Big price increase on Hawaii cruises

[sonnenschein]

We been taking the 15 day cruise from San Francisco to Hawaii for many years. Our last trip was November 10, 2013 on the Grand in a mini suite category ME.The price I am quoting includes the Princess travel Insurance on both trips. We are booked to cruise again April 29 2014 on the Star, same ME category, just the ship has changed ,otherwise it is the identical cruise.Except for the price nothing has changed.

November $4541.84

April $6906.84

Difference $2365.00

This is a very big increase,over 2000.00 more in less than 6 month,what is going on :mad: Unless there is a price reduction I will cancel and feel very sad. Don't tell me to book a cheaper cabin, I am trying to compare apples to apples and not different cabin categories.Have you also seen a big increase or does that apply only to the cruises to Hawaii? :eek:

P.S. government fees and taxes are also included in the above prices

[Cruise Junky]

Should your April 2014 be April 2015?

[Working 2 Cruise]

That's because Princess has drastically reduced the number of cruises to Hawaii and thus cost more... Supply and demand. Because of this, I'm not sure whether the fares will go down...

[skrodle]

We been taking the 15 day cruise from San Francisco to Hawaii for many years. Our last trip was November 10, 2013 on the Grand in a mini suite category ME.The price I am quoting includes the Princess travel Insurance on both trips. We are booked to cruise again April 29 2014 on the Star, same ME category, just the ship has changed ,otherwise it is the identical cruise.Except for the price nothing has changed.

November $4541.84

April $6906.84

Difference $2365.00

This is a very big increase,over 2000.00 more in less than 6 month,what is going on :mad: Unless there is a price reduction I will cancel and feel very sad. Don't tell me to book a cheaper cabin, I am trying to compare apples to apples and not different cabin categories.Have you also seen a big increase or does that apply only to the cruises to Hawaii? :eek:

P.S. government fees and taxes are also included in the above prices

 

have you priced it out with a discount travel agent?

[cr8tiv1]

Yes, it is a noticeable increase in fares. This is why I booked a Window Suite on the Grand for February of next year very early. I speculated that prices would jump. And a Window Suite cost about the same as a mini.

 

If Princess is reading this thread, I sure hope they understand how unhappy most everyone is that they have altered a very good thing. Plus, there still isn't any word about who the Cultural Ambassadors will be from LA or SF or if they will continue to have The Hawaiiana Experience.

 

Lucky for you...CD Dave Cole will be on the Star for several of her cruises. Not sure if he will be there in April.

[HRPro]

So glad we went in February of this year--in the same category ME on the Star. We had a fabulous trip with David Cole as CD and Elua with the wonderful Hawaiian programs. Hope you don't have to cancel and hope Princess will add some more cruises for this itinerary so the prices are more reasonable. That's a major increase in an 18 month period.

[sonnenschein]

Should your April 2014 be April 2015?

 

Thanks for catching my mistake, yes it should be April 2015. Must have had a Brain hick-up. :p

[Love.II.Cruise]

I'm not sure the prices are going to go down. If the ship is selling due to less supply, then the prices will stay they way they are.

 

We are also sailing on this cruise in a ME category, but in Jan., which is cheaper due to the time of year.

[Luvmyrotti]

We wanted to do another 15 day Hawaii sailing in 2015, but the cost is entirely outrageous. We did the same sailing in a suite in 2013 for $3499 per person. The 2015 fares for a suite were initially $4799 pp and have now gone up to $4999pp. We will not be sailing at that price.

[Cruise Junky]

Thanks for catching my mistake, yes it should be April 2015. Must have had a Brain hick-up. :p

 

:). No problem I was just wondering how you were going to cancel it if prices didn't come down :)

 

As mentioned Princess is doing this route far less often than they used to. Plus April seems popular. We did a one way with Celebrity this past April for $1,600 pp in a large balcony with a free drink package. That same cruise is now $2,500 for April 2015 but could be done in September 2015 for $1,700 pp

 

Hope you find something. We're going on a land trip for Christmas and New Years. Can't wait

[M4dC0w]

Basic economics, supply and demand, also inflation.

 

Btw it isn't comparing apples to apples, as it isn't the same ship or same year.

 

They will always charge more farther out, before actual payment is made, to make maximum profit, and none if the prices mean squat until final payment is made anyhow, where ther have the real passengers and staterooms are booked.

[CruzinNoony]

We been taking the 15 day cruise from San Francisco to Hawaii for many years. Our last trip was November 10, 2013 on the Grand in a mini suite category ME.The price I am quoting includes the Princess travel Insurance on both trips. We are booked to cruise again April 29 2014 on the Star, same ME category, just the ship has changed ,otherwise it is the identical cruise.Except for the price nothing has changed.

November $4541.84

April $6906.84

Difference $2365.00

This is a very big increase,over 2000.00 more in less than 6 month,what is going on :mad: Unless there is a price reduction I will cancel and feel very sad. Don't tell me to book a cheaper cabin, I am trying to compare apples to apples and not different cabin categories.Have you also seen a big increase or does that apply only to the cruises to Hawaii? :eek:

P.S. government fees and taxes are also included in the above prices

 

I think you need to find a different travel agent; one who discounts. We are booked for Feb, 2015 and are paying about the same that you paid in Nov, but are in a BD balcony on Caribe deck, not a mini suite.;)

[Waimea'sMom]

Basic economics, supply and demand, also inflation.

 

Btw it isn't comparing apples to apples, as it isn't the same ship or same year.

 

They will always charge more farther out, before actual payment is made, to make maximum profit, and none if the prices mean squat until final payment is made anyhow, where ther have the real passengers and staterooms are booked.

 

Actually, I have a friend that just made final payment on the November sailing. She got her Caribe balcony for $2199 on a sale and it is currently selling for more than that. I suppose they could have a sale after the fact but prices have increased as time has gone on.

 

I think you need to find a different travel agent; one who discounts. We are booked for Feb, 2015 and are paying about the same that you paid in Nov, but are in a BD balcony on Caribe deck, not a mini suite.;)

 

But in your very own statement you are admitting you paid the same for a balcony that the OP did for a minisuite.

 

I have sailed this itinerary ten times, always in a balcony or minisuite, for as low as $1799 per person. I am currently booked on it in both December and February and already paid for my December sailing but they currently want $2399 for my February booking. To be honest, I am not sure if I am willing to pay that.

 

It is beyond frustrating to me that they have not disclosed if they will continue the Hawaiian ambassador program, and if so, which couple will be assigned to each ship. We adore Dave and Leialoha and have enjoyed sailing with them nine times now, but I am certainly not going to fly to SF to sail with them when I live in San Pedro. That being said, it would have been nice to have known where they would be. And while it is mildly annoying to us, I cannot imagine how disruptive it is to them since THEY don't even know yet.

Edited August 24, 2014 by Waimea'sMom

[caribill]

 

It is beyond frustrating to me that they have not disclosed if they will continue the Hawaiian ambassador program' date=' and if so, which couple will be assigned to each ship.... And while it is mildly annoying to us, I cannot imagine how disruptive it is to them since THEY don't even know yet.[/quote']

 

In the past, it was easy. The ship continuously sailed the route and the Hawaiian program was appropriate on every voyage.

 

I don't know how they will handle it when the schedule has (for example on the Grand):

Hawaii 1 voyage

not sailing to Hawaii 20 days

Hawaii 2 voyages

Not sailing to Hawaii 16 days

Hawaii 2 voyages

[greenie082756]

I too noticed the huge change in price. I have also noticed that there aren't that many cruises round trip to Hawaii as there was in 2013. We paid for a balcony on Caribe deck on the Golden - April 2013 - $3798 for two. I just looked @ the website - balcony is now $4998 for two. Difference is $1200/ $600 per person/ $40.73 per person per day increase. That's a 15.8% increase. That's a lot. :eek:

I'm guessing the only ones who won't know the difference are the ones who have not previously taken this cruise.:rolleyes:

I'm not going to say we will not ever take this cruise again because we did enjoy the whole experience, but what I will say is that we will be shopping the price. :(

[Cruisin' Chick]

It seems this itinerary is very popular so why cut back on them? Even if there's a cost (fuel) for sailing to Hawaii for two week periods...it's more popular than the one-week ones to Mexico, I would think.

 

I also wonder why Princess is holding back on signing up the two duos who've been running the cultural programs. Princess gets so much buzz on CC (and undoubtedly on Facebook posts, etc.) so many times on these cruises, mostly in part to the cultural ambassadors. And I imagine keeping these performers waiting is not fair to them. They need to know if they can expect an income during this time or make other arrangements (maybe HAL, Carnival, Celebrity can make an offer?). It's a major marketing plus for Princess to keep up this program, and would even make sense to me to have them on the Mexican cruises (might encourage passengers to consider the Hawaiian cruises when Princess comes to its senses and increase the sailings again).

[Woobstr112G]

We been taking the 15 day cruise from San Francisco to Hawaii for many years. Our last trip was November 10, 2013 on the Grand in a mini suite category ME.The price I am quoting includes the Princess travel Insurance on both trips. We are booked to cruise again April 29 2014 on the Star, same ME category, just the ship has changed ,otherwise it is the identical cruise.Except for the price nothing has changed.

November $4541.84

April $6906.84

Difference $2365.00

This is a very big increase,over 2000.00 more in less than 6 month,what is going on :mad: Unless there is a price reduction I will cancel and feel very sad. Don't tell me to book a cheaper cabin, I am trying to compare apples to apples and not different cabin categories.Have you also seen a big increase or does that apply only to the cruises to Hawaii? :eek:

P.S. government fees and taxes are also included in the above prices

 

You need to search out a better price on your own. We had a Hawaii cruise booked on the Star for March of next year that we unfortunately had to cancel. We were booked in a Vista Suite for much less that what you said the ME mini was going to cost......

 

Bob

[Cruise Junky]

It seems this itinerary is very popular so why cut back on them? Even if there's a cost (fuel) for sailing to Hawaii for two week periods...it's more popular than the one-week ones to Mexico' date=' I would think.

.[/quote']

 

I don't think it's as popular as you think. They were giving it away in previous years after final payment and Bruce has pointed out a few times..people don't spend money on this cruise. It attracts the elderly & frequent cruisers. So they burn a ton of fuel and don't make much in onboard sales.

[Thrak]

We did a 15 day Hawaii out of SF in November of 2012. We were in A408 which is classed as a BB midship balcony. Our price (before taxes, insurance, etc.) was $1,459.00 pp.

 

I just looked at a November 2015 and checked the same room. The price (again before taxes, insurance, etc.) is showing as $2,699.00 pp.

 

That's $1,240.00 more pp or $2,480.00 more for the cabin. Wowie Zowie!

Edited August 25, 2014 by Thrak

[Jasperdo]

This is the main reason we took our Hawaii cruise back in March. We figured the prices would be a lot higher this season due to the limited sailings. We got a last minute deal on an inside cabin for $799PP before taxes and fees. I doubt if they'll get that low this season.

[AE_Collector]

As mentioned, this route uses a lot of fuel for only 4 days in the islands where they sell money making shore excursions etc. Princess isn't the only one reducing Hawaiian sailings, I think that Celebrity has eliminated them completely other than one ways that are a portion of reposition cruises.

 

Speaking of one ways, for us in Vancouver a one way works so much better. We just grabbed a last minute on Pacific Princess Sept 16 - 12 day Vancouver to Honolulu one way. 6 Hawaiian stops rather than only 4, 6 sea days instead of 10, $230 Canadian all in one way direct flight back to Vancouver after we stay a few extra days or more. $1199 US for a 12 day balcony on Pacific compared to $2799 US for 15 day round trip balcony on the Grand from Vancouver.

 

Terry

[sonnenschein]

My travel Agent is very popular in the greater Sacramento and Bay region. She specializes in Princess Cruises, her Husband Lugio is a Matre Di (sp?) on Princess ships. She runs free buses from many Northern Ca. cities to the San Francisco port and provides escorts on most of the trips. On top of all this she gives out a nice gift every day of the cruise and a private party with free drinks and snacks. Getting to the ship is super easy this way,we don't have to bother with transportation, luggage or parking fees at high prices. All this is free to us and she usually books between 400 to 600 people. We all love the convienience of getting to the port the easy way.If we have any problem on board her escort will solve it for us ;)

I might find another agent that can save me a couple of $$$,but at our senior age we don't drive to S.F. anymore. I am not willing to give up my free ride to the port, Princess is just becoming to greedy.:eek:

[Luckiest Dog]

It is possible the 100% FCC offered on the California Coastal cruises were anticipated to be used by many California cruisers who took advantage. Since it had to be used on cruises 7 days or more and in 2014, maybe it is by design. Other incentives may also be to blame such as prepaid gratuities, OBC etc. Those who do not shop around will pay more. I booked LA 15 day in February and a month later it appeared almost booked. Prices then went up $600 for the same BB balcony I booked. My wife and I are getting the equivalent of $1139 each in extras.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

I don't think it's as popular as you think. They were giving it away in previous years after final payment and Bruce has pointed out a few times..people don't spend money on this cruise. It attracts the elderly & frequent cruisers. So they burn a ton of fuel and don't make much in onboard sales.

 

I sailed the Celebrity Century to Hawaii on one of her 15 night sailings in Oct 2011. The ship was sold out by sail date, but they kept reducing prices after final payment to do so. I moved from one of the least expensive inside cabins to Premium Oceanview due to price drops. The oceanview was nearly $1000 more pp originally. The bar and lounges were ghost towns after 830/900pm. The elite happy hour was always packed with folks consuming free drink, but the rest of the bars were lightly used. The bar waiters/sommeliers were given additional time off from the lounges/MDR due to lack of sales (less than 100 people purchased an alcoholic drinks package). Very few tours were sold through Celebrity. Spa revenues were virtually non existent. In short they lost their shirts on cabin fares AND ancillary revenue.

 

I spent some time talking with the hotel director and cruise director torwards the end of the cruise and they disclosed that per passenger revenues were down about 75% on this sailing. Whether they should have shared that info or not I don't know. A year later I had the same cruise director on the Celebrity Constellation Transatlantic and we again spent some time talking. He indicated that even though many loyal Celebrity cruisers wanted the Hawaii cruises that corporate decided to pull the plug and stop the red ink.

 

I have to think that Princess reducing the number of Hawaii sailings has similar financial history. By reducing the number of sailings they can create a high demand and limited supply situation in which they can get higher per diems for the cabin fares and hopefully make these cruises profitable. There may also have been strong feedback from SF Bay cruisers wanting more variety in itineraries during the winter months. As the market may not be large enough to support two ships they instead are splitting one ship on multiple itineraries, stimulating overall demand AND boosting revenues.

 

I love a good deal as much as anyone, but I also want the cruise industry to remain profitable and to be able to provide its passengers with high quality vacation experiences far into the future.

[ReneeFLL]

That is a huge difference. I think it will affect the number of people booking.