Just jumped ship (again) over to Princess

[triptolemus]

DW and I were looking at Alaska 2017. She wants to see Tracy Arm again.

 

SF aft PH suite on NCL Jewel, $3300 (with usual perks). It's worth noting that I once paid $1749 for the same thing just a couple of years ago.

 

VS aft suite on Princess, $2049 (no perks, but free beverage package sale starts 6/21, will rebook with that).

 

The suite experience between the two lines is a little different. I'm reading a bit about some of the differences, but it is a give and take to be sure. No butler on Princess for example, but Princess has full breakfast/lunch/dinner served in suite. Free access to thermal suites in Lotus Spa on Princess... Distinctive Keycard on NCL. No concierge on Princess... but VIP line at Guest Services.

 

I love the NCL suite life and I love cruising NCL in Alaska, but the financials are starting to make sense less and less. We shall see...

[All-ready2cruise]

Well, you're not alone as far as "jumping ship" goes. Hopefully you'll have a great cruise and come back to NCL refreshed and ready for another round of "What's FDR doing this week?"

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[triptolemus]

Thanks.

 

There's an NCL Jewel trip prior to the Princess one above. And a Princess one coming up here very soon.

 

I have been to Alaska on NCL numerous times and I imagine there are some significant differences between NCL and PCL. But I simply cannot believe that it's $1250 pp worth of difference.

 

NCL needs to re-evaluate, in my opinion. They seem way off the mark. $3300 maybe... if they updated the suites. But they're still stuck in some weird timewarp with mind-jarring color schemes and dated furnishings.

[All-ready2cruise]

I'm afraid FDR has forgotten that there are a few (hahaha) other cruise lines out there that are far superior when compared to NCL. We've been happy with NCL but lately, wow, the prices have just blown us out of the cruising mood so.... I looked around.

 

I'm very excited about our cruise on MSC in 2018. Scariest part for me is the size of the ship. :eek: And it means formal ware too :eek: :p Should be fun, really.

[triptolemus]

Formal nights are not our thing either. We're doing a 10 Day Alaska on Princess leaving from our home port, San Francisco. So I don't mind schlepping extra clothes since I'm not flying anywhere.

 

But for the 7 day Alaska leaving from Seattle... there's enough extra stuff to carry so I'm not really looking forward to lugging along formalwear. We'll probably just skip formal nights and hit the bar instead... :cool: Who the hell wants a suit and tie in Alaska???

Edited June 18, 2016 by triptolemus

[mafig]

[quote=triptolemus;5028208

 

SF aft PH suite on NCL Jewel, $3300 (with usual perks). It's worth noting that I once paid $1749 for the same thing just a couple of years ago.

 

 

I thought it was just me. I haven't been on NCL in a few years and I've been looking and looking at suite prices and I know I didn't pay that much a few years back.:confused:

[txagfan]

Well...bye.

[bonvoyagie]

Cruised AK on the Pearl in 12 - SF suites were around 3200 pp.

 

Cruising New England in a few months - SC 2bdr family suite 3300 pp for 7 days - double for 14 days - booked in 2014.

[triptolemus]

Cruised AK on the Pearl in 12 - SF suites were around 3200 pp.

 

Are you suggesting that my recollection of previous pricing is inaccurate? If so, you're right... it was actually LESS than I posted above.

 

[All-ready2cruise]

Formal nights are not our thing either. We're doing a 10 Day Alaska on Princess leaving from our home port, San Francisco. So I don't mind schlepping extra clothes since I'm not flying anywhere.

 

But for the 7 day Alaska leaving from Seattle... there's enough extra stuff to carry so I'm not really looking forward to lugging along formalwear. We'll probably just skip formal nights and hit the bar instead... :cool: Who the hell wants a suit and tie in Alaska???

 

Alaska, strangely enough, is not on my bucket list, San Fran. is, though. (We almost made it there during our 6 week road trip a couple of years ago but time ran out) .

 

DH has cruised on Princess and while he enjoyed the cruise he didn't like the Tux experience so we've avoided Princess and HAL for that reason. My understanding is that Formal nights are not as "formal" as they were in the past so you might find it more appealing, I hope you find it palatable at the very least.

[All-ready2cruise]

Cruised AK on the Pearl in 12 - SF suites were around 3200 pp.

 

Cruising New England in a few months - SC 2bdr family suite 3300 pp for 7 days - double for 14 days - booked in 2014.

 

How does that compare with SC NCL Star approx. $2300 pp 13 day TA Oct. 2015?

 

Prices and perks have changed and not for the better IMO.

[bonvoyagie]

I was not trying to test your memory - just stating what I paid for a similar cruise at the end of June in 2012.

 

We all know that fares can and do change over time. AK has two shoulder seasons Fares in both May and September are lower to begin with than those in June, July, and Aug.

 

We went in late June - during the last cruise of that shoulder season so not much discount.

[hawkeyetlse]

SF aft PH suite on NCL Jewel, $3300 (with usual perks). It's worth noting that I once paid $1749 for the same thing just a couple of years ago.

 

How far in advance did you book your Sep 2013 cruise?

[horseymike]

no worries about the formal night .it is strictly optional.

[IsanTom]

I agree NCL has become too pricey!

[triptolemus]

How far in advance did you book your Sep 2013 cruise?

 

Er... now my memory is definitely being tested!

 

If I recall correctly, that booking was made a year or so out, then at about 100 days out, upgraded from a BA to SF.

[hawkeyetlse]

 

If I recall correctly, that booking was made a year or so out, then at about 100 days out, upgraded from a BA to SF.

If the fish can be trusted, the price for SF 100 days out was $2749 or $2949. The super low price you paid, $1599, only became available a month before sailing.

 

[swedish weave]

My last few cruises on Princess ships have shown me that their dress codes are very much relaxed. I was welcomed in the MDR with long sleeve dress shirt and slacks on all three cruises this year. No tie and no jacket was needed for formal nights.

[triptolemus]

My last few cruises on Princess ships have shown me that their dress codes are very much relaxed. I was welcomed in the MDR with long sleeve dress shirt and slacks on all three cruises this year. No tie and no jacket was needed for formal nights.

 

Thank you. That's very good to know. Shirts and slacks I can deal with. Suits, coats, ties and all that... who's looking for that.

 

Thanks.

[triptolemus]

If the fish can be trusted, the price for SF 100 days out was $2749 or $2949. The super low price you paid, $1599, only became available a month before sailing.

 

Duplicate

Edited June 19, 2016 by triptolemus

[triptolemus]

If the fish can be trusted, the price for SF 100 days out was $2749 or $2949. The super low price you paid, $1599, only became available a month before sailing.

 

That's fair. I think you're right. I was looking on my computer for the CONFIRMATION.pdf document for that reso, but can't find it. I stand corrected. Closer to the 30 day mark you found.

 

When I look at our Pearl Sept 2015 SF (booked Mar 2014), that was $2099 pp w/ $300 OBC (no perks). Even with expected fare increases year over year, I can't bridge the gap between what I paid over the last couple years compared to what they're asking for today. The free promotions don't come close to making up the difference.

Edited June 19, 2016 by triptolemus

[DMH15]

I totally understand where you are coming from. My 2/2017 cruise was booked in 3/2015, and although I was cancelled and rebooked twice, I orig booked about $4,200 and it worked itself up to $6,300, quite a jump.

 

It seems those of us who prefer suites see that NCL is charging us much more with the left hand and giving others cheap upsells with the right hand. I am not willing to gamble. So, what to do?

 

I got "matched" on MSC and I am looking at X again as the lure of a smoke-free casino is always in the back of my mind. There are also some great "last minute deals" that include suites and single supplements on many lines. I love the NCL suite life but I am shopping around. There is so much out there I have not tried yet.

[Perini3]

Have also been looking at Princess and MSC for 2018, next cruise in April I got for 1800.00 aft suite how over 3300.00 same room and a far has iam concern its not worth it, other lines have better deals on suites.

[triptolemus]

I totally understand where you are coming from. My 2/2017 cruise was booked in 3/2015, and although I was cancelled and rebooked twice, I orig booked about $4,200 and it worked itself up to $6,300, quite a jump.

 

It seems those of us who prefer suites see that NCL is charging us much more with the left hand and giving others cheap upsells with the right hand. I am not willing to gamble. So, what to do?

 

I got "matched" on MSC and I am looking at X again as the lure of a smoke-free casino is always in the back of my mind. There are also some great "last minute deals" that include suites and single supplements on many lines. I love the NCL suite life but I am shopping around. There is so much out there I have not tried yet.

 

Thank you for the reminder on MSC status match. I just completed the form. What did you do to prove your NCL status? I attached a screen shot of my Latitudes Rewards Cruise History page.

 

There is so much more out there, and I'm excited to try the suite life on PCL. Even if NCL made the math work within a few hundred bucks, I'd be hesitant to switch that reservation. How many times do I have to walk through the Fyzz Lounge on the Jewel, anyway!

[hawkeyetlse]

Even with expected fare increases year over year, I can't bridge the gap between what I paid over the last couple years compared to what they're asking for today.

Remember the discussion in this thread? Average suite prices on NCL stayed pretty steady for several years, at around $400 per person per day. Since 2014 this has gone up to around $460–$470 pppd. This is according to that website again, but the actual numbers must be significantly higher, because they lump mini-suites in with suites. Lower categories have gone up about 15% compared to two years ago; for suites it may be more like 25%.