P&Oo Early Saver cabin prices for 4 people sharing

[sunbeams101]

Morning everyone,

 

I've sailed with P&O Cruises, with my family (husband and 2 young children) twice (soon to be three times after May).

We're looking at booking a Caribbean fly cruise for February 2017.

All of our previous cruises have been Early Savers, which works best for our requirements (cost vs benefit).

Last week I saw that I could get Early Saver Prices on Azura Cruise A703 (or it may have been A703A), for the 4 of us in one cabin. However, the Brittania Cruise B702D (and others on similar dates in February) won't let me book an Early Saver Cruise for 4 of us in one cabin, but the Early Saver prices can be booked for 2 people in one cabin.

My question is - does anyone know if P&O are restricting the booking of Early Savers to those who are booking two people per cabin?

 

Hope this post makes sense.. it's been a while since I've been on here... !

 

Any thoughts gratefully received.

[the english lady]

Morning everyone,

 

I've sailed with P&O Cruises, with my family (husband and 2 young children) twice (soon to be three times after May).

We're looking at booking a Caribbean fly cruise for February 2017.

All of our previous cruises have been Early Savers, which works best for our requirements (cost vs benefit).

Last week I saw that I could get Early Saver Prices on Azura Cruise A703 (or it may have been A703A), for the 4 of us in one cabin. However, the Brittania Cruise B702D (and others on similar dates in February) won't let me book an Early Saver Cruise for 4 of us in one cabin, but the Early Saver prices can be booked for 2 people in one cabin.

My question is - does anyone know if P&O are restricting the booking of Early Savers to those who are booking two people per cabin?

 

Hope this post makes sense.. it's been a while since I've been on here... !

 

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Yes it makes sense , whether my reply does is another matter.

With early saver they are slotting you into cabins. If you are wanting a cabin for 4 people, not all cabins would be suitable.

Some cabins have beds you pull down from the ceiling/out from the wall. Some do not.

That is why you cannot book it online as you want 4 people in one cabin, and not all cabins of that type grade will sleep 4.

Either ring pando direct or go to a decent cruise TA and explain what you would like and see what they say.

I am sure it has been done in the past, but not online.

[sunbeams101]

Thanks English lady for your reply :)

I have always managed to get prices online before for the early saver price for four of us in a balcony cabin, (as I can for the Azura cruise), but for some reason, I can only reserve the Select price when I put in 4 pax for the Britannia cruises.

I have a horrible feeling that they're planning on restricting early saver fares to 2people (that's just me being a cynic - not based on anything!!).

Many thanks again.

[the english lady]

Thanks English lady for your reply :)

I have always managed to get prices online before for the early saver price for four of us in a balcony cabin, (as I can for the Azura cruise), but for some reason, I can only reserve the Select price when I put in 4 pax for the Britannia cruises.

I have a horrible feeling that they're planning on restricting early saver fares to 2people (that's just me being a cynic - not based on anything!!).

Many thanks again.

 

No I don't think they are restricting in that sense.

Never having been on Azura , are all balconies the same ,as regards beds..ie do all cabins of that grade have a sofa that converts maybe, and maybe Britannia doesn't. some maybe have a chair only and not a converting sofa that will sleep 2, if that makes sense.

[GP&LK]

We have seen this happen before, cheaper to book 2x2 rather than 1x4 at saver rates. I guess it's down to the fact 2 people can be easily slotted in to any cabin, but 4 person cabins are limited.

 

With Britania, their balcony cabins come with and without sofa:

"Balcony (obstructed view) with shower (without sofa) | Balcony (obstructed view) with shower and sofa | Balcony with shower (without sofa) | Balcony with shower and sofa | Superior Deluxe Balcony | Single balcony (with shower)"

[the english lady]

We have seen this happen before, cheaper to book 2x2 rather than 1x4 at saver rates. I guess it's down to the fact 2 people can be easily slotted in to any cabin, but 4 person cabins are limited.

 

With Britania, their balcony cabins come with and without sofa:

"Balcony (obstructed view) with shower (without sofa) | Balcony (obstructed view) with shower and sofa | Balcony with shower (without sofa) | Balcony with shower and sofa | Superior Deluxe Balcony | Single balcony (with shower)"

Which I guess bears out my theory of why you cannot book online. If there are choices like that within the same grade. You could book that grade and end up with a cabin that does not sleep 4.

[Suebiker]

Morning everyone,

 

I've sailed with P&O Cruises, with my family (husband and 2 young children) twice (soon to be three times after May).

We're looking at booking a Caribbean fly cruise for February 2017.

All of our previous cruises have been Early Savers, which works best for our requirements (cost vs benefit).

Last week I saw that I could get Early Saver Prices on Azura Cruise A703 (or it may have been A703A), for the 4 of us in one cabin. However, the Brittania Cruise B702D (and others on similar dates in February) won't let me book an Early Saver Cruise for 4 of us in one cabin, but the Early Saver prices can be booked for 2 people in one cabin.

My question is - does anyone know if P&O are restricting the booking of Early Savers to those who are booking two people per cabin?

 

Hope this post makes sense.. it's been a while since I've been on here... !

 

Any thoughts gratefully received.

 

Hi - just to let you know that P and O have tried to do this in the past. I sent a complaint regarding this as I felt it was discriminating against families. Eventually after a few emails and a telephone conversation, I found out that it had been a very unpopular idea and they had a lot of complaints about it. The following season the policy was changed and I was able to book a four berth on a discounted rate ( not early saver but something similar!) .

 

So yes it can happen but I would be surprised if they decided to bring that in again. I would imagine it is more likely to be a computer glitch . I would phone and enquire.

 

Sue

[the english lady]

Which is basically what I suggested. Online is geared to slotting the majority into their grade of cabin that is the norm.

As the parameters are moved slightly, by the customer, that this grade offers, ie only the ones that sleep 4,then it requires human intervention.

Forgot to add, let us know how you got/get on when you contact your TA or Pando.

It will help other people.

Edited March 9, 2016 by the english lady

[Mysticalmother]

Just been looking at the Britannia deck plans, and there seem to be relatively few 4 berth cabins for the size of ship.....and it maybe that they can only offer a very limited number of early saver fares on these cabins, if at all. There are more 4 berth cabins on Azura.

 

I dont think it is a case of discriminating, more a case of if you want a 4 berth cabin, you need to book them early and, unfortunately , at select price. P & O must know that they can sell them at full price and, at the end of the day they are running a business. The Ts & Cs do say that they "may" offer Early saver fares on selected cruises....so they are under no obligation to do so.

 

I dont mean to be unsympathetic, but i guess if you want a saver fare and a 4 berth cabin, you may have to be flexible in our choice of cruise and ship.

Hope you can find what you want....a good specialist cruise travel agent should be able to help, as suggested by the english lady earlier. Personally I never find the Online booking system worth using...there are usually more cabins available than are shown - they just try to flog offf the ones that no one wants!

[sunbeams101]

Hi all,

 

Thanks for the responses. I will let you know how I get on, we haven't decided whether to go yet or not, but I'd like to know what they say so I'll try and give them a bell when I can.

Bizarrely I could book an available four berth cabin under the Select Price for 4 of us, and I could book the same grade (obvs. not the specific cabin) under the Early Saver Price, but only for two of us.

 

Cheers all

 

:)

[the english lady]

Hi all,

 

Thanks for the responses. I will let you know how I get on, we haven't decided whether to go yet or not, but I'd like to know what they say so I'll try and give them a bell when I can.

Bizarrely I could book an available four berth cabin under the Select Price for 4 of us, and I could book the same grade (obvs. not the specific cabin) under the Early Saver Price, but only for two of us.

 

Cheers all

 

:)

 

You could book select fare for four as you would be specifying which cabin you wanted, which would be one that sleeps 4.

You could book 2 of you under and early saver fare, as any cabin would be suitable for 2 people.

As MM states in her reply there are very few 4 berth cabins in that grade on Britannia.

[Nicjb]

We are going on the Azura in July and booked a 4 berth early saver online for an HD balcony cabin grade. There were only 4 4 berth cabins in that grade which was why we didn't bother with the select fare as we knew we would end up with one of those 4 anyway. It therefore sounds as though it's specific to Britannia rather than P&O policy to restrict family cabins?

[daiB]

If they think they can still sell these premium cabins i.e. With a capacity of 4 then they are not going to sell them off at a saver fare.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[the english lady]

If they think they can still sell these premium cabins i.e. With a capacity of 4 then they are not going to sell them off at a saver fare.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Yes Dai, should have added that.

When early savers come out It may not be for every cruise and every grade on that cruise.

We go mini suites now and they never ever go down to any type of saver fare. we either have to pay select or not go. So as Dai says if the cruise is selling well they may not see the need to reduce the 4 berth cabins if they think they can sell them at select prices.

It is not discrimination in any way. It is business.

I would love to get a mini suite at any type of saver fare, but I know it will never happen,

[Mysticalmother]

Yes Dai, should have added that.

When early savers come out It may not be for every cruise and every grade on that cruise.

We go mini suites now and they never ever go down to any type of saver fare. we either have to pay select or not go. So as Dai says if the cruise is selling well they may not see the need to reduce the 4 berth cabins if they think they can sell them at select prices.

It is not discrimination in any way. It is business.

I would love to get a mini suite at any type of saver fare, but I know it will never happen,

 

Actually The english lady, I have to disagree with you regarding Suites and early savers. We booked a mini suite on our next cruise on Oriana on an Early saver fare ( and a bargain it was too! Almost the same price as a deluxe balcony select fare) . And full suites were also available on Early saver right up until the due date for payment. Bearing in mind this is Oriana, we couldnt give a monkeys which cabin they allocate us ( look at the deck plan!) and we are not that fussed about dining this time. We have asked for Freedom to give it a try but are not that bothered whether we get it or not. If we have to pay for shuttle buses so be it, but we may walk if not too far whilst we are still fit enough to do so! So...youcan find suites and mini suites on early saver fares - just keep your eyes peeled! ( or get your cruise agent to do it for you) .

[the english lady]

Actually The english lady, I have to disagree with you regarding Suites and early savers. We booked a mini suite on our next cruise on Oriana on an Early saver fare ( and a bargain it was too! Almost the same price as a deluxe balcony select fare) . And full suites were also available on Early saver right up until the due date for payment. Bearing in mind this is Oriana, we couldnt give a monkeys which cabin they allocate us ( look at the deck plan!) and we are not that fussed about dining this time. We have asked for Freedom to give it a try but are not that bothered whether we get it or not. If we have to pay for shuttle buses so be it, but we may walk if not too far whilst we are still fit enough to do so! So...youcan find suites and mini suites on early saver fares - just keep your eyes peeled! ( or get your cruise agent to do it for you) .

 

Thanks MM I will have do that. I will Pay more attention..I guess was just going by the ones we are booked on, where it said they were sold out way before sailing. If I find anything for 2017 I will post. 2016 cruise already booked.

[Mysticalmother]

Thanks MM I will have do that. I will Pay more attention..I guess was just going by the ones we are booked on, where it said they were sold out way before sailing. If I find anything for 2017 I will post. 2016 cruise already booked.

 

Interestingly enough, i kept an eye on the prices for this cruise, something I seldom do. We booked this at the end of November. For a period of about 6 weeks from just after new year all mini suites and deluxe balconies were showing as sold out. (1 suite was....and still is available) but 2 weeks before the payment date, 3 mini suites suddenly became available again...at Early saver prices. They are now showing sold out again

And the one suite available is now only on Select price, although outsides and insides are showing at Saver rates....but they have gone up from the previous early saver rates! ( Hope that makes sense!)

Where are you going on your 2016 cruise EL?

[daiB]

Interestingly enough, i kept an eye on the prices for this cruise, something I seldom do. We booked this at the end of November. For a period of about 6 weeks from just after new year all mini suites and deluxe balconies were showing as sold out. (1 suite was....and still is available) but 2 weeks before the payment date, 3 mini suites suddenly became available again...at Early saver prices. They are now showing sold out again

 

And the one suite available is now only on Select price, although outsides and insides are showing at Saver rates....but they have gone up from the previous early saver rates! ( Hope that makes sense!)

 

Where are you going on your 2016 cruise EL?

 

 

Sounds like people dropping out. Must happen a lot on cruises with a large number of older passengers. You only have to look at fb to see how many people come on and say that for one reason or another they cannot now go.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[the english lady]

Interestingly enough, i kept an eye on the prices for this cruise, something I seldom do. We booked this at the end of November. For a period of about 6 weeks from just after new year all mini suites and deluxe balconies were showing as sold out. (1 suite was....and still is available) but 2 weeks before the payment date, 3 mini suites suddenly became available again...at Early saver prices. They are now showing sold out again

And the one suite available is now only on Select price, although outsides and insides are showing at Saver rates....but they have gone up from the previous early saver rates! ( Hope that makes sense!)

Where are you going on your 2016 cruise EL?

 

Hi MM we are doing the Canaries and Fjords b2b. Our first ever cruise was with Thomson to the Canaries, our 2nd time was with Fred. So after a long break revisiting. Fjords, well we never get board of them.

I have told OH that cruising will take a break for a while after this ,as he likes mini suites he is spending all our money. Maybe just maybe I will keep and eye on certain cruises as you say, and see if prices drop.

[the english lady]

too late to edit...Fjords is bored not board....duh!!!!!