Understanding how NCL fares are set, and why they go up and down

[bt0510]

I am still 8-months out from my cruise, but I take the few minutes to check the price, almost daily. Today, I noticed a pretty decent price increase for my cruise, as well as the other cruises in November on Escape. Up until today, the Thanksgiving cruise has been more expensive than the Nov 14 cruise. Today, the Nov 14 cruise is more expensive. For our cabin, the price increase was $240 total from yesterday to today. I'm feeling pretty good, because when I booked, it was about $600 less than today's price.

[NYMedicMan]

Thank you so much for this information, it will definitely help! We are currently booked in a Spa MiniSuite on the Breakaway for the 5/24/15 sailing. We booked this room late in the booking process and I think we paid a higher rate than many others did. This is apparently a "holiday sailing". Should I expect someone to call me to upgrade to the haven or should I be looking for this opportunity myself? Also, with these variables, would you also suggest the 55 day window? Also, I notice the next sailing to Bahamas/Florida on the Breakaway is selling around 2000.00 pp for the Haven spa suite or the courtyard penthouse, can I expect similar prices for a cruise in May to Bermuda?

 

Thanks!

[hawkeyetlse]

We are currently booked in a Spa MiniSuite on the Breakaway for the 5/24/15 sailing. We booked this room late in the booking process and I think we paid a higher rate than many others did. This is apparently a "holiday sailing".

It is not a holiday sailing for NCL (the only holidays that trigger the stricter payment/cancellation rules are Christmas and New Year's). The price for this category M9 on your saildate has varied between $1450 and $1800 per person, so as long as your fare was toward the low end of this range, and you got some nice promotional perks (like free UBP), I wouldn't worry too much about other people getting a better deal.

 

If you notice a significant price drop between now and your cruise, you should call yourself and ask if they will consider giving you something. Prices for the Haven are currently at least twice as much as mini-suites, so I wouldn't hold my breath for a free or cheap upgrade…

 

I'm not sure why you asked about the 55-day window, since you are already booked.

[HoopTroop]

It is not a holiday sailing for NCL (the only holidays that trigger the stricter payment/cancellation rules are Christmas and New Year's). The price for this category M9 on your saildate has varied between $1450 and $1800 per person, so as long as your fare was toward the low end of this range, and you got some nice promotional perks (like free UBP), I wouldn't worry too much about other people getting a better deal.

 

If you notice a significant price drop between now and your cruise, you should call yourself and ask if they will consider giving you something. Prices for the Haven are currently at least twice as much as mini-suites, so I wouldn't hold my breath for a free or cheap upgrade…

 

I'm not sure why you asked about the 55-day window, since you are already booked.

How are you able to find a price range history for the category? That is really interesting...

 

Thank you...HoopTroop

[aquarianne11]

Wow, thanks everyone! Great thread.

 

Looking at Mediterranean cruises for Summer 2016 (June -August) and the prices are a lot more compared to similar sailings for Summer 2015. Hoping to book Epic (7N - balcony) or Spirit (12N - inside).

 

Since the Med cruises are port intensive, we don't really care much about the current freebies that are being offered now.

 

For those who have done Med cruises, how far in advance did you book? Since airfare is involved I'm a little nervous about to close to the sail date.

[Va. Plumber]

I booked the Pearl Canal cruise for next March some time back when they had the 10% OBC deal. Got mid-ship balcony.

 

Last week, I checked pricing and you could get guarantee balcony for $920.00 less with the UDP. Called Monday and cancelled and re-booked.

The T.A. entered wrong price Which was $600.00 too high. Called Tuesday and got it adjusted down to correct price.

 

Wednesday it was back up to the original price on website. Timing is every thing.

[warriorking]

I have Epic booked for March of 2016 for the 12Day Med cruise, and I booked back in January, since then the price has dropped and I have saved $1200 for my Aft Balcony..

Edited March 12, 2015 by warriorking

[familycruzinnewbie]

I have only sailed Carnival and both times were the end of April and booked early saver well over a year in advance and both times prices went up and then back down to close to what I paid but I never earned OBC. The first time my room was oceanview when I booked and they added a balcony during drydock, the second they ended up changing the itinerary. Both caused the increase.

 

I am actually looking a fair ways out right not for late August 2016 and have been poking at Carnival and comparing with other cruise lines. Looking at 7-8 days caribbean from Florida, but would consider NYC or Alaska as options too. The 3 person plus FREE gives some good deals where there are 4 of us. For the 1/2 price ones the prices are too hight. For the same week and/or itinerary the prices vary widely as some boats have their post summer drop on then and some wait until September. And then you throw in the free drinks or food plan when you go from inside to Outside/Balcony so in some cases that rise is high. Booking quads closer to sailing is impossible, so you end up going with 2 rooms. The 3+ guest sail free and other bonuses seem to keep getting extended. Wondering about how these promos will affect pricing after. They do seem to be selling out of some categories with this.

[ladybird77]

So glad I booked my cruise when I did. I paid for my May 9-16 Venice to Venice cruise on March 3, a little more than 60 days out.

 

It is a single supplement cruise/inside cabin.

 

I booked for $674 base price with tax it was $788.

 

Today, I went through and checked to see what the price would be today. It is now $795 base price with tax it is about $910.

 

It seems like with the European cruises, they prices really go up closer to the sail date.

 

In fact, when I first started looking at cruises to the Mediterranean in November, I was eyeing a March 18 Mediterrenean cruise. I remember at the time balconies were pretty cheap. When I checked back in February the balconies had sold out, and the insides were almost as much as the balconies!

 

Perhaps, NCL cruises to other regions are different.

[zacdilone]

My OV stateroom on an Alaska cruise in May is now a good $500 more (including taxes and such) than when I grabbed a great price about a month ago.

 

In fact, at that time I almost upgraded to a balcony because the price was so low. I kinda wish I had. I'm not confident we'll see a significant price drop between now and our departure date. But one can hope.

 

It's such a crap-shoot, isn't it? Kinda like a "fare casino" you get to play in while awaiting your cruise. :)

[backby10]

This is a great thread. I am T-21 days away and fares are holding steady. I was hoping to snag an upgrade at a better than good price. Maybe next time. I feel much more knowledgeable than before and that in itself is waay more valuable. Besides, I am still less than $100/ night. Very good thread OP!

[insidecabin]

So glad I booked my cruise when I did. I paid for my May 9-16 Venice to Venice cruise on March 3, a little more than 60 days out.

 

It is a single supplement cruise/inside cabin.

 

I booked for $674 base price with tax it was $788.

 

Today, I went through and checked to see what the price would be today. It is now $795 base price with tax it is about $910.

 

It seems like with the European cruises, they prices really go up closer to the sail date.

 

In fact, when I first started looking at cruises to the Mediterranean in November, I was eyeing a March 18 Mediterrenean cruise. I remember at the time balconies were pretty cheap. When I checked back in February the balconies had sold out, and the insides were almost as much as the balconies!

 

Perhaps, NCL cruises to other regions are different.

 

In December just before Xmas the choice was added in the US, EU got it the beginning of Jan both with 2 choices, once people caught on the cabins started selling, these early cruises were dirt cheap with UDP and UBP included.

 

for EU people the flights are cheap as well,

 

10 night cruise with air UBP and UDP for <$100pppd.

 

Some cruises are close to sold out, prices have gone up and the choice is now only 1.

[aquarianne11]

So glad I booked my cruise when I did. I paid for my May 9-16 Venice to Venice cruise on March 3, a little more than 60 days out.

 

It is a single supplement cruise/inside cabin.

 

I booked for $674 base price with tax it was $788.

 

Today, I went through and checked to see what the price would be today. It is now $795 base price with tax it is about $910.

 

It seems like with the European cruises, they prices really go up closer to the sail date.

 

In fact, when I first started looking at cruises to the Mediterranean in November, I was eyeing a March 18 Mediterrenean cruise. I remember at the time balconies were pretty cheap. When I checked back in February the balconies had sold out, and the insides were almost as much as the balconies!

 

Perhaps, NCL cruises to other regions are different.

 

Thanks. That's good to know.

 

I have only been checking Mediterranean cruises a few weeks ago so I'm unfamiliar with the prices.

 

All I know is that as of now, the prices for June-Aug 2015 are so much cheaper than June-Aug 2016.

 

For 2016, Carnival Vista has the best price I have seen for the Mediterranean. So we are still looking at other options.

Edited March 14, 2015 by aquarianne11

[mnjcruiser]

I have been watching May 30th and 31st sailing return from Seattle (Jewel or Pearl). Today is the 75 day mark and the price has gone up a bit from last week. I'm a little worried that it will continue to go up, however I waited this long to book so I will persevere and wait a few more weeks. I have flights already booked with Southwest, if I don't get the price I like, I may have to pass on this cruise and get a credit for my flights. I will wait and see. I'm hoping when KSF ends, we may see a price drop.

[theloo]

Does anyone know when the KSF is going to end?

[SnootieTootie]

On the specialty menus they state that an 18% gratuity will be added but it goes on to say that it's for drinks.

It gave me cause for concern for a minute until I clearly read it

[SteveH2508]

On the specialty menus they state that an 18% gratuity will be added but it goes on to say that it's for drinks.

It gave me cause for concern for a minute until I clearly read it

 

This is the cause of a lively debate at the moment - http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2183316

 

Things may have changed.

[fstuff1]

On the specialty menus they state that an 18% gratuity will be added but it goes on to say that it's for drinks.

It gave me cause for concern for a minute until I clearly read it

 

no longer just for drinks.

its now the entire bill on specialty restaurants.

 

I see a revolt coming.

the waitstaff is covered by the $12.95/day tips.

 

waitstaff is rotated between main dining room(s) and specialty restaurants.

so basically charging customers double for tips.

 

yup.. revolt

[momrox1]

I'm very confused about this portion..could someone explain to me? Does this mean I can book a double and cancel the second person and keep the original cabin cost to me and get my own cabin?

 

The Book Extra People And Cancel Trick

 

One little-known pricing feature on NCL allows you to cancel extra people out of your stateroom for a full refund if you're 14 or more days away from sailing.

 

So if you have a family of 4, don't settle for one room and pay the expensive third and fourth person surcharge.

 

Even if you don't want to play the 14-55 day game of chicken described above, you can still book all 4 people in one room (whenever you feel comfortable doing so), and then keep price-watching starting from day 55 for a possible second room.

 

When you see inside cabins being dumped for near NCF, call NCL, cancel the extra two people out of your room, and book them their own inside cabin!

 

There will be no penalty for this (if it's 14 days or more away), and you will often get a second room for CHEAPER than adding third and fourth people to your existing room. Sailing with 2 kids under 18? No problem. Just assign one adult to each room. NCL does not care where you actually choose to sleep once onboard (this has been verified countless times here).

[peg013]

I'm very confused about this portion..could someone explain to me? Does this mean I can book a double and cancel the second person and keep the original cabin cost to me and get my own cabin?

 

The Book Extra People And Cancel Trick

 

One little-known pricing feature on NCL allows you to cancel extra people out of your stateroom for a full refund if you're 14 or more days away from sailing.

 

So if you have a family of 4, don't settle for one room and pay the expensive third and fourth person surcharge.

 

Even if you don't want to play the 14-55 day game of chicken described above, you can still book all 4 people in one room (whenever you feel comfortable doing so), and then keep price-watching starting from day 55 for a possible second room.

 

When you see inside cabins being dumped for near NCF, call NCL, cancel the extra two people out of your room, and book them their own inside cabin!

 

There will be no penalty for this (if it's 14 days or more away), and you will often get a second room for CHEAPER than adding third and fourth people to your existing room. Sailing with 2 kids under 18? No problem. Just assign one adult to each room. NCL does not care where you actually choose to sleep once onboard (this has been verified countless times here).

 

No, it means you can cancel person #3 and #4 in a cabin without penalty up to 14 days before your cruise to move them into another cabin. You will pay a penalty and a single supplement if you cancel person #1 or #2.

[momrox1]

Thanks for the respose :)

This thread is invaluable. I called NCL about an Oct cruise and asked the agent for the NCF...he said Oh, I don't think I can tell you that. I asked him to check w a supervisor and he came back and said Well, you're the first person to ever ask me that...and I can do it! Then he said drumroll please, are you ready for it? Well, it was 199 on a 919 single fare and 709 double fare. Any suggestions for strategy using this info in the thread? I'm not so concerned about pricing for my friends inside double as i am for my studio. Although at this point he told me 90% of studios remain unbooked.

[hawkeyetlse]

I'm very confused about this portion..could someone explain to me? Does this mean I can book a double and cancel the second person and keep the original cabin cost to me and get my own cabin?

No, of course not. The "trick" only works for passengers 3 to 8 in the cabin. Passenger #2 has the same cancellation penalties as passenger #1, and cancelling one person out of a 2-guest cabin (at any time, regardless of the cancellation schedule) will normally result in the remaining person being rebooked as a single occupant, i.e. with the single supplement.

Then he said drumroll please, are you ready for it? Well, it was 199 on a 919 single fare and 709 double fare. Any suggestions for strategy using this info in the thread?]

It only means that your fare will never go lower than that, but there is absolutely no guarantee that it will ever go anywhere near that price at all. And if it does happen, it will probably only be for very late bookings, on cruises where the studios don't sell out. I don't pay a lot of attention to studios, but I have the impression that they rarely show a lot of last-minute availability. Edited March 25, 2015 by hawkeyetlse

[olya1972]

I have a cabin (Balcony, $1,359 per person + tax/fees) on hold for Gem 10 days Eastern Carib. sailing out of NYC and I don't need to fly. Hold includes Black Friday special from online TA ($300 OBC) and two out of four perks from NCL. Ship looks 1/2 full (when trying mock bookings on any balcony categories). I don't know what to do, should I just go ahead and book or let go of hold and wait till 55 day mark (which is tomorrow). Identical sailing before this one (Jan., 12th) is $160 less, and one before that (Jan., 3rd) is $259 less PER PERSON for same balcony cabin. Any insights appreciated.:confused:

[evanAction]

I have a cabin (Balcony, $1,359 per person + tax/fees) on hold for Gem 10 days Eastern Carib. sailing out of NYC and I don't need to fly. Hold includes Black Friday special from online TA ($300 OBC) and two out of four perks from NCL. Ship looks 1/2 full (when trying mock bookings on any balcony categories). I don't know what to do, should I just go ahead and book or let go of hold and wait till 55 day mark (which is tomorrow). Identical sailing before this one (Jan., 12th) is $160 less, and one before that (Jan., 3rd) is $259 less PER PERSON for same balcony cabin. Any insights appreciated.:confused:

 

 

It sounds like an excellent deal...if that OBC is for today only, might be more than what you would get on an outdated price drop the next day. If you have a moment, Haven't heard of that good of a promotion today. Would you mind emailing me at my CC username @ gmail dot com with your online TA info? Booking later today, just curious to check it out.

 

Thanks in advance and good luck!

 

Evan

[olya1972]

Any other thoughts? Such a dramatic price difference between 01/22/16 and 01/12/16 and especially 01/03/16 sailings make me uncomfortable. I feel that any day 01/22/16 sailing price will drop significantly.

Edited November 27, 2015 by olya1972