roboref

No NCL isn't selling all the rooms at the high rates they are demanding: (Reuters) - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd forecast a loss for the current quarter and revenue below estimates as occupancy rates remained stubbornly below pre-pandemic levels, sending its shares down 12% on Tuesday. Its second-quarter occupancy of 65% compared with more than 107% in 2019, a level the company does not expect to reach till the second quarter next year. In contrast, rival Royal Caribbean Group forecast triple-digit occupancy by the end of this year and Carnival Cruise Line expects to approach 110% during its current quarter.”

I am not complaining about Carnival pricing. $150 for a 7 day cruise out of Long Beach on Panorama is a great deal. NCL has dug a big hole with the way they have treated me. I am considering letting them keep the $110 FCC I have as it is cheaper and the product much more to my liking on RCCL and Carnival.

Maybe NCL can keep the prices high, but I have cruised cheaper than ever before this past year on Carnival. They do reduce prices to fill ships. If consumers aren't happy with an NCL price many will move along to other lines. Cruising is a commodity as well. Cruise lines will have more difficulty filling to capacity as flights remain high, as many are not going to cruise when it costs so much and is so difficult to get there and back home via flying. As far as several comments on this not being a recession because the labor market is growing, that is just not going to work. Jobs are always trailing indicators of economic prosperity. With rampant inflation and rising interest rates, demand destruction has already begun. Jobs will not being growing much longer. No soft landings. On the original question, I am waiting until 60 days, maybe only 30 days before travelling to buy a cruise. I got burned by NCL when I rebooked a cruise in January 2021 for March 2022, at $799 inside p/p. Less than 60 days before that cruise Club suite balconies were $699. For me I am waiting, I have the luxury to be very flexible.

I wouldn't chance it unless you have priority and can easily rebook without additional costs.

Unfortunately, it doesn't matter what any of think. We each get to make choices. I am thrilled testing to fly home has ended. It wasn't working, COVID was already in the US. I choose not to cruise until testing is ended. My choice. If the cruise lines ended testing many cruisers would choose not to go. I know I am going to spend my travel dollars on the easiest and most convenient ways to travel. Now that I don't have to test to come home from overseas. I will go there. Many countries will be happy to have me visit. When cruising ends testing, I will start cruising again. BTW, I caught COVID on my last Carnival cruise.