We recently heard a rumor about a seven-night cruise to Alaska on Princess for $299 - an extremely low fare, especially in light of current cruise pricing (most fares on comparable sailings are in the $500's right now). An online search turned up no evidence of such a deal. Finally, we asked a travel agent about the offer, who said that he'd seen the deal. It was an exclusive rate offered only by Princess' best agent partners - and could not be advertised to the general public.
You've probably seen this kind of deal before - often when a cruise agency with whom you've done business or have signed up for newsletters sends an e-mail about an amazing bargain with a price too low to publish. But this latest offering got us thinking: How do these "secret" sales work, and how can you buy into the action?
We talked to some more travel agents - and some cruise lines - to get the inside scoop. Here are the two types of "secret fares" we found, and how you can take advantage of them.
One-Off, Unpublishable Rates
How It Works:These rates are like the $299 Alaska fare mentioned above. Sometimes cruise lines have cabins left on an upcoming sailing that they can't sell - maybe it's an unpopular date or airfare to the departure port has gotten really expensive. To sell the cabins, the lines need to discount - but doing this in a public way could upset cruisers already booked on the sailing at higher rates or undermine their efforts to establish the value of a cruise at a certain rate.
So what do they do?
"Within the travel industry, it is common knowledge that higher volume agencies receive special reduced 'last minute' pricing from time to time on select cruises from popular cruise lines such as Holland America, Princess and others, " says Bill Kraus, president of Cruise Club of America. "When this occurs, cruise lines may or may not permit the agencies to advertise these special reduced rates to the general public."
The cruise lines we spoke to didn't deny the practice, but were also short on details in their e-mails to us. Paul Allen, Holland America's vice president of sales, told us that "select agency special rates have been an industry practice over the years. We have minimized them to virtual extinction." Meanwhile, Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises' executive vice president of sales, marketing and customer service, wrote that "Princess offers flash fares that are last-minute deals to help fill any close-in remaining beds we may have available. Travel agents can e-mail these deals to their clients or offer them via phone."
Snagging the Deal: Okay, so they do exist - but how do you get them, especially if they are in the "not publicly advertised" category? Again, these aren't the kinds of deals you can dig up via a Google search; as a matter of fact, we would have called an agency to find out exactly what it's like to book one - but we, ourselves, weren't privy to any "call for rates" ads by press time. To be in the know when they are available, you'll want to sign up for the e-mail lists of cruise-focused agencies.
Look for agencies that advertise themselves as "preferred" sellers of various cruise lines - that means, the agencies sell a high volume of those line's cruises and have good relationships with the lines, so the lines are more likely to offer them these deals, knowing they can sell them. And when you see a message to "call for low rates, " definitely call. True, sometimes it's just a gimmick, but occasionally you may stumble upon a deal that's so good, it can't be advertised. And if you cruise a lot, establish a relationship with a travel agent. If you're loyal to them and they know your vacation preferences, they'll be more likely to come to you when they see a great deal.
Caveat: These one-off, or unpublishable, fares are often for last-minute cruises and available for a limited amount of time. You'll need to book quickly, especially as only a few cabins are typically available at the lowest rates, and then deal with making travel arrangements at the last minute. And buyer beware: "The reason [lines discount] is that they have inventory left over, " explains Brad Anderson, co-president of America's Vacation Center / Avoya Travel. "They may be guarantee cabins, and you may get the outside cabin that's next to the anchor. That $299 cabin [on a seven-night cruise] is likely the one that people have complained about."
Group Rates
How It Works: Travel agencies buy group space on cruises far in advance, when fares for those sailings first become available. Because they're buying in bulk, often paying a deposit on each cabin blocked out, and because these agencies have worked hard to build relationships with the cruise lines, the cruise lines offer them low rates on these cabins. "We're already blocking/depositing group space [for two years out], " says Anderson. "America's Vacation Center has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars holding space. The fares we get are 10 to 40 percent less than the price you'd pay from the cruise line directly, and we pass those deals to our customers."
Snagging the Deal: Unlike the one-off, eleventh-hour sales described above, the best group rates can be found more than 90 days prior to sailing. This means these deals are best for people who can book early. Look for deals on popular sailings (peak travel periods, holidays, popular destinations) - reason being, if agencies are going to put money down in advance, they want to guarantee that they can sell the cabins later. And the deals won't be labeled as group rates (it's not like when you and your 10 best friends book a group cruise) - so ask your agent or simply look for the low fares.
Caveat: You will need to commit in advance - but if you work with a trusted travel agent, they should be able to give you a sense of whether you're getting a good deal or if that price is likely to come down closer to departure. As Anderson says, "No line intentionally wants to undermine advance purchase. They want the best deals to go to the early bookers." And if you're hesitant to commit so far in advance, remember that you can always cancel or change your cruise prior to final payment without incurring a large penalty.
Tips on how to learn to control volleyball serve How to screenshare on iphone? How to forward mail? How to avoid parking tickets tricks what fast food restaurants are open How to do tricks with cards for kids How to make the tips of hollow point bullets Magic tricks and how they are done what does at least mean in math When will i see tips in post mates How to make a boat in minecraft How to prune basil? How to edit a pdf what does crop mean on tiktok How old do you have to work at starbucks what does an exclamation point mean what does abg mean what does puta madre mean what does deborah mean what does commensurate mean what does a summons mean How much to build a pool? what herbs are in italian seasoning What are the 7 tips for managing stress How to self improvement tips what does maui mean Tips for what to do if computer wont post what does green out mean what does l+ratio mean How to cure shingles in 3 days? what does danke schoen mean How to germinate marijuana seeds? what are they doing How to froth milk without a frother Why are the tips of my pothos plant turning brown How to make a book what does accolades mean what does a high crp mean How to train your shih tzu to do tricks How to clean dryer vent from outside ar-15 what does ar stand for How to get a bigger buttocks naturally? How to make money with bitcoins? How to solve a rubics cube what does deglaze mean what are the canadian provinces what does kmsl mean what does candyman look like How to turn off low power mode? How to get a deep splinter out what does avs rejected mean How to fit airpod pro tips How to french kiss kissing tips Tips when making an offer on a house what does huffing mean How to change airpods pro tips what does ajay mean what movies are coming out what does biometric mean How to paint wood paneling? what does sexually assaulted mean what does green poop mean in adults Clover how to assign a server tips How to remove pop socket what time does lululemon restock online what does a blue candle mean what does a ct scan show what does perm press mean on dryer What does linus tech tips company do When to replace comply foam tips How to take a screenshot on ipad? What restaurants make the best tips what does the christmas tree symbolize what does pura vida mean what does blue mean in wordle Pussy tips tricks secrets how to xxx hardcore bdsm Tips on how to live a healthy life How to get to tulum? Why do brown spots appear on fingernail tips How long do you have to quarantine? what does brandishing mean what does quarrel mean How to create an email group in outlook Tips on when you open the story to a new comic book Tricks to remember which german cases If i operate my own restaurant without staff on payroll how do i handle tips How to take a screenshot How to set up airpods? Makeup tips/how to? How to play minecraft? what does coax mean what does utc time mean what does eua stand for How to stretch leather shoes? what does cdl mean what does context mean what does death mean in a dream Why do the tips of my hair look white How do you get your girlfriend to suck your dick tricks How to roller skate tricks site:youtube.com What causes white fingernail tips How to play jedi mind tricks what time does dq open How to defrost steak tips fast How do you set up payroll and cash tips in quickbook pro destop What tricks to teach dog after obedience Any tips on how to make my garmin vivoactive display brighter How to draw a star How to cook brisket in the oven what does solvent mean How to do tricks with rollerblades what does dohc mean what does stationary mean When to start teaching maine coon tricks Frasier episode where bulldog tricks frasier to sing How to relieve upper stomach pain what does peg mean sexually How to treat dandruff How to get comet azur elden ring what are the first signs of flesh eating bacteria? what does assurance mean Why don't tips show up on bank statement what does redbone mean slang what does weld mean How to lower blood pressure on the spot? what does tysm mean in text Visual studio code how to use all tricks and tips what does net income mean what do red stretch marks mean How to clean white vans? what time does meijer pharmacy close How does i am x do the tricks How old does your dog have to be to start learning tricks what does wry mean How to respec in elden ring What are your best tips of how to deal with a difficult co-worker? what does honed mean what episode does poussey die How long to cook steak in air fryer? How long does it take for potatoes to grow? The tips of my fingers are numb from carpal, what can i do about it what does hiit mean what does wokeness mean what time does true value close what does and mean in math Why do some people walk on the tips of their toes Tips when painting a portrait How to do gel nails with tips at home How to make an avocado ripe? what does rem mean Why did brian leave new tricks what are sororities Who gets the tips when tipping delivery driver How to prepare for anal what does helping hand do Where ti sailin st.petersburg beach tips How to perform x rank tricks in sonic free riders what are angel numbers what are queen bees How to become a witch what does holding up 4 fingers mean tiktok what does swollen gums mean How many tips quad cane tips How much of a calorie deficit to lose weight what does nerd mean How to ask for a recommendation letter? How to take a picture on a mac? what does tm symbol mean what time does great lakes crossing close How to turn your tips on with uber what state does not require car insurance How to change galaxy buds ear tips How to graph How to do tricks while swinging spider man ps4 what are consonants and vowels How to clean grapes what do econ mean in a car what does it mean when a horse is lame Plumbing tips on how to keep appluances runni g smoorhly How long did it take for the titanic to sink? What are the tips and tricks for pokemon and boost mobile How to treat sepsis How does the electric potential energy change as the electron moves from i to f?? Why change thermometer tips? How to make tips of fingers ombre what does swift mean How many kwh to charge a tesla what does a catalytic converter look like what does encroachment mean How to melt white chocolate chips How to turn off skype tips what does an exhaust leak sound like what time does universal studios close How to rig up haunting tricks How to use tips as income for apartment How to breathe when running? How to get on survivor? what does /lh mean How to make bread in little alchemy? What is it called wheb you take all 13 tricks in spades How do tips work for taxes what does suave mean what forms of payments does costco accept Server jobs in bellevue how much in tips expected How to get a mortgage How to read music How to do tricks in destiny Tips on how to read viet sub fastetr How to send money with apple pay? What kind of tricks can you teach a pig How to pass emissions test tricks withput an exhaust what are the continents names How to get rid of bronchitis? How to refinish furniture? Why are the tips of my monstera leaves turning yellow what are the 5 ws what does deposition mean Sims 4 how to make more money from tips How long does it take for herpes to show up How to get rid of dark circles under eyes How to reduce fever? How to sleep better tips for getting a good nights sleep what does the name carter mean How to change youtube channel name what does exclamation mark mean what does the name steve mean what does high hdl mean How to set up a zoom call How to keep tips of lace leaf maple from turning brown How to get a security tag off? what does grievance mean How often to install windows linus tech tips How to do left hand butterfly knife tricks what is septic mean what does vague mean How to start a conversation with your crush? what does honeysuckle look like How to cool down your phone How to get rid of a bunion what does the oil light look like How to eat an artichoke? what does dc mean in dc comics what does designated hitter mean Tricks when writing statement of purpose How to dial to mexico? what does it mean when you see 1010 what it mean when your right eye jump How common is bag of tricks dnd 5e What can i use instead of nail glue for tips Vibrators that jingle when someone tips what does it mean when a dog licks your face what does blue curacao taste like How to do tricks in hill climb racing How to make espresso? How to improve reading comprehension? How to make a book? How to sell concert tickets? what does taliban mean How to get a light to glow in a box movie tricks Https://www.quora.com/what-psychological-tricks-and-hacks-are-useful-to-knoaahahaahawi:-$ what does morbid mean How to turn off phone? what does a muzzle brake do How to enable tips on square How to download apps on apple tv? Why reporting your own tips is a bad idea what does it mean when you see 11:11 what does cutting the mustard mean