Once booking your cruise, “stuff” happens when changing names in cabins. The value of an agent.

Usually it is only “women groups” who ask to do this.  I personally try to remember, when I am booking a group of ladies, that I tell them upfront that “no cabin swapping is allowed”.  And if you do, it’s a $35 charge to do so.

Now for the reason:

#1 reason … Making changes back and forth is what can cause errors at the cruise lines.  Never to I ever suggest making unnecessary change at the cruise line.  Every time your booking is opened up at the cruise line, whether it is from an agent, or you, who bought your cruise on your own, you subject your cabin in error.  Whether it’s price change or cancellation.

At Cruises Inc, that is “why” we have a special staff who are paid to find ERRORS !  When there is a change, the booking goes back through a process of making sure it is all right.  Whether looking at just the change that was made, up to checking over the entire booking.  Most consumers have NO idea of the problem of errors and why they want an agency that continues to go over their booking.

#2 reason … The reason I pre-warn women groups, that changing folks around in cabins is not allowed, is because “women” are famous for wanting to make changes all the time.  Whether it’s who’s room they are in, changing dining times, or even changing the sail date !  This doesn’t usually happen with couples.  Cabins are more stable with couples !

I had a woman argue with me, in wanting this change done about 2 years ago.  I did it without a fee, however, normally I charge $35 to make the change, to deter this person wanting to make the change.

Agents are here to protect you, even from YOURSELF !  And if something can cause your cruise to get changed or get lost, I personally take measures, even if it’s threatening to charge a fee, to keep the cruiser from hurting themselves.

#3 reason … Long complicated story !

Between the 1^st person in room & 2^nd person …. At least one of these persons may never leave the cabin or the cruise booking is automatically cancelled. 

·         If 1^st person stays the same always, then within cruise line guidelines (possible fees/penalties),  the 2^nd person’s name can usually change as many times as you want.

·         If 1^st person must cancel, but 2^nd name has always been the same from beginning, then the 2^nd person moves into 1^st position.  Again, the new 2^nd person’s name can be changed over & over (based on above guidelines).

·         However, if 2^nd person’s name has already changed once, if the 1^st person name now must change, the cruise line will not protect rate & cabin will auto cancel.  Why, cause now that is a 2 name change !

 SEE HOW COMPLICATED ?

Folks try to tell me, “Oh, we won’t change again”.  Unfortunately, NO ONE CAN PREDICT THEIR FUTURE NEEDS OR FUTURE CHANGES that may need to take place.

Couple year back, a customer got mad at me, cause I wouldn't change the names around, so she could now be booked with her daughter (FYI - you can change the name, once onboard).  I finally decide it wasn't worth the fight or trying to explain what could happen and just did it, and didn't charged the fee (I paid the fee out of my pocket.  In honesty, she was not a nice person & hopefully she will not be in a group, where I have to book her again !).  Lucky for her, notother issues arose !

Just today, this situation came up again.  It was NOT a “woman’s group” so I did not pre-warn them of no ladies swapping cabins.  And in the case of the situation I am talking about, it was “very vital” that we swap the two 1^st folks in the 2 cabins.  But NOW … The 2^nd person may need to cancel, and they want to put another person in their place !  In general, this is a NO !

And in this 2nd case, they had bought “a non-refundable” cruise.  NO name changes.  SEE the disadvantage in getting the lower cost that includes non-refundable !

 

Your vacation is serious business !  Though it’s eventually about fun-n-play, it’s totally a business situation till you get onboard for that fun-n-play.  You need to treat it as such !

And you should highly consider, beginning that “business transaction” by way of a travel expert.  One who thinks out of the box.  One who encourages you NOT to make unnecessary changes from your original booking.  One who has been doing this business for a long time !  One who has seen the problems first hand !

Happy Booking !