Royal Caribbean offers last-minute cruise bargains

Looking for a last-minute vacation deal? Royal Caribbean is offering some deep discounts on select Caribbean cruises that set sail as early as August.

The cruise line is offering deals that include “Buy one, get 50% off the second passenger,” for U.S. and Canadian passengers who book through June 30, creating what the cruise line terms an opportunity to score a bargain on a vacation before the end of summer.

“Families can take advantage of these great offers to immediately book a summer vacation and save,” Carol Schuster, senior vice president of Global Marketing for Royal Caribbean International, said in a statement announcing the deals.

Through the promotion, U.S. and Canadian vacationers will receive 50% savings off the cruise fare for the second guest, provided they are booked in the same stateroom as a full-fare guest. The offer applies to new bookings in all stateroom categories and sailings to the Caribbean, the Bahamas or Bermuda departing between Aug. 1, and Aug. 31, 2014. The offer also applies to new bookings in all stateroom categories and sailings departing between September 1 and Dec. 15, 2014.

It is worth noting that the promotion does not apply to third and additional guests, and excludes sailings on Quantum of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean is also offering deals for vacationers looking beyond the summer months.

Oasis and Allure of the Seas
For those considering a cruise in the fall or winter, Royal Caribbean is offering a “Buy one, get 50% off the second passenger” package or a “Buy two, get the third and fourth guest free” package. Families with the flexibility to travel after the summer could find that a great deal indeed.

An option for families with flexible travel dates is Royal Caribbean’s “Kids Sail Free” offer. Vacationers who book through June 30 can receive complimentary cruise fares for third and fourth guests of all ages in any triple- or quad-occupancy staterooms with two full-fare guests. The offer is valid for all new U.S. and Canadian bookings made on sailings departing between September 1 Dec. 14, 2014, except on Quantum of the Seas.

50% off offer extended

From now through July 15, 2014, U.S. and Canadian vacationers who book through July 15 will receive 50% savings off of the cruise fare for the second guest, booked in the same stateroom with a full-fare guest. The offer applies to new bookings in all stateroom categories and sailings departing between Jan. 1, 2015 and April 30, 2016.

The promotion does not apply for sailings on Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, nor does it apply to third and additional guests.

When booking

The special fares can be booked through Royal Caribbean’s web site. However, the website was not designed to display two different prices per cabin, so the per-person price for eligible sailings “is the average of the two prices for each guest,” an RCL spokesperson told TheTravelPro. In other words, the price of $1,840 per guest, totaling $3,680 for two guests in a Deluxe Suite on the Aug. 9 sailing from New Jersey to Bermuda, reflects its portion of the discounted rate for the second passenger.

For comparison, I checked the fares for the same cabin category on the Jun 14 sailing and received a quote of $2,400 per passenger, or $4,800 for two people. The $3,680 quoted for the August sailing approximately equals the June fare of one passenger at $2,400 and a second at the discounted rate of $1,200.

While it is a bit confusing, a little research can serve to reassure potential passengers that they’re getting the deal they expect. Or they can call RCL’s toll-free reservations number and speak to a live agent.

If you’re interested, remember the discounts are only available for those who book by June 30.

Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of travel. 

Photo courtesy Royal Caribbean International
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