Ncl has raised their prices to a ridiculous level imho of course

[maggie cruises]

I was just perusing the 2019 ncl Med cruises and as a seasoned Med and ncl cruiser I find it ridiculous and somewhat amusing that ncl has almost doubled their cruise prices in this region over 2017/18 prices. On Older ships not new mega ships either

 

So what is it....

 

Higher fuel prices

Higher port charges

Higher profit margins

 

Or is it what I've be saying all along...

 

That ncl wants to rid itself of their loyal seasoned cruisers who know how to get a good price...which in turn means they cruise more often....and is ncl trading in those loyal savvy cruisers for less informed newbies who actually believe that an inside cabin on the Jade or the Sun is well priced at between $1200 to $1600 per person before port and tax for a 7 day cruise?

 

Of course prices will vary based on week etc but for the summer of 2017 that same itin and ship went for $600 to $800 per pax

 

Again...the loyal ncl cruisers will know this...but the newbies will just book and think to themselves that cruising is costly.

 

I'm not sure I care to use my 1 remaining cruise cert at all. Let alone sell it or give it to anyone at the current ncl pricing scam.

 

Disclaimer: I am well aware that a lot goes into pricing...boho..free at sea etc...but I've taken my family of 6 on 12 day Med cruises and paid close to or sometimes less in ocean views than what ncl is currently pricing 7 Day insides at. Especially since the pricing was so much lower last summer. Certainly not giving up on ncl or cruising but for our next cruise I won't be focusing only on ncl as I have in past years. I've spoken to too many fellow cruisers on ncl ships that have been very happy with MSC and even Pullman so I guess I'll be siding my search scope. It's all good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited May 2, 2018 by maggie cruises

[Two Wheels Only]

If you owned a business that could sell out your items while charging $1000, would you sell at $500?

 

As long as the ships are sailing at 100% (or higher) capacity, NCL's prices will remain what they are or go higher until the ships aren't being filled.

[KarlChilders]

There is an interesting economic principle that tends to govern pricing of most things. It is called supply and demand and market forces. Businesses who are set up to make a profit for their owners/shareholders tend to charge what the market will support. If they are priced too high, they end up with excess supply and will be forced to lower prices, but they would be foolish to sell their product at a price below what the market will support, that would just be leaving money on the table.

[Lori3015]

I think it is just an increase in demand with the economy being good. If people are willing to pay, they will charge whatever they can get. Hotel prices are rising as well. Airfare prices are rising. More people are vacationing so increased demand.

[ColinIllinois]

Go with the corporation that you feel will give you the best value for your money. If that isn't NCL, then so be it. There are plenty of choices out there but they pretty much all operate by the same profit and business models.

[maggie cruises]

I understand completely what the previous posters are saying. What I am saying is that most savvy ncl latitudes cruisers will know immediately that ncl has raised prices disproportionately to other lines as well as to previous ncl prices

 

Case in point....ncl to Carib in April 2019 is much much more expensive than rccl to Carib in 2019

 

Similar dates and itins (well actually better than ncl)

 

I'm not sure I'm jumping ship yet but I'm on the rccl website quite often now

 

Also as an ncl loyalist I'm a big positive advertisement for them with anyone who asks me about cruising as they know I cruise often. In the past I said...NCL definitely...but now I'm saying look at other lines for better itin and prices. So while I understand business I'm actually amused that ncl would take this route with such high pricing a year out

 

Fwiw my plan b which I've never utilized but might in the near future for Med cruising was to book great airfare around a great cruise timetable....then book the cruise last minute and if that didn't work just turn it into a great land based trip

 

Hotels in Europe are always available we know that or should know that as seasoned travelers of course my plan b only really makes sense for Med cruises or of course if you are ok with spending a week in Florida or San Juan.

 

 

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[amyh13]

We are frequent cruisers but have typically cruised the Caribbean due to the age of our children and being within driving distance of the ports. As our kids are getting older, we were finally able to book a Mediterranean cruise for next summer. We did book early in the season and were able to get 3rd and 4th guests free so we feel like we got a pretty good deal. MUCH less expensive that Royal Caribbean.

[maggie cruises]

I think it is just an increase in demand with the economy being good. If people are willing to pay, they will charge whatever they can get. Hotel prices are rising as well. Airfare prices are rising. More people are vacationing so increased demand.

 

 

 

Yes very true and it's a good economic sign but after paying ridiculous airfare jfk to Miami in April we are considering alternative trips

 

More 4 day road trips for example

We always do 2 weeks on cape cod

 

Perhaps spacing out cruises more often

 

I'm a big traveler and I remember what I pay and will keep close eyes on pricing but honestly have no issue taking myself off the "supply and demand " list a year out and just going with different planning routes

 

Fortunately or maybe unfortunately lol I've raised my kids to be travel addicts who actually need and not just want to see the world. Good thing they pay their own way these days.

 

 

 

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[bruadhin]

I think it is just an increase in demand with the economy being good. If people are willing to pay, they will charge whatever they can get. Hotel prices are rising as well. Airfare prices are rising. More people are vacationing so increased demand.

 

That is a lot of it. Demand so outstrips supply for somethings that companies can continue to raise prices without consequence. And while new ships continue to come online, there are also old ships leaving and new markets being opened.

 

Finally, I don't know about loyalty. While every business loves repeat customers, no business can survive without new customers. The next 10 years, much less 20 or 30 years of cruising is not about the same passengers that have cruised for the last 10 years. It is about attracting a new group of passengers and getting them to cruise repeatedly for the next 10 years.

[maggie cruises]

We are frequent cruisers but have typically cruised the Caribbean due to the age of our children and being within driving distance of the ports. As our kids are getting older, we were finally able to book a Mediterranean cruise for next summer. We did book early in the season and were able to get 3rd and 4th guests free so we feel like we got a pretty good deal. MUCH less expensive that Royal Caribbean.

 

 

 

Yes 3/4 free is very well priced early in the season and fwiw while I'm looking at rccl I'm not sure I like their deals either but once my 17yo youngest is in college and finishes freshman year in may 2020 early mid may cruising will be on our to do list. The older kids can cruise whenever for the most part as they are well employed

 

The real ncl price gouging comes in if you are booking just 2 pax in July. $1200 plus per pax for a 7 day is out of line

 

Fwiw...I've paid $6900 all in for 6 pax in 2 of cabins for 12 day cruises ...princess and carnival...high season ...mid July and just to be clear when I paid those prices ncl was actually much much cheaper...as a matter of fact I could have gotten 2 ov cabins 12 days on the spirit for $3800 for all 6 of us but actually paid the $6900 on princess because we didn't want to sail on the spirit but wanted the new Ruby. Yes I know the spirit is nice or so I've read here on cc. Lol

 

 

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Edited May 2, 2018 by maggie cruises

[noobcruiser]

I understand completely what the previous posters are saying. What I am saying is that most savvy ncl latitudes cruisers will know immediately that ncl has raised prices disproportionately to other lines as well as to previous ncl prices

 

Case in point....ncl to Carib in April 2019 is much much more expensive than rccl to Carib in 2019

 

Similar dates and itins (well actually better than ncl)

 

 

 

I may not be as savvy as many other cruisers on this site, but could it be that NCL is quoting rates that won't fluctuate as much as their competitors?

 

I recently sailed the BA out of NY and booked it less than 30 days out. When I started to price options out, NCL was significantly cheaper across all room categories as compared to the RCCL out of NJ.

 

Just my observation.

[maggie cruises]

I may not be as savvy as many other cruisers on this site, but could it be that NCL is quoting rates that won't fluctuate as much as their competitors?

 

 

 

I recently sailed the BA out of NY and booked it less than 30 days out. When I started to price options out, NCL was significantly cheaper across all room categories as compared to the RCCL out of NJ.

 

 

 

Just my observation.

 

 

 

Yup the key is last minute booking out of NYC. Also early and late summer especially to Bermuda

 

Again I'm just stating in this thread that ncl has raised prices significantly imho on their summer 2019 cruises in the Med...same older ship..same itins..same 7 day runs...over what they were charging in 2017 and in many cases 2018

 

NYC pricing is not what I'm talking about but yes I've gotten great deals on ncl out of NYC especially in January longer Carib cruises when the older kids had college break

 

 

 

 

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[buddylover]

I agree with you Maggie, that prices have gone WAY up.....however, NCL is just doing what ALL the mainstream lines are doing. Since I have not really been completely loyal to any one cruise line I have been aware of the prices creeping up for a while now on ALL the lines. And it amazes me because they keep building more and more Mega ships (all the lines are going 'bigger') with so many more cabins to fill and they are STILL raising prices season after season and filling those ships! There are really no bargains cruising any more....it is more a choice of just how you want to travel and then paying those increased prices if you choose cruising!! There is one caveat, even though the prices have indeed risen WAY up, if you book early they are the lowest (but they quickly go up as the ship begins to fill). We booked an NCL Med for Oct 2019 when it opened...just a few months back and it has already increased by $500 per person (and there is still lots of availability). It is unfortunately the way of all the mainstream lines!! :eek:

[fstuff1]

Yup the key is last minute booking out of NYC. Also early and late summer especially to Bermuda

 

Again I'm just stating in this thread that ncl has raised prices significantly imho on their summer 2019 cruises in the Med...same older ship..same itins..same 7 day runs...over what they were charging in 2017 and in many cases 2018

 

NYC pricing is not what I'm talking about but yes I've gotten great deals on ncl out of NYC especially in January longer Carib cruises when the older kids had college break

 

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im flexible and cruise by price when i dont have a 'free' cruise from my land casino.

when it gets to $50/day or less going solo, i book.

see my sig about Thanksgiving 2014 and 2017. :D

 

i have 1 'free' cruise left. (Bliss in Oct)

hopefully in the next 12months there will be a $50/day sale for solos.

[roger001]

Yes. I agree the prices have skyrocketed. And, yes I understand why. It is and always will be supply and demand. I also understand that instead of what had been maybe 3 cruises a year for us, at the moment it might be closer to one. But, if the ships sail away full, me not going is not NCL's concern. It's not about loyalty to customers. It's about profit. And that's the way business life is.

[NLH Arizona]

I don't think any company's price raises has anything to do with getting rid of loyal customers, it all has to do with the bottom line and where they budgeted their imcome to be for the year. If a company is selling out at $900, then it is in their best interest to keep raising the price until they reach that sweet spot, where they will fill their ships and still make the profit they want. Some loyal customers will have an issue with price increases and some won't and the best thing is we are in total control of our money and where we spend it.

[Oceansaway17]

Well some of it could be more security costs. The port charges could have gone up

 

This is the reason for air to Europe being up since 2015 and 2016. Airports have had to put money into security.

 

As a side note, the POA keeps those rates pretty steady since ship sails 98% full. They will raise rated during June thru Sept

[sverigecruiser]

I agree with you Maggie, that prices have gone WAY up.....however, NCL is just doing what ALL the mainstream lines are doing.

 

I don't think that MSC does it, yet.

[tallnthensome]

I never thought NCL's pricing was ridiculous until I priced out the Encore. They actually want the same price for a seven day on the upcoming Encore as they do for my 15 day Panama Canal for 2019 on the Bliss inside cabin which is nuts. Granted I was smart and booked this 2019 cruise in 2017. The Encore is ridiculously priced and was an eye opener. I always book every cruise no matter the line two years in advance. Prices keep going up. Best deal around right now is the new MSC Seaside which we sailed last month. It was phenomenal and half the price of what NCL is asking for the Encore. MSC is going to steal a bunch of American cruisers. They got me this year and it was awesome.

[dexddd]

I never thought NCL's pricing was ridiculous until I priced out the Encore. They actually want the same price for a seven day on the upcoming Encore as they do for my 15 day Panama Canal for 2019 on the Bliss inside cabin which is nuts. Granted I was smart and booked this 2019 cruise in 2017. The Encore is ridiculously priced and was an eye opener. I always book every cruise no matter the line two years in advance. Prices keep going up. Best deal around right now is the new MSC Seaside which we sailed last month. It was phenomenal and half the price of what NCL is asking for the Encore. MSC is going to steal a bunch of American cruisers. They got me this year and it was awesome.

 

Yeah, MSC has what, 17 ships coming out in the next few years. It will be interesting to see where they all go.

[floridian1]

Yep...thats why i booked msc seaside next year balcony room yacht club for 4 people under $4500 for june carribbean instead of ncl.

[bruadhin]

I never thought NCL's pricing was ridiculous until I priced out the Encore. They actually want the same price for a seven day on the upcoming Encore as they do for my 15 day Panama Canal for 2019 on the Bliss inside cabin which is nuts. Granted I was smart and booked this 2019 cruise in 2017. The Encore is ridiculously priced and was an eye opener. I always book every cruise no matter the line two years in advance. Prices keep going up. Best deal around right now is the new MSC Seaside which we sailed last month. It was phenomenal and half the price of what NCL is asking for the Encore. MSC is going to steal a bunch of American cruisers. They got me this year and it was awesome.

 

The bolded part is the key. NCL, Carnival, RCCL, etc. can do whatever they want with prices. But once the market determines the value doesn't justify the price it makes things ripe for someone to come at better price point and steal market share.

[PTC DAWG]

What type of drink package deals does MSC offer?

[yankees111]

I was just perusing the 2019 ncl Med cruises and as a seasoned Med and ncl cruiser I find it ridiculous and somewhat amusing that ncl has almost doubled their cruise prices in this region over 2017/18 prices. On Older ships not new mega ships either

 

So what is it....

 

Higher fuel prices

Higher port charges

Higher profit margins

 

Or is it what I've be saying all along...

 

That ncl wants to rid itself of their loyal seasoned cruisers who know how to get a good price...which in turn means they cruise more often....and is ncl trading in those loyal savvy cruisers for less informed newbies who actually believe that an inside cabin on the Jade or the Sun is well priced at between $1200 to $1600 per person before port and tax for a 7 day cruise?

 

Of course prices will vary based on week etc but for the summer of 2017 that same itin and ship went for $600 to $800 per pax

 

Again...the loyal ncl cruisers will know this...but the newbies will just book and think to themselves that cruising is costly.

 

I'm not sure I care to use my 1 remaining cruise cert at all. Let alone sell it or give it to anyone at the current ncl pricing scam.

 

Disclaimer: I am well aware that a lot goes into pricing...boho..free at sea etc...but I've taken my family of 6 on 12 day Med cruises and paid close to or sometimes less in ocean views than what ncl is currently pricing 7 Day insides at. Especially since the pricing was so much lower last summer. Certainly not giving up on ncl or cruising but for our next cruise I won't be focusing only on ncl as I have in past years. I've spoken to too many fellow cruisers on ncl ships that have been very happy with MSC and even Pullman so I guess I'll be siding my search scope. It's all good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NCL is my favorite cruise line. Have 3 cruises lined up. Look at the bright side. The higher the cost of the cruise the better the chance of having less Riff-raff on the ship lol

 

 

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[Love my butler]

Oh come on. It's for your convenience......