Just booked Liberty sailing from Bayonne

[Ocean Boy]

Yelp, after thinking about it some more I changed my mind and decided to bail given the price and the fact that I've already done this itinerary. Reserved on the May 23 Adventure of the Seas out of San Juan instead.

 

The southern Caribbean out of San Juan is awesome. We have done it several times on Adventure and Serenade.

[EmpressofPurple]

Wouldn't paying airfare to Florida make the cruise more expensive than cruising out of New Jersey?

 

When flying to a distant port, one must consider flying down the day before to guard against flight delay or cancellations. That can lead to hotel bills, as well.

 

That happened to us last year. The second leg of our flight to Tampa was cancelled, and the replacement flight got us into Tampa at night. If we were flying in the same day, we would haave missed the ship. Thank goodness that we went early.

 

This year we cruised out of Bayonne on the Explorer. We came by Amtrak from Boston---no flying, but came in one day early.

 

Actually, this has not been my experience in the past. A couple of years ago, my DD and I were considering a 9-night Explorer cruise to the Bahamas... or a 9-night Brilliance cruise out of Florida, with much more interesting ports... and the Brilliance cruise was (A) cheaper, even factoring in airfare for 2 and 1 night hotel, and (B) those 9 nights were all spent in warm weather, not 2 nights in front and in back jetting up and down the east coast in rough seas.

 

While I LOVE the convenience of driving to the port and packing whatever I please (rather than trying to go all-carryon in the era of ridiculous airline luggage fees)... sometimes the cost, value and quality of a Florida departure overrides the ease of transportation to a local northeast port.

[rotty2]

The southern Caribbean out of San Juan is awesome. We have done it several times on Adventure and Serenade.

 

I agree, it is our favorite itinerary, we have done it 3 times. I'm leaning towards the Adventure again and maybe should jump on it now while the price is good.

[John Reid]

Just booked the 8/27/2015 9-night sailing to the Maritimes and New England. Yes, it is not rock bottom price but it is not outrageous either, especially when comparing to the current price on Explorer end of August sailing.

 

I would not consider that a valid comparison. We booked that upcoming August 28 Explorer cruise in late February for $1,480 for two with taxes and port fees for a well located deck 9 interior. It had been available at that low rate for some time while we were considering the cruise. It was only in March that the rates inexplicably doubled. So, Explorer was actually available for $250 per person less than Liberty's current rate for the same cruise in 2015.

[Merion_Mom]

If I were an airline exec I'd be very excited reading this thread LOL. I'd probably send flowers to Adam Goldstein and whoever heads up the revenue department at RCI.

 

 

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Heck, if I were the president of Southwest Air, I would be rethinking cutting non-stop service between PHL and FLL.

 

:cool:

[lordchaos]

speaking of the higher prices, does anyone know why the prices to Bermuda always seem so much higher than other itineraries? iv'e seen about 1750pp for a balcony- seems really high to me. I would love to leave out of NY, but not at that price.

[marci22]

speaking of the higher prices, does anyone know why the prices to Bermuda always seem so much higher than other itineraries? iv'e seen about 1750pp for a balcony- seems really high to me. I would love to leave out of NY, but not at that price.

 

There is usually demand for Bermuda July/August because it leaves out of NJ and kids are off school. I thought that Ex was priced extremely high for an older ship, but they were filling the ship. I have seen a lot of discounting for May, early June, late August, when kids are in/going back to school. Also, the port fees are high, ~$200pp for a 5 night sailing.

 

The new Liberty prices are just too high imo. For the suite price totals, you can fly into Bermuda and stay for 5 days instead. We'll see if people book at those price levels. Just seems too high to me but you never know how people are rationalizing things (I don't have to fly, everything is included, etc).

[seeshore]

speaking of the higher prices, does anyone know why the prices to Bermuda always seem so much higher than other itineraries? iv'e seen about 1750pp for a balcony- seems really high to me. I would love to leave out of NY, but not at that price.

 

I also believe that Bermuda sailings are higher priced because the casino is only open for limited hours in port and the shops are closed while there. On a 7 night sailing that really cuts into revenue with the 3 port days.

[Dave85]

There is usually demand for Bermuda July/August because it leaves out of NJ and kids are off school. I thought that Ex was priced extremely high for an older ship, but they were filling the ship. I have seen a lot of discounting for May, early June, late August, when kids are in/going back to school.

 

 

Right, there's usually significant discounting for early May (when I like to travel) both because the kids up here are still in school and the weather can be a little iffy in Bermuda. I know the last time I went to Bermuda in early May on EXOS the temperature didn't get above 70 the entire cruise. We got such a great deal though that I didn't care. I think they'll eventually need to significantly discount those earliest May sailings.

 

 

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Edited April 20, 2014 by Dave85

[Friend100]

I would not consider that a valid comparison. We booked that upcoming August 28 Explorer cruise in late February for $1,480 for two with taxes and port fees for a well located deck 9 interior. It had been available at that low rate for some time while we were considering the cruise. It was only in March that the rates inexplicably doubled. So, Explorer was actually available for $250 per person less than Liberty's current rate for the same cruise in 2015.

 

I agree it is not a valid comparison. This year's cruise goes from 8/28-9/6 which goes over the Labor Day weekend. Next year's goes from 8/27-9/5 which is still before Labor Day meaning school not started yet.

[beachbuddy]

Heck, if I were the president of Southwest Air, I would be rethinking cutting non-stop service between PHL and FLL.

 

:cool:

 

Darn, I forgot they were cutting that!!! I hate stops!!!!

 

Patty

[Ocean Boy]

Darn, I forgot they were cutting that!!! I hate stops!!!!

 

Patty

 

Same here. The way I see it every time the plane touches down it just sets up more opportunity for things to go wrong.