Is it a Great British Stitch Up?

Do us Brits really get a raw deal when it comes to booking our cruises compared to booking in the US with American cruise lines that benefit from ‘Regional pricing’?

Why are prices so different if you book in  $ or even Euros ? Why is the same cruise priced differently for different nationalities?

U.S. cruisers benefit from many departure ports close to home, last-minute sales and far greater discounts with far more offers for over 55’s, Military Personnel and other professions

The savviest travelers have turned to online agents and booking sites in the US to find the best deals and take advantage of cheap dollar rates, but many would-be cruisers are now finding that overseas agents refuse to book them without a US address because of cruise line policies.

The American market definitely have different booking conditions and more flexible terms, if you book in the US most cruise lines give the option to cancel without penalty

Princess US bookings allow free cancellations up to 120 days before departure this used to be offered to UK bookings but was changed last year and now loss of deposit applies, Oceania and some of the American lines do give this option but it is not widely publicized except in the booking terms and conditions

The disadvantage of not booking with a UK agent is that you are not covered by ABTA OR ATOL should anything go wrong but is it worth taking the risk if the prices are so much cheaper?

Cruisers should also be wary of booking cruises on American sites as some cruise lines reserve the right to deny boarding at check in if they find that travellers are not US residents who booked with a US agent at the US market rate

It’s not just the Americans that have the upper hand, I was told recently by a passenger with Princess cruising in Australia that the Australian passengers  have a no tipping policy and didn’t have to pay gratuities whilst the other nationalities were still expected to

It is a competitive market out there, much depends on currency fluctuation and exchange rates and cabin availability  but I was you I would still BUY BRITISH!!