Anyone else struggling to find a cruise?

[2theship]

While we have enjoyed a number of transatlantics, nothing appeals at the moment. After digging deep into the newly released itineraries, we decided to book a family cruise to Bermuda in 2018 - we already have some other cruises scheduled in 2017.

 

We did exactly the same cruise in 2015 and this one is costing us $700 more per cabin. However, it's three years later and we're booking with the Go Best! promotion. When it comes to a family cruise, we also have to factor in the cost of getting everyone to the port. Bayonne is pretty easy for us, it's literally a combination of planes, trains, and automobiles.

 

But, nothing jumped out at us this year and screamed "take this cruise!" Maybe that's a sign that we've cruised too much. No, that won't ever happen.

[ECCruise]

Since itinerary is about 75% of the appeal for us, those that have been released are largely meh.

 

Combined with IMHO, ridiculous pricing, it makes for slim pickings. We were, however, able to find decent value in the Eclipse repo from Valpo to SD in March 2019. Of course our Future Cruise certificates are worthless because it is a repo but the price was reasonable.

 

We have 10 sailings booked between now and that one, but unusual for us, 8 of the 10 are not on =X=. Just refuse to succumb to the prices they ask (and people are apparently paying).

[Mr. Click]

Like Breaveheart11, we were looking at the Iceland in August 2018 but the prices right now, forget it. We have two cruises booked now, March and September and will check on board to see if things improve. If they don't I guess we are going to have "settle" for more time with the grandchildren....

[jagoffee]

We used to do one or two X cruises a year....now we will do none in 2017 or 2018. The itineraries are very repetitive on X, while other lines (with even smaller fleets) are mixing up the destinations and ports much better. I was hoping they would throw in some new ports for 2018, but it is generally the same ole same ole. We are not really price sensitive, but just want to see some new destinations, so Azamara and Silversea have won out (and their prices aren't more than what X charges for us for a Sky Suite). Holding out hope that the Edge will give us something new, but doubtful. However, we are looking forward to trying some new lines.

 

 

Michael

 

I did some preliminary research, so I am back again. I assume your Silverseas cruise is the 11 day one? That is close to $1000 a day for two people which is roughly the price of a decent deal for a Celebrity Royal Suite. Your $11K price for an 11 day cruise in a Celebrity SS is very high and I would say unusual at least when first released. Usually more like $600 a day for a SS1 and less for a SS2. Certainly does not mean the Silverseas cruise is not a lot nicer.

Thank you

[Hlitner]

We think many cruisers create their own frustration by getting into a rut with a single cruise line, certain type cabin, etc. As very frequent international travelers for over forty years (we are often out of our country more then 6 months a year) we have learned about the wonders of flexibility. We are talking flexibility of cruise lines, ships, dates, itineraries, cabin categories, etc. While we prefer a balcony (or better) on any cruise, we will sometimes drop down to a basic outside cabin...and have even booked a few inside cabins in order to get the cruise we desire. A friend of ours recently told us they were tired of Celebrity (after doing 6 straight Caribbean cruises on that line) and were now going to look at another line. Perhaps the reason we have never tired of cruising or a particular cruise line is because we have been on 14 lines (to 6 continents) and more then 65 different ships. The variety keeps things fresh and exciting....even after more then 100 cruises. When folks get into a rut or are bored with cruising it is usually their own doing.

 

Hank

[GordonJasmine]

We visited Tortulo in 2015 and want to go back. But I can't find any itineraries now that stop there. Can anyone help us? Thanks!

[bogofman]

We have sailed Celebrity for the last 4 summers on Med cruises,

 

however with the loss of Equinox to the Caribbean, itineraries are very limited for any returning passengers.

 

We won't be sailing with Celebrity in 2017 dues to lack of different itineraries ( even though we like the experience) especially with the huge price hikes over the 2016 prices

 

 

The upcoming MSC ships look interesting

[5bagspacked]

GordonJasmine re: Tortola - Here are some options that stop in that port:

 

• Celebrity Equinox from Miami (11 nts) - May, Sept or Oct
  
• RC Serenade of the Seas from FLL (Jan - Apr)
  
• Carnival Ecstasy - from Charleston Nov 5 only
  
• Disney Fantasy from Pt Canaveral (7 nts)
  
• Norwegian Epic from Pt Canaveral (7 nts)
  
• Norwegian Escape from Miami (7 nts)
  
• Norwegian Gem from NY (10 nts)
  
• Holland America - a few from FLL
   
  

Edited December 19, 2016 by 5bagspacked

[riclop]

Well we have looked at late 2018 and 2019 destinations and we are really struggling with a cruise which a) we really want to do and b) value for money

 

Anyone else?

 

Yes , cuts in service and higher prices is not a good mix.

[Hlitner]

Yes , cuts in service and higher prices is not a good mix.[/quote

 

Let me add some historical perspective. About 30 years ago. DW and I cruised on Royal Caribbean's Sun Viking in Europe. We paid about $100 per passenger day for a tiny outside (with portholes) cabin where there was not enough room for the two of us to walk at the same time. We had no drink packages, on board credits, etc. This past August we cruised in the Baltic and to Iceland (24 days) on HAL's Zuiderdam and we paid just a little over $100 per passenger day (we got a great last minute deal). For that price we got a balcony cabin (about twice the size of the old Sun Viking cabin) generous amenities, great food, etc. So thirty years later we were essentially paying a fraction of the price (when adjusted for inflation) and getting a lot more.

 

So the reality is that cruising today can actually cost. less then it did thirty years ago....and you get a lot more for your money. Go figure. Meanwhile, airfares to Europe have more then doubled with planes being a lot less comfortable (in economy) then the jets of the 1960s.

 

Hank

[donaldsc]

My problem is that all the reasonably priced cruises on any line sound totally boring and uninteresting. The cruises that I would like to go on are 10K - 15K per person. It is virtually impossible to find any cruise worth doing that costs less than 10K and that is based on a decent outside cabin and not an upgrade.

 

What is a person to do.

 

DON

Edited December 19, 2016 by donaldsc

[Presto2]

We really wanted to go with Celebrity for 2018 for a change and have seen a few cruises to the Eastern Med. Sadly, they are coming out way too expensive at the moment, with no discounts to fall back on.

 

We last sailed with Celebrity in August 2013 on a 12 night cruise (with a 2 night stay in Rome booked through them). A similar itinerary for just 10 nights (without flights and the hotel stay) is coming out just £500 cheaper. (Same time of the year and same cabin). We also booked very early for the other cruise so to us it is 'like for like' prices.

 

We just can't justify the price increase so will wait to see if any offers appear.

Edited December 19, 2016 by Presto2

[hcat]

GordonJasmine re: Tortola - Here are some options that stop in that port:

 

• Celebrity Equinox from Miami (11 nts) - May, Sept or Oct
  
• RC Serenade of the Seas from FLL (Jan - Apr)
  
• Carnival Ecstasy - from Charleston Nov 5 only
  
• Disney Fantasy from Pt Canaveral (7 nts)
  
• Norwegian Epic from Pt Canaveral (7 nts)
  
• Norwegian Escape from Miami (7 nts)
  
• Norwegian Gem from NY (10 nts)
  
• Holland America - a few from FLL
   
  

 

Thanks for posting this..Serenade from FLL might work ok...Equinox moving to Miami was not good for us, but at least we have Silhouette booked for 2018, sailing from FLL. Tortola is a great port...have not been there since the new pier was built.