3rd time lucky after 2 cancellations on PJ

[stanc61]

I have just re-booked on the same cruise on Pacific Jewel for the 3rd time (after 2 cancellations) for myself and DW.

 

Let me explain, after initially enquiring about a Dawn Princess cruise Syd - NZ - Syd about 2 months ago for an inside cabin base rate of about $3,000 pp with a TA. The same TA put me onto the same type cruise with P&O Pacific Jewel for $2,099 pp which I went ahead and booked on the spot (Saturday morning) with the deposit to be paid by the next Tuesday. That price difference ($900 pp) alone is the distinctive difference bewteen P&O and Princess.

 

On the following Monday morning I enquired with another TA (Cruise Specialist) I have had some past dealings with who were able to get me that same deal for $2,000 pp. Less the $99 pp because of some past credits we had with them. Hence we cancelled the previous booking and rebooked with this TA. I actually went ahead this time and paid the $200 pp deposit. That was about 4 weeks ago.

 

We have just been on the Pacific Sun (3 day Comedy Cruise) and last Thursday before boarding we noted that the NZ cruise we had booked was now advertised with P&O for $1,799 pp with $50 pp OBC. Whilst on board I spoke with the future cruise staff about getting this deal and they said P&O couldn't do anything and suggested I speak to the TA we booked with and see if they could do anything.

 

When we got home yesterday I took a look at the P&O website and surprise . . . surprise . . . the price has dropped even further to $1,619 pp and still includes the OBC with an upgrade if available.

 

After ringing the TA and asked them what they could do; I have cancelled that booking (they could not (alledgedly) and would not help me get the better deal) and so I have forgone our $400 deposit as a cancellation fee.

 

Suffice to say I have rebooked for the 3rd time directly with P&O for $1,619 pp with $50 pp OBC and we are still $462 better off after losing our $400 deposit and with the OBC included. Also we are on for an upgrade to a higher deck or an outside cabin.

 

I'd be intersted to hear similar stories of what lengths and ways people have gone to to save some dollars and get the best possible deal:confused:

[thied]

well yes sort of

We book our cruise for next April got good price, Then our friends decided they wanted to go the same cruise so I rang out TA and got a price, same deck and a mini suite and OBC same as us all good, but low and behold the price I got for them was $400 cheaper then ours,

so as you do we asked why. The reson why was they were passed passengers the TA said but so are we. I told her,( which TA allready now as she has booked all our cruise and she thought the same thing) any way long and short of it we did get $400 of the price as well because the TA rang P&O and asked them why, and P&O said sorry its a computer problem all fixed know.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

This is the problem everyone is Australia is facing. Unlike the people in the USA, who get price drops. We just have to lump it as far as the Australian cruise industry is concerned.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

This is the problem everyone is Australia is facing. Unlike the people in the USA' date=' who get price drops. We just have to lump it as far as the Australian cruise industry is concerned.[/quote']

 

It happens with all cruise lines. .....

in all countries.

Thats the way it is.

Bought a flat screen LCD TV lately?

How much are they now?:eek:

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

It happens with all cruise lines. .....

in all countries.

Thats the way it is.

Bought a flat screen LCD TV lately?

How much are they now?:eek:

 

Yeah but the difference is that we (aust, NZ and UK) lose the deposit and we don't get price drops.

 

As far as the TV's go, it is like all technology. As soon as everyone has one the price drops dramatically until the next new thing comes out. At the moment it is 3D TV's. There is a lot of interest at work, people come in to look, but at the moment the price is over the top. Give it time and they will come down too. Supply and demand.

[thied]

This is the problem everyone is Australia is facing. Unlike the people in the USA' date=' who get price drops. We just have to lump it as far as the Australian cruise industry is concerned.[/quote']

 

I dont think we have to lump it any good TA will match any price.

[blueheeler18]

Yeah but the difference is that we (aust' date=' NZ and UK) lose the deposit and we don't get price drops.

 

As far as the TV's go, it is like all technology. As soon as everyone has one the price drops dramatically until the next new thing comes out. At the moment it is 3D TV's. There is a lot of interest at work, people come in to look, but at the moment the price is over the top. Give it time and they will come down too. Supply and demand.[/quote']

 

If you book through a TA, the cancellation policy can and most likely will be manipulated so the TA is not disadvantaged seeing they all work on a commission basis.

 

If you had read the T&C's for P&O, you will know that if you cancel a booking 181 days or more out from sailing you receive a FULL REFUND. If you cancel between 180 - 71 days out from sailing you will lose only your deposit.

 

It makes me laugh when people pay a price for a cruise, then they see the price cheaper, they end up crying like a little kid to get the better price. You pay the price at the time you decided to make a booking. Just like going to David Jones and buying a laptop for $1500, then 4 weeks later then reduce the price to $1300, you don't go back to them asking for a refund of $200. Australians are becoming very much like Americans by the second. Its shameful.

[karmac]

If you had read the T&C's for P&O, you will know that if you cancel a booking 181 days or more out from sailing you receive a FULL REFUND. If you cancel between 180 - 71 days out from sailing you will lose only your deposit.

 

 

And for a while there, if you cancelled between 180 & 120 days out from sailing, you were able to transfer the deposit to another cruise (not sure if you'd be able to trasfer to the same cruise).......but I can't see that in the T&C anymore.

[blueheeler18]

And for a while there, if you cancelled between 180 & 120 days out from sailing, you were able to transfer the deposit to another cruise (not sure if you'd be able to trasfer to the same cruise).......but I can't see that in the T&C anymore.

 

I remember something along those lines to, but couldn't remember how far back that was.:confused:

[The Fox]

I have just re-booked on the same cruise on Pacific Jewel for the 3rd time (after 2 cancellations) for myself and DW.

 

Let me explain, after initially enquiring about a Dawn Princess cruise Syd - NZ - Syd about 2 months ago for an inside cabin base rate of about $3,000 pp with a TA. The same TA put me onto the same type cruise with P&O Pacific Jewel for $2,099 pp which I went ahead and booked on the spot (Saturday morning) with the deposit to be paid by the next Tuesday. That price difference ($900 pp) alone is the distinctive difference bewteen P&O and Princess.

 

On the following Monday morning I enquired with another TA (Cruise Specialist) I have had some past dealings with who were able to get me that same deal for $2,000 pp. Less the $99 pp because of some past credits we had with them. Hence we cancelled the previous booking and rebooked with this TA. I actually went ahead this time and paid the $200 pp deposit. That was about 4 weeks ago.

 

We have just been on the Pacific Sun (3 day Comedy Cruise) and last Thursday before boarding we noted that the NZ cruise we had booked was now advertised with P&O for $1,799 pp with $50 pp OBC. Whilst on board I spoke with the future cruise staff about getting this deal and they said P&O couldn't do anything and suggested I speak to the TA we booked with and see if they could do anything.

 

When we got home yesterday I took a look at the P&O website and surprise . . . surprise . . . the price has dropped even further to $1,619 pp and still includes the OBC with an upgrade if available.

 

After ringing the TA and asked them what they could do; I have cancelled that booking (they could not (alledgedly) and would not help me get the better deal) and so I have forgone our $400 deposit as a cancellation fee.

 

Suffice to say I have rebooked for the 3rd time directly with P&O for $1,619 pp with $50 pp OBC and we are still $462 better off after losing our $400 deposit and with the OBC included. Also we are on for an upgrade to a higher deck or an outside cabin.

 

I'd be intersted to hear similar stories of what lengths and ways people have gone to to save some dollars and get the best possible deal:confused:

 

Hi ,

Unfortunately this happen on most cruise lines.When the cruise itinaries are released they could be up to 2 years in advance and a lot of people appreciate that they can book and have 18 mths to save or pay money off the cruise.the down side to this is normally book at the top end of the prices.Closer to the cruise date prices drop dramatically if there are unfilled berths.If your lucky enough to have the ready cash and you can get time off work without problem there is big savings to be had.Like most we have to book our leave in advance so we tend to book early as there is a fear factor youmight miss out.

 

Have a gr8 xcruise

 

 

Col:)

[karmac]

I remember something along those lines to, but couldn't remember how far back that was.:confused:

 

 

Not very long ago. But it doesn't say it on the current brochure.