Prices on European Cruises

[lovevacadays]

I'm wanting to do a European cruise Spring of 2011. I'm looking at the 2010 prices to get an idea of cost. Wow, I'm looking at the 12-14 day cruises and I expected them to be more than double what I pay for a 7 day Caribbean cruise but didn't expect them to be 3 to 4 times the amount.:eek:

 

Any secrets on getting good prices for these cruises? I'm looking at either doing one that covers Italy, Spain, etc or doing one on the Crown that looks like it does England, Ireland and Scotland.

[Toto2Kansas]

I'm wanting to do a European cruise Spring of 2011. I'm looking at the 2010 prices to get an idea of cost. Wow, I'm looking at the 12-14 day cruises and I expected them to be more than double what I pay for a 7 day Caribbean cruise but didn't expect them to be 3 to 4 times the amount.:eek:

 

Any secrets on getting good prices for these cruises? I'm looking at either doing one that covers Italy, Spain, etc or doing one on the Crown that looks like it does England, Ireland and Scotland.

 

Also check pricing with a TA that discounts, as Princess still allows this by travel agents. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to discuss names of agents or agencys here. And it is also against the board rules to ask someone to email you any TA info. Good Luck!

[cruisemom42]

European cruises are more expensive per day, unless you find a really, really good special. That's just a given, unfortunately.

 

Look for deals on the internet and (if you don't feel comfortable booking with them) see if your TA will match it. Look for cruises that are not during "prime" months of June-August -- which to me are too hot and crowded anyway. Try looking offseason, in April or late October/November for the best prices.

 

Just a word of warning -- everything from food to souvenirs to tours (whether shore excursions or private tours) is also more expensive in Europe.

[sammiedawg]

You're doing the right thing, get familiar with prices, when it is time to book your 2011 trip you will recognize a good price. I have no secrets other than watching prices and checking with multiple discount agencies. I look for the best price in dollars, I don't care about wine, coupon books or gimmicks. I also follow more than one cruiseline, sometimes Princess is cheaper then Holland america and vice versa. Don't worry about balcony cabins, mini suites, Europe is very port intensive. You won't spend much time on board. We would rather spend the money on private tours then on a balcony we do not use in Europee.

[paul929207]

European cruises are more expensive per day than Caribbean ones.

[BobT172]

We have done the Med itinerary with Princess, as well as the Baltic and the British Isles itineraries with Princess also. All were great.

 

Yes, the prices are higher than you'd find in the Caribbean but the experience cannot be beat. Europe is much mroe expensive than the states...

 

Venice, Greek Isles, Rome, Barcelona...... Scandanavian, St. Petersburg Estonia..... England, Ireland, Scotland, Normandy.... all were fantastic.

 

The only negative thing that sticks in my mind is that on a large portion of the British Isles cruise, the casino was closed because you were mostly in British waters.... if you don't gamble, this is not a problem...

 

Do it!!! You only go around once!!!!!!!!!!

[chipmaster]

I'm wanting to do a European cruise Spring of 2011. I'm looking at the 2010 prices to get an idea of cost. Wow, I'm looking at the 12-14 day cruises and I expected them to be more than double what I pay for a 7 day Caribbean cruise but didn't expect them to be 3 to 4 times the amount.:eek:

 

Any secrets on getting good prices for these cruises? I'm looking at either doing one that covers Italy, Spain, etc or doing one on the Crown that looks like it does England, Ireland and Scotland.

 

Price depends on both location, demand, and somewhat the cost of exchange and other stuff. You'll find in most places in Europe things to be more expensive, everything from a tour ( private or cruiseline ), a can of soda, etc. As such cruise supplies will also be a bit more expensive, still worth every penny IMHO as the value and ability to hit a different port/city everyday is a unique way to see a lot on a single unpack/flight.

 

Happy planning

[mollyanne]

You might want to consider a TransAtlantic cruise as well. Many will have several Euro ports before starting to cross the ocean or at the end. Prices can be very favorable on these voyages.

[tiyana4]

Spring pricing generally reflects anticipation of school holidays....hence higher than normal pricing. If you look at some of those same itineraries later in the season (i.e., May), you will probably find lower pricing. However, Princess notoriously has very high pricing for their initial offerings and can often have several price drops before actual sailing date. However, I would not make this the basis of your selection in hopes of seeing a reduction. Book at a price you are comfortable. Keep in mind that there are other cruise lines out there sailing to/around Europe as well.

[rnenrick]

I'm wanting to do a European cruise Spring of 2011. I'm looking at the 2010 prices to get an idea of cost. Wow, I'm looking at the 12-14 day cruises and I expected them to be more than double what I pay for a 7 day Caribbean cruise but didn't expect them to be 3 to 4 times the amount.:eek: Any secrets on getting good prices for these cruises? I'm looking at either doing one that covers Italy, Spain, etc or doing one on the Crown that looks like it does England, Ireland and Scotland.

Like you, my wife and I are looking at Europe (Mediterranean, in our case) in spring, 2011. We went there in 2008 and try to go about every other year or so. Can't swing it in 2010, alas. Anyway, since your target date is more than a year out, you have some time to look for ways to reduce your cruise expense

 

I have no secrets, but here's some practical advice (some pretty obvious) to reducing the expense.

 

Book in early spring (April or early May).

Book an inside cabin.

Book an older ship.

Book a well-traveled itinerary (Western Mediterranean usually has more ships and thus costs less than, say, the Eastern Mediterranena, but not always; Great Britain seems—to me, anyway—to be very pricey; so too Scandinavia).

Book a shorter cruise (there are 7-day cruises in Europe, though I'm not seeing any on Princess' schedule for spring 2011).

Finally, consider a cruise line other than Princess (Costa, for instance, is often less expensive—though I wouldn't sail on that line; Norwegian, however, I would—and have).

 

Good luck and let me know what you find. We may go too. :)

[cruznliz]

Worth repeating: July and August are very HOT and crowded in the ports. Consider a transatlantic in April/May or September-November. They are frequently bargains and often include many of the ports you are looking for. ;)

 

Booking an inside cabin is a very good idea. (Bring an alarm clock!) Many people who go to the Mediterranean think they are going on a Caribbean cruise. Trust me, you won't be snorkeling or going to a beach to lie around. People go to Europe to SEE things and soak up some history! :eek:

 

Have a great time planning. :D It's a wonderful way to see history.

[cruznliz]

Worth repeating: July and August are very HOT and crowded in the ports. Consider a transatlantic in April/May or September-November. They are frequently bargains and often include many of the ports you are looking for. ;)

 

Booking an inside cabin is a very good idea. (Bring an alarm clock!) Many people who go to the Mediterranean think they are going on a Caribbean cruise. Trust me, you won't be snorkeling or going to a beach to lie around. People go to Europe to SEE things and soak up some history! :eek:

 

Have a great time planning. :D It's a wonderful way to see history.

[janina]

When looking at prices, also remember the cost of hiring guides, or doing shore excursions in Europe. Many of the ports are not close to the sights, and often it is better to do shore excursions. You can also cut expenses on booking your own air.:)

[janina]

When looking at prices, also remember the cost of hiring guides, or doing shore excursions in Europe. Many of the ports are not close to the sights, and often it is better to do shore excursions. You can also cut expenses on booking your own air.:)

[paul929207]

Shore excursions are usually very expensive in Europe.

[paul929207]

Shore excursions are usually very expensive in Europe.

[sunshine nana]

NCL has some bargains, especially the W. Med from Barcelona.

[Iamcruzin]

NCL has some bargains, especially the W. Med from Barcelona.

I noticed that yesterday. They are less expensive than Princess Caribbean cruises and they also have more 7 day cruises in Europe. I may have to jump ship.

[paul929207]

I noticed that yesterday. They are less expensive than Princess Caribbean cruises and they also have more 7 day cruises in Europe. I may have to jump ship.

Princess has mostly 12 day and longer cruises in Europe. I would not spend the money and time to fly to across the ocean for a 7 day cruse. I am sure lots of others feel the same way.

[Iamcruzin]

Princess has mostly 12 day and longer cruises in Europe. I would not spend the money and time to fly to across the ocean for a 7 day cruse. I am sure lots of others feel the same way.

 

 

You make a valid point. However, some of us are unable to take more than 1 week of vacation at one time and I would want to go during off peak season which means taking the kids out of school for a week. I don't want to wait another 20yrs to retire before I can see Europe. I probably won't even be able to afford the trip once I retire.

[cruisemom42]

You make a valid point. However, some of us are unable to take more than 1 week of vacation at one time and I would want to go during off peak season which means taking the kids out of school for a week. I don't want to wait another 20yrs to retire before I can see Europe. I probably won't even be able to afford the trip once I retire.

 

In all seriousness, if you only have a week, I'd suggest a cruise is not the optimal way to go. Considering you have to fly in at least a day early and sometimes cannot fly out the same day on the back end either, depending on timing.

 

You might be better off spending that week just seeing a couple of cities that are fairly close -- say, London and Paris, or maybe Rome and Venice.

[Iamcruzin]

In all seriousness, if you only have a week, I'd suggest a cruise is not the optimal way to go. Considering you have to fly in at least a day early and sometimes cannot fly out the same day on the back end either, depending on timing.

 

You might be better off spending that week just seeing a couple of cities that are fairly close -- say, London and Paris, or maybe Rome and Venice.

I can add a day or two to the begining and a day or two at end as needed but 2 weeks back to back probably can't happen. A cruise is probably a more affordable option for a family of four.

[hubofhockey]

Great thread and discussion.

 

I booked my 2010 Ruby Grand Med while on my Crown Princess Eastern Caribbean cruise last April. There has not been one price drop from what I booked on the ship (Princess used my TA's rates). The price was about $6,000 (a little less considering the onboard credit) for the two of us in a balcony cabin BD on the Baja deck. We are going at the beginning of July because our kids will be in overnight camp then. So, we were restricted on dates we could do our cruise. I'm not getting younger and it's time to do this.

 

2009 prices were less than 2010. But you have to consider that 2009 was an awful year for everyone. Also, Celebrity pulled one of its ships (Solstice) from the Med and eliminated their version of the Grand Med itinerary. They still have Eastern Med on Equinox. So that impacted other similar cruises. In 2008, Carnival totally pulled out of the Med. RCI does have several 7-day Med cruises and much less in the 12-day range.

 

As someone mentioned, the real cost of this cruise is much more when you consider excursions are expensive. I set up private excursions on our roll call for great savings that include guides and are much less crowded than Princess' excursions. But it's still a large added expense. Lately, the dollar is improving against the Euro. That helps a little.

[Toto2Kansas]

As someone mentioned, the real cost of this cruise is much more when you consider excursions are expensive. I set up private excursions on our roll call for great savings that include guides and are much less crowded than Princess' excursions. But it's still a large added expense. Lately, the dollar is improving against the Euro. That helps a little.

 

We have sailed all over the world, and I have to agree with this statement. Even though we arranged 95% of our excursions privately, our Med cruise was by far the most expensive cruise we have ever taken when the cruise price PLUS the extras were taken into consideration. It is definitely not something you would really want to consider if going on a very strict budget. Otherwise, you will be there, but won't be able to see and do the things you actually went there for. IMHO!

[kestrel]

European cruises are indeed very expensive as all posters have already mentioned, but you will enjoy the trips a lot more compared with Carib cruises. Private tours, though cheaper than cruise shore excursions, are still very expensive. Fortunately you will be able to DIY and use public transportation in many major cities (e.g., Barcelona, Venice, Athens, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen). Get some good tour guides and do some research. It will save you lots of money.