New Cruiser

[calpsy]

Hi

 

Couple of questions . Im new to cruising and so is my wife and another couple trying it for the 1st time . Here is what im wanting to know .

 

Is it best to book through NCL or try a discount website or TA ?

 

Do the prices go up and down often and do better / worse promos come along or are they normally standard ?

 

Im looking at The Escape ship for September 7 nights . Im looking at the B1 grade aft balcony room . This gives us the drinks package and either 1 . 250 minutes internet . 2 . Dinner package . 3 . $50 excursion package . Is this a good room ? Its almost £1900 per couple . Is this good ? Are there better rooms for roughly same price ?

 

Any other things you think might help me or I should know PLEASE reply and let me know .

 

Also I doubt it but is there any point phoning NCL and asking for a discount for 2 rooms ?

 

thanks

[roger001]

Cruise prices fluctuate frequently. The best thing to do is book when you see something you like (room, cruise, promo package, etc). Then just monitor the NCL web site for price changes for what you've booked. Up until you've made final payment, if the price goes down, you can get the new price. However, you might also lose a promo you had that is no longer offered at that new price. After final payment is made, you don't get any price adjustment (although you may sometimes get a slight room upgrade or maybe a bit of OBC). I select my cruises myself and then go through a TA to have her book it for me. She then gives me a bit of OBC. Promos come and go. YOu can't predict what will be in the future really. Prices however generally go up as a cruise approaches until very near the cruise. Then if the cruise has not sold out, there is usually some much lower prices offered for those who can book last minute.

 

I just noticed you are pricing in Euros I guess. European pricing restrictions may be different than US. Look for other thoughts on this.

[calpsy]

Thanks for the reply Roger

 

Its £ GB pounds lol

 

Just a question for you why book through a TA and not direct with NCL ?

[CruisnDeb]

Thanks for the reply Roger

 

Its £ GB pounds lol

 

Just a question for you why book through a TA and not direct with NCL ?

 

I personally like to book myself directly through NCL. That way if there is a price reduction I can call NCL directly myself....if you use a TA, you have to go through them for any changes made to your booked cruise.

[roger001]

Oooops....pounds! NCL or a TA, pretty much split opinions on that with equal preference for each. I use a TA because I began with one and just stuck with her. And like I say, she does give me some OBC for every cruise that NCL doesn't additionally offer. Also, if I want a change or want her to question NCL on an issue, I can do so quickly through an email. No phone calls involved if I don't wish. As I mentioned, since our first cruise, which she helped me pick out, I do it all myself now. I like doing the browsing and shopping for what might interest us now. Then I just email her the details, she does the contact with NCL and booking, and quickly I have the completed booking info emailed back to me. And again also, if something needs changing later by me, she handling it as a TA I think has more authority with NCL than I would probably have. My TA does say I'm her absolute easiest client she has, since I do all her work, except the actual booking. TA or NCL direct, no right or wrong really.

[GORDONCHICK]

First, an aft balcony is a very coveted cabin, and if you wait, you may not get one. Better/worse cabins is very subjective, and not knowing what you want/expect, there is no way someone here can advise you on this based on the info you've given. Personally, I like mid-ship cabins usually because you can get to where you want to go on the ship easily/quickly from there. I will say that given the opportunity to cruise in an aft balcony, I wouldn't pass it up.

 

Second, the booking conditions for non-US people are different. You may not be able to take advantage of price drops the way we are able to in the US. I know you also put down a hefty deposit and do not get it back if you have to cancel. Best thing to do regardless of where you are, book a cabin/promo you are happy/satisfied with now.

 

Thirdly, I book with a TA because I get additional perks from her. I get the perks of NCL and anything else the TA throws in. For example, we booked with the SDP and $25 OBC. Our TA threw in an additional $125 OBC. She will always go to bat for us if we are looking to possibly upgrade.

 

Lastly, there is no discount for 2 rooms. The group rate doesn't kick in until you're at 8 or more cabins, and even then, the discount isn't much but may include a perk or two.

[newmexicoNita]

Hi

 

Couple of questions . Im new to cruising and so is my wife and another couple trying it for the 1st time . Here is what im wanting to know .

 

Is it best to book through NCL or try a discount website or TA ?

 

Do the prices go up and down often and do better / worse promos come along or are they normally standard ?

 

Im looking at The Escape ship for September 7 nights . Im looking at the B1 grade aft balcony room . This gives us the drinks package and either 1 . 250 minutes internet . 2 . Dinner package . 3 . $50 excursion package . Is this a good room ? Its almost £1900 per couple . Is this good ? Are there better rooms for roughly same price ?

 

Any other things you think might help me or I should know PLEASE reply and let me know .

 

Also I doubt it but is there any point phoning NCL and asking for a discount for 2 rooms ?

 

thanks

 

ok, here goes: no discount for 2 cabins. You have to book 8 to get any advantage. This is why you might want to check with a reliable travel Agent. The larger companies often hold what is referred to as "group space" You will get the same perks going through an agent as booking directly and still might get some extra perks, plus they will be available to answer all your questions. If they can't they will research for you. They normally know where to go to get answers. At least for your first cruise it is an advantage to use a TA.

[newmexicoNita]

I personally like to book myself directly through NCL. That way if there is a price reduction I can call NCL directly myself....if you use a TA, you have to go through them for any changes made to your booked cruise.

 

You do realize a good agent watches for price reductions for his/her client don't you or have you ever tried using an agent? I know a lot of people feel like you and of course whatever way one goes is a personal thing. Neither way is completely right or wrong, but for a new cruiser an agent can be the best bet.

[CruisnDeb]

You do realize a good agent watches for price reductions for his/her client don't you or have you ever tried using an agent? I know a lot of people feel like you and of course whatever way one goes is a personal thing. Neither way is completely right or wrong, but for a new cruiser an agent can be the best bet.

 

I watch for the price drops myself. For my Hawaii cruise, I found the price dropped 4 times before final payment--it was just a quick phone call from me and it was done. I prefer to take of these things myself so I know they are taken care of. I've heard stories of people trying to get help from their TA and have had them unavailable (vacation, weekend, etc.)....this would drive me crazy....you might call me a little bit of a "control freak" :D lol.

[newmexicoNita]

I watch for the price drops myself. For my Hawaii cruise, I found the price dropped 4 times before final payment--it was just a quick phone call from me and it was done. I prefer to take of these things myself so I know they are taken care of. I've heard stories of people trying to get help from their TA and have had them unavailable (vacation, weekend, etc.)....this would drive me crazy....you might call me a little bit of a "control freak" :D lol.

 

You do make some good points, but I still think, for a new cruiser it is better to use a good agent. Of course there will be times they are not working just like the rest of us. As for vacation, a good agent has a back up to take care of their business when they are not available. The secret is finding that good agent. There are many out there, and there are those who are nothing but order takers. I have to admit, I am leary of those "on line'" supposedly discount companies. I am sure some are fine, but that is where you have little control and a bunch of order takers.

[calpsy]

Ive been in contact with a TA near me and to be honest its not what I want from someone supposedly helping me . She really doesn't seem to be interested . Ive done the hard work for her showing her the price I can get and what I want and to be honest all she is doing is telling me what I know .

[Dexter168]

I'm also based in the UK and used a high street TA to book my first cruise, they have a cruise specialist and you make an appointment. The first time she must have spent an hour with me going through my options and I went back at least 8 times before the cruise and she helped with everything from upgrading my drinks package, excursions and general questions ( I didn't know about CC then)

 

She even contacted me when we got home to make sure that we had had a great time. I've booked 2 more cruises with them since and would use them again.

 

Booking in the UK is different from the US, your deposit is non refundable unless its for a reason that you can claim on your travel insurance ( recommended) and normally you can't get price changes.

 

The 3 cruises that I've booked the price hasn't changed much until the last minute and then the lower price has been for a guarantee with no perks, so if you think the price is good with the perks that you're getting just book and start looking forward to your new addiction.