Why are cruise prices so low right now?!

[bthomas67wagon]

Why are cruise prices so low right now?!

I would assume it is because only vaccinated people are able to cruise, right?

I thought I read that when visiting a destination you can't do any excursions unless it is a "bubble excursion" where you are taken to your destination and afterwards walked back to ship. Is this corrrect?

 

What other restrictions or changes are in effect that have driven the prices down?

 

(I went on a cruise just before Covid hit the US and obviously the prices were completely different)

[firefly333]

Some are low, some arent. I paid just about the same last week as pre covid. 

 

Some are getting low offers, its pick and choose.,

 

What date to you is low specifically? If I'm paying over $100 a day for a 1A, it's not a great price to me, so maybe a specific price would clarify if it's a special offer you got not availble to the rest of us.

[jsglow]

Prices are low because supply exceeds demand.  All the factors are Covid and protocol related ranging from vaccination status to testing to mask protocols to limited ports.

 

No, if you and your entire traveling party are fully vaxxed, you can generally explore on your own.  Bubble tours are essentially designed for participation by that 5% (practically all kids) to be able to participate in the onshore experience.

[ChrisNCruiser]

it's also the need to get and pass a COVID test within two days of cruising, which can be difficult to schedule in advance.  That said, we're sailing while the gettin' is good. We were on the Magic on August 21, and are going on a super-cheap Pride cruise this upcoming Sunday (assuming we pass the Walgreens COVID test we had to schedule after Midnight on Wednesday to ensure we could make appointments).

[BlerkOne]

Cruise prices really aren't low - quite the opposite. My guess is to keep ship capacity lower. Then casino offers come along (capacity controlled) to get ships up to desired capacity (my guess), and to entice some who don't have a cruise booked to book.

[BlerkOne]

Bubble tours are for the unvaxxed.

[jsglow]

1 minute ago, BlerkOne said:

Cruise prices really aren't low - quite the opposite. My guess is to keep ship capacity lower. Then casino offers come along (capacity controlled) to get ships up to desired capacity (my guess), and to entice some who don't have a cruise booked to book.

Beg to differ Blerk.  You could hop on something over these next few weeks for as cheap as you have ever seen.

[bthomas67wagon]

I was looking at ships out of Miami in Oct, and it's like $25 per person (plus $160 for port fees) for 6-8 day cruises.

That to me is insanely cheap!!

Edited September 23, 2021 by bthomas67wagon

[ChrisNCruiser]

2 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Cruise prices really aren't low - quite the opposite. My guess is to keep ship capacity lower. Then casino offers come along (capacity controlled) to get ships up to desired capacity (my guess), and to entice some who don't have a cruise booked to book.

Some are quite low based on targeted offers. Our one-week Pride sailing for this Sunday was insanely cheap - I'm not sure if we're permitted to list prices, but we received an offer last week for $129 per person for any non-Suite cabin. (We obviously picked an extended balcony vs. an interior LOL.) An additional caveat to this offer is that we had to pre-pay gratuities in advance - no biggie. We are NOT gamblers nor do we spend a lot of money on drinks, excursions, souvenirs, or other extras, so we're not sure why we received this targeted offer other than my Diamond status. 

[firefly333]

9 minutes ago, jsglow said:

Beg to differ Blerk.  You could hop on something over these next few weeks for as cheap as you have ever seen.

Again name a publically offered low rate that I could book. .. though I admit I'm only looking at Galveston 

 

I paid about 850 for my 1A. I've had rates before 399 x 2, plus taxes pre covid. No big deals to me.

 

On the other hand there are plenty of cheaper rates I was able to book on rcl ... that anyone could book. Not targeted special people. I've seen rates under $500 including fees on rcl for 7 days. 

 

So far just opinions, but no specific rates anyone can book on carnival. Sept for 850 during the top of hurricane season was no great price for a 1A last week. Hurricane season usually has bargains. I could book for that or less pre covid. 

 

Waiting for some actual deal to be posted. I dont see them. 

 

Seems the thread got moved as no one could name a single publically offered carnival price that was a big bargain. Oh well. When it's just certain people picked to get offers, it's just filling up the ship. Making people who dont get the offers find other cruiselines.

Edited September 23, 2021 by firefly333

[bthomas67wagon]

"Bubble tours are for the unvaxxed." - Thanks for the clarity.

If I went on a cruise and wasn't able to get off the ship or only get off ship to go to an excursion and hen have to go immediately back, it would not be worth it, to me.

 

Any major restrictions anyone is aware of?

 

[BlerkOne]

9 minutes ago, newpherchris said:

Some are quite low based on targeted offers. Our one-week Pride sailing for this Sunday was insanely cheap - I'm not sure if we're permitted to list prices, but we received an offer last week for $129 per person for any non-Suite cabin. (We obviously picked an extended balcony vs. an interior LOL.) An additional caveat to this offer is that we had to pre-pay gratuities in advance - no biggie. We are NOT gamblers nor do we spend a lot of money on drinks, excursions, souvenirs, or other extras, so we're not sure why we received this targeted offer other than my Diamond status. 

Yes, definitely targeted, but capacity controlled. Only so many cabins per cruise. Marketing 101. The offers will only exist as long as desired ROI is made. Take advantage while you can.

 

 

[BlerkOne]

18 minutes ago, jsglow said:

Beg to differ Blerk.  You could hop on something over these next few weeks for as cheap as you have ever seen.

Actually I can't. I'm cruising Sunday and the prices have come down, but not for my aft wrap. I dd get my share of cheap offers, and have some casino deals that basically amount to a small discount and free drinks. But no cheap offers left for me.

[bthomas67wagon]

"Yes, definitely targeted" - What do you mean?

"ROI" - What is that?

 

Sorry, new to cruising and the lingo.

[jsglow]

17 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Again name a publically offered low rate that I could book. .. though I admit I'm only looking at Galveston 

 

I paid about 850 for my 1A. I've had rates before 399 x 2, plus taxes pre covid. No big deals to me.

 

On the other hand there are plenty of cheaper rates I was able to book on rcl ... that anyone could book. Not targeted special people. I've seen rates under $500 including fees on rcl for 7 days. 

 

So far just opinions, but no specific rates anyone can book on carnival. Sept for 850 during the top of hurricane season was no great price for a 1A last week. Hurricane season usually has bargains. I could book for that or less pre covid. 

 

Waiting for some actual deal to be posted. I dont see them. 

 

Seems the thread got moved as no one could name a single publically offered carnival price that was a big bargain. Oh well. When it's just certain people picked to get offers, it's just filling up the ship. Making people who dont get the offers find other cruiselines.

Essentially every 5 nighter out of Galveston in the month of October can be purchased online via TAs (of course I can't mention specifics) in the range of $130-$150pp + port fees/taxes.  That's cheap.

Edited September 23, 2021 by jsglow

[jsglow]

5 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Actually I can't. I'm cruising Sunday and the prices have come down, but not for my aft wrap. I dd get my share of cheap offers, and have some casino deals that basically amount to a small discount and free drinks. But no cheap offers left for me.

Enjoy your Aft Wrap!

[jsglow]

19 minutes ago, bthomas67wagon said:

"Bubble tours are for the unvaxxed." - Thanks for the clarity.

If I went on a cruise and wasn't able to get off the ship or only get off ship to go to an excursion and hen have to go immediately back, it would not be worth it, to me.

 

Any major restrictions anyone is aware of?

 

It all depends on the individual island.  You'll have to research.  Here's what you shouldn't assume.... cruising right now is like it was in 2019.

[BlerkOne]

10 minutes ago, jsglow said:

Essentially every 5 nighter out of Galveston in the month of October can be purchased online via TAs (of course I can't mention specifics) in the range of $130-$150pp + port fees/taxes.  That's cheap.

Yes, Galveston does look cheap(er). Even for balconies! If not for the politics...

[BlerkOne]

8 minutes ago, jsglow said:

Enjoy your Aft Wrap!

and on our Nov cruise, too!

[jsglow]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

Yes, Galveston does look cheap(er). Even for balconies! If not for the politics...

Balconies have political leanings?  Learned something new today. 🤠

[IntrepidFromDC]

2 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I admit I'm only looking at Galveston 

Waiting for some actual deal to be posted. I dont see them. 

 

Seems the thread got moved as no one could name a single publically offered carnival price that was a big bargain. Oh well. 

[firefly333]

27 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

I dont have these prices so I'm assuming more targeted offers, not ones anyone like me can book. I put in 1 pax, and the lowest I see for 5 days is 239. Nothing for 60 or 60 x 2. I'd be booking it. 

 

Carnival is driving away many people who think I dont want to pay more than the next guy, this isnt fair to me. Proves my point. why should I pay more than joe blow? Makes no sense. Because I'm already booked?

 

Here is what I see 

 

[Aquahound]

1 hour ago, jsglow said:

Balconies have political leanings?  Learned something new today. 🤠

Well, of course. Most balconies are either on the left or right. 😜

[jsglow]

27 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I dont have these prices so I'm assuming more targeted offers, not ones anyone like me can book. I put in 1 pax, and the lowest I see for 5 days is 239. Nothing for 60 or 60 x 2. I'd be booking it. 

 

Carnival is driving away many people who think I dont want to pay more than the next guy, this isnt fair to me. Proves my point. why should I pay more than joe blow? Makes no sense. Because I'm already booked?

 

Here is what I see 

 

Fire.  Here's your mistake.  Carnival is not selling cruises this cheaply THEMSELVES.  They're 'dumping' through independent travel agents right now.

[Hlitner]

5 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Bubble tours are for the unvaxxed.

That is not at all true.  So called "Bubble tours" are simply meant  to comply with rules that may be imposed by a port, cruise line, or both.  Being vaccinated will often have nothing to do with it.  As an example, the Seabourn Odyssey cruises out of Barbados require 100% of passengers and crew to be vaccinated..and tested.  But they must use "Bubble Tours" at each port because of rules imposed by Barbados (the ship's current home port) and the islands.  

 

Hank