Good things about Getaway Fares

[Merlin Cruiser]

I don't often post on here, but I thought just for once I would post a positive view on Getaway prices. I think P & O have it spot on, and representing the "newer" generation of cruisers, who cannot plan 18 months in advance. The fluid pricing structure has allowed us to have some fantastic cruises, without "lowering" the standards. I understand the risks of not knowing the cabin etc. However it has enabled us to see some fantastic ports and provide an escape from the hectic world we live in.:D

 

Anybody else have some positive views on Getaway fares ?

[tjwa]

Yes:)

[tom_uk]

You're right, of course, and you're not alone in feeling as you do - we met a number of people on our recent Ventura crujise who were enjoying Getaway fare bargains.

 

Most of the complaints will be coming from people (like me) who are not only able to make bookings well in advance but actually have to. My wife works in a project environment, with a new project starting every 9 months or so. When she joins a new project team she has to be able to tell the project manager all of her commitments throughout the expected life of the project; so she has to know at that moment, for sure, what her holiday dates will be. She doesn't really have any scope for making changes, certainly not for a period of holiday of a couple of weeks. We accept that there are consequences from making those early bookings, but it does hurt (a bit) when we hear people on board who have paid barely half what we've paid, for the same cruise.

 

The other thing that that does annoy is this ridiculous 'Price Promise'. Apart from an initial OBC adjustment to those with bookings when the price promise was announced, I'm not aware of anyone getting anything out of the Price Promise. Reason: P&O don't lower the Vantage fare at all, they offer Getaway fares instead, and the PP doesn't take any notice of Getaway prices.

 

But I agree - if you can take advantage of Getaway fares, they must be great.

[simonpjd]

There is no doubt that the Getaway fare is also bringing a new type of passenger to P&O, and one that may not be for the better. You used to think that with the cost it also kept , how shall I put this, the riff raff away. Not any more. If fares stay this low I predict it is only a matter of time before we start hearing of many passenger problems with drunkeness and disorderly behaviour becoming more prevalent.

[terrierjohn]

If getaway fares remain this low and disgruntled early bookers like Tom and I continue to take our custom elsewhere, then it won't be too long before P&O cease to be a profit making concern and Carnival have to consider how to dispose of their UK cruise line.

[Brayman]

If getaway fares remain this low and disgruntled early bookers like Tom and I continue to take our custom elsewhere, then it won't be too long before P&O cease to be a profit making concern and Carnival have to consider how to dispose of their UK cruise line.

 

You obviously misread the Thread Title!

[Scorpio41]

We are lucky we can plan our holidays in advance. If we had to look for a holiday at fairly short notice the getaway fares are very price competitive with other style holidays, plus you know what to expect.

[Merlin Cruiser]

There is no doubt that the Getaway fare is also bringing a new type of passenger to P&O, and one that may not be for the better. You used to think that with the cost it also kept , how shall I put this, the riff raff away. Not any more. If fares stay this low I predict it is only a matter of time before we start hearing of many passenger problems with drunkeness and disorderly behaviour becoming more prevalent.

 

 

Well just because we take advance of a great getaway deal(s) it does not make us riff raft, we are much younger than your seasoned p&o cruiser, however I believe we behave better than some of the coffin dodgers on board. We know how to form an orderly que, be polite and not hog the sun beds from dawn to dusk. We also spend well onboard at the shops/excursions/casino, all of which last time I checked make p & o money. Selling cabins is just one revenue stream for p & o.

 

As has been said time and time again, when you book something at a price, you must be happy that it meets your requirements,you can find everything cheaper in life if you look hard or wait long enough, just enjoy the cruise experience and having the ability to see some fantastic places.

[rubydoobydoo]

Getaway fares are great if you don't mind where your cabin is or you don't have to book for a specific date.

 

They don't always work out to your advantage though, we booked a year ago on a vantage fare for October and the getaway price is now £100 more than we paid, we got choice of cabin and OBC

 

I have just taken advantage of a getaway fare in July and it was great, had a good cabin, I would definitely book again for a last minute break.

[terrierjohn]

You obviously misread the Thread Title!

Don't believe I did, but if you think P&O can survive on income from getaway fares alone, then you're away with the fairies.

[Wiltonian]

Even if you have to plan well ahead as I do, you don't have to book well ahead.

 

I've identified a cruise in Autumn 2014 we want to go on. I've kept my diary clear. I'll monitor getaway prices, and expect to book 6-3 weeks before. If it looks like selling out, I'll book earlier. If there's no sign, later. If it all suddenly goes sold, have an alternative cruise in reserve.

[daiB]

Don't believe I did, but if you think P&O can survive on income from getaway fares alone, then you're away with the fairies.

 

John you are so correct. Unless the getaway fares rise as they have done for the cruises which have just gone on offer after Christmas. We were going to have a go at getaway but the prices have hardly dropped. Perhaps this is a sign of things to come.

 

Because we have to book suite or mini suite position on the ship is not a factor. We also like second sitting and that is the one which appears to be available.

 

So we may go for it.

 

I suspect that things will change by next year and that the differential between the two will not be great except in the odd circumstance.

 

 

Ban Canny

 

 

Dai

 

:cool:

[Host Sharon]

Good things about Getaway fares? - Other companies are also lowering fares to compete and now I can travel with 5* lines for the same price or less than P&O Vantage :) Three of my four cruises this year have been/are with lines other than P&O.

Edited August 7, 2013 by Host Sharon

[jeanlyon]

I think when you look at Getaway fares that seem "higher", it's because the lowest cabin grades are sold out so you are booking a Getaway for a higher grade guarantee cabin.

[majortom10]

Good things about Getaway fares? - Other companies are also lowering fares to compete and now I can travel with 5* lines for the same price or less than P&O Vantage :) Three of my four cruises this year have been/are with lines other than P&O.

 

Do not think other cruise lines are lowering there prices to compete with P&Os Getaway prices they are reducing them because like every cruise line in current financial climate they are struggling to fill ships.

[daiB]

I think when you look at Getaway fares that seem "higher", it's because the lowest cabin grades are sold out so you are booking a Getaway for a higher grade guarantee cabin.

 

Jean I was looking at the difference between the two not the actual cost. On most I was looking at it was a drop of 15 to 20 % not the 50% drops we have seen.

 

Of course this may change as we get nearer the sailing date

 

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

 

Dai

[the english lady]

Good thing about getaway fares. It gives somebody who has booked a group of people onto a cruise, in 3 cabins ,a chance to moan that the 3 cabins are nowhere near each other!!!!!!

If we didn't have getaway fares-they either couldn't cruise, or couldn't moan..tee hee

[simonpjd]

Naughty English Lady.

[Gettysburg]

We have to plan in advance in order to get the same time off work and our children looked after while we are away.

I am quite happy to book Vantage or early Getaway offers as that is what we are tied to.

Of course I wish I could book late and get a cheaper Getaway but I can't so be it.

If others are able to then fine, their situation in their lives allows them to do that and well done to them for getting a holiday at a great price.

Just don't spend the whole cruise telling everyone about your super cheap fare as it gets boring and as I have said not everyone can wait until the last few weeks or cares about how much their cruise cost them.

 

I am on Aurora on Sept 28 and can see that we would have saved £260 if I had booked today.

 

I also looked at other cruise lines when booking this cruise and found all the main cruise lines were discounting heavily or offering free drinks etc

I don't think P&O are doing anything different to anyone else.

 

 

 

.

Edited August 7, 2013 by Gettysburg

[daiB]

Yes the doom merchants do come out every so often. Then of course they go on another cruise.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

 

Dai

[kevinyork]

There is no doubt that the Getaway fare is also bringing a new type of passenger to P&O, and one that may not be for the better. You used to think that with the cost it also kept , how shall I put this, the riff raff away. Not any more. If fares stay this low I predict it is only a matter of time before we start hearing of many passenger problems with drunkeness and disorderly behaviour becoming more prevalent.

 

Sorry is this trying to be ironic? Higher prices keep the riff raff away and getaway prices attract the drunks. This underlines the class snobbery that exists amongst some P&O customers.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[simonpjd]

Ironic - no. The truth - yes. If you consider it to be class snobbery then so be it. I prefer 'keeping up standards'.

[jeanlyon]

Jean I was looking at the difference between the two not the actual cost. On most I was looking at it was a drop of 15 to 20 % not the 50% drops we have seen.

 

Of course this may change as we get nearer the sailing date

 

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

 

Dai, I think it changes from cruise to cruise :-) On my 17 dayer in September, the cheapest Getaway was £1399, it's now £1199. So I think that's about 30%? I'm watching with interest. We paid £1640 before Vantage was born. So with OBC and free parking, it's only about £200 less, but I think it will drop further. I do think that they should try to upgrade those that paid more money and let the Getaways have the cheaper cabins, but..........

Edited August 8, 2013 by jeanlyon

[daiB]

Jean I was looking at the difference between the two not the actual cost. On most I was looking at it was a drop of 15 to 20 % not the 50% drops we have seen.

 

Of course this may change as we get nearer the sailing date

 

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

 

Dai, I think it changes from cruise to cruise :-) On my 17 dayer in September, the cheapest Getaway was £1399, it's now £1199. So I think that's about 30%? I'm watching with interest. We paid £1640 before Vantage was born. So with OBC and free parking, it's only about £200 less, but I think it will drop further. I do think that they should try to upgrade those that paid more money and let the Getaways have the cheaper cabins, but..........

 

Hi Jean,

 

The ones I was looking at were after Christmas the ones just released. They seem to be less of a drop to Getaway.

 

I agree about the upgrades for early bookers. Our suite was very nice in June.:D of course we got that with about 4 days to go so I do not think it had to do with Vantage at all. :)

 

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

 

Dai

[chimaer]

There is no doubt that the Getaway fare is also bringing a new type of passenger to P&O, and one that may not be for the better. You used to think that with the cost it also kept , how shall I put this, the riff raff away. Not any more. If fares stay this low I predict it is only a matter of time before we start hearing of many passenger problems with drunkeness and disorderly behaviour becoming more prevalent.

 

What a completely narrow minded view you have!

 

Low prices attract all sorts of people. The couple who can fit another holiday into their year because it's a good deal or people like myself and my husband who have 3 very young children who are not yet at school meaning we only have one income coming in, plus a huge mortgage to pay for, so we can't afford expensive prices but can grab a cheap getaway priced cruise to have a couple of days away together. Maybe people like us shouldn't be allowed on a cruise then as we don't meet your upper class standards :rolleyes: