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P&O and Cunard ditch controversial fares structure
P&O Cruises and Cunard have scrapped their Vantage and Getaway fares after criticism from agents and from customers.
Vantage fares, introduced in July 2012, were designed to encourage early bookers, while ‘no-frills- Getaway fares, introduced earlier this year, were launched in a bid to drive more customers to its premium Vantage fares.
But after complaints from the trade and from consumers, the cruise lines are ditching both and replacing them with a whole new fares structure.
Customers looking for ‘premium value with flexible booking conditions’ can opt for the new headline fares – P&O Cruises Select Price and the Cunard Fare.
This means they will be able to specify their cabin number and have the "highest priority choice" of dining time and table size, as well as cabin upgrades should they become available.
The fare is also inclusive of shuttle buses (where available in ports of call) and a choice of one of: onboard credit, car parking or coach transfers to the port of Southampton. These fares are available on all cruises at all times.
Meanwhile, Early Saver fares offer customers further price reductions, limited added value and flexible booking conditions.
Customers will be able to choose their grade and location of cabin (the specific cabin number will be at the discretion of P&O Cruises/Cunard), with a lower priority of dining time or table size.
Early Saver fares may be offered on specific cruises and availability will vary.
The cruise lines said other promotional fares may be introduced from time to time, including limited late availability deals that will come with no choice of cabin, dining time or table size and very restrictive booking conditions.
The new structure comes into force from November 4 2013 and applies to bookings for the spring 2014 programme and beyond.
The current Vantage and Getaway fares will continue to be available for all cruises departing up to the start of the spring 2014 programme.
For those customers already booked on a Vantage or Getaway Fare, the booking terms and conditions will remain the same and Vantage fares will continue to be protected by the price promise.
For more details on the P&O Cruises Select Price, Cunard Fare and Early Saver fare, see www.completecruisesolution.com.
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Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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