Did a back to back with this ship in July/August 2012.
Happy to report that there was no discernible drop in the standard of the food since I last sailed on this ship in the summer of 2010.
There was a massive price drop for the 1st cruise (Iceland & Norwegian fjords) shortly before final payment was due. I booked through Cruisekings and asked the TA if Celebrity might upgrade up for a small fee but the TA said this is not possible. In the end I cancelled and paid the penalty so that I could take advantage of the price drop. I am on the mailing list for http://www.cruise.co.uk and from reading some of the comments there, found that people who booked through that company got upgraded.
That's the last time I'm booking through Cruisekings.
Probably also the last time I book months ahead.
The price for the inside cabin was about £1,600 in Jan 2012.
In the fortnight before final payment, inside cabins were going for just over £900.
I saved over £1,000 for the 2 of us, even after losing the deposit.
The TA kept saying that my category of cabin has not been reduced in price and also pointed out that I'll lose the free parking. Since we were not using that freebie, it mattered not one jot to me but she did not give me the impression that she was out to take care of my interests. I kept saying that I'm happy to pay a bit more to get a better cabin. She said she asked on my behalf but Celebrity would not allow this. I am so unimpressed with Cruisekings.
As for the cabin, since we had a back to back, I was able to compare the two. The cheaper cabin did have a noise problem early one morning. This might be because it was a tender port. But other than that, it was perfectly fine.
It's a lovely ship and I do recommend it.
Planning to sail on it next summer.
Thanks for that. If you use http://www.cruisecompete.com to get quotes and book through a US travel agent they will apply price drops up until final payment. After that you should get an upgrade. You can also cancel free of charge with many of them
If you haven't done so already, it would be appreciated if you could update our Cruise Reviews page by clicking on the link at the top of the page.
Thanks
luci
If you haven't done so already, it would be appreciated if you could update our Cruise Reviews page by clicking on the link at the top of the page.
Thanks
luci
Interesting. We did a transatlantic in November/December, going out on the Eclipse and returning on the Queen Mary - absolutely fabulous. A week before we were due to make the final payment the price dropped £100 pp but we couldn't get the TA to budge. To rub salt into the wound, a couple of weeks later (after final payment) the price dropped a further £200 pp!
What I would like to know is who benefitted from the £600 we had paid before the price drop?
Having said all that, I'm not really grumbling; the original price was ridiculously cheap anyway, it just niggled a little that we could have either had a better cabin or perhaps OBC, and anyone who booked last minute got themselves a fantastic holiday at a giveaway price.
What I would like to know is who benefitted from the £600 we had paid before the price drop?
Having said all that, I'm not really grumbling; the original price was ridiculously cheap anyway, it just niggled a little that we could have either had a better cabin or perhaps OBC, and anyone who booked last minute got themselves a fantastic holiday at a giveaway price.
Thanks for the tip.
Yes, I have used cruisecompete before and had a great price through them
I thought the US TAs are not allowed to accept Brits any more.
I think there is a different price structure for Americans as compared with the UK market.
When I was looking at some US TA website (I think smartcruiser), I found the prices of the inside cabins were more than double the USD equivalent of £918.
Next year, I won't book so far ahead.
How times have changed.
I never used to think of 6 months as being too far ahead to book a cruise.
However, with the difficult economic times we have now, I think it makes sense to wait till nearer final payment time.
Last year, when I was on the Azura, I thought I had a good deal at £65 per person per night for an inside cabin.
That is, until a couple sat with us one morning at breakfast and told us what they paid. I seem to recall they were paying about £45 per person per night. Unfortunately, I forgot the name of their travel agent. They had been on over 40 cruises and spend peanuts. The TA contacts them within a week of sailing with fabulous bargains.
Yes, I have used cruisecompete before and had a great price through them
I thought the US TAs are not allowed to accept Brits any more.
I think there is a different price structure for Americans as compared with the UK market.
When I was looking at some US TA website (I think smartcruiser), I found the prices of the inside cabins were more than double the USD equivalent of £918.
Next year, I won't book so far ahead.
How times have changed.
I never used to think of 6 months as being too far ahead to book a cruise.
However, with the difficult economic times we have now, I think it makes sense to wait till nearer final payment time.
Last year, when I was on the Azura, I thought I had a good deal at £65 per person per night for an inside cabin.
That is, until a couple sat with us one morning at breakfast and told us what they paid. I seem to recall they were paying about £45 per person per night. Unfortunately, I forgot the name of their travel agent. They had been on over 40 cruises and spend peanuts. The TA contacts them within a week of sailing with fabulous bargains.
Only certain cruise lines prevent people from outwith the US to book with a US agent.
I had a booking with a US agent, but NCL have constantly been having sales and were over £100pp cheaper so I cancelled and rebooked.
luci
Certain cruise lines prohibit US travel agencies from selling cruises to non-US or non-Canadian residents / and or citizens. The list of those cruise lines includes but may not be limited to: Costa, Holland America, Oceania, Princess (except Mexican citizens who may book through Cruises-N-More), P&O and others
I had a booking with a US agent, but NCL have constantly been having sales and were over £100pp cheaper so I cancelled and rebooked.
luci
Post a Reply
Please sign in or register an account to reply to this post.
Similar Topics
- Celebrity Eclipse
-
First Choice / Eclipse Direct
Posted by planetf1 in Tour Operators and Travel Agents
-
Theres a solar eclipse coming for some holidaymakers
Posted by Frank in General Chat
-
Hybrid eclipse Cape Verde and Central Africa Nov 3rd 2013
Posted by Frank in Africa/Middle East Discussion Forum
-
I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here
Posted by Glynis HT Admin in General Chat