These cruise prices are insanely high!!

[pcur]

11 hours ago, SbbquilterUT said:

Add to silly pricing for the cruise - flights are nearly the same price as the cruise if flying in from the West coast.

I fly from the West Coast. I use Southwest as my go-to airline, and Alaska for flights to EWR.  I've found a one way fare on Alaska from SFO to EWR that can be as low as $129, depending on the time of year I'm flying.  I got an Alaska credit card last year, and stretched those points as far as I could.  

 

I'm flying SFO-EWR the first week of January, and used some Alaska points for a hotel near SFO so I can grab the earliest (and lowest cost) fare to EWR, arriving around 2:30pm.

 

I also have a Chase Sapphire credit card that I can transfer points to Southwest.  I use it for everything, and get double points for travel.  So, I will pay for a cruise, and then transfer the double points to pay for airfare at some point.

 

I have found over the last 2 years, since January 2022, I have paid a lot less using these two airlines. 

[Cruise a holic]

13 hours ago, bouhunter said:

We'll be on Grandeur, Explorer and Radiance for 6 weeks soon.  I guess we love rust buckets.  Has nothing to do with the prices we just don't like the chaos and crowds at elevators, windjammer, etc. on the huge ships.  Watching people lay on the floor on the sun deck on Symphony last winter because all the chairs were taken at 7AM every day was the last straw.  In fact half those 6 weeks are "free" thru casino comps, we could have chosen any ships and intentionally stayed away from the monsters.

 

As for prices, the lines have billions in debt to pay off after covid, it's not surprising.

the cruise lines continue to make obscene profits, cut services, build new ships and employees work harder.  I do not feel sorry for their "debt".  The rates are crazy and aren't justified.

[DrProfessor]

12 hours ago, bucfan2 said:

We're giving MSC a shot in the yacht club...booked it for 1/2 what RCCL gets for a full suite.  Be interesting to compare...hoping they're both of roughly the same 'value', allowing us to double up on the bookings.  They're be some drawbacks, but we have heard the YC blows away Royal's suite area.  We're certainly curious.

 

We are doing the same.  Our first non-Royal sailing is with MSC in YC this coming Feb.  From the reviews I've read, things can be hit or miss, so we'll see.  We still have a few booked with RC into 2025, but we are testing the waters with MSC simply because of the pricing.

[little britain]

3 minutes ago, DrProfessor said:

 

We are doing the same.  Our first non-Royal sailing is with MSC in YC this coming Feb.  From the reviews I've read, things can be hit or miss, so we'll see.  We still have a few booked with RC into 2025, but we are testing the waters with MSC simply because of the pricing.

YC is definitely not “hit or miss”!  You can’t fault it. 
MSC ships are beautiful, stylish and Italian. If you go expecting American food and service you’ll be disappointed.  It’s refreshingly different 

[DrProfessor]

5 minutes ago, little britain said:

YC is definitely not “hit or miss”!  You can’t fault it. 
MSC ships are beautiful, stylish and Italian. If you go expecting American food and service you’ll be disappointed.  It’s refreshingly different 

Thank you - we definitely expect it to be different.  Specifically, we are going on Seashore and those who have stayed in YC recently on Seashore say they are way understaffed and often run out of things.  We'll enjoy it either way because that is how we do vacations, and I realize that for every person that complains there are probably a hundred that don't.

[sandebeach]

17 minutes ago, DrProfessor said:

Thank you - we definitely expect it to be different.  Specifically, we are going on Seashore and those who have stayed in YC recently on Seashore say they are way understaffed and often run out of things.  We'll enjoy it either way because that is how we do vacations, and I realize that for every person that complains there are probably a hundred that don't.

We just did MSC Yacht Club last week on Divina. We really liked it. Hope YC Seashore is great for you. 

[Tlbecker1]

8 hours ago, pcur said:

I fly from the West Coast. I use Southwest as my go-to airline, and Alaska for flights to EWR.  I've found a one way fare on Alaska from SFO to EWR that can be as low as $129, depending on the time of year I'm flying.  I got an Alaska credit card last year, and stretched those points as far as I could.  

 

I'm flying SFO-EWR the first week of January, and used some Alaska points for a hotel near SFO so I can grab the earliest (and lowest cost) fare to EWR, arriving around 2:30pm.

 

I also have a Chase Sapphire credit card that I can transfer points to Southwest.  I use it for everything, and get double points for travel.  So, I will pay for a cruise, and then transfer the double points to pay for airfare at some point.

 

I have found over the last 2 years, since January 2022, I have paid a lot less using these two airlines. 

I agree with you 100%.  We also fly from the West Coast for all of our cruises and we usually fly Alaska and 2nd choice is SW.  As long as you book early, there are deals to be had.

[gatour]

1 hour ago, Cruise a holic said:

the cruise lines continue to make obscene profits, cut services, build new ships and employees work harder.  I do not feel sorry for their "debt".  The rates are crazy and aren't justified.

Cruise lines and their stockholders beg to differ with you.  Charge what the market will bare.

 

Over the years I adjust my spending.  For example I had been a Disney annual passholder.  I did Universal for the first time in years.  I throughly enjoyed it.  I felt that price/value for Universal was better over Disney for me.  So I switch to Universal annual passes.  I don't begrudge Disney charging what they do. 

 

Obviously other people don't feel my sentiments. So they continue to go to Disney.  Neither of us are right or wrong.

[Cruise a holic]

1 hour ago, gatour said:

Cruise lines and their stockholders beg to differ with you.  Charge what the market will bare.

 

Over the years I adjust my spending.  For example I had been a Disney annual passholder.  I did Universal for the first time in years.  I throughly enjoyed it.  I felt that price/value for Universal was better over Disney for me.  So I switch to Universal annual passes.  I don't begrudge Disney charging what they do. 

 

Obviously other people don't feel my sentiments. So they continue to go to Disney.  Neither of us are right or wrong.

My ds owns a vacation club plan at disney.  But the price for a pass in obscene for many.  He is a “Disney freak”.  We go occasionally with him and his spouse but imo not worth it.  You pay for cheesy food and long lines.  But clearly many love it

[Billy Baltic]

On 12/18/2023 at 12:53 AM, Tlbecker1 said:

It also depends on when you book.  If you are looking for lower prices, than make sure when the ship/itinerary is released, book it!

Not my experience with itineraries released for 2025 in Europe. The prices the day they were released were already insane. 

[teacherman]

All of these high prices are a true picture of how "bad" the current economy is.  Not everyone can afford to take a cruise or go to a concert or pro sports event.  But most of these have very little trouble selling out.  So, it would appear that millions of people find a way to pay for these "luxuries".  Everyone has to decide if these things are "worth it".  Is there something else that is more beneficial to you that you could spend the money on?  Individual decision making is what it is all about.

[Mum2Mercury]

Just FYI:  I just got a small price drop on one of our upcoming cruises.  $57 isn't the world, but I'll keep it in my pocket instead of giving it to the cruise line, thank you very much.   

[Oceansaway17]

5 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

the cruise lines continue to make obscene profits, cut services, build new ships and employees work harder.  I do not feel sorry for their "debt".  The rates are crazy and aren't justified.

and while I do agree with you, I don't think the cruise lines really care and I would say until about 2025 when debt is lower and perhaps bookings as well.   things will come to a head eventually

[Cruise a holic]

1 hour ago, Oceansaway17 said:

and while I do agree with you, I don't think the cruise lines really care and I would say until about 2025 when debt is lower and perhaps bookings as well.   things will come to a head eventually

Nope.  Toll prices never come down after bridges have more then been paid for.   Cruise prices will not either

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, Oceansaway17 said:

and while I do agree with you, I don't think the cruise lines really care and I would say until about 2025 when debt is lower and perhaps bookings as well.   things will come to a head eventually

What is coming to a head? I don’t see cruise prices decreasing any time soon. The only way prices will decrease in the future is if there is a significant reduction in demand. The likelihood of that happening any time soon is close to zero. There is still a large population of the US, not to mention other countries, that can afford to cruise on RCI despite the price increases. 

[asctony]

2 hours ago, teacherman said:

All of these high prices are a true picture of how "bad" the current economy is.  Not everyone can afford to take a cruise or go to a concert or pro sports event.  But most of these have very little trouble selling out.  So, it would appear that millions of people find a way to pay for these "luxuries".  Everyone has to decide if these things are "worth it".  Is there something else that is more beneficial to you that you could spend the money on?  Individual decision making is what it is all about.

How bad the economy is? If the economy was that bad:

why are the ships full,

why are people going to the pier and not being able to get on the ship?

Why are the restaurants full of people at lunch time?

People complain about how high prices are, however, they sure spend money like it comes off of trees!

Happy Holidays and Cruising!

[teacherman]

Yes, Asctony.  Exactly my point.  All we hear from the media and "polls" is that people say the economy is bad.  But cruises, concerts, sporting events, restaurants, etc are full.  So it is not bad for everyone.  My pro football season tickets have just doubled in price for next year.  (Go, Lions)  But I can buy them again, or not, as I wish.  Happy holidays to all.  

 

 

 

 

[SUgwoz]

4 hours ago, teacherman said:

All of these high prices are a true picture of how "bad" the current economy is.  Not everyone can afford to take a cruise or go to a concert or pro sports event.  But most of these have very little trouble selling out.  So, it would appear that millions of people find a way to pay for these "luxuries".  Everyone has to decide if these things are "worth it".  Is there something else that is more beneficial to you that you could spend the money on?  Individual decision making is what it is all about.

Also people will put higher value on certain items that others wouldn't.  Someone who scoffs at cruise prices could be driving a $50k new car, wear a $1k watch, or spend thousands on clothing. 

 

Many assume that if a cruise is worth x amount to them, it must mean the same to everyone else.  Better yet, because they spent xyz amount on a cruise 5 years ago, anything higher is considered overpriced.  When in reality nothing is the same price 5 years ago, and some things/experiences have gone up more than cruises.

[Mum2Mercury]

2 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

Nope.  Toll prices never come down after bridges have more then been paid for.   Cruise prices will not either

Eh, bridges don't have competition.  Cruise lines do.  

[Cruise a holic]

Just now, Mum2Mercury said:

Eh, bridges don't have competition.  Cruise lines do.  

Yes so therfore we have no options and must pay

[grandgeezer]

1 hour ago, SUgwoz said:

Also people will put higher value on certain items that others wouldn't.  Someone who scoffs at cruise prices could be driving a $50k new car, wear a $1k watch, or spend thousands on clothing. 

 

Many assume that if a cruise is worth x amount to them, it must mean the same to everyone else.  Better yet, because they spent xyz amount on a cruise 5 years ago, anything higher is considered overpriced.  When in reality nothing is the same price 5 years ago, and some things/experiences have gone up more than cruises.

How many experiences have made the cutbacks and negative changes the cruise lines have? You are not getting the same product so a price comparison would not tell the whole story. Some things have gone down too, namely some electronics. I recently bought a Samsung Blu Ray CD player for $64, if. I recall right, the one before that was about $100 more.

[SUgwoz]

41 minutes ago, grandgeezer said:

How many experiences have made the cutbacks and negative changes the cruise lines have? You are not getting the same product so a price comparison would not tell the whole story. Some things have gone down too, namely some electronics. I recently bought a Samsung Blu Ray CD player for $64, if. I recall right, the one before that was about $100 more.

Airlines, theme parks, hotels.  Many of those have reduced/removed included benefits or added fees to previous free benefits.  

 

Older technology over time always decreases in price as the cost to produce is reduced.  Also the demand for Blu Ray is not increasing, and most likely significantly decreased in the age of streaming.

[grandgeezer]

2 hours ago, SUgwoz said:

Airlines, theme parks, hotels.  Many of those have reduced/removed included benefits or added fees to previous free benefits.  

 

Older technology over time always decreases in price as the cost to produce is reduced.  Also the demand for Blu Ray is not increasing, and most likely significantly decreased in the age of streaming.

Your first point backs up my statement of making price comparisons on things that aren’t the same, like comparing apples and oranges. i didn’t say cruising were the only ones doing it.

Point two, not everybody streams or wants to. I get all the Blu-Ray CDs we want to use for free, from the local library. The selections offered are of everything and there are several hundred of them including new released.

[SUgwoz]

24 minutes ago, grandgeezer said:

Your first point backs up my statement of making price comparisons on things that aren’t the same, like comparing apples and oranges. i didn’t say cruising were the only ones doing it.

Point two, not everybody streams or wants to. I get all the Blu-Ray CDs we want to use for free, from the local library. The selections offered are of everything and there are several hundred of them including new released.

Not following your first point.  As I showed examples of things that went up in price and had negative cut backs. 

 

As for the 2nd, I guess that explains why Best Buy will no longer sell DVDs or Blu Ray starting this winter. 

 

Also because you don't want to stream doesn't mean the majority of people are not doing so. 

 

https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/best-buy-ending-dvd-blu-ray-disc-sales-1235754919/

[pcur]

On 12/21/2023 at 5:31 AM, Tlbecker1 said:

I agree with you 100%.  We also fly from the West Coast for all of our cruises and we usually fly Alaska and 2nd choice is SW.  As long as you book early, there are deals to be had.

I forgot to mention that I also constantly check my pricing on both airlines AFTER I've booked.  I have stretched my "air dollars" considerably over the last year by getting credits.