They said I was crazy, but I tried to tell them! Book early!!!

[amandajean06]

I have been planning to celebrate my 30th birthday on a cruise for some time now and I wanted as many of my family and friends along as possible.

 

I booked myself, my hubby, and our two boys in the connecting balcony/interior rooms on the Pride Eastern Caribbean sailing from Baltimore for 5/28/17 wayyyyyyyyyy back in Janurary (18 months prior to sailing.) Other than my parents and brother, who booked when I did, the rest of my family (in-laws, etc.) thought I was nuts for booking so far ahead and said they'd just wait awhile.

 

Well, while watching for ES price drops for nearly a year now (and seeing none) I thought I would check prices to compare today, since none of them have booked yet. :confused:

 

In January of 2016, I paid (cruise fares only):

$1778 + $50 OBC (balcony, deck 7)

$1378 + $50 OBC (interior, deck 7)

 

and as of today:

$2128 + $0 OBC, half off deposit (balcony, deck 7)

$1778 + $0 OBC, half off deposit (balcony, deck 7)

 

That means that we paid a whopping $750 less (plus $100 OBC) for our total reservation by booking as soon as itineraries were released as opposed to waiting. Sadly, this probably means that no one else will book as prices are now too high, but I am sure glad I listened to my gut and planned ahead!

 

Has anyone else experienced such a climb as this?? Do we stand any chance of price drops based on this trend? I know that not everyone can plan ahead so far, but with it being a birthday trip, I was hoping they would all jump on with us and book early. Looks like it will just be the 9 of us, and that's ok by me. :cool:

[cruizinisthebest]

Yeah but you're comparing balconies to interiors. What are the prices of the same category interior you booked now vs. the price when you booked it?

 

I always always book early and you did the right thing not waiting around for people. If they wanna go, they'll pony up those funds. That half price promo ends tonight btw!

[jakesnana]

Yeah but you're comparing balconies to interiors. What are the prices of the same category interior you booked now vs. the price when you booked it?

 

I always always book early and you did the right thing not waiting around for people. If they wanna go, they'll pony up those funds. That half price promo ends tonight btw!

 

I believe she is comparing balcony to balcony pricing and interior to interior pricing. That's why there are 2 different prices for each date, back in January and now.

[bury me at sea]

I book as soon as I know for sure a companion and I can go. Once several years ago got three price drops of nearly 400.00 total.

 

The next three watched the price go up and up and up.

 

Hooray for booking early.

[amandajean06]

I believe she is comparing balcony to balcony pricing and interior to interior pricing. That's why there are 2 different prices for each date, back in January and now.

 

What she said, lol. Yes, I am comparing both room types both times.

[balcony bound]

We typically book a minimum of a year out, most times more than that. I've found pricing works best for us doing that and I am really surprised when there are posts about pricing and how much higher prices are - seems lots of folks pay a lot more for the same cruise. I understand not everybody can plan their vacations that far in advance, but the savings are worth it for anyone who can. We also don't book "peak" summer cruises.

[winddawn]

I have been planning to celebrate my 30th birthday on a cruise for some time now and I wanted as many of my family and friends along as possible.

 

I booked myself, my hubby, and our two boys in the connecting balcony/interior rooms on the Pride Eastern Caribbean sailing from Baltimore for 5/28/17 wayyyyyyyyyy back in Janurary (18 months prior to sailing.) Other than my parents and brother, who booked when I did, the rest of my family (in-laws, etc.) thought I was nuts for booking so far ahead and said they'd just wait awhile.

 

Well, while watching for ES price drops for nearly a year now (and seeing none) I thought I would check prices to compare today, since none of them have booked yet. :confused:

 

In January of 2016, I paid (cruise fares only):

$1778 + $50 OBC (balcony, deck 7)

$1378 + $50 OBC (interior, deck 7)

 

and as of today:

$2128 + $0 OBC, half off deposit (balcony, deck 7)

$1778 + $0 OBC, half off deposit (balcony, deck 7)

 

That means that we paid a whopping $750 less (plus $100 OBC) for our total reservation by booking as soon as itineraries were released as opposed to waiting. Sadly, this probably means that no one else will book as prices are now too high, but I am sure glad I listened to my gut and planned ahead!

 

Has anyone else experienced such a climb as this?? Do we stand any chance of price drops based on this trend? I know that not everyone can plan ahead so far, but with it being a birthday trip, I was hoping they would all jump on with us and book early. Looks like it will just be the 9 of us, and that's ok by me. :cool:

This is the new norm on Carnival where the best prices tend to occur in advance, and then prices increase as sail date approaches. There are many fewer last minute price drops to fill cabins. And bookings have been strong this year, so Carnival doesn't have incentive to drop prices. That being said, occasionally you might see a few price drops on certain cruises after final payment date passes. But Carnival is sneaky about that and may only offer the prices for new bookings or maybe only for guarantee cabins where Carnival assigns the specific cabin (so existing booked passengers cannot price match to them). They also might do upsells to currently booked passengers to fill higher category cabins, and then only offer guarantees for the lower categories vacated by the upsells.

 

Carnival also does targeted offers to specific passengers to fill cabins closer to sail date, such as to invited casino guests. That way the lower offers are never open to the general public to book; however, Carnival can fill the cabins and benefit from casino guests spending more onboard than other passengers might. That's why most casino offers are capacity controlled and typically only open for certain closer-in ships/sail dates.

[sfaaa]

Here's to sweeten the pot and save even more. Book early while on a cruise and get OBC.

[serene56]

In 26 cruises only 2 have ever came down in price.

In all other sailings the cruises have sailed at a price much higher then we paid.

 

If your family really wanted to go-- they could have deposited and paid it with monthly payments.

[cruizinisthebest]

What she said, lol. Yes, I am comparing both room types both times.

My bad. Your second set of numbers both say balcony.

 

In any case, I hope your family books soon. Enjoy your 30th!

 

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[beachbum53]

I book as soon as I know for sure a companion and I can go. Once several years ago got three price drops of nearly 400.00 total.

 

The next three watched the price go up and up and up.

 

Hooray for booking early.

 

Price drops are almost as elusive, but not as rare, as pink unicorns. We always book our cruise at least 12 months in advance, using Early Saver. The best we've ever done with price drops and gaining a fair amount of OBC was right after the Carnival Triumph's misfortune three years ago. For our upcoming cruise on the Vista, we've been watching the prices go steadily UP, so I'm guessing we won't be seeing any price drops (or extra OBC) for this cruise.

[Nuff_Said]

Has anyone else experienced such a climb as this??

 

 

Yes. We booked our July 2017 Pride cruise to Bermuda back in March 2016 - a 4K cabin - and now, including taxes, port fees and prepaid grats, it is +$340/person!

 

Yeah, I'm not counting on any price drops. There's no way it would drop anywhere NEAR that amount before sailing.

 

No worries though. That just means I got the best possible price I could. [emoji16]

 

 

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[crusing48/51]

We booked a 15 day Hawaii out of Long Beach when the itinerary first came out for December of 2017. The price for an 8D balcony has gone up $990 since we booked. SO glad we booked when we did, otherwise could not afford the cruise and air fare as well.

 

We usually book far in advance, and pay it off a little each month. Works well for us.

 

We also have one booked in December 2018 to Panama Canal out of Tampa. It's had a slight increase already as well. Only $20 so far, but I'm sure it will keep climbing. lol

[amandajean06]

Shoot! My fault, you're right. I didn't mean to put both as "balcony" on the second set. One balcony, one interior.

 

Thank you for pointing that out!

Edited December 19, 2016 by amandajean06
mistake

[Big_G]

 

Has anyone else experienced such a climb as this???

 

Booked a Grand Suite on RCL Adventure of the Seas 15 months out at $1800 pp with $200 OBC. Today $2625 pp no OBC.

 

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[chocolate melting cake]

We booked the Vista trans-atlantic the day it was announced. 20 months later upon sailing, our $1250pp balcony rooms were going for $2,650pp!

 

On the other hand, we booked our 2012 Spirit trans-pacific cruise early saver 18 months in advance, and upon sailing we received over $900 OBC each! They couldn't sell the cruise because of the high airfare!

[Rogueperson]

It is all dependent on something you can never see. How well are they selling those cabins.

 

I booked the Anthem of the Seas 18 months prior to sailing (April of 2015 for my recent October sailing). At the time, our cruise price was 1700 something for an interior for 9 nights which we thought was a great price for the ship. Since then, it just crept up and up and up and it was at a high of 2600 or 2700 for an interior for 2 people.

 

After final payment, the price plummeted, but it didn't actually go below our price. (but the guarantees interiors dropped though). However, with the guarantee interiors, the guarantee balconies also dropped, to the point where we upgraded from our interior to a balcony guarantee for $46.00 and they threw in an additional $100.00 OBC, so in essence, they paid us to upgrade.

 

With Carnival, it may or may not happen because Carnival's Easy Savers continues to track even after final payment, where Royal Caribbean does not.

[kah1829]

We booked a balcony lido deck cabin 14 months in advance for the Sunshine this New Years eve for our family of 4. Since we booked we have gotten $800 obviously onboard credit! When I called to adjust the price, even the Carnival rep was really surprised! It was the 3rd and 4th passengers that had huge drop. I will happily spend it! I think we just got lucky!

 

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[sjcruiser]

We also plan, book, or put a deposit down when they're running a deposit special at least a year in advance for our annual family and friends cruise. Overtime there's a new deposit special I post it online, along with calling those that said they're interested. An IS for our 8 night Southern Caribbean cruise was less than $635pp, and $829 for a balcony, all mid-ship, and one or two decks below the Lido. Now the price of the IS's are as much as the balconies, and the balconies are up $400.00 and more. A simple $50.00 deposit could have saved them $200-$400.00 dollars.

 

I have been planning to celebrate my 30th birthday on a cruise for some time now and I wanted as many of my family and friends along as possible.

 

I booked myself, my hubby, and our two boys in the connecting balcony/interior rooms on the Pride Eastern Caribbean sailing from Baltimore for 5/28/17 wayyyyyyyyyy back in Janurary (18 months prior to sailing.) Other than my parents and brother, who booked when I did, the rest of my family (in-laws, etc.) thought I was nuts for booking so far ahead and said they'd just wait awhile.

 

Well, while watching for ES price drops for nearly a year now (and seeing none) I thought I would check prices to compare today, since none of them have booked yet. :confused:

 

In January of 2016, I paid (cruise fares only):

$1778 + $50 OBC (balcony, deck 7)

$1378 + $50 OBC (interior, deck 7)

 

and as of today:

$2128 + $0 OBC, half off deposit (balcony, deck 7)

$1778 + $0 OBC, half off deposit (balcony, deck 7)

 

That means that we paid a whopping $750 less (plus $100 OBC) for our total reservation by booking as soon as itineraries were released as opposed to waiting. Sadly, this probably means that no one else will book as prices are now too high, but I am sure glad I listened to my gut and planned ahead!

 

Has anyone else experienced such a climb as this?? Do we stand any chance of price drops based on this trend? I know that not everyone can plan ahead so far, but with it being a birthday trip, I was hoping they would all jump on with us and book early. Looks like it will just be the 9 of us, and that's ok by me. :cool:

[cruisinpips]

We booked a Magic cruise for March 2014 about 8 months in advance in a spa balcony, we had $125 OBC from the agent, and upon sailing had nearly $1400.00 in OBC FROM PRICE DROPS! Nary a price drop since that cruise.

Seems as if Carnival has adjusted their pricing structure, and it has worked for them, not us! We booked our GS for Breeze in April, and price steadily increased, no drops for this cruise! I realize there aren't as many suites, so drops are not as likely, but I think Carnival has had more bookings and full ships in the past two years, and price drops are not as likely as before. :D:D

[riclop]

It's always good to book early.

[aztekpm]

Yep, same with our Bermuda cruise in Sept. We booked over a year and half out when the cruise was released and paid $700 pp for a balcony. By the time my sister booked about 8 months before the cruise, $750.00 pp got them an interior and the balcony was, I believe about $1100 pp, but a large difference!

[easyboy]

We book early as more than a year out. Our prices are locked if it goes up, but are adjusted when it goes down. We just monitor prices regularly.

[tea4ular]

Yes, we also booked about 18 months out (way further out than ever before)

 

We paid $954 p/p for a spa balcony - sold out category now, but they were going for $1,399 p/p! Like you that's nearly $450 p/p difference!!

 

I doubt we'll see a price drop but boy am I glad we booked early! :eek:

 

I have been planning to celebrate my 30th birthday on a cruise for some time now and I wanted as many of my family and friends along as possible.

 

I booked myself, my hubby, and our two boys in the connecting balcony/interior rooms on the Pride Eastern Caribbean sailing from Baltimore for 5/28/17 wayyyyyyyyyy back in Janurary (18 months prior to sailing.) Other than my parents and brother, who booked when I did, the rest of my family (in-laws, etc.) thought I was nuts for booking so far ahead and said they'd just wait awhile.

 

Well, while watching for ES price drops for nearly a year now (and seeing none) I thought I would check prices to compare today, since none of them have booked yet. :confused:

 

In January of 2016, I paid (cruise fares only):

$1778 + $50 OBC (balcony, deck 7)

$1378 + $50 OBC (interior, deck 7)

 

and as of today:

$2128 + $0 OBC, half off deposit (balcony, deck 7)

$1778 + $0 OBC, half off deposit (balcony, deck 7)

 

That means that we paid a whopping $750 less (plus $100 OBC) for our total reservation by booking as soon as itineraries were released as opposed to waiting. Sadly, this probably means that no one else will book as prices are now too high, but I am sure glad I listened to my gut and planned ahead!

 

Has anyone else experienced such a climb as this?? Do we stand any chance of price drops based on this trend? I know that not everyone can plan ahead so far, but with it being a birthday trip, I was hoping they would all jump on with us and book early. Looks like it will just be the 9 of us, and that's ok by me. :cool:

[Retired_to_Cruise]

One year ago we booked ES, deck 7 balcony for B2B on the Magic for April, 2017. Cost was $909.00 per week per person. The cost right now for a cabin is $1628.00. We have obviously not gotten any price drops, but still have an actual savings of $700+. On December 8 this year we booked April, 2018 B2B on the Magic for the exact same $909.00 per week per person rate. So you can understand why I book early and it shows that those who keep complaining that the prices are going up may be a tad bit wrong. We will keep following this approach until it is proven not to work.

 

I take the same approach to airfares. I just booked for round trip to Galveston for October 2017 for a cruise for $338.00 pp. When I did a duplicate sample booking for the same flights in June 2017, the cost was $428.00 pp.

 

When it comes to this kind of stuff, as seats or cabins are sold, the remaining seats or cabins become more expensive. The early bird gets the worm....