June 2016 cruise prices

[cruiserFIN]

We (2 adults, 2 kids under 10 years) have been planning a Caribbean cruise for summer 2016. I'm shocked with the prices! We did a 7 nights cruise in Feb 2015 on Freedom of the Seas and the price for summer 2016 seems to be double the price we payed last time! Have we missed all the sales or are they still to come? Or is the summer time really that much more expensive than winter? Really can't afford to spend about 5000 dollars for a cruise plus all the costs to travel from Europe to USA.

 

We have been looking at 7 nights cruises from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral leaving on June 24th-26th. Definitely want a balcony cabin and definitely want to do it with Royal Caribbean! We could do any of the ships and any of the routes as long as they leave from Florida.

 

What would you do? Forget it? Book for the current price as it won't get any cheaper? We will be coming to USA anyway and we could check the prices daily during these 6 months but without any significant sales we just can't do the cruise this time.

[cruiserFIN]

One more thing: is it better/cheaper to book through RCL's own website or by using sites like Expedia etc.? If using for example Expedia, will we get the booking ref number to be able to log into the RLC's website to reserve tours etc.?

 

Thank you!

[spookwife]

Beginning of the school vacations in the US. Beginning of the Europe cruise season so most have left the Caribbean. And yes summer is that the expensive. Book through a third party and you lose control of the reservation. Some travel agents give a few small perks like obc or a bottle but the base fare will not vary by much if at all

[BekkaW]

As others have mentioned it's peak demand, and you're booking quite late. Best prices are usually had earlier

[Clarea]

Prices for summer cruises are unlikely to get significantly less expensive. I'd wait until the new cruises come out in the next few weeks, and book for a non-peak time.

[SonicShip]

Since the dollar is strong and the Euro is weak, this makes the cruise seem more expensive in the European market.

[Beachammo]

I know you stated you wanted to stay "Loyal to Royal" but MSC is doing a "kids sail free" promo out of FLL.

 

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Cruise-Information/Family.aspx

[cruiserFIN]

Thank you all!

 

We ended up booking with Carnival as we got a balcony cabin for less than 4000 dollars and the itinerary is actually better for us than the ones Royal Caribbean has to offer for 5000 dollars.

 

Wish we didn't have to travel during the school holidays (I teach and the kids study)!

[mcatmcat]

I never sail in June. Prices are extremely high in that month but for some reason other cruise line have huge sales

[pjnj40]

Bermuda is the only island with an exception. The prices seem little higher then my average booking per person in inside stateroom. However, in Bermuda , you are paying mostly for docking in there port since it like staying there for two day total. The day you pulled in and the half day before you leave.

[Clarea]

Thank you all!

 

We ended up booking with Carnival as we got a balcony cabin for less than 4000 dollars and the itinerary is actually better for us than the ones Royal Caribbean has to offer for 5000 dollars.

 

Wish we didn't have to travel during the school holidays (I teach and the kids study)!

Makes sense, that's a significant difference in cost.