Anyone else shocked at price increases?

[wemjam]

I guess at this point we should all be grateful they have instituted the extra charge once on board for the fuel surcharge.

 

Cruised a few years back when fuel prices started climbing and everyone on board the ship was hit with a fuel supplement charge to their sail and sign accounts.  That was fun, a lot of real happy passengers -  you should have seen the lines at customer service.

 

Better they raise their price up front to cover all their costs so there are no surprises later.

 

 

 

[ProgRockCruiser]

About a month ago, maybe six weeks, we booked an 8-day cruise for late 2023.  I just looked at that same cruise date, same type of cabin, same cabin location on the ship (one deck up, but similar enough).  Fare is up about $100 total.

 

That doesn't seem like a huge hike, knowing demand is increasing.  And obviously inventory is a bit less - no cabins available on the deck near where our booking is, so they must have sold.

 

So I attribute it to simply supply vs demand - the cabins are being booked by those that had previously been unwilling/unable to cruise.

[Joebucks]

2 hours ago, wemjam said:

Better they raise their price up front to cover all their costs so there are no surprises later.

 

You average cruiser would be happier with a $100 higher fee than a $50 charge later. 

[maryann2]

16 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

Well, I also got off the Spirt 8 day to Alaska last week. Paid very little and got a lot for my money. Spectacular cruise  with my wife and two daughters .... I could have paid double on the other lines and got even less so .... um ...yea. Saying this as someone who has a history of beating up on Carnival myself admittedly. 

 

16 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Rcl also had some very cheap alaska rates last minute. I'm thinking people were scared to fly to seattle, so many people had flight issues. Carnival did have some great rates. I thought hard about going myself. 

Carnival had no solo supplement fares on Splendor. not Spirit though.  Really low prices.

I went in July and did it again in August. No flights needed.

Do wish they sailed out of Vancouver though.

[Colorado Cruzer]

With the current state of service, food quality and overall staffing, I would choose another line that is more expensive for that type of cruise.  Cruising is still the best value for a vacation for us but we're going to take a break for a few years and hope they can get it together or we will go to another line. Good luck with the hunt.

[sfaaa]

15 hours ago, notplatinum said:

Carnival is bottom tier compared to other lines.    That's why it's cheaper

Good business model. Carnival has the bottom tier market pretty much cornered.

[ChrisCJR]

3 hours ago, sfaaa said:

Good business model. Carnival has the bottom tier market pretty much cornered.

 

I'd argue that MSC is right there too, any line that lets you do three or four nights for under $500 is pretty darn low.  Value on both is still pretty amazing, all things considered.

[firefly333]

2 minutes ago, ChrisCJR said:

 

I'd argue that MSC is right there too, any line that lets you do three or four nights for under $500 is pretty darn low.  Value on both is still pretty amazing, all things considered.

Maybe we can talk msc into coming to texas. I'm not against any line. I used to fly more just since covid I'm leery of flying. Miami next march I might change my mind if the flight and connects all go wonderful. I used to love to fly. Worked at braniff long time ago, my 2nd job after college.

[tallnthensome]

8 minutes ago, ChrisCJR said:

 

I'd argue that MSC is right there too, any line that lets you do three or four nights for under $500 is pretty darn low.  Value on both is still pretty amazing, all things considered.

I'm booked with them again as well. Great value comparatively speaking. 

[Indytraveler83]

This seems very cherry-picked.  There's always a few cruises that have outrageous prices, especially on brand new, unreleased ships.  Just a quick search shows the following prices for the Mardi Gras, which seems pretty much in line with Carnival pricing over the years:

 

 

Edit: I also noticed the OP's examples were 14 day Journeys cruises.  Those have always been priced crazy.  Not saying it's reasonable, but nothing different than I've seen for similar sailings before.

Edited August 24, 2022 by Indytraveler83

[cruisingguy007]

Got a free inside cabin offer on Luminosa this morning, also mentions up to $300 in OBC in the full details. Very tempting but with taxes, port fees and expensive air fare, it's not quite the deal. 

[tallnthensome]

4 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

Got a free inside cabin offer on Luminosa this morning, also mentions up to $300 in OBC in the full details. Very tempting but with taxes, port fees and expensive air fare, it's not quite the deal. 

Australia and New Zealand ? Hard to pass up 11 days for two for $749. If only I could walk there on that offer that I just got as well but the reality of airfare just killed that dream, 

[Guest BasicSailor]

On 8/23/2022 at 4:23 PM, firefly333 said:

I did a 5 plus 5 on breeze and it was so so, I really feel like I'm more about the ship or the ports. The ones I named above. Jubilee, dream 8 day to their island, or 14 day to Panama or eastern. 

 

Vista i was just glad to be back but overpaid.  Wanted to try cheers on vista and breeze. Now I want a ship I havent done, oasis class new ports, great price  .. 

 

When I booked my 14 day i think the base price was $2298 plus fees. It was hard to tell which they used for base rate. Now $2518 and its 2024. Oct 2022, this oct. I really hoped it would drop a wee bit more. It's up almost $300.

 

I hope someone would say well a bunch of offers just ended and some new ones just havent hitmyet or something that a new lower price would appear.

 

It says jubilee from $1098 plus fees, but those lower fares arent dates I can book, already booked. For sure I'm booking...when when there be a sale? 

The five days are only offering the same ports over and over. Not much can be added for five days. Perhaps a quick get away. Or if you actually enjoy just the ship.

[firefly333]

14 minutes ago, BasicSailor said:

The five days are only offering the same ports over and over. Not much can be added for five days. Perhaps a quick get away. Or if you actually enjoy just the ship.

I've got a lot in my signature and just booked allure b2b for next sept, cheaper than vista. Makes no sense how high carnival prices are. I'd still jump on carnival to Panama this oct but now it's almost sold out. 

 

Radiance next january in my signature is about my target price of $100 a day. It's a 10 day going to colon Panama and Columbia so I will get there once before I go on carnival dream jan 2024. At  least I got 1 deal. Radiance is one of their older ships, but they are doing some nice 9 and 10 day itineraries, but I have that group oasis so can just do the one 10 day. The 9 day does coco cay from Galveston. 

 

I'd like something a little different. Still hoping for jubilee. Ncl prima is coming but all inclusive but drops the extras close in i would add too. Prima now includes all kinds of stuff even airfare I dont need. 2k for regular inside. .. I'll wait lol but hoping. I really need to move to florida!

[cruisingguy007]

1 minute ago, firefly333 said:

I've got a lot in my signature and just booked allure b2b for next sept, cheaper than vista. Makes no sense how high carnival prices are. I'd still jump on carnival to Panama this oct but now it's almost sold out. 

 

Radiance next january in my signature is about my target price of $100 a day. It's a 10 day going to colon Panama and Columbia so I will get there once before I go on carnival dream jan 2024. At  least I got 1 deal. Radiance is one of their older ships, but they are doing some nice 9 and 10 day itineraries, but I have that group oasis so can just do the one 10 day. The 9 day does coco cay from Galveston. 

 

I'd like something a little different. Still hoping for jubilee. Ncl prima is coming but all inclusive but drops the extras close in i would add too. Prima now includes all kinds of stuff even airfare I dont need. 2k for regular inside. .. I'll wait lol but hoping. I really need to move to florida!

 

You can try a site like cheepOair and then book cruises around the cheap flights. You can search different parameters that work with ports and try and line up a deal on both ends. It can work well for land trips and sometimes even cruising if everything aligns. The busiest airports seem to offer the best deals, that and early morning/late night flights. There are some deals if you're willing to work within a larger window of travel.  

[kona_wahine]

46 minutes ago, tallnthensome said:

Australia and New Zealand ? Hard to pass up 11 days for two for $749. If only I could walk there on that offer that I just got as well but the reality of airfare just killed that dream, 

I think Carnival is having a tough time with the Australian cruises. I get offer after offer almost giving away cruises. The airfare is what’s stopping me. And that LONG flight…. I did bite on the 7 day Panorama, happy birthday to me! Lol

[firefly333]

15 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

You can try a site like cheepOair and then book cruises around the cheap flights. You can search different parameters that work with ports and try and line up a deal on both ends. It can work well for land trips and sometimes even cruising if everything aligns. The busiest airports seem to offer the best deals, that and early morning/late night flights. There are some deals if you're willing to work within a larger window of travel.  

I'm paying $518 to fly american next march. I'm hindered living in dallas area that I dont want to go out if love field.  Also dont think the airlines have it together right now which is why I dont want to fly since covid. Let's see how next march goes. My ticket now has risen to around $900 to as much as $1066. Lol. I'm so glad I purchased when I did. Now american has a lower price on some flights that is new and doesnt include my carry on, and board last and not picking seats. Lol. I'll wait to fly. Like carnival the airlines have gone nuts. But thanks. I bought a condo last year at cape Canaveral I'll move to some day, right now I'm here as long as mom needs me. ..but I do have plans to move to florida. Got the condo now a uber away from the port.

[tidecat]

On 8/23/2022 at 3:07 PM, BasicSailor said:

If you say so .😉

Cahill retired in 2014. Arnold Donald retired as CEO on August 1. Josh Weinstein is the new CEO.

[Guest BasicSailor]

1 minute ago, tidecat said:

Cahill retired in 2014. Arnold Donald retired as CEO on August 1. Josh Weinstein is the new CEO.

Thanks, I knew that. 😁

[Purvis1231]

And you folks wanted the vaccine mandate and testing to end! 

[DisneyDatknee]

Taking the same cruise compared to last year, prices did go up a little like $100 each for an oceanview on the same ship, but we got good VIFP promos, one cabin with $500 OBC and the other with cheers package for $90 upgrade each. 

[cruisinqt]

On 8/24/2022 at 3:24 AM, tallnthensome said:

You keep spinning that same tune. I've done Alaska before as on other lines and this one was a better value.....better overall. Why would I pay triple to see the same Alaska and when I had an extended balcony ? Should I pay Princess triple to take the same photos or go into port or take the same type excursions? Sounds like you enjoy paying more for less with that proven record. Food might be better elsewhere not at 3 times what I paid.   I'm a very experienced cruiser that has sailed Pricess, Holland, etc .... You can't tell me  how to interpret value. 

I completely agree. I’ve personally done several higher end luxury cruise lines but enjoyed Carnival more, the lower cost is just a bonus. I’d still sail Carnival if they cost more. The luxury lines felt like a retirement home. Bingo, art exhibitions and dance classes for the two step or waltz were the highlights of things to do during the day. In the evenings it was broadway musicals and ballroom dancing then off to bed for everyone. Things just stopped at 10 pm. It was like a ghost town except for the casino and a couple bars. The food was excellent, you were pampered with butlers and high end amenities, but it was too sedate for me. Carnival may be cheaper but they are a whole lot more fun. With all of the new specialty restaurants, roller coasters, ropes course, water parks, mini golf, and great late night comedy shows I have a blast every time. And the overall value is hard to beat. Plus I can get a much larger cabin in a prime location for half the price. 
 

What notplatinum doesn’t understand is that just because you pay a lot more money for something doesn’t mean it’s better. My $50,000 dollar car hasn’t spent one day in the repair shop in the past 5 years I’ve owned it. But my bosses $100,000 Jag literally lives in the repair shop. But he still thinks his car is better because he paid more for it. And you can’t change his mind. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink it.