Are there any RCCL discounts anymore?

[LUVTOCRUZ]

Is there any way to get discounts on a RCCL cruise anymore?
I have tried cruise compete, and every agency comes back with the same price as the RCCL website! I know their pricing policies changed, but this seems like RCCL is trying to put the travel agencies out of business, and keep all the gravy for themselves.

 

[Ted_D]

LUV,

The old pricing policies where each TA might charge a different amount have indeed changed for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. You should be seeing the same exact price from every source. TA's aren't
stupid, however, and some have begun offering other things -- such as free travel insurance, free
excursions, a free pre or post cruise hotel stay, etc. If you shop around and look at the entire deal, and not just the "price", you'll easily see some of the extras being offered. For some folks, these amount to real benefits, but to others they are not as attractive as the old discounts. None the less, that is all that there is for the time being.


Ted

 

[LoriAnnM]

The best you can do is get an add-on from a travel agent. Ours gave us a $150.00 on board credit for our wine tab or excursions. Some are giving free travel insurance and others are giving free 2 night hotel stays all over the world. At this point and time just pick which freebee you like and go with that travel agent. If you belong to C&A you can also use a coupon. hope this helps, Lori

 

[Chawoobie]

Actually, I think the reason for the pricing change was to keep Travel Agents in business. You've probably noticed that the RCCL prices on their website are higher than most of the Travel Agent prices. RCCL and all the cruise lines depend heavily on Travel Agents to help fill their ships.

The problem, as I understand it, is that some smaller Travel Agents complained that the bigger Agents were offering bigger discounts, thus pricing them out of competition and business. By establishing minimum/fixed prices that Agents can charge, RCCL helped level the playing field, allowing both small and large businesses to attract clients.

Naturally, some Agents have now come up with other incentives - like credits, excursions, or free lodging in order to distinguish themsleves from the competition. When I booked my 16 September cruise through CruiseDirect. com, we got a promise of vouchers for free hotel stays upon our return. This works great, as my wife and I will got to Williamsburg for a few days later this year.

 

[rshreib]

You hit it on the head CHAWOOBIE: The problem was that big agencies could afford to buy block space and get discounts and amenities and the smaller agencies couldn't. Sine the majority of the cruise lines business actually comes from these smaller agencies and they were threatening mutiny, RCCL stepped up to the plate and leveled the playing field. I think the other lines are waiting to see the success or failure of this policy before adopting it too.