Booking Future Cruises while onboard

[orville99]

4 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

 

 

Booking directly into the group as opposed to on board can get you $200 in on board credit if you are booking 10 months in advance on Celebrity.  For European sailings they even doubled that for bookings made this past summer.  Quite often you actually lose OBC by booking on board

Booked Celebrity Equinox on line when the PC itineraries were first released, and got $200 in OBC. Two days later the OBC perk was no longer offered for on line bookings, but the cruise price for the same cabin category had dropped by $200. They will get their $$ one way or another😇

[Ourusualbeach]

6 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Since I get $75 solo refundable balcony for 7 day cruise.. its $25 more obc to book onboard, but a pretty big hassle for $25 is what I'm reading?

No hassle and yes for balconies you gain a bit by booking on board

[Ourusualbeach]

6 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Booked Celebrity Equinox on line when the PC itineraries were first released, and got $200 in OBC. Two days later the OBC perk was no longer offered for on line bookings, but the cruise price for the same cabin category had dropped by $200. They will get their $$ one way or another😇

That is totally different that the OBC that I was talking about.  That is the regular overlay promotion that flips back and forth seemingly every other weekend.  If that was booked into a group rate you could have received up to an extra $650 OBC on top of that plus a lower rate

[nelblu]

6 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

I can't hint but I always suggest that people check with their TA prior to booking on board and that way together they can figure out the most effective way to book.  On board isn't always it but in some cases it may be.  A lot depends on the promos that Celebrity is running for their groups which varies. and which you would not see as that information is only shared with TA's

Maybe you can enlighten me.  When I get $ from the casino the on-board agents cannot apply to the booking.  Only the casino desk can apply.  Am I able to transfer the booking from the casino desk to my TA.

Edited October 24, 2023 by nelblu

[CanobieFan]

16 hours ago, firefly333 said:

There was a recent thread saying no more champagne from next cruise. Discontinued. 

How interesting. Not even a month ago I was given a bottle of champagne, as was my friend, while we simultaneously booked a next Cruise (separate reservation, separate room) 

[Ourusualbeach]

Just now, nelblu said:

Maybe you can enlighten me.  When I get $ from the casino the on-board agents cannot apply to the booking.  Only the casino desk can apply.  Am I able to transfer the booking from the casino desk to my TA.

Casino bookings are a whole other can of worms.  Not familiar with Celebrity's casino rules but on Royal they are not combinable with group rates.  I know the comp cruises can't be transferred as they are paid in full at the time of booking.  Your TA can book those on your behalf and they get a nominal commission of $50 so don't expect anything back.

[molly361]

You guys are hurting my head again😱

[orville99]

9 minutes ago, CanobieFan said:

How interesting. Not even a month ago I was given a bottle of champagne, as was my friend, while we simultaneously booked a next Cruise (separate reservation, separate room) 

Tha only thing they were giving out last week on Mariner were raffle tickets to win some on board non refundable credit applied to your current sailing

[nelblu]

3 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Casino bookings are a whole other can of worms.  Not familiar with Celebrity's casino rules but on Royal they are not combinable with group rates.  I know the comp cruises can't be transferred as they are paid in full at the time of booking.  Your TA can book those on your behalf and they get a nominal commission of $50 so don't expect anything back.

No group rates or comp cruises.  My question is "can a Royal booking via the Casino desk be transferred to a TA."

[Ourusualbeach]

Just now, nelblu said:

No group rates or comp cruises.  My question is "can a Royal booking via the Casino desk be transferred to a TA."

Should not be a problem as long as it is not paid in full.  Best way to know for sure is to ask the casino agent who is booking it for you.  They should be able to boo it directly under your travel agents ID

[nelblu]

6 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Should not be a problem as long as it is not paid in full.  Best way to know for sure is to ask the casino agent who is booking it for you.  They should be able to boo it directly under your travel agents ID

Thank you,

[amindu]

52 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Should not be a problem as long as it is not paid in full.  Best way to know for sure is to ask the casino agent who is booking it for you.  They should be able to boo it directly under your travel agents ID

 

Do group rates only exist for certain cabins or passenger size ie 2 vs 4?  

[firefly333]

2 minutes ago, amindu said:

 

Do group rates only exist for certain cabins or passenger size ie 2 vs 4?  

I'm sure @Ourusualbeachwill reply but unfortunately yes. For instance I'd prefer a corner aft but that category isnt included. Or my TA will have central park and ocean view balconies but not boardwalk balconies. A different TA will have group rates for boardwalk balconies but not central park. 

 

Not perfect but sometimes a big savings if you can make do with say a ocean view balcony on the hump, not facing aft. .. just my opinion. 

[Ourusualbeach]

21 minutes ago, amindu said:

 

Do group rates only exist for certain cabins or passenger size ie 2 vs 4?  

Yes, only double occupancy rooms except for a few triple and quads that were made vaailable on Icon and only certain categories.

[Ourusualbeach]

17 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Or my TA will have central park and ocean view balconies but not boardwalk balconies. A different TA will have group rates for boardwalk balconies but not central park.

All depends on what the TA blocks for space or what they have left,  The same staterooms are available to block for all TA's

[orville99]

5 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Yes, only double occupancy rooms except for a few triple and quads that were made vaailable on Icon and only certain categories.

 

5 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

All depends on what the TA blocks for space or what they have left,  The same staterooms are available to block for all TA's

Just another reason why we will never book with a group.

[Ourusualbeach]

4 minutes ago, orville99 said:

 

Just another reason why we will never book with a group.

Glad that you enjoy paying more.  To each their own.

[amindu]

26 minutes ago, orville99 said:

 

Just another reason why we will never book with a group.

What difference Would it be if you booked with or without group, other than savings? 

[Airbear232]

On 10/23/2023 at 5:39 PM, AZ Squirrel said:

Hello all!  We have been on over 20 cruises but have never actually booked while onboard.  What are the benefits (if any) of booking Future Cruises while onboard?  Do you get anything special?  Can you ask for stuff?  Let me hear your recent experiences!.  I'm sure back in the day things were different. Thanks~

Back in the day there were benefits and better OBC, but in recent years I think its honestly a disadvantage to book with Future Cruises.

[doghog]

10 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

 

 

Booking directly into the group as opposed to on board can get you $200 in on board credit if you are booking 10 months in advance on Celebrity.  For European sailings they even doubled that for bookings made this past summer.  Quite often you actually lose OBC by booking on board

Great info. I learn something new everyday on CC. Sometimes even great positive info. Thanks. 

Edited October 25, 2023 by doghog

[cruisin73]

We've never booked a cruise while on board until now.   This past May while on Symphony we booked Symphony for this December.  We booked a suite and received 300 OBC.  I plan to book another one while on board. It's worth it to me to get the OBC. 

[orville99]

12 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Glad that you enjoy paying more.  To each their own.

How many full suites do you normally block out for a group?

[Ourusualbeach]

3 minutes ago, orville99 said:

How many full suites do you normally block out for a group?

Apologies, did not know you were travelling exclusively in suites

[orville99]

15 hours ago, amindu said:

What difference Would it be if you booked with or without group, other than savings? 

We always book full suites, and a TA cannot block out any full suites as part of a group. Not sure about whether group blocks can include junior suites, however.

[amindu]

26 minutes ago, orville99 said:

We always book full suites, and a TA cannot block out any full suites as part of a group. Not sure about whether group blocks can include junior suites, however.

 

Makes sense.