Thread: Cruise Vouchers sold on ebay

edited

thanks for the heads up
I've never tried that, I'm too picky on cabin location. But for those like you, it actually sounds like a good deal.

Don't know about these coupons but there has been a lot of hassle trying to use some of the airline coupons. Several people have been burned buying "coupons" that were either non-transferable or employee only.

Have you called the cruise line to confirm that these are valid? I hope so, anything that can be done to (legally) reduce the cost is fair game as far as I am concerned!

eom

Both Carnival and RCCL have strict policies and agencies cannot advertise prices lower than the going rates. To verify rates, I always say go to the cruise line's website and to some of the major sites like Expedia, Travelocity, and Vacationstogo. You'll see the prices are all the same.

So if someone is advertising a cheaper amount, they could possibly be discounting and could lose their credentials - obviously, not someone you want to do business with.

Sometimes, these so called agents are just resellers and have no idea about cruises, can't answer any of your questions, or assist with any problems you might encounter.

Also, you have to be VERY careful about giving your money to someone for a cruise. As I always tell people, you do NOT want to do business with an agent that charges your credit card (or Paylpal) directly. You are giving them the money and have no idea if they send the money to the cruise line or not.

Instead, you want to make sure the agent has the cruise line charge your credit card. This way, if something happens to the agent, the cruise line still has your money and you're still going on the cruise. If the agent has your money and does not give it to the cruise line, then goes out of business, you're out the money and the cruise.

Best advice is do business with a reputable agent to protect yourself. As your mother always told you, "If it sounds to good to be true, it usually is." You might think you're saving a couple of bucks, but it could cost you a whole lot more in the long run should problems occur.

Pete

Good points Pete but when it comes to groups things are always a bit different. Can't the agent give some of the points for the group back to the people in the form of credit? How about the "free" room when a certain number of cabins are booked? Can't the price of the room be rebated back to all the other people?

eom

Originally Posted by nealberk

Good points Pete but when it comes to groups things are always a bit different. Can't the agent give some of the points for the group back to the people in the form of credit? How about the "free" room when a certain number of cabins are booked? Can't the price of the room be rebated back to all the other people?

Yes, if they do have a group, prices can be better. But Carnival, as well as several others, will not let us advertise group pricing, except to a 'closed audience'.

Here's what Carnival says about advertising group rates;

Group Rate. A rate applicable to bookings made by you through Carnival's Group Reservation department. This is an Approved Rate only when offered by you solely to a closed audience and not in any media available to the general public. This rate may not be offered on an Internet site or Internet booking engine, even if such Internet site requires users to register and use a password for access. Carnival reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, what does and does not constitute a closed audience.

So anyone offering a group rate on eBay is going against the strict guidelines set forth by Carnival since eBay is open to the general public.

I've talked to them about this during one of our seminars and they said they try to police it, but it takes alot of time and effort, so they don't go out of their way to enforce it. But if someone reports it, them they'll take action and shut them down.

Now, as far as getting a confirmation number, if you purchase a cruise through an agent, online site, or the cruise line, you should demand a confirmation number immediately. Then you need to immediately go onto the cruise line's website and verify you actually have a reservation.

Just remember, it's a jungle out there and in your hurry to save a few bucks, you can often be blinded by the light, which in the end can cost you more.

I had a client call me and wanted a price for a cruise, which I gave him. He said that a certain website had the same cruise for $50 less. I asked him the name of the site so I could verify the rate for him. I checked the website and noticed in the fine print there was a booking fee, but didn't give the amount. I called them to inquire about it and was on hold for 45 minutes! I just left the phone on speaker and went about my duties until they answered. I pretended to be a customer asking the usual questions and the gal was either lying to me or didn't know the answers to obvious questions. After I realized she had no idea what she was talking about, I finally asked her about the booking fee and how much that was. She said I would have to book the cruise and the fee will come up in the total. When I told her I wasn't booking anything until I knew the cost. She told me I would have to talk to the accounting department. When she went to transfer me, she disconnected me. Not wanting to wait another 45 minutes, I called the client and asked him how long he had to wait to talk to them and he admitted he had to wait about 45 minutes before they answered the phone. I then asked him how long he had to wait until I answered the phone. He said, and I quote, "I don't think it even rang twice." Exactly.

Anyway, he ended up booking it through them because he wanted to save the $50. Turned out the booking fee was $25, so he saved all of $25.

Now for the best part; the other 3 couples who were going with him all booked through me. About 2 months after booking (at a rate $50 higher than what he paid), I found a special that lowered their cruise by $100! They mentioned it to their uncle and he called the online site, waited 45 minutes, and found they would not lower his rate. He threatened to cancel and that's when they informed him of their $100 cancellation fee! Needless to say, he wished he would have not booked it through them.

So although you may find a cheaper rate, sometimes it's not what it appears.

Pete

eom

As I stated earlier, I would never EVER book through someone who did not provide a confirmation from the cruise line within an hour after booking (should only take about 10 minutes). You should NEVER have to wait longer than that unless the agent is away from the office, but then no longer than a day. Any reputable agent will remain in contact with their clients even when they are on vacation or out of the office. And if they can't, then they have someone else watching their office who can provide the confirmation.

As for the reviews, you may be hearing from people who are not regular cruisers and don't know the difference. It's very possible that the price they are paying is exactly the same as what other agents are selling the cruise for - they just haven't done the research.

And lastly, there is absolutely NO reason to deal with an agent who charges change fees or cancellation fees other than what the cruise line charges. There are too many reputable agents out there who do no charge fees.

Bottom line is alot of times it comes down to quantity versus quality, and price versus service.

But I always find it interesting that people will spent hours and hours searching for a better deal or take chances they normally wouldn't take just to save $50 on a $1000 cruise. Yet these same people wouldn't spend 10 minutes to see if their accountant is overcharging them $50 on a $1000 tax preparation bill or get a second opinion on a $1000 auto repair bill. Or they'll expect onboard credit or a gift from their agent, while not even asking for a cheap calendar from their mechanic.

Remember the old saying, "You get what you pay for." So while some of these people may not have any complaints, it only takes one mistake to cause major problems.

Pete