Between Nz And Australia

[Bea]

I travelled to NZ on Direct Kiwi in 2002.... a memorable, fantastic voyage. I booked through Hanseatic and not through an agent and the voyage was quite reasonably priced, I could not contact the Hanseatic offic in Cyprus who booked me before so I've contacted an agent and the cost has doubled.
Q: Is it possible to book a journey to NZ that costs less than$1100 for the 4 days?
Q2:Do any other ships do the 'passenger thing' besides the Direct Kestral (ANZDL makeover mob) even though I'm sure they are superb, I'd like to sas out as many carriers as possible as I go there and back quite often and freighters are the way to go, NO DOUBT....but at $1000 a pop it's quite a bit??

[Steve]

Hi Bea

It sounds like you know more about this than I do, so I'm not sure what advice I can offer.

It really shouldn't cost more to book through an agent than booking direct - in fact, I've heard that it can sometimes cost MORE to book direct!

It's possible the shipping line have radically increased their prices since 2002 - also, is the voyage exactly the same? (ie time of year, cabin type) - that could be a factor. I'm not sure why it's not possible to contact the shipping line as you did before, to find out their prices - can you not email them?

If an agent has quoted you a high price, I would shop around and try another before you give up - as I said before, there really should be no surcharge - if you use my booking form, you can easily contact several different agents to compare prices and voyage availability - this saves you from trailing round different websites, filling in different forms!

A voyage of 4 days should be in the region of US$400 - but you will probably have to add deviation insurance to that.

Steve

[Bea]

Thanks Steve
I will do as you suggest and fill in your booking form, meanwhile I have just received an email from Oldendorf and their prices are approx half what I was quoted from the one and only agent I have got a sailing and a price from, so far. Early days yet.
I did try to contact my former 'person' at Hanseatic and it seems she has moved on, I will persevere. Last time it took quite a lot of 'search and enquire'.
Bea

[Steve]

Oldendorf are about the cheapest shipping line out there - they can easily be half the price of the most expensive lines - they would be my first choice!

Re: The price you were quoted by the agent. That was not Oldendorf was it?

Just checking that you are making a correct comparison - the price the agent has quoted you can easily be double the price Oldendorf has quoted - but that is simply because the other shipping line is double the price of Oldendorf - not because the agent has applied any mark up.

Note ...

Regarding the booking request you sent to FreighterTravel (NZ) using my form - you did not give your email address - only a phone number. I'm sure they will phone you, but just in case you were expecting an email, I thought I'd let you know.

Also, in case you are wondering - there is absolutely no surcharge applied to bookings made via my form - the prices an agent will quote you are exactly the same as if you went to their website.    

[Bea]

Yes Steve it was Oldendorf. I will refill the form with my email, thanks.