Hi Everyone:

I considering one of the Mediterranean cruises on Voyager in October. My concern is how to figure out pricing. So I hope to hear from those of you who book a lot of RSSC or those who are avid watchers of pricing....Thanks in advance.

Some time ago, they had a free air or $1000 on the rate.

Here are my questions:

1. Is this promotion still on or is it over?

2. There is a 2 for 1 special on right now...is the free air in addition to the 2 for 1? Was it ever added in addition to the 2 for 1 and did I just happen to miss the "early booking?"

3. What can I expect the best rate to be? I'm asking because my mom is having dissonance about booking because the travel agent told her we missed a great deal a few weeks ago which was the free air or $1000. But, if the addit. $1000 was on top of the 2 for 1 it would have made the cruise fare at about $2500 which just seems very low. Does anybody recall what the very best pricing for this would have been so far for a fall 2006 cruise?

4. Does anyone have suggestions for great cabins on Deck 6 of the Voyager? (Cat G)

Hi Kim

You can get itinerary information here:
http://www.rssc.com/voyage/search.do

Here are the specials that RSSC has to offer for 2006:
http://www.rssc.com/specials/

We've sailed on Voyager twice and love the ship. However, there is a vibration that has been widely discussed on LCT, in the back of the ship. My suggestion is to book mid to front of ship to avoid vibration problems,if you have a sensitivity to this.

I tried to private message you and was unable to do so. Please send an email my way at nyfeds@sbcglobal.net.

Best thing to do is call B&K and ask. If B&K isn't your TA, they should be. Those questions you have are all TA issues.

Glad you said that Doug. I was going to post the very same response, but hesitated to do so.

Kim,

Click on the Brown & Keene Cruises on the top of this page and you can see all the fares they offer. My husband and I have used B&K to book our RSSC cruises for about 5 years now and we are pleased beyond words. They will answer any questions you have and will take very fine care of all your needs. Brown and Keene is THE definitive RSSC source!

Funny, I was responding about B&K too when the phone rang and I exited out of the answer...

One thing I see is your Question about the $1000 free air on top of the Two for One. It's usually one or the other - that's why your fare seems so low. Editing to add that the best way to compare pricing is to figure out the fares with air/without air and come out with a daily rate including port taxes and other charges. Then you have a real rate to compare.

Sorry that these sound like TA questions but I just need some confirmation....you see we were considering a cruise (its my mom's 75 b'day...) and we were pretty certain to go with the Voyager trip but then the TA we were talking with said...oh, its too bad you didn't book a few weeks ago because they were offering free air or $1K back.

All I really want to know is whether the 2 for 1 is better or about the same. My mom wanted to cancel any thought of going given that we might have missed an "early booking" window.

As I plan to take 2-3 cruises per year perhaps it is better to find a great TA and so many of you give absolute raves to B&K. Is there a way to reach them over the wkd or will I have to wait until Monday....

Thanks again.

Kim, I'm sure you will be very pleased working with B&K. Ngaire is in Africa right now but she has a VERY competent staff who handles things during her absence. I'd suggest you send an email over the weekend (email addresses are on her website). I know if Ngaire was in the country you'd get a response weekday or weekend. Not sure if her staff checks emails over the weekend or not. It doesn't hurt to try OR you can call B&K Monday morning.

Kim,
If you will let me know which cruise you are interested in I will be happy to provide information about pricing. While our offices are closed for the weekend I am still able to access information through our website with Regent. If you will send me an email message I can respond to your personally. My email is
swalsh@brownandkeene.com

Hi Susan,

You guys are unbelievable! Do you ever sleep ;) ?? You spoil us!

Kim, none of my business but I strongly suggest you send Susan an e-mail and all your questions will be answered.

Maria,
Thanks for the kind words. I have been in contact with Kim and hopefully answered all her questions.

Yes, I've heard back from Susan. She was great. Thanks everyone.

That's great Kim. I Hope you get to cruise with your mom!

When Gil went on MINT in Nov. 2004, I had wanted to send a little something for onboard, but couldn't find it anywhere on the rssc website. I wrote B & K and got an almost immediate response back. I then called them and Julie and I hashed out what would be the best thing to have waiting for Gil in his cabin. I emailed her a note to include, and everything was taken care of. I wasn't even a client back then!

In the past I've used other travel agencies, and none have been as on top of things as they are!

Kim - Put yourself into the hands of the wonderful people at B&K and you will never look back. We first "met" Ngaire on the CC boards before we took our Voyager cruise in the Baltics. She was so knowledgeable and helpful that we asked the lovely Gudrun (on-board cruise consultant) to list Ngaire as our TA for the Norwegian fjords cruise that we booked on board. Although she was traveling, Ngaire changed our cabin reservation to a much, much better one for the same $$$. Ngaire and her fabulous staff of travel-broads (that is meant in only the most complimentary sense, of course)are truly remarkable. They know the ships - they know the staff - and they are sympatico beyond belief. Take the good counsel of B&K and you will find yourself on the best cruises imaginable. (And you must believe all of this, since it is coming from a retired lawyer - who could be more credible than that?? Other than a cobra, perhaps... But, please disregard my former suspect vocation and take my sincere word that B&K are good people.) Cheers, Fred