Lesson Learned

[hgmizzou]

I am one of those people who reads CC every day (I don't post often but I value all the information that I've gleaned from this site). Therefore, I've seen all the threads about price drops after final payment. We booked our cruise a year out and I watched the price of the cruise daily because of the advice from members here. We were very lucky to get a great deal and paid, what at the time, was the lowest price on our Allure D5 cabin.

 

Of course, now that final payment has passed, the cabin just dropped another $290 per person below the price we paid (we have two cabins - almost $1200). :confused:

 

I fully understand Royal's policy and NOTHING is going to ruin this awesome cruise, but I would not have minded saving an additional $1200 (I even looked to see if we could upgrade to a JS but those prices haven't dropped to close to what we paid - but I will keep watching).

 

We are lucky that we both have a lot of flexibility at work and our kids are older so we don't have to schedule our vacation way ahead. So from now on, I think we are going to "take the risk" and wait to book cruises 4-6 weeks out. I know the airfair costs may be higher but I doubt it would have cost us an additional $1200!

 

I meant to take the marker off my cruise so I wouldn't get any price drop emails, but I forgot. Oh well, lesson learned.

 

Does anyone have an idea of when the "best" time to look for deals after final payment would be? Is there a good estimate to wait till 5 weeks or 4 weeks, etc? I know that there is the chance that ships will sell out and prices will increase, but that's the great thing about a flexible schedule we can always try the next week.

 

Thankfully, because of all the awesome people on CC, I knew this was a possibility and I know RCCL's policy so I am not going to waste my time trying to get any money credited back. Knowing this could happen ahead of time, helped make it easier to swallow once it did happen. Thanks CC'rs!

[LBumb]

remember those less expensive rooms left are usually locations no one wants

[hgmizzou]

LBump - yes, that is one thing to consider. However, based on all the available cabins on our upcoming cruise, we would be okay on this cruise.

 

Everything's a risk - book early and lose after a price drop/book late and not have the same cabin choices. You just never know!

 

Happy cruising!!

 

(btw...saw that you are from St. Charles! We live in Manchester. Howdy neighbor!!)

Edited March 18, 2014 by hgmizzou

[papaflamingo]

It can work both ways. The price can also go up. We booked Legend for an 11 night a year out. The balconies were $1600 each. A friend wanted to go but was going to wait for the "price drop." Three weeks later the price "dropped" to $1900. Then by final payment, $3200. It was one of the best cruises ever. They didn't get to go.

I book when I see a price I'm willing to pay, on a cruise I want to go on. I watch for drops, and take advantage when I can. After final payment I look for upgrades.

We are booked on Rhapsody in May in Alaska. Stern balcony (desirable for Alaska and hard to come by). The price dropped $100 and we got it. Last week (after final payment) the JS dropped below what we paid, and a stern JS opened up. I have a great TA. I did an upgrade with no increase in cost.

When I retire, I plan on watching for great deals and going last minute. Since I can drive to Fl. it will be no problem. But for cruises I really want to go on I'll book early and get a cabin I want.

If you wait, you must be prepared to not go in the cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Hoopster95]

Does anyone have an idea of when the "best" time to look for deals after final payment would be? Is there a good estimate to wait till 5 weeks or 4 weeks, etc? I know that there is the chance that ships will sell out and prices will increase, but that's the great thing about a flexible schedule we can always try the next week.

 

You are almost bang on... on average 4-8 weeks before sailing is almost always perfect... you really have to know your ships and itineraries. That's the best blend of timing to get good flight prices. I have booked within 3 weeks and had to pay almost $100 more for flights with much poorer flight time/connection, and cabin price did not drop (in fact missed out on a better location).

 

My last 5 cruises all booked at about 30-75 days away (except for Hawaii which almost always sells out, so I booked 14 months ahead for that reason after following the itinerary and sales for a couple of years).

 

There have been some awesome pricing come out for various cruises that have NOT been part of the Tuesday day flyer, so you really have to hunt.

For example, Vision last year out of Panama was incredibly priced last year but never on the sale flyer ever.... check out the current pricing of the Liberty for April 21 for example (not on the flyer, just checked) :D

[zeberdee]

I wish we could get price drops here in the UK, we are not able to get any price drop offers even before final payment is due.:(

[JasonV1]

No one can tell you when the best time to buy is, as at the end of the day it depends on inventory. If inventory is high, prices will drop as the cruise date approaches.

 

For reference (and just to make my point), below is the price history of a D4 balcony on my upcoming 3/30 Allure cruise. Note that the "Created" column is when the price actually changed to the value indicated.

 

In this case the D4 prices crept back up over the last few weeks because inventory slowly diminished. The Junior Suites for this sailing are at an all time price low because their inventory is high.

 

The best time to buy this cabin was 3 different occasions in November, well before final payment was due and at a much lower price than the cabin initially sold for when the schedule was released.

 

Price Created Updated

$ 1,549 2012‑05‑10 2013‑07‑10

$ 1,229 2013‑07‑10 2013‑07‑24

$ 1,329 2013‑07‑24 2013‑07‑24

$ 1,379 2013‑07‑25 2013‑10‑16

$ 1,249 2013‑10‑16 2013‑10‑18

$ 1,219 2013‑10‑19 2013‑10‑20

$ 1,249 2013‑10‑21 2013‑11‑07

$ 1,129 2013‑11‑08 2013‑11‑10

$ 1,249 2013‑11‑11 2013‑11‑11

$ 1,129 2013‑11‑11 2013‑11‑15

$ 1,249 2013‑11‑16 2013‑11‑16

$ 1,129 2013‑11‑16 2013‑12‑02

$ 1,249 2013‑12‑02 2013‑12‑16

$ 1,449 2013‑12‑16 2014‑01‑05

$ 1,899 2014‑01‑06 2014‑01‑08

$ 2,029 2014‑01‑08 2014‑01‑13

$ 2,109 2014‑01‑13 2014‑01‑23

$ 2,049 2014‑01‑23 2014‑02‑05

$ 1,349 2014‑02‑05 2014‑02‑12

$ 1,399 2014‑02‑22 2014‑02‑26

$ 1,599 2014‑02‑26 2014‑03‑10

$ 1,699 2014‑03‑10 2014‑03‑18

Edited March 18, 2014 by JasonV1

[tomahawk246]

I start out by booking an inside cabin for a great price about 8 months out. I can live with an inside if I get a great price. Now i can book my airfare because I know I am going on that date and ship. I use a monitor system to check prices and I try to get a balcony when the prices come down, usually will cost me 1 to 2 hundred. If the price don't come down I stay inside. I am inside on Oasis on June 28 for 828.00 per person. The least expensive to get on the ship today is 1389.00. This process has worked for me on my last 5 cruises. It only works if your ok with an inside and an upgrade from there is a bonus. Right now 828.00 for that date is the least expensive price that anyone has payed. That is a good feeling for me, it makes me fill like I am beating RCC at there own game.

[xnavydoc2]

We booked an inside cabin on "The Brilliance" back in November for a Baltic cruise in Aug. Of this year. Right now an inside cabin is going for $700 more per person than what we paid. Balcony rooms are cheaper than inside rooms right now, but still $500 more than what we paid. Crazy!

[SadmanCruiser]

remember those less expensive rooms left are usually locations no one wants

 

I'll have them - any room on a cruise ship is better than the office!

;)

[JBoshears]

I booked our November, 2014 Allure cruise in early January. I paid $1049 pp for a D4 Balcony. That same category is going for $1893 pp today. WOW!!! $844 pp difference. I'm so happy with what I booked at! I feel like I got a steal of a deal. :)

[racerxspeedy]

I agree that last year November had record low prices. Two weeks prior to the Dec 1 sailing RC dropped the 5 day trips on the Liberty to as low as 139 inside, 159 outside. Basically giving away the after Thanksgiving, early Dec and Jan sailings. Carnival had record lows as well for. - 8 days for 199. That the slow sales time. I can only hope history repeats itself.

[tomahawk246]

All the prices will come down after the the 3rd and 4th in a cabin promotion is over in April. RCC likes to run these scams. April 1st all prices come down.

[LetsGetWet!]

I start out by booking an inside cabin for a great price about 8 months out. I can live with an inside if I get a great price. Now i can book my airfare because I know I am going on that date and ship. I use a monitor system to check prices and I try to get a balcony when the prices come down, usually will cost me 1 to 2 hundred. If the price don't come down I stay inside. I am inside on Oasis on June 28 for 828.00 per person. The least expensive to get on the ship today is 1389.00. This process has worked for me on my last 5 cruises. It only works if your ok with an inside and an upgrade from there is a bonus. Right now 828.00 for that date is the least expensive price that anyone has payed. That is a good feeling for me, it makes me fill like I am beating RCC at there own game.

I'm liking that strategy, thanks! Especially since I'm often using miles for free tickets, need to get those airline reservations in early.

[Trekker954]

I have played chicken, specifically on my Med cruise last year. I knew we had to have a balcony but the prices were too high. I booked my plane tickets, booked my pre cruise hotel, booked private excursions. As I saw the prices come down to something reasonable, I booked an inside cabin (just in case it sold out) knowing I had no intention of being inside cabin. After final payment, the price dropped considerably. I think I paid $200 for both of us to move to an E2. eh, it would have to do, I paid $1399 ea before C&A discount for a 12 night Med cruise. I was pretty happy. Even happier, as I was boarding my plane 4 days before the cruise and got a call from C&A they upgraded us to a JS. :)

 

Then again, My mid July Alaska cruise, booked a corner aft D1 18 months in advance at what I thought was high $1700. I watched the price go up over $3K, never to come down. C&A also called wanting our cabin and offered an upgrade which we turned down. I do believe if you wanted an inside those prices dropped a lot.

 

You have to know the sailings, the time of year, if you are okay with an inside - you can usually get an awesome deal no matter when you go and if you can wait until a couple of weeks before.

[Nado44]

I start out by booking an inside cabin for a great price about 8 months out. I can live with an inside if I get a great price. Now i can book my airfare because I know I am going on that date and ship. I use a monitor system to check prices and I try to get a balcony when the prices come down, usually will cost me 1 to 2 hundred. If the price don't come down I stay inside. I am inside on Oasis on June 28 for 828.00 per person. The least expensive to get on the ship today is 1389.00. This process has worked for me on my last 5 cruises. It only works if your ok with an inside and an upgrade from there is a bonus. Right now 828.00 for that date is the least expensive price that anyone has payed. That is a good feeling for me, it makes me fill like I am beating RCC at there own game.

 

I *LOVE* this strategy and will probably use it for future cruises.

 

My take on this is that you win some and you lose some. We have a Quantum booking that is pricing about $2000 more than what we originally booked it for. We also have a Brilliance booking where we know pricing is going to be below what we paid.

 

It is what it is.

[travelplus]

remember those less expensive rooms left are usually locations no one wants

 

I agree LBumb for the most part that is true for 99.9 percent of Cruise Critic Members but there are those few who would gladly take a bad location to save money or else they would never be able to cruise. If it meant staying home or getting a room with an obstructed view then I'm sure those people who don't care about the location of the room would take the obstructed view cabin.

 

Also there are some people who only use the room to change and sleep and are not so worried about the location. They would be using the dollars saved up in the bars, casino etc.

 

Just like in Vegas people take those inexpensive rooms as they are gambling for the most part and only use the room to sleep in.

[cage keeper]

I am one of those people who reads CC every day (I don't post often but I value all the information that I've gleaned from this site). Therefore, I've seen all the threads about price drops after final payment. We booked our cruise a year out and I watched the price of the cruise daily because of the advice from members here. We were very lucky to get a great deal and paid, what at the time, was the lowest price on our Allure D5 cabin.

 

Of course, now that final payment has passed, the cabin just dropped another $290 per person below the price we paid (we have two cabins - almost $1200). :confused:

 

I fully understand Royal's policy and NOTHING is going to ruin this awesome cruise, but I would not have minded saving an additional $1200 (I even looked to see if we could upgrade to a JS but those prices haven't dropped to close to what we paid - but I will keep watching).

 

We are lucky that we both have a lot of flexibility at work and our kids are older so we don't have to schedule our vacation way ahead. So from now on, I think we are going to "take the risk" and wait to book cruises 4-6 weeks out. I know the airfair costs may be higher but I doubt it would have cost us an additional $1200!

 

I meant to take the marker off my cruise so I wouldn't get any price drop emails, but I forgot. Oh well, lesson learned.

 

Does anyone have an idea of when the "best" time to look for deals after final payment would be? Is there a good estimate to wait till 5 weeks or 4 weeks, etc? I know that there is the chance that ships will sell out and prices will increase, but that's the great thing about a flexible schedule we can always try the next week.

 

Thankfully, because of all the awesome people on CC, I knew this was a possibility and I know RCCL's policy so I am not going to waste my time trying to get any money credited back. Knowing this could happen ahead of time, helped make it easier to swallow once it did happen. Thanks CC'rs!

 

We are on the Explorer on Friday March 21. I booked it on Jan. 25th. Just poked around the cruise sites and stumbled upon the super low price and had to grab it. Prices have been going up and down daily but not down as low as we got. The other day they were up over 300 pp than we paid. So a couple of weeks after final payment is your best bet.

[cage keeper]

I agree LBumb for the most part that is true for 99.9 percent of Cruise Critic Members but there are those few who would gladly take a bad location to save money or else they would never be able to cruise. If it meant staying home or getting a room with an obstructed view then I'm sure those people who don't care about the location of the room would take the obstructed view cabin.

 

Also there are some people who only use the room to change and sleep and are not so worried about the location. They would be using the dollars saved up in the bars, casino etc.

 

Just like in Vegas people take those inexpensive rooms as they are gambling for the most part and only use the room to sleep in.

 

We are mid ship deck 7. Perfect for us.

[S.A.M.J.R.]

I am one of those people who reads CC every day (I don't post often but I value all the information that I've gleaned from this site). Therefore, I've seen all the threads about price drops after final payment. We booked our cruise a year out and I watched the price of the cruise daily because of the advice from members here. We were very lucky to get a great deal and paid, what at the time, was the lowest price on our Allure D5 cabin.

 

Of course, now that final payment has passed, the cabin just dropped another $290 per person below the price we paid (we have two cabins - almost $1200). :confused:

 

I fully understand Royal's policy and NOTHING is going to ruin this awesome cruise, but I would not have minded saving an additional $1200 (I even looked to see if we could upgrade to a JS but those prices haven't dropped to close to what we paid - but I will keep watching).

 

We are lucky that we both have a lot of flexibility at work and our kids are older so we don't have to schedule our vacation way ahead. So from now on, I think we are going to "take the risk" and wait to book cruises 4-6 weeks out. I know the airfair costs may be higher but I doubt it would have cost us an additional $1200!

 

I meant to take the marker off my cruise so I wouldn't get any price drop emails, but I forgot. Oh well, lesson learned.

 

Does anyone have an idea of when the "best" time to look for deals after final payment would be? Is there a good estimate to wait till 5 weeks or 4 weeks, etc? I know that there is the chance that ships will sell out and prices will increase, but that's the great thing about a flexible schedule we can always try the next week.

 

Thankfully, because of all the awesome people on CC, I knew this was a possibility and I know RCCL's policy so I am not going to waste my time trying to get any money credited back. Knowing this could happen ahead of time, helped make it easier to swallow once it did happen. Thanks CC'rs!

Why jump from a D5 to a JS? Have you looked at upgrading to D4, D3, D2, D1? When we booked our Oasis cruise last year, it was in a D8. Right after final payment, they dropped all the prices. We upgraded to a D1 and payed nothing more, got a better location and a bigger balcony.

[Familygoboston]

Unless you can drive to port, if you are traveling with 4 people, you might find the airfare increase wipes out any "savings" for the cruise. At least it has for us traveling during the school vacation weeks. The suggestions folks give here of buying "under" what you want but could live with, and upgrading after the price drop has worked for us 2 times now...once we went from a lesser balcony to an aft better one, another time when I called to enquire about a move from D1 to JS, we were C&A upgraded complimentarily:D

 

I think the strategy is tougher with Oasis and Allure, have not seen price drops there when we've booked early, so there was no opportunity to take advantage of a late price drop to upgrade.

 

Another option is book your air to FLL/MIA and be prepared to cruise whatever fits the time frame that's cheapest in the end (book your air window large enough to allow 2-3 cruises of both Royal and Celebrity or another line to "fit" and then buy last minute the best price and cabin option, and fill in the "extra" days with a room from Priceline.)

Edited March 18, 2014 by Familygoboston

[sha88]

OP: I don't think I have ever run into price drops before and I can really say now that I totally understand people's frustration with this issue. Yes, a reality that happens, but wow, paying close to $800 (total) more than what our D1 is going for now on our cruise - that HURTS!

 

I have a policy to never check pricing after final payment, even for possible upgrades, but as you know, it was being talked about alot on our roll call. Like you, I did check into a JS, but those are still considerably higher so would not make sense.

 

Oh well, we will have a great time. See you on the Allure! And, for those who got that terrific deal - Enjoy! :)

[LetsGetWet!]

OP: I don't think I have ever run into price drops before and I can really say now that I totally understand people's frustration with this issue. Yes, a reality that happens, but wow, paying close to $800 (total) more than what our D1 is going for now on our cruise - that HURTS!

Uhh yeah, I guess it hurts. But its not exactly an isolated occurrence. Auto manufacturers come out with sales/rebates and I guess if you bought a car the month before - that HURTS. People who bought homes before the housing crash in 08-09 could have bought them much cheaper if they had waited - that HURTS! But, I fail to see why that means that RCI is somehow doing something wrong or mistreating the customer, that's just life - happens every day! :confused:

Edited March 20, 2014 by LetsGetWet!

[critterchick]

Why jump from a D5 to a JS? Have you looked at upgrading to D4, D3, D2, D1? When we booked our Oasis cruise last year, it was in a D8. Right after final payment, they dropped all the prices. We upgraded to a D1 and payed nothing more, got a better location and a bigger balcony.

 

Other than the D-1, which has a larger balcony, all of the other D categories are identical, so upgrading would only make sense if somebody wanted to be in a different location. The JS has a TON of extra room and is very, very nice.

[londongal796]

I wish we could get price drops here in the UK, we are not able to get any price drop offers even before final payment is due.:(

 

Not trying to hijack the thread here but just wanted to comment -- you CAN get price drops here in the UK, even after final payment. I haven't experienced the 'after final payment' bit, but I read about it here on CC. I noticed a significant price drop on our cruise, over £200 per person, so I called. The first agent kept repeating my booked price, completely useless guy. So I asked for a supervisor -- he at first hemmed and hawed and claimed it wasn't possible. But after I insisted he investigate it, he made it happen and we are now locked in at the reduced fare!!! (Though I am keeping my eyes open for any potential upgrades nearer to the cruise!)