chisoxfan

We love the Lido Cabanas and would select a HAL ship with them (and BB Kings) as major factors in cruise decision. FYI I was just quoted a Lido at 373 for a 11 night cruise from HAL. We have been a bit shell shocked at some of the recent cruise pricing- 11 nights (early 24 Carribean) with balcony at approx. 5800 has us thinking hard and looking at all inclusives which have offered more value to us the past few years. We will probably keep an eye on fares to see if they moderate (pricing was similar for 10 night and for different ships).

Totally agree with you on the value proposition issue. With retirement at hand have been actively looking at cruises by X, HAL, and even Princess but when I get to the reservation 'button' shake my head. Have also been a bit surprised that cabin availability on many cruises is poor which also is a negative (for booking). I suspect that the cruise system is still working off years of FCC's (and maybe some pent up demand). To some extent I have been spoiled by many years of 'high value' cruising options. Cruises every year and Vegas were high on our list and we extolled their virtues to anyone who would listen. As an aside we used to travel to Disney World every year and stay at their on grounds resorts. Pricing got so outrageous (IMHO) we tired of this and actually tried cruising as an alternative. We will travel extensively in the future (God willing) and am sure cruising will remain part of our plans but with a more selective eye. So maybe the sparkle remains in one eye currently.

We agree. Our 'pattern' of vacations (outside of a European trip) was a cruise to Carib in Feb and one or two Las Vegas trips during the year (staying at Cosmo, Delano typically). We used to feel we were getting a great travel value for both but LV shows and dining started to become more expensive and less interesting. So understand your post- we like Vegas and enjoy cruising, but feel the value prop for both has declined. It's as if the pleasure factor for both has gone down and the price has gone up. Currently All Inclusive's offer more bang for the buck for us. We are getting older (retiring this month) and after decades of travel want to minimize hassles of travel. JMHO

Still some sparkle for us but less than before. Just returned from 15 night Princess Enchanted and the ship was beautiful, food decent, and service good. That said it is a 4000 passenger ship that was half full for our cruise and I am not sure (perhaps unfair to play the what if) I would want to be on board when at maximum capacity. We did catch Covid at end of cruise and I do not blame Princess but it is (and likely will be) a fact of life when thousands are confined on a ship. We are on Apex in Oct. next year and while most interested in the itinerary and excited to try the new X ship(s), I think the IV will not be to our liking vs. old fashioned veranda. Will have to see but if that is the case it eliminates newer X ships. But the biggest dimmer of sparkle is pricing. Our standard for X used to be AQ-the cruise we are on had a 2k premium for AQ which I would never consider (that used to pay for a week long balcony). We have priced HAL, X, and Princess and pretty much get sticker shock at every turn. While all travel prices are rising we have migrated to all inclusives for our winter getaways that used to be cruises. Everything is included, food generally better and more diverse, and we can actually get a seat at the pool or on the beach. Minor issues with cancellation, usually as little as three days prior to trip, fly direct to resort (no hotel stay the night before or anguish over cancelled flights, etc. In short we have great memories of cruising and we were known as 'cruise people' but in the current environment it is no longer the primary option we look at. JMHO