Do most ships sail full?

[theloo]

I'm on a slightly different itinerary (10-days in early May) and there seem to be lots of cabins left (inside guarantees, a few portholes, and quite a few suites). Since there's less than a month to go, I wonder how likely it will be that the ship will sail at less than full capacity. Of course, I would love it if we sailed partly empty ;)

[bonvoyagie]

Well now is the time for the upsell fairy to make her rounds.

They will up sell balconies to suites, insides and ocean views to balconies, and then discount the heck out of the insides.

 

To answer your question - most all ships sail full.

[CruiserBruce]

Yes, most sail full, or so close you can't tell the difference.

 

You also can't get a true idea on the bookings and cabins available, as you can't see things like GTY bookings on line. As mentioned, it is getting near time to do GTY assignments, and upsells and upgrades, as needed.

 

The ship will sail, full or not. It makes no money just sitting there. Once it sails, it makes casino money, booze sales, excursions, etc.

Edited April 12, 2015 by CruiserBruce

[5waldos]

They will certainly suggest that they are full. But I have sailed on some small ships which in fact were about half full. It was rather nice- 64 people instead of 120. Early in the season you probably stand a chance of having some less than capacity.

[theloo]

Well now is the time for the upsell fairy to make her rounds. They will up sell balconies to suites, insides and ocean views to balconies, and then discount the heck out of the insides.

 

To answer your question - most all ships sail full.

 

I know this is when they will be discounting heavily, but with the longer trip, I thought it might be hard to get a hundred or more people to take off 10+ days on short notice. We wont get the upsell offers because of the type of room we need, so I'd rather have a partly empty ship. Either way, thanks for your comments.

[DentoAlaska]

Yes, most sail full, or so close you can't tell the difference.

 

You also can't get a true idea on the bookings and cabins available, as you can't see things like GTY bookings on line. As mentioned, it is getting near time to do GTY assignments, and upsells and upgrades, as needed.

 

The ship will sail, full or not. It makes no money just sitting there. Once it sails, it makes casino money, booze sales, excursions, etc.

 

A cruise newbie here. What is "GTY"? I figured out DH, DW, DIL, SIL and such but you have stumped me on this one! ;)

[TwizzlersAddict]

I know this is when they will be discounting heavily, but with the longer trip, I thought it might be hard to get a hundred or more people to take off 10+ days on short notice. We wont get the upsell offers because of the type of room we need, so I'd rather have a partly empty ship. Either way, thanks for your comments.

 

Lots of people are retired and if the price is right can travel at a moments notice.

Cruise lines are great at filling ships.

 

 

DentoAlaska

Gty means guaranty

category cabin where you allow the cruise to assign you a cabin

Edited April 12, 2015 by TwizzlersAddict

[cruizinator]

I'm on a slightly different itinerary (10-days in early May) and there seem to be lots of cabins left (inside guarantees, a few portholes, and quite a few suites). Since there's less than a month to go, I wonder how likely it will be that the ship will sail at less than full capacity. Of course, I would love it if we sailed partly empty ;)

 

I'm on the same cruise as you..and I was noticing the same thing. The price of a balcony cabin(on the Sun) has gone up...since I purchased on 3-18-15. I expect a drop in prices...and like you ...the fewer people...the better.

Edited April 12, 2015 by cruizinator

[dhmom99]

they do fill up quickly

[Budget Queen]

I know this is when they will be discounting heavily, but with the longer trip, I thought it might be hard to get a hundred or more people to take off 10+ days on short notice. We wont get the upsell offers because of the type of room we need, so I'd rather have a partly empty ship. Either way, thanks for your comments.

 

There is a huge Washington market of people who can cruise at the last minute. Add to the mix, that most people aren't aware of, the travel industry employees. Yes, ships sail full.

 

I will pick up this sailing if I see a fire sale. :) Which NCL does do. I did so on the Sun last year for 3 sailings, Pearl 1 sailing, part of my 10 weeks in Alaska last year.

[theloo]

There is a huge Washington market of people who can cruise at the last minute. Add to the mix, that most people aren't aware of, the travel industry employees. Yes, ships sail full.

 

I will pick up this sailing if I see a fire sale. :) Which NCL does do. I did so on the Sun last year for 3 sailings, Pearl 1 sailing, part of my 10 weeks in Alaska last year.

 

No, I wasn't aware that lots of travel agents do these cruises last minute. Interesting to know. Would love to meet you BQ!

[Rulers Mom]

A cruise newbie here. What is "GTY"? I figured out DH, DW, DIL, SIL and such but you have stumped me on this one! ;)

 

Doesn't look like anyone has answered you yet - that means Guarantee. They promise you a balcony room, but you don't get to select it, they do. You may get stuck under the noisy pool, or you may get a suite if you are so lucky. On my birthday cruise on RCCL I paid for 3 Jr Suites, and people on our roll call were reporting they paid for a Ocean View Guarantee, and also got Jr Suites. But that is very unusual, I'm sure...?

[lovetotraveltx]

A cruise newbie here. What is "GTY"? I figured out DH, DW, DIL, SIL and such but you have stumped me on this one! ;)

 

Gty is they sell you a category not a particular cabin. So if you had a veranda gty you would have at least a balcony cabin but can't chose actual cabin, deck or anything. So, they are cheaper then buying the traditional way! There is a chance with gty to get upgraded to a higher category then you are booked but not always

[BigGuy25]

Yes, most sail full, or so close you can't tell the difference.

 

You also can't get a true idea on the bookings and cabins available, as you can't see things like GTY bookings on line. As mentioned, it is getting near time to do GTY assignments, and upsells and upgrades, as needed.

 

The ship will sail, full or not. It makes no money just sitting there. Once it sails, it makes casino money, booze sales, excursions, etc.

 

lovetotraveltx described how GTY works ... but not the definition, which you've probably figured out by now means "Guarantee."

[Budget Queen]

No, I wasn't aware that lots of travel agents do these cruises last minute. Interesting to know. Would love to meet you BQ!

 

Actually the bulk aren't travel agents. It's airline employeesretirees. They have the best perks with free air and interline booking discounts. Travel agents, get the discounts on the cruises, but not free air, so benefits aren't nearly as good. :)

[klr6773]

We are booked on a 7nt in June on the Pearl in an OV.. Just got a call from my TA a few nights ago. NCL offered us to switch to the 10 nt Pearl May 7th at no additional cost,also upgrading us to a balcony! Super tempting,but not possible with our child care needs...

[theloo]

We are booked on a 7nt in June on the Pearl in an OV.. Just got a call from my TA a few nights ago. NCL offered us to switch to the 10 nt Pearl May 7th at no additional cost,also upgrading us to a balcony! Super tempting,but not possible with our child care needs...

 

Wow, what an offer! I wonder what made NCL think you might want/be able to switch. Personally, I might consider giving up my balcony (for 5) if they would give me two OVs, but I can't imagine they'd want to make that trade.

[Tee & Chilli]

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned a ship could be sold out when all cabins are booked but not be at full capacity. Example..I'm sailing solo and the extra bed in my cabin is unoccupied.

[CruiserBruce]

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned a ship could be sold out when all cabins are booked but not be at full capacity. Example..I'm sailing solo and the extra bed in my cabin is unoccupied.

 

That is typically a very small number of people. Probably the average person wouldn't notice such a discrepancy.

 

"Full" occupancy is, as you implied, 2 people per cabin. However, there are cabins for 3 and 4, so a ship can be above capacity a certain amount.

[varoo]

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned a ship could be sold out when all cabins are booked but not be at full capacity. Example..I'm sailing solo and the extra bed in my cabin is unoccupied.

Another good example is if you take a Caribbean cruise on a mass market cruise line ship a couple of weeks before Christmas.

Then take the same cruise on the same ship again for the week between Christmas and New Year's.

 

Even if all the cabins are sold out for both cruises, there is a world of difference between them as to to how crowded the ship will actually be. :D

That is a very noticeable discrepancy.

 

Edited April 13, 2015 by varoo

[theloo]

As of today, all of the insides are gone, so I guess they will be trying to upsell the higher level cabins now.

[theloo]

It's no longer possible to book online, suggesting that my cruise is mostly booked now. It's strange though because as of last Friday, there were about 12 suites and mini-suites available. I guess they are trying to upsell those and are getting ready to assign the guarantees?

[varoo]

I know this is when they will be discounting heavily, but with the longer trip, I thought it might be hard to get a hundred or more people to take off 10+ days on short notice.....

Don't forget all the cruising retirees who can go at a moment's notice.

 

Also these days there are more and more people who have jobs that they can do from anywhere, even on a cruise ship, so they do not need to "take off" from work to go on a cruise.

For most of those, all they need is internet access, even slow internet access, and for some jobs they do not even need that.

 

I just noticed some inside guarantee cabins on a 7 night Alaska cruise next month where the posted asking price is $399 pp, and that is the price being offered to the general public, not even a special category discounted rate.

 

Edited April 29, 2015 by varoo