A tale of two private fares

[wesport]

Last night after we booked an 11 night Caribbean cruise with our private sale rates. After we booked, our friends logged into their account to see if they could get a good price for the same cruise.  We we shocked when their price for a vista suite was $1000 less than what we paid. In addition, they had a $400 OBC.We got no OBC. Our deposit was $1200 and theirs was only $400. They are four stars, and we are five. I told them to book immediately. Curious what the rates are base on. We thought we got a good deal, but their rates was crazy. I have no complaints about what we paid. Interesting. 

[DaveOKC]

17 minutes ago, wesport said:

Last night after we booked an 11 night Caribbean cruise with our private sale rates. After we booked, our friends logged into their account to see if they could get a good price for the same cruise.  We we shocked when their price for a vista suite was $1000 less than what we paid. In addition, they had a $400 OBC.We got no OBC. Our deposit was $1200 and theirs was only $400. They are four stars, and we are five. I told them to book immediately. Curious what the rates are base on. We thought we got a good deal, but their rates was crazy. I have no complaints about what we paid. Interesting. 

Usually Private Sale rates are had to beat.  The only ones I have seen that are lower are Casino offers.  I have been able to get our casino RATE (discount) applied to Private Sale fares as I recall.

 

[Caribbean Chris]

You really have no complaints about paying $1400 more? I would. I’m puzzled about why you wouldn’t bring it to the attention of the entity that took your booking and have it adjusted with HAL? Or couldn’t you simply cancel and rebook? 

[TiogaCruiser]

My husband has gotten better rates than I on several occasions. And there have been times I fit the target demographic.

[wesport]

32 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

You really have no complaints about paying $1400 more? I would. I’m puzzled about why you wouldn’t bring it to the attention of the entity that took your booking and have it adjusted with HAL? Or couldn’t you simply cancel and rebook? 

Private fares are linked to a specific mariner number and target client. Rates are not published rates. I was just happy for my friends. I have had my share of good deals over the years. 

[Caribbean Chris]

44 minutes ago, wesport said:

Private fares are linked to a specific mariner number and target client. Rates are not published rates. I was just happy for my friends. I have had my share of good deals over the years. 

 

If I understand your explanation, both parties had private fare offers and booked same sailing and category within a very short time, but 5* Mariners paid more than 4*. That's interesting. Personally, I would bring it to the attention of HAL and ask them to make an adjustment. 

[wesport]

We did have a fcc which cut the difference in half . Should have stated that before

[Rotterdam]

Could the different rates be tied to prior onboard spend by the passsengers.

For instance a passenger that spends more onboard the ship for wine, spa, shops etc would be given a better rate & obc.  This could explain the difference in offers.

Certainly the lines track these.

[wesport]

8 minutes ago, Rotterdam said:

Could the different rates be tied to prior onboard spend by the passsengers.

For instance a passenger that spends more onboard the ship for wine, spa, shops etc would be given a better rate & obc.  This could explain the difference in offers.

Certainly the lines track these.

They are heavy drinkers. Might be the reason.

[iancal]

Ask them to log in and try to book for you.  Perhaps the better of the two prices will come up and you can cancel your reservation.

 

Or....connect with a good on line TA.  Give him or her details on the two pricing options to work for you.  

[Iris5383]

4 hours ago, TiogaCruiser said:

My husband has gotten better rates than I on several occasions. And there have been times I fit the target demographic.

Same with us. So we price it with both our numbers to see which is lower. Last time, though, our TA got an even lower rate for us. 

[lindaler]

I took my son and granddaughter on a cruise early this year. A few days ago I get a private fare offer and call my pcc. He says it is for my son, not me. I ask why when I was the account paying for everything and all we can figure is they want my son to keep sailing and they know I will. He is looking into whether I can get the offer but no luck so far. 

[oaktreerb]

8 hours ago, wesport said:

Last night after we booked an 11 night Caribbean cruise with our private sale rates. After we booked, our friends logged into their account to see if they could get a good price for the same cruise.  We we shocked when their price for a vista suite was $1000 less than what we paid. In addition, they had a $400 OBC.We got no OBC. Our deposit was $1200 and theirs was only $400. They are four stars, and we are five. I told them to book immediately. Curious what the rates are base on. We thought we got a good deal, but their rates was crazy. I have no complaints about what we paid. Interesting. 

I’d be trying harder to figure out why the prices differed.   Whether you choose a cabin # vs accepting a guarantee, refundable vs nonrefundable deposit, refundable vs nonrefundable fare, using a TA vs going direct through HAL.   Private rates should be lower, not higher.  

Edited July 23, 2020 by oaktreerb

[taba]

10 hours ago, wesport said:

Last night after we booked an 11 night Caribbean cruise with our private sale rates. After we booked, our friends logged into their account to see if they could get a good price for the same cruise.  We we shocked when their price for a vista suite was $1000 less than what we paid. In addition, they had a $400 OBC.We got no OBC. Our deposit was $1200 and theirs was only $400. They are four stars, and we are five. I told them to book immediately. Curious what the rates are base on. We thought we got a good deal, but their rates was crazy. I have no complaints about what we paid. Interesting. 

This sounds like the casino rate offer that I received. If they check with their PCC or TA they may find they are also eligible for  $250 in casino play plus free drinks while in the casino. The offer of casino play must be redeemed in the casino. They should have received an email or offer in the mail with the details.

Edited July 23, 2020 by taba

[wesport]

12 hours ago, taba said:

This sounds like the casino rate offer that I received. If they check with their PCC or TA they may find they are also eligible for  $250 in casino play plus free drinks while in the casino. The offer of casino play must be redeemed in the casino. They should have received an email or offer in the mail with the details.

So, yesterday they got the casino rate of $100 for an oceanview cabin with $100 in casino play.