Dynamic Pricing

[buchanan101]

4 hours ago, D&N said:

No surprises here; my favourite airport approach is coming into Nice from the west on a clear sunny day.

Lisbon airport from the SW. 

[*Miss G*]

On 4/3/2024 at 7:11 AM, Pushpit said:

So if you are a genuinely price sensitive customer you would be monitoring this daily until your price point is reached, sometimes it will, sometimes it won't. 

 

When the June 9th westbound TA hit a certain price point, I began monitoring it daily, along with the sailings in late May and June.  When it dropped from my “I’m interested” price by 14% (two weeks ago) I decided to make my move.  But then life got in the way and schedules kept sliding so I hesitated and couldn’t commit.  Last week the price increased by 7% and I was a little unhappy because I have to take the single surcharge into account.  I continued to monitor the same sailings and they remained static.  

 

Yesterday, I decided to book at that price but ran into a delay as I investigated locations and dealt with other commitments.  This morning, the price hadn’t moved so I got all my ducks in a row to make the call about two hours after looking.  When opening a window to the Cunard site, I couldn’t believe my eyes.  Not only had the price dropped by another 20%… the Balcony was now lower than the price I was going to purchase the Inside for!

 

I am now booked.  👍

[Pushpit]

21 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

I am now booked.  👍

Good for you. However I don't think this is an unusual set of events, prices can and do fluctuate, including sharply downwards as you near departure. On other sailings, which are very popular, you may not be able to get on for any fare - all staterooms and suites are allocated. You win some, you lose others. Obviously it's terribly important - once you've got a bargain - not to keep looking at fares......

[*Miss G*]

1 hour ago, Pushpit said:

Good for you. However I don't think this is an unusual set of events, prices can and do fluctuate, including sharply downwards as you near departure. On other sailings, which are very popular, you may not be able to get on for any fare - all staterooms and suites are allocated. You win some, you lose others. Obviously it's terribly important - once you've got a bargain - not to keep looking at fares......

 

Oh, for sure.  I am a notorious checker of price fluctuations.  Like you said… you win some; you lose some.  I won this one!  That makes me happy.  🥰

[buchanan101]

Just wondering... I get the impression that deals are more likely to be found in Britannia cabins - whenever I've looked at Grills and BC after I've bought them the price has always gone up; Cunard would rather sell these through the new upgrade bidding process than give them away cheap?

 

 

[Pushpit]

2 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

Just wondering... I get the impression that deals are more likely to be found in Britannia cabins - whenever I've looked at Grills and BC after I've bought them the price has always gone up; Cunard would rather sell these through the new upgrade bidding process than give them away cheap?

Yes, but it's all about timing and Cunard getting worried about unused inventory. Bear in mind Cunard will nearly give away staterooms if it has to, since the big margin money is from drink, casino, spa, alternative dining (on QA in particular). Plusgrade upgrades only start around 80 days to the sailing, but unless they have enough people on board, they won't have enough people to extract upsells. Grills and BC are good margin products, I estimate the margin to be 30% or more (compared to almost no margin on Inside staterooms) so yes I suspect they don't want to cannibalise BC and Grills' margin if they can avoid it.  But have a look at the 24 June 2024 QV in the Med, 7 night rates on that are low in BC, just over £1099 pp for 7 nights, 2 sharing, and in fact across the board. June isn't that far off so they may well be very keen to shift inventory on that one.

[buchanan101]

52 minutes ago, Pushpit said:

Yes, but it's all about timing and Cunard getting worried about unused inventory. Bear in mind Cunard will nearly give away staterooms if it has to, since the big margin money is from drink, casino, spa, alternative dining (on QA in particular). Plusgrade upgrades only start around 80 days to the sailing, but unless they have enough people on board, they won't have enough people to extract upsells. Grills and BC are good margin products, I estimate the margin to be 30% or more (compared to almost no margin on Inside staterooms) so yes I suspect they don't want to cannibalise BC and Grills' margin if they can avoid it.  But have a look at the 24 June 2024 QV in the Med, 7 night rates on that are low in BC, just over £1099 pp for 7 nights, 2 sharing, and in fact across the board. June isn't that far off so they may well be very keen to shift inventory on that one.

Everyone must be on the QA that week (with us); BC are now £4299 PER PERSON! Can't imagine anyone will pay that though, but Cunard will be very happy if they do.

 

Seems to back up my theory that BC are the most variable price (though straight balcony are £3099pp). Our PG was just over £2500pp (feeling smug)

 

Agree - they may make no or negative margin on insides as the cost of provision for them is almost exactly the same as all Britannias (save a few quid extra for BCs)

 

[exlondoner]

1 hour ago, Pushpit said:

Yes, but it's all about timing and Cunard getting worried about unused inventory. Bear in mind Cunard will nearly give away staterooms if it has to, since the big margin money is from drink, casino, spa, alternative dining (on QA in particular). Plusgrade upgrades only start around 80 days to the sailing, but unless they have enough people on board, they won't have enough people to extract upsells. Grills and BC are good margin products, I estimate the margin to be 30% or more (compared to almost no margin on Inside staterooms) so yes I suspect they don't want to cannibalise BC and Grills' margin if they can avoid it.  But have a look at the 24 June 2024 QV in the Med, 7 night rates on that are low in BC, just over £1099 pp for 7 nights, 2 sharing, and in fact across the board. June isn't that far off so they may well be very keen to shift inventory on that one.

I think I must be one of their worst customers, other than usually choosing a Grills cabin. I have never used the Casino or the Spa, only use alternative dining venues because of the World Club freebie, and my paid for drinks rarely exceed wine at lunch and dinner. One of my favourite entertainments is the Library, which, so far, is completely free. Maybe they are missing something there.

[buchanan101]

Just now, exlondoner said:

I think I must be one of their worst customers, other than usually choosing a Grills cabin. I have never used the Casino or the Spa, only use alternative dining venues because of the World Club freebie, and my paid for drinks rarely exceed wine at lunch and dinner. One of my favourite entertainments is the Library, which, so far, is completely free. Maybe they are missing something there.

They'll be making plenty from you (and us) in Grills even without the extras

[Victoria2]

3 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

I think I must be one of their worst customers, other than usually choosing a Grills cabin. I have never used the Casino or the Spa, only use alternative dining venues because of the World Club freebie, and my paid for drinks rarely exceed wine at lunch and dinner. One of my favourite entertainments is the Library, which, so far, is completely free. Maybe they are missing something there.

I think we must be sisters parted at birth, although I do enjoy a glass [or two] of 'tea' after dinner! 😀

[exlondoner]

2 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

They'll be making plenty from you (and us) in Grills even without the extras

In a way, I’m pleased to hear it. And I have always felt it was worth it, fortunately for them and us. Just think how much they would lose if I wasn’t claustrophobic. 😀

[buchanan101]

Just now, exlondoner said:

In a way, I’m pleased to hear it. And I have always felt it was worth it, fortunately for them and us. Just think how much they would lose if I wasn’t claustrophobic. 😀

As a shareholder I applaud your regularity of cruising in Grills

[Victoria2]

Just now, buchanan101 said:

As a shareholder I applaud your regularity of cruising in Grills

As a shareholder, I applaud ours too! 😀