RCCL doubling fares for 2017! Too rich for us

[DebJ14]

We found you really have to book far in advance to get a deal and if you want a GS even further out. I booked a 7 night Liberty for Jan 2017 back in Nov. 2015 and snagged one for $1595.79 per person including all taxes and fees. They sold out the following week, so I can't check prices,

 

I booked for Jan 2018 back in March 2016 and the price had gone up to $1733.39 per person including all taxes and fees. I am glad I got that price because if booked today on a BOGOHO the price it would be $1964.89 per person. And, I had my pick of cabins.

[reedl]

Exceptionally well stated.

Thank you. I am tired of people complaining when a company charges more for a product the next time and people complain about prices going up. It reminds of the quote "Nobody goes there anymore because it is too busy"

 

There is another thread on this board about a $4,000 "military discount" on a 7 night Radiance cruise. :eek:

 

Is that REALLY a discount? I don't believe so. :confused:

 

It is simply RCCL admitting that it can't find enough people to pay more than $6,000 for a 7 night cruise. ;)

 

That same ship/date/itinerary has a "military rate" on ocean view cabins of $540pp, from a "brochure" rate of $2,644pp.

 

Just list the "brochure" rate at 2.6 BILLION dollars... so everyone can feel GREAT about getting a 2.59999999 billion dollar discount.

As to discounts, marketing people will tell you that having a discount all the time lowers the value of your product. It is like Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off coupon. They always have it available, so everyone knows that their prices are 20% than they should be. Royal should never overprice their cruises. The issue is always trying to figure out what the market will bear when initially pricing the cruise.

[kalliekae]

We've been watching fares for November cruises on the Allure in a JS (not Thanksgiving week) and if you watch the sales, you can find within $200 pp for 2015 vs 2016. Haven't priced out 2017 because we can't plan that far ahead with work schedules.

 

We prefer to travel in November when it's less costly since everyone's kids are in school. Again, we do not book during Thanksgiving week as that becomes more expensive. I think cruising takes some homework to find the best price and one has to be patient and keep comparing until one finds the price they are comfortable paying.

[peacefulOR]

Just got off Explorer in May...35 night B2B/Transpacific was $1,670pp with $875 OBC. :eek:

 

Two weeks ago I booked a 14 night Transatlantic for April of 2017 for $699pp with $550 OBC. :D

 

Just booked an 8 night Pacific Coast on explorer for $374pp with $175 OBC. :)

 

(like ALL advertised cruises, prices quoted do not include taxes, tips, transfers, hotels, rental cars, or airfare)

 

I think the prices are just fine... never have ANY problem finding great deals. :o

 

I, for one, am impressed by your OBC. Are you willing to share any tips for acquiring even some of what you do? You are also doing a Pacific Coast on Explorer this fall but $325 MORE in OBC. I've figured out some: loyalty to build credits, shareholder, maybe get a NCL credit card before 2017 TA to pick up $100 OBC. Thank you for any help; I'm still a neophyte. Rainey

[teecee60]

I, for one, am impressed by your OBC. Are you willing to share any tips for acquiring even some of what you do? You are also doing a Pacific Coast on Explorer this fall but $325 MORE in OBC. I've figured out some: loyalty to build credits, shareholder, maybe get a NCL credit card before 2017 TA to pick up $100 OBC. Thank you for any help; I'm still a neophyte. Rainey

 

First off...there is a very commonly held misconception... even here on Cruise Critic, that a travel agency can NOT offer cruises at prices lower than those advertised by the cruise line. This is UTTERLY false. ;)

 

I buy my cruises from a couple of large, well known online travel agencies that almost always offer lower prices than the cruise lines... because they get (sometimes huge) "volume" discounts, and then pass on those savings. :cool:

 

Sometimes those savings are in the form of lower prices, sometimes in the form of added perks (such as free gratuities) sometimes in the form of added OBC. (these savings are OVER AND ABOVE and/or IN ADDITION TO, the perks advertised by the cruise lines. (like big/better/best) :)

 

I am a shareholder of both RCCL and Carnival stock so CAN get that OBC in addition to any OBC/perk offered by the agency. (but any perk/OBC offered by RCCL/Celebrity/Azamara "poisons the well" for the shareholder benefit)

 

Some online agencies often have special sales (usually during holidays... Memorial Day/ Labor Day Christmas/ Thanksgiving/ 4th of July) where they offer EVEN MORE OBC... AND they also have "loyalty OBC" that, when combined, can add up to some fairly impressive amounts even on cruises that are surprisingly low priced. :eek: ;) :D

 

The Pacific Coast Cruise this fall that I referred to, has only a total of $175 OBC. $75 agency and $100 shareholder, booked with NO holiday sale OBC, and no "loyalty" OBC. But still a pretty nice overall deal when the base fare was only $374pp. (taxes and tips extra)

 

The 2017 transatlantic was a lower price... with $150 agency OBC... $100 "sale" OBC...$50 "loyalty" OBC... and $250 shareholder OBC!

Edited July 25, 2016 by teecee60

[Merion_Mom]

First off...there is a very commonly held misconception... even here on Cruise Critic, that a travel agency can NOT offer cruises at prices lower than those advertised by the cruise line. This is UTTERLY false.

 

I buy my cruises from a couple of large, well known online travel agencies that almost always offer lower prices than the cruise lines... because they get (sometimes huge) "volume" discounts, and then pass on those savings. :cool:

 

Sometimes those savings are in the form of lower prices, sometimes in the form of added perks (such as free gratuities) sometimes in the form of added OBC. (these savings are OVER AND ABOVE and/or IN ADDITION TO, the perks advertised by the cruise lines. (like big/better/best) :)

 

I am a shareholder of both RCCL and Carnival stock so CAN get that OBC in addition to any OBC/perk offered by the agency. (but any perk/OBC offered by RCCL/Celebrity/Azamara "poisons the well" for the shareholder benefit)

 

Some online agencies often have special sales (usually during holidays... Memorial Day/ Labor Day Christmas/ Thanksgiving/ 4th of July) where they offer EVEN MORE OBC... AND they also have "loyalty OBC" that, when combined, can add up to some fairly impressive amounts even on cruises that are surprisingly low priced. :eek: ;) :D

 

The Pacific Coast Cruise this fall that I referred to, has only a total of $175 OBC. $75 agency and $100 shareholder, booked with NO holiday sale OBC, and no "loyalty" OBC. But still a pretty nice overall deal when the base fare was only $374pp. (taxes and tips extra)

 

The 2017 transatlantic was a lower price... with $150 agency OBC... $100 "sale" OBC...$50 "loyalty" OBC... and $250 shareholder OBC!

 

Anyone who qualifies for the military rate can get the same deal as teecee.

 

Come join us on this unique 8 night cruise on the Explorer! ;)

[nealstuber]

Anyone who qualifies for the military rate can get the same deal as teecee.

 

 

 

Come join us on this unique 8 night cruise on the Explorer! ;)

 

 

When is the TA on explorer?

 

PS, can we all agree at this point the title of this thread is complete misleading BS?

Edited July 26, 2016 by nealstuber

[Clarea]

When is the TA on explorer?...

No TA on Explorer in the foreseeable future.

 

She will be doing transpacifics between Seattle and Sydney in April and October.

Edited July 26, 2016 by clarea

[peacefulOR]

First off...there is a very commonly held misconception... even here on Cruise Critic, that a travel agency can NOT offer cruises at prices lower than those advertised by the cruise line. This is UTTERLY false. ;)

 

I buy my cruises from a couple of large, well known online travel agencies that almost always offer lower prices than the cruise lines... because they get (sometimes huge) "volume" discounts, and then pass on those savings. :cool:

 

Sometimes those savings are in the form of lower prices, sometimes in the form of added perks (such as free gratuities) sometimes in the form of added OBC. (these savings are OVER AND ABOVE and/or IN ADDITION TO, the perks advertised by the cruise lines. (like big/better/best) :)

 

I am a shareholder of both RCCL and Carnival stock so CAN get that OBC in addition to any OBC/perk offered by the agency. (but any perk/OBC offered by RCCL/Celebrity/Azamara "poisons the well" for the shareholder benefit)

 

Some online agencies often have special sales (usually during holidays... Memorial Day/ Labor Day Christmas/ Thanksgiving/ 4th of July) where they offer EVEN MORE OBC... AND they also have "loyalty OBC" that, when combined, can add up to some fairly impressive amounts even on cruises that are surprisingly low priced. :eek: ;) :D

 

The Pacific Coast Cruise this fall that I referred to, has only a total of $175 OBC. $75 agency and $100 shareholder, booked with NO holiday sale OBC, and no "loyalty" OBC. But still a pretty nice overall deal when the base fare was only $374pp. (taxes and tips extra)

 

The 2017 transatlantic was a lower price... with $150 agency OBC... $100 "sale" OBC...$50 "loyalty" OBC... and $250 shareholder OBC!

 

Thank you for all the tips! I just returned from a weekend casino stay and I've lerned another way to save money........only bet $5 total when you just don't feel lucky. I'm not a born gambler, at least games of chance. Will watch my 60 day window for TA cruise next April....so far NOT 1 PERK but haven't moved it from NCL. Hope your cruises are many and wonderful, one and all. Rainey

[Merion_Mom]

First off...there is a very commonly held misconception... even here on Cruise Critic, that a travel agency can NOT offer cruises at prices lower than those advertised by the cruise line. This is UTTERLY false.

 

I buy my cruises from a couple of large, well known online travel agencies that almost always offer lower prices than the cruise lines... because they get (sometimes huge) "volume" discounts, and then pass on those savings. :cool:

 

Sometimes those savings are in the form of lower prices, sometimes in the form of added perks (such as free gratuities) sometimes in the form of added OBC. (these savings are OVER AND ABOVE and/or IN ADDITION TO, the perks advertised by the cruise lines. (like big/better/best) :)

 

I am a shareholder of both RCCL and Carnival stock so CAN get that OBC in addition to any OBC/perk offered by the agency. (but any perk/OBC offered by RCCL/Celebrity/Azamara "poisons the well" for the shareholder benefit)

 

Some online agencies often have special sales (usually during holidays... Memorial Day/ Labor Day Christmas/ Thanksgiving/ 4th of July) where they offer EVEN MORE OBC... AND they also have "loyalty OBC" that, when combined, can add up to some fairly impressive amounts even on cruises that are surprisingly low priced. :eek: ;) :D

 

The Pacific Coast Cruise this fall that I referred to, has only a total of $175 OBC. $75 agency and $100 shareholder, booked with NO holiday sale OBC, and no "loyalty" OBC. But still a pretty nice overall deal when the base fare was only $374pp. (taxes and tips extra)

 

The 2017 transatlantic was a lower price... with $150 agency OBC... $100 "sale" OBC...$50 "loyalty" OBC... and $250 shareholder OBC!

 

Anyone who qualifies for the military rate can get the same deal as teecee.

 

Come join us on this unique 8 night cruise on the Explorer! ;)

 

When is the TA on explorer?

 

PS, can we all agree at this point the title of this thread is complete misleading BS?

 

 

 

8 nights.

 

Pacific Coast cruise.

 

September 30, 2016.

Edited July 26, 2016 by Merion_Mom

[Merion_Mom]

 

ps, can we all agree at this point the title of this thread is complete misleading bs?

 

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