Glad I didn't wait for a bargain....

[chemmo]

With a couple of cruises booked for 2017 we could not decide if it would be best to book one in for late Summer/Autumn 2016 or see if we could get something nearer the time at a really good price...

 

After years of being tied to specific dates this freedom seemed great...Then last October a second person half price offer came up on a cruise we quite fancied. We decided to go ahead and book, if the price dropped, then at least we had the suite we wanted...

 

Out of curiosity today I checked our cruise which now is listed in 'late offers'. Not only are there no RS left the CS which is left is significantly more than we paid for a RS!

 

I guess if you are not room faddy there must be some real offers out there but I am now so glad I didn't wait for bargain!

[Project_gal]

This matches our experience. We always book a cruise the day they are released and never seen a PH or RS go down in price. I watch weekly and only look at the CS prices if the other two categories have sold out. In those circumstances, the price for a CS usually becomes ridiculously high.

 

Even our 2018 cruise booked last December and which has not sold well [there is still one PH and 6 RS remaining], the price has risen at least twice.

Edited May 22, 2016 by Project_gal

[blizzardboy]

Our experience has been that suites on any ship with a decent itinerary sell out first, or enough sell early to hold or raise the price on the remaining suites. If there are only 6 RS on a ship, don't hold your breath for a big drop. It can happen, but it's an anomaly when it does. I always book early then set up price-drop alerts on this and other sites to let me know if there is a better deal to be had.

[NanaChar]

We are in a RS in September on Infinity. A couple of weeks, they did offer more OBC.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[blizzardboy]

Their "Best Price Guarantee" allows you a one re-faring or addition of promo items, but it appears you have to file a claim. I don't know if a TA can handle it or not. https://secure.celebritycruises.com/best-price-guarantee

[chemmo]

This matches our experience. We always book a cruise the day they are released and never seen a PH or RS go down in price. I watch weekly and only look at the CS prices if the other two categories have sold out. In those circumstances, the price for a CS usually becomes ridiculously high.

 

Even our 2018 cruise booked last December and which has not sold well [there is still one PH and 6 RS remaining], the price has risen at least twice.

 

Like you we have usually booked cruises as itineraries come out...historically because of time schedules. I genuinely thought once retired when I wanted to 'fit in' that extra cruise I would be looking at last minute deals...Doesn't look like that will be the way forward...

 

Our October 2017 cruise and March 2018 cruise (booked immediately itineries came out) both have a price promise...For those in the US who can swap and change at will this may not seem a big deal but for us this side of the pond it is a bit of reassurance if you want to book early.

Edited May 22, 2016 by chemmo

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

We always book a cruise the day they are released and never seen a PH or RS go down in price.

 

We moved from a CS to a RS once due to a drop in price of the RS.

 

Pricing is a function of whether any given class of cabin is selling well or not. On my cruise this fall, an inside is now selling for what I paid for my SS. The suites all sold out immediately. And Celebrity cancelled the two other ABC islands cruises, so this is the only one. Prices are outrageous.

 

[villauk]

This matches our experience. We always book a cruise the day they are released and never seen a PH or RS go down in price. I watch weekly and only look at the CS prices if the other two categories have sold out. In those circumstances, the price for a CS usually becomes ridiculously high.

 

Even our 2018 cruise booked last December and which has not sold well [there is still one PH and 6 RS remaining], the price has risen at least twice.

 

Here you go - the PH definitely came waaaaaayyyy down on our cruise after its initial release price :eek::

 

 

$ 18,059 2015‑05‑21 2015‑08‑14

$ 17,559 2015‑08‑15 2015‑11‑11

$ 17,359 2015‑11‑11 2015‑11‑18

$ 17,159 2015‑11‑19 2015‑11‑24

$ 17,259 2015‑11‑24 2015‑12‑01

$ 16,859 2015‑12‑01 2015‑12‑01

$ 16,509 2015‑12‑02 2015‑12‑07

$ 16,059 2015‑12‑07 2015‑12‑14

$ 15,659 2015‑12‑15 2015‑12‑29

$ 15,159 2015‑12‑29 2015‑12‑30

$ 14,559 2015‑12‑30 2016‑01‑14

$ 14,059 2016‑01‑14 2016‑01‑26

$ 13,559 2016‑01‑26 2016‑02‑03

$ 13,259 2016‑02‑03 2016‑02‑08

$ 12,959 2016‑02‑08 2016‑02‑12

$ 12,459 2016‑02‑13 2016‑02‑19

$ 11,959 2016‑02‑19 2016‑02‑22

$ 11,459 2016‑02‑25 2016‑03‑10

$ 10,959 2016‑03‑10 2016‑04‑04

$ 9,459 2016‑04‑04 2016‑04‑06

$ 8,459 2016‑04‑06 2016‑04‑08

$ 7,959 2016‑04‑08 2016‑04‑26

$ 6,959 2016‑04‑27 2016‑04‑27

$ 5,959 2016‑04‑29 2016‑05‑04

$ 4,959 2016‑05‑04 2016‑05‑13

 

Couldn't fit the last one on - finished at $4459pp ;).

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

We always book a cruise the day they are released and never seen a PH or RS go down in price.

 

We moved from a CS to a RS once due to a drop in price of the RS.

 

Pricing is a function of whether any given class of cabin is selling well or not. On my cruise this fall, an inside is now selling for what I paid for my SS. The suites all sold out immediately. And Celebrity cancelled the two other ABC islands cruises, so this is the only one. Prices are outrageous.

 

[villauk]

And a RS on S class, just to even it out :).

 

 

$ 9,299 2015‑12‑01 2016‑01‑20

$ 8,899 2016‑01‑20 2016‑02‑04

$ 8,399 2016‑02‑04 2016‑02‑10

$ 7,999 2016‑02‑11 2016‑03‑03

$ 7,599 2016‑03‑03 2016‑03‑11

$ 7,199 2016‑03‑11 2016‑03‑18

$ 6,699 2016‑03‑18 2016‑05‑18

 

As Happy Cruiser states, they can fluctuate greatly, irrespective of the category.

[iancal]

We are retired. We generally like 12-18 day cruises. No problem with two cruises but we like a week or so in between.

 

We always book a balcony-often a gty. Not fussy as long as we are on a good ship and have a balcony. Usually we book inside the final payment window.

Cruises are usually part of a longer vacation for us. The price has to be right.

 

This Sept/Oct we plan to be in Southern Europe-probably Greece or Spain. We plan to build in a cruise, or perhaps two. But will have a alternate land plan. Based on what we have seen this spring we do not anticipate finding a good offer on a Med cruise this year. And if we are really lucky we might score a Baltic cruise on our way.....but we would have to be very lucky.

 

We have been doing this for a number of years now. Our open schedule permits this type of travel. It has been very rewarding-financially and otherwise. We have met many people who travel in the same fashion. It makes our travel budget stretch to five or six months a year.

Edited May 22, 2016 by iancal

[jagoffee]

Here you go - the PH definitely came waaaaaayyyy down on our cruise after its initial release price :eek::

 

 

$ 18,059 2015‑05‑21 2015‑08‑14

$ 17,559 2015‑08‑15 2015‑11‑11

$ 17,359 2015‑11‑11 2015‑11‑18

$ 17,159 2015‑11‑19 2015‑11‑24

$ 17,259 2015‑11‑24 2015‑12‑01

$ 16,859 2015‑12‑01 2015‑12‑01

$ 16,509 2015‑12‑02 2015‑12‑07

$ 16,059 2015‑12‑07 2015‑12‑14

$ 15,659 2015‑12‑15 2015‑12‑29

$ 15,159 2015‑12‑29 2015‑12‑30

$ 14,559 2015‑12‑30 2016‑01‑14

$ 14,059 2016‑01‑14 2016‑01‑26

$ 13,559 2016‑01‑26 2016‑02‑03

$ 13,259 2016‑02‑03 2016‑02‑08

$ 12,959 2016‑02‑08 2016‑02‑12

$ 12,459 2016‑02‑13 2016‑02‑19

$ 11,959 2016‑02‑19 2016‑02‑22

$ 11,459 2016‑02‑25 2016‑03‑10

$ 10,959 2016‑03‑10 2016‑04‑04

$ 9,459 2016‑04‑04 2016‑04‑06

$ 8,459 2016‑04‑06 2016‑04‑08

$ 7,959 2016‑04‑08 2016‑04‑26

$ 6,959 2016‑04‑27 2016‑04‑27

$ 5,959 2016‑04‑29 2016‑05‑04

$ 4,959 2016‑05‑04 2016‑05‑13

 

Couldn't fit the last one on - finished at $4459pp ;).

 

And a RS on S class, just to even it out :).

 

 

$ 9,299 2015‑12‑01 2016‑01‑20

$ 8,899 2016‑01‑20 2016‑02‑04

$ 8,399 2016‑02‑04 2016‑02‑10

$ 7,999 2016‑02‑11 2016‑03‑03

$ 7,599 2016‑03‑03 2016‑03‑11

$ 7,199 2016‑03‑11 2016‑03‑18

$ 6,699 2016‑03‑18 2016‑05‑18

 

As Happy Cruiser states, they can fluctuate greatly, irrespective of the category.

 

Interesting. Are all thes prices for the same cruise? If yes which cruise?

 

Thanks

[villauk]

Interesting. Are all thes prices for the same cruise? If yes which cruise?

 

Thanks

 

Different cruises. First is the Connie cruise we are on this August - more or less sold out now. The other is a Reflection Med cruise, also this August for comparison with a S class ship ;).

 

RSs for our Connie cruise went like this:

 

 

$ 11,769 2015‑05‑21 2015‑07‑14

$ 11,019 2015‑07‑14 2015‑08‑14

$ 10,669 2015‑08‑15 2015‑11‑11

$ 10,469 2015‑11‑11 2015‑11‑18

$ 10,269 2015‑11‑19 2015‑11‑24

$ 10,369 2015‑11‑24 2015‑12‑01

$ 9,969 2015‑12‑01 2015‑12‑01

$ 9,619 2015‑12‑02 2015‑12‑07

$ 9,169 2015‑12‑07 2015‑12‑14

$ 8,769 2015‑12‑15 2015‑12‑29

$ 8,269 2015‑12‑29 2015‑12‑30

$ 7,769 2015‑12‑30 2016‑01‑14

$ 7,469 2016‑01‑14 2016‑01‑26

$ 7,169 2016‑01‑26 2016‑02‑03

$ 6,869 2016‑02‑03 2016‑02‑08

$ 6,569 2016‑02‑08 2016‑02‑12

$ 6,269 2016‑02‑13 2016‑02‑19

$ 5,769 2016‑02‑19 2016‑02‑22

$ 5,469 2016‑02‑25 2016‑03‑10

$ 4,969 2016‑03‑10 2016‑04‑08

$ 4,469 2016‑04‑08 2016‑04‑25

$ 4,969 2016‑04‑25 2016‑04‑26

$ 3,969 2016‑04‑27 2016‑04‑27

$ 3,619 2016‑04‑29 2016‑05‑04

$ 3,319 2016‑05‑04 2016‑05‑13

 

Actually finished at $2969pp

 

Considered upgrading to the RS, but didn't want to go to only having 1 bathroom for our family when currently we have 2 (2 separate cabins). Additionally, didn't really want to give up the C1 aft view. Only the PH was tempting :).

[CHEZMARYLOU]

The UK definitely has weird pricing. According to a popular site for the Constellation Cruise the RS started at $7599 pp when released in November 2017, briefly decreased to $7499 and is back to $7599. Similar for PH, $11,599, $11499 for a few days and back up to $11,599. Maybe we should start using UK booking agents.

[chemmo]

The UK definitely has weird pricing. According to a popular site for the Constellation Cruise the RS started at $7599 pp when released in November 2017, briefly decreased to $7499 and is back to $7599. Similar for PH, $11,599, $11499 for a few days and back up to $11,599. Maybe we should start using UK booking agents.

 

Remember our ability to change, cancel cruises if different to that in the US.....

[iancal]

We live in Canada.

 

We booked our RCI Australian cruise in Australia last year. It was considerably less expensive than booking the same cruise in North America.

 

My sister booked a Baltic cruise in UK last year. Same reason.

 

It pays to shop around.

Edited May 22, 2016 by iancal

[villauk]

The UK definitely has weird pricing. According to a popular site for the Constellation Cruise the RS started at $7599 pp when released in November 2017, briefly decreased to $7499 and is back to $7599. Similar for PH, $11,599, $11499 for a few days and back up to $11,599. Maybe we should start using UK booking agents.

 

If you are referring to my post, I don't use the UK site, I use the fishy site to monitor as I book in the US. Unsure if you are looking at the correct sailing - we're not even in 2017 yet and the RS sold out just before final payment (we sail this August) :confused:? I can definitely confirm that's what the prices went down to as I was contemplating upgrading ;).

Edited May 22, 2016 by villauk

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Remember our ability to change, cancel cruises if different to that in the US.....

 

After 14 completed cruises and 3 pending I've only made changes twice. At the prices quoted I could live with the original booking, or give up the deposit, especially with a last minute booking for a Caribbean cruise. :D

Edited May 22, 2016 by CHEZMARYLOU

[chemmo]

After 14 completed cruises and 3 pending I've only made changes twice. At the prices quoted I could live with the original booking, or give up the deposit, especially with a last minute booking for a Caribbean cruise. :D

 

I think with reference to bookings we tend to think the 'other side of the pond' is greener!

 

Our philosophy has always been if we book at a price we are happy with we can live with it....even if we know others may have paid less for same cruise, same room...

 

Within Europe there can always also be a 'sting' for last minute flights...so if you do get lucky and find a 'cheap' cruise from Athens, Rome, Barcelona....then you try to book a flight from the UK and struggle.....and the flight is so much more than if you booked it months ago and now it isn't direct you need to change in Paris, Frankfurt, Milan....

 

Just glad on this occasion I really feel we have had a good deal! Also so glad no flights! Our first ever cruise without flying!

[LabGuy64]

Family considerations can be a bit of a pain when you have a chance at a bargain like that. The perks are VERY sweet in RS not to mention the bigger cabin. I really love the PH on the S class ships.....I only wish Celebrity put the M class PH balcony on the S class ships.

 

 

Different cruises. First is the Connie cruise we are on this August - more or less sold out now. The other is a Reflection Med cruise, also this August for comparison with a S class ship ;).

 

RSs for our Connie cruise went like this:

 

 

$ 11,769 2015‑05‑21 2015‑07‑14

$ 11,019 2015‑07‑14 2015‑08‑14

$ 10,669 2015‑08‑15 2015‑11‑11

$ 10,469 2015‑11‑11 2015‑11‑18

$ 10,269 2015‑11‑19 2015‑11‑24

$ 10,369 2015‑11‑24 2015‑12‑01

$ 9,969 2015‑12‑01 2015‑12‑01

$ 9,619 2015‑12‑02 2015‑12‑07

$ 9,169 2015‑12‑07 2015‑12‑14

$ 8,769 2015‑12‑15 2015‑12‑29

$ 8,269 2015‑12‑29 2015‑12‑30

$ 7,769 2015‑12‑30 2016‑01‑14

$ 7,469 2016‑01‑14 2016‑01‑26

$ 7,169 2016‑01‑26 2016‑02‑03

$ 6,869 2016‑02‑03 2016‑02‑08

$ 6,569 2016‑02‑08 2016‑02‑12

$ 6,269 2016‑02‑13 2016‑02‑19

$ 5,769 2016‑02‑19 2016‑02‑22

$ 5,469 2016‑02‑25 2016‑03‑10

$ 4,969 2016‑03‑10 2016‑04‑08

$ 4,469 2016‑04‑08 2016‑04‑25

$ 4,969 2016‑04‑25 2016‑04‑26

$ 3,969 2016‑04‑27 2016‑04‑27

$ 3,619 2016‑04‑29 2016‑05‑04

$ 3,319 2016‑05‑04 2016‑05‑13

 

Actually finished at $2969pp

 

Considered upgrading to the RS, but didn't want to go to only having 1 bathroom for our family when currently we have 2 (2 separate cabins). Additionally, didn't really want to give up the C1 aft view. Only the PH was tempting :).

[jagoffee]

Different cruises. First is the Connie cruise we are on this August - more or less sold out now. The other is a Reflection Med cruise, also this August for comparison with a S class ship ;).

 

RSs for our Connie cruise went like this:

 

 

$ 11,769 2015‑05‑21 2015‑07‑14

$ 11,019 2015‑07‑14 2015‑08‑14

$ 10,669 2015‑08‑15 2015‑11‑11

$ 10,469 2015‑11‑11 2015‑11‑18

$ 10,269 2015‑11‑19 2015‑11‑24

$ 10,369 2015‑11‑24 2015‑12‑01

$ 9,969 2015‑12‑01 2015‑12‑01

$ 9,619 2015‑12‑02 2015‑12‑07

$ 9,169 2015‑12‑07 2015‑12‑14

$ 8,769 2015‑12‑15 2015‑12‑29

$ 8,269 2015‑12‑29 2015‑12‑30

$ 7,769 2015‑12‑30 2016‑01‑14

$ 7,469 2016‑01‑14 2016‑01‑26

$ 7,169 2016‑01‑26 2016‑02‑03

$ 6,869 2016‑02‑03 2016‑02‑08

$ 6,569 2016‑02‑08 2016‑02‑12

$ 6,269 2016‑02‑13 2016‑02‑19

$ 5,769 2016‑02‑19 2016‑02‑22

$ 5,469 2016‑02‑25 2016‑03‑10

$ 4,969 2016‑03‑10 2016‑04‑08

$ 4,469 2016‑04‑08 2016‑04‑25

$ 4,969 2016‑04‑25 2016‑04‑26

$ 3,969 2016‑04‑27 2016‑04‑27

$ 3,619 2016‑04‑29 2016‑05‑04

$ 3,319 2016‑05‑04 2016‑05‑13

 

Actually finished at $2969pp

 

Considered upgrading to the RS, but didn't want to go to only having 1 bathroom for our family when currently we have 2 (2 separate cabins). Additionally, didn't really want to give up the C1 aft view. Only the PH was tempting :).

 

Thank you.

[Muushka]

With a couple of cruises booked for 2017 we could not decide if it would be best to book one in for late Summer/Autumn 2016 or see if we could get something nearer the time at a really good price...

 

After years of being tied to specific dates this freedom seemed great...Then last October a second person half price offer came up on a cruise we quite fancied. We decided to go ahead and book, if the price dropped, then at least we had the suite we wanted...

 

Out of curiosity today I checked our cruise which now is listed in 'late offers'. Not only are there no RS left the CS which is left is significantly more than we paid for a RS!

 

I guess if you are not room faddy there must be some real offers out there but I am now so glad I didn't wait for bargain!

 

Ah, music to my ears. So, X will offer buy one get one at half price on Royal Suites?

We are eyeing one in Nov, 2017, hoping that this would be an option. Thank you!

[Project_gal]

The UK definitely has weird pricing. According to a popular site for the Constellation Cruise the RS started at $7599 pp when released in November 2017, briefly decreased to $7499 and is back to $7599. Similar for PH, $11,599, $11499 for a few days and back up to $11,599. Maybe we should start using UK booking agents.

 

You have to remember that the UK prices vary with exchange rate as well as demand. As I watch the FX rate daily and cruise prices weekly, I can say that UK prices do not fluctuate with FX [i.e. they change by small amounts when US prices are not changing] that frequently but seem to be doing so more often than they used. For our 2018 cruise, the price increase on the PH was £1 per person at one point - so I do not think that a human was involved!

 

If you are looking at UK prices converted to US dollars, there is then a second exchange rate fluctuation involved. The prices are going to seem really weird.

[Project_gal]

Ah, music to my ears. So, X will offer buy one get one at half price on Royal Suites?

We are eyeing one in Nov, 2017, hoping that this would be an option. Thank you!

 

I am not sure but I think that this is a UK/European way of pricing. I cannot recall seeing any mentions on Cruise Critic of this type of pricing in the US - but, as usual, I may be wrong and am sure I will be told if I| am.

 

Do not be deceived, second person half price [rather than buy one RS get a second half price] is not usually a genuine bargain. Baseline prices are usually adjusted accordingly. It is just a pricing strategy that: 1 looks attractive and 2 makes price comparisons difficult.

[jael001]

I managed to get a price reduction here in the UK (losing my original deposit) on a standard balcony cabin when the 2nd passenger at half price deal was on, which saved me almost £1000 for the 2 of us (around $1400), even after losing my original deposit. I keep comparing current deals but none have worked out better than that one.

Edited May 23, 2016 by jael001