Pride of America - Pricing Experience

[news_watch]

My wife and I have decided to do the 7 day Pride of America in April 2016.

I have read a number of posts that indicate pricing can drop appreciably nearer departure date.

We have flights booked using miles, so the week is set.

How should I navigate to get better pricing?

I'm not necessarily looking for rock bottom pricing, but something less than full retail, and early enough we are not at the back of the ship.

 

Anyone have some suggestions, prior experience to share?

 

Thanks,

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[Budget Queen]

It depends when in April? IF at all part of holidays or spring breaks, won't likely have the drops, that you have early Nov or early Dec as example. The late bookings for Hawaii, are frequently less than 30 days prior. You can NOT be picky about any cabins at that point. IF you won't accept certain cabins- (with your "back of ship" reference) then this type of booking is not for you.

 

With FF miles- you can redeposit them can't you?

 

IF you are firm on the date and not open to not going, then booking now is your best bet. Then keeping track of pricing trends up to final payment. If you use an agent, Book with an agent- that has no or low cancellation fees. In case they won't price match, then you can decide if you want to cancel and rebook in a hurry. Again, not being attached to any cabin.

 

Otherwise, POA cruises are usually way up there in price. Supply is far less than demand. I've picked up the $899 late deals a few times, and never would consider those prices for any other location. :) It is well worth it for me, the itinerary is just superb.

[FranknBeans]

We have done this cruise numerous times, Oct/Jan/Feb all B2B. Our experience in prices (peak season) has always increased far north from what we book at a year out, have seen anywhere from 500 to $800 PP increase.

We are booked for Jan 2017 again b2b and the price we locked in at was $1k pp cheaper than 2012.

Plus we got the free dinner pkg on promo which was actually as mistake and should have been offered for this cruise.

Presently our price has increased but $200 pp since we booked last March.

We book early because we have no personal limitations plus we are set on certain aft cabin for this cruise.

 

A cruise like this or Europe, South America I chart prices for the current year verses the following year, but again this is all peak season time.

 

As for the Hawaii cruise NCL is the only cruise line doing this cruise plus its an American flagged shipped which means unionized employees at Us rates and NO casino which also makes for higher pricing.

 

As for April you should be able to score something close to last minute. We have done one guarantee booking but was not happy so would never do that again and that was on the Pearl.

The other thing to look at is booking and follow the pricing, you can always cancel and re book before cancellation deadline.

[punkincc]

We booked our 2014 POA cruise about 18 months in advance to lock in the lowest possible price. We thought that should a price drop occur prior to final we could always rebook for the lower price. If not, we had the cabin of our choice, ( an aft facing one;) ). Our price over the 18 months never dropped below what we had paid 18 months prior.

 

We are again booked on the POA for March 2016. We only booked this past July, but our cabin price has increased in 4 months by over $2,000.

 

I wish you luck.

[FranknBeans]

We booked our 2014 POA cruise about 18 months in advance to lock in the lowest possible price. We thought that should a price drop occur prior to final we could always rebook for the lower price. If not, we had the cabin of our choice, ( an aft facing one;) ). Our price over the 18 months never dropped below what we had paid 18 months prior.

 

We are again booked on the POA for March 2016. We only booked this past July, but our cabin price has increased in 4 months by over $2,000.

 

I wish you luck.

 

 

Nice going. Great feeling to see huge increase.

[Budget Queen]

With the high change amounts I'll speculate these are costly cabins to begin with? Not insides? It would be more helpful, to mention the type of cabin booked and the costs- with booking ahead and perhaps what it is now?

 

I'm an inside cruisers, and don't care one bit about the cabin. As I mentioned, I've picked up the $899 last minute deals. It's tough to find insides even $1000pp booked ahead.

 

I don't see much of value comparing costs a year ago. They aren't predictable. I spend at least 4 weeks, every year in Hawaii, last year 6. I've found when you first think about it- if you aren't flexible= booking then is likely to be the better rate with NCL POA.

[FranknBeans]

With the high change amounts I'll speculate these are costly cabins to begin with? Not insides? It would be more helpful, to mention the type of cabin booked and the costs- with booking ahead and perhaps what it is now?

 

I'm an inside cruisers, and don't care one bit about the cabin. As I mentioned, I've picked up the $899 last minute deals. It's tough to find insides even $1000pp booked ahead.

 

I don't see much of value comparing costs a year ago. They aren't predictable. I spend at least 4 weeks, every year in Hawaii, last year 6. I've found when you first think about it- if you aren't flexible= booking then is likely to be the better rate with NCL POA.

 

I disagree. Yes if your willing to pick from the unwanted cabins so be it.

But this cruise is one of the few with little price fluctuation due to Hawaii really not being a seasonal cruise like the Caribbean is.

 

For us its always an aft cabin, no suite on this cruise because the cruise is just too port intensive.

[Budget Queen]

I disagree. Yes if your willing to pick from the unwanted cabins so be it.

But this cruise is one of the few with little price fluctuation due to Hawaii really not being a seasonal cruise like the Caribbean is.

 

For us its always an aft cabin, no suite on this cruise because the cruise is just too port intensive.

 

What cabin category? There are several that are "aft" including inside. Are you paying $899 booked ahead? I haven't seen those rates in several years.

[punkincc]

With the high change amounts I'll speculate these are costly cabins to begin with? Not insides? It would be more helpful, to mention the type of cabin booked and the costs- with booking ahead and perhaps what it is now?

 

I'm an inside cruisers, and don't care one bit about the cabin. As I mentioned, I've picked up the $899 last minute deals. It's tough to find insides even $1000pp booked ahead.

 

I don't see much of value comparing costs a year ago. They aren't predictable. I spend at least 4 weeks, every year in Hawaii, last year 6. I've found when you first think about it- if you aren't flexible= booking then is likely to be the better rate with NCL POA.

 

 

This March cruise is an 11 night 'one of' repo after dry dock from SFO back to Hawaii. Initial offerings were at rock bottom prices. We booked 11 nights in an SG suite for basically what we paid for an aft facing balcony in 2014. The cruise disappeared from the website for a while, and when it returned recently, prices had gone up significantly. It was a one time opportunity to have 11 nights in a suite in Hawaii I'm sure we'll never see again. If we are lucky enough to go again, it will likely be in an inside cabin.

 

IMO, it is very difficult to take advantage of price drops for POA unless you have booked in advance and then watch prices. Booking last minute airfare from the mainland just is not prwctical, and what you saved on the last minute cabin you would lose on the higher priced flight. And sometimes, the price drops never come. Sometimes prices only go up. Better to book ahead and hope for the best. If a drop comes, great. If not, you have your cabin.

Edited November 15, 2015 by punkincc

[Silver Sweethearts]

With the high change amounts I'll speculate these are costly cabins to begin with? Not insides? It would be more helpful, to mention the type of cabin booked and the costs- with booking ahead and perhaps what it is now?

 

I'm an inside cruisers, and don't care one bit about the cabin. As I mentioned, I've picked up the $899 last minute deals. It's tough to find insides even $1000pp booked ahead.

 

Just checking the NCL website now, the January 9-16, 2016 POA cruise offers an inside guarantee for $599. with - so it says - a few perks. If someone is not picky at all and can live with a guarantee idea, that could be quite a deal.

[EllieinNJ]

That really is a great deal, if someone could go last minute.

 

I started to look at prices in Sept. 2013 for my May 2014 POA cruise. At that time, NCL"s price was $1500 pp for an inside guarantee. Some of the online TA's were offering block rooms at $1099 pp with additional OBC so we booked with one. Two weeks before sailing, the price came down to $899 so we were able to upgrade to an obstructed oceanview for free. But I hear you cannot do this anymore for sailings less than 30 days out.

[Budget Queen]

Just checking the NCL website now, the January 9-16, 2016 POA cruise offers an inside guarantee for $599. with - so it says - a few perks. If someone is not picky at all and can live with a guarantee idea, that could be quite a deal.

 

That's a GREAT deal, I've seen a few of those, but not very often. I'm going to look at it, since I always go in January anyway. :) I just about always book guarantees. I don't care what cabin I get.

 

 

I just did a look, and the price is $899??? No $599 in sight. Are you looking at a quad cabin?

[Budget Queen]

 

IMO, it is very difficult to take advantage of price drops for POA unless you have booked in advance and then watch prices. Booking last minute airfare from the mainland just is not prwctical, and what you saved on the last minute cabin you would lose on the higher priced flight. And sometimes, the price drops never come. Sometimes prices only go up. Better to book ahead and hope for the best. If a drop comes, great. If not, you have your cabin.

 

I don't pay for air. So works perfectly in my case.

[Budget Queen]

Two weeks before sailing, the price came down to $899 so we were able to upgrade to an obstructed oceanview for free. But I hear you cannot do this anymore for sailings less than 30 days out.

 

I've heard that as well. But am waiting to make sure it isn't a run away rumor. :)

[Silver Sweethearts]

That's a GREAT deal, I've seen a few of those, but not very often. I'm going to look at it, since I always go in January anyway. :) I just about always book guarantees. I don't care what cabin I get.

 

 

I just did a look, and the price is $899??? No $599 in sight. Are you looking at a quad cabin?

 

Our mistake here. When the website asked what state we live in we indicated Hawaii. That apparently qualified us for a resident rate ($599. in this case).

[Budget Queen]

Our mistake here. When the website asked what state we live in we indicated Hawaii. That apparently qualified us for a resident rate ($599. in this case).

 

I just went to the first page, going further, the $599 rate is coming up, :) I think I'll book it. :)

[Cabin99]

we booked just 4 weeks out - balcony cabin $799 plus $100 cruise credit. we took it then upgraded to a penthouse suite the next day for $1900pp - Deck 13room 13504 - with all the suite perks. We cruise this Saturday.

[Merriem]

This March cruise is an 11 night 'one of' repo after dry dock from SFO back to Hawaii. Initial offerings were at rock bottom prices. We booked 11 nights in an SG suite for basically what we paid for an aft facing balcony in 2014. The cruise disappeared from the website for a while, and when it returned recently, prices had gone up significantly. It was a one time opportunity to have 11 nights in a suite in Hawaii I'm sure we'll never see again. If we are lucky enough to go again, it will likely be in an inside cabin.

 

IMO, it is very difficult to take advantage of price drops for POA unless you have booked in advance and then watch prices. Booking last minute airfare from the mainland just is not prwctical, and what you saved on the last minute cabin you would lose on the higher priced flight. And sometimes, the price drops never come. Sometimes prices only go up. Better to book ahead and hope for the best. If a drop comes, great. If not, you have your cabin.

 

I booked an SG on that same great deal! For the two Of us it was just $5000. I did look at the prices and wow, did they go up. I vote for book what you will be satisfied with, as prices on nice cabins rarely go down.

[tempus137]

We're sailing on the POA next month. We initially booked one of the large balcony cabins last January, then rebooked at a lower rate in February. Since then, the rate has only gone up! Even the balcony GTY is more than what we paid.

Edited November 16, 2015 by tempus137

[Budget Queen]

I booked an SG on that same great deal! For the two Of us it was just $5000. I did look at the prices and wow, did they go up. I vote for book what you will be satisfied with, as prices on nice cabins rarely go down.

 

I just paid less than $1500. :) REAL nice there is something for everyone, isn't there? The cabins have never been important to me.

 

This itinerary is so port intensive, I am off the ship every day with a rental car, something I really enjoy about this ideal itinerary.

[rudyandtim]

Well here's my experience...booked POA in Jul 14 for Jan 15. I'm told it is the height of the tourist season so we paid around $1500 for an inside cabin. I religiously checked the price everyday to see if it went down....must go down prior to final payment to get the refund, never did. Three days after I made my final payment went down $300 and then later $500...that really hurt. Then the balcony price dropped lower than the inside cabin so I called and asked if I could at least get a balcony and they did allow me to trade for balcony! I still probably overpaid but I'm very excited, I would have never splurged for a balcony....what I learned, it never hurts to ask!

[gwsster]

I agree, I booked last March for an April 2016 cruise. I found one price drop 3 weeks after booking and grabbed it risking a 1 minute chance of losing the OS....didn't!. Saved $2000.00 + on an OS. This ended up being less expensive for 4 than 2 balcony cabins. Woot. I have been checking since then and the prices went back up the next day to the original booking price and have not dropped to the price I paid. I think at 100 days out people cancelling cruises might lead to more cabin availability, but not necessarily a lower price.

Have fun, I can't wait to sail on this trip, I am going to need a vacation by April.

 

 

We booked our 2014 POA cruise about 18 months in advance to lock in the lowest possible price. We thought that should a price drop occur prior to final we could always rebook for the lower price. If not, we had the cabin of our choice, ( an aft facing one;) ). Our price over the 18 months never dropped below what we had paid 18 months prior.

 

We are again booked on the POA for March 2016. We only booked this past July, but our cabin price has increased in 4 months by over $2,000.

 

I wish you luck.

[CrzRani]

My wife and I have decided to do the 7 day Pride of America in April 2016.

I have read a number of posts that indicate pricing can drop appreciably nearer departure date.

We have flights booked using miles, so the week is set.

How should I navigate to get better pricing?

I'm not necessarily looking for rock bottom pricing, but something less than full retail, and early enough we are not at the back of the ship.

News_watch

 

I'm in the same boat (no pun intended). I've been trending this cruise for a year and half and have seen a roller coaster ride in pricing. We are set for May 14-21 since the airfare has already been purchased, but I'm waiting for the last minute deal, as I've seen in the past. We are not picky about the room, since it is such a port intensive cruise; room time will be minimal.

 

I guess it'll be a toss up if we do get a deal at the last minute (about 4-6 weeks prior), so here is hoping. Come on $599 w/ OBC!!!

Edited January 5, 2016 by CrzRani