Prices too high

[Lastdance]

Supply and Demand with a spin on other factors...

[teecee60]

promotions come and promotions go, before you know it they will be on to another strategy.

 

If you think you are getting good value book it. If not don't.

 

Could not have said it better. ;)

 

 

With all of the chatter about higher prices, I am STILL able to cruise for LESS than $50pp/day. :D

 

If cruise lines were filling their cabins at "Brochure Rates" you wouldn't see their marking departments peddling this BBB schlock. :rolleyes:

 

 

Here's ANOTHER 26,000 brand new berths the industry will need to fill... EVERY WEEK... in the next few years.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6463

 

These ships are a BILLION dollars a piece and they HAVE to paid for... and empty cabins don't generate revenue. :cool:

 

I'm looking forward to CONTINUED great deals on my cruises well into the future!

Edited July 29, 2015 by teecee60

[The_Big_M]

"Too High" ultimately comes down to one thing. If Celebrity fills their ships at these prices, then it is not "too high". They may just be filling the ships with different passengers than they are filling the ships with today.

 

Spot on.

 

I remember when 123 came out, how many people here complained that was a scam, prices rose to cover it, Celebrity was a rip-off now for bringing it in and so on. And they wouldn't sail Celebrity again until it failed and prices went back to the way they were pre 123.

 

Yet now you have complaints in this thread saying how 123 pricing was *great* and this new pricing is bad and so on.

 

Ultimately it's down to whether the line is getting sales. And reports were that 123 was a success. And so is this replacement.

[PhotoPete]

One would think cruise prices would track with the recent decrease in fuel costs. But, I see that is not the case. Guess I will have to go on a cruise vacation.

[neenee61]

Well I'm looking at Europe 12 nighters for 2016. For single aqua comes in around $8-$9000 AUD and lucky me would get the internet and drink package etc for 2 people. Does this mean I can order 2 drinks at the 1 time ??? I think not thank you. Before the BBB the single cost would be 200% with taxes etc for 1 pax. Withe the BBB they have double the option. Time to move on I think. Pretty costly for 12nights

[Stateroom_Sailor]

Spot on.

 

I remember when 123 came out, how many people here complained that was a scam, prices rose to cover it, Celebrity was a rip-off now for bringing it in and so on. And they wouldn't sail Celebrity again until it failed and prices went back to the way they were pre 123.

 

Yet now you have complaints in this thread saying how 123 pricing was *great* and this new pricing is bad and so on.

 

Ultimately it's down to whether the line is getting sales. And reports were that 123 was a success. And so is this replacement.

 

#1. It's not necessarily the same naysayers for BBB that complained about 123. My Repo cruise hardly changed in price over the prior year, so the perks really were gravy. I was a 123 cheerleader, the CC cabins especially were a great deal, but BBB I don't give a rip about. There's also those that complained about 123, and are thankful that BBB is (most part) optional.

 

#2. If 123 was a "great" success, BBB might not have to, or even be expected to, match it. I saw this with Royal Caribbean's BOGOHO sale, initial great deals, mass bookings, followed by higher prices and less incentive promos. Spike bookings with artificial teasers, create a cabin shortage, and we all get reeducated on the new cost to cruise.

Edited July 29, 2015 by Stateroom_Sailor

[greydog]

In all fairness, hotels operate without needing to book every room, so that's fine with me if they want to adapt this model.

 

Cruising's business model gains significant rev from pax on-board spending, excursion sales, casino, staff gratuities to an extent most hotels can't match. So an unfilled cabin presents cruising a larger 'opportunity cost'.

 

Heading out on Summit Sunday to make my contribution. HAPPY CRUISING

[greydog]

One would think cruise prices would track with the recent decrease in fuel costs. But, I see that is not the case. Guess I will have to go on a cruise vacation.

 

A couple years ago cruise lines warned of fuel surcharges if oil prices went above $100 but they did not apply the surcharge.

 

While oil prices have moderated, recent EPA requirements now require cruise lines in vicinity of US coastline to use premium-price low-sulphur fuel. I saw govt. document estimating a 30% increase in cruise line fuel costs. This apparently has contributed to NCL's plan to build liquid natural gas powered new builds.

 

Competition, supply/demand will be travel consumers' best advocate in the long run. HAPPY CRUISING

[rockdoctor]

IMHO, we have all be spoiled by the price drops of "The Great Recession". If memory still serves me, prîces dropped 50% overnight in 2008. And then dropped some more! A couple of our cruises were 25% of the 2007 price. Seems like pricing is just getting back to the old rates in some markets, like Europe and Alaska, and the ships are full. I could open Pandoras Box about whether value is up or down. No more Death by Chocolate, Midnight Buffets, Suchi Bars, but free drink packages, free gratuities, lots of OBC. A little internet time and a good TA can still get you a good deal. One great thing about cruising is that by the time I check in, I've forgotten exactly how much I paid for the cruise. What a great way to see the world!

[CruisingChick]

With all of the chatter about higher prices, I am STILL able to cruise for LESS than $50pp/day. :D!

 

 

Really? Where and when because I'd like to book those cruises. They aren't on Celebrity are they? I have kept track of all our cruise costs.

 

We always book inside cabins and the lowest we ever paid per person is $72.96pp/day. Our upcoming Celebrity Summit cruise is costing us $117.73pp/day. I really didn't want to pay that much but looks like the cruise is almost sold out and my TA said there were only 2 insides left that she could see.

 

Our upcoming RCCL cruise in October on Liberty is costing us $93.16pp/day and I was happy to just get at least one cruise under $100pp/day.

[kenevenpar]

Can you give more info on this?

 

 

From an email I received:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[teecee60]

Really? Where and when because I'd like to book those cruises. They aren't on Celebrity are they?

 

I have kept track of all our cruise costs.

 

We always book inside cabins and the lowest we ever paid per person is $72.96pp/day. Our upcoming Celebrity Summit cruise is costing us $117.73pp/day.

 

Our upcoming RCCL cruise in October on Liberty is costing us $93.16pp/day and I was happy to just get at least one cruise under $100pp/day.

 

I also keep track. All figures below are inside cabin, (unless noted) base fares, w/o taxes or tips. ;)

 

Five years ago I did a 14 night Panama Canal on Infinity for $799pp with $250 OBC

 

Four years ago I did a 15 night Constellation transatlantic for $609pp w/ $400 OBC.

 

Two years ago I did a 14 night Diamond Princess to Alaska for $799pp w/ $500 OBC.

 

Last fall, I did the 23 night Century transpacific for $799pp w/ $250 OBC.

 

5 days later, I did the 15 night Reflection transatlantic for $649pp w/ $400 OBC.

 

This spring I did the 14 night Silhouette transatlantic for $699pp w/ $450 OBC.

 

This fall I'm in an Ocean View on the 15 Constellation transatlantic for $799pp w/ $525 OBC.

 

My RECORD was 15 nights on Reflection for $449pp with $250 OBC! :eek:

 

I recently booked a 35 night B2B Australia/New Zealand/Transpacific next spring on Explorer of the Seas for under $1675pp with over $500 OBC. (Not sure yet if we will get an EXTRA $450 OBC from shareholder benefit)

 

Friends (posting on THIS THREAD) have gotten BALCONY cabins on a 15 night transatlantic for $699pp. :cool:

 

The best one that "got away" was a 27 night B2B on Constellation two years ago for $1098pp with $825 OBC.

 

Most people simply REFUSE to believe this can be done on an ongoing basis. :rolleyes:

Edited July 29, 2015 by teecee60

[CruisingChick]

I also keep track. All figures below are inside cabin, (unless noted) base fares, w/o taxes or tips. ;)

 

Most people simply REFUSE to believe this can be done on an ongoing basis. :rolleyes:

 

Okay so from now on can you book my cruises for me? I see you are getting all this OBC so you must book with a big on-line Travel Agency?

 

Your deals are amazing. We always book insides and have never gotten anywhere near that.

 

The only deal we ever got was in 2008 when the market crashed. We got a Concierge Class Cabin for $999 per person for a 13 night cruise. The inside was $949 per person so we upgraded and paid the extra $50 per person. I am sure we will never see that deal again.

[CathyCruises]

From an email I received:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book a veranda stateroom at ocean view rates and turn incredible views into your own private retreat in the Caribbean. Now starting at just $899†*[font=&quot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ah, thanks. No interest in the Caribbean but good to know.

FREE UPGRADES: Our newest way to perk up your Caribbean vacation.

[gergles]

I also keep track. All figures below are inside cabin, (unless noted) base fares, w/o taxes or tips. ;)

Most people simply REFUSE to believe this can be done on an ongoing basis. :rolleyes:

OK, well, you have to pay taxes and tips, so I will continue to refuse to believe that this can be done on an ongoing basis, because it can't. If I arbitrarily exclude things from the price, I cruise for free*!

 

* Plus charges, fees, tips, and taxes, of course.

Edited July 29, 2015 by gergles

[CruisingChick]

OK, well, you have to pay taxes and tips, so I will continue to refuse to believe that this can be done on an ongoing basis, because it can't. If I arbitrarily exclude things from the price, I cruise for free*!

 

* Plus charges, fees, tips, and taxes, of course.

 

Correct. My prices include taxes (not tips) and sometimes we purchase Celebrity Cruise Care (not often) but then that would be also included in the price.

[mcrcruiser]

OK, well, you have to pay taxes and tips, so I will continue to refuse to believe that this can be done on an ongoing basis, because it can't. If I arbitrarily exclude things from the price, I cruise for free*!

 

* Plus charges, fees, tips, and taxes, of course.

 

LOL:p could not agree more . The OP is dreaming :p

[richsea]

While there are still some great deals to be found, they are getting harder & harder to find. Just check the eXciting deals every week, the fares are about what they used to be for a normal fare.insides are much easier to get at a low price because, aside from being insides, the cruise lines & TAs need something to attract people to their ads, so a "only $599pp headline works every time.

 

Repositioning sailings like transatlantic shave always cost less, although even those have increased now.

 

We usually stay away from broadcasting how much we pay for a particular sailing,feeling it is a private matter, but invariably do meet some on board who feel the need to.

[teecee60]

OK, well, you have to pay taxes and tips, so I will continue to refuse to believe that this can be done on an ongoing basis, because it can't. If I arbitrarily exclude things from the price, I cruise for free*!

 

* Plus charges, fees, tips, and taxes, of course.

 

LOL could not agree more . The OP is dreaming

 

 

Most people simply REFUSE to believe this can be done on an ongoing basis. I rest my case. :rolleyes:

 

Perhaps you didn't know, that whether you go to the Cruise Line web site, your local travel agent, or any online Travel Agency website, the advertised prices for cruises are (almost) ALWAYS "base fares" (that DO INCLUDE port charges) but do NOT include taxes and tips. :rolleyes:

 

Airfares, hotels and transfers are not included in cruise prices either, even though (almost all) people pay them. :cool:

 

If you don't want to discuss prices, then don't. But why are there so many threads discussing prices?

 

But PLEASE, feel free to continue to pay those ridiculously high prices... and complain about it... while poking fun at me. ;) :D :rolleyes:

Edited July 29, 2015 by teecee60

[mcrcruiser]

Most people simply REFUSE to believe this can be done on an ongoing basis. I rest my case.

 

Perhaps you didn't know, that whether you go to the Cruise Line web site, your local travel agent, or any online Travel Agency website, the advertised prices for cruises are (almost) ALWAYS "base fares" (that DO INCLUDE port charges) but do NOT include taxes and tips.

 

Airfares, hotels and transfers are not included in cruise prices either, even though (almost all) people pay them.

 

If you don't want to discuss prices, then don't. But why are there so many threads discussing prices?

 

But PLEASE, feel free to continue to pay those ridiculously high prices... and complain about it... while poking fun at me. ;) :

 

We know how to get the best prices available for any cruise & cruise line .We put our cruise out for TA's to bid on it;) . With 66 cruises under our belt ,we have never had prices, on a on going basis what you quoted you get . We do get TAs to give us nice OBCs & occasionally we opt for free trip insurance from the TA :D

 

You need to tell us how you get such low prices when the other 100% of people can not ,for all of us to believe you :rolleyes:

[CathyCruises]

We know how to get the best prices available for any cruise & cruise line .We put our cruise out for TA's to bid on it;) . With 66 cruises under our belt ,we have never had prices, on a on going basis what you quoted you get . We do get TAs to give us nice OBCs & occasionally we opt for free trip insurance from the TA :D

 

You need to tell us how you get such low prices when the other 100% of people can not ,for all of us to believe you :rolleyes:

 

He's telling the total truth. I know because I've been on a lot of those cruises with him and got the same deals. We watch and wait and don't book until/unless prices fall within our comfort zone. I don't usually book insides, I pay a few hundred more for a balcony, but I have never paid more than I did this year which was $849 for a 14 day transatlantic balcony (unobstructed) on Silhouette. My best deal was $699 for a balcony and that was also on Silhouette.

 

I've also done a 14 day cruise in a family veranda cabin, 575 ft.², for $999 per person, on Solstice.

 

Good things come to those who wait. Don't doubt, do your homework.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

It's pretty easy to hit a target of $50 per day doing transatlantics. Anyone ready to book a cheap cruise? ;)

 

Celebrity Reflection, Oct 23rd, 15 night for $799. (find a TA that give $50+ OBC)

 

Celebrity Constellation Nov 4th, 15 night for $809 (TA for $59+)

 

Jewel of the Seas 11/6/16, 12 night for $447.

 

Brilliance of the Seas 4/26/16 14 night $568

[gentle@spici]

I have been watching a 11 day southern Caribbean on the equinox and the price has held steady for a month or more. This week a TA included an extra option of the 4 in the new pricing world. So in a nutshell we can get the beverage pkg and tips paid in a 1b veranda for $2930 for both of us. It seems a bit high but I've been researching princess itinerarys and they are even a couple hundred dollars more than this for a 10 day. Never sailed Princess so not sure what to do...

[rose6]

To the posters who claim to receive large amounts of obc

 

Kindly explain the sources of the on board credits, as I have never seen any travel agencies offer that much obc. I suspect the posters are eligible for obc from Celebrity based on share holder benefits and/or perhaps military or professional affiliations that the majority of us would not be eligible to receive.

[blueboro]

To the posters who claim to receive large amounts of obc

 

Kindly explain the sources of the on board credits, as I have never seen any travel agencies offer that much obc. I suspect the posters are eligible for obc from Celebrity based on share holder benefits and/or perhaps military or professional affiliations that the majority of us would not be eligible to receive.

 

Not sure what you consider a large amount of OBC. For our upcoming 10-day Med cruise in October, we got $700 OBC per cabin ($400 from TA and $300 from X) which I feel is pretty good. Also got the drink package all for around $2k each for a unobstructed balcony.