Is anyone else finding it hard to get an affordable cruise?

[rexy69]

Maybe it's because I'm looking at March Break, but I'm just not content with paying $800 - 1200 (Canadian) for a 6-7 day cruise out of Florida. Does anyone know if the prices will drop, for any reason, between now and March?

[easyboy]

We had a good price last week of March this year. We got it more than 6 months prior though.

 

 

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[Flatbush Flyer]

Maybe it's because I'm looking at March Break, but I'm just not content with paying $800 - 1200 (Canadian) for a 6-7 day cruise out of Florida. Does anyone know if the prices will drop, for any reason, between now and March?

 

 

 

Travel much?

 

 

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[Essiesmom]

Spring Break? Not likely. EM

[davekathy]

Maybe it's because I'm looking at March Break, but I'm just not content with paying $800 - 1200 (Canadian) for a 6-7 day cruise out of Florida. Does anyone know if the prices will drop, for any reason, between now and March?

 

Nope. We always book early.

[luvscruising2007]

What type of cabin? How many people? What ship? Is that figure per person or total for week?

For March break you are close to final payment date and rates are higher. Keep checking and maybe the price will go down. But, it could go up.

[leaveitallbehind]

Your suggested price range seems pretty reasonable for a cruise during that time frame. It would be helpful, however, to know what cruise lines and stateroom categories you are looking at. Be prepared for fairly high airfare as well. Not likely to see price drops between now and March with either IMO.

[MCC retired]

Watch for 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruises out of Fl after Final for a good chance to see a better rate .

Be on the cruise lines email lists or tell a Good Cruise Specialist TA what your wishes are .

 

 

 

 

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[Hlitner]

Our simple answer to the OP's question is NO, we are not having trouble finding good deals. But, in your situation, you are limiting yourself to a very specific time of the year and short length of cruise...and it happens to be a time when many others also want to cruise. For retired folks like me, we avoid all short cruises during the spring break season because we would rather be in a flea bag hotel then on a spring break cruise :).

 

Hank

[Keith1010]

March is tough because it is spring break.

 

Keith

[MJSailors]

To the OP

I noted that you are from Canada.

So, I am certain that you are also considering costs for airline tickets round trip to a FL Port in your travel budget. Prices for such flights can be high at this time,if there are flights still available.

The price that you quoted for a March cruise in the Caribbean is not so out of bounds in that it is during Spring Break and very close to sailing times.

You might have to consider some alternatives.

Two suggestions- The NCL Breakaway or Gem has been leaving NYC weekly for a cruise to the Bahamas with stops at Port Canaveral and Key West.

The weather in NYC during March is not very warm,but it is usually not freezing either. You would most likely start to experience warmer temperatures on the second day of the cruise.

Considering airfare and cruise fare, this NCL cruise may be in your budget.

The other suggestion is to select the lowest level cabin available on a ship ,hoping for a possible upgrade.

In addition to this level of cabin, if you look at a lower price point cruise line,such as Carnival, you may be able to get a cruise that matches your budget.

[Clarea]

Still some deals out there, but harder to find than a few years ago.

[navybankerteacher]

Maybe it's because I'm looking at March Break, but I'm just not content with paying $800 - 1200 (Canadian) for a 6-7 day cruise out of Florida. Does anyone know if the prices will drop, for any reason, between now and March?

 

You do realize that you are talking about peak Caribbean cruise season and prices of $640 to $960 US$, don't you?

 

I would be surprised if fares did not go up between now and March because of two special variables: the unusually cold northeast winter anticipated and the likelihood of reports of islands recovering from storm damage; in addition to the usual hikes which occur as sailing date nears for peak season itineraries

 

If you don't leap on the $800 (Cdn) deal, you should consider the suggestion of an NCL sailing from New York which would minimize travel expenses which could come close to matching the cruise fare.

[beachbum53]

Maybe it's because I'm looking at March Break, but I'm just not content with paying $800 - 1200 (Canadian) for a 6-7 day cruise out of Florida. Does anyone know if the prices will drop, for any reason, between now and March?

 

All of the mass market cruise lines have peak and off-peak periods. If you don't have any constraints as to when you can book a cruise, prices are lower during off -peak periods. The prices tend to be lower after Spring Break here in the U.S. ends (usually by the end of April), up until about the last week of May, when summer vacation starts for most people. Also, if you're willing to take a chance to go on a Caribbean cruise during peak hurricane season, somewhere between early Sept. and late Oct., you can find some really great deals. But, there's a good probability that one or more of your port stops will be cancelled due to bad weather. Early to mid May has worked out really well for us for a Caribbean cruise. It's off-peak, prices are lower, the ship isn't overrun with kids yet since they're still in school, and the weather is about as perfect as you can get. Finding affordable airfare is another matter altogether.

[gerelmx]

Maybe it's because I'm looking at March Break, but I'm just not content with paying $800 - 1200 (Canadian) for a 6-7 day cruise out of Florida. Does anyone know if the prices will drop, for any reason, between now and March?

 

Which cruise are you quoting?

 

 

We are on Celebrity Eclipse 14 Day Southern Caribbean, March 18 to April 1, Veranda CAT 2C 2 PAX

 

Spring break + Holy Week

 

$140 USCy $176 CAD PerPaxPerDay. and your quote is:

 

$1,200 CAD is $85.71 CAD PerPaxPerDay. in a 7 day cruise

[SadieN]

On rare occasions you can find double occupancy cabins a few weeks before at a lower fare.

 

 

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[mjkacmom]

To the OP

I noted that you are from Canada.

So, I am certain that you are also considering costs for airline tickets round trip to a FL Port in your travel budget. Prices for such flights can be high at this time,if there are flights still available.

The price that you quoted for a March cruise in the Caribbean is not so out of bounds in that it is during Spring Break and very close to sailing times.

You might have to consider some alternatives.

Two suggestions- The NCL Breakaway or Gem has been leaving NYC weekly for a cruise to the Bahamas with stops at Port Canaveral and Key West.

The weather in NYC during March is not very warm,but it is usually not freezing either. You would most likely start to experience warmer temperatures on the second day of the cruise.

Considering airfare and cruise fare, this NCL cruise may be in your budget.

The other suggestion is to select the lowest level cabin available on a ship ,hoping for a possible upgrade.

In addition to this level of cabin, if you look at a lower price point cruise line,such as Carnival, you may be able to get a cruise that matches your budget.

The cheapest 7 night cruise I could find in March out of NYC was the Breakaway, cheapest almost $800 Canadian for a sailaway rate inside without taxes and fees. The other weeks were higher.

[Flatbush Flyer]

The cheapest 7 night cruise I could find in March out of NYC was the Breakaway, cheapest almost $800 Canadian for a sailaway rate inside without taxes and fees. The other weeks were higher.

 

 

 

I have to chuckle when some folks (not necessarily the OP) want "dirt cheap" pricing only to them turn around and complain about the crappy food or threadbare linens. Cruising really is the epitome of "you get what you pay for."

 

 

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[zqvol]

Maybe it's because I'm looking at March Break, but I'm just not content with paying $800 - 1200 (Canadian) for a 6-7 day cruise out of Florida. Does anyone know if the prices will drop, for any reason, between now and March?

 

That price is very reasonable. I would expect it to go up instead of down. Your timing is off for two reasons, first you should have booked six or eight months ago to get the best price, and second, as you know you are dealing with March break, which is always more expensive.

[navybankerteacher]

The cheapest 7 night cruise I could find in March out of NYC was the Breakaway, cheapest almost $800 Canadian for a sailaway rate inside without taxes and fees. The other weeks were higher.

 

That is $640 US $, but is it per person or one going solo?

 

There is no point in quoting costs without stating what those costs cover.

[CruiseGal999]

https://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacations/SpecialOffers?specialOfferType=webso&specialOfferCode=C&dest=C&WT.mc_id=&WT.ac=

 

Here's some rates from HAL, March 18th out of Ft. Lauderdale ... Interior $579, Ocean View $649, and Verandah $829. St. Maarten, San Juan, Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay.

 

Maybe it'll be part of the American Express $100 off deal. I don't know ... but it's worth a look.

[geoherb]

When DH taught at a community college, his spring break usually fell the third full week in March. Many years I was able to find an affordable cruise after the final payment date. Some years, though, I would watch prices and just see them rise and rise after the final payment date.

 

We just booked a cruise for February at a great price on the Regal Princess, but that's before the OP wants to sail. Now that we're retired, we don't have to wait anymore.

[rexy69]

Travel much?

 

 

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Not as much as I would like..... stupid job keeps getting in the way! lol

2 weeks vacation time per year. We wanted to go on a cruise in July and ended up settling on Vegas because again, the cruise prices were too high (in my opinion).

[rexy69]

Your suggested price range seems pretty reasonable for a cruise during that time frame. It would be helpful, however, to know what cruise lines and stateroom categories you are looking at. Be prepared for fairly high airfare as well. Not likely to see price drops between now and March with either IMO.

 

We are not looking for anything extravagant....just the 6 day, on the Conquest. Interior cabin. We liked the price of the cruises out of San Juan, but then realized the airfare was astronomical, like you mentioned. I guess booking many months in advance is the answer.

[rexy69]

(y)(y)

Watch for 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruises out of Fl after Final for a good chance to see a better rate .

Be on the cruise lines email lists or tell a Good Cruise Specialist TA what your wishes are .

 

 

 

 

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