Booking a cruise

[butchde]

Good Morning Everyone

Here is a question if anyone can help me with

We are going the RCCL AOS in July (third time on that ship) We are thinking about booking the Freedom of the seas or NOS for next July

Are we better off booking while we are on AOS or waiting until we get back and going with T/A

What perks do you get if you book another while your on the cruise.

My T/A has been good to us over the years but if it is better to book while on the cruise we will

Thanks

Butch

[Dan]

Not having done this myself, I can't say for sure, but I beleive you can book onboard, and transfer the booking to your TA when you get home. I think you get a shipboard credit or something when you book onboard, as well as not having to put down the regular deposit.

[sailingrose]

Dan's correct as far as I know but I can only say for sure that with RCI you book on board, get a credit and they will add your travel agents name to the booking. Easy and a great way to have a shipboard credit on your next cruise.

[boba]

:smiley: :smiley: We booked on board last July for this June, got onboard credit, and T/A was credited by cruise line. I can't remember if we had to have a deposit or not. :undecided: :undecided:

[JohnG]

You do have to deposit, but the deposit is usually less when you book onboard, and there is usually shipboard credit. Having said that, your TA can sometimes find a cheaper price for you. The cruiseline agent onboard is working on commission and will probably never see you again and is not incented to find you the lowest price. A TA who wants the repeat business will do so.

[TheSkipper]

I can only address the Princess program. Their deposit is only $100 pp and you receive a $100 pp shipboard credit. You can transfer your booking to any TA you select and get the best deal that TA has to offer, so you have the best of the two worlds. The on board booking perks and the ability to search for and book the best price.

Just did it for our May 2006 Panama Canal cruise. Did the original booking while on board the Diamond Princess. A couple of weeks ago I found a much better price and changed TA's, no problem. The new TA even gave us a additional $75pp on board credit, so we now have a total of $350 in credit (all confirmed in writing, BTW).

The was the second or third time we have booked on board ship. It works great.

[DaCruzNut]

I'd book it onboard, with the best deal they"ll give you. When you get back, see what your TA can do, and if he gets a better deal you can cancel the reservation you made onboard.