Lack of deals right now and pricing higher than normal?

[chriscec2012]

Just wondering if I am missing something. We typically take one cruise per year on carnival in November. For the past 4-5 years the rates have been awesome and a no brainer, this year the rates are much higher and the only Vifp deal currently I have is past guest, there is no casino deals or anything. Very strange. Is there a method to this and I should wait and see what pops up in the next few weeks or just go ahead and book a all inclusive vacation elsewhere? I got in on a pack and play deal last year and went super cheap.

[rok233]

I'd go ahead and book an AI resort. The rates have been much higher this year than any in recent memory. It used to be awesome when it wasn't hard to find cruises for $250-$300pp for a 7 day but I don't see that happening again anytime soon. The 3 and 4 day cruises this year are as much or more than I've paid for 7 day cruises in the past.

 

I used to cruise 3-4 times a year and not even think about an AI but that has changed! I've went on one cruise this year and 2 AI resorts. AI resorts are a much better value right now.

Edited September 1, 2015 by rok233

[burnsrod1]

They just closed out a group of deals on August 18th. Those ran for about 1 month and had a couple of great deals. We book a 7 day on the Magic for less than $450 for November. Would guess they will come back with new Casino offers in about a month.

 

 

RC Oasis of the Seas 4/12 Belize, Rotan, Cozumel

Carnival Triumph 1/13 Progresso, Cozumel

Carnival Triumph 9/13 Progresso, Cozumel

RC Oasis of the Seas 4/14 Falmouth, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

Carnival Magic 9/14 Belize, Rotan, Cozumel

Carnival Magic 2/15 Belize, Rotan, Cozumel

Carnival Magic 10/15 Cozumel, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman

[chriscec2012]

Yea I can tell someone in Miami has pushed a button and the fares have increased dramatically. I say that tongue in cheek but something has definitely happened. I'm going to give them another 3-4 weeks to see how bad they want business in hurricane season and if nothing great comes down I'll book a nice AI and leave a cruise cabin empty.

[love my grandkids]

We cruise hurricane season for great rates but this year we paid more than we have before but thought that ES would get us some obc but so far rates just keep going up.

 

Apparently they are getting strong bookings.

[blondietink]

I agree. Prices have increased and don't seem to be coming down much before cruise time for any OBC. We checked into going to Europe on the Vista because the Euro is way down and I almost fainted. When combined with airfare a Med cruise is out of our price range for sure. Then Carnival put up the shore excursions for Europe yesterday and some of the prices are outrageous, especially when you are paying for 4 people. Again, the euro is down, so why aren't the prices down, too? Combine that with the price of crude oil and prices should be down. Yes, I know the cruise lines buy on speculation in advance but I paid $2.13/gallon for gas the other day. I can't imagine how cheap that sludge they put in the fuel tanks of cruise ships are now.

 

Anyway, looks like we will be cruising less unless the beards and bean counters drop prices.

[DaytonCruiser]

No need to discount if they are filling the ships without doing so.

You might see some nice deals a week or two before the sail date

 

 

Re: Europe

you are always better off joining your roll call on private excursions in Europe. The port times are longer and lots of great independent tour operators.

Edited September 1, 2015 by DaytonCruiser

[TerReuv]

Yea I can tell someone in Miami has pushed a button and the fares have increased dramatically. I say that tongue in cheek but something has definitely happened. I'm going to give them another 3-4 weeks to see how bad they want business in hurricane season and if nothing great comes down I'll book a nice AI and leave a cruise cabin empty.

 

Our October cruise has only gone up lately. However, I have to chuckle at the above. They want business, but I can guarantee you that the cabin won't be empty. They are sailing full even with the prices going up somewhat. But, they are still usually cheaper than the other lines.

 

It might just be that crusing will go back up in cost in the next few years if the demand is there. It does happen.

[lizardhowson]

Yea I can tell someone in Miami has pushed a button and the fares have increased dramatically. I say that tongue in cheek but something has definitely happened. I'm going to give them another 3-4 weeks to see how bad they want business in hurricane season and if nothing great comes down I'll book a nice AI and leave a cruise cabin empty.

 

It's supply and demand. Carnival just can't decide to keep prices higher than in the past years, they are primarily concerned with having every ship sail full. As long as that is happening, prices will keep rising.

[TxChick]

Yes, prices are crazy right now for fall. Considering oil prices have dropped dramatically I would've thought prices would've at least stayed stable but they've increased. My Nov cruise has gone up 25% since we booked in May

Edited September 1, 2015 by TxChick

[SkyMaster]

Yep, NO DEALS FOR YOU! I too, normally book, and cruise a LOT during hurricane season, and the only deals I've seen are for the Casino Crowd. :mad: I've been watching for the last couple of months for a deal in October, or November, but NADA. Oh well, guess I'll save my money, and stay home.

 

"SKY"

[mum2bradley]

I agree. This is our 3rd time sailing the Christmas/New years time. The last 2 years I have received 3-4 price drops. Nothing this year. I also noticed excursion are way more expensive. And on top of that I am Canadian so I am paying 35% more. It definitely is our last cruise. I can go to Sandals for less than what the cruise costs.

[love my grandkids]

No need to discount if they are filling the ships without doing so.

You might see some nice deals a week or two before the sail date

 

 

Re: Europe

you are always better off joining your roll call on private excursions in Europe. The port times are longer and lots of great independent tour operators.

 

We did our first European cruise last year and prices for ship excursions were outrageous and many people thought the tours were awful.

 

our private ones were so much better and cheaper.

[Vitamin_Sea]

A good sale just ended on Saturday 8/29. Gotta wait for the next one to hit :)

[amyh13]

We have kids so we do tend to cruise at peak times (i.e. Spring Break). I see a so-so deal for next year. But what is strange to me is that the boat does not seem full at all. None of the categories has sold out and even a captains suite is available. And the ship is overdue for a dry dock and this cruise is before the dry dock. I keep waiting for the price to drop and it hasn't budged.

[CrYsTaL0722]

I booked with Casino Deals a month or so ago, I think that deal ended August 18th. You should have gotten an email that said you had deals available.

[sid_9169]

Prices are definitely up this year over last... I paid more for an inside this year in September than I paid for a balcony in June of last year... Same ship/same number of days...

[love my grandkids]

A good sale just ended on Saturday 8/29. Gotta wait for the next one to hit :)

 

Personally we find that Carnival sales are anything but a sale.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

Seems that Carnival is running in the black right now with no need to cushion their bottom line with upfront deposits for cruises that are months away. Need an influx of capital...then lower prices, get people to pay deposits for something they won't be using for 6 months to a year. If Carnival isn't hurting for funds there is no reason to lower prices at this time. They have time to see how their ships are filling at the current rates, can modify prices much closer to sailing if rooms aren't sold. People will be offered more upgrades closer to sailing for some good prices as Carnival opens up the cheap seats for late bookers.

[Vitamin_Sea]

Personally we find that Carnival sales are anything but a sale.

 

Well... I could of got a 5 day cruise for 189 during the sale.

Its back up to where it was, 259.

To me thats a sale

[rockdoctor]

Supply and demand. 2016 pricing for Great Britain, Europe, Houston and Alaska seem at or slightly below what we were seeing in 2007. In the last 7 years, I'm glad I trimmed my bucket list. I still think cruising is great value for money. Sure, you can find less expensive all-inclusive so, but you get what you pay for. Just my opinion.

 

WRT excursions, it seemed to me that the tours have been less full over the past year. I too have noticed that tour guides seem to be less professional where there is no licensing exam as in Europe. If you have a degree there are other, better paying jobs to be had.

[tbjl24]

Yep, NO DEALS FOR YOU! I too, normally book, and cruise a LOT during hurricane season, and the only deals I've seen are for the Casino Crowd. :mad: I've been watching for the last couple of months for a deal in October, or November, but NADA. Oh well, guess I'll save my money, and stay home.

 

"SKY"

 

There is a definite shift in how Carnival is choosing to fill its ships. Seems the hugely discounted rates are only going to those Carnival knows will spend time in the casino.

 

It stinks cause I don't sail Carnival just to spend hours each night in the casino....

Edited September 1, 2015 by tbjl24

[Vitamin_Sea]

Supply and demand. .

 

Its all about supply and demand. They will push sales to the cruises not selling well at the current prices.

[tandemcruzr]

We've gotten price drops of $120 on our Nov Valor cruise; $160 on our Sunshine Jan cruise and $160 on our Jan 2017 Magic cruise. :)

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

There is a definite shift in how Carnival is choosing to fill its ships. Seems the hugely discounted rates are only going to those Carnival knows will spend time in the casino.

 

It stinks cause I don't sail Carnival just to spend hours each night in the casino....

 

The market is good right now so there is no need for Carnival to fill its ships with cruisers who buy the underpriced cheap seats and then spend nothing on board.