Booking with an overseas TA Princess cruises

[subaru94]

We did book a cruise through an overseas TA quite a few years ago and saved a lot of money, we are considering it again, I know we can't mention overseas TA name, however, in comparison to Australia there is a big saving of nearly $1500 per person, has anyone recently booked through a TA in USA?

[mum and son]

I used to do this regularly but not for several years. Do Princess require you to provide a US address these days? I recall Celebrity needed one when I last booked them via a US agent. If I provided an Aus address they directed me back to Aus every time. I thought Princess were even more strict about it, but things may well have changed over the years.

 

 

[arxcards]

7 hours ago, subaru94 said:

We did book a cruise through an overseas TA quite a few years ago and saved a lot of money, we are considering it again, I know we can't mention overseas TA name, however, in comparison to Australia there is a big saving of nearly $1500 per person, has anyone recently booked through a TA in USA?

My understanding is you can no longer do it with Princess if you haven't previously used that agent. If the agency you used previously is still interested, they can still book for existing clients.

[subaru94]

59 minutes ago, arxcards said:

My understanding is you can no longer do it with Princess if you haven't previously used that agent. If the agency you used previously is still interested, they can still book for existing clients.

Thank you Geoff we have booked with them in the past not for princess but for Royal Caribbean.  So tempted as the savings are so good.  

[OzKiwiJJ]

We booked a 2017 Med cruise through a US TA. No problems, she supplied a US address for the booking. We saved a few thousand dollars on the fare. 

[arxcards]

59 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We booked a 2017 Med cruise through a US TA. No problems, she supplied a US address for the booking. We saved a few thousand dollars on the fare. 

Most will just say no, or not reply to the request at the risk of getting zero commission.

[MMDown Under]

I have booked several cruises with the same US TA, with an Australian address.  However it is not as good a deal when Aussie dollar is so weak against US dollar.  I have also booked several small ship cruises with a UK TA which included local airfares and Govt insurance.

[OzKiwiJJ]

2 hours ago, arxcards said:

Most will just say no, or not reply to the request at the risk of getting zero commission.

The TA we used also has an Australian agency. She used to be a specialist for Crystal Cruises but also books any other cruise line if required. She's very good. I believe a few people here use her for luxury cruises and she was recommended to me by Pushka. We don't use her for local cruises but would happily book through her again in the right cicrumstances.

[P&T]

I tried making a booking with an o/s online agent (pre-covid) for an amazingly cheap fare and all was fine until they asked for passport details and immediately the cost of fare nearly doubled. Worked out not much different to booking locally.

 

There were people on board from the US who got triple discount - US passport holder rate, seniors discount, local port discount - and paid approx 25% of what we were charged as Aussies.

 

I thought about contacting the ACCC about the differential against Aussie passport holders  but if the company is registered overseas I don't think ACCC have jurisdiction.

[Aus Traveller]

20 minutes ago, P&T said:

I tried making a booking with an o/s online agent (pre-covid) for an amazingly cheap fare and all was fine until they asked for passport details and immediately the cost of fare nearly doubled. Worked out not much different to booking locally.

 

There were people on board from the US who got triple discount - US passport holder rate, seniors discount, local port discount - and paid approx 25% of what we were charged as Aussies.

 

I thought about contacting the ACCC about the differential against Aussie passport holders  but if the company is registered overseas I don't think ACCC have jurisdiction.

What do you mean by US passport holder rate, seniors discount and local port discount?

 

I have compared prices on a couple of Australian-based cruises to see if Americans are getting a better deal. They aren't. In addition, they are charged the daily gratuities that we don't have to pay.
 

[P&T]

3 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

What do you mean by US passport holder rate, seniors discount and local port discount?

 

I have compared prices on a couple of Australian-based cruises to see if Americans are getting a better deal. They aren't. In addition, they are charged the daily gratuities that we don't have to pay.
 

It wasn't an Australia Based cruise. Based out of Fort Lauderdale. US passport holders were given different rate to Aussie passport holders. If you live in Florida, or LA, the cruise lines give an extra incentive discount to locals off the fare offered to other passengers.

[Aus Traveller]

Just now, P&T said:

It wasn't an Australia Based cruise. Based out of Fort Lauderdale. US passport holders were given different rate to Aussie passport holders. If you live in Florida, or LA, the cruise lines give an extra incentive discount to locals off the fare offered to other passengers.

Cruises out of the US, particularly in the Caribbean, are super-competitive. The cruiselines offer 'deals' to some people (maybe based on where they live) that aren't available to others. When you look at US prices they sound cheap, but fees and taxes have to be added to the fare quoted. As we know, in Aust all fees and taxes are included.

[buchhalm]

I find it double standards if a cruise line wouldn't let you book a cruise via an US based TA if you don't reside there. 

Their own service centers are based there and you have to deal with them for nearly everything. 

Even if you dial an Australian phone number,  you are mostly redirected to the US *or Manila*.

Currency on board is mostly USD.

 

And even if you use a random American address, the moment you try to use a Non-US credit card, if could take you back to square one 

[P&T]

6 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

Cruises out of the US, particularly in the Caribbean, are super-competitive. The cruiselines offer 'deals' to some people (maybe based on where they live) that aren't available to others. When you look at US prices they sound cheap, but fees and taxes have to be added to the fare quoted. As we know, in Aust all fees and taxes are included.

Apparently based on zipcode. People we were travelling with shared their fare details and they paid approx 25% of our fare (booked via AU agent) in same class of cabin. We also have friends in California that regular go away for short cruises "for a song" based on their zipcode.

[Rassa]

1 hour ago, P&T said:

Apparently based on zipcode. People we were travelling with shared their fare details and they paid approx 25% of our fare (booked via AU agent) in same class of cabin. 

Booking way early when cruises come out helps, as do other things like donating your money to the Casino.   Was that considered when you were discussing fares?  I remember some time ago, I booked a price I saw from our 'El Cheapo' Thread and I felt it was an OK price.   Someone I met on the cruise wanted to have a 'I booked my cabin cheaper than you did' conversation and although I tried to stay out of it, in the end he asked me outright.   I paid less than he did.   

[LittleFish1976]

People booking from UK and USA seem to often get buckets of OBC. From what I gather, we're talking 4 figures. Here an expensive booking will often give you $20 OBC! Gets on my goat a bit reading about the discrepancy between our market and theirs.

[mr walker]

Give an Aussie your business & keep people in jobs.

 

Note: I am not a TA nor affiliated in any way with one.

[Gwendy]

Years ago we booked a Celebrity cruise with a US agent.  Celebrity in Aust said cruise (to Antarctica) was fully booked.

After we paid Celebrity rang us and said we could be denied boarding because of booking in US.

As the cruise was leaving from Buenos Aries and we were flying in 3 days before, I was quite stressed, even planning how we could use our time in BA if we were denied boarding.

Boarding day came, no problems and the most fantastic cruise, but I don’t want that stress again.

[sayaguru]

I use a Canadian agent. Princess changed the rules a few years ago and you can only book with an overseas agent if you have previously booked a Princess cruise with that agent. 

Just be aware that prices on the websites often don't include taxes. In Australia the price you see is the total fare. 

Cruises from Australia also have port charges and gratuities included. 

If you book in US or Canada gratuities are added to your onboard account. 

[MMDown Under]

7 hours ago, Gwendy said:

Years ago we booked a Celebrity cruise with a US agent.  Celebrity in Aust said cruise (to Antarctica) was fully booked.

After we paid Celebrity rang us and said we could be denied boarding because of booking in US.

As the cruise was leaving from Buenos Aries and we were flying in 3 days before, I was quite stressed, even planning how we could use our time in BA if we were denied boarding.

Boarding day came, no problems and the most fantastic cruise, but I don’t want that stress again.

Who phoned you? Celebrity in Australia?  You certainly wouldn't want to cruise with them in the future.  I wouldn't!  Has anyone ever been denied boarding because of booking in the US?  I certainly haven't heard of such a case.  I'm sorry this advice caused you stress at the time.  Think about it.  This advice wasn't for your benefit.  I have booked all my overseas travel, in all forms, direct overseas, using my Australian address, without any problems.  I'm pleased you had no problems and had the most fantastic cruise.  

Since the pandemic, I'm happy to be cruising in Australia, booking my cruises in Australia. 

[Gwendy]

2 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

Who phoned you? Celebrity in Australia?  You certainly wouldn't want to cruise with them in the future.  I wouldn't!  Has anyone ever been denied boarding because of booking in the US?  I certainly haven't heard of such a case.  I'm sorry this advice caused you stress at the time.  Think about it.  This advice wasn't for your benefit.  I have booked all my overseas travel, in all forms, direct overseas, using my Australian address, without any problems.  I'm pleased you had no problems and had the most fantastic cruise.  

Since the pandemic, I'm happy to be cruising in Australia, booking my cruises in Australia. 

Yes Celebrity Australian office called us.  Not happy we booked elsewhere but at the time their website showed cruise was fully booked.  This  was when there was great drama about big cruise ships being banned from Antarctica and we wanted to do this cruise.

[MMDown Under]

8 minutes ago, Gwendy said:

Yes Celebrity Australian office called us.  Not happy we booked elsewhere but at the time their website showed cruise was fully booked.  This  was when there was great drama about big cruise ships being banned from Antarctica and we wanted to do this cruise.

I'm pleased you got to do that "once in a lifetime" cruise.  

I have learnt to not believe cruise companies which say a cruise is fully booked.  I had to talk a girlfriend into holding on to her wait listed booking for a cruise around Australia.  Agent tried to get her to change to a less favourable time of year, despite the wait listed one being for her husband's birthday.  It is no surprise that they got a final booking for the desired cruise.  

[NSWP]

15 hours ago, mr walker said:

Give an Aussie your business & keep people in jobs.

 

Note: I am not a TA nor affiliated in any way with one.

Totally agree Neil, I have never booked a trip with an overseas agency, nor would I.  Do your bookings from Australia and 'keep your kids in a job.'

[MMDown Under]

3 minutes ago, NSWP said:

Totally agree Neil, I have never booked a trip with an overseas agency, nor would I.  Do your bookings from Australia and 'keep your kids in a job.'

I don't understand this line of thinking.  I give my donations to charity, not to cruise lines which don't have my best interest in mind.  Most of my cruises weren't sold in Australia. 

[MMDown Under]

7 minutes ago, NSWP said:

Totally agree Neil, I have never booked a trip with an overseas agency, nor would I.  Do your bookings from Australia and 'keep your kids in a job.'

Good to see you well enough to continue your valuable input in to Cruise Critic thread, Les.  Are you still receiving treatment?  Take care!