What's your ideal price per day? (all in, "Princess Plus" taxes, fees, etc)

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

99% of the time, anything over $100 per day per person included so called FREE perks. You are paying for them. Many cruise lines now offer with or with out so you have a choice. If yo can use the perks sometimes it is worth it. In our chase, They are not.

[Abercrombie2019]

I don’t have a set number.  I look for the itinerary I want at the time of year that I want on the ship that I want.  I book early and watch for price changes.  Last cruise we were able to re-fare 4 times.  Each time we increased the extras we received and got a lower price (right up until the cruise got cancelled).

 

When we are able to cruise again, we will probably be much more last minute.

[voljeep]

On 9/24/2020 at 3:02 AM, caribill said:

Least I have paid in last 8 years: $33.27/day/person.

our least was $ 199 pp ( 39.80 pp pd )for a 5 day Western out of PE on the Crown, I believe, after one of the hurricane seasons when Princess was desperate to retain cruisers - we re-fared 5 days before sail day to that amount - saved about $ 100 pp as I remember.

 

some loud dude was bragging about how he only paid $ 79 pp pd for his interior room close to us ,  ours was R737, interior close to the 'secret door' to the Terrace pool and Outrigger bar

 

EDITED - upon review, looks like it was RUBY, not Crown

Edited September 26, 2020 by voljeep

[John99]

Ideal price per day – per person

 

I used an excel spread sheet for my cost analysis.  My analysis goes back to 2007 which covers 19 cruises. Looking at the prices cruisers have indicated in this thread – my costs are high!  Most of our cruises are 10 days or better.

2022 to 2018 (future and prior cruises)

Cost per person -- $355

Cost per cruise -- $710

2017 to 2007 – actual costs

Cost per person -- $321

Cost per cruise -- $643

 

Items include:

Cruise fare

Category (always a balcony)

Cruise – Land supplement (if any)

Air from Mid-West

Airport parking (if my son cannot drive us to the airport)

Ship Board Gratuities (if not included in a promo)

No drink package – being Elite includes a bar set-up

Special promos (i.e. “3 for free”)

On Board Credits

Future Cruise Deposit (FCD)

Future Cruise Credit (FCC)

Military credit

Stockholder credit

Port Taxes

Gov’t Fees

Trip Insurance

Transfers

Pre Cruise Hotel

Ship tours

Private Tours

Gambling (if any)

 

Thrak  -- We pretty much take the same approach.  No set "price per person per day" number.  We like to book early and look for good deals and/or promotions going forward.  When it’s to our advantage -- we re fare for a better price which we done many, many times in the past. For us, the itinerary is very important.  Also, my wife has a pre-existing health condition which requires Trip Insurance.

 

A major cost consideration for us is air fare from Michigan.  The majority of the time we book a hotel one or two pre cruise especially in the winter.  Europe is usually 3 days per cruise.  If you live in Florida or California your transportation costs are probably much lower.

John

[pcur]

2 hours ago, Abercrombie2019 said:

I don’t have a set number.  I look for the itinerary I want at the time of year that I want on the ship that I want.  I book early and watch for price changes.

 

I do this, also, but I still have to do the cost analysis to make sure we can afford it in the long run.

Edited September 26, 2020 by pcur

[CineGraphic]

4 hours ago, voljeep said:

our least was $ 199 pp ( 39.80 pp pd )for a 5 day Western out of PE on the Crown, I believe, after one of the hurricane seasons when Princess was desperate to retain cruisers

 

This was after a major storm that hit several islands. They wouldn't re-fare us because it was after final, but because the drop was so drastic, (we could have booked 3 insides for what we paid for 1) they upgraded us to a mini suite.

[suzyed]

9 hours ago, waltd said:

I'm always looking for something close to $100 a day per person. 

DH always said $100/pp/day.  I was able to do that for quite a few years and then it got a bit harder to do so it was maybe $150/pp/day for a while. Then if it was really special..."In Search of the Northern Lights" we kind of threw caution to the wind and booked it without regard to the price by getting an obstructed OV!

Our very best deal, which will probably never happen again....was a Med/TA sailing from Barcelona.  It was 24 (i think) days...Spain, France,  Italy, Greece, Montenegro, Azores and TA back to FLL.  $5500 with almost $2000 OBC and free grass!  Yes, for both of us!!  We originally had it booked for more but then I spoke with our travel agent and was given that unbelievable price!!!  Amazing!!

Edited September 27, 2020 by suzyed

[Rabbi-Reefer]

20 minutes ago, suzyed said:

and free grass!

 

Now you're talking about MY type of cruise!

[Renmar]

The ideal price would be one of those casino (or any other) freebees they sometimes give away but I think you have to have spend some money in the casino before 😉. We don't spend more than maybe $ 50.00 between my DW and I.

More realistically is a price of $ 150.00 Can. pppd and that we can sometimes get if we are patience enough. 

If we can sail out of Vancouver then we are able to increase because we don't have to fly and we can take our own wine on board which is less expensive than the beverage package even with paying the corkage fee. However, since they introduced the Princess plus packages the cost is almost the same.

We will find out on our next cruise (if sailing) out of Vancouver in September 2021.

 

Theo

[roxievegas]

13 hours ago, suzyed said:

DH always said $100/pp/day.  I was able to do that for quite a few years and then it got a bit harder to do so it was maybe $150/pp/day for a while. Then if it was really special..."In Search of the Northern Lights" we kind of threw caution to the wind and booked it without regard to the price by getting an obstructed OV!

Our very best deal, which will probably never happen again....was a Med/TA sailing from Barcelona.  It was 24 (i think) days...Spain, France,  Italy, Greece, Montenegro, Azores and TA back to FLL.  $5500 with almost $2000 OBC and free grass!  Yes, for both of us!!  We originally had it booked for more but then I spoke with our travel agent and was given that unbelievable price!!!  Amazing!!

We wish we had all the options that the Florida ports offer.  in 2016 when we did our transatlantic from Florida to London, we paid around $899 pp for 15 nights with maybe 5 stops.  One of the other passengers we talked to got the same cruise for $599pp - it was within the 75 days after the final payment was due and some people had cancelled.  They were from Florida and it was the only way they would book a cruise - last minute and very low price.

 

If we lived in the south Florida area, that is what we would do

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

I already replied to this topic. Just wanted to add. We do at least 4 cruises minimum each year, except for this year. Pandemic. We live in Port Saint Lucie Florida. Almost between Port Canaveral and Ft. Lauderdale's, Port Everglades.

Gas cost is about $10.00 round trip for our small car. Parking off site is usually around $8.00 a day with the vets discount they offer. We usually do very good with OBC for every cruise but still end up with a bill on the card. We do the slots and never more than $100.00 a day. On most cruises we break even or maybe a little ahead. We do every bingo and that is where we just have some fun and a few drinks. I always buy the soda package before the  cruise to get the discount. Special coffee for the wife maybe twice during a cruise. She is not a soda drinker but maybe a glass of wine or two. She loves her tea. If I want a rum and coke. I have the paid coke so I just pay for the rum usually at a special price. If it is a ship we have never been on before we always get the ships magnet. We have cruised the Eastern and Western Caribbean, all the Bahamas the deep south and the canal. So excursions we basically no loner go on unless it happens to be a port we never were at. Wife will no fly so no transatlantic cruises. On Carnival for sure because there steak house is the best on land or sea. We always do that the first night to get the free bottle of wine. never ever been disappointed. Wish I could say the same for their pizza. So, as I have said before. Never over $100.00 per night, per person. We do the Ocean View now. No longer the balcony. 4 booked for 2021 $59, $78, $90, $95 pp pd the $95 is the Mardi Gras for Halloween. 3 so far for 2022, $52, $64, and $83. $83 is the Mardi Gras for Halloween. We always do Halloween with Carnival every year but this one. So yes, not only are we so happy were we live because it is Florida, but needless to say. To do the cruises at a far lower cost.

[cruzsnooze]

If it's the best deal then it was several years ago when Princess did a BOGO on her west coast 4 night cruises.  That year was the only time I ever saw that happen but they can bring it back anytime and I'll book it.

[Sea Hag]

It's an interesting question that I don't have a good answer for that right now, due to recent events.  I look at total cost, rather than just cruise far per person, per day.

 

We've mostly done West Coast sailings, and that's what we'll be doing for some time to come. Sailings roundtrip San Francisco have always been a bit higher than, for instance, Los Angeles. But since we can comfortably drive to the pier on embarkation day, we don't need to factor in hotel like we would for a Los Angeles sailing. But we get free parking at the Doubletree down South, while we pay for parking garage in SF. For Seattle or Vancouver sailings, there's plane fare and travel from the airport to the pier to consider.

 

In the past, we've booked mostly ocean view or obstructed ocean view, and for a SF sailing I've considered anything at or under $100 per person, per day for the base cruise fare to be very acceptable.  

 

We've decided from here out we'll book a balcony or up. So, I'm going to need to figure that one out. We have an aft balcony on one of the SF cruises we've booked. That one sails early Spring 2022, so it just might be a go. That one's at just over $200 per person, per day with the included grats and such. I suppose that's my new benchmark.

[Steelers36]

On 9/25/2020 at 6:40 PM, Schonert said:

I booked the Princess Plus, but is is not really a deal, it is costing us $1500 CAD more for two weeks.  Taking into account we would only get one internet, Tips, not drink a lot (we would get two coffee cards) , even if we bought 10 bottles of wine, it is still $700 more for the extra booze and pop.  

Then why did you book P+??

[Steelers36]

Duplicated

Edited September 28, 2020 by Steelers36

[Steelers36]

On 9/26/2020 at 1:33 PM, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Most all of our cruises are below $85 pp pd  

That cruise for our OV Ocean View cabin Empress deck is $64.00 pp pd.

 

Do you get casino rate or something else?  You quote for OV is very low.

 

Edited September 28, 2020 by Steelers36

[Steelers36]

On 9/26/2020 at 3:28 PM, John99 said:

Looking at the prices cruisers have indicated in this thread – my costs are high!

They probably aren't because responders are posting about cruise costs and not transportation and hotel costs.  Yes, those are part of overall vacation costs, but not the cruise costs.  And they vary widely by cruiser based on distance and travel preferences. 

 

You should look at the pure cruise costs in order to see where you stand.

[Renmar]

On 9/26/2020 at 10:33 AM, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Under $100 pp pd cruise only. Most all of our cruises are below $85 pp pd. Only exception are new ships that are usually higher. That is for ocean View cabins. We are booked on the Crown Princess for 4/2/2022 a 14 night cruise that will stop at 7 ports. That cruise for our OV Ocean View cabin Empress deck is $64.00 pp pd. In addition I will receive $250.00 Stock OBC $250.00 Military OBC and $60.00 from my TA for additional OBC. An unbelievable low $330.00 for the Port and Tax for 7 ports. Now that is a super price.

Sorry to be knitpicking but it is Emerald deck not Empress.

 

Theo

[suzyed]

On 9/26/2020 at 11:12 PM, Rabbi-Reefer said:

 

Now you're talking about MY type of cruise!

LOL!  Obviously a typo...can't change it now!

Edited September 28, 2020 by suzyed

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Cruise only cost per person per day is all that matters. The tax and port charges for a certain cruise usually never changes so that is a constant. Usually is governed by the distance the ship bus sail and the ports it goes to.

The only other variable are any perks. They are either a good deal or they are not. Many now offer you the option to opt out of any additional perks and get a lower price for the cruise.

[Schonert]

10 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Then why did you book P+??

Last week, it is $53 CAD per person per day more.  They have not corrected the exchange yet, so we are paying a much higher than the “bank” rate.

[Steelers36]

8 minutes ago, Schonert said:

Last week, it is $53 CAD per person per day more.  They have not corrected the exchange yet, so we are paying a much higher than the “bank” rate.

If you don't like the Princess exchange rate (currently set at 35%), then you can always ask to be booked in USD and pay with a USD credit card (or a CAD one that doesn't add a surcharge for currency exchange).  As I write this, the wholesale rate is 33.8%, so Princess is not a bad deal, considering most folks would have to pay at least a penny over wholesale to buy USD.  If lucky can get it closer to 0.50 cent - well not so much lucky as having a favorable banking arrangement. 

 

P+ = $40 USD and $54 CAD right now.

 

Edited September 28, 2020 by Steelers36

[CineGraphic]

10 hours ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

The tax and port charges for a certain cruise usually never changes so that is a constant.

 

But taxers and fees vary greatly based on itinerary. Panama Canal fees are crazy compared to a typical Caribbean sailing.

When I factor in my per day cost, I include taxes and fees. To do so otherwise would not be an accurate accounting of cost.

Edited September 28, 2020 by CineGraphic

[iancal]

We  mostly do last minute cruises.  We pick them up when we are doing extended land tours.

 

We price with our NA on line agent and we also price in the country of departure.  We do the same for all travel products. Last big difference was a 21 day Australia NZ cruise.  Booking with RCI in Sydney was 30 plus less expensive than the price our NA on line TA could provide.  

 

It pays to shop.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

1 hour ago, CineGraphic said:

 

But taxers and fees vary greatly based on itinerary. Panama Canal fees are crazy compared to a typical Caribbean sailing.

When I factor in my per day cost, I include taxes and fees. To do so otherwise would not be an accurate accounting of cost.

I said that. The taxes and fees do NOT change for the same cruise on the same ship on different dates where the cruise cost might me higher or lower. I said. depending on how far the ship must cruise and how manty ports and different ports govern the Tax and Port charges. However, they remain the same for the same cruise but different dates. The only price change will be the cruise itself and the perks. Not the tax and port charges for the same cruise.

So it is NOT inaccurate at all. If I desided to go on a Panama canal cruise on the same ship that will visit the same ports and leave and return to the same port. The only price difference will be for different times of the year and that will ONLY be the cruise cost itself. The tax and port charges will NOT change, it remains constant, only the cruise cost itself. So picking a cruise going by the cruise cost itself is the best way to govern your cruise cost. No matter what the tax and port charges are. Everyone will pay the same for that cruise and they do not change during the year. Only the cruise cost itself.