Reward cruise 2015 / 2016

[sinophile888]

Just about the most relaxing way to holiday and if someone is free to take advantage of last minute specials there are some fantastic pickings (last year we booked on a Wednesday for a cruise departing Sunday - Brisbane to South Pacific, (Princess line) and the all up cost was $800 for the both of us. Only inside cabin but hey, at $114 per cabin per night for all our food entertainment and accommodation we reckoned it was a bargain.

I too am a cruise addict. But I have been banned from cruising from Jan '15 for 2 years. I can't wait to take up last minute cruising. And QFF points come in very handy for re-positioning cruises as it allows one to book one way flights without paying a return fare.

 

[SydneySwan]

I have been banned from cruising from Jan '15 for 2 years.

Do you have any chance of a lesser sentence for good behaviour?

 

[Imw]

I too am a cruise addict. But I have been banned from cruising from Jan '15 for 2 years. I can't wait to take up last minute cruising. And QFF points come in very handy for re-positioning cruises as it allows one to book one way flights without paying a return fare.

Presume like me you pay FCC when on a cruise so you can take advantage of booking great specials without the big deposit!

 

[sinophile888]

Do you have any chance of a lesser sentence for good behaviour?

Unfortunately, no.
I keep looking on vacationstogo for 2017 and have to stop myself as it is so painful. I have also been banned from ever going to America! But I am planning a trip to Melbourne in September. One small step.

 

[Imw]

Its actually painful reading any of these sites when you aren't the one travelling haha. However I still enjoy reading especially the trip reports. Bit of an armchair traveller!!!

 

[Deleted member]

Where as I fail to see even the remotest link between cruise and fun! But then I get seasick watching mutiny on the bounty!

 

[citrusb]

can you advise if there was a particular site that gave you the details of the 'last minute special'

 

[Imw]

We have stayed with princess cruises so keep an eye on cruises via their website. In this instance we decided to remain in Brisbane for few days and after checking hotels out, decided to check cruises, it was far cheaper than a hotel and all our food entertainment was covered too.

 

[sinophile888]

can you advise if there was a particular site that gave you the details of the 'last minute special'

If you search on the vacations to go website, they have a "90 day ticker" button. I have seen some amazing deals there. But, even if the cruise is cheap, one still has to factor in the cost of the flights to and from the departure and arrival ports.

 

[Imw]

That's true. We live in melbourne. Our long story short for this particular cruise! My husband is an itinerant preacher (a dynamo from South Africa I might add!!!!). He was booked to preach in Brisbane on the Sunday morning. We decided to stay the extra few days and escape the Melbourne weather!!! I found and booked the cruise on the Wednesday. We flew to Brisbane Saturday. He preached Sunday morning. The pastor of the churches dropped us at the boat lunchtime. We sailed to South Pacific for seven nights. Docked 7am following Sunday and by 9.30am my husband was back preaching again! The we flew back to Melbourne later in the avo! Too easy haha

 

[Womble99]

I agree that FF points are of great value when cruising. Unless the itinerary returns to the departure port, one needs a one-way fare to return home.

The company which we use for booking cruises also allocates QFF points based on the cost of the cruise at a rate of 2 points per $3 spent.

We have never thought about accruing QFF points from the cost of the cruise itself other than from our Amex, which Agent do you use that give points as well? Most of our cruises have been booked direct through the cruise lines so suggestions on any good TA's would be appreciated.

 

[drron]

This is one place to earn QFF points-
https://www.qantaspoints.com/earn-points/more/cruise-co

Of course we are not cruise addicts.Have only just booked our Jan 2017 cruise.

 

[Pushka]

This is one place to earn QFF points-
https://www.qantaspoints.com/earn-points/more/cruise-co

Of course we are not cruise addicts.Have only just booked our Jan 2017 cruise.

Trouble is, I hate the cancellation policies of TA's, when I know that the cruise lines refund in full. We booked Alaska 2016 a few weeks ago. And that site doesn't even show our cruise out of Anchorage. Weird.

 

[sinophile888]

We have never thought about accruing QFF points from the cost of the cruise itself other than from our Amex, which Agent do you use that give points as well? Most of our cruises have been booked direct through the cruise lines so suggestions on any good TA's would be appreciated.

I use Bicton Travel which is part of cruiseco. Bicton Travel keep winning awards.

Short answer, off to do a day's work!

 

[Pushka]

I use Bicton Travel which is part of cruiseco. Bicton Travel keep winning awards.

Short answer, off to do a day's work!

Interesting. Bicton Travel cruises: Cruiseco


Phil Hoffman is big in Adelaide. He says he keeps winning national travel awards. I booked with them once and never again.

Cruiseco

Same search engine for both.

 

[drron]

Our TA uses Cruiseco hence we get QFF points.
However cruiseco are hopeless.Our TA though is excellent so things get fixed.
Also Silverseas Australian Office is hopeless.So again a good TA needed.

 

[Pushka]

Our TA uses Cruiseco hence we get QFF points.
However cruiseco are hopeless.Our TA though is excellent so things get fixed.
Also Silverseas Australian Office is hopeless.So again a good TA needed.

Yep, still can't see my cruise on their website. Any iteration of it.

 

[Womble99]

Hmm seems to be a common theme where things don't go well with cruise bookings unless you have a good TA to fix things. Maybe the extra FFP's aren't worth the extra risk? So far we have had no issues booking direct with the cruise lines but that comes with the loss of some of the extra perks that TA's offer.

 

[Pushka]

Hmm seems to be a common theme where things don't go well with cruise bookings unless you have a good TA to fix things. Maybe the extra FFP's aren't worth the extra risk? So far we have had no issues booking direct with the cruise lines but that comes with the loss of some of the extra perks that TA's offer.

I've never needed a TA to fix things, and have booked most cruises online direct through the cruise website. I used to book through a US TA as they offer all of the perks and none of the awful cancellation fees but the declining AUD makes that no longer a good deal.