Anyone of the same opinion pricing is starting to get alittle high?

[spanishguy1970]

On 1/19/2020 at 8:40 AM, ABoatNerd said:

Good analysis.

 

In addition to the prices increases well above inflation, there is the issue of the continual cutbacks across all lines (that includes the premium lines, particularly Oceania). 

 

Add the 2 trends together, and there is declining overall value to the cruise consumer.  Yes, there can be some "deal" bookings.

 

For the first time since 1989, we have no cruises booked.

 

But we have customized, land vacations booked, some with private car and driver. Took a great land tour past June of Austria, Switzerland, France, Germany and returned from Hamburg to NYC aboard the QM2. Totally outstanding value, ate real regional foods, saw all the major cultural/physical highlights of the area. Excellent hotels.  Great price. Did not really have to lift a finger other than pack our suitcase every couple of days. Wow.

 

After taking this fully escorted trip, we have no interest in a cruise - cruises simply can not provide real exploration of our world and the on board experience is fake.

 

NCL is a mass line, but the same value paradigm applies.

 

If you are going to spend thousands of dollars, consider alternatives to cruising. There is a big world out there to see.

 

we have 2 more and then giving cruises a pause, I expect prices to go up that's a fact of life, but not the service and quality of products, unfortunately with NCL the quality and service decreases with each cruise we take.

[njkate]

Yes, just checked my Greece and Turkey for November I booked about 2 months ago, seeing if this $1000 off would lower my price. When I booked the cabin rate for my mini on deck 11 was $1808.24, it's now with the supposed discount $2159.00, the balconies are going for what I paid for mini, so much for this tremendous sale lol. It's on the Star and after dry dock I'll watching for repeat issues, but hoping all is fixed by final payment in July.

 

Now I'll check my TA on Jade in April 2021

Edited January 23, 2020 by njkate

[Mikiejag]

I am one of those people that notice it is getting higher and higher, but the daily rate is still the driver for me.  7 days, balcony, some entertainment, different things to do, and all food, at $100ish for all of that I am hard pressed to find a hotel with all the amenities and stay under that price point. 

 

Just rough numbers for 4 people.  Most hotels (Wisconsin dells, for example) 200 per night. 7 Nights, 1400, maybe breakfast is included maybe not,  then lunch and dinner.($10,$15,$20=$1260) So before any activities and being rather modest with the food costs, you just rang in at $2700.

 

Maybe you go to one movie per day ($10*4)7)) now creeping up on $3k...And thats not even a zoo, or much else.

 

So until the cost of a cruise really starts to climb quite a bit higher, I will take my balcony room with 4 for $4k.  I know the OP is talking about just 2 people and the numbers would probably skew more towards the normal vacation, but the memories and experiences are what really make it worth it.  IMHO.

[Mikiejag]

On 1/18/2020 at 10:47 AM, coloradocruiselover88 said:

So just for giggles, I priced out a 7 day all inclusive with airfare from Denver to St. Lucia at Sandals Resort (mid tier) for a party of two it came in at a little over $6600.00......May 2020

 

Not apples to apples, but close..........

Yep that is what I have seen, which is pretty fair for a couple vs my example, but even early booking a few discounts and you really start at $5k for an all inclusive.

[JamieLogical]

On 1/18/2020 at 6:56 AM, david_sobe said:

OMG, I remember that summer about 6 years ago where you could score a 7 night Epic balcony stateroom for $700 pp.  The price was so good it almost just made you take a cruise.  I suppose we will never see those prices again ☹️

 

We booked the Bliss from NYC to FL/Bahamas for March 22 for $629 per person. A BF GTY, assigned a BC. Total with gratuities on the PBP and SDP plus taxes and port fees was $1974.04. DSC pushes it up to $2184.04. So there are still deals to be had, but you have to really keep an eye out for them and act fast.

[JamieLogical]

1 hour ago, Mikiejag said:

I am one of those people that notice it is getting higher and higher, but the daily rate is still the driver for me.  7 days, balcony, some entertainment, different things to do, and all food, at $100ish for all of that I am hard pressed to find a hotel with all the amenities and stay under that price point. 

 

Just rough numbers for 4 people.  Most hotels (Wisconsin dells, for example) 200 per night. 7 Nights, 1400, maybe breakfast is included maybe not,  then lunch and dinner.($10,$15,$20=$1260) So before any activities and being rather modest with the food costs, you just rang in at $2700.

 

Maybe you go to one movie per day ($10*4)7)) now creeping up on $3k...And thats not even a zoo, or much else.

 

So until the cost of a cruise really starts to climb quite a bit higher, I will take my balcony room with 4 for $4k.  I know the OP is talking about just 2 people and the numbers would probably skew more towards the normal vacation, but the memories and experiences are what really make it worth it.  IMHO.

 

Every time I price out a land-based vacation, I realize how ridiculously cheap cruising still is. 3-4 days in New Orleans or NYC costs us as much or more than a 7-day cruise and is a lot bigger hassle with a lot more planning and logistics to worry about.

[mianmike]

5 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Every time I price out a land-based vacation, I realize how ridiculously cheap cruising still is. 3-4 days in New Orleans or NYC costs us as much or more than a 7-day cruise and is a lot bigger hassle with a lot more planning and logistics to worry about.

 

We're the opposite.  Cruising is our splurge.  We use points we earned through credit cards to pay for land based vacations so they usually cost us close to nothing. 

[Trimone]

On 1/22/2020 at 6:23 PM, perditax said:

 

Yep. And Virgin entering the market with more ships on the way.

 

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/record-number-of-cruise-ships-to-debut-in-2020.html

 

I'm really curious to see how this all plays out. 

Talking to a friend who’s moved from NCL to Virgin,  Virgins focus was on 30-45 year olds, but the bookings have shown different, the older established cruisers have booked? Hope they like Tassels!

[KarlChilders]

Just for grins, I just priced out 2 cruises for comparison, RCL Mariner of the Seas (4nite) Vs. NCL Sun (5nite), sailing from Port Canaveral late April, Nassau and the respective private islands.  Each in an oceanview, Royal was a guarantee, no drink package $75 OBC, Sun was pick your room, drink package and specialty dining.  Royal 1650 vs 1450 for the Sun.  I know which one I would pick.

Edited January 23, 2020 by KarlChilders
fix typo

[perditax]

17 minutes ago, Trimone said:

Talking to a friend who’s moved from NCL to Virgin,  Virgins focus was on 30-45 year olds, but the bookings have shown different, the older established cruisers have booked?

 

I'd be curious to know their source on that, but I suppose I'm not surprised--for all the complaining in the VV threads here, a lot of the posts are "I'm not the target demo but I'm booking anyway". Also, it seems VV just started advertising on television, and it doesn't look like their social media penetration/engagement is very high. It could be that more older folks are booking because they are tuned into cruise news, and the younger ones don't even realize Virgin exists yet. 

 

(I've only this week had my 30-something friends say "oh, I just saw a commercial for that ...")

 

It'll be interesting if they end up with the exact same demo as other cruise lines and end up having to change the product to match, including lifting the adults-only structure. 

Edited January 23, 2020 by perditax

[Trimone]

16 minutes ago, perditax said:

 

I'd be curious to know their source on that, but I suppose I'm not surprised--for all the complaining in the VV threads here, a lot of the posts are "I'm not the target demo but I'm booking anyway". Also, it seems VV just started advertising on television, and it doesn't look like their social media penetration/engagement is very high. It could be that more older folks are booking because they are tuned into cruise news, and the younger ones don't even realize Virgin exists yet. 

 

(I've only this week had my 30-something friends say "oh, I just saw a commercial for that ...")

 

It'll be interesting if they end up with the exact same demo as other cruise lines and end up having to change the product to match, including lifting the adults-only structure. 

My neighbour works on the design of PA systems, theatre production, sound lighting etc. He’s on the ship at the moment, I believe it’s doing London, Liverpool then to the USA on test.

[JamieLogical]

1 hour ago, Trimone said:

Talking to a friend who’s moved from NCL to Virgin,  Virgins focus was on 30-45 year olds, but the bookings have shown different, the older established cruisers have booked? Hope they like Tassels!

 

I was in my late 30's when Virgin was announced and I was *very* excited. I thought I was 100% their target demographic. Then I found out they weren't offering drink packages at all, whether to buy or as a perk. I haven't looked back since. No way am I paying per drink on a cruise. Defeats the whole purpose as far as I am concerned.

Edited January 23, 2020 by JamieLogical

[Krazy Kat]

2 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

We booked the Bliss from NYC to FL/Bahamas for March 22 for $629 per person. A BF GTY, assigned a BC. Total with gratuities on the PBP and SDP plus taxes and port fees was $1974.04. DSC pushes it up to $2184.04. So there are still deals to be had, but you have to really keep an eye out for them and act fast.

 

JaimeLogical - just curious - did you get that price BEFORE THE SALES (Black Friday, Christmas and the biggest sale of the decade) or was it in the last three months?  That same exact cruise today is pricing at $2713.44 (without DSC) - on sale!

[JamieLogical]

15 minutes ago, Krazy Kat said:

 

JaimeLogical - just curious - did you get that price BEFORE THE SALES (Black Friday, Christmas and the biggest sale of the decade) or was it in the last three months?  That same exact cruise today is pricing at $2713.44 (without DSC) - on sale!

 

I believe we booked it under the "Black Friday Sale" just before Thanksgiving. But we all know those "sales" have nothing to do with bottom-line pricing.

[complawyer]

ive checked with other cruise lines, no big difference in prices, although i  have noticed nclmini suites are actually larger than rcl juniorsuites. remember, the goal of any big corporation is to make money for its shareholders. like everyting else in life, you get what you pay for, although nc lhas a really bad rep for nickel and dimeing its passengers once they are on board

[Kirchoff91]

On 1/17/2020 at 8:01 PM, lovemycruisetoo said:

Hence our quick jump over to another cruise line as NCL doesn’t care about loyalty anymore😞 and we are Platinum +. Our other cruise line is very appreciative to have us in their suites!   We have only cruised Ncl since 2010 with the last 5 or 6 in Haven.  17 cruises over all but no more. Done with FDR’s  money grabbing schemes. 

what cruise line do you book with now

[luv2kroooz]

Depends when you book. If you book early, prices can be higher than Celebrity. If you book last minute, prices can be less than MSC's Caribbean runs on Armonia.

[BoundForSea]

I’ve been saying theyve been out of hand at NCL for two years now. However, as is discussed in the shareholder meetings they will continue to raise pricing and in turn revenue as long as the consumer supports it, and we have supported it. $12,000-$15,000 for 7 nights on Bliss or Encore in Alaska in Haven? $2000 a night? For those prices goto a Luxury line. $5500-$7500 for two in a balcony same market and season? Wow. 

[alicia68]

NCL is getting crazy with some of their pricing. Gem Jan 14 2021 it is a 14 night sailing but they want $7912 CAD for a BF balcony with no dining, drinks etc. I just came of a 14 Bliss that was $4900 CAD for an MA

[Suite Heart]

Since I sail solo, I get the pleasure of paying double since I don't elect to do the Studio cabins. That being said, allow me to tell you about a deal I got during one of NCL's 30% off, free-at-sea, airfare deals.

 

I booked this in July 2019 after I looked at what was offered:

12-day Panama Canal on the Joy

one person (me) in HF one bedroom Haven Courtyard

including port fees, travel insurance, the service charges for the bev and dining packages, transfers, and AIR (roundtrip Denver to Miami).

 

Wait for it...$8,520  (Oh, yes, my credit cards love me. And yes, I still work for a living.)

 

I just checked the "rack rate" at NCL's website.

Just guest fare for ONE person is $10, 708. Not including ANYTHING.

 

It definitely pays to watch the "sail sales."

 

Edited February 5, 2020 by Suite Heart
spelling

[_Mr.G_]

I have been cruising with Norwegian since many years and I'm always very satisfied. The price increase over the last years worries me as well, thus we are more and more going to other cruise lines, wherever our budget criteria are met.

 

Norwegians CEO made very clear, that increasing prices is one of the top priorities:

 

Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said the passengers were booking future cruises even earlier than they did a year ago.
“So we’re focusing on price; we’re pushing price higher everywhere we can both in 2019 and 2020,” he said. “While we still have a lot of cabins to fill, the emphasis will be on raising prices across all three brands.”

 

https://skift.com/2019/02/21/norwegian-cruise-boss-zeroes-in-on-higher-prices/amp/

 

I'm watching prices for an upcoming NCL cruise nearly every day. The price level for this specific cruise remains nearly the same over the last weeks/month. Yesterday the "Biggest sale of the decade - 30% off" was introduced. And guess what! The prices are still the same as before this "giant sale" 🤨

[spanishguy1970]

We have only take NCL cruises since 2009 and yes, the prices have gotten really steep. We have two cruises this year and then we will pause NCL for a while, moving on to just traveling to the destination of our choice or booking a Celebrity cruise.

[Zippeedee]

I priced a Canada New England cruise on the Gem that is part of the February Latitudes deal today. One person, seven days, balcony, over $4000. I am paying less than that for 9 days on the Spirit in Japan next Fall. Back to back from Quebec back to Boston would be over $7000 for two weeks. Not going to happen.  I need to see a major quality improvement to justify the luxury pricing! 

[angalyse]

I think the scare of the Coronovirus might be the derailing factor in NCL's price gouging strategy. 

[ray98]

On 2/5/2020 at 6:39 PM, _Mr.G_ said:

 

 

I'm watching prices for an upcoming NCL cruise nearly every day. The price level for this specific cruise remains nearly the same over the last weeks/month. Yesterday the "Biggest sale of the decade - 30% off" was introduced. And guess what! The prices are still the same as before this "giant sale" 🤨

 

.....but all cruise lines start with an unrealistic 'brochure price' that all the marketing feeds off.  It is just math, don't get caught up in how they spin it.  Nothing is 'free' or 'discounted', the consumer just needs to decide if the final number at the end is worth it for the package or it isn't.