High pricing and concerns

[cusematt4]

Hi,

 

I want to try a ncl cruise but haven’t booked as pricing is 40 Percent more than I typically have paid.  Does anyone think pricing will come down closer to sailing as more ships resume service?

 

also does anyone know if ncl is going the normal cruise route for no masks and vaccinations similar to carnival rather than masks and distancing like rcl?

 

Thank you very much 

[tallnthensome]

Pricing is stupid high on NCL right now and dont expect prices to fall until 2023 or on last minute cruises at the earliest and depending on the Covid situation. NCL will be attempting to sail at 100% vaccinated and no masks but that could change tomorrow. 

[craig01020]

Masks are currently required on all Europe cruises due to local regulations.

[julig22]

25 minutes ago, cusematt4 said:

Hi,

 

I want to try a ncl cruise but haven’t booked as pricing is 40 Percent more than I typically have paid.  Does anyone think pricing will come down closer to sailing as more ships resume service?

 

also does anyone know if ncl is going the normal cruise route for no masks and vaccinations similar to carnival rather than masks and distancing like rcl?

 

Thank you very much 

Pricing is all over the place.  Fall cruises lowered single supplement a few weeks back, so those prices were low in that respect, just depends on what you are looking at.  My February cruise went down a little, but is back up.  So it's a matter of supply and demand, which is very unpredictable at this time.  I just book (using CN certificates) and watch prices, at least until final payment is due.  They go down, I just rebook. 

Masks at this point are more related to the ports, not the ship.  100% vaccinated, through October 31, masks required for cruises in Europe.

[keep on cruisin]

My October cruise on Breakaway is pretty much the same I have paid several times to Bermuda.

[WorkNCruise]

I was able to book a spa balcony on Breakaway in January for a little over 3k with flights.  Not a bad deal at all in my opinion.

[craig01020]

I just booked a Greece cruise for 2023 and it's priced 32% higher than one from 2021 (same ship).

[sanger727]

On 8/1/2021 at 4:37 PM, cusematt4 said:

 

also does anyone know if ncl is going the normal cruise route for no masks and vaccinations similar to carnival rather than masks and distancing like rcl?

 

Thank you very much 

 

As the delta variant increases the CDC is creating more advisories towards everyone wearing masks again. What is true today in terms of what NCL requires could easily be changed tomorrow. If masks/social distancing are deal breakers, now is not the time to book a cruise. 

[roger001]

There is no correct answer for any of that right now.  Too much subject to change and the change happening almost daily.  Any one opinion is just as valid, or not, as the next.  It does make cruise planning very confusing right now though.  

[MichiganBound]

11 hours ago, keep on cruisin said:

My October cruise on Breakaway is pretty much the same I have paid several times to Bermuda.

Yeah.  Some of the prices on Breakaway out of NY this fall aren't bad.  Some of the Epic Med sailings in September/October are priced quite low also.  To the OP's question, lot's of the prices are indeed high but there are deals to be had closer to sailing.  Of course, to take advantage of those lower prices, one has to be flexible on timing (ie late/last minute bookings) and cruise region.  I realize not everyone has that type of flexibility.

[fin]

The State dept has now got a level 4 warning with respect to travel to Greece and many other places.

 

IMO expecting to go there maskless is unrealistic.

[complawyer]

my cabin  on the getaway went down and i saved $1000. nov 24th cruise from athens

[craig01020]

3 hours ago, fin said:

The State dept has now got a level 4 warning with respect to travel to Greece

I should've gone in May when they first opened up. 😡

[Magnetchief]

Our first time with NCL, typically Cunard or RCI.

 

Suffering from sticker shock after booking a cruise and island stay for Hawaii next May. 

A lot, lot more than I would typically pay for a cruise.

[bostonphil]

I have been with NCL for many years. I like to read about the different cruises and do research. The prices are definitely very high right now. Then ironically, the promotion says 30 percent off cruises but it is still very high.. 

 

I know what the cost of many cruises were a couple of years back. Some of these cruises are $400 more for one person in the studio. 

 

You can take your chances and book a last minute cruise.

[pghflyer]

yeah IMO, after backing out the value and cost of the BOGO flights which is really the only different thing from their normal prices the last 5 years, all said and done once you see the bottom line the net room prices are about 30-40% higher than normal.  I think it is just a game of chicken - they are betting we want it so bad to pay it, and many of us are betting no one will really pay it and they will need to fill the ship at sail time...........or alternatively NCL will just cancel the whole itinerary as they have been doing of late

Edited August 8, 2021 by pghflyer

[deliver42]

Carnival now requires masks and pre cruise Covid testing just like Royal.

[Oakman58]

The pricing all depends on the cruises you are looking at and the time of year.  There are some great prices on this year's Mexican Riviera cruises in November, December, and the price for the January 16th 2022 cruise is a real bargain for a balcony cabin.

[roger001]

8 minutes ago, Oakman58 said:

The pricing all depends on the cruises you are looking at and the time of year.  There are some great prices on this year's Mexican Riviera cruises in November, December, and the price for the January 16th 2022 cruise is a real bargain for a balcony cabin.

I saw the Mexican Riviera cruises.. good prices.  However, today's news reports that Mexico Covid cases are exploding rapidly throughout with Mexico City now on red alert.  As this continues for the next few months, I can't imagine NCL wanting to do any port stops there.  No way to plan with any confidence right now.  In my mind I'm seeing cruise cancellations ahead....again.

[bostonphil]

Want to add that a few years back, a Caribbean Cruise for me in studio was about $899, about.

 

Now the same or similar cruise is about $1300. 

 

The Mediterranean Cruise that leaves Barcelona was also less than $1000 for one person in studio. It has gone up some, I also notice.

[MichiganBound]

1 hour ago, roger001 said:

I saw the Mexican Riviera cruises.. good prices.  However, today's news reports that Mexico Covid cases are exploding rapidly throughout with Mexico City now on red alert.  As this continues for the next few months, I can't imagine NCL wanting to do any port stops there.  No way to plan with any confidence right now.  In my mind I'm seeing cruise cancellations ahead....again.

I agree.  I also can't imagine opting for a cruise right now that doesn't sail from and return to one's home continent.  As a US citizen, I would not be looking to take a cruise that does not leave and return from the US.  Way  too many things could go pear-shaped with a cruise right now.  It's better to be close to home if things go pear-shaped rather than half way around the world.  

 

As I've said before, I have no plans to cruise in 2021.  However, if I did, I would only cruise out of US ports....with the exception Florida.  Not going anywhere near Florida till they sort out the legal issues.

[CruizinKittie40]

I switched from a 4 day cruise to a 7 day cruise because the price dropped and the longer cruise was cheaper plus more perks! 

[kevintheoman]

On 8/3/2021 at 11:49 AM, Magnetchief said:

Our first time with NCL, typically Cunard or RCI.

 

Suffering from sticker shock after booking a cruise and island stay for Hawaii next May. 

A lot, lot more than I would typically pay for a cruise.

 

If it's on Pride of America, it's a US flagged ship and will be expensive.  Staff earns US wages, etc. Also, no casino btw, in case that matters to you.

[Goldconnection]

Prices have dropped twice on all three of our cruises.

[sfaaa]

10 hours ago, pghflyer said:

  I think it is just a game of chicken - they are betting we want it so bad to pay it, and many of us are betting no one will really pay it and they will need to fill the ship at sail time...........or alternatively NCL will just cancel the whole itinerary as they have been doing of late

Whoever is holding the cash is king and in control. Cruising is not an everyday basic necessity item. None of us has to go unless the price is right.  There are also other competitive cruise lines we can shop and choose from. This puts NCL at a big disadvantage with little leverage unless you are stuck with FCC or Cruise Next Cert with expiry date. Then the table is turned and  you are now at NCL's mercy.

Edited August 8, 2021 by sfaaa