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Using Cruise Compete Website for quotes and bookings

Using Cruise Compete Website for quotes and bookings

Old Jun 15th, 2011, 06:55 PM
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Using Cruise Compete Website for quotes and bookings

Has anyone used Cruise Compete for getting quotes from different online cruise companies? We have a quote from Cabin Clearance that is lower than booking directly with Holland America so I wa hoping for some feedback on either Cruise Compete or Cabin Clearance.
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Old Jun 15th, 2011, 07:23 PM
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I just returned from an Alaskan cruise and I used Cruise Compete to book it. They were $500 cheaper than anywhere else. I was apprehensive at first too. I then checked TripAdvisor and was pleased to see others who used Cruise Compete with success. All I can say is that we got the best deal through them with no problems. The only thing is that they kept trying to sell us trip insurance so you better be on your toes or you'll get charged for that.
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Old Jun 16th, 2011, 01:34 AM
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Have used them several times w/no complaints. Don't know if this is the norm or not, but the companies I chose usually threw in 3 extras.
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Old Jun 16th, 2011, 03:41 AM
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We've used Cruise Compete several times to get bids from travel agencies. Only one time did we get a TA who turned out to be awful; the other times it went well.
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Old Jun 16th, 2011, 05:53 AM
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Not surprised you got the highest rates from the cruise line. Booking direct is usually a guarantee that you will pay the maximum amount possible for your cruise.

Count me as another vote for http://www.CruiseCompete.com. Always have good luck here. I save time shopping around and it's always cheaper and/or we get more. I like being able to read user reviews of the agencies too.
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Old Jun 16th, 2011, 09:21 AM
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I've also used Cruise Compete to get bids from travel agencies. Last cruise I did (Baltic cruise) I did book through one of the bidding agencies and it worked out well.

Just make sure you really review each of the bids and do an "apples to apples" comparison and don't forget to take into account if they are offering OBC.
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Old Jun 20th, 2011, 06:34 AM
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You really have to do your homework as far as booking a Cruise Compete Quote. I have booked a couple of cruises with them (several years ago) with no problems. At that time, the cruise lines were not imposing restrictions on agencies as far as prices, etc. We also got an onboard credit from the agency w/ the bid we used.

However, it is different now. You need to see what prices the cruise lines are quoting, several online agencies, etc. and have those prices and any perks available when you get your Cruise Compete quote. That way, you will know if you are getting a good deal or not.

We just did a cruise to Hawaii in February and I had good quotes from Cruise Compete agencies. However, when I called the agencies w/ the best quotes to ask questions, they would give me higher quotes. I would mention the Cruise Compete quote and they would tell me that category and price was not available. Where did that price disappear to? Don't know. Wonder if those are just "teaser quotes" some agencies use to get the business. I actually ended up booking with HAL as they offered me a better price and a past passenger discount also. We booked w/ a guarantee cabin and also got a very nice cabin upgrade. So you just need to do your homework first.

Is the quote from Cabin Clearance or Cabin Clearance Store? I was checking to see if it was the same agency we had a quote on through CC.

I am not saying CC does not offer discount cruises. I do use them when I want prices on cruises, but as I noted above, do your homework, know what prices you can get through online agencies, cruise lines, etc. then you will know you got a good deal. As Chepar also notes, compare apples to apples to see if you are getting a deal.

Good luck.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2011, 07:37 AM
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Excellent advice from Luv2travel15--always, always do your homework no matter where you book. Ask lots of questions, get answers in writing.

Remember that--just like with the airlines--cruise line computers do adjust prices automatically as cabins are booked, and this is out the agents' control. Also, a lot of discounts are based on group space held by the individual agency which is limited and sells out quickly. So if you see a great deal, contact the agent immediately and ask them to put a "courtesy hold" on it. It's free to do, and it allows you time to check flights, shop around more, check with family, etc.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2011, 08:27 AM
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I have used crusie complete to check pricing. The rates are usually reasonable, but not necessary the lowest. My local agent has been cheaper or as cheap most time and only slighthly higher on occassions. For the small differences, I book with the local agent to support the local community.

The only thing to consider is to make sure you are comparing apples to apples, as in same ship, same time, same itenray, same cabin category. You will find that cruise complete agents will typically quote the lowest priced category within the cabin type. It frustrated me from time to time as I typically ask for oceanview and they quote on Obstructred ocenaview view so it appears a lot cheaper when it really isn't what I have asked for.

Online should be cheaper all the time as on line businesses do not have the ovdrhead cost of rent and store fronts.

If everyone keep on going the cheapeast and buy on-line, you will see all your local businesses disappears, and it will hurt your local economy and employemnt. We need jobs in this country now and buying / booking on-line will kill the local economy. You may save a few pennies but you kill the local community. (That's my soap box speech for the day)
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Old Jul 16th, 2013, 05:21 PM
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Cruise.com and The Cabin Clearance Store both are not honest agency companies.

We have been re-confirmed by Cabin Clearance Store the price was same as the offer in CruiseComplete.com. However, when we perpared to book and pay the deposit in a few hours, they suddenly increased the price which was much higher than other agency and the Cruise Company too. The explanation was soooooo funny that the rep. told us that offer had been changed in a few days ago, if so, why they quoted the fake price when they received customers' requested to quote ???

This was not the first time they did, we have the same experience before by Cabin Clearance Store. Unfortunately,
CruiseComplete.com cannot control these trick ~ had to " BAD LIST " them.

Cruise.com did the same when I was booking the cruise, already chosen the cabin and the price and total amount had been shown same as their website, when I prepared to pay the deposit, I noted a mailing fee $45, then I called them to certify that amount, suddenly the rep. told me the total amount was higher than what I saw the amount online (I was faced to my computer staying at the online payment page, I told what I saw the total amount at the invoice which I was processing online that moment, however, she told me the price was not corrected; then she held my line about 10 minutes and replied me she had called the Cruise company ~ the cabin price had been changed and increased by Cruise company. I cannot believe and did not want to waste time argue with her then I requested to cancel that booking. Now, I just checked the price for the same Cat. still running in the same price which I saw before.

Stay away from these two agency companies ~ Cabin Clearance Store and Cruise.com. They are VERY VERY BAD.
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Old Jul 25th, 2013, 02:27 PM
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You need to be aware that companies like these are engaging in "commission rebating" which is technically not permitted by the cruise lines.

The fare is the fare is the fare, and these companies are rebating part of their 10-15% commission back to you in order to make a sale.
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Old Aug 29th, 2013, 01:36 PM
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I used Cruise Compete for my latest Princess Cruise booking. I've had a very positive experience with them, as well as with Cabin Clearance Store. Reading the customer reviews of the agency, I see I'm in the majority. I wouldn't hesitate to use either CC or CCS again.

Karen
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Old Aug 29th, 2013, 02:42 PM
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I don't understand why some posters say they booked through Cruise Compete? This is just a website through which individual agencies are getting new customers.

I signed up before one of the cruises, and started getting emails. Like 1,000 of them. Tried to email some agencies with specific questions, but was getting only generic answers from them (asked how much is an OV cabin, but reply was: inside starts from $$, window from $$...)
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Old Oct 11th, 2013, 08:08 PM
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travelhorizons, are you suggesting that consumers not book with agencies that give on board credit? Are you perhaps an agency that does not give on board credit?? And agencies are not allowed to discount cruises, they most certainly are allowed to rebate part of their commission as OBC. If it was not allowed, the cruise lines would have stopped it.
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