Can I have cruise line lower rates/offers “after” I’ve already purchased ? Do I buy early ? Last minute? May I downgrade ? See insight

 I do get this question often. Whether it’s when a person is buying or when they see an offer they would love to have.  Unfortunately, there’s not a simple yes/no.  There’s more to it, then the consumer realizes.  Hoping the below insight helps.

Another often asked question, should we book early or last minute ?  To begin with, the cruise lines promised the industry in November 2014, that they were changing.  They stated that they would promote (give amenities), so clients would book early.  Not only have they done this, it’s working !

Since 2014, the cruise lines are stating, that even “if” last minute booker received lower rates, they would miss out on the amenities that have been given to the early bookers !  So in essence, did they really get a good deal ?

Example:  Norwegian.  To receive their current offer, such as drink/dining package offer, they must book, estimate, 60 days prior from sailing.  To receive their AARP discount, they must book, estimate 6 months in advance.

Though the industry has lived up to their promise in 2014, we’ve always told our clients, book EARLY (9mo to ½ years prior) !  Today, even more so, book as soon as rates come out for your sailing (now available 2018)

1)      Rates rise, the more cruisers that book on your sailing
2)      Cabins which need more than 2 sell out faster than cabins for 2.
3)      If there will be more than 1-2 couple traveling together, book early to have cabins closer together.
4)      If 5 or more cabins traveling together,  there may not be enough space available to be near each other, not on same deck, or on ship at all.  Especially space Cruises Inc could “ask for” added amenities for each reservation.
5)      Cruises Inc has price advantage on pre-bought group space/amenities, which can be quickly gone (9 mo’s prior to sailing).  Select cruise lines, if we have established amenities, amenities can still be received, even if last minute.
6)      Cruises Inc has Exclusive Sales, which last for a short period of time and have deadlines.

 

In general, can the cruiser have future lower rates/amenities offered  (when I say “in general”, these are the norms; however, there can be exceptions to yes and to no):

(I)                 Before final payment.  Often the cruise line will allow the cruiser to take advantage of lower rates that they see.   Current amenity offer, not usually offered with the lower rate.

(A)   Exception:

(1)    Select cruise lines rules may state, “new bookings only”.  If cancel and rebook, the cruiser will learn, upon arriving to the cruise, that amenities offered are not included.  The consumer is unaware, that the cruise lines run reports to know, who has cancelled/rebooked.

             (2)    Lower rate not available.  Example:  Princess and Holland America have “flash rates” for
                     past passenger, at last minute.
             (3)    Norwegian.  I’ve seen cases, they have allowed customers to have their current 
                    drinking/dining/etc  pkgs offer,  with re-pricing (up/down).  This can change !

(B)   If cruise line allows you the lower rate, know:

      (1)    In most cases, the reservation will lose its previous amenities promised, to take advantage of the lower rate.

     (2)    If you have 3 or 4 persons in the room, and the rate has gone up for these passengers, this new rate is given, to receive the lower rates for passengers 1 & 2.

(II)               After final payment.  The cruise line will not allow for a lower nor take advantage of any new cruise line offers. 

(A)   Exception:

(1)    If you purchased a Carnival “Early Saver Rates” offer, and you see a lower rate, up till 2 days from sailing, you can ask for this rate you’ve seen.

(a)    Know:  If you received amenities with your original price, these will be removed for the lower pricing. 

(b)   And if you received a reduced deposit, you will immediately pay the additional deposit or your reservation will automatically be cancelled.

(2)    You can opt to upgrade, and possibly take advantage of lower rates.

 

Downgrade.  Most consumers do not realize, you can’t downgrade without an auto cancellation. 

(A)   Before final, the cruise can cancel and rebook, if want to downgrade !  Remember insight above.

(1)    Exception:  If you are have a Carnival Early Saver Rate, though you can pay $50pp and change your date, you must purchase the same category.  This could change (?).

(B)   After final payment, you can’t down grade to take advantage of lower rate.

  

There are so many rules with the cruise lines that the consumer is unaware of.  And each cruise line is different.  Amazes me daily, how folks who buy online survive ??  In reality, many folks learn, once they get their new bill or get to their cruise, what they didn’t know !  And I receive a lot of calls WEEKLY for help (for a fee). 

Please know, when you complete the cruise lines online check-in process, you are agreeing to their rules, where you read them or not !  If you say, well, I’ve not done the check-in, so I’ve not agreed ?  Once you have given a deposit to the cruise line, you have gone into contract.  And they can add rules without notification.  I suggest, you read their rules online first !  And anytime you think you want to make a change, cancel, or do something out of the norm.   

Folks have been known to say, but I didn’t know my request was out of the norm.  Here’s “one” way in knowing, if your request is out of the norm: Is everyone making this same request ?  I’m not talking 5  or 10 people (reservations) … I mean everyone ?  If your request is being given to everyone, or everyone is making this same request, then this is usually the “norm”, as far as requests go.