Looking at booking a cruise... American site or UK?

[Disney Nanny]

I am looking for a 18nightish cruise during UK summer time. I would like to do Bahamas or Carribbean but cannot find anything? I only want to price for this year to give me an idea for 2021 as want to push the boat out and treat myself.
Any tips? Tried various sites but cannot find anything, not even for this year, what am I doing wrong?

[Love*my*hols]

18 nights is not a usual length to do a cruise.

[Jan]

I think that most cruise lines will “do” the Caribbean during the winter months for passengers wanting an escape from the cold weather. But have a look at MSC and Princess, although they are only 14 day cruises.

[jasser]

Try cruisecompete.com. You enter the details of what you’re after and US travel agents then respond with their prices. Royal etc don’t allow them to discount the list price however in some cases they have block bookings on particular cruises and in all cases you will get on-board credit of upto 10%.

I would add that since the crash of the pound booking via a US agent isn’t always the best price and in addition Royal C have free drinks when booked thru the UK at the mo which is worth approx £700 per cabin.

For booking via the UK try vivavoyage.co.uk

I wouldn’t have any concerns about booking via a US operator. You just need to do the calcs and figure out who’s cheapest. Booking via the UK obviously protects you from currency fluctuations

[loldis]

Originally Posted by Disney Nanny

I am looking for a 18nightish cruise during UK summer time. I would like to do Bahamas or Carribbean but cannot find anything? I only want to price for this year to give me an idea for 2021 as want to push the boat out and treat myself.
Any tips? Tried various sites but cannot find anything, not even for this year, what am I doing wrong?

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I don't cruise so can't say for certain, but I'd find it unlikely that the cruise companies would operate in the Caribbean during hurricane season - huge liability risks for them.

[Posiesmum]

For cruises it is almost always better to go via an agent rather than direct. We use cruise.co.uk
They will often have discounts or cabin credit that they can offer. The cruise we have just booked was £600 cheaper than P&O website and included £400 on board credit.

[jasser]

They Cruise all year round in the Caribbean. Peak Hurricane month is Sept and that can offer the best prices. If there are any Hurricanes near the Ships just change their itineraries to suit

[loldis]

Originally Posted by jasser

They Cruise all year round in the Caribbean. Peak Hurricane month is Sept and that can offer the best prices. If there are any Hurricanes near the Ships just change their itineraries to suit

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Thanks for the info. I took a very quick look and couldn't see anything June-October so assumed hurricane season was out. I know I avoid the area in summer anyway, very much a snowbird.

[Babiesmummy]

I've booked a 4nt RCI cruise for October19 from Port Canaveral 3ad 1ch. Using a US agent $1727 usd (approx 1336gbp) UK price 2636gbp. The US offers were far superior as we got huge discounts for 3rd/4th pax

[Omega1]

Cruise lines call it ‘regional pricing’, which means they charge whatever they can get away with in different parts of the world for the same product. Several cruise lines (not RCI) don’t allow booking with foreign TA’s to protect this pricing structure and the commission of TAs. Also, the promotions offered in different regions vary wildly.
As others have said, the protection offered by booking in the UK is better and there are many examples of where cruises have not gone to plan and passengers have been treated very differently depending on their passage contract (ie the travel protection legislation of that country). Again, as others have said, the US contract virtually says we can do whatever we like and tough - including disembarking passengers at a different port with no liability or responsibility. I must add it’s very rare but does happen. Missed ports are quite common, usually weather related, for which there is no liability (act of god) - unless you are insured for such eventualities but cruise lines usually reimburse port fees.
The Government has announced that current EU legislation protecting cruise passengers will continue and eventually enshrined in UK law in the event of a no deal Brexit.
So, you pays your money and you takes your chance. For me, if there is a big saving, I would take the chance. If not so big, book in the UK,