much did they pay and was that with airfares? It is so good when you can get a bargain. Did they then book through an online agency?

 

 

they'd booked with a local agent at Hope Island who specialises in cruises. Looks like she got them the new lower rate by hassling P&O. Godd on her I say!!

 

They paid $4818 for an E insluding Qantas BNE-AKL return and a night at the Copthorne down at the harbour. Including the lost dep (not sure why they lost that as they're months out but they don't care in the least;)) they paid $5218 in total, compared to original price of $8790!

 

when you're 79 and 86 and not self-funded retirees that money's way better in their pockets than Carnival Corp's. Mum can go crazy at bingo:D Don't think she's much of a bingo person actually, she'll be looking for a golf course at every port...

 

pete

[Sandielle]

Oh Pete, that IS wonderful news! I'm so glad for your parents and for you. Good on them, sounds like they still have plenty of go in them. :)

 

Cheers

Sandy

 

 

 

Ya gotta use it or lose it! :D

[dougo in oz]

Hi Pete

 

Glad your Mum and Dad got a good deal. I'm surprised that they lost their deposit as I would have thought that they were well within the time to cancel without penalty.

 

We actually were going on a cruise to the Melbourne CUp later this year - now that's a cruise where the price is almost as high as the prize for winning the Cup - lol - and we transferred our deposit to the Pac Sun for the cruise that your Mum and Dad are now going on.

 

Did they get any on-board credit? We didn't see anything about that and I don't recall seeing it on the e-mail I received from the company that specialises in cruises...will have another look.

 

And by the way, I saw another good deal last night - out of Auckland, 10 days on the Pacific Sun with one of the stops being Norfolk Island. The inside cabins started from about $400 and the outside cabins from under $900.

 

Sigh...so many cruises to do and not enough time (or money !!)

.

[newfarmers]

I've just read the terms and conditions on P&O. At $4000 each I would have thought their original fare would have been classed as full fare. If it wasn't I wonder what on earth full fare was:eek:.

 

gee, we're only talking Pacific Sun.

 

We spent 25 days in a verandah suite of Rotterdam and only paid $5000.

 

I'm sure P&O's justification will be is that original fare was dicsounted.

 

They might as well ask again:)

 

FULL FARE Days Prior to Departure Cancellation Charge 31 days or more Full Refund^

22 – 30 days 25% of total fare^ 15 – 21 days 50% of total fare^ 14 days or less 100% of total fare^

DISCOUNTED FARES Days Prior to Departure Cancellation Charge 181 days or more Full refund^

180 – 71 days Deposit amount^ 70 – 43 days 25% of total fare^ 42 – 15 days 50% of total fare^ 14 days or less 100% of total fare^

[Australian family]

Hi Pete

 

Glad your Mum and Dad got a good deal. I'm surprised that they lost their deposit as I would have thought that they were well within the time to cancel without penalty.

 

We actually were going on a cruise to the Melbourne CUp later this year - now that's a cruise where the price is almost as high as the prize for winning the Cup - lol - and we transferred our deposit to the Pac Sun for the cruise that your Mum and Dad are now going on.

 

Did they get any on-board credit? We didn't see anything about that and I don't recall seeing it on the e-mail I received from the company that specialises in cruises...will have another look.

 

And by the way, I saw another good deal last night - out of Auckland, 10 days on the Pacific Sun with one of the stops being Norfolk Island. The inside cabins started from about $400 and the outside cabins from under $900.

 

Sigh...so many cruises to do and not enough time (or money !!)

.

 

That is a really good price. What they have saved will go a long way to spending money. Good on.

[Australian family]

Hi Pete

 

Glad your Mum and Dad got a good deal. I'm surprised that they lost their deposit as I would have thought that they were well within the time to cancel without penalty.

 

We actually were going on a cruise to the Melbourne CUp later this year - now that's a cruise where the price is almost as high as the prize for winning the Cup - lol - and we transferred our deposit to the Pac Sun for the cruise that your Mum and Dad are now going on.

 

Did they get any on-board credit? We didn't see anything about that and I don't recall seeing it on the e-mail I received from the company that specialises in cruises...will have another look.

 

And by the way, I saw another good deal last night - out of Auckland, 10 days on the Pacific Sun with one of the stops being Norfolk Island. The inside cabins started from about $400 and the outside cabins from under $900.

 

Sigh...so many cruises to do and not enough time (or money !!)

.

 

They got a good deal. The savings go a long way to spending money. Good on you!

[Australian family]

they'd booked with a local agent at Hope Island who specialises in cruises. Looks like she got them the new lower rate by hassling P&O. Godd on her I say!!

 

They paid $4818 for an E insluding Qantas BNE-AKL return and a night at the Copthorne down at the harbour. Including the lost dep (not sure why they lost that as they're months out but they don't care in the least;)) they paid $5218 in total, compared to original price of $8790!

 

when you're 79 and 86 and not self-funded retirees that money's way better in their pockets than Carnival Corp's. Mum can go crazy at bingo:D Don't think she's much of a bingo person actually, she'll be looking for a golf course at every port...

 

pete

 

Sorry Pete I was replying to this message.

[newfarmers]

so ma and pa called their agent and it's a no to getting their original $400 deposit back. I'm more bothered than they are. bloody p&o and their dodgy Oz only policies

 

today I got confirmation back from our US agent that NCL have relented and agreed to honour their USD1499 fare that they'd committed to for our baltic cruise. I'm not jumping up and down until I have the res number and have logged on into my ncl and can see it but I think we're just about over the line. looked on ncl tonight and for an ff they're now charging 2100+. so from 4100+ to just over 3300. I should bargain hunt for a job!

 

made payment for our flights tonight - kills me that qantas will have our money for six months and charge us $100 for the pleasure of paying by ccard:mad:. in hindsight should have booked expedia or similar and might have paid no fees but it's done now. oh well. just half to work harder

 

next - Britrail passes.

 

then off to NZ in ten days