Truth In Cruise Sale Promotions
Published Sunday, January 6th 2013 - Updated Sunday, January 6th 2013
Categories
The various cruise lines offers sales throughout the year to entice you to sail on their cruise line to your favored destination. Let's face it. We all want the best deal we can find, and want as much as we can get for the price. It can be so confusing. Even for the most seasoned cruiser. Are they really saying what you think they say?
Here are some definitions for those terms, and some things to be aware of when looking at the marketing strategies being implemented.
Reduced Deposit: This marketing strategy is to encourage early booking, and to reduce the initial investment that would normally need to be made to hold a stateroom and price by the consumer. Making it a little easier for the prospective passenger to book, and to budget the remainder of the funds owing until final payment must be made.
IE: The average deposit on a 7-night cruise on the most popular cruise lines is $250 per person, or $500 per stateroom (based on double occupancy). A 50% reduced deposit will enable the prospective passenger to book with a $125 per person deposit, or $250 stateroom deposit (based on double occupancy).
The total amount of the sale remains the same. The reduced deposit promotion is useless to you if you are booking last minute, or within the average 65 day in advance of sailing final payment date. Once the final payment date passes, all cruise lines want the payment in full, and you will be penalized if you cancel after this date. The reduced deposit does not reduce the total amount that you would have to pay, it just defers it.
Onboard/Shipboard Credit: It is like cash for spending while on board the ship. It can be used towards items not normally included in the standard fare such as spa treatments, shore excursions, soda pop, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs and more. The strategy is to encourage onboard spending in areas where the cruise lines make their money. You can use these funds towards anything you choose that is onboard.
Any funds remaining at the end of your cruise will not be issued to you in the way of cash. Those funds will be lost. Many cruise lines will not allow these funds to be applied to gratuities and gambling. It is not uncommon for fares to be increased during the promotion period to help cover the amount of credit being issued.
Free Upgrades: This promotion is probably one of the most confusing and misinterpreted promotions out there. Prices are all about the real estate. Type of stateroom, how much space on the ship it occupies, and where on the ship it is located. Each major category such as inside, oceanview, etc., is divided into subcategories. The subcategories are based on the staterooms location such as forward, aft, midship, and on what deck. Each subcategory has its own price. The more favorable locations and staterooms have a higher price tag.
Unless specified otherwise, the upgrade will be within the same major category. IE: If you are paying for an inside stateroom, you will receive another inside stateroom. The new stateroom subcategory will be in what is considered a more favorable location by the cruise line.
It may be a stateroom guarantee. A guarantee is that you will be assigned a stateroom by the cruise line within the category (subcategory) for which you paid or better. The location of your stateroom assignment may be next to an elevator, under a noisy public area, or not one you would consider as most favorable.
Upgrade promotions that say" get an oceanview stateroom at an inside stateroom price",or balcony for an oceanview stateroom price", etc. Please be aware that just because you look online and see oceanview staterooms starting at $699 per person, don't expect that you will receive a balcony for that price. So many people are confused by this and feel mislead. The truth is is that you are receiving a balcony stateroom at "an" oceanview stateroom price. The "an" is a stateroom price that usually would be in the higher priced subcategory in the oceanview stateroom major category. Are we confused yet?
Shipboard Credit Booklets: Not like shipboard credit mentioned above, where you get to choose where you spend your credit. It is a book of coupons for goods and services available on the ships. They may read, buy one get one free, $10 off a particular service, $5 casino game play credit, etc.
Read your coupons carefully for the terms and conditions. Some of the goods and services may not be of interest or value to you.
Specially Reduced Fares: This pricing strategy is to sell or encourage the sale of remaining inventory. It can be for a particular destination, itinerary, ship, sailing date or dates, or more.
IE: Inside staterooms from $399 per person, on a 7-night cruise to the Caribbean. If you are price savvy, and a seasoned cruiser who knows their prices, you know that this is a fantastic deal. Which it is!
It will contain many restrictions and limitations. It may be a last minute deal, and you must pay in full and face penalties should you need to cancel. If you need to fly, airfare will be costlier than if you booked earlier. It may be for a very specific sailing date, and price category. You may not be able to purchase travel protection insurance from the cruise line for that sailing.
The number of staterooms available at that promotional price will be limited, and available for a short time.
It may not be for all sailings to that destination or for all sailings for that ship. It will likely be a specific ship, specific date, specific itinerary, and specific subcategory.
If you have booked already, and are looking for a price reduction on the fare you already paid. Good luck! Many of these pricing promotions stipulate "new bookings only". At times these special fares appear after full payment has been made. Even if you could cancel, the penalties could be so great that it could be more costlier for you to cancel the existing booking in order to rebook at the new rate.
Airfare Credits: Credit that you will receive for those cruise destinations that will require you to fly. This is to encourage people to book cruises to destinations that are not selling well because of the high cost of airfare.
In order to receive the credit for the flights. the flights must booked as a part of your cruise purchase with that particular cruise line and will not be issued until full payment is made. Your flights can not be booked independently by you or your agent.
Sometimes it is possible that even with the credit,purchasing your air independently could cost less. You may not be given a choice on which airlines or flights that you will fly.
There are many more innovative marketing ideas being implemented that can and will entice and confuse the consumer. Many strategies are being implemented to entice consumers to avoid the use of travel agents and book direct with the line. Consumers do not pay the agent. It is the cruise line who pays the agent a commission based on the sale. By avoiding an agent, you are not saving yourself a penny unless that agent or agency charges you a consultant, booking, or cancellation fee for their services.
How can you avoid or prevent the confusion, misconceptions or misunderstandings. Consult a travel professional. Read the fine print.
Cruise Planners - Cruise Pros Plus is a professional travel agency. We are confronted by the challenges that these promotions bring about, and really understand where you are coming from.
We'll do all that we can FOR YOU! To bring you the best price at the time of booking for your personal needs and preferences, and beyond. Meeting or exceeding your expectations. We will also monitor prices, and if the price goes down and if applicable, we will have your price adjusted and process the paperwork for you. We will tips, suggestions, and recommendations that can possibly make your vacation one of the best ever.
Why settle for less when you can get more? Value goes beyond the price.
Contact us to book your next cruise vacation without the frustrations and misunderstandings that advertisements can cause.
607-358-4193 or 940-453-8904
Here are some definitions for those terms, and some things to be aware of when looking at the marketing strategies being implemented.
Reduced Deposit: This marketing strategy is to encourage early booking, and to reduce the initial investment that would normally need to be made to hold a stateroom and price by the consumer. Making it a little easier for the prospective passenger to book, and to budget the remainder of the funds owing until final payment must be made.
IE: The average deposit on a 7-night cruise on the most popular cruise lines is $250 per person, or $500 per stateroom (based on double occupancy). A 50% reduced deposit will enable the prospective passenger to book with a $125 per person deposit, or $250 stateroom deposit (based on double occupancy).
The total amount of the sale remains the same. The reduced deposit promotion is useless to you if you are booking last minute, or within the average 65 day in advance of sailing final payment date. Once the final payment date passes, all cruise lines want the payment in full, and you will be penalized if you cancel after this date. The reduced deposit does not reduce the total amount that you would have to pay, it just defers it.
Onboard/Shipboard Credit: It is like cash for spending while on board the ship. It can be used towards items not normally included in the standard fare such as spa treatments, shore excursions, soda pop, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs and more. The strategy is to encourage onboard spending in areas where the cruise lines make their money. You can use these funds towards anything you choose that is onboard.
Any funds remaining at the end of your cruise will not be issued to you in the way of cash. Those funds will be lost. Many cruise lines will not allow these funds to be applied to gratuities and gambling. It is not uncommon for fares to be increased during the promotion period to help cover the amount of credit being issued.
Free Upgrades: This promotion is probably one of the most confusing and misinterpreted promotions out there. Prices are all about the real estate. Type of stateroom, how much space on the ship it occupies, and where on the ship it is located. Each major category such as inside, oceanview, etc., is divided into subcategories. The subcategories are based on the staterooms location such as forward, aft, midship, and on what deck. Each subcategory has its own price. The more favorable locations and staterooms have a higher price tag.
Unless specified otherwise, the upgrade will be within the same major category. IE: If you are paying for an inside stateroom, you will receive another inside stateroom. The new stateroom subcategory will be in what is considered a more favorable location by the cruise line.
It may be a stateroom guarantee. A guarantee is that you will be assigned a stateroom by the cruise line within the category (subcategory) for which you paid or better. The location of your stateroom assignment may be next to an elevator, under a noisy public area, or not one you would consider as most favorable.
Upgrade promotions that say" get an oceanview stateroom at an inside stateroom price",or balcony for an oceanview stateroom price", etc. Please be aware that just because you look online and see oceanview staterooms starting at $699 per person, don't expect that you will receive a balcony for that price. So many people are confused by this and feel mislead. The truth is is that you are receiving a balcony stateroom at "an" oceanview stateroom price. The "an" is a stateroom price that usually would be in the higher priced subcategory in the oceanview stateroom major category. Are we confused yet?
Shipboard Credit Booklets: Not like shipboard credit mentioned above, where you get to choose where you spend your credit. It is a book of coupons for goods and services available on the ships. They may read, buy one get one free, $10 off a particular service, $5 casino game play credit, etc.
Read your coupons carefully for the terms and conditions. Some of the goods and services may not be of interest or value to you.
Specially Reduced Fares: This pricing strategy is to sell or encourage the sale of remaining inventory. It can be for a particular destination, itinerary, ship, sailing date or dates, or more.
IE: Inside staterooms from $399 per person, on a 7-night cruise to the Caribbean. If you are price savvy, and a seasoned cruiser who knows their prices, you know that this is a fantastic deal. Which it is!
It will contain many restrictions and limitations. It may be a last minute deal, and you must pay in full and face penalties should you need to cancel. If you need to fly, airfare will be costlier than if you booked earlier. It may be for a very specific sailing date, and price category. You may not be able to purchase travel protection insurance from the cruise line for that sailing.
The number of staterooms available at that promotional price will be limited, and available for a short time.
It may not be for all sailings to that destination or for all sailings for that ship. It will likely be a specific ship, specific date, specific itinerary, and specific subcategory.
If you have booked already, and are looking for a price reduction on the fare you already paid. Good luck! Many of these pricing promotions stipulate "new bookings only". At times these special fares appear after full payment has been made. Even if you could cancel, the penalties could be so great that it could be more costlier for you to cancel the existing booking in order to rebook at the new rate.
Airfare Credits: Credit that you will receive for those cruise destinations that will require you to fly. This is to encourage people to book cruises to destinations that are not selling well because of the high cost of airfare.
In order to receive the credit for the flights. the flights must booked as a part of your cruise purchase with that particular cruise line and will not be issued until full payment is made. Your flights can not be booked independently by you or your agent.
Sometimes it is possible that even with the credit,purchasing your air independently could cost less. You may not be given a choice on which airlines or flights that you will fly.
There are many more innovative marketing ideas being implemented that can and will entice and confuse the consumer. Many strategies are being implemented to entice consumers to avoid the use of travel agents and book direct with the line. Consumers do not pay the agent. It is the cruise line who pays the agent a commission based on the sale. By avoiding an agent, you are not saving yourself a penny unless that agent or agency charges you a consultant, booking, or cancellation fee for their services.
How can you avoid or prevent the confusion, misconceptions or misunderstandings. Consult a travel professional. Read the fine print.
Cruise Planners - Cruise Pros Plus is a professional travel agency. We are confronted by the challenges that these promotions bring about, and really understand where you are coming from.
We'll do all that we can FOR YOU! To bring you the best price at the time of booking for your personal needs and preferences, and beyond. Meeting or exceeding your expectations. We will also monitor prices, and if the price goes down and if applicable, we will have your price adjusted and process the paperwork for you. We will tips, suggestions, and recommendations that can possibly make your vacation one of the best ever.
Why settle for less when you can get more? Value goes beyond the price.
Contact us to book your next cruise vacation without the frustrations and misunderstandings that advertisements can cause.
607-358-4193 or 940-453-8904
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