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Have you ever booked directly on an American site? (page 1 of 2)
Discussion started by Gerty555 on 2025-04-08
21 replies
This thread has been translated into English.
Have you ever booked directly on an American site?
Gerty555 · 2025-04-08 · Message 1 of 22
Hi there...
I’m wondering how to book a cruise on the Celebrity Ascent. On the American site, everything is detailed—you can choose your cabin...
After checking with a travel agency, they’re offering me a "guaranteed" cabin!!😮
And I have to pay the "service fees" right away.
If I book directly on the American site, are there any extra fees for currency exchange?
Thanks for your replies!
Have a great day!
Gerty5
Have you ever booked directly on an American website?
13120cloue · 2025-04-10 · Message 2 of 22
Hi there...
I’m wondering how to book a cruise on Celebrity Ascent. On the American site, everything’s detailed—you can choose your cabin...
After checking with a travel agency, they’re offering me a "guaranteed" cabin!!😮
And I have to pay the "service fees" right away.
If I book directly on the American site, are there any extra fees for currency exchange?
Thanks for your answers!
Have a great day!
Gerty5
For my part, I book through the Vacationtogo site.
Have you ever booked directly on a US site?
Gerty555 · 2025-04-10 · Message 3 of 22
Hi 13120cloue,
Thanks for answering!!
How does it work on Vacationtogo?!
Can you choose the cabin?
Payment in euros?
Do you have a French-speaking contact?
Thanks in advance for your replies!
Have a great day!!
--
Hi...
I’m wondering how to book a cruise on Celebrity Ascent. On the US site, everything is detailed—you can even choose your cabin...
After checking with a travel agency, they’re offering me a "guaranteed" cabin!!😮
And I have to pay the "service fees" right away.
If I book directly on the US site, are there extra fees for currency exchange?
Thanks for your answers!
Have a lovely day!
Gerty5
For my part, I book through the Vacationtogo site
Have you ever booked on an American site directly?
13120cloue · 2025-04-11 · Message 4 of 22
Hi there, there’s a VACATION TOGO site in French: Website: français.vacationtogo.com. You can choose your cabin and pay in euros. You’ll have a contact person, and communication usually happens via email.
Once you create your account on the site, you’ll have access to all the cruises worldwide. Personally, I’ve always used the English version of the site. I’ve had experience with 4 cruises through them: Holland America, Celebrity, and Princess twice.
Have you ever booked on an American site directly?
Gerty555 · 2025-04-11 · Message 5 of 22
Hi 13120cloue!
Great info!!
I didn’t know about that!
I’ll ask for more details... and keep you posted!
Thanks so much!!
Have a great day!
Hi, there’s a VACATION TOGO site in French: Website: français.vacationtogo.com. You can choose your cabin and pay in euros. You’ll have a contact person, and communication usually happens via email.
You create an account on the site and get access to all the cruises worldwide. Personally, I’ve always used the English site. I’ve had experience with 4 cruises through them: Holland America, Celebrity, and Princess twice.
Have you ever booked directly on an American website?
13120cloue · 2025-04-13 · Message 6 of 22
You're welcome. Have a great weekend.
Have you ever booked directly on an American site?
Gerty555 · 2025-04-13 · Message 7 of 22
You're welcome. Have a great weekend.
Hi 13120cloue
I asked and got a quote!! 😊
I have another question.
When you book with Vacation Togo, is it possible to manage your reservation yourself later on Celebrity’s website?
Thanks for your feedback.
Have a great Sunday!
Have you ever booked directly on a US site?
13120cloue · 2025-04-14 · Message 8 of 22
Hi there, yes it’s possible because VacationTOGO (VCTOGO) provides you with their file number and also the cruise line’s reservation reference. In case you don’t have this reference, ask VCTOGO for it. You can then book your tables, sign up for the loyalty card, or reserve excursions either through the cruise line or through VCTOGO, which also has its own excursions. Just a reminder, for my part, I book through the US site—the prices are often cheaper because I think they have lower overhead than in France. Best regards.
Have you ever booked directly on a US site?
Gerty555 · 2025-04-14 · Message 9 of 22
Hello, yes it's possible because VacationTOGO (VCTOGO) provides you with their file number and also the cruise company's booking reference. In case you don't have this reference, ask VCTOGO for it. You can then book your tables, sign up for the loyalty card, or book excursions either through the cruise company or through VCTOGO, which also has its own excursions. Just to remind you, for my part, I book through the US site—the prices are often cheaper because I think they have lower overhead than in France. Best regards.
Hello 123cloue
Thanks so much for all this information.
Isn’t it a problem to pay the full price 90 days in advance? 😕
I mean, just in case...?
Is it better to take out insurance (which one?) or is the credit card insurance (Amex or MasterCard) enough?
So many questions... sorry! 😅
I’ll ask the contact person, but multiple opinions can help!!
Have a great evening! ☺️
Have you ever booked directly on an American site?
13120cloue · 2025-04-15 · Message 10 of 22
Paying 90 days in advance always carries a risk. To protect myself in case of cancellation and since I travel a lot, I have an annual travel insurance that covers illness, cancellation fees, cancellations, car rentals, legal coverage, flights, etc. In my case, I chose Europe Assistance, but there are other insurers like Chapka, Allianz, etc. Everyone makes their own choice.
Note: You must take out your insurance before purchasing your reservation, otherwise there’s no coverage. For coverage through credit cards, it’s best to check with your bank. You can also take the insurance offered by the cruise company—I’ve never done it, but passenger reviews are positive.
Have you ever booked directly on an American site?
Nataly03 · 2025-04-15 · Message 11 of 22
Hi, I’ve already booked through cruise.com.
Whether it’s cruise.com or Vacation to Go, you pay in dollars.
Paid three months in advance, depending on the agencies—same in France.
It’s the same risk; it’s better to be covered for health issues.
Have you ever booked directly on an American website?
13120cloue · 2025-04-16 · Message 12 of 22
Hi, I already booked through cruise.com.
Whether it's cruise.com or Vacation to Go, you pay in dollars.
Paid three months in advance, depending on the agencies in France too.
It's the same risk; it's better to be covered for health issues.
Be careful—cruise.com has a bad reputation according to reviews.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i10703-k14063977-DO_NOT_use_cruise_com-Cruises.html
Have you ever booked directly on an American site?
Nataly03 · 2025-04-16 · Message 13 of 22
I’ve booked twice and never had any problems
Have you ever booked directly on an American site?
Gerty555 · 2025-04-16 · Message 14 of 22
Hi Nataly03!
Thanks for your feedback and replies!
Multiple opinions really help! Have a great day!
Hi, I’ve booked through cruise.com before—whether it’s cruise.com or Vacation to Go, you pay in dollars.
Paid three months in advance, depending on the agencies in France too.
It’s the same risk; it’s better to be covered for health issues.
Have you ever booked directly on an American site?
Gerty555 · 2025-04-16 · Message 15 of 22
Hi there!
Thanks again, 13120cloue, for your detailed answers. I’ll check what kind of coverage my credit card offers... and then decide from there...
Have a great day!
Paying 90 days in advance always carries a risk. To protect myself in case of cancellation—and since I travel a lot—I have an annual travel insurance that covers illness, cancellation fees, car rentals, legal coverage, flights, etc. In my case, I chose Europe Assistance, but there are other options like Chapka, Allianz, etc. Everyone makes their own choice. Note: You must take out your insurance before booking your reservation; otherwise, there’s no coverage. For credit card coverage, it’s best to check with your bank. You can also opt for the insurance offered by the cruise company—I’ve never done that, but passenger reviews are positive.
Have you ever booked directly on an American site?
Gerty555 · 2025-04-22 · Message 16 of 22
Hi 123cloue!!
It’s me again!..
I’ve got a question about "Vacation Togo"...
Administratively, how does it work (finalizing the contract)?
Is it a contract?.. Or just an email confirmation...
They’re asking me (by email) to provide the passengers’ details... and they’ll call me for payment info?!...
For payment, I hope it’s not a physical operator...😱🤪
I can’t just hand over all my bank details like that!!...
Especially for these amounts...!!😨
I’m waiting for their call to clarify...
Thanks!!...☺️
Hello, yes it’s possible because VacationTOGO (VCTOGO) provides you with their file number and also the cruise company’s booking reference. If you don’t have this reference, ask VCTOGO for it. You can then book your tables, sign up for the loyalty card, or book excursions either through the cruise company or VCTOGO, which also has its own excursions. Just to remind you, I book through the American site—the prices are often cheaper because I think they have lower overhead than in France. Best regards.
Hi 123cloue,
Thanks so much for all this info.
Is paying the full amount 90 days in advance not a problem?😨
I mean, just in case...?
Is it better to take out insurance (which one?).. or is the credit card insurance (Amex or MasterCard) enough...
So many questions... sorry!..😅
I’ll ask the rep, but multiple opinions can help!!
Have a great evening!!☺️
Have you ever booked directly on an American website?
Nataly03 · 2025-04-22 · Message 17 of 22
There aren’t any risks
Have you ever booked directly on an American website?
4yne · 2025-04-22 · Message 18 of 22
There are always risks. If nothing else, a "dishonest" employee.
Have you ever booked directly on an American website?
Nataly03 · 2025-04-22 · Message 19 of 22
It's a secure link...
Have you ever booked directly on an American site?
4yne · 2025-04-22 · Message 20 of 22
If it's a secure link, that's fine. It's been a while since I last booked with them.