Cruises Only website

[msslim]

Hello,
I would like to know whether anyone has ever booked a cruise through the cruisesonly.com website. They seem to have lower prices than the carnival website and I was wondering would it be a good idea to book through them.

[Luanne Russo]

They do have a good reputation, but be very careful to see if they have included all the extra fees involved.

I have noticed that several of the larger companies on show the rock bottom price to get you interested, and then tell you about all the extras.

[msslim]

Thank you Luanne I didn't think of that. I definitely will look into that if I use the company. Thanks a lot!!!!!!

[Luanne Russo]

Your very welcome

[Trip]

I find it easier, when I ask for a quote, to say, please give me a "TOTAL" price,.....when you compare sites, most time the prices don't include the port and taxes, so we are not comparing apples to apples....can get confusing...

[Dutchman]

Yep you got to watch the prices most are not the total. For us we check VTG for the military, over 55, State discount, past guest prices and then call our PVP at Carny. Its fun and saves time with our PVP. Nobody has ever beat Carnys price in the end. Thats how we find when we will cruise. The dates are really different even one week can make a difference of $400. We only check balcony prices but lately we could find a 9A for under $900 and a Cat 11 for under $1000. Those are good prices if you can go whenever and don't care where they go. Best prices lately are in Jan. Its really a bear to find at least reasonable air prices to match the cruise and then a hotel for 2 nights. We spend hours looking but we like to do it. The internet is a wounderfull tool. Saved us alot of money over the years.

[Paul Motter]

Just so you know, most cruise sites actually are pretty standardized in the way they show prices. The standard is to have port fees included, but not taxes.

There are only a few technology providers that create the booking engines these cruise sites uses (CruisesOnly has a proprietary one of their own, but they license it to other agencies). Revelex is a big one and so is the one created by cruise.com.

The same is true of quotes directly on cruise line web sites and in the advertising of cruise prices - port fees included but not taxes.

[kevin c]

i have used them several times. there prices are very competitive. i have had no problems.

[taylorkia]

have used them three times ,each and every time they have had the lowest prices.

[cherylroy]

I have used them for my last 8 cruises! They are wonderful - my TA always emails me back immediately, and always adjust my bottom line when the prices drop. :-) Never had a problem - hope I never do!

[cruzinlass]

Originally Posted by Paul Motter

Just so you know, most cruise sites actually are pretty standardized in the way they show prices. The standard is to have port fees included, but not taxes.

There are only a few technology providers that create the booking engines these cruise sites uses (CruisesOnly has a proprietary one of their own, but they license it to other agencies). Revelex is a big one and so is the one created by cruise.com.

The same is true of quotes directly on cruise line web sites and in the advertising of cruise prices - port fees included but not taxes.

This is exactly what I was going to say.

What I will add is that most of the larger on-line cruise sites are now quoting the Early Saver rate, which seems really inexpensive. However, this rate has a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit.

If you see a price that you like, when you call the agency make sure what type of fare code they are quoting you. It's a good idea to ask if the cruise line has any restrictions/cancellation fees and does the agency have and restrictions/cancellation fees.

[cherylroy]

Oh most definitely.........I just booked with early savers - saved a few hundred and no intention on cancelling (unless I'm in the grave). Hopefully all will be fine - a chance you take. But, all in all, cruisesonly has never steered me wrong.

[msslim]

This is a great site. I get so much valuable info. from you veteran cruisers. Thank u all so much for your responses.

[budleiser]

Really awesome replies. I probably would have never known about the non-refundable part of early saver deals, well that is until it's too late.

[cherylroy]

I have used Cruisesonly for the last 17 cruises! Fast replies -- and lower prices ( they will beat or match ). Let me know if you want the name of my TA

[[email protected]]

I recently booked 4 cabins through Cruises Only. Normally I book directly through carnival. I was completely satisfied and immediately logged into my carnival account to link all of my cabins reserved

[cherylroy]

Awesome!! You should have used my TA - Danielle smith!

[pufferfish]

Do Not Book with Cruises Only, they will rip you off. I called them last July to book a 7 night Royal Caribbean cruise leaving out of San Juan, January 6th, 2018. When I spoke with Anthony from CruisesOnly I told him we wanted a outside cabin, trip insurance and to prepay all gratuities ahead of time. We would purchase our plane tickets separately. He quoted me a price of $2288.49 and that we would need to be paid in full by Sept 28th. A month later I had a question about changing our dining time and called Anthony, who by the way never returned my call. The last day of our cruise when I went to settle our account I was informed that Royal Caribbean had no record of our prepayment of the gratuities through CruisesOnly and the we owed $189 plus $14 for the Jan 1st price increase. I explained we prepaid the $189 and only owed the $14 for gratuities. Royal Caribbean called CruisesOnly but because the "agents" are independent contractors the girl trying to help could not access Anthony's files. Anthony was off the next 2 days, so we did not get this resolved before leaving. CruisesOnly said they would leave Anthony a message to call me. He never did. I called him and left a message with no response. I finally emailed him and he said he would call me but instead told me that "he must have forgot" to add the prepaid gratuities into my cost and that "the best he could do was give me a $50 credit towards my next cruise".
So we overpaid for our cruise and in return got horrible customer service.
Do yourself a favor and book directly with your cruise line.

[Dixie Lee]

Not sure what prompted this thread to be revisited from the OP in 2009 but I have used Cruises Only since 2002 and highly recommend them so I had to speak out in their defense. Prices and perks are the best IMHO. Their loyalty program for deposits is awesome. All it does is allow you to "float" your deposit for a while longer but, for us, it made the difference in being able to book two cruises to go on in the same year. I am sorry truly that you had such a bad experience. No matter who you book with, be it a TA or Cruiseline, always get an invoice, double check it and call if you have questions about pricing, etc. There is always someone in charge who can answer questions, review reservations, etc. Escalate concerns up to a supervisor. I am thankful I have had such good luck with them.