Port or Starboard-Spring Crossing ?

[JaneBP]

>"I am not sure why, and I am not even the messenger, I am being shot at.'

 

I am not shooting at you. However your stance on this BB is as a knowledgeable cruise management specialist. That's all.

 

We know that on occasion, a cruiser is offered a deal to switch cruise plans because of overbooking.

 

Seems to me that for 125-150% I could provide revenue on short notice. And, I am a 'cheap date', rarely consuming alcohol and never ordering caviar. <G>

[cands]

You are correct that some of the more mass market lines do have lower costs on some (but not all) of their cabins after the final payment deadline has passed. But you should keep in mind that, while there may be a great deal to be picked off, most of the time you will find the cabins to be the less desirable ones (near the laundry or lifts or bow) or of a category higher (or lower) than that which you wanted.

 

So the price might be better, but if you are paying more for a higher category the cruise line wins and you are paying more. If you are paying for a lower category then you would have purchased, the cruise line still wins (as now it has your money and it already sold "your" cabin at a higher price) and you don't have what you really wanted.

 

So I can book people on a March 22 cruise on a "deal", but they can't be that choosey...and most of those fares require you book air independently - which can be off putting to some.

 

So if you are fairly flexible there are some good last minute deals, but you have to really research it and usually be willing to compromise.

 

Thanks Eric,

Much appreciated.

Steve.

[Iamboatman]

>Seems to me that for 125-150% I could provide revenue on short notice. And, I am a 'cheap date', rarely consuming alcohol and never ordering caviar. <G>

 

I bet there are some deals at 150%, but you have to seek them out and/or ask. Most single rates, especially those shortly before a cruise, are not published widely, if at all.

[Iamboatman]

I just remembered on other thing that probably answers both Jane and Steve's questions a bit more. Immediately post 9/11 on the mass market lines you could board, walk up to the front desk and ask if there were any upgrades available and for $200 or so you could move from an oceanview to a balcony or suite. That created a mini-culture of buying low, boarding early and probably grabbing a significant upgrade. (Heck, I did it!)

 

The lines got smart and started charging the difference between what the guest paid and the then rate for the upgraded cabin; finding it was better overall to "encourage" the purchase of the cabin upfront than to fire-sale it at the pier.

 

The same concept applies to heavily discounted suites being offered so they don't go empty. It isn't a Seabourn concept.