Prices Over the Top!

[dmk]

I can't believe the huge increase in Celebrity's Pricing. I just went to the Celebrity web site to see the cost of 2 cruises I booked when they first came out. I like to check every week.

 

I booked one cruise to the Mexican Riviera in Feb.2005. Today, the price is $1111.00 more than I paid. I booked a second cruise to Hawaii in March, 2006. This one has increased $1882.00. WOW!! is all I can say.

 

I thought I was crazy booking cruises for 2006. Now ,I don't know if I will be able to cruise in 2007 at these inflated prices.

 

What do you all think?

[Giorgi-one]

Everyone keeps saying that the only difference in the new Pricing policy is the discounts offered by TAs. Obviously, this is not the case. I assume that most people would not cruise at the prices you are talking about. Just a matter of waiting until the cruise lines get the message.

[chessbriar]

Giorgi-one,

 

That is not the case. This is not a matter of the new price policy, but of agents holding blocks of rooms at this price to sell to their customers. It's a matter of supply and demand. Suddenly the cruise line saw their supply go down so the price went up. More than likely the pricing will come back down as bookings are slow and agents release the rooms. I could also be the result of a large group booking.

 

Example, my next cruise Galaxy for New Years. When it first came out in October last year price $1200/pp. They had a rash of bookings and room holds. When I booked in February the price was $1500/pp. As rooms were released and the supply went up the pricing droped and I rebooked at $1161/pp. For two people a savings of $678, nice

 

The prices flucuate and that is the reason to have a good TA. Book at a price you can live with early and let them do the work after that. Prices may drop, special price breaks may come along, they may have a group booking. All things that can save you money.

[tbelian]

If only we could buy gasoline that far in advance.

[DUCK33]

i did not even realize the 2006 itineraries were out yet. live and learn

[jerseygirl3]

I booked a Cat. CC on the Summit for March 11, ten night southern caribbean cruise. We are paying $1,546 pp including port taxes. Shortly after we booked, the price jumped to $2,950 pp. I can't believe how much it went up. I'm beginning to think the price we got was a fluke.

[Eliz]

I just got off the phone with Celebrity about two hours ago....checking out prices for the March 11 Summit sailing. Almost $6,000 for a CC cabin!! The April 1 sailing is about $2,000 less. I really wanted the March 11 date but plan to take the April 1 cruise. I was really surprised by the fares, but with so many of the cruises almost full, it's a seller's market. Guess it really pays to book early!

[cruiseyguy]

There is also a hidden price increase on all of the "M" class ships. All former category 1s are now CC, effectively raising the price on most veranda cabins. Using a per diem comparison, some non-discounted veranda cabins on certain Celebrity cruises are now more expensive than similar cabins on Crystal (at Crystal's discounted rate). Hmmm....

[benjamins]

If the quality goes back up commensurate with the price, I'm all for it. Prices were way to low for some time now, and quality of product suffered. Prices should be higher if this is to be a premium line.

[dmk]

No matter what the reason. I think the prices are outrageous. And there better be a lot of quality for that price.

[cruiseco]

Giorgi-one,

 

That is not the case. This is not a matter of the new price policy, but of agents holding blocks of rooms at this price to sell to their customers. It's a matter of supply and demand. Suddenly the cruise line saw their supply go down so the price went up. More than likely the pricing will come back down as bookings are slow and agents release the rooms. QUOTE]

 

That's generaly not the case. The cruise line ALWAYS has the ability to take back any unsold rooms that agancies have held in their blocked group space. So, if the demand (and thus the price) for a certain cabin category on certain sailings goes up the cruise line will simply recall as many cabins are needed to meet the demand.

 

For example, say agencies are holding 10 unsold Category XX cabins on a sailing that they've blocked at $700 per person. Demand for those cabins has increased enough that the cruise line can sell all of the cabins they can at $900 per person. Once the cabins that aren't being held in group blocks are sold the cruise line simply calls the agencies holding those cabins and says "sorry, you had a chance to sell them but didn't. Now we're taking them back." Why let some agency putz around and maybe sell them for $700 when another agency (or the cruise ine itself) can sell them today for $900?

 

The cruise line reservations computers keep a very close eye on all of this so that prices never get skewed because of an artificial lack of supply as a result of unsold group space. It's as important for the cruise line to have 100% complete control over their inventory which is why every group booking contract includes the absolute ability of the cruise ine to recall unsold cabins at any time with no warning,

[catmand]

I posted a tread about prices when the #@*& hit the fan and have been checking our two booked cruises regularly since, the Alaska, May '05 has only incresed $220.00 p/p but this one is sky high:

 

Our 14 day Hawaii r/t LA March 26, 2006 X web site Cat 2c balcony on 8/7 was listed at $1900.00 p/p (cruise fare only) yesterday $3299.00 p/p. We booked thru a cyber space agency and locked our cabin in all costs and insurance for both of us for less than the current base price for one.

 

The inside cabins for these cruises are starting at $2199.00 p/p that is several hundred more than we paid for the balcony. I don't think we would be on this cruise based on todays prices. Also imho for what it is worth (nothing) the added service and price increase? It is like this old Bill Cosby joke and it is old............Bill Cosby, Harrah's Casino Reno 1974:................"I looked at the room service menu here and it had 1 egg, any style $1.50, that was ONE egg, any style $1.50." "I can go into a store and pay less than $1.50 for a dozen eggs." "If I order a room service EGG for $1.50, it better have so much style it comes to me singin' and dancing."..........Bill Cosby

 

If Celebrity is going to raise their prices this much because of the extra "service and style" the service employees better have so much style they are singin' and dancing........:D

[dmarch@islc.net]

Have they completely lost their mind? At these prices you can sail silversea, Crystal, QM2, or even charter a yacht with another couple. Thank God I booked my 2005 cruise early. I will not book Celeb. again untill (if) they get their head out of clouds......this is crazy.

[Ocean Boy]

If the quality goes back up commensurate with the price, I'm all for it. Prices were way to low for some time now, and quality of product suffered. Prices should be higher if this is to be a premium line.

 

Chances are that pricing is rising in order to increase profits not so they can offer more amenities. If Celebrity wants to be a true premium line like Radisson and Silversea so be it. Offer the amenities and charge accordingly. Hopefully, they won't end up being a bankrupt premium line as a lot of their customer base probably won't be able to afford them. They certainly will quickly fade into history if they simply have premium pricing and don't deliver on the product.

 

When one looks at premium lines one thing that becomes apparent is that they approach an all inclusive atmosphere. That certainly is not the case on X. What Celebrity is presently is a mass market line trying to offer a more refind experience than some of the other lines though whether or not they succeed at that is debatable. Personally, if you avoid the sports deck on an RCI ship I think it is hard to know whether you are on an X or an RCI ship. Since I have never done Hal I cannot make a comparison. Hal's advertising certainly makes them look like they have a refined atmosphere. Pricing at premium levels on a mass market line I think is a plan for destruction.

[tbelian]

Chances are that pricing is rising in order to increase profits not so they can offer more amenities.

 

And, that's what being in business is really about, isn't it? Making a profit? Seems to me that 'deeply discounted' cruise prices have not had the desired effect, and in fact, have lowered quality and level of service (based upon what you read here).... Lower prices meant cruising was more affordable, but not necessarily more profitable. That's a tough balancing act (profitable/affordable)...

 

There are plenty of 'mass market' automakers, for example, however, take note that even the mass market auto makers have premium brands. What's the difference between Ford and Jaguar ?? ... A lot of $$$ for one thing. Is Jaguar a premium product? Well, if you are asking the Jaguar crowd, of course they would say yes. The Ford crowd, on the other hand, ususally wouldn't be in the Jaguar market. Also, some of it is just brand allegiance.

 

Before we lambaste a company for, god forbid, making a better profit, why not see how it all plays out?

[Sky Sweet]

Celebrity offers a unique product because it is a mass market cruise line with exceptional service for its classification. After September 11, Celebrity was faced with the problem of having four new mega ships at a time when people were afraid to travel. To deal with this problem, they reduced their prices drastically in order to fill their cabins. No company can afford to stay in business if they are not profitable, so it was only a matter of time before their prices would increase again. If not the quality of their product would have to suffer and they would be no different than the other mass market cruse lines.

[cruiseyguy]

So the question really becomes: "If Celebrity's prices approach those of Crystal and RSSC, which line would you choose?"

[Sky Sweet]

So the question really becomes: "If Celebrity's prices approach those of Crystal and RSSC, which line would you choose?"

At this point in time you can get a basic cabin on Crystal for the cost of a suite on Celebrity. I prefer the latter.

[FlorenceItaly]

I am grateful I am booked for the rest of 2004, and in 2005...It may be the end of my cruising....I have been wanting to cutback anyway, so it may become a forced issue with the prices the way they are.

I cruised two times solo with HAL this year(June/Aug) and the prices were very solo friendly, not so for 2005, not even an option!! The cruises I have booked for 2005 are at double occupancy rate, as I am cruising with others.

My 2005 cruises have been booked for a long time now.

 

Marie

[Jacqueline]

I have not found the service on Celebrity to be *exceptional*. Just came off two weeks with HAL and felt the dining room service was superior to my two X cruises. Cold towels and sherbet by the pool does not put this line in the luxury ranks.

Raddison offers lots of specials (2 for 1), HAL has great suite amenites. I would say the sailing public (ie me-) has plenty of choices if the price points are going to soar.

[FlorenceItaly]

Jacqueline - This is so interesting to hear because I did not feel my HAL service was exceptional...adequate - good, but not exceptional. In June, my water glass sat empty alot...for long periods of time...my service in the dining room was not exceptional in June or August. August was better than June, but nothing I would rate as higher than my Carnival or RCI experience. In fact, my RCI experience last November was much better, service wise, in the dining room than HAL. My first Celebrity cruise is next month. I do like HAL very much and will certainly cruise them in the future, if given the opportunity.

 

Marie

[RickT]

I too have noticed some wacky things going on with prices on "certain" cruises. Unfortunately for me these just happen to be the cruises I want. I did book the March 11th Summit earlier this year and since I've booked it the price has doubled. I wasn't sure when I booked it that the price was all that good and don't know why anyone would book it at it's current prices. I will keep watching the prices and on the off chance they go down I'll look at saving money or upgrading my cabin.

 

The other cruise I looked at was Hawaii on the Summit for March 2006 and those prices have also doubled. We'll see if they stay high. What I do find odd is that Princess and Holland America prices don't seem to be going up and down like Celebrity.

 

Just glad I've got something booked. Will keep my fingers crossed that sanity reappears for 2006 pricing. :cool:

[jimmy2x]

Rick - Booked the March 12 sailing last Saturday for about $2200/ea - CC class. I could be wrong but that seems to me to be a pretty good price for a 14 day cruise.

[Ma Bell]

The prices on the March 26,2006 cruise on Summit are back down today. If you want to book I would do it now. I think maybe there was a mistake on the website because they were really outrageous for a while.

[benjamins]

And, that's what being in business is really about, isn't it? Making a profit? Seems to me that 'deeply discounted' cruise prices have not had the desired effect, and in fact, have lowered quality and level of service (based upon what you read here).... Lower prices meant cruising was more affordable, but not necessarily more profitable. That's a tough balancing act (profitable/affordable)...

 

There are plenty of 'mass market' automakers, for example, however, take note that even the mass market auto makers have premium brands. What's the difference between Ford and Jaguar ?? ... A lot of $$$ for one thing. Is Jaguar a premium product?

 

Let's get our rungs straight, here, folks. First of all Jaguar and Ford are mass market products. Secondly Jaguar is a premium product in its X class, *luxury* product in its S and XJ class, and it is an acquired brand of Ford with a strong heritage. Ford's *premium* acquired brand is Volvo. Ford's mainstream cars are Fords. Ford's home-grown premium cars are Lincolns. Mass market runs the gamut from economy to luxury. Mercedes Benzes are mass market cars, but they certainly are in a different market for the bulk of their vehicles than Hyundai is.

 

Celebrity is a designated premium product, Radisson is a luxury product, Silverseas is a borderline boutique product, I think a higher rung product than Radisson. Celebrity is supposed to be higher priced than RCI and Carnival because RCI and Carnival are categorized as mainstream. Celebrity and HAL are supposed to be the same, premium lines. And both are supposed to be priced above Carnival and RCI overall and below Crystal and Radisson.

 

Maybe Celebrity's prices now are too high but they were way too low for a long time. People should not expect to get Celebrity's quality of hardware and software and their best product delivery including the level of cuisine they are capable of at the bargain-basement prices that they were the past few years. They need to be priced fairly, and Celebrity has to decide if it wants to be a real premium line, or one that calls itself premium.