New Itineraries OVERPRICED????

[Esahuma]

That website show the % of different cabin categories available, not the % of empty cabins. So even if only 1 cabin out of 200 of a category is available it will be included in the %.

 

Yes - when you first click on a cruise - it shows the Ship/Cruise/Date and it does show the percentage of the ship that still needs to be filled - here is the Splendor of the Seas for our TA 20 Apr 15 - 30% of the ship is still empty

 

 

Saildate Categories

2015-04-20 30 %

[gaylemh]

Yes - when you first click on a cruise - it shows the Ship/Cruise/Date and it does show the percentage of the ship that still needs to be filled - here is the Splendor of the Seas for our TA 20 Apr 15 - 30% of the ship is still empty

 

 

Saildate Categories

2015-04-20 30 %

 

If you notice above the 30% it is stated Categories not occupancy. It's the % of Categories that are still available.

 

There are 28 different categories and 9 categories left.

[jrapps]

I made a mock booking for 7 night western Caribbean for a mini-suite, mid-ship. Total $2400 ($400 deposit). Includes beverage pkg, dinning pkg, paid gratuities and $200 obc. WOW. Now THAT is a helluva good deal... almost too good to pass up.

 

I actually did just this and booked NCL..but your info above isn't 100% correct. To get all 4 benefits you need a haven suite...mini suites only get one. I made the same mistake at first until i read the fine print.

 

don't get me wrong even without that it's still a hell of a great deal.

[LMaxwell]

Brandywine, do not forget, NCL gives steep discounts for Costco booking and AARP members (no age limit to be a member. You can enroll a newborn...). RCI only provides a senior age based discount on a selective basis.

[GEORGET]

Thank you for this post

As i thought it was just the Euro cruises that had increased.

D+ on RCCL but have moved to P&O Last year, 4 cruises because of better overall value for Money, that year.

in February book bargain last minute NCL suite with all the extras a no brainer.

Had such a good experience with the included specialist free dining package, free drinks and OBC.

our first time on NCL

 

So good rebooked again and paid more before this offer was pulled.

 

RCCL cruises were way above this price.

 

Will return to RCCL when they offer value as there competitors and are the same price.

 

The last 5 cruises away from RCCL shows that RCL standards are not as high as the Management thinks it is. Last cruise on Brilliance, which we have done 10 cruises on, was

another reason we jumped ship.

 

retired, spending our savings and loving it

j

[Paulette3028]

I thought Mr Fain said there would be no more "last minute deals".

 

The way I read that it was more light 'don't expect last minute deals' rather than --- we absolutely won't be doing last minute deals.

 

From a business point of view....they will 'change the pricing' whenever they want, if they need to book more cabins. They may not call it a 'last minute sale' nor do it at the very, last minute....but prices change all the time.

[Mjoellnir]

RCCL must be counting on a lot of international passengers to fill their new ships. Perhaps a favorable currency exchange makes these prices look better.

 

No. It is rather the oposite. The dollar has become far more expensive for most of europe the last 6 months.

[Cruzin-K]

It seems Royal is going after new cruisers with MONEY. The people who can afford these higher prices will most likely spend more money aboard the ship. They appear to be going after more affluent people..There are others with a lot more money then people realize..Sorry Loyal to Royals, they are phasing you out

Well, that would make sense if the suite perks were as good or better than other lines but from what I understand, they are not. Why would wealthy people spend money to sail on Royal with so few perks when for a few dollars more (all relative if you have millions) you can sail on one of the luxury lines and be totally spoiled :confused:

[ltjn]

Just maybe that it why someone is affluent. They look at the fine details and offerings, and make an educated decisions based upon what they are receiving for their money.

 

I know I do!

[ltjn]

And we all know how the internet boom ended up!

 

Granted, there are those who spend with wild abandonment, but most have some degree of fiscal responsibility.

 

As a shareholder in Royal, I do hope their pricing scheme works for them, but recently they have failed to meet the expectations of Wall Street.

[Debde]

Well, that would make sense if the suite perks were as good or better than other lines but from what I understand, they are not. Why would wealthy people spend money to sail on Royal with so few perks when for a few dollars more (all relative if you have millions) you can sail on one of the luxury lines and be totally spoiled :confused:

 

Many people that cruise are not thinking about perks. Average and wealthy people the same. They look at the base product and if they like it, they return.

I believe Royal is trying to attract those people that free drinks or lounge access and all that other stuff are not priority on the cruise/vacation list.

 

I'd guess that before they drop prices, they will find other ways to make it up and that would most likely come from what is given free. Hence, suite guests amenities will have an announcement soon of an enhanced program and many fear the cut backs to the loyalty program. Time will tell on this.:confused:

Edited March 13, 2015 by Debde

[cocacola86]

Who Dat!!!

[Debde]

Who Dat!!!

 

Dats right!!!:D

Too bad Royal has pulled out of the best cruise port ever!!!

[marci22]

I dunno. Royal seems to be getting pretty expensive to me. Who are all of these people that have money to burn and don't care about anything free? Most people I know seem to be thoughtful about how they spend their money.

 

Anyway once you get to a certain price point, people aren't going to want to be on a megaship. They are going to move to a different product.

[Bluewake]

I am not particularly demanding in terms of what I want in a cruise but I have cruised on Royal Caribbean enough times to appreciate some of the differences that I feel separate it a bit from NCL or Carnival. Although my next cruise is on RCCL, I have to start looking around for there is a "tipping point" at which it ceases (at least to me) to be worth the extra cost to go with Royal Caribbean. A couple hundred dollars more for a relatively equivalent itinerary and/or ship might be worth it to sail RCCL. However, when the difference approaches $1000, it's more difficult to remain loyal to RCCL.

 

For example, I just did a little test looking at an oceanview cabin for two. On Jan 3, 2016, the NCL Breakaway and RCCL Anthem both sail from the NYC area on 12 nt itineraries to the Southern Caribbean. Both stop at 6 islands which, to me, are relatively equivalent. For an oceanview cabin for two adults, the Breakaway would cost $3350 and the Anthem $3925. And, the Breakaway fare includes the ultimate beverage package...pretty much all the alcoholic beverages you can drink for the entire cruise. Assuming the beverage package is worth about $50 a day, when you add that value (kind of an on-board credit) to the fare price difference, the cost for the Anthem is about $1100 more for a relatively similar cruise. To me, that's quite a difference. Of course, I realize this isn't strictly an "apples to apples" comparison since the Anthem is new, but how many people are willing to pay that much more for pretty much the same cruise? I suppose each person has to decide for themselves if RCCL is really that much better.

[jticarruthers]

I am not particularly demanding in terms of what I want in a cruise but I have cruised on Royal Caribbean enough times to appreciate some of the differences that I feel separate it a bit from NCL or Carnival. Although my next cruise is on RCCL, I have to start looking around for there is a "tipping point" at which it ceases (at least to me) to be worth the extra cost to go with Royal Caribbean. A couple hundred dollars more for a relatively equivalent itinerary and/or ship might be worth it to sail RCCL. However, when the difference approaches $1000, it's more difficult to remain loyal to RCCL.

 

For example, I just did a little test looking at an oceanview cabin for two. On Jan 3, 2016, the NCL Breakaway and RCCL Anthem both sail from the NYC area on 12 nt itineraries to the Southern Caribbean. Both stop at 6 islands which, to me, are relatively equivalent. For an oceanview cabin for two adults, the Breakaway would cost $3350 and the Anthem $3925. And, the Breakaway fare includes the ultimate beverage package...pretty much all the alcoholic beverages you can drink for the entire cruise. Assuming the beverage package is worth about $50 a day, when you add that value (kind of an on-board credit) to the fare price difference, the cost for the Anthem is about $1100 more for a relatively similar cruise. To me, that's quite a difference. Of course, I realize this isn't strictly an "apples to apples" comparison since the Anthem is new, but how many people are willing to pay that much more for pretty much the same cruise? I suppose each person has to decide for themselves if RCCL is really that much better.

 

Much the same boat on my end. Happy with Royal but if the price is too far out of line I will try something else and see.

 

For Springbreak '16; NCL Escape (basically brand new) 7 nt was $100 cheaper than Brilliance of the Seas (older and smaller) 5 nt. Throw in the drink packages at about $70 per person per day with all the gratuities etc and you are talking about $1000 cheaper for a longer cruise on a bigger/newer ship.

 

Guess who's trying NCL next springbreak?

 

Still hoping to find something I like the look of on the RCL side for Thanksgiving '16 (once those itineraries come out) in the meantime I have a hold on the Escape again for that week just in case I don't see anything worth switching for.

[Doc Rick]

I am not particularly demanding in terms of what I want in a cruise but I have cruised on Royal Caribbean enough times to appreciate some of the differences that I feel separate it a bit from NCL or Carnival. Although my next cruise is on RCCL, I have to start looking around for there is a "tipping point" at which it ceases (at least to me) to be worth the extra cost to go with Royal Caribbean. A couple hundred dollars more for a relatively equivalent itinerary and/or ship might be worth it to sail RCCL. However, when the difference approaches $1000, it's more difficult to remain loyal to RCCL.

 

For example, I just did a little test looking at an oceanview cabin for two. On Jan 3, 2016, the NCL Breakaway and RCCL Anthem both sail from the NYC area on 12 nt itineraries to the Southern Caribbean. Both stop at 6 islands which, to me, are relatively equivalent. For an oceanview cabin for two adults, the Breakaway would cost $3350 and the Anthem $3925. And, the Breakaway fare includes the ultimate beverage package...pretty much all the alcoholic beverages you can drink for the entire cruise. Assuming the beverage package is worth about $50 a day, when you add that value (kind of an on-board credit) to the fare price difference, the cost for the Anthem is about $1100 more for a relatively similar cruise. To me, that's quite a difference. Of course, I realize this isn't strictly an "apples to apples" comparison since the Anthem is new, but how many people are willing to pay that much more for pretty much the same cruise? I suppose each person has to decide for themselves if RCCL is really that much better.

 

We compared a 7 night Bahama cruise from NY for a family of 4. Breakaway vs. Anthem. Breakaway was $2,347 total including all taxes and port fees for 4, including Ultimate Beverage Package. Anthem was $ 5,265.12 for 4, and did not include any beverage package.

 

Big difference - almost $3,000 and no beverage package on RC (around $800 value).

 

Just cruised Norwegian Breakaway a couple of weeks ago and it was amazing! It's the largest cruise ship sailing out of New York, holding over 4,000 passengers. It was just built 2 years ago in 2013, so it's not far from "New."

 

A family of 4 could do 2 cruises on the Breakaway and spend the night in a nice NY hotel, and have dinner and drinks for the price of one Anthem cruise (Which you would have to pay for all of your drinks on board.)

 

No Brainer....

[Debde]

Just cruised Norwegian Breakaway a couple of weeks ago and it was amazing!

 

Can not wait for mine!! It was time to check NCL out and the more I read, the more I think I'm going to have a great time!!

[ltjn]

Darn I better hurry up! I have been waiting for the Royal winter/spring cruises to be released after March 30th to decide. I have looking the Breakaway and Getaway in the Haven. With every body else evaluating NCL I better make up my mine very soon.

[svillager]

Prices are definitely outrageous - I booked yesterday on the 10/8/16 AOS - cat D1 solo - price - roughly 1900 with C and A discount - today - 3400. Are they kidding ? It's an 8 night cruise out of San Juan. Other categories doubled in price.

[LEtue]

We compared a 7 night Bahama cruise from NY for a family of 4. Breakaway vs. Anthem. Breakaway was $2,347 total including all taxes and port fees for 4, including Ultimate Beverage Package. Anthem was $ 5,265.12 for 4, and did not include any beverage package.

 

Big difference - almost $3,000 and no beverage package on RC (around $800 value).

 

Just cruised Norwegian Breakaway a couple of weeks ago and it was amazing! It's the largest cruise ship sailing out of New York, holding over 4,000 passengers. It was just built 2 years ago in 2013, so it's not far from "New."

 

A family of 4 could do 2 cruises on the Breakaway and spend the night in a nice NY hotel, and have dinner and drinks for the price of one Anthem cruise (Which you would have to pay for all of your drinks on board.)

 

No Brainer....

 

Wow, that is an astonishing difference :eek:

 

Even though I only pay for one and travel with friends and family members we are all watching the bottom line especially with vacation $$$. RCI is going to lose more passengers - no doubt.

[mcatmcat]

For the more I try to think that royal is trying to attract affluent people I dont believe it will work. Real affluent people dont like to cruise. Also they will fail to attract new passengers because they will look it as extremely expensive.

 

My first cruise was carnival because of the price and I didn't know what to expect, I started to explore and end up with royal because the price was right specially sailing from FL, but now Im not paying Oasis prices to sail in the freedom class.

 

Time will tell, I got to find a ship that I want for 2016 but I wont be sailing for a week like I always do, it will be 6 night only. They do their cutbacks I do mine lol

[karena1]

The price for adventure June 2016 is $2856.02. It claims the price per person is $1831 before the Bogo. This is for d1 balcony. We are on the same exact cruise this June 2015 and we took the same one in 2014. The price was $979pp in 2014 and our 2015 price is $999 pp. Total w taxes is $2107. Do I believe in inflation? Yes. But a $700 increase in one year? No thanks. We will look for a better offer or wait to see if the prices come down. Saying that the price per person to cruise out of San Juan is $1831 per person is a joke. I don't even think a first time cruiser would believe that nonsense.

 

We booked our 2016 on Adventure when the BOGOHO first came out so did get a great price. It is WAY higher now. I will buy the package and it is still higher than what they have out for base pricing with tax now.

 

So like others, we are looking to expand our horizons. Still not sure I will book longer cruises on anything but Royal/Celebrity/Princess, but we are still doing more than Royal. Have Silhouette in Dec and the price DROPPED a total of $300. Fantastic price for a 7 night cruise balcony cabin WITH the beverage package. $799 pp base price. So very happy about that.

[cruiselvr04]

We have three more cruises booked with RCL then I think we will be doing some looking around. Prices are just getting too high. I just booked what may be our last for May 2016 for four cabins to take the kids and grands. Over all the price was about about what I would expect to pay for four balcony cabins but instead could only afford inside cabins. We have been on Princess and it wasn't bad and need to try NCL again I guess. For now I will not cancel anything but honestly they are pricing us out the door. We are Diamond plus but we can build loyalty with other cruise lines too.

 

Last year we cruised three weeks, one was free with Credit card points. Those two weeks we paid for are less then what we are paying for one week this year in the same catagory of cabins.

[azureblue50]

We could not find a RCCL deal for our January 2015 cruise in celebration of my husband’s birthday, so no more loyal to royal. We found a deal on Ruby Princess. 14 days 1,200 pp obstructed ocean view gratuities paid. Lovely ship with English influenced dinning. Tons of really old people, LOL, even older than us and about 12 kids. The ship even had a contest to guess how many children were on board. We have also been looking at NCL Breakaway out of NYC. Looks really tempting but I would like to do a bit more research.

On another peevish note about RCCL I am having difficulty finding value redemption of my diligently earned visa reward points. There are so many restrictions of how, when, and in conjunction with other promotions to use the points. WOW it is giving me a headache.