Short Caribbean cruises not selling

[fac429]

We're from California, and we just did a 4 night cruise on Reflection (which was great).  But it was interesting how many people seemed puzzled by what we did.  "You flew out here just for this?"  Well, yeah.  Did a couple of things in Miami as well, but the cruise was definitely the main reason we went.  I didn't think it was that strange.  Then again, we were able to fly using air miles so maybe it didn't feel like that big of a deal.

[Cap_D]

Isn't this the wettest, warmest, and most humid time of year for these itineraries?  That's a good reason to skip. 

Edited June 27 by Cap_D

[Straughn]

On 6/25/2024 at 4:05 PM, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

The top passenger markets for Caribbean cruises leaving from Florida have always been pretty much Tampa south plus New York. I haven't seen data to back it up, but I suspect the Port Canaveral winter sailings will be full of drivable Central FL retirees. 

You are spot on with the Celebrity PC cruise demographic. My TA has a large group going on one of the January Equinox sailings. We live about 2-2 1/2 hours from Port Canaveral. Most of the group is retired and many live in an over 55 community. I am doing a B2B on that cruise and the one right after. The Florida resident rate, especially as a solo, was unbelievable.  Add to that, we can drive down that morning, so no hotel expense the night before, just the cost of parking. 
 

I have friends who live in The Villages in central Florida. She was telling me that there are so many different group cruises to choose from in their area that it is all most impossible to figure out which one to book. 

[rmalbers]

I didn't closely read all the comments but: X has added a LOT of cabins over the last several years and they need to fill them with a category that they really didn't have a lot of before, the shorter cruises    X is just filling a void with the cabins they've added.

[phoenix_dream]

On 6/27/2024 at 1:27 PM, rmalbers said:

I didn't closely read all the comments but: X has added a LOT of cabins over the last several years and they need to fill them with a category that they really didn't have a lot of before, the shorter cruises    X is just filling a void with the cabins they've added.

IMHO if they really want to fill cabins, adding some more 10+ nights to their Caribbean sailings would certainly do the trick.  But I imagine those cruises don't generate as much income per passenger which is why I suspect they will never again go that route unfortunately

[shandryl]

On 6/26/2024 at 7:13 AM, Georgia_Peaches said:

Carnival would have to pay me....A LOT to short cruise with them ever again.  Hubby and I did a short cruise on the Fantasy almost 20 years ago to celebrate our first wedding anniversary.  It was a 4 night jaunt to the Bahamas out of Jacksonville.  It was convenient both for driving and it fit my work schedule over thanksgiving.  HOWEVER, our only escape from the mayhem was the topless sun deck where most had no business being topless...the other option was the casino, which was fun but alive with not one, not two, but three different very public domestic disputes.  We still riminess about it to this day...so there's that.  Thanks for the memories, Carnival!

I hear you! My very first cruise 20 plus years ago (that's when the addiction set in) was on the Carnival Victory. It was a 7 day western Caribbean cruise.  I had fun.... but too much 💩 going on that did not need to be there. just way too much. Like you say Carnival would have to pay me....A LOT. 😁

[shandryl]

On 6/26/2024 at 4:08 PM, keesar said:

Then why do they carry so many caskets on board? 

At port I have seen the van/truck/hearse sometimes an ambulance pick up (you know cruise passengers) Its done out of site and very quietly. The ship's staff/reception said it happens all the time. I was down at the ships doctor's waiting room and she caught me googling one of the Officers 😍  I may be older/ish but I am not dead. LOL

Edited June 29 by shandryl

[Edsny]

On 6/27/2024 at 1:47 PM, Straughn said:

You are spot on with the Celebrity PC cruise demographic. My TA has a large group going on one of the January Equinox sailings. We live about 2-2 1/2 hours from Port Canaveral. Most of the group is retired and many live in an over 55 community. I am doing a B2B on that cruise and the one right after. The Florida resident rate, especially as a solo, was unbelievable.  Add to that, we can drive down that morning, so no hotel expense the night before, just the cost of parking. 
 

I have friends who live in The Villages in central Florida. She was telling me that there are so many different group cruises to choose from in their area that it is all most impossible to figure out which one to book. 

I live 2 blocks from Port Everglades. Easy commute.Took advantage of single rate 26aug24.

[PTC DAWG]

On 6/28/2024 at 2:38 PM, phoenix_dream said:

IMHO if they really want to fill cabins, adding some more 10+ nights to their Caribbean sailings would certainly do the trick.  But I imagine those cruises don't generate as much income per passenger which is why I suspect they will never again go that route unfortunately

I have a 10 night Southern Caribbean booked right now on Ascent..

Edited Wednesday at 05:06 PM by PTC DAWG

[hcat]

On 6/27/2024 at 12:05 PM, fac429 said:

We're from California, and we just did a 4 night cruise on Reflection (which was great).  But it was interesting how many people seemed puzzled by what we did.  "You flew out here just for this?"  Well, yeah.  Did a couple of things in Miami as well, but the cruise was definitely the main reason we went.  I didn't think it was that strange.  Then again, we were able to fly using air miles so maybe it didn't feel like that big of a deal.

We had same reaction from others yrs ago when we  took a short 5 night cruise on Mercury  for our late Sept anniversary. 

 

Itin was..Outside and Inside Passage.  Flew from NY to Seattle for 2 days and then cruised..stopped at Nanaimo, & Victoria.  Spent one night post cruise near Seattle airport but had an amazing  waterfront dinner...best salmon ever! 

 

It was one of our  most memorable  cruises ....We had great weather on a premier X ship and a Happy Anniversary!

 

remains to be seen how the  new short itins work out..we are booked on Silho for four  nights..no Coco Cay!

[phoenix_dream]

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

I have a 10 night Southern Caribbean booked right now on Ascent..

I have one booked in January on Eclipse as well, then a b2b with a 9 night.  But they are few and far between particularly when compared to a few years ago.  And if you notice, those are the cruises that sell out the fastest and are the most highest price (of Caribbean cruises, on a per day basis).  There must be a reason for that!  And there are no 14 nighters like there used to be years ago out of Puerto Rico.  Those were the best!

Edited Wednesday at 06:37 PM by phoenix_dream

[hcat]

On 6/26/2024 at 8:14 AM, Iamcruzin said:

Thank you I was aware of that. I was referring to the pools and such. I also consider Manhattan a man made Island.

That would be wrong!

The bedrock of Manhattan made skyscraper development possible!

[hcat]

On 6/27/2024 at 1:47 PM, Straughn said:

You are spot on with the Celebrity PC cruise demographic. My TA has a large group going on one of the January Equinox sailings. We live about 2-2 1/2 hours from Port Canaveral. Most of the group is retired and many live in an over 55 community. I am doing a B2B on that cruise and the one right after. The Florida resident rate, especially as a solo, was unbelievable.  Add to that, we can drive down that morning, so no hotel expense the night before, just the cost of parking. 
 

I have friends who live in The Villages in central Florida. She was telling me that there are so many different group cruises to choose from in their area that it is all most impossible to figure out which one to book. 

We cruise in late Jan for my b day  but always hope to avoid those large groups. the group takes on a life of its own and  all others are outsiders.

[phoenix_dream]

On 6/27/2024 at 12:47 PM, Straughn said:

You are spot on with the Celebrity PC cruise demographic. My TA has a large group going on one of the January Equinox sailings. We live about 2-2 1/2 hours from Port Canaveral. Most of the group is retired and many live in an over 55 community. I am doing a B2B on that cruise and the one right after. The Florida resident rate, especially as a solo, was unbelievable.  Add to that, we can drive down that morning, so no hotel expense the night before, just the cost of parking. 
 

I have friends who live in The Villages in central Florida. She was telling me that there are so many different group cruises to choose from in their area that it is all most impossible to figure out which one to book. 

Just because there are groups of seniors does not mean they will be the majority of cruisers.  Read Facebook posts, and questions here on Cruise Critic.  There are lots and lots of younger people talking about taking their first cruises and jumping on those 3 and 4 night sailings - especially the ones over week-ends.  So their strategy is working, but unless you do mid-week sailings which might be higher age demographics, I think you will be very, very surprised by how many younger people are onboard.  I've certainly seen significant changes on my recent Celebrity cruises from FLL.

[Liao]

22 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

Just because there are groups of seniors does not mean they will be the majority of cruisers.  Read Facebook posts, and questions here on Cruise Critic.  There are lots and lots of younger people talking about taking their first cruises and jumping on those 3 and 4 night sailings - especially the ones over week-ends.  So their strategy is working, but unless you do mid-week sailings which might be higher age demographics, I think you will be very, very surprised by how many younger people are onboard.  I've certainly seen significant changes on my recent Celebrity cruises from FLL.

Especially for the folks who live in Florida.

[phoenix_dream]

25 minutes ago, Liao said:

Especially for the folks who live in Florida.

Yes, and definitely not all seniors (although of course there will be groups of them as well)

[NutsAboutGolf]

On 6/25/2024 at 3:50 PM, Team Stag said:

We did a short cruise a couple weeks ago & it was sold out.  I will also say - it was a lot of fun.  Very lively crowd but not over the top.  I know weekend cruises tend to be more lively; but I thought Celebrity showed themselves very well & are definitely appealing to a new customer base.  We thought we would be stuck with VV as short cruise line; but had twice as much fun on our Reflection weekend getaway.

 

One thing I think gets missed - we had several on our cruise who combined a 4 day & 3 day B2B but basically a 7 day cruise with a Ft Lauderdale beach day.  

 

They progressively lower the fare, if it gets really close to the sail date, many call it a "fire sale".  I priced out a 3-nighter on the Reflection in sept, balcony picked the room/not a guarantee, added AI, and added prepay tips.  All in for 2 is $1321 which works out to $220 all in, per person per night

[C-Dragons]

On 6/26/2024 at 5:56 PM, phoenix_dream said:

Is it really necessary to call senior citizens "Nearly deads"

That's called Ageism now. 👎

[horseymike]

My first cruise was 28 years ago. 4 night Bahamas cruise on RCCL Sovereign of the Seas.

I did not know what to expect, if I would like it or not.

Here I am now with 25 + cruises under my belt, guess I liked it.

[Team Stag]

On 7/3/2024 at 6:55 PM, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

They progressively lower the fare, if it gets really close to the sail date, many call it a "fire sale".  

Our cruise was sold out 4-5 weeks before the sailing....

[hcat]

21 hours ago, horseymike said:

My first cruise was 28 years ago. 4 night Bahamas cruise on RCCL Sovereign of the Seas.

I did not know what to expect, if I would like it or not.

Here I am now with 25 + cruises under my belt, guess I liked it.

We also tested the waters on Sovereign..I had cruised before but was  not sure husb would enjoy it. 

 

He did and we immediately moved over to X. ..and fell in love with Mercury!