Princess Expensive?

[twinkle toes]

I've been looking into Alaska cruises for May 2013 and couldn't help but notice that Princess is much more expensive that other cruise lines for the same itineraries. Anybody know why?

[Putterdude]

My experience is that Princess launch fares often are higher than others. However on many itineraries, particularly Alaska, there are often some deep cuts in fares for cruises at the beginning and the end of the season. So if you want the best selection then book now and ride the price down. Depending what itinerary you are looking at Princess is one of the few lines that has access to Glacier Bay so that enhances the value of their cruises.

[Urban trekker]

Remember also that Princess is now including all port fees etc in their list price whereas the other cruise lines are still showing them separately so that might explain some of the higher cost.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Loonbeam]

Princess also has probably the best land packages in the area and dedicates a higher percentage of cabins to them than some others may, reducing supply a little.

[LittleMissMagic]

Remember also that Princess is now including all port fees etc in their list price whereas the other cruise lines are still showing them separately so that might explain some of the higher cost.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

That's something that can actually make a significant difference in price. If you're just scrolling through a booking website, be sure to go through as if you're actually booking so that you will know how much extra taxes and port fees will be. Just because the lowest fare offered of one cruiseline is significantly different, that doesn't necessarily mean that's the final price... or that it's your price. Another thing to be careful about is dates. Make sure that you have your exact dates selected because price varies between the dates, even when the itinerary is identical.

 

Royal Caribbean likes to play this joke on me - I enter my dates, choose a cruise because the fare is an amazingly low price... and then I realize tha they switched the dates on me, and the price I'm seeing is actually for a cruise in the middle of February.

[traveling psych nurse]

Watch for price drops after you book. Princess land tours are well run. Have taken 2 and loved them both.