Are you looking to cruise with P&O Cruises in 2012 or 2013? If so here are a few things to bear in mind.
Did you know that P&O Cruises have cut their commission rates to 5% for every travel agent?
This means that there will little or no difference in price between all the travel agents and P&O Cruises themselves.
Do you know how much you will be charged should you change any details about your cruise once booked?
P&O Cruises like almost every other cruise line charges a fee for alterations; but did you know travel agents will now add there own expenses to these fees. In a recent survey on Cruisegle it was found that this ranged from £10 to £100. Don’t forget, this is on top of the charges that P&O Cruises would set.
Do you know how much you will be charged should you cancel your cruise once booked?P&O Cruises like almost every other cruise line charges a fee for cancellations; these are clearly set out in the small print and rise the closer you get to travelling. If you cancel more than 91 days out, you loose your deposit; up to 57 days out it is 50% of the fare. There is a rising scale up to and including 100% of the fare. This is standard practise so do not be worried as travel insurance should cover cancellation fees if part of the terms. BUT travel agents will add their own fees to these charges and these may not be covered by an insurance policy. Should you cancel, the travel agent will charge anywhere from £80 up to a massive £300 as stated in the terms of Planet Cruise.
How many travel companies have gone bust recently?
Lets assume you have shopped around and saved £10 on the cost of your cruise; well done! How much has the travel agent discounted? Are they making any money? The more they discount the more chance they have of going belly up such as the likes of Gills Cruises in 2011 and previously Cruise Control. In the last two years I can count at least 12 companies who have gone under partly due to excessive discounting. Do you want to be abroad with that eternal nagging in the back of your brain “I wonder if I still have a flight home?”
If you are looking to book a cruise with P&O Cruises in 2012 or 2013 I would recommend booking directly with them; no extra fees to pay on top of their stated charges and a feeling of security that the cruise line is less likely to fall foul of the current economic climate than a travel agent.
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