What's it cost to make Pinnacle?

[ReneeFLL]

I have no idea what it cost us and probably won't try to figure it out. We love cruising and would cruise more if we could. 

[soremekun]

1 hour ago, topnole said:

2400 round trip?   Wow.  Are you flying in from Europe?   I just booked a pretty long flight on SW for next Feb and it was only about 300 RT.  

BOS to MCO April 15-22, 2023.  $591 pp each way.  Prices haven't changed since I booked the first day the fares were released.  No layovers for me.  Has to be a non-stop flight.  I *hate* flying.  Taxes and fees bring it to:

 

Base Fare

$1,072.34

 

U.S. Transportation Tax

$80.42

 

U.S. 9/11 Security Fee

$11.20

 

U.S. Flight Segment Tax

$9.00

 

U.S. Passenger Facility Chg

$9.00

 

Total

$1,181.96

Edited November 4, 2022 by soremekun

[Tree_skier]

I've reached Diamond and my only expectation is that I will reach Diamond plus. While my first cruise was 2007, I only started cruising in earnest in 2018. Pinnacle seems impossible to me.  

 

With what I have booked through Dec 2024 and what I intend to book over then couple years I will reach Diamond plus by the spring of 2026.  My expectation is to retire Feb 2026.  Of course so much could change by then.  In a moment all my plans could be turned upside down.  But that is the goal...  We'll see how close I get. The leap from D+ to P seems insurmountable.

Edited November 4, 2022 by Tree_skier

[mo&fran]

12 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

I've reached Diamond and my only expectation is that I will reach Diamond plus. While my first cruise was 2007, I only started cruising in earnest in 2018. Pinnacle seems impossible to me.  

 

With what I have booked through Dec 2024 and what I intend to book over then couple years I will reach Diamond plus by the spring of 2026.  My expectation is to retire Feb 2026.  Of course so much could change by then.  In a moment all my plans could be turned upside down.  But that is the goal...  We'll see how close I get. The leap from D+ to P seems insurmountable.

I retired in 2008, and was D.  Will be P in 2 weeks. IN 2008, I would never have thought it would be possible to be in this position. I hit 350 8 years ago when we moved back to Florida.

Edited November 4, 2022 by mo&fran

[Tree_skier]

4 minutes ago, mo&fran said:

I retired in 2008, and was D.  Will be P in 2 weeks. IN 2008, I would never have thought it would be possible to be in this position. I hit 350 8 years ago when we moved back to Florida.

If I settled in FL upon retirement it might be possible but that is unlikely.

[Starry Eyes]

Some people seem to doubt the guy who calculated $400,000 to make Pinnacle.  I’m not there to ask him questions, but I’ll assume he is including all travel expenses.  Let’s also assume to reach Pinnacle his family did 100  7 night cruise in balcony cabins and he calculated the average cost of those cruises was $4000 per cruise.   If his family cruised at peak times (school holiday and summer break), cruise fares are high; he did not get bargain rates while kid was in school/college.  If rates weren’t too bad, they booked two cabins instead.  He would include port, taxes, gratuities, and extra tips.  His family also spent money on drinks, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa and photos on every cruise.  They have a parking fee from their local airport, and airline tickets, pre-cruise hotel, transfer to ship and post cruise transfer to airport.  Some food and drink while traveling and during precruise hotel stay.  It is not hard to spend $4000 per trip if one adds in all the expenses.

[AlohaLivin]

A heck of a lot. So it only makes sense if it’s the cherry on top, a lovely side effect of doing something that you would love and would do anyway.

[neverbeenhere]

Cruising in Ernest is part of the issue. But, the good part is Royal has additional small incentives at 340 and 525. Not much but better than the Celebrity climb to fame and fortune. 

[mo&fran]

1 minute ago, Tree_skier said:

If I settled in FL upon retirement it might be possible but that is unlikely.

I lived here from 1976 to 1999 for my job. Then I was moved to Connecticut till I retired.  Once I was able to sell my house, I came back.

[topnole]

1 hour ago, soremekun said:

BOS to MCO April 15-22, 2023.  $591 pp each way.  Prices haven't changed since I booked the first day the fares were released.  No layovers for me.  Has to be a non-stop flight.  I *hate* flying.  Taxes and fees bring it to:

 

Base Fare

$1,072.34

 

U.S. Transportation Tax

$80.42

 

U.S. 9/11 Security Fee

$11.20

 

U.S. Flight Segment Tax

$9.00

 

U.S. Passenger Facility Chg

$9.00

 

Total

$1,181.96

Did you check prices to make it Tampa?   It’s only 70 mins to mco (give or take from Orlando airport).  Also, check providence.  
 

Also, at that price any other airline will probably be better.  

[topnole]

1 hour ago, Starry Eyes said:

Some people seem to doubt the guy who calculated $400,000 to make Pinnacle.  I’m not there to ask him questions, but I’ll assume he is including all travel expenses.  Let’s also assume to reach Pinnacle his family did 100  7 night cruise in balcony cabins and he calculated the average cost of those cruises was $4000 per cruise.   If his family cruised at peak times (school holiday and summer break), cruise fares are high; he did not get bargain rates while kid was in school/college.  If rates weren’t too bad, they booked two cabins instead.  He would include port, taxes, gratuities, and extra tips.  His family also spent money on drinks, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa and photos on every cruise.  They have a parking fee from their local airport, and airline tickets, pre-cruise hotel, transfer to ship and post cruise transfer to airport.  Some food and drink while traveling and during precruise hotel stay.  It is not hard to spend $4000 per trip if one adds in all the expenses.

Your scenario would imply it wasn’t just his cost, but the cost for his whole family.  Even two cruises a year with a family for 20 years straight is only 40 cruises (280 points for week long cruises).  He didn’t get to pinnacle doing that.  
 

Regardless, it’s pretty obvious they guy was telling fish tales.  Who cares.  If he wants to try to brag and exaggerate, so be it.   It’s his life   Would be the first guy at the bar doing something similar and certainly not the first pinnacle bragging either.  
 

I’m sure he spent quite a bit anyhow.  But we all know it doesn’t cost $400k to make pinnacle.  Adding in the family expenses is pointless.  That cost is for someone else who gets points.  Who’s to say he didn’t get points for traveling with his mom and dad when he was a kid?   Or who’s to say his wife didn’t work and pay half the cost?    Either way, the guy is exaggerating or misrepresenting to a large extent.  Most folk probably paid 1/3 in cruise fare compared to what he is saying to be pinnacle.  

[A&L_Ont]

2 hours ago, docsneeze said:

Not just the financial cost.  What about the medical costs of morbid obesity from spending too many days at the trough in Windjammer?  The costs of Tylenol or Ibuprofen from travel headaches?  The dermatology visits for sun soaked destinations and sunscreens?  The elbow pain from hoisting too many cocktails, not to mention the alcohol contained within?

 

 

Yes, to all of this.  
 

On a side note, I guess that’s there are so many drug stores in ports of call, especially Mexico. 😉😁

[Cigar King]

6 hours ago, soremekun said:

Roundtrip non-stop flight (for 2 people) on Southwest, $2,400.

For us a round trip, first class, is usually ~2k.  I did manage to get that for $750 once, but, then Covid cancelled that cruise.

[Cigar King]

2 hours ago, soremekun said:

BOS to MCO April 15-22, 2023.  $591 pp each way.  Prices haven't changed since I booked the first day the fares were released.  No layovers for me.  Has to be a non-stop flight.  I *hate* flying.

Wow...I could have wrote this.  We fly from ORD though and almost always use AA.

[topnole]

2 hours ago, neverbeenhere said:

Cruising in Ernest is part of the issue. But, the good part is Royal has additional small incentives at 340 and 525. Not much but better than the Celebrity climb to fame and fortune. 

What’s at 525?   I’m near 340.  I assume you mean the single supplement for 340?     

[Starry Eyes]

35 minutes ago, topnole said:

Your scenario would imply it wasn’t just his cost, but the cost for his whole family.  Even two cruises a year with a family for 20 years straight is only 40 cruises (280 points for week long cruises).  He didn’t get to pinnacle doing that.  
 

Regardless, it’s pretty obvious they guy was telling fish tales.  Who cares.  If he wants to try to brag and exaggerate, so be it.   It’s his life   Would be the first guy at the bar doing something similar and certainly not the first pinnacle bragging either.  
 

I’m sure he spent quite a bit anyhow.  But we all know it doesn’t cost $400k to make pinnacle.  Adding in the family expenses is pointless.  That cost is for someone else who gets points.  Who’s to say he didn’t get points for traveling with his mom and dad when he was a kid?   Or who’s to say his wife didn’t work and pay half the cost?    Either way, the guy is exaggerating or misrepresenting to a large extent.  Most folk probably paid 1/3 in cruise fare compared to what he is saying to be pinnacle.  

You have difficulty believing there are people who spend $4000 on average for a one week cruise in a balcony cabin, including all associated costs?  It is very easy to do, especially if you cruise and fly at peak times.  Why are you limiting the hypothetical man to two cruises a year?  His 100 cruises might be spread over about 25 years at about 4 per year (often spring break, a couple weeks in summer, and Christmas).   He said it cost him $400000, so there is no particular reason for you to assert his parents or wife paid.
 

You only want to count cruise fare, and perhaps you indeed spend little more.  If so fine for you, but that is not true for others.   The person in the D lounge was probably including the full cost of the trip; it is reasonable way to look at the cost of cruising. 

[Sunshine3601]

Take about $10,000 and play in the casino.    Become a signature member and grab every free offer possible that you receive throughout the year  and that will fast track you to Pinnacle for a lot less money.   Plus you would get free drinks in the casino and free wifi.   May take 2 years but still a lot cheaper.      And who knows you may grab some winnings in the casino while gambling.   

Signature members also get offers for suites - so book a suite as a solo cruiser and bam even more points (double for suite, double for solo)😇

[neverbeenhere]

20 minutes ago, topnole said:

What’s at 525?   I’m near 340.  I assume you mean the single supplement for 340?     

Additional amenities.  
 

https://dlxffu6hwewxp.cloudfront.net/cas/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/18063159_CAS_MemberBonus_Amenity_List_v3.pdf

[Merion_Mom]

"If you have to ask, you can't afford it."  😉 

[firefly333]

5 hours ago, topnole said:

2400 round trip?   Wow.  Are you flying in from Europe?   I just booked a pretty long flight on SW for next Feb and it was only about 300 RT.  

For me I want to fly out of dfw not love field. Love field is very expensive to park. Fewer hours, almost didnt get in before the lot closed for the  night. 

 

I'm paying $518 out of dfw and would currently be $908 and that's with a stop on the way to miami and flying home from ft Lauderdale not miami. Lots of over 1k fares. Maybe it depends on if you can do sw if you can get those low fares. Nothing on my dates in your $300 range round trip. Air fare definitely influences my cruises. 

 

I heard rcl on CNBC today about earnings and he said cruisefares are up from 2019, pre covid. Each cruise on average costs more and people spend more onboard. Good for rcl srock, not as cheap as used to be though. My groceries cost more too so I'm  ot mad, but I do think cruise prices are up. But still better than ncl or jubilee on carnival... got my eye on a couple besides rcl. 

[davekathy]

32 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

"If you have to ask, you can't afford it."  😉 

I don't ask because I know I can't afford it. 😉

[Coralc]

2 hours ago, neverbeenhere said:

Additional amenities.  
 

https://dlxffu6hwewxp.cloudfront.net/cas/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/18063159_CAS_MemberBonus_Amenity_List_v3.pdf

Unfortunately, they are out of pretty much everything on the amenity list though. We don't drink wine and have a linen closet full of RC beach towels. On the last cruise, we received truffles. 3 times 0 available amenities is still 0. ☺️

[molsonschooner]

14 hours ago, gerif said:

Expense to get to ship is a big factor for many. I know back when loyalty points were figured differently Floridians living close to the ports could take 3 or 4 day cruises in inside cabins and climb the ranks quickly and relatively inexpensively. 

I think they can still do that

[neverbeenhere]

42 minutes ago, Coralc said:

Unfortunately, they are out of pretty much everything on the amenity list though. We don't drink wine and have a linen closet full of RC beach towels. On the last cruise, we received truffles. 3 times 0 available amenities is still 0. ☺️

Those double as car chamois. 

[ARandomTraveler]

5 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

Some people seem to doubt the guy who calculated $400,000 to make Pinnacle.  I’m not there to ask him questions, but I’ll assume he is including all travel expenses.  Let’s also assume to reach Pinnacle his family did 100  7 night cruise in balcony cabins and he calculated the average cost of those cruises was $4000 per cruise.   If his family cruised at peak times (school holiday and summer break), cruise fares are high; he did not get bargain rates while kid was in school/college.  If rates weren’t too bad, they booked two cabins instead.  He would include port, taxes, gratuities, and extra tips.  His family also spent money on drinks, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa and photos on every cruise.  They have a parking fee from their local airport, and airline tickets, pre-cruise hotel, transfer to ship and post cruise transfer to airport.  Some food and drink while traveling and during precruise hotel stay.  It is not hard to spend $4000 per trip if one adds in all the expenses.

Easily. For 2 of us on our upcoming Thanksgiving cruise, the cost of our ocean view balcony, daily tips, refreshment package, dining package, round trip airfare on Southwest Airlines, and pre-cruise hotel, we're already at $6,000.