UK vs US Booking

[Ray]

So today after much consideration i bit the bullet and booked a cruise  Nothing unusual about that, as it's something some on here do on a monthly basis lol ( yes i'm jealous )

HOWEVER

When i booked my first and to date only cruise i had no idea what i was doing, i had no idea about sales, costs or additions such as OBC, in fact i had never actually seen a cruiseship before. 

After spending time on this site i realised that there is so much more then just hitting confirm on the UK RC booking screen, so today in the name of research i booked my next cruise with MEI Travel in the US. 

My plan is to check each sale and see what the cost would be at that time taking into consideration freebies such as OBC, Wifi, etc to determine whether booking in UK or US is best for UK residents and also what the best deal is.

The cruise itself is 7 nights on FOTS 28th June 2020 to the ABC Islands & St Maartan from Peurto Rico.

Current Deal

UK Oceanview Balcony :  £2,356.78 + free Wifi 

US Oceanview Balcony : £2036.50 + $50 obc ( RC ) + $50 obc ( MEI Travel ) THIS WAS BOOKED  

the OBC i received will be used to cover wifi for my wife 

So today because i booked with blog sponsors MEI TRAVEL i am £320.28 better off  

Now i'm not stupid i realise exchange rates will vary, or that UK may get a deal that is way better ( drinks pack included ) But the way i see it, come June 2020 i will know whats the best deal for me for all future cruises.

i will update this thread for each sale as they happen 

 

Ray 

 

 

 

 

[Matt]

Thanks for supporting our sponsor!

[tiny260]

36 minutes ago, Ray said:

i will update this thread for each sale as they happen

Love to hear your feedback.

[JohnUK]

Thanks for undertaking this comparison. I will follow this thread with great interest. I have only just realised that MEI will now accept bookings from the UK. Regardless of pricing, the level of service they provide, particularly when it is proactive, is superior to anything I have seen in the UK.

As an aside, I often use Next Cruise on board ship for future bookings simply because they will give the choice of booking using the current UK offer or the US offer. I think the US offer has, in every instance, given me the lower price, even taking into account drink packages etc. If it looks as if I can gain the same advantage by booking directly with MEI, then that would be the way to go.

 

[twangster]

I suppose too if exchange rates swing in your favor you could pay down a significant portion of the cruise to further maximize the benefit.  

[Ray]

51 minutes ago, twangster said:

I suppose too if exchange rates swing in your favor you could pay down a significant portion of the cruise to further maximize the benefit.  

i use the Revelut prepay mastercard for paying for hotels, flights etc that are not in GBP.

i top up in GBP and can convert into numerous currencies at the same time. right now 1GBP is worth over 1.30USD which is a more than any bank etc. 

By using this card to pay directly in USD it removes international transaction charges by banks for converting currency, so i save even more  

[Jason12]

I find it swings and roundabouts booking with our US travel agent.

our Allure cruise for,2 adults 

UK, park view 2s cabin £2144 includes deluxe package worth £1500

US, park view 2s cabin £1427 includes $25 obc 

[Ray]

8 hours ago, Jason12 said:

I find it swings and roundabouts booking with our US travel agent.

our Allure cruise for,2 adults 

UK, park view 2s cabin £2144 includes deluxe package worth £1500

US, park view 2s cabin £1427 includes $25 obc 

will be good to see for myself so i know in future what deal to go for and where. 

Pretty sure this cruise will cost more than if i waited but thats life! cant take it with me so may as well spend it  

[cmdrfrag]

Class, this is gonna be a good one to follow. Very interested in seeing the results

[Nirvana78]

I'm following this with a booking from Ireland perspective

[Dan10015]

We wanted a ultraspacious ocean view cabin for 3 people on Harmony of the Seas sailing on 11th August. Cheapest deal we found in UK was Iglucruise for £4582. Two US agents (MEI travel and American Discount Cruises) both comfortably beat that price, with the lowest price being American Discount cruises - £4367 with $400 onboard cash. Definitely worth looking into. 

[cmdrfrag]

This is certainly an eye opener. I didn't realise that travellers in the UK could use US travel agents.

Certainly would allow more options when looking at our next one.

Cheers for all this research and info guys

[JohnUK]

Just to add to this research, I have placed on hold 2 B2B cruises with MEI. The price comparison is:

Anthem 11 night Caribbean cruise from Port Bayonne 26th January 2021, Spa Junior Suite

Current UK price: £6,494

MEI / US price: £4,106 (using conversion of £1 = $1.30)

Anthem 8 night Bahama cruise from Port Bayonne 6th February 2021, Spa Junior Suite

Current UK price: £3,292

MEI / US price: £2,108

This is a direct comparison as the UK price for 2021 does not include any additional offer - not even wifi. I noted, though, that 2021 pricing, is much higher than the same cruise on the same ship in 2020. So, there may be lower prices or drinks packages offered in the future. I will track this and report back.

Total saving at current prices and exchange rate is: £3,572.

That's a bit of a no-brainer!

Thanks to Stephanie at MEI for a very quick response.

[JohnUK]

Further to my last post (above), I continued to work with Stephanie of MEI to finalise a booking for 2021. In the event, I decided not to book the cruises on Anthem (the itineraries and dates were not quite what I wanted). Instead, Stephanie has booked B2B cruises on Freedom for me, sailing from San Juan in April of 2021.

For information, I have given the details of these bookings along with a US to UK price comparison. As before, I have used a conversion rate of £1 to $1.30 and the comparison is direct for a J4 Junior Suite, with no extras (such as WiFi or drinks packages) included in either case. 

Freedom of the Seas 2021
	US Price		UK Price		Difference
04/11/2021	£2,665.38		£4,070.78		-£1,405.40
04/18/2021	£2,505.36		£3,850.78		-£1,345.42
Total	£5,170.74		£7,921.56		-£2,750.82

MEI have now booked this for me, so it is definite. There are three observations to make, however.

1. The deposit required is higher than would have been the case in the UK; $250 per person for each cruise (total $1,000 approx. £770) as opposed to £150 per person with the 2 cruises together treated as a single booking (total £300).
2. Obviously, these bookings are not covered by ABTA (ABTA is the leading association of travel agents and tour operators in the UK, providing expert travel advice, guidance, protection and help in resolving travel complaints.)
3. Stephanie was able to place the Anthem and Freedom cruises on hold for 2 weeks whilst we tried to decide between the options. Our travel agent in the UK has not been able to guarantee placing reservations on hold for more than 24 hours in recent months.

Again, thanks to Stephanie at MEI for facilitating these bookings. I will track the impact of US and UK offers, price changes and currency fluctuations as time goes on, and report back.

[mattymay]

It definitely pays to compare the US price as sometimes there can be quite a big difference...

I booked our Navigator cruise for $966 AUD ($688 USD) less by paying in US dollars. Only issue was deposit is larger due to exchange rate.

For our Symphony cruise there was only $200 AUD difference but the Australian price came with extras (soda packages / johnny rockets) so I paid that one in AUD.

[cmdrfrag]

Thats a BIG difference.

We had been looking at doing a TA in a year or so but doing it from the US and ending up in Southampton. This this has giving me reason to price things from the US site and see what we would get from there. Never would have thought that the difference would be as much as that.

[J_Keeble]

I love this thread already, I constantly look at the US site also and do some price comparisons. A big factor for me is the drink packages offer they have in the UK.

 

However ... when the drinks package 'offer' is on the UK site the prices do tend to increase at a rate that is close to the cost of a drink package. But it is certainly worth checking with the Us prices before booking.

I have not booked any from the US site so far in my cruising career but it is certainly an option I look at every time.

 

[Jason12]

19 hours ago, JohnUK said:

Further to my last post (above), I continued to work with Stephanie of MEI to finalise a booking for 2021. In the event, I decided not to book the cruises on Anthem (the itineraries and dates were not quite what I wanted). Instead, Stephanie has booked B2B cruises on Freedom for me, sailing from San Juan in April of 2021.

For information, I have given the details of these bookings along with a US to UK price comparison. As before, I have used a conversion rate of £1 to $1.30 and the comparison is direct for a J4 Junior Suite, with no extras (such as WiFi or drinks packages) included in either case. 

Freedom of the Seas 2021
	US Price		UK Price		Difference
04/11/2021	£2,665.38		£4,070.78		-£1,405.40
04/18/2021	£2,505.36		£3,850.78		-£1,345.42
Total	£5,170.74		£7,921.56		-£2,750.82

MEI have now booked this for me, so it is definite. There are three observations to make, however.

1. The deposit required is higher than would have been the case in the UK; $250 per person for each cruise (total $1,000 approx. £770) as opposed to £150 per person with the 2 cruises together treated as a single booking (total £300).
2. Obviously, these bookings are not covered by ABTA (ABTA is the leading association of travel agents and tour operators in the UK, providing expert travel advice, guidance, protection and help in resolving travel complaints.)
3. Stephanie was able to place the Anthem and Freedom cruises on hold for 2 weeks whilst we tried to decide between the options. Our travel agent in the UK has not been able to guarantee placing reservations on hold for more than 24 hours in recent months.

Again, thanks to Stephanie at MEI for facilitating these bookings. I will track the impact of US and UK offers, price changes and currency fluctuations as time goes on, and report back.

Fantastic saving  

[Jason12]

Been watching prices for a while now and it’s seems any offer they do in the UK pushes prices up, I’ve got my best deals when there no offers at all. 

[JohnUK]

1 minute ago, Jason12 said:

Been watching prices for a while now and it’s seems any offer they do in the UK pushes prices up, I’ve got my best deals when there no offers at all. 

In general, I think your observation is correct. But there are exceptions...… for example, the total price I paid for a cruise next year on Independence went up by around £200 (for 7 days) when they changed the offer to include the drinks package. Usually, the new price rises to, would you believe it, an amount approximating to the old price plus the price of the drinks package (or more). I am sure that is purely coincidental!!

It is always worth checking as some of the exceptions have saved me an awful lot of money over the years.

[Ray]

So the US RC site has a buy 1 get 1 half price sale on with free wifi  

sounds like a good deal so checked price compared to when i booked and im pleased to announce its $300 more expensive for same type of room 

will keep on checking both UK and US sites when deals are on 

[Balsam]

Just a question to people doing this research....

Have you checked the "gratuities" on UK vs US pricing?

I looked at US pricing and thought I was getting ripped off on the Australian site... until I realised the Aussie price included the gratuities and the US one did not.

I'm not sure how it works with the UK pricing.

[hayley_bopp]

41 minutes ago, Balsam said:

Just a question to people doing this research....

Have you checked the "gratuities" on UK vs US pricing?

I looked at US pricing and thought I was getting ripped off on the Australian site... until I realised the Aussie price included the gratuities and the US one did not.

I'm not sure how it works with the UK pricing.

UK pricing does not currently include gratuities as standard although there are sometimes deals where gratuities are included. 

[Ray]

Another sale on the UK website..up to £1000 off  

So i check dates of my Booking as £1000 off is not to be missed  

Original cost on UK site with free wifi was  £2,356.78 , cost today in sale with up to £1000 off is £2,337.64 with no wifi 

So to date US site is still the cheapest  

[Morganno]

On 4/1/2019 at 1:08 AM, JohnUK said:

Further to my last post (above), I continued to work with Stephanie of MEI to finalise a booking for 2021. In the event, I decided not to book the cruises on Anthem (the itineraries and dates were not quite what I wanted). Instead, Stephanie has booked B2B cruises on Freedom for me, sailing from San Juan in April of 2021.

For information, I have given the details of these bookings along with a US to UK price comparison. As before, I have used a conversion rate of £1 to $1.30 and the comparison is direct for a J4 Junior Suite, with no extras (such as WiFi or drinks packages) included in either case. 

Freedom of the Seas 2021
	US Price		UK Price		Difference
04/11/2021	£2,665.38		£4,070.78		-£1,405.40
04/18/2021	£2,505.36		£3,850.78		-£1,345.42
Total	£5,170.74		£7,921.56		-£2,750.82

MEI have now booked this for me, so it is definite. There are three observations to make, however.

1. The deposit required is higher than would have been the case in the UK; $250 per person for each cruise (total $1,000 approx. £770) as opposed to £150 per person with the 2 cruises together treated as a single booking (total £300).
2. Obviously, these bookings are not covered by ABTA (ABTA is the leading association of travel agents and tour operators in the UK, providing expert travel advice, guidance, protection and help in resolving travel complaints.)
3. Stephanie was able to place the Anthem and Freedom cruises on hold for 2 weeks whilst we tried to decide between the options. Our travel agent in the UK has not been able to guarantee placing reservations on hold for more than 24 hours in recent months.

Again, thanks to Stephanie at MEI for facilitating these bookings. I will track the impact of US and UK offers, price changes and currency fluctuations as time goes on, and report back.

Hi John, 

 

Thanks for this detailed post. 

How you planning to get to San Juan? 

cheer,

 

John

 

[JohnUK]

On ‎6‎/‎9‎/‎2019 at 7:49 PM, Morganno said:

Thanks for this detailed post. 

How you planning to get to San Juan? 

Hi,

We will be flying from London Heathrow to San Juan via either JFK New York, Philadelphia or Miami or Toronto. We have done all of these in the past and prefer Miami (if we are not leaving the airport) as the flights tend to suit us better (a long international and a short local along with lower risk of impact from adverse weather in the winter season). In the past we have used Air Canada, Delta/Virgin, and BA/American. Our son used United but never again after his experience with them in San Juan.

I hope that answers your question. I cannot be more precise until we decide once airline schedules are available for 2021. 

[Morganno]

On 6/11/2019 at 9:47 PM, JohnUK said:

Hi,

We will be flying from London Heathrow to San Juan via either JFK New York, Philadelphia or Miami or Toronto. We have done all of these in the past and prefer Miami (if we are not leaving the airport) as the flights tend to suit us better (a long international and a short local along with lower risk of impact from adverse weather in the winter season). In the past we have used Air Canada, Delta/Virgin, and BA/American. Our son used United but never again after his experience with them in San Juan.

I hope that answers your question. I cannot be more precise until we decide once airline schedules are available for 2021. 

Many thanks once again might also be looking for 2021 on this itinerary.

[Ray]

So finally the RC UK site has the free all inclusive drinks package as part of their deal, this is where i finally find out the best deal available.

Now when i started this thread back in march the costs were as follows

UK Oceanview Balcony :  £2,356.78 + free Wifi 

US Oceanview Balcony : £2036.50 + $50 obc ( RC ) + $50 obc ( MEI Travel ) THIS WAS BOOKED  

The cost of drinks package to purchase is round about £700 for my wife and myself, so total for cruise with purchased drinks pack will be between £2700 - £2800 for the cruise.

Various sales BOGO etc on both UK and USA sites have to date been more expensive, thank you to Sharla from MEI Travel for constantly checking USA site sales and letting me know my original booking was still the best.

On checking RC UK site today much to my DELIGHT the total cost for same cruise, same balcony stateroom, free drinks package and prepaid gratuities is............................£3,743.82

Throw in the $100 OBC i received and i'm roughly £1000 better off having booked when sailings first became available. 

The balcony stateroom room on same deck ( forward ) is £1789pp now compared to just over £1100 pp when booked.

And the best part is because booking was made through Blog Sponsor MEI TRAVEL they will still check price when deals appear  

 

  

 

 

[Jason12]

14 hours ago, Ray said:

So finally the RC UK site has the free all inclusive drinks package as part of their deal, this is where i finally find out the best deal available.

Now when i started this thread back in march the costs were as follows

UK Oceanview Balcony :  £2,356.78 + free Wifi 

US Oceanview Balcony : £2036.50 + $50 obc ( RC ) + $50 obc ( MEI Travel ) THIS WAS BOOKED  

The cost of drinks package to purchase is round about £700 for my wife and myself, so total for cruise with purchased drinks pack will be between £2700 - £2800 for the cruise.

Various sales BOGO etc on both UK and USA sites have to date been more expensive, thank you to Sharla from MEI Travel for constantly checking USA site sales and letting me know my original booking was still the best.

On checking RC UK site today much to my DELIGHT the total cost for same cruise, same balcony stateroom, free drinks package and prepaid gratuities is............................£3,743.82

Throw in the $100 OBC i received and i'm roughly £1000 better off having booked when sailings first became available. 

The balcony stateroom room on same deck ( forward ) is £1789pp now compared to just over £1100 pp when booked.

And the best part is because booking was made through Blog Sponsor MEI TRAVEL they will still check price when deals appear  

 

  

 

 

Prices have increased in that time, we booked the Allure November TA 2020 with free drinks, booked in January £1050pp today it’s £1900pp price comparison needed to be same day really...but still a great savings like us, rule is book early for the best deal..

[JamesGurner]

1 hour ago, Jason12 said:

Prices have increased in that time, we booked the Allure November TA 2020 with free drinks, booked in January £1050pp today it’s £1900pp price comparison needed to be same day really...but still a great savings like us, rule is book early for the best deal..

Absolutely! We booked our 2 week anthem cruise for June 2020 in November 2018. It included the drinks package at the time of offer. Checked yesterday and it’s increased for the same deal by £600pp