Cash only cruising using Abound site

[JohnB]

The limited value of using points for cruises has been well documented on this forum. I am able via phone call with cruise rep to obtain cruise quotes just using cash and not using points. The offers appear to be a good value, especially on balconies and they include beverage package and wifi. Anyone gone this route and if so what was your experience? Rep said the agency had purchased blocks of cabins on specific cruises and thereby able to offer the deals. Wary and thus I am here. BTW, I have friends who had to cancel a point only cruise for a covered reason and the claim process they went through having booked on points left them saying they would never book a point cruise again.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Call the cruise line directly and see what price they will give you for basically the same cabin type.

Norwegian seems to offer free beverage package all of the time, but the taxes are outrageous on the package, and we chose to drink iced tea in the dining room, and we even took glasses of tea and lemonade to our room with us. No one stops you from doing that. Taking the beverage package off saved us $300 in tips/ taxes on it. We don't drink alcohol. No one can get that much value soda, and our son did get that package and commented that the soda pop was flat.

 

[Dean]

The limited value of using points for cruises has been well documented on this forum. I am able via phone call with cruise rep to obtain cruise quotes just using cash and not using points. The offers appear to be a good value, especially on balconies and they include beverage package and wifi. Anyone gone this route and if so what was your experience? Rep said the agency had purchased blocks of cabins on specific cruises and thereby able to offer the deals. Wary and thus I am here. BTW, I have friends who had to cancel a point only cruise for a covered reason and the claim process they went through having booked on points left them saying they would never book a point cruise again.

I've never seen the prices be cheaper than I could get on my own. I would not be comfortable booking with them personally without some other benefit. Full disclosure, I use a TA through Bluegreen. I got to them because at the time I could use my points for as much or more than my fees on those points though that is no longer the case. She is so good that I use her for tours and cruise but I would not do airfare separately, hotels or rental cars because of the lack of control and ability to cancel/change. And that's in the face where the additional under the table discounts aren't available like extra drink packages or on board credits. I learned my lesson the hard with with AAA, they were terrible though int might just be our local group. She's just been that good that I don't care about the minor discounts I might be losing at times.