Cruise from the West Coast of US to Hawaii?
Feb 5, 2019, 6:09 pm
#46
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
Yes, but it's possible but also very unlikely that a local TA will be competitive (commission rebate and access to blow-out inventory). I'll admit the only B'nM TA I've dealt with is Expedia CCS and only because the cruises, repos, booked so cheap it was all NCCF taxes and fees. Just about the whole fare was "non-commissionable cruise fare" which means there's very little profit earned) and thus no rebates, OBC or anything to earn. I've shopped Costco travel for the same cruises and there was nothing to give away.
As an FYI, if you can get a TA to show you how much a cruise is invoiced at showing full fare and NCCF, see if NCCF is small relative to the whole amount. You expect a rebate.if so.
FWIW, Expedia CCS appears to be a franchise so the owners/franchisees have to make enough money to pay Expedia. In addition, the agents are independent contractors who essentially have to pay to train and make their money (and travel privileges) by not only booking enough cruises but selling ancilliary items such as flights, hotel, insurance, excursions, etc.
Be aware of the apparent deep discounts that are advertised for some cruises (usually the luxury/premium U.S market-oriented cruisecos). Whenever I look, these cruises always seem to be going at at least 60-75% off if not more. Mind you, I have heard that some people do want to get onto fully-booked cruises so bad that they'll pay full sticker (or very close to it). An old FTer I know once got a bump offer that included a full cash refund on his cruise (bought at a discount which was still not cheap by any means), a not-insignifcant amount of OBC, flight refund costs, and a choice of cruises, free.
For what the OP is looking for (even if they're open a closed-loop cruise), I'd highly recommend avoiding Princess. I don't think I would even go for a very cheap Princess repo cruise anymore. Those cruises also chug all the way south to Kiribati (or thereabouts) and back to comply with the PVSA.
As an FYI, if you can get a TA to show you how much a cruise is invoiced at showing full fare and NCCF, see if NCCF is small relative to the whole amount. You expect a rebate.if so.
FWIW, Expedia CCS appears to be a franchise so the owners/franchisees have to make enough money to pay Expedia. In addition, the agents are independent contractors who essentially have to pay to train and make their money (and travel privileges) by not only booking enough cruises but selling ancilliary items such as flights, hotel, insurance, excursions, etc.
Be aware of the apparent deep discounts that are advertised for some cruises (usually the luxury/premium U.S market-oriented cruisecos). Whenever I look, these cruises always seem to be going at at least 60-75% off if not more. Mind you, I have heard that some people do want to get onto fully-booked cruises so bad that they'll pay full sticker (or very close to it). An old FTer I know once got a bump offer that included a full cash refund on his cruise (bought at a discount which was still not cheap by any means), a not-insignifcant amount of OBC, flight refund costs, and a choice of cruises, free.
For what the OP is looking for (even if they're open a closed-loop cruise), I'd highly recommend avoiding Princess. I don't think I would even go for a very cheap Princess repo cruise anymore. Those cruises also chug all the way south to Kiribati (or thereabouts) and back to comply with the PVSA.
2 Different people like different lines. Used to love Celebrity, NO MORE. Among the "mass merchandisers" current fav is RCCL.
1
Feb 5, 2019, 6:47 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
Which is not what the OP was looking for. His initial request was for information on a one-way west coast cruise to Hawaii on a smaller luxury cruise line. He express no initial interest in cruising around Hawaii.
Feb 5, 2019, 8:01 pm
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,790
Or a mass-market line. Princess is as mass market as they come, with (in)appropriate ship size and attendant waiting. I think we can all safely assume the OP wants a luxury experience without waiting to get onboard, having to wait for meals, crowds, waiting to get off, etc. I rather not cruise then put up with all that. I'd do a MM cruise only if it is a smaller <<2,000 pax) ship which is underbooked (HAL repo cruises seem to be good candidates).
Last edited by YVR Cockroach; Feb 5, 2019 at 8:18 pm
Feb 5, 2019, 8:38 pm
#49
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Posts: 8,953
As often happens in threads the original post gets diluted by various opinions and suggestions, some off base. As Randyk47 said, we have zero interest in cruising around the islands. We were looking for a small cruise line that left a west coast port and docked on one of the Hawaiian islands where my husband and I could get off and continue to do our own thing for a vacation. I soon realized from the early posts that this would not be possible.
We are now focusing on a week at the Punta Mita St. Regis to celebrate this milestone birthday.
We are now focusing on a week at the Punta Mita St. Regis to celebrate this milestone birthday.
Feb 6, 2019, 7:44 am
#53
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
with st regis being starwood's top brand, and marriott acquiring starwood pretty recently
(if paid 2/3BR beachfront, can pay similar rate for similar villa at Four Seasons punta mita)
does silversea still do personalized voyages? only required 5 nights and 2 countries
(if paid 2/3BR beachfront, can pay similar rate for similar villa at Four Seasons punta mita)
does silversea still do personalized voyages? only required 5 nights and 2 countries
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Feb 6, 2019 at 8:48 am
Feb 6, 2019, 7:58 am
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,714
Expedia CSC has a lot of overhead as it almost seems like a MLM of sorts. Owners of the local agencies have overhead to pay in the way of rent + all the accoutrements required for a physical walk-in location, as well as pay fees to Expedia. The TAs who are ICs have to drum up business (not much walk in apparently). Expedia of course provides the listing and pricing information for cruises and all the accoutrements cruise pax can be sold.
And yes they do offer group cruises, etc. Most likely you just aren't looking at cruises where group space is offered. My agent monitors to see if groups open up for cruises I've already booked and asks if I want to move into them for the perks. She also monitors for price drops for me. She helps me find independent tour guides, recommends hotels, transportation, etc if I want it. Sometimes I do book my flights through her if she can find a deal, but not always. But not every travel agent does that so it's best to shop around, ask questions, etc.
Feb 6, 2019, 8:42 am
#55
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
They were a year ago but can’t say for sure now as they have been bought so policies and procedures may have or are being changed. A little over a year ago we were on an 18-day Rome to Dubai cruise. The attraction of that cruise was a couple of stops in Egypt and Jordan that permitted visiting the Giza Plateau, Valley of the Kings, and Petra. Most of those stops took place in the first half of the cruise with no much afterwards. A number of passengers negotiated leaving at the midway point rather than stay on for three or four uninteresting stops and five or six sea days.
Feb 6, 2019, 3:05 pm
#56
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
I knew that...this was an attempt to give them information that may help them.
Feb 6, 2019, 4:40 pm
#57
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
Or a mass-market line. Princess is as mass market as they come, with (in)appropriate ship size and attendant waiting. I think we can all safely assume the OP wants a luxury experience without waiting to get onboard, having to wait for meals, crowds, waiting to get off, etc. I rather not cruise then put up with all that. I'd do a MM cruise only if it is a smaller <<2,000 pax) ship which is underbooked (HAL repo cruises seem to be good candidates).
