Booking With US Sites & US TA's

[Whoey]

Perhaps a class action as these restrictions are potentially a restriction of free trade?

[effigy]

Yes!

 

I tried this week to book on Volendam (HAL) - no go from the 'biggie' US TA that we have used for 8 cruises previously.

 

We said a sad 'goodbye' to our favourite TA.

 

They are frustrated and miss the Aussie business too.

 

Kathy & Fred

[Australian family]

I tried this week to book on Volendam (HAL) - no go from the 'biggie' US TA that we have used for 8 cruises previously.

 

We said a sad 'goodbye' to our favourite TA.

 

They are frustrated and miss the Aussie business too.

 

Kathy & Fred

 

That is not good, have you tried any of the other US TA or even in the UK ones?

[rugbypopsie]

Hi Kathy it would be good to catch up give me a line on my home email...I think I posted it on our Diamond Princess roll call.

 

Sue

[effigy]

:) Great to see a familiar face around here!

 

Fred is wondering whether we could draft a letter, post it as a suggested letter to 'Whom it May Concern?' and ask those CC'ers who feel the same way we do (e.g. those who are posting here f'instance) to print copies and send to the CEO's or whoever ...

 

Remembering our 160 plus members on our Diamond Cruise, we would pull some weight surely!!! The majority of our roll-call were Aussies, Kiwis or Brits.

 

Another disturbing feature I noticed recently when 'fishing' for a cruise is the 'guideline' popping up that those who do not prepay gratuities and choose to pay themselves onboard, will not be granted the same dining options as those who do. Perhaps another 'dig' at our culture! Shades of Weho!

 

Of course I realise it is only the crew we are punishing if we do not pay as asked - that is blatantly apparent - doesn't make it OK though. Why on earth it is not just added to the original fare beats me!

 

Thanks for letting me vent!!! ...and Hi.

 

Kathy

[dougo in oz]

And yet another site which gives us some insight into the whole sorry saga, especially the binding contracts for people living in specific regions, not to mention the CEO of ICCA now saying that it's not illegal for US TAs to sell to anyone. The TAs of Australia need to be afraid, very afraid...darn it.. where's that music gone to???

 

December edition of Cruiseweekly.com.au

 

and this in particular (page 2 editorial and page 3 article) cruiseweekly.com.au/getattachment/3059a4b0-4…

 

Happy reading

 

and PS, a petition is a good idea. Anyone know how to start up a website so we can add our names and comments then forward it off to relevant cruise lines (here and in the US), as well as the ICCA etc?

[Australian family]

:) Great to see a familiar face around here!

 

Fred is wondering whether we could draft a letter, post it as a suggested letter to 'Whom it May Concern?' and ask those CC'ers who feel the same way we do (e.g. those who are posting here f'instance) to print copies and send to the CEO's or whoever ...

 

Remembering our 160 plus members on our Diamond Cruise, we would pull some weight surely!!! The majority of our roll-call were Aussies, Kiwis or Brits.

 

Another disturbing feature I noticed recently when 'fishing' for a cruise is the 'guideline' popping up that those who do not prepay gratuities and choose to pay themselves onboard, will not be granted the same dining options as those who do. Perhaps another 'dig' at our culture! Shades of Weho!

 

Of course I realise it is only the crew we are punishing if we do not pay as asked - that is blatantly apparent - doesn't make it OK though. Why on earth it is not just added to the original fare beats me!

 

Thanks for letting me vent!!! ...and Hi.

 

Kathy

 

Writing letters/emails would be good.

 

Also which line are not granting dining options to those who choose to pay the gratituties on board?

 

With our HAL cruise they added it to our account, which we paid at the end. Actually Aussies aren't the only ones who adjust, the Brits do as well.

[MMDown Under]

Want to say a big thanks to our U.S TA, who shall remain nameless, who once again has delivered exceptional service...we were booked on Navigator of the Seas for Oct this year got a fantastic price was really happy UNTIL, searching the deals as you do, i found a much better deal which leaves two days later on a different ship is half the price plus we get a nice OBC...what to do....:D never one to be backward at coming forward i emailed our TA and voila..........new booking........full deposit return... no cancellation fee's no you can't do that coz you live in outerspace.....just a cheery email thanking me...:D:D:D:D:D we're happy..........cheers Shiona

 

Well done, Shiona. Well done US TA.

 

And they wonder why we're hopping MAD and spreading the word re loss of huge deposits, loss of insurance, inflated prices, etc!!

[Australian family]

Actually if you read the Holland America Board they are not happy as HAL has told agents not to discount cruises after the middle of this month.

[Gold Coast Cruisers]

Well done Shiona and top marks to your USA T/A.

 

Now can anyone tell us of a T/A in this part of the world who has 'happily' done the same for their valued client?

 

Jillybean:rolleyes:

[Aussie Gal]

Australian Family,

 

If you read all of that topic, it appears that only one Agency is saying that HAL isn't discounting anymore. The rest of the posters think that the Agency could be going under or it is a scam.

 

Jennie

[dougo in oz]

I was trawling through my emails and received a weekly update from an online site which I used to book my cheap airfares in the States last year. I didn't realise that they sold all sorts of holidays including cruises.

 

So naturally I logged on and I saw a link about "residency rates". This is what it says

 

"Resident Rates

Take advantage of discounted rates by state! Plus, just one guest needs to qualify for everyone in your stateroom to be eligible for state savings. At pier check-in, show proof of residency – a driver's license, for example."

 

And later when I "selected" a Princess cruise:

 

For many cruises, we can obtain special rates for residents of particular states. Providing your 5-digit zip code allows us to apply these additional savings to your cruise price.

 

Resident rates are indicated by the

 

"Any traveler who qualifies for a special resident rate will be required to show a government-issued form of identification (passport, or birth certificate and driver's license) at the pier to validate state of residency prior to boarding the cruise ship. If you do not have a U.S. zip code, please call a cruise specialist at xx-xxx-xxxx 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week."

 

and this too when I clicked on a link where there was a statement about "don't have a US zip code?"

 

"International Customers: Call Today

Call Today to continue booking your cruise!

Our Cruise Specialists are here to assist you with your booking 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

 

If you do not have a U.S. zip code and/or you would like to pay for your cruise using an international credit card, please call xxx-xxx-xxxx to speak to a cruise specialist who will assist you with your cruise purchase.

Your Cruise Reference ID: xxxxxx"

 

 

 

Anyone else seen anything like this before?

[The_Big_M]

Anyone else seen anything like this before?

 

Yes, they're around and similar in concept to differential pricing between countries - they were mentioned earlier in this thread.

 

Canada and the US have them, being bigger markets. They aren't in place here.

[NSWP]

In view of the Cruise lines directive to US T/A's not to deal with Aussies, it is a wonder the US T/A's have not cancelled the Aussies reservations and made them rebook within Australia, don't laugh that might be next.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

In view of the Cruise lines directive to US T/A's not to deal with Aussies, it is a wonder the US T/A's have not cancelled the Aussies reservations and made them rebook within Australia, don't laugh that might be next.

 

Or looking at it another way.....

Its a wonder the big US T/As cant see a big and growing market down here and opened up here.:eek:

that would make the locals TA's sit up and start looking for real value for us.....

instead of us being expected to line their pockets with the big commissions they get.

[Guest012]

Hardly likely on existing bookings ...the cruise line is fully aware of who you are, where you come from and who is your travel agent when you book....can you really see the cruiseline cancelling your booking, the one they knowingly accepted off your travel agent in the first place, because of where you don't live...i don't think so... and would that mean when i am in the States i can't go to the local travel agent and book a cruise whilst i am there because of who i am....i don't think so......that would be discriminatory....This subject makes me laugh we are talking about a minority of people booking with overseas agencies not the whole of Australia......cheers Shiona

[effigy]

Hardly likely on existing bookings ...the cruise line is fully aware of who you are, where you come from and who is your travel agent when you book....can you really see the cruiseline cancelling your booking, the one they knowingly accepted off your travel agent in the first place, because of where you don't live...i don't think so... and would that mean when i am in the States i can't go to the local travel agent and book a cruise whilst i am there because of who i am....i don't think so......that would be discriminatory....This subject makes me laugh we are talking about a minority of people booking with overseas agencies not the whole of Australia......cheers Shiona

 

Your message provokes a couple of questions

 

1. Why are you still here if the subject simply makes you laugh?

 

2. Whilst the 'minority' of people booking overseas agencies is not on your agenda, please leave this discussion to those who genuinely feel we have a grievance.

 

Kathy

[rugbypopsie]

Doesn't make me laugh makes me cry consider this.

 

Available with US agent over the net 12 nights Cunard Queen Victoria Europe 12 nights balcony $2600 I saw yesterday

 

10 nights Pacific Jewel around the usual islands $6239??

off the the P and O website...

 

Why wouldn't we be upset.

 

[Guest012]

Your message provokes a couple of questions

 

1. Why are you still here if the subject simply makes you laugh?

 

2. Whilst the 'minority' of people booking overseas agencies is not on your agenda, please leave this discussion to those who genuinely feel we have a grievance.

 

Kathy

 

 

Well excuse me for having an opinion on what LES posted Kathy:(:(.. i for one am not scared that i will lose my bookings, the thought never entered my mind but maybe some people will worry with what was said.....as for making me laugh its the moaning and whingeing of the Australia TA's that is LAUGHABLE thus this subject.. they are causing the problem as they did once before...instead of pushing to stop us booking overseas they should be pushing harder to secure good deals for us.... by the way i am in that MINORITY who use U.S agents and have done for years so i have a vested interest in this subject....shiona

[MMDown Under]

I agree it makes you laugh, because otherwise you'd cry.

 

Just when I'm retired so can cruise more often, the cruise industry introduces this unfair restriction of trade.

 

Personally, I'm mainly interested in cruising overseas, from A to B overseas, not in Australia/NZ/South Pacific.

 

Knowing what other people pay overseas for the same cruise, I am no longer prepared to book inside cabins just to make cruising affordable. Not to mention the large unrefundable deposits!

 

As Shiona said, "I have a vested interest in this subject", because I'd like to cruise more often, but I choose not to, under the current restrictions of trade by the cruise industry.

[rugbypopsie]

I think some posters misunderstood your post Shiona..:)

 

That example I quoted by the way was for US residents only...surprise, surprise.

 

Feeling very frustrated trying to organise this families land based extravaganza, Action Man is a real home body (dont know where he got those genes from wasn't me) it is so difficult trying to please everybody...I will need a cruise to recover:eek:

[effigy]

Apologies.

 

It confused me and I had a knee-jerk reaction. :confused:

 

Kathy

[The_Big_M]

Doesn't make me laugh makes me cry consider this.

 

Available with US agent over the net 12 nights Cunard Queen Victoria Europe 12 nights balcony $2600 I saw yesterday

 

10 nights Pacific Jewel around the usual islands $6239??

off the the P and O website...

 

Why wouldn't we be upset.

 

 

There's a whole lot of variables there that it's not comparable. You could equally compare an expensive US cruise against the P&O NZ one that was only $40/night!

 

Basically, there are bargains on both sides, so one-off comparisons of different ships and itineraries don't really demonstrate much. In fact, it's extremely rare to see anything as cheap as that P&O one, particularly for as long as it is, in the US.

[Koolkrewser]

International Booking Rules We are able to offer the deeply discounted U.S. rates of most of the cruise lines we represent to citizens of other countries. However, the following cruise lines now prohibit all U.S. travel agencies (including XXXXXXXXX XX XX) from selling cruises to citizens of countries other than the U.S. and Canada, unless they have a residence in the U.S. or Canada. This is not a XXXXXXXXX XX XX policy or a U.S. government policy, it is a corporate policy instituted by each of these cruise lines.

Costa Cruises

Cunard

Holland America

MSC Cruises

Oceania Cruises

Princess*

Royal Caribbean

Star Clippers

 

*Residents of Mexico are permitted to book Princess through XXXXXXXXX XX XX

Note: Residents of the U.K. and Australia may not book P&O Cruises through XXXXXXXXX XX XX

 

Who's left????:confused:

[Gold Coast Cruisers]

It sounds to me as if all you need to do is to obtain an address in the USA....and Bobs your Uncle.....

 

QUOTE...from selling cruises to citizens of countries other than the U.S. and Canada, unless they have a residence in the U.S. ...UNQUOTE