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Ask the expert: why the same cruise is cheaper abroad
Anne Miele was quoted sky-high prices for her cruise by UK and US travel agents, but saved a packet booking through Germany
We are trying to book a Christmas cruise with Celebrity, so I rang them up in the US to be told nearly everything is booked, and that there was no more space in the hotel before/after the cruise - and that they couldn't arrange any flights. When I went to my local travel agent, I found spaces, but huge air fares. My husband rang an agent in Germany (I live in Switzerland) only to find everything is much cheaper - E2,000 cheaper, plus they had availability for the hotels and flights. Why is there such a huge difference? Anne Meile, by email
Times Online cruise expert Carolyn Spencer Brown responds: One of the more baffling aspects of cruise travel, particularly as cruise lines become more international in focus (US-based lines courting Europeans, Europeans courting Brits and so on) is the price discrepancy issue. In a new story launched on Cruise Critic in April, we asked: why do cruise lines sell the same trips at fares that depend on where you live?
The question is so common that Princess Cruises’ UK website raises the issue on its Frequently Asked Questions page.
Here’s the reality check: While the cruise you are purchasing in the UK may be the exact same seven-night Mediterranean voyage from Barcelona as the one I’m buying in the US or in Europe, for that matter, there are culturally-driven differences in how fares are constructed and sold.
Cunard Line President Carol Marlow told us "we would never go out and say that our prices are all the same but they will be similar. There are all sorts of things to take into account: In the UK, we sell a lot of cruises with flights. In the US, there’s a lot of voyage-only. What you’ve got to remember is that prices might be slightly different but you’re getting something slightly different for your money.”
Ultimately, she noted, “Different markets have different buying habits and different dynamics.” UK travelers, for instance, show a preference for buying the whole trip up front. Americans like to price out each aspect separately.
Beyond cultural differences, there are other "rules" that exist. For instance, that cheap US-priced cruise is, technically speaking, only available to travellers with US-based credit cards (though some agents will skirt that regulation). As well, think of buying a cruise as, in some ways, being similar to buying airline tickets. If I want to travel from New York to Frankfurt it may cost me more, because of allocation issues, to fly via United than Lufthansa - even if it's the exact same flight and seats.
In your case, perhaps the German sales office for Celebrity hadn't yet used up its allotment.
Which way is best really depends on what you want to buy. If you're of a do-it-yourself mindset, and want to build your own trip, it might be a good idea to find an American travel agent who will work with you. Or, better yet, try to plan ahead for the best deals, particularly during high season cruise travel times like Christmas week.
Carolyn Spencer Brown is Editor in Chief of CruiseCritic.co.uk.Send your cruising questions to Carolyn at yoursay@timesonline.co.uk
