Since the downturn in the economy

[drfun48]

Are your cruise plans changing?

Fewer planned,shorter itineraries ,fewer days,fewer shore excursions,less casino,shopping,or dare I say,drinking...although this may have the opposite effect.

How about leaving mom and/or the kids at home?

[nps001]

I just got the AmEx bill from the cruise we took in February. Based on that, I can assure you that no less drinking took place :)

[Cruisenouvelle]

Honestly, yes. Fewer planned. Two a year was great, now it's once yearly. And for that I am still unbelievably blessed and lucky, in that order.

[hylasgirl]

Honestly, yes. Fewer planned. Two a year was great, now it's once yearly. And for that I am still unbelievably blessed and lucky, in that order.

 

Hi:) We sail right after you... and my countdown clock will disappear until things turn around significantly. We have been going twice a year as well... but after this one, I think we are going to have to cool it. Bummer... but things are tough everywhere. We'll have to make this one last awhile.

[CruisinMaterial]

I've actually bumped up the number of crusies this year from two to three. Someone has to take advantage of the cheap deals! :D

 

It's all about being a budget cruiser. I am and that's how I get to go so frequently given my somewhat young age. :eek:

[firstplacechef]

I've actually bumped up the number of crusies this year from two to three. Someone has to take advantage of the cheap deals! :D

 

It's all about being a budget cruiser. I am and that's how I get to go so frequently given my somewhat young age. :eek:

 

I agree with you! It's all about picking the right time and deal. Lots of good deals out there if you can get the time off to go.

[Muushka]

In this lousy economy we also decided to add a cruise. May as well do it now before everything is gone.

 

But we aren't worried. The government will take good care of us.

[hylasgirl]

In this lousy economy we also decided to add a cruise. May as well do it now before everything is gone.

 

But we aren't worried. The government will take good care of us.

 

 

hee hee hee hee:D good one!

[Putterdude]

So far it hasn't changed anything for us but one has to wonder, for how much longer. Just look what is happening to the Alaska season this year, unheard of prices, just a great year to cruise to Alaska.:)

[ccletzgo]

I am going to go for more of the last min deals and interline rates. I wont be being as picky about getting those aft cabins anymore. I wont be relishing in the 9 mos planning process.

 

March 7th Independence of the Seas 8 night eastern Caribbean, promenade cabin for $375.00 p.p.:eek: I almost fell off my chair. Yea, no aft balcony, but at that price, or even a bit more....I can cruise 3 times a year.:D

 

Our up coming Panama Canal cruise will be the last big ticket cruise for a while..

[pcur]

What I'm curious about is why all these "what are your cruise plans now in the bad economy" popping up on all the CC boards? I'm beginning to suspect there might be more than mild curiousity involved. (And, no offense intended; I'm just curious myself as to why.)

[Longboysfan]

In this lousy economy we also decided to add a cruise. May as well do it now before everything is gone.

 

But we aren't worried. The government will take good care of us.

 

Are you Bernie & Ruth Madoff?

[Longboysfan]

What I'm curious about is why all these "what are your cruise plans now in the bad economy" popping up on all the CC boards? I'm beginning to suspect there might be more than mild curiousity involved. (And, no offense intended; I'm just curious myself as to why.)

 

 

Due to the bad economy the lines are not booking as many cruises - berths - far in advance of the actual cruise. This pushes the cruise lines to discount more cabins to get full or near full capacity. Their projected berth sales for a certain time before the cruise are not being met. And this is every line.

 

With all the new builds coming on line in the next three years, all the orders were placed before the world ecenomic down turn took place. The major lines have to fill the cabins to pay off the debt they incurred for the new ships.

 

Right now they are walking a thin line of staying afloat so to speak in todays ecenomic conditions. So anyone who knows how this works plays this to their advantage to get a last minute trip at a good price.

[Ships R Great]

In this lousy economy we also decided to add a cruise. May as well do it now before everything is gone.

 

But we aren't worried. The government will take good care of us.

 

I had to chuckle at this one. Not much to chuckle about these days, stockwise, that is.

[Muushka]

hee hee hee hee:D good one!

;)

 

I am going to go for more of the last min deals and interline rates. I wont be being as picky about getting those aft cabins anymore. I wont be relishing in the 9 mos planning process.

 

March 7th Independence of the Seas 8 night eastern Caribbean, promenade cabin for $375.00 p.p.:eek: I almost fell off my chair. Yea, no aft balcony, but at that price, or even a bit more....I can cruise 3 times a year.:D

 

Our up coming Panama Canal cruise will be the last big ticket cruise for a while..

 

Is that a FL resident deal or something? I am not seeing these prices, thanks.

 

What I'm curious about is why all these "what are your cruise plans now in the bad economy" popping up on all the CC boards? I'm beginning to suspect there might be more than mild curiousity involved. (And, no offense intended; I'm just curious myself as to why.)

 

These are extraordinary financial times. Could be that people are wondering how the economy is affecting their vacation habits.

I know I wonder how people are choosing to deal with it.

[J-man]

We took our last cruise at the beginning of 2008. A month later, I was laid off. I just got a new job (and I feel extremely fortunate for that), and we've booked a cruise for April to celebrate. It was a rough year.

[snausman]

I am going to go for more of the last min deals and interline rates. I wont be being as picky about getting those aft cabins anymore. I wont be relishing in the 9 mos planning process.

 

March 7th Independence of the Seas 8 night eastern Caribbean, promenade cabin for $375.00 p.p.:eek: I almost fell off my chair. Yea, no aft balcony, but at that price, or even a bit more....I can cruise 3 times a year.:D

 

Our up coming Panama Canal cruise will be the last big ticket cruise for a while..

 

I am going to agree with you on this.

 

We always have a cruise or 3 planned but this year we have the one at the end of the month.

 

After that we will just watch for specials and last minute deals. Would love to do a Xmas cruise again but the prices are terrible. I will just wait and see, if prices go down then we will go if not, oh well.

 

Laura

[phoenix_dream]

I would say we are with the group that may cut back but not out. The good thing about cruises is you can put a deposit and as long as you cancel far enough out you can get your deposit back. Considering the cruise deals, unless you lose a job it makes sense to grab one of the dirt cheap deals and at least hold it until you get a better feel for your continued employment.:)

[ccletzgo]

;)

 

 

 

Is that a FL resident deal or something? I am not seeing these prices, thanks.

 

 

 

These are extraordinary financial times. Could be that people are wondering how the economy is affecting their vacation habits.

I know I wonder how people are choosing to deal with it.

 

Interline rates. ;) As I stated, I will be going for last min deals AND interline rates..

[nmtraveler]

What are they and how can I find one??:confused:

[Denny01]

We've cut back on a number of items at home, but have continued to cruise. For us, still the best deal around, and we need the relaxation and to get away in these times. I'd hate to cut out cruises now, and then in a few years, find myself unable to travel.

 

As to reductions while cruising, yes, we've cut back on taking tours and on buying 'trinkets', photos, clothing and some such. We are going for the cruise and reducing our outlay on the cruise. Have reduced to a nice glass of wine which a sip slower - well, not THAT slow! Also reduced our casino 'fun-money'.

 

Haven't downsized on the SR - always go with a Balcony, but most SR's are Balcony with good deals.

 

Will be looking to take the shorter, less expensive tours or go on our own. Example: for Florence, we plan to use the 'On Your Own' tour. I'm a bit of a worrier, so we will have the ship tour take and return us, and we'll wander around on our own instead of a private tour or going over on our own. I don't mind the extra cost for the 'insurance' of the ship waiting for the tour if we are held up. You can see I'm a bit of a worrier - cost less to go completely on our own, and we do for shorter/closer excursions, but such as Florence, we plan to use the ship tour.

 

Denny

[geoherb]

We cut back last year due to a family situation--our December cruise was only 4 nights long instead of 10. My DH's parents had health issues and he did not want to be away from them on Christmas Day. We managed to fit in the 4-night cruise on Century (plus two nights beforehand in Miami) and fly back home on Christmas Eve.

 

He teaches at a community college, so our vacations are tied to his schedule. This year we're adding a spring break cruise on a HAL ship in two weeks. This will be our first spring break cruise. I did not book it until after the final payment date. It was a good price. We economized in December with an inside cabin. We're splurging this time with a balcony. It's still costing less than an outside cabin cost us 15 years ago.

[TEXASMUNK]

These rates are exclusive to persons or family members of persons working in specific sectors of the travel industry such as airlines, providers of Computer Reservations Systems to the cruise lines, etc. As such, they are not available to the general public.

 

We check for age, military discount, state discount and interline rates (my wife qualifies) then make our plans but never book just for a rate, we book for cabin selection.

 

It will be a brutal year for the industry but let's not forget that they are working from a position of strength....the two majors have had a string of profitable years.

 

It could be the "hangers-on" that might have a hard time.

 

But then again, there are elected officials that like to cruise so a bailout package is not beyond expectations....

[Route6A]

We are continuing to book cruises, but in less expensive staterooms. I have always looked for good buys and continue to do so. If the economy continues to contract into 2010, I think we will cut down on the number of cruises we take each year. I will also look for deals on last minute cruises, because I love to get the most we can for money spent. For everyone's sake, I hope the economy soon begins to pick up.

[jojop]

We just booked a family cruise for the end of 2009. Researching an Equinox cruise in early 2010 and will probably book in a couple months.

 

My feeling is that if you've budgeted your finances wisely and plan well ahead for the WORSE, you should be fine...

 

I think cruising is still the most cost effective type of vacation compared to a land based vacation.

 

With great deals to be had, we will continue to vacation...someone's gotta stimulate the economy! :D