Substantial fare increase. Why?

[rucrazy]

19 hours ago, IPB4IGO said:

Anybody care to speculate on the reason for this?

Because they can..... bottom line

[DaveOKC]

14 hours ago, kdakda said:

I've posted about this before, and this is an update:

Booked a VD aft balcony January 2021 for an 11 night Southern Caribbean Wayfarer cruise in January 2022 on the Nieuw Statendam for $4728 total for two.   It includes Signature Beverage Package, one night specialty dining, and gratuities for both of us.

That cruise is now $5992 total and included NOTHING.  

Neptune Suites have been sold out for several months.

Guess that's the cruise to be on.   Be there, or be square.

That is quite the increase!  Could be due to the sailing selling well, as noted by the fact that the Neptunes have been sold out for months.  Much like the airlines, prices increase as the plane gets closer to selling out - supply and demand at work (you can easily see this in checking SWA prices - fares vary alot by flight, even on the same day).

 

[deliver42]

Not only are the cruises expensive, they want $700.00 deposit for a 7 night Caribbean cruise, All In, deposit non refundable. Are they kidding? High prices, very high deposit, higher than anyone else, and non refundable. It doesn't get any better than this.

[Florida_gal_50]

14 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

Not only are the cruises expensive, they want $700.00 deposit for a 7 night Caribbean cruise, All In, deposit non refundable. Are they kidding? High prices, very high deposit, higher than anyone else, and non refundable. It doesn't get any better than this.

I believe you can get a refundable deposit but the price is higher of course.

[Jim9310]

23 hours ago, IPB4IGO said:

The fare for our 28-day B2B Panama Canal cruises in January has increased from around $15,000 to over $20,000 since we booked in February.

Anybody care to speculate on the reason for this?

-- 

Dave

 

Cruise lines have begun to cancel their 2022 world cruises and grand voyages. [HAL hasn't.]  People wishing a lengthy winter voyage now have few available options.   I recently booked this B2B,  and it could be sold out soon. 

[IPB4IGO]

25 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

Not only are the cruises expensive, they want $700.00 deposit for a 7 night Caribbean cruise, All In, deposit non refundable. Are they kidding? High prices, very high deposit, higher than anyone else, and non refundable. It doesn't get any better than this.

We paid a total of $300 more for fares with refundable deposits on our upcoming Panama Canal B2B cruises. That's only about 2% of the total fares. The deposits were twice as large, but since they are refundable it was worth it.

[Mary229]

So my experience was with the December fare which was basically have it all with gratuities instead of wifi and shore excursions.   When the new fare was announced I did a detailed analysis and had my TA check me and it was a wash.  I decided to keep the old fare and will convert only if the new fare is offered with a free gratuities promotion.  Also since then they have offered a very good discount on premium internet but I am biding my time as I think internet prices can even go lower.  It does seem HAL's new policy is to offer you the best deals on extras before embarkation instead of scrambling for the deals on the first day.  

 

Perhaps it is regional adjustments as I also noticed my Amsterdam hotel is going lower and lower in price.  I have changed rates on that hotel 3 times in less than 2 weeks for over a 30% savings.

[Himself]

I think cruises like everything is going to see rising prices.  Two reasons that I can think of 1. Inflation and 2 Try and recover lost revenue during the long shut down,

[mcrcruiser]

We booked our VH handicap cabin for Hawaii Feb 2 ,2022 Dec 2020 . The cost is for what we booked $5594  total includes ppd gratuities ,drink package & speciality dining ,2 dinners . looked recently & the VH category  is now in the $11000.00 price range ;which us funny because the VD category is about  $6500 with the 2  tour package not the ppd gratuities  package 

[mcrcruiser]

imo once  the FCCS ,the initial rush back to cruises is over ,the  cruise prices will adjust back  into a more normal range  other than normal inflation .  The logic is simple for Holland America who attracts mostly seniors who are more on a fixed type income would place price resistance to long term much higher prices . To change that image would take too long   & like the GM Oldsmobile ,HAL would then be a line of the past & CCL could make it another  kind of names line or just transfer it o the Princess fleet which both lines are now under Han Schwartz  ,Group President 

[kevingastreich]

11 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

 

OTOH - I've been receiving "free" casino offers from HAL and Carnival (first time ever from Carnival and I've sailed them 30 times).  So, they must want to put people on the ships so they'll spend money in the casino.  I booked 10 nights on Eurodam for November for $200 in an inside with $200 OBC.

They figure people who book inside cabins will spend more time in the casino than people who have balcony cabins.

[Sue from Canada]

10 hours ago, Himself said:

I think cruises like everything is going to see rising prices.  Two reasons that I can think of 1. Inflation and 2 Try and recover lost revenue during the long shut down,

I sail solo and you wouldn't believe the prices.  I'm glad I booked two cruises last summer and got good prices and freebies.

[DeeDee Groff]

1 hour ago, Sue from Canada said:

I sail solo and you wouldn't believe the prices.  I'm glad I booked two cruises last summer and got good prices and freebies.

 

Same here!

[NCTribeFan]

On 6/19/2021 at 8:50 AM, Florida_gal_50 said:

So there must be plenty of supply when these free casino offers come up constantly.  Doesn’t explain the high prices.  I’ve seen people post about free casino offers on a cruise I’m interested in and the price is very high for me to book. I’m not paying those prices when others are getting it for free.  Let’s see how that works for them.

 

Yes, it seems contradictory, doesn't it?  If there are enough cabins to give away to some, why are the prices so high for others?

.

I just know that if prices stay this high, I won't be able to book HAL unless I get the casino offers.  I'm solo, and the only way I've been able to fit HAL into my cruise budget is because I've gotten casino discounts ever since my first sailing (I've only sailed HAL 3x). 

 

I had been migrating away from Carnival to HAL and MSC.  HAL because the discount made them affordable, and MSC because their prices were fantastic (and I really enjoyed sailing them (they aren't for everyone)).  But if both lines' prices are skyrocketing, it doesn't look good for me, especially since I'm semi-retired and won't have as much disposable income in the future.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

20 hours ago, deliver42 said:

Not only are the cruises expensive, they want $700.00 deposit for a 7 night Caribbean cruise, All In, deposit non refundable. Are they kidding? High prices, very high deposit, higher than anyone else, and non refundable. It doesn't get any better than this.

It was sure to happen ..

[DaveOKC]

12 hours ago, kevingastreich said:

They figure people who book inside cabins will spend more time in the casino than people who have balcony cabins.

Not sure this is accurate.  I know several gamblers (us included) and the "free" cabins received seem to line up with the amount of play each does.  Low rollers get Inside, Medium get Oceanview, Higher get Veranda and Very High get Neptunes (for free).  Of course, each can pay extra to get a higher cabin category and we do (since the free cabins are generally guarantees).

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Look at the price for a oil change , or the price for a 2x4  

[esimon]

because they don't want to go out of business?     really -  strange question to ask after Covid

[Florida_gal_50]

5 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

 

Yes, it seems contradictory, doesn't it?  If there are enough cabins to give away to some, why are the prices so high for others?

.

I just know that if prices stay this high, I won't be able to book HAL unless I get the casino offers.  I'm solo, and the only way I've been able to fit HAL into my cruise budget is because I've gotten casino discounts ever since my first sailing (I've only sailed HAL 3x). 

 

I had been migrating away from Carnival to HAL and MSC.  HAL because the discount made them affordable, and MSC because their prices were fantastic (and I really enjoyed sailing them (they aren't for everyone)).  But if both lines' prices are skyrocketing, it doesn't look good for me, especially since I'm semi-retired and won't have as much disposable income in the future.

I have 2 cruise booked.  One is on the high side but tolerable, the other was very reasonable.  I’ve looked at other cruises but the prices are ridiculous and I’m not going to pay it.  If others want to that’s fine.  It’s not going to be me.  I feel they will come down with time but who knows.  

[Sea42]

Our 14 day cruise in July of 2022 was $4319 pp when booked in March. It includes gratuities, WiFi, drinks and dinner package. It is currently selling for $4999 pp, it now includes $200 pp for excursions but not the gratuities. As we don't use ship excursions I'm very happy we booked when we did.

I'm sure prices are going to reflect demand. If people aren't buying at the higher price, the prices will be lowered.

[kevingastreich]

Really glad we stuck to our Med cruise leaving in Oct. We booked it 16 mos. ago (right before Covid hit) and we got a good deal and lots of perks.  Compared to what it is costing today, we got a FANTASTIC deal.  Especially considering all the perks we are getting that are no longer included in cruises booked now.

[DaveOKC]

7 minutes ago, kevingastreich said:

Really glad we stuck to our Med cruise leaving in Oct. We booked it 16 mos. ago (right before Covid hit) and we got a good deal and lots of perks.  Compared to what it is costing today, we got a FANTASTIC deal.  Especially considering all the perks we are getting that are no longer included in cruises booked now.

Good deal!  I also like to book far out when I see what I consider to be a very good deal, as you can always cancel or refare later.  Just be sure to book a fully refundable fare and make you decision before the final payment date.  Almost all of my cruises have been refared at some point over 18 months or so.

 

[Mary229]

This is one major reason why so many advised letting the cruise line cancel first. In many cases they were giving price protection 

Edited June 20, 2021 by Mary229

[Florida_gal_50]

28 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

This is one major reason why so many advised letting the cruise line cancel first. In many cases they were giving price protection 

That’s fine if they cancel before final payment.   I would rather have the cash in my bank account than tied up in a fcc.  I understand that others may feel differently.

[Mary229]

19 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

That’s fine if they cancel before final payment.   I would rather have the cash in my bank account than tied up in a fcc.  I understand that others may feel differently.

For the purpose of this thread where people did indeed want to keep their booking the advice stands.