What happened to huge last minute deals?

[towel-animal]

I haven't been on the forums for a while (it depresses me when I don't have a cruise booked to look forward to :p) But the past cruises I've been on with NCL (2013 and 2014) I got some pretty good deals on my cruise (btw $400-$500 solo traveler, 7 day cruises) ) and within 2 or 3 weeks of sailing saw incredible fares around $200.

 

I've been monitoring prices for last minute deals for the past few months and the savings don't seem to be there anymore. Fares still over $1,000 for sailings the week of.

 

Are those huge last minute deals a thing of the past?

Edited May 27, 2015 by ceejmaster

[LrgPizza]

The ships are filling up earlier.

[biker@sea]

I haven't been on the forums for a while (it depresses me when I don't have a cruise booked to look forward to :p) But the past cruises I've been on with NCL (2013 and 2014) I got some pretty good deals on my cruise (btw $400-$500 solo traveler, 7 day cruises) ) and within 2 or 3 weeks of sailing saw incredible fares around $200.

 

I've been monitoring prices for last minute deals for the past few months and the savings don't seem to be there anymore. Fares still over $1,000 for sailings the week of.

 

Are those huge last minute deals a thing of the past?

 

Some times it depends on the weather.

 

A couple of hurricane threats can bring down last minute price's . :eek:

 

.

[fstuff1]

blame it on the new ceo, del rio.

 

he's offering freebies (ubp, udp, etc) to fill rooms instead of lowering prices. :(

 

only time will tell if his strategy is successful.

 

when is ncl's next quarterly reporting?

that quarter should be the 1st full quarter del rio is in charge.

[buckirj1]

For the most part, yes, the last minute deals are gone. It seems current NCL thinking is that cruisers will decide whatever "promotions" are on offer will make up the difference. Sometimes they do, mind you, but rarely for solo cruisers.

[mking8288]

OP, you should have far better odds in finding last minute out of the MIA or greater FL area (i.e. Canaveral) depending on the season/dates - on NCL than folks up in the Northeast U.S. with fewer ships doing the same old milky runs. Are you super - flexible and can pack & go with just 3 or 4 days ? Lately, it does looked like NCL isn't dropping prices literally until that last 96 or 72 hours, when it's obvious many cabins - including the higher priced suites/Havens are not going & that the Upsell Fairy have done its work - which might release some lower categories of cabins for re-sale.

-

Keep in mind with lower gasoline prices, a driving or land vacation is getting competitive, and look beyond NCL - other cruiselines are doing it, it seemed - consider sailing them over NCL with empty cabins - it's a complicated supply & demand equation. Having said that, I am trying to visualize a working family of 4 with school-aged chilren doing a 7 nights sailing on a budget at some of the quotes I am seeing now, oy vey - no way, Jose.

 

Look at other competitive options with other lines - it might turned out to be very competitive - and one of our TA came up with a great escorted air-land-hotel package, 6 of us took it & booting NCL for now.

[polySeraph]

If you are willing to consider other cruise lines, you may be able to find some great last-minute deals next fall. Last fall, we were able to get a verandah cabin on 7-night Eastern Caribbean on HAL for $450-ish pp with some fairly decent OBC thrown in. (Interiors got as low as $199 pp.) At the time we were not wild about HAL (in fact, after our first HAL cruise we had said "never again"), but for those prices, we decided to risk it. As it turn out, we had a great cruise.

 

If you are looking for a deal, the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are a great time to find last-minute deals. The first couple of weeks in November are good too, but the weather can still be a little variable then. Being flexible about the embarkation port, the itinerary, and the cruise line will expand the possibilities.

[RuthlessBoss]

I haven't been on the forums for a while (it depresses me when I don't have a cruise booked to look forward to :p) But the past cruises I've been on with NCL (2013 and 2014) I got some pretty good deals on my cruise (btw $400-$500 solo traveler, 7 day cruises) ) and within 2 or 3 weeks of sailing saw incredible fares around $200.

 

I've been monitoring prices for last minute deals for the past few months and the savings don't seem to be there anymore. Fares still over $1,000 for sailings the week of.

 

Are those huge last minute deals a thing of the past?

 

I know exactly what you are saying, and it's not just NCL ;). I realize we are going into high price season, so I'll wait till October or November. Last November I got my solo deal for a balcony and $80 OBC (don't know why) for $499 on Getaway. Booked on a Thursday, on the ship Saturday. Insides were $399 as a solo.

 

I'm watching closely and waiting to see how the deals play out this fall with the new CEO.

 

To the poster recommending Miami, the OP is from Miami so travel last minute wouldn't be a problem.

[biker@sea]

If you are willing to consider other cruise lines, you may be able to find some great last-minute deals next fall. Last fall, we were able to get a verandah cabin on 7-night Eastern Caribbean on HAL for $450-ish pp with some fairly decent OBC thrown in. (Interiors got as low as $199 pp.) At the time we were not wild about HAL (in fact, after our first HAL cruise we had said "never again"), but for those prices, we decided to risk it. As it turn out, we had a great cruise.

 

If you are looking for a deal, the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are a great time to find last-minute deals. The first couple of weeks in November are good too, but the weather can still be a little variable then. Being flexible about the embarkation port, the itinerary, and the cruise line will expand the possibilities.

 

Ya , but that was last fall .

 

Last fall NCL called Me with a 7 night NCL Boston-Quebec last minute .

 

Book an interior gty for $199 p.p. and get a midship balcony .

 

I took the deal . :D

I don't foresee that deal again . :(

Edited May 27, 2015 by biker@sea

[towel-animal]

Thanks so much for the replies. Even though the new pricing is discouraging I guess I can see the logic. It's a shame solo travelers always feel changes like this the worst though.

 

My last cruise from March 2014 on the Epic, I got an incredible deal. Booked a studio for around $600 plus $150 in OBC, and later ended up paying just $5 for an upgrade to an AFT balcony! I told myself then that would probably never happen again, and it looks like it won't :(

[biker@sea]

Thanks so much for the replies. Even though the new pricing is discouraging I guess I can see the logic. It's a shame solo travelers always feel changes like this the worst though.

 

My last cruise from March 2014 on the Epic, I got an incredible deal. Booked a studio for around $600 plus $150 in OBC, and later ended up paying just $5 for an upgrade to an AFT balcony! I told myself then that would probably never happen again, and it looks like it won't :(

 

Keep on looking .

 

I check day and night .

 

Found one the night before it sailed that slashed its price in Half . :D

 

I booked and sailed in 12 hr's .:)

[polySeraph]

Ya , but that was last fall .

 

Last fall NCL called Me with a 7 night NCL Boston-Quebec last minute .

 

Book an interior gty for $199 p.p. and get a midship balcony .

 

I took the deal . :D

I don't foresee that deal again . :(

 

Fair enough. The last-minute deals vary from year to year. Last year was the best year for last-minute deals that I've seen since 2008. Quite possibly the prices won't drop as steeply this year as they did last year. We'll know in October.

 

In any case, we've often found the best deals to be for the week following Thanksgiving. We regularly schedule vacation for that week and then watch prices. If cruise prices remain high, we'll head off to Disney or Key West, instead.

 

This year we departed from our usual practice and went ahead and booked our fall cruise. We wanted to do the Southern Caribbean and there weren't that many ships doing that itinerary - so not as many cabins needing to be filled and therefore, not as much competition.

[NLH Arizona]

If the ships are filling to their needed capacity, they don't need to offer those huge discounts.

[pnm655]

I see FDR is also letting ships sail with empty cabins rather than cut the price at the last minute to fill the ship. Sheenan's strategy was to fill every cabin.

 

FDR thinks that by not offering last minute deals the captive customer will be retrained to book sooner. He alluded to this thinking on the investor conference call. At one point he mentioned he wants to offer the best deal a year before sailing. The key issue is whether or not the bargain hunter customer will roll over and pay more or will go elsewhere. Other companies have tried and almost always fail.

 

Some of us can't book that far out. We typically book two weeks or less before sailing because I don't know if I will be free for a week any sooner.

 

We are thinking of booking the June New England/Canada cruise if the price drops a bit more. There have been a few deals. The 12 Grand Med was $350 for an IX in April. The May 1st and 8th Dawn Bermuda was around $370 for an IX. The one way Vancouver to Seward Sun cruise is cheap right now.

[luv2cruisecats]

Celebrity has been at this "free perk" game about a year longer than NCL. They still manage to pretty much sell out a cruise (especially domestic out of South FL) by offering last minute "hot deals" that do not include any perks. This way they manage to sell empty cabins and not alienate the early bookers who are paying higher fares but most with multiple perks so they remain happy. These fares are typically offered only within the last 75 day booking window.

 

Just give it some time and I wager you will see this...Celebrity will be the role model. No cruise line wants to sail with too many empty cabins.

[7leagueboots]

If you are willing to consider other cruise lines, you may be able to find some great last-minute deals next fall. Last fall, we were able to get a verandah cabin on 7-night Eastern Caribbean on HAL for $450-ish pp with some fairly decent OBC thrown in. (Interiors got as low as $199 pp.) At the time we were not wild about HAL (in fact, after our first HAL cruise we had said "never again"), but for those prices, we decided to risk it. As it turn out, we had a great cruise.

 

If you are looking for a deal, the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are a great time to find last-minute deals. The first couple of weeks in November are good too, but the weather can still be a little variable then. Being flexible about the embarkation port, the itinerary, and the cruise line will expand the possibilities.

 

I agree...some of the other cruise lines are still offering last minute deals.

[fstuff1]

Celebrity has been at this "free perk" game about a year longer than NCL. They still manage to pretty much sell out a cruise (especially domestic out of South FL) by offering last minute "hot deals" that do not include any perks. This way they manage to sell empty cabins and not alienate the early bookers who are paying higher fares but most with multiple perks so they remain happy. These fares are typically offered only within the last 75 day booking window.

 

Just give it some time and I wager you will see this...Celebrity will be the role model. No cruise line wants to sail with too many empty cabins.

 

yes, that would be best of both worlds!

[don't-use-real-name]

Thanks so much for the replies. Even though the new pricing is discouraging I guess I can see the logic. It's a shame solo travelers always feel changes like this the worst though.

 

My last cruise from March 2014 on the Epic, I got an incredible deal. Booked a studio for around $600 plus $150 in OBC, and later ended up paying just $5 for an upgrade to an AFT balcony! I told myself then that would probably never happen again, and it looks like it won't :(

 

Just remember Rodney Dangerfield gets more respect than you do !

AND - SOLO almost all cruise lines will let you merrily pay double the cabin rate

with savings only on port taxes/fees and administrative costs !

The studios are nothing more than a lighted vanity closet with a murphy bed.

It is nice to plan months out in advance for the cruise of your dreams but

you must be flexible to achieve a bargain rate cabin at the last minute.

It helps to have a Travel Agent or PCC to keep you in the loop on these things !

I think for the most part that the traveling public have come to realize that

cruising is perhaps the best overall bang for the buck vacation.

Even the bare bones inside cabin has all the basics all inclusive - meals lodging

entertainment.

One can go on the cheap side as much as they want and still have a great

rewarding vacation.

But timely decisions must be made to enhance the experience - be there - be

that person - be there to get that upgrade and its perks !

[SuiteRose]

It's not just NCL... Royal Caribbean has specifically said not to expect last minute deals

 

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article19037190.html

 

I agree with the new way of thinking.. constant price changes makes people crazy... the ships are filling up for the summer and into the fall already... so I don't expect to see many "fire sales"

 

has to be better for the bottom line than tons of people seeing the price drop and calling to cancel and rebook or beg for upgrades or OBC's...

 

if you book a flight and the price drops right before you fly, you'd never think of calling and asking for a refund.. and so far this seems to be working...

Edited May 28, 2015 by SuiteRose

[NH Cruisers]

My son was upsold from a Obstructed Oceanview to a Aft Penthouse for short money yesterday for our Friday cruise. Aft Penthouse for the same price as a standard Balcony.

[biker@sea]

I see FDR is also letting ships sail with empty cabins rather than cut the price at the last minute to fill the ship. Sheenan's strategy was to fill every cabin.

 

FDR thinks that by not offering last minute deals the captive customer will be retrained to book sooner. He alluded to this thinking on the investor conference call. At one point he mentioned he wants to offer the best deal a year before sailing. The key issue is whether or not the bargain hunter customer will roll over and pay more or will go elsewhere. Other companies have tried and almost always fail. "

 

FDR will not retrain me .

I am a last minute bargain hunter , I will not pay more or go elsewhere .

 

Sometimes the only winning move is not to play the game !!

 

.

Edited May 28, 2015 by biker@sea

[jingle5616]

I check frequently with a large "vacation" online site that lists solo cruises with reduced or no single up fee. The last few weeks both NCL ships out of Seattle have had interiors in the $500 range for single occupancy. GO TO that site and find the deals. Hope this helps.....

Edited May 28, 2015 by jingle5616

[LMaxwell]

NONE of the lines have last minute deals like they did a year ago, or for that matter even like what was available December 2014/Jan 2015. I think that's done for a while.

 

We were seeing prices in the $20-25 per person, per day range, along with all kinds of OBC and "deals".

 

Now am seeing pricing in the $45-50 per person, per day range on the low end with no further incentives. Cruise pricing is up. Cheap oil puts more money into Joe and Jane Consumers pocket. More people vying for the same spaces means no need for cheap discounts.

 

I used to watch for $99 cruises (any line, any duration, any ship) and you could find $89 - $129 for any number of RCI, CCL, NCL cruises of 2-4 days. Now 4 day pricing seems to be $250-$400 on average.

[EllieinNJ]

Just check out CC's weekly cruise deal newsletter in your e-mail. This week there was not even one NCL sailing among them.

[RuthlessBoss]

NONE of the lines have last minute deals like they did a year ago, or for that matter even like what was available December 2014/Jan 2015. I think that's done for a while.

 

We were seeing prices in the $20-25 per person, per day range, along with all kinds of OBC and "deals".

 

Now am seeing pricing in the $45-50 per person, per day range on the low end with no further incentives. Cruise pricing is up. Cheap oil puts more money into Joe and Jane Consumers pocket. More people vying for the same spaces means no need for cheap discounts.

 

I used to watch for $99 cruises (any line, any duration, any ship) and you could find $89 - $129 for any number of RCI, CCL, NCL cruises of 2-4 days. Now 4 day pricing seems to be $250-$400 on average.

 

I noticed too.

 

If planning a year in advance, I'm out of that game. Much more exciting to have short term planning. (Yes, I know, some need okays from employers.)