Are Cruise deals over?
LAST BLAST...
It was a HUGE move by the executives at Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, but they have mandated that effective 8/16/04 (Monday) they will not allow ANY of their product to be discounted and sold below the gross cruise price that is available thru the cruise line itself. They have instituted big penalties to travel agent offenders if they are caught. What does this mean for you? It means that if you are planning on sailing on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity in either 2004 or 2005, and if you typically book thru and on-line agency, membership association, wholesale house, booking engine, or any other travel agency who discounts their commission and "rebates" this in part to you, then you MUST book before midnight on 8/15/04. This is effective ACROSS THE INDUSTRY , not just for a few travel agencies!! |
Are Cruise deals over?
I think this is inaccurate....I believe in the change in policy was
agents are not allowed to "advertise" rates lower than what they authorize. I believe agents are still allowed to rebate commission, etc., they just can't advertise that fact. Not that I'm saying this is a good policy either, but it's a fine point at the very least. Jeff Guido wrote: LAST BLAST... It was a HUGE move by the executives at Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, but they have mandated that effective 8/16/04 (Monday) they will not allow ANY of their product to be discounted and sold below the gross cruise price that is available thru the cruise line itself. They have instituted big penalties to travel agent offenders if they are caught. What does this mean for you? It means that if you are planning on sailing on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity in either 2004 or 2005, and if you typically book thru and on-line agency, membership association, wholesale house, booking engine, or any other travel agency who discounts their commission and "rebates" this in part to you, then you MUST book before midnight on 8/15/04. This is effective ACROSS THE INDUSTRY , not just for a few travel agencies!! |
I think this is inaccurate....I believe in the change in policy was
agents are not allowed to "advertise" rates lower than what they authorize. I believe agents are still allowed to rebate commission, etc., they just can't advertise that fact. Not that I'm saying this is a good policy either, but it's a fine point at the very least. Jeff Guido wrote: LAST BLAST... It was a HUGE move by the executives at Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, but they have mandated that effective 8/16/04 (Monday) they will not allow ANY of their product to be discounted and sold below the gross cruise price that is available thru the cruise line itself. They have instituted big penalties to travel agent offenders if they are caught. What does this mean for you? It means that if you are planning on sailing on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity in either 2004 or 2005, and if you typically book thru and on-line agency, membership association, wholesale house, booking engine, or any other travel agency who discounts their commission and "rebates" this in part to you, then you MUST book before midnight on 8/15/04. This is effective ACROSS THE INDUSTRY , not just for a few travel agencies!! |
Are Cruise deals over?
Jeff. I agree. Actually Carnival institutes the same policy in Jan.
Carnival had stated earlier that this is part of their policy that will protect those traditional travel agencys that have contributed so very much to the sucess of Carnival and the entire cruise industry, from the johnny=come-=lately boiler room "agencys" that have continuously bent the rules of good business. TAs that give no service or bad service reflects on the cruiseline and industry. |
Jeff. I agree. Actually Carnival institutes the same policy in Jan.
Carnival had stated earlier that this is part of their policy that will protect those traditional travel agencys that have contributed so very much to the sucess of Carnival and the entire cruise industry, from the johnny=come-=lately boiler room "agencys" that have continuously bent the rules of good business. TAs that give no service or bad service reflects on the cruiseline and industry. |
Are Cruise deals over?
Jeff,
This is accurate. Royal Caribbean has been very specific about what is permitted and what is not permitted and all Travel Agencies are specifically prohibited from rebating, and will be penalized if involved in the practice. Certain types of gifts are permitted, but not shipboard credits or rebates (unless issued by the cruise line). RCI said that if it quacks, it's a duck...and they will know about it. Traditional gifts such as travel bags and wine will still be permitted and the norm. Negotiated group rates will rule the "best deals" column. There will be some businesses changing their business model. Peter Jeff Coudriet wrote: I think this is inaccurate....I believe in the change in policy was agents are not allowed to "advertise" rates lower than what they authorize. I believe agents are still allowed to rebate commission, etc., they just can't advertise that fact. Not that I'm saying this is a good policy either, but it's a fine point at the very least. Jeff Guido wrote: LAST BLAST... It was a HUGE move by the executives at Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, but they have mandated that effective 8/16/04 (Monday) they will not allow ANY of their product to be discounted and sold below the gross cruise price that is available thru the cruise line itself. They have instituted big penalties to travel agent offenders if they are caught. What does this mean for you? It means that if you are planning on sailing on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity in either 2004 or 2005, and if you typically book thru and on-line agency, membership association, wholesale house, booking engine, or any other travel agency who discounts their commission and "rebates" this in part to you, then you MUST book before midnight on 8/15/04. This is effective ACROSS THE INDUSTRY , not just for a few travel agencies!! -- Peter Berlin Peter Berlin's Travel Center http://peterberlin.com The Great Luxury Cruise http://peterberlin.com/groups/glc2005/ The Great Group Cruise 2005 http://ggc2005.com "We've Got The Spirit" Join us on the Millennium and Spirit Bash...Oct. 31 and Dec. 5, 2004 |
Jeff,
This is accurate. Royal Caribbean has been very specific about what is permitted and what is not permitted and all Travel Agencies are specifically prohibited from rebating, and will be penalized if involved in the practice. Certain types of gifts are permitted, but not shipboard credits or rebates (unless issued by the cruise line). RCI said that if it quacks, it's a duck...and they will know about it. Traditional gifts such as travel bags and wine will still be permitted and the norm. Negotiated group rates will rule the "best deals" column. There will be some businesses changing their business model. Peter Jeff Coudriet wrote: I think this is inaccurate....I believe in the change in policy was agents are not allowed to "advertise" rates lower than what they authorize. I believe agents are still allowed to rebate commission, etc., they just can't advertise that fact. Not that I'm saying this is a good policy either, but it's a fine point at the very least. Jeff Guido wrote: LAST BLAST... It was a HUGE move by the executives at Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, but they have mandated that effective 8/16/04 (Monday) they will not allow ANY of their product to be discounted and sold below the gross cruise price that is available thru the cruise line itself. They have instituted big penalties to travel agent offenders if they are caught. What does this mean for you? It means that if you are planning on sailing on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity in either 2004 or 2005, and if you typically book thru and on-line agency, membership association, wholesale house, booking engine, or any other travel agency who discounts their commission and "rebates" this in part to you, then you MUST book before midnight on 8/15/04. This is effective ACROSS THE INDUSTRY , not just for a few travel agencies!! -- Peter Berlin Peter Berlin's Travel Center http://peterberlin.com The Great Luxury Cruise http://peterberlin.com/groups/glc2005/ The Great Group Cruise 2005 http://ggc2005.com "We've Got The Spirit" Join us on the Millennium and Spirit Bash...Oct. 31 and Dec. 5, 2004 |
Are Cruise deals over?
Jeff, you are correct and Guido is wrong. 'Nuff said.
Jim "Jeff Coudriet" wrote in message ... I think this is inaccurate....I believe in the change in policy was agents are not allowed to "advertise" rates lower than what they authorize. I believe agents are still allowed to rebate commission, etc., they just can't advertise that fact. Not that I'm saying this is a good policy either, but it's a fine point at the very least. Jeff Guido wrote: LAST BLAST... It was a HUGE move by the executives at Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, but they have mandated that effective 8/16/04 (Monday) they will not allow ANY of their product to be discounted and sold below the gross cruise price that is available thru the cruise line itself. They have instituted big penalties to travel agent offenders if they are caught. What does this mean for you? It means that if you are planning on sailing on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity in either 2004 or 2005, and if you typically book thru and on-line agency, membership association, wholesale house, booking engine, or any other travel agency who discounts their commission and "rebates" this in part to you, then you MUST book before midnight on 8/15/04. This is effective ACROSS THE INDUSTRY , not just for a few travel agencies!! |
Jeff, you are correct and Guido is wrong. 'Nuff said.
Jim "Jeff Coudriet" wrote in message ... I think this is inaccurate....I believe in the change in policy was agents are not allowed to "advertise" rates lower than what they authorize. I believe agents are still allowed to rebate commission, etc., they just can't advertise that fact. Not that I'm saying this is a good policy either, but it's a fine point at the very least. Jeff Guido wrote: LAST BLAST... It was a HUGE move by the executives at Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, but they have mandated that effective 8/16/04 (Monday) they will not allow ANY of their product to be discounted and sold below the gross cruise price that is available thru the cruise line itself. They have instituted big penalties to travel agent offenders if they are caught. What does this mean for you? It means that if you are planning on sailing on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity in either 2004 or 2005, and if you typically book thru and on-line agency, membership association, wholesale house, booking engine, or any other travel agency who discounts their commission and "rebates" this in part to you, then you MUST book before midnight on 8/15/04. This is effective ACROSS THE INDUSTRY , not just for a few travel agencies!! |
Are Cruise deals over?
What! Peter, that is horrible! I can't see them being able to enforce
something like this very well. I and most everyone else have been lead to believe that it is the same policy that CCL has in that it only amounts to the 'advertised' rates and not what one actually pays. Jim "Peter Berlin" wrote in message hlink.net... Jeff, This is accurate. Royal Caribbean has been very specific about what is permitted and what is not permitted and all Travel Agencies are specifically prohibited from rebating, and will be penalized if involved in the practice. Certain types of gifts are permitted, but not shipboard credits or rebates (unless issued by the cruise line). RCI said that if it quacks, it's a duck...and they will know about it. Traditional gifts such as travel bags and wine will still be permitted and the norm. Negotiated group rates will rule the "best deals" column. There will be some businesses changing their business model. Peter Jeff Coudriet wrote: I think this is inaccurate....I believe in the change in policy was agents are not allowed to "advertise" rates lower than what they authorize. I believe agents are still allowed to rebate commission, etc., they just can't advertise that fact. Not that I'm saying this is a good policy either, but it's a fine point at the very least. Jeff Guido wrote: LAST BLAST... It was a HUGE move by the executives at Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, but they have mandated that effective 8/16/04 (Monday) they will not allow ANY of their product to be discounted and sold below the gross cruise price that is available thru the cruise line itself. They have instituted big penalties to travel agent offenders if they are caught. What does this mean for you? It means that if you are planning on sailing on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity in either 2004 or 2005, and if you typically book thru and on-line agency, membership association, wholesale house, booking engine, or any other travel agency who discounts their commission and "rebates" this in part to you, then you MUST book before midnight on 8/15/04. This is effective ACROSS THE INDUSTRY , not just for a few travel agencies!! -- Peter Berlin Peter Berlin's Travel Center http://peterberlin.com The Great Luxury Cruise http://peterberlin.com/groups/glc2005/ The Great Group Cruise 2005 http://ggc2005.com "We've Got The Spirit" Join us on the Millennium and Spirit Bash...Oct. 31 and Dec. 5, 2004 |
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