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Last Minute Price Reductions on Cruises: What do you Do?Apr 23 '01 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Last minute reductions in cruise fares could result in a refund, upgrade or both. It pays to check into whether your sail date and category have been discounted! It's time consumers are made aware of a practice many cruise lines use to fill unoccupied berths a few months prior to the sail date: last minute price reductions! This benefits those of us willing to book a cruise within three months of the sail date (please refer to my Epinions.com article "Last Minute Cruise Discounts at http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-602E-17814E26-3A155584-prod2) However, those of you, who already have cruises booked: did you know if the price on your cruise drops, you too are entitled to the lower rate and a refund? We are scheduled to sail on NCL's Norway in mid-June, 2001, which we recently booked last month. We purchased an inside "run-of-ship" (guarantee) category for $514pp and felt we got a good price. As Latitudes members (NCL's past guest program) we were confident that we would be upgraded. I know, from past experience, that cruise lines often "adjust" their prices within 90 days or less of sailing, so it was with the hope of seeing a lower price that I logged onto NCL's website. NCL had indeed reduced its prices on the Norway for our sail date. I was able to save $100pp and upgrade to an outside "run-of-ship" category for $414pp! I notified my travel agent of the lower price, something she wasn't going to do automatically. After confirming my input, she arranged for NCL to credit back our credit card $200. Depending on who you work with, some cruise-only agencies will keep on top of price changes, while others don't have the time. Just because an agent does not provide this service is no reason to look else where. The reality is very few do. I went with a cruise-only agency who consistently provides me with the lowest rates. In my case, she threw in a $100 ship-board credit to get my business (which I get to keep, despite the fare reduction). I shopped around and found she had the 2nd lowest price at the time; the ship-board credit made her offer the best one yet. Yes, I advocate shopping around! The difference in price was huge, over $100pp at another discount cruise-only agency. So what do you do to insure you get best price possible? First off, shop around and book your cruise with a cruise-only agency you feel comfortable doing business. The internet is great, but having someone address your concerns personally is important. Always pay with a major credit card. And within 90 days or less of your sail date, check with your travel agent, the cruise line directly or its website to see if rates have changed. I find checking a cruise line's website to be the easiest, but not all cruise lines have regularly updated information. Lucky for me, NCL does, and I was able to learn of the reduction in price with minimal effort. Before calling to inform your travel agent, be sure you have accurate information. I always call the cruise line to verify the new fare base codes and price before contacting my agent. I have heard from many people who feel this is the responsibility of the agent. Unfortunately, not all agents have the technology in place to monitor prices. More and more do, but many still do not. For those that can't, it proves to be an impossible task. Unfortunately, most cruise consumers are never aware this practice of price reduction even occurs. With a little effort, you can truly insure you get the lowest price possible. Cruise lines, in an effort to fill the ship, will reduce prices as the sail date nears, especially on older ships. In my case, the Norway is expected to be transferred to Star Cruises this fall, where it will plow the waters of the Orient. My guess is, NCL is having trouble filling the ship. Regardless of the cruise you're book on, my recommendation is to check prices a month or two before the sail date. That's easily accomplished by calling your travel agent or the cruise line or logging on to the web. But remember, not all cruise lines update their websites regularly. If you booked a cruise over spring break, or holiday periods such as Christmas or New Years, your chances of finding a lower rate are not very good. But I recommend checking anyway, as my cruise, in mid-June is not one I would have expected a price reduction. Good luck!!  |
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