Europe cruises in 2014?

[CRUZN-IS-FUN]

Real bummer that Carnival did this. Had been planning for two years to do the Baltic cruise on Carnival in 2014. Waited and waited and then finally pulled the plug on Europe. I was devastated. Went ahead and booked with Royal Carribean as did the friends we were traveling with. They are Platinum Carnival cruisers. Going to give RC a try. Carnival's loss on the Europe market. Many posts that others have jumped the Carnival ship to do the same.

[Keel Haul]

I haven't got any print proof, or any print proof for most UK cruise opinions for that matter.

 

Theres the TV snippet I mentioned on thread below. I have also been told both Celebrity and RCCL have been on watchdog (consumer program over here) but I dont watch that show.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1853915

 

 

and also the fact that my TA noted that Celebrity had not been very popular this year as it had good bookings years before. RCCL seemed to be the favoured cruise line overall tbh when I asked about cruises.

 

 

You are very interested in Celebrity to work for them/cruise with them?

Did your TA say "Brits will not touch Celebrity with a barge pole" because of said documentary or did you just make it up?

We have cruised many times with RCCl, CCL, Celeb,ROCL, P&O etc, my wife has worked for several cruise lines starting as an assistant Maitre D with Celeb.

[Velvetwater]

Did your TA say "Brits will not touch Celebrity with a barge pole" because of said documentary or did you just make it up?

We have cruised many times with RCCl, CCL, Celeb,ROCL, P&O etc, my wife has worked for several cruise lines starting as an assistant Maitre D with Celeb.

 

I highly doubt a TA would use that phrasing in a professional situation however as she is an acquaintance of mine and if you are so keen for the actual wording she basically said (paraphrased):

 

'Celebrity used to be one of our best sellers for cruises, since around the end of last year this year we've have much less bookings than expected even with offers. Carnival has done ok but has P and O and Thompson excellent as usual. Jen (her boss) says its all down to some bad press and dispatches'

 

Now, since the documentary aired around sept-oct time this would make sense. The bargepole comment is my own personal phrasing. I would also imagine many national papers would have ran with the dispatches documentary information as they often do with that show.

 

I personally wouldn't touch Celeb anyway as they look like they are geared towards older cruisers and don't seem to offer as much value as other lines. However from my own reading I imagine many cruise lines would operate similarly and would have suffered if ch4 went on their ship.

[Keel Haul]

So you have never sailed Celebrity :) cutting through your pontification you have no factual evidence just an urge to bloviate.

Which do you or your TA think had the greatest impact on the first time cruiser in Europe(the life blood of the industry) the Dispatches Doc or the Concordia wreck?

This might enlighten you and your TA.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/1005742-ship-problems-slow-pace-of-cruise-bookings

[Velvetwater]

So you have never sailed Celebrity :) cutting through your pontification you have no factual evidence just an urge to bloviate.

Which do you or your TA think had the greatest impact on the first time cruiser in Europe(the life blood of the industry) the Dispatches Doc or the Concordia wreck?

This might enlighten you and your TA.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/1005742-ship-problems-slow-pace-of-cruise-bookings

 

I would take a an experienced TA and her even more experienced boss's word over yours any day. TA companies have the facts and figures on their databases. You are speculating as much as anyone.

 

I dont have to have sailed on Celebrity to find out its economic state in the UK bookings. Anyone who has experience with the media as I have can see the link. A internet search of Celebrity Cruises and dispatches will show you some more media reactions.Indeed the Concordia had a larger affect on cruise bookings in general but that was over a year ago. With the Concordia sinking in January last year bookings were apparently lower this May than straight after the Concordia sank last spring time.

 

I have no idea why you are showing me an article based around yet another Carnival bashing when I was originally stating that Celebrity seems to have suffered the most on top of a general drop in holidaying in Europe when it come to UK bookings. It goes without saying that all types of holidays have suffered. My TA or her boss have not mentioned quite the drop in bookings that Celebrity has for any other cruise line.

 

Its not my fault ch4 picked your wife's cruise line to expose, there no need

to get so irate about it. If they had chosen another cruise line similar things may have happened to them.

 

This is going round in circles, peace out. :D

[Keel Haul]

Ask your TA font of all wisdom to show you the only reputable stats the PSA report for last year which includes direct non TA internet bookings.

What is your experience with the media?

My wife was the ITF rep on each line she worked for, several in total including Celebrity.

Did you see the two part doc a few yrs ago on Carnival which ended with an interview with the UK MD turning bright red, you should be able to find it with your knowledge of the media.

We loved the dispatches expose, it was your immature post that caused me to respond and your current baton twirling amuses me:p

 

PS if I may what lines have you cruised on?

[Keel Haul]

I forgot to add as you are the self appointed media guru, what effect on both brands do you think the July trial will have?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22628886

[Velvetwater]

Ask your TA font of all wisdom to show you the only reputable stats the PSA report for last year which includes direct non TA internet bookings.

What is your experience with the media?

My wife was the ITF rep on each line she worked for, several in total including Celebrity.

Did you see the two part doc a few yrs ago on Carnival which ended with an interview with the UK MD turning bright red, you should be able to find it with your knowledge of the media.

We loved the dispatches expose, it was your immature post that caused me to respond and your current baton twirling amuses me:p

 

PS if I may what lines have you cruised on?

 

She isn't my TA, shes a friend and she knows I dont use TAs so she isnt trying to sell me anything as she knows I wouldn't buy it. her company are one of the most reputable in the UK that know their stuff, could not speak for bookings outside of the UK though.

 

I worked in media analysis before my current job (now in education). Note that you don't see me randomly quizzing you on who your are, what your qualifications are or why/how/where you cruise as it hardly matters and it makes me chuckle that you hail yourself as a cruise economic expert.

Also still rather baffled why you keep quoting facts and documentaries that have tenuous links to matters discussed. I am by no means a Carnival fan and some posts of mine will actually tell you the opposite. Couldn't give a toss about the captain of the Concordia, planes have been crashing since their conception and people book flights every day.

 

If colloquial phrases offend you maybe you should chill out a bit more/ read less opinions and forums/stop taking an unhealthy interest in certain posters.

 

I'm done here.

[tiggerman101]

There are great deals out there if you are willing to play the game with other lines. A lot of cruises drop a decent amount after final payment (Carnival is the only one with Early Saver these days). If you can be flexable you can snag a great deal.

 

I studied the Greek Isles cruise on NCL for a year. I watched every sailing drop dramatically after final payment. The next year, I booked the lowest possible Oceanview room. Then I waited.... Sure enough the price went down and down, I just upgraded everytime. In the end, I was exactly where I wanted to be with an Aft Balcony for over $1,000 less then if I had paid for it before final payment.

 

I know the air is a big factor, but if you can pick a homeport (Barcelona, Rome, etc) that has a few ships leaving around the same time go ahead and book the air. Then just watch prices and fit in the best priced cruise for your budget. A day or two in one of those home port cities will certainly not be wasted.

 

Europe cruises go down all the time. If you are willing to gamble then you can grab something pretty good at a great price. I just booked a Celebrity Norweigian Fjords cruise for an amazing price. Not sure if I can swing it, but I have a couple weeks to decide.

[jsfromsc]

I understand your point about shopping for air but when looking today an interior cabin is running from $599 to $709 on either ship. Take your $1000 RT from Nashville then add on the $500+ it's going to cost me to get there or almost anywhere from Tulsa.......and there you go.......I just won't spend twice as much on my airfare than I'm paying for my cruise.

 

Just checked a RT ticket from Oklahoma City to Barcelona with 2 stops is $1455 on Air France.....add a $599 cabin on top of that then times 2 and I'm up to $4108........I like to cruise to much to spend that much money on one cruise when we could drive to a cruise port and cruise 3 times for the same money.

 

We have the same problem with airfare being high since we're not a major airline hub. But when you look at the cost of a European vacation, it is still way cheaper to cruise than to fly there and do hotels, restaurants, etc. We knew the airfare was going to be killer, but we wanted the itinerary. My husband and I spent a week in the UK back in 2005 and the cost of even the cheap hotels, food, etc. was so much more than you'd pay for an American vacation and certainly more than the cruises we've taken. We still had a great time, but if we hadn't had frequent flier miles to use for the air for that trip, I doubt if we'd have done it. And know ahead of time that shore excursions are pricey, too, in Europe. It's the price you pay for seeing the sights, culture, etc. rather than just snorkeling or sitting on a beach somewhere. But we figured we'd better go now while we still have all of our faculties and reasonably good health. :)

[Keel Haul]

There also offering that deal because lots of Brits who are good customers to Europe cruises are not touching celebrity with a barge pole after a damning documentary shown over here recently.

Media expert, educationalist and bloviator, I could see you ickle foot stamping as you typed your last missive:p

[Mulege]

Princess June 25 11 day Baltic cruise for $599 inside. Air from LA is $1600pp. See why Americans are not sailing Europe. Carnival Legend 10 day inside is $555pp.

[okgirl]

We have the same problem with airfare being high since we're not a major airline hub. But when you look at the cost of a European vacation, it is still way cheaper to cruise than to fly there and do hotels, restaurants, etc. We knew the airfare was going to be killer, but we wanted the itinerary. My husband and I spent a week in the UK back in 2005 and the cost of even the cheap hotels, food, etc. was so much more than you'd pay for an American vacation and certainly more than the cruises we've taken. We still had a great time, but if we hadn't had frequent flier miles to use for the air for that trip, I doubt if we'd have done it. And know ahead of time that shore excursions are pricey, too, in Europe. It's the price you pay for seeing the sights, culture, etc. rather than just snorkeling or sitting on a beach somewhere. But we figured we'd better go now while we still have all of our faculties and reasonably good health. :)

 

I absolutely agree that cruising is the best value when compared to land based vacations........We did that one Med cruise on the Carnival Freedoms inaugural voyage back in 2007 and had planned on going back for the Magic TA since she was sailing into our homeport of Galveston.....but then retirement had to be delayed and we thought maybe this year or next but then airfare got crazy.........

 

So....we'll just wait for luck to work in our favor in the casino (it's happened before)......or air to come down....and Carnival to return to Europe.

[trvlgirlmq]

Princess June 25 11 day Baltic cruise for $599 inside. Air from LA is $1600pp. See why Americans are not sailing Europe. Carnival Legend 10 day inside is $555pp.

 

I don't think this ticket price is indicative of what it should really cost. You are looking at booking a last minute ticket. If you had booked the cruise a year out and then began checking for airfare prices wouldn't be so high. I do think that most people don't know how to search for the best fares or play the waiting game. They just see a price and book. No historical research done to see what they could be paying.