Is Celebrity getting a lot more expensive?

[D C]

13 hours ago, TeeRick said:

It is not a sale when they raise the prices then "discount" them with a "sale" to back where they were (or higher).  But you can get some decent OBC with these promotions.

You only say that because you haven't seen "full price".  Granted, Celebrity hasn't either.  And can it be full price if nobody ever pays full price? 

 

I seem to recall some states having laws because furniture and appliance stores always had sales but never sold items at the alleged full price. 

[upwarduk]

On 12/2/2022 at 1:56 PM, wrk2cruise said:

 

Will it ever end?   Cyber Monday is long gone.

 

I’ve seen a ‘new’ offer today, but they still have the 75% off for the second guest.

This is only creative accounting, as when you go on to the second page when doing a dummy booking, the pricing gets inflated before the 75% is taken off.

If you divide the final price by 2, then that represents the original price p.p.

 

[Jeremiah1212]

10 hours ago, D C said:

You only say that because you haven't seen "full price".  Granted, Celebrity hasn't either.  And can it be full price if nobody ever pays full price? 

 

I seem to recall some states having laws because furniture and appliance stores always had sales but never sold items at the alleged full price. 

 

You can easily find the brochure rate to see the full price base fare. That term has been used since the 80's if not even longer. Every single cruise line out there does it. 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

On 12/1/2022 at 11:25 PM, 4-2-N-8 said:

Even if my budget may be different, I still do my research. I look for what I feel are appropriate prices for what I buy. 🤓

 

The same way that I will pick one gas station over another. Does it matter in the big scheme of things if I pay $4.00/gal vs $3.95? Nope...

 

Then there's always some place at an exit where I pull in, only to find that's the cash price, and it'll be $0.10/gal more for credit. Then it REALLY comes down to how we're doing on time, and on Cheryl (who might be giving me the eye roll at that point)!

 

Tom

[D C]

1 hour ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

You can easily find the brochure rate to see the full price base fare. That term has been used since the 80's if not even longer. Every single cruise line out there does it. 

The brochure rate is completely irrelevant unless as according to the FTC, that "price is one at which the product was openly and actively offered for sale, for a reasonably substantial period of time, in the recent, regular course of his business, honestly and in good faith" 

 

A percentage off a made-up reference price that has never actually been offered to customers is absolutely fraudulent.   But everyone does it, and the FTC doesn't enforce their own rules. 

[Jeremiah1212]

5 minutes ago, D C said:

The brochure rate is completely irrelevant unless as according to the FTC, that "price is one at which the product was openly and actively offered for sale, for a reasonably substantial period of time, in the recent, regular course of his business, honestly and in good faith" 

 

A percentage off a made-up reference price that has never actually been offered to customers is absolutely fraudulent.   But everyone does it, and the FTC doesn't enforce their own rules. 

 

You're free to pay the brochure rate if you really want! 

[D C]

1 hour ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

You're free to pay the brochure rate if you really want! 

Care to show me how to find and book that on celebritycruises.com?

[wrk2cruise]

17 minutes ago, D C said:

Care to show me how to find and book that on celebritycruises.com?

 

There are lots of rates that have historically been impossible to book on celebritycruises.com.   The current scheme actually let's you book most of them but prior to a few months ago you had to call for many rates.

[D. B.]

With the Record Cruise Bookings in the past few weeks the Cruise Lines are all raising prices and fees because they know customers are going to be willing to Pay them.

   With outstanding Debt in the Billions of $$ I can't blame them for that.

    Like a lot of things Supply and Demand establish what the market will pay.

 I could see this coming and booked 9 cruises in early 2022 and when I check the present price for any of those the cost today would sometimes be Double. 

   I guess we are lucky that a lot of them didn't go bankrupt and cease operation?

 I sailed on Crystal just before they stopped sailing and left a lot of guests stuck away from home.

[NutsAboutGolf]

2 hours ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

You're free to pay the brochure rate if you really want! 

 

I wonder how many actually pay the brochure rate?  I suppose it would most likely be from a predatory TA

[D C]

50 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

I wonder how many actually pay the brochure rate?  I suppose it would most likely be from a predatory TA

Guessing zero unless it was as you stated, predatory. 
It's likely there to say that they have a rate to reference for percent-off, even though they don't actually offer it to customers. 

[Jeremiah1212]

1 hour ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

I wonder how many actually pay the brochure rate?  I suppose it would most likely be from a predatory TA

 

You would be surprised at how many people pay absolutely no attention to what they are actually selecting. That's what removes some of my empathy about the 'bad IT and bad website!" complaints, but that's another topic for another day. That said, when you see a new invoice with the brochure rate, it warrants a phone call. 

[chisoxfan]

On 12/1/2022 at 3:56 PM, grandgeezer said:

We stopped seeing the value in cruising before the pandemic hit. We had cut back over 75% and the only cruising we did was when we found some real “suite” deals, one on RCL Allure, in a Grand Suite, and two on MSC Seaside, in a Yacht Club Deluxe Suite. We have seen nothing worthwhile since the startup. In fact the so called free cruises through the casino didn’t even make us blink.

The cruise lines have the right to charge whatever the market will bear, we evoke our right not to pay it.

Close to you..... a Carib cruise was part of our routine for a few decades and at the time it was (seemingly) a simple process and good value. I have looked casually at cruises from HAL,X, and MSC YC for the past six months (for winter 23,24) and haven't found anything that I feel is a good deal- to add insult to injury cabin selection seems spotty on many cruises into 2024. we've been to all of the Carib ports and typically just want to be able to have a seat at the pool and have some low key fun.  Getting a spot at the pool often an adventure. We did book on the X Ascent Retreat in 24 - the suite was lower priced and had lots of benes and we will do an Apex Med next year because of itinerary (hoping I am wrong about IV). Sorry to be so negative but do believe that cruising will have to readjust pricing in the future or lose many of us.

However, with our shift from cruising have found all inclusives to present some real value. Nice to have direct flights to resort and not worry about night before travel, cancellations from 2 weeks to

3 days with full refunds, and actually spend some time swimming in the ocean without looking at my watch to see when I need to rush back to ship. JMHO

 

[Oceangoer2]

33 minutes ago, chisoxfan said:

Close to you..... a Carib cruise was part of our routine for a few decades and at the time it was (seemingly) a simple process and good value. I have looked casually at cruises from HAL,X, and MSC YC for the past six months (for winter 23,24) and haven't found anything that I feel is a good deal- to add insult to injury cabin selection seems spotty on many cruises into 2024. we've been to all of the Carib ports and typically just want to be able to have a seat at the pool and have some low key fun.  Getting a spot at the pool often an adventure. We did book on the X Ascent Retreat in 24 - the suite was lower priced and had lots of benes and we will do an Apex Med next year because of itinerary (hoping I am wrong about IV). Sorry to be so negative but do believe that cruising will have to readjust pricing in the future or lose many of us.

However, with our shift from cruising have found all inclusives to present some real value. Nice to have direct flights to resort and not worry about night before travel, cancellations from 2 weeks to

3 days with full refunds, and actually spend some time swimming in the ocean without looking at my watch to see when I need to rush back to ship. JMHO

We've thought as you but can't find a resort which compares $$ value, entertainment, dining options, room which isn't lost in a big hotel, and beach which is a good walk away from the hotel.  All inclusive is generally buffet dining with a poor option for room.  Upscale ocean view etc is priced higher than the suite life onboard.  The rest I agree with....direct flights, no pre hotel night, cancellations not 3 months out, refunds quickly, etc.  😕

[Baron Barracuda]

Couple of thoughts:

DW & I have been sailing with X for almost 30 years and have never paid over $200pp/pd for verandah or CC.  That pricing is still available if you search, some even with AI.   It's the suites where supply is limited and for some people no price is too high.  Would never consider paying $400pd for X.  For that price Viking and Oceania provide much better value.

 

X has historically offered "low" prices when schedule is released and then raised rates once they achieve a certain level of bookings.  Prices usually slip later as sailing date nears.

 

If demand for X is so high why does Blue Chip keep offering me a free verandah even though I'm not a gambler?  Latest email was good on 70 sailings next spring some 10 - 11 nights.

[Oceangoer2]

3 minutes ago, Baron Barracuda said:

Couple of thoughts:

DW & I have been sailing with X for almost 30 years and have never paid over $200pp/pd for verandah or CC.  That pricing is still available if you search, some even with AI.   It's the suites where supply is limited and for some people no price is too high.  Would never consider paying $400pd for X.  For that price Viking and Oceania provide much better value.

 

X has historically offered "low" prices when schedule is released and then raised rates once they achieve a certain level of bookings.  Prices usually slip later as sailing date nears.

 

If demand for X is so high why does Blue Chip keep offering me a free verandah even though I'm not a gambler?  Latest email was good on 70 sailings next spring some 10 - 11 nights.

I thought if you were offered blue chip you had to put up X $ first, then a free cabin?  Were you at some time registered with them as a Casino player?

[Baron Barracuda]

26 minutes ago, Oceangoer2 said:

I thought if you were offered blue chip you had to put up X $ first, then a free cabin?  Were you at some time registered with them as a Casino player?

Haven't taken them up on offer yet but as I understand it cabin is free, no casino requirement and you only have to pay port charges.  Some have upgraded to Aqua for $10/night.

[Homosassa]

To take a very long view of cruise  prices - I would say no

 

First Chandris  (Celebrity)cruise in 1976 cost $399 for a seven night Caribbean cruise, inside cabin (shared bathrooms for the deck).

 

According to an on line calculator, that 1976 $399 is equivalent to $2,004 in 2022.

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

Though I paid paid a pretty penny (well, almost pretty. I found it on a sidewalk) for my room, if these prices don't settle down, I won't just take robes, PJs, sheets, in-room WiFi router, sink fixtures, and TVs home with me, I'll offload some of those awesome deck chairs from the Retreat (after I disassemble them in my room the night before disembarking).

 

I'll bring along a few travel trunks (or five) and I'll take enough chairs with me at disembarkation to reassemble at home for a full backyard garden set!

 

That'll show 'em! Who do they think they are charging what people are willing to pay?! 🙈

 

 

Edited December 8, 2022 by 4-2-N-8

[Ex-Airbalancer]

17 minutes ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

Though I paid paid a pretty penny (well, almost pretty. I found it on a sidewalk) for my room, if these prices don't settle down, I won't just take robes, PJs, sheets, in-room WiFi router, sink fixtures, and TVs home with me, I'll offload some of those awesome deck chairs from the Retreat (after I disassemble them in my room the night before disembarking).

 

I'll bring along a few travel trunks (or five) and I'll take enough chairs with me at disembarkation to reassemble at home for a full backyard garden set!

 

That'll show 'em! Who do they think they are charging what people are willing to pay?! 🙈

 

 

You get PJs in your cabin ?😱

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

Just now, Ex-Airbalancer said:

You get PJs in your cabin ?😱

I am basing that upon what other CC commentators have indicated. Who knows, really?

 

But those shiny sink fixtures? Those will go well with my all-in-one in-home theater and car engine parts cleaning bay. I'll have my entire plumber's toolkit with me just to disassemble that sink!

[SusieAV8R]

1 minute ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

I am basing that upon what other CC commentators have indicated. Who knows, really?

 

But those shiny sink fixtures? Those will go well with my all-in-one in-home theater and car engine parts cleaning bay. I'll have my entire plumber's toolkit with me just to disassemble that sink!

Laughter is wonderful medicine!  Thanx!!!

[grandgeezer]

2 hours ago, Homosassa said:

To take a very long view of cruise  prices - I would say no

 

First Chandris  (Celebrity)cruise in 1976 cost $399 for a seven night Caribbean cruise, inside cabin (shared bathrooms for the deck).

 

According to an on line calculator, that 1976 $399 is equivalent to $2,004 in 2022.

First VCR I bought in the 1980s, $1000, bought one that is ten times better, $69, imagine how cheap it would be without inflation. You forgot to mention how much your earnings went up from 1976 until now, that is affected by inflation too.

2018, seven night Caribbean on RCL Allure, in Grand Suite $1500 p.p. 2022, same cruise, same room, same timeframe $3465 p.p., dam inflation.

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

20 minutes ago, SusieAV8R said:

Laughter is wonderful medicine!  Thanx!!!

Agreed. Life is good. Take nothing too seriously... 🙂

[Homosassa]

11 hours ago, grandgeezer said:

First VCR I bought in the 1980s, $1000, bought one that is ten times better, $69, imagine how cheap it would be without inflation. You forgot to mention how much your earnings went up from 1976 until now, that is affected by inflation too.

2018, seven night Caribbean on RCL Allure, in Grand Suite $1500 p.p. 2022, same cruise, same room, same timeframe $3465 p.p., dam inflation.

You are talking a Grand Suite for $1500 p.p. I was talking an inside cabin wit a shared bathroom for the deck for $2000 p.p.

 

Not exactly a comparison for room type and cost.

 

And while I still book inside cabins, they still cost less than $2000 with the added bonus of a private bathroom.