How to get $50pp deposit?

freedom · #1 (**permalink**) May 14th, 2006, 04:02 AM

I am planning a group cruise. I am a new travel agent affliated with a host agency. Going through them I'd get 16% commission on Royal Caribbean cruises. They get 10% of my comission. All in all I'm happy with the arrangement.

My question is this, I'm booking this group cruise with 50-100 cabins for a sailing that is over 15 months from now. Why can't they get me a $50 per person deposit? I've been told that that option is only available with the incentive program. But, I know this isn't true because I've seen soooo many group cruises that have been promoted with only $50pp deposit. I've spoken directly to Royal Caribbean Group and Incentive departments. Directly to the host agency. What do I need to do to secure this?

Donna · #2 (**permalink**) May 14th, 2006, 07:43 AM

The lowest deposit I've seen is $100, and thats just for a short time, at some point, the entire deposit will be due.

beenie weenie · #3 (**permalink**) May 14th, 2006, 08:01 AM

I just booked a cruise with a $25 deposit. So I am sure it is possible, but I have only seen these types of offers from very large cruise travel agencys. So if I were in your shoes I would be contacing the Principals at your current agency and picking their brains. You could also talk to some of the agents who are currently providing these discounted deposits and see if they will take a newby under their wing and share the secrets to their success.

MaryLou · #4 (**permalink**) May 15th, 2006, 06:18 AM

RCCL has changed their policies. If you have spoken to the group department at RCCL and they won't give you the $50/pp option, then I do not believe you can get it from anyone else at RCCL. Their reasoning for changing the policy is this: They want to understand their true inventory for each and every sailing. They feel that if you are required to put only $50 down, you are more likely to book a cruise that you may not actually go on. Most people don't think twice about booking something if they only need $50 to do it. If you have to put $250 down to reserve your cabin, you are probably more serious about going. They were ending up with too much inventory 60 days out from the sailing and then having to discount those cabins to fill the ship.

freedom · #5 (**permalink**) May 15th, 2006, 05:22 PM

If there has been a policy change I can understand their reasoning. Thanks for all your responses.