No More Long Caribbean Cruises on Princess

[Jimbo59]

The Princess 14 night Caribbean cruises are now two seven day cruises. And the nine night cruises are now a combined five and four night cruise.

 

Why has Princess abandoned the long cruise market in the Caribbean?

 

Also, the Hawaii cruises are 15 nights, but now only go to four ports compared to the five ports that they did a few years ago. Even Carnival has a five port, 15 night cruise to Hawaii.

 

What is up with Princess marketing?

[chrysalis]

They gave up the 14 day cruises long ago.....back when the Sea Princess was doing them.

 

They do market 20 dayers (two different 10 day itins)

[Hlitner]

We used to book the Princess14 day Caribbean itinerary nearly every year. But once they stopped doing those cruises (used to be on the Grand) we stopped cruising on Princess in the Caribbean. Our line of choice is now Celebrity who does a 14 day itinerary on one of their gorgeous S-class ships (currently the Eclipse). Another benefit of Celebrity is that their frequent cruiser perks are ugh better then on Princess.

 

Hank

 

 

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[Happy2cruise]

Another benefit of Celebrity is that their frequent cruiser perks are ugh better then on Princess.

 

Hank

 

 

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IMO, Princess has better perks;). Glad that Celebrity perks are good for you.

[Dreamer333]

The Princess 14 night Caribbean cruises are now two seven day cruises. And the nine night cruises are now a combined five and four night cruise.

 

The good thing about this is that it will count as two cruises which will move passengers to an Elite status quicker.

[antsp]

IMO, Princess has better perks;). Glad that Celebrity perks are good for you.

 

14 nights on a cruise seems a good perk to me

[eandj]

We just did a 7 dayer on Princess in the Carib. We chose this itinerary ONLY because it was a prelude to a 7 day land stay afterwards in Miami Beach. We definitely prefer sailing Celebrity for the longer Carib cruises. The 7 day back to backs out of Ft L really don't appeal to us when we want a longer Carib. itinerary. It's too bad Princess doesn't offer at least a minimal of longer itineraries. They must see more advantages than losses in that choice. I scratch my head when looking at all the starts and finsihes in Ft L. But obviously there are lots of cruisers who like that feeling of deja vu midway in their itinerary. Nice to have other options on other lines.

Edited February 19, 2014 by eandj

[san diego sue]

There are still 14 day Princess Caribbean cruises.

We booked Dec 6th, 2014 on the Ruby for 14 days (booked as one cruise but also sold as 7 day cruises).

[OCruisers]

It would be wonderful to have true 14+ night cruises on Princess in the Caribbean.

 

The ones we book now for 14 or 20 nights are actually 7&7 or 10&10 B2B.

 

LuLu

~~~~

[Colo Cruiser]

We just did a 7 dayer on Princess in the Carib. We chose this itinerary ONLY because it was a prelude to a 7 day land stay afterwards in Miami Beach. We definitely prefer sailing Celebrity for the longer Carib cruises. The 7 day back to backs out of Ft L really don't appeal to us when we want a longer Carib. itinerary. It's too bad Princess doesn't offer at least a minimal of longer itineraries. They must see more advantages than losses in that choice. I scratch my head when looking at all the starts and finsihes in Ft L. But obviously there are lots of cruisers who like that feeling of deja vu midway in their itinerary. Nice to have other options on other lines.

 

 

We don't like the returning to Ft Lauderdale midway through the cruise either. :(

[Kamloops50]

The s something has happened in Alaska. They don't have anymore 14 day B2B from Vancouver (as one) . Now you book two 7 day instead ( more expensive).

 

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[Colo Cruiser]

Cost effective for Princess that way.

[5fathom]

On October 23rd of 2010 we did a straight 14 day Caribbean Cruise on the Grand Princess. This was just prior to her going into dry dock to have the shopping cart handle removed. I don't believe she ever resumed the 14 day itinerary. Let me say the 14 day itinerary was wonderful. Ports were Aruba, Curacao,Grenada,Barbados,St Vincent, Antiqua, St Thomas and San Juan with 5 sea days tossed in. I doubt you will ever see this itinerary again.

[Host Jazzbeau]

In addition to Celebrity's true 14-day itinerary out of Florida, they have a b2b 14-day out of San Juan (on Summit). True, it's a b2b but since it's out of San Juan you stay in the Caribbean the whole time.

[riclop]

They have 10 day cruises.

[BruceMuzz]

The Princess 14 night Caribbean cruises are now two seven day cruises. And the nine night cruises are now a combined five and four night cruise.

 

Why has Princess abandoned the long cruise market in the Caribbean?

 

Also, the Hawaii cruises are 15 nights, but now only go to four ports compared to the five ports that they did a few years ago. Even Carnival has a five port, 15 night cruise to Hawaii.

 

What is up with Princess marketing?

 

What is up with Princess Marketing?

They are making more money for the company.

 

Cruise lines today only make profits from onboard spending.

People who book 14-day cruises spend the same amount of money onboard (on average) as those who book 7-day cruises.

One 14-day cruise split into two 7-day cruises results in doubling onboard revenues without doubling costs.

 

Hawaii cruises have even more challenges. High fuel costs, high port charges, and very frugal passengers sailing from the West Coast already reduce profits there.

Reducing one port call:

1. Reduces port costs.

2. Reduces sailing speed, actually reducing fuel costs.

3. Forces passengers to spend money onboard instead of ashore.

[Stevesan]

What is up with Princess Marketing?

They are making more money for the company.

 

Cruise lines today only make profits from onboard spending.

People who book 14-day cruises spend the same amount of money onboard (on average) as those who book 7-day cruises.

One 14-day cruise split into two 7-day cruises results in doubling onboard revenues without doubling costs.

 

Hawaii cruises have even more challenges. High fuel costs, high port charges, and very frugal passengers sailing from the West Coast already reduce profits there.

Reducing one port call:

1. Reduces port costs.

2. Reduces sailing speed, actually reducing fuel costs.

3. Forces passengers to spend money onboard instead of ashore.

 

 

CNBC’s “Money” aired a one-hour program “Cruise Inc” July 3, 2009.

Featured ship: Norwegian Pearl.

The narrator sailed a seven-day, four port, W. Caribbean cruise.

He interviewed the ship’s officers and crew from Captain on down, as well as a corporate executive VP officer at home office.

 

I took away a few interesting numbers, some that we frequently speculate about:

 

Pearl sailed with 2200 pax, 92% capacity. Goal is 104%. Pax & crew totaled 4000.

 

On board spending accounts for 25% of revenues.

 

The cruise line takes 20% of Art Auctions and 50-60% of Shorex. On average about two- thirds of pax purchase one shore tour, one-third of whom prebook on line.

There were no numbers reported for other outside contract venues such as the casino or spa.

 

Beverage department breaks even at $7.25 p/pax p/day.

 

Diamonds International at Roatan realized $200k revenue in 6 hours. The cruise line shares in that, but no mention of percentage.

 

Stewards make ~$2500 p/month (quote from steward). Ten-month contract.

 

I suspect each cruise line has it’s own targets, but they’re probably not very different from NCLs.

 

There’s a specific goal for every department. This cruise missed its shorex takings due to weather, but the spa benefited and came in 68% over.

Each department head is daily aware of revenue taken vs the goal. For example, the beverage department knew it had to make up $22,000 going into the last day. They did.

This cruise was a financial break even, primarily due to low pax load.

 

NCL ate a $100M loss in Hawaii venture. Started w/23 ships, only 1 remains.

 

Market share shakes out at: Carnival 50%, Royal Caribbean 30%, Norwegian 10%.

 

17% of Americans have cruised, @ 51,000,000.

 

Ship must report norovirus outbreak when 3% of are afflicted.

Edited February 20, 2014 by Stevesan

[Kamloops50]

CNBC’s “Money” aired a one-hour program “Cruise Inc” July 3, 2009.

Featured ship: Norwegian Pearl.

The narrator sailed a seven-day, four port, W. Caribbean cruise.

He interviewed the ship’s officers and crew from Captain on down, as well as a corporate executive VP officer at home office.

 

I took away a few interesting numbers, some that we frequently speculate about:

 

Pearl sailed with 2200 pax, 92% capacity. Goal is 104%. Pax & crew totaled 4000.

 

On board spending accounts for 25% of revenues.

 

The cruise line takes 20% of Art Auctions and 50-60% of Shorex. On average about two- thirds of pax purchase one shore tour, one-third of whom prebook on line.

There were no numbers reported for other outside contract venues such as the casino or spa.

 

Beverage department breaks even at $7.25 p/pax p/day.

 

Diamonds International at Roatan realized $200k revenue in 6 hours. The cruise line shares in that, but no mention of percentage.

 

Stewards make ~$2500 p/month (quote from steward). Ten-month contract.

 

I suspect each cruise line has it’s own targets, but they’re probably not very different from NCLs.

 

There’s a specific goal for every department. This cruise missed its shorex takings due to weather, but the spa benefited and came in 68% over.

Each department head is daily aware of revenue taken vs the goal. For example, the beverage department knew it had to make up $22,000 going into the last day. They did.

This cruise was a financial break even, primarily due to low pax load.

 

NCL ate a $100M loss in Hawaii venture. Started w/23 ships, only 1 remains.

 

Market share shakes out at: Carnival 50%, Royal Caribbean 30%, Norwegian 10%.

 

17% of Americans have cruised, @ 51,000,000.

 

Ship must report norovirus outbreak when 3% of are afflicted.

 

 

Keep in mind that the cruise line doesn't make money from the Spa. A company has the fleet contract for the cruise line for a fixed amount for the

services supplied . The shops also are contractors who pay a fixed amount for the privilege of selling on board.

[Hlitner]

IMO, Princess has better perks;). Glad that Celebrity perks are good for you.

 

Woah Nellie! Lets talk about this in a factual way. We cruise both Princess and Celebrity (and other lines) and enjoy both lines. Let us compare the "Elite" benefits on Princess to the "Elite" benefits (ironically both lines have that same "Elite" label) on Celebrity. I am doing this as a social drinker...which does make quite a difference.

 

So, on Princess I do get free laundry (great on long cruises), lots of free internet time, and a free stocked mini-bar (only once per cruise). The fact that DW and I are both Elite does not double the mini-bar stock. We also will get at least 1 nice Elite party a cruise...with free drinks.

 

Now let us talk about Celebrity. On this line we get a free 2 hour cocktail party every day (except embarkation day) with unlimited drinks. We also get a free Elite breakfast every morning where we can get free drinks (including things like Bloody Marys, Champagne, etc), free fresh sqeezed OJ, free cappuccino. On Celebrity we also get free laundry (now unlimited since we are Elite Plus), free internet minutes, etc.

 

On both lines we get similar priority tendering, priority embarkation, etc.

 

Bottom line is that if we take a 30 day Celebrity cruise we will have a total of 58 hours of free cocktail parties. On Princess we would probably get a couple of hours of cocktail parties plus the few mini-bottles in our mini bar.

 

So where am I going wrong with this comparison?

 

Hank

[Colo Cruiser]

Thats why we all have choices! :D

[Host Jazzbeau]

Woah Nellie! Lets talk about this in a factual way. We cruise both Princess and Celebrity (and other lines) and enjoy both lines. Let us compare the "Elite" benefits on Princess to the "Elite" benefits (ironically both lines have that same "Elite" label) on Celebrity.

 

 

This is fine if you already are Elite on Celebrity, but with their new method of awarding points we newbies will never reach that level. It's much easier to qualify for benefits on Princess.

[AE_Collector]

Woah Nellie! Lets talk about this in a factual way. We cruise both Princess and Celebrity (and other lines) and enjoy both lines. Let us compare the "Elite" benefits on Princess to the "Elite" benefits (ironically both lines have that same "Elite" label) on Celebrity. I am doing this as a social drinker...which does make quite a difference.

 

So, on Princess I do get free laundry (great on long cruises), lots of free internet time, and a free stocked mini-bar (only once per cruise). The fact that DW and I are both Elite does not double the mini-bar stock. We also will get at least 1 nice Elite party a cruise...with free drinks.

 

Now let us talk about Celebrity. On this line we get a free 2 hour cocktail party every day (except embarkation day) with unlimited drinks. We also get a free Elite breakfast every morning where we can get free drinks (including things like Bloody Marys, Champagne, etc), free fresh sqeezed OJ, free cappuccino. On Celebrity we also get free laundry (now unlimited since we are Elite Plus), free internet minutes, etc.

 

On both lines we get similar priority tendering, priority embarkation, etc.

 

Bottom line is that if we take a 30 day Celebrity cruise we will have a total of 58 hours of free cocktail parties. On Princess we would probably get a couple of hours of cocktail parties plus the few mini-bottles in our mini bar.

 

So where am I going wrong with this comparison?

 

Hank

 

Not going "wrong" anywhere Hank. In our case while we do have a drink now and again, if we booked a cruise where we were eligible for the 123Go promotion we wouldn't take the alcohol package because we wouldn't want to do do that much more drinking than the small amout that we do now.

 

Thus once we make it to Elite on Princess in April the mini bar will be just right for us on a 10 day cruise. No doubt about it that the Celebrity Elite alcohol perk is worth more if that is what you want. I don't like the thought of having to attend a certain function at a certain time of day for the Elite happy hour. When they have too many Elite's on board and they do "vouchers" that can be used anywhere onboard, that sounds a lot more appealing.

 

We were making a run for Elite on celebrity last Nov/Dec doing B2B's for 27 days in Concierge class to get us within site of Elite mainly for some free internet time but Celebrity pulled the rug out from under us right while we were onboard. Now we have a long way to go still so have decided to let Celebrity Elite status go instead.

 

There is no doubt that Princess does a lot more free laundry for it's Elites and while it is being done the Princess Elite's can spend a lot more time on free internet! OBC's for FCC's, Miltary & Sheareholder Benifit can also be combined on Princess but not on Celebrity.

 

So for me Princess is a much better deal but I don't disagree with your take on the Celebrity perks for yourself.

 

Terry

Edited February 20, 2014 by AE_Collector

[Hlitner]

Terry, there is actually a lot of debate about Celebrity's drink vouchers vs the parties. Not exactly sure where DW and I stand on that issue since we find advantages to each option. The vouchers (good for 3 free drinks per person/day during the normal 2 hour cocktail period) do have the advantage that you can simply go to nearly any bar on the ship. But their Elite Cocktail Parties have often turned out to be a great place to meet other similar minded cruiser and socialize. And at those parties they usually come around with some very nice hors d'oeuvres (hot and cold) that are also complementary.

 

As to the post about it now being much harder to get to Elite on Celebrity, that is certainly true. For those who book minimum price cabins it will take a lot of days to now reach elite. I suspect they made the change because they had too many getting to Elite too fast.

 

And we do agree that Princess is great at letting cruisers combine various OBCs. Every line does have their pros and cons...which is why we love the variety of cruising many different lines.

 

Hank

Edited February 20, 2014 by Hlitner

[UpcountryTravelers]

Princess has ONE 14-day Caribbean cruise scheduled this year. We're booked on it. Ocean Princess.

[Colo Cruiser]

Princess has ONE 14-day Caribbean cruise scheduled this year. We're booked on it. Ocean Princess.

 

I was looking at that...

Thats a great iteniary.