Crazy pricing

[cusematt4]

Hi,

 

We are looking to go on our first post Covid cruise.  We had a feeling prices would be up from last year but are shocked that prices seem to be the highest they’ve ever been, even more than pre Covid.

 

For example, looking at the getaway for December 23 8 nights over the holidays, it would be $7,000 for two of the cheapest balcony cabins for 4 people.

 

Does anyone think that if we were to wait, prices may come down in a effort for NCL to fill the ships for what seems to be incredibly highly priced at the moment?

 

Thanks!

[hallux]

You're looking at a "prime" cruise, being during a holiday.  I'm looking at the last week of October on Breakaway (Canada/NE cruise) and one person in a balcony is $650 with FAS perks!

[FlGoodShips]

Holiday weeks are always more expensive.

If you can sail like we do, 1st week in Dec., its soooo much cheaper.

[RumRunner2021]

1 hour ago, hallux said:

You're looking at a "prime" cruise, being during a holiday. 

 

1 hour ago, FlGoodShips said:

Holiday weeks are always more expensive.

Yep.  This is a bit silly.  Probably a nice companion thread to the one about Prima being crazy expensive.

[complawyer]

knowing ncl and it's pricing tendencies, once youve booked the cruise and the day after your final payment was due, and you can no longer cancel,  then you can bet the prices will go down(lol)

[deliver42]

If you think that's expensive, che3ck out the Prima between Thanksgiving and Christmas (off times). I hope you don't have a bad heart.

[tallnthensome]

The real truth is NCL went from one of the best values in crusing to one of the worst values in just a short amount of time  ....it's simple as that. They raised prices significantly and their CEO has come out publicly and more or less stated that they are going to squeeze every last dime out of you and won't take the approach other lines have taken where they have discounted theirs. The cruises I just took and also have booked are at rates half of what NCL wants for a comparable apples to apples cruise. I suggest you look at other lines as I have dumped NCL for now. 

Edited August 27, 2022 by tallnthensome

[PATRLR]

I agree with @tallnthensome  - Check other lines, NCL has been pretty clear they aren't going to lower prices to fill cabins and then they came out and acknowledged they intend to nickle and dime every last coin out of you on board.

[AnitaVacation]

Well... they do have a lot of revenue to make up... alot of people are cruising on 'covid credit' from previously canceled cruises, so there is no money coming in there.... we are on the Getaway in Nov/Dec for 10 days, Casino deal, regular balcony cabin, with airfare for 2 and it cost us the entire $4000 credit that we had from 2 previously canceled cruises... 

But there are still some pretty good deals to be had...we find the best deals in the fall & winter (Sept-Jan) outside of holiday weeks, between Thanksgiving and Christmas and also in January after new years.  Once you get into Feb/Mar, you have to dodge mid-winter recess (in the Northeast) and then you have to dodge 'spring break' and we always avoid cruising June - August... 

The newest ships will be the most expensive.... 

We don't shy away from cruising during hurricane season.... in fact, it's our favorite time to go, the weather and price is usually really nice...and if we have to skip a port and/or go elsewhere, that's ok too....

[ziggyuk]

27 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

I agree with @tallnthensome  - Check other lines, NCL has been pretty clear they aren't going to lower prices to fill cabins and then they came out and acknowledged they intend to nickle and dime every last coin out of you on board.

 

They say that but they do reduce prices after final payment, so much so I paid $12pp for an inside to balcony upgrade after final payment in April (cancelled my $130 bid smartish).
They don't however reduce prices on a prime sailing like this over Christmas, if anything it will probably go up.

[tallnthensome]

33 minutes ago, AnitaVacation said:

But there are still some pretty good deals to be had...we find the best deals in the fall & winter (Sept-Jan) outside of holiday weeks, between Thanksgiving and Christmas and also in January after new years.  Once you get into Feb/Mar, you have to dodge mid-winter recess (in the Northeast) and then you have to dodge 'spring break' 

Meh, every cruise line offers discounted pricing during off peak season during the months you mention. I guess it comes down to what the individual feels is a good deal and what worth they get out of what their paying. 

 

I have cruises booked with Celebrity, MSC, Carnival, and NCL but will most likely be canceling my NCL Candada New England cruise . Booked 12 days to Europe (Iceland, Scotland, Ireland)  next August on Carnival for four in an extended balcony for $3500. A similar 11 day comparable on NCL to the same area and balcony is $10,000. Booked the brand new to come Carnival Jubilee for August 2024 four people in extended balcony for $1700. The cheapest 7 day on the old NCL breakaway same week 2024 comparable is $5000  today. My Alaska cruise I took two weeks ago was twice as much on NCL. I don't see how anyone is getting any sort of deal at all looking forward when the pricing gap is that astronomical. I would love to hear or see some deals people are getting on NCL right now just to see and compare. 

[njkate]

9 hours ago, hallux said:

You're looking at a "prime" cruise, being during a holiday.  I'm looking at the last week of October on Breakaway (Canada/NE cruise) and one person in a balcony is $650 with FAS perks!

Bottom line after taxes and fees it’s about $982 still a great price for one in a balcony 

[njkate]

27 minutes ago, tallnthensome said:

Meh, every cruise line offers discounted pricing during off peak season during the months you mention. I guess it comes down to what the individual feels is a good deal and what worth they get out of what their paying. 

 

I have cruises booked with Celebrity, MSC, Carnival, and NCL but will most likely be canceling my NCL Candada New England cruise . Booked 12 days to Europe (Iceland, Scotland, Ireland)  next August on Carnival for four in an extended balcony for $3500. A similar 11 day comparable on NCL to the same area and balcony is $10,000. Booked the brand new to come Carnival Jubilee for August 2024 four people in extended balcony for $1700. The cheapest 7 day on the old NCL breakaway same week 2024 comparable is $5000  today. My Alaska cruise I took two weeks ago was twice as much on NCL. I don't see how anyone is getting any sort of deal at all looking forward when the pricing gap is that astronomical. I would love to hear or see some deals people are getting on NCL right now just to see and compare. 

Same here, I was looking at British Isles for next July and ended up booking Princess. For 4 in a mini suite with the Princess Plus where you have drink pkg and crew appreciation factored in and the insurance it was $10k about 6500 less then NCL Dawn. I love NCL but unless you’re looking last minute at Carribean or Canada the pricing is unreal. 
Which Carnival ship are you on as I may take a look at that as it’s even less than Princess

[tallnthensome]

5 minutes ago, njkate said:

Which Carnival ship are you on as I may take a look at that as it’s even less than Princess

Carnival Pride August 2023 out of Londen (Dover). It wouldn't be my first choice of lines and ships but pricing is great when taking two teenagers as well and it being a destination cruise where the ship isn't as important as where we are going. 

[njkate]

11 minutes ago, tallnthensome said:

Carnival Pride August 2023 out of Londen (Dover). It wouldn't be my first choice of lines and ships but pricing is great when taking two teenagers as well and it being a destination cruise where the ship isn't as important as where we are going. 

Oh I did look at that one but I wanted a true British Isle. The princess cruise had Inverness, Edinburg, Belfast, Dublin, Cork, Liverpool, Le Harve and two more ports I can’t recall. 

[AnitaVacation]

1 hour ago, tallnthensome said:

Meh, every cruise line offers discounted pricing during off peak season during the months you mention. I guess it comes down to what the individual feels is a good deal and what worth they get out of what their paying. 

 

Yes, I should have clarified... cruising in general (most cruiselines) are cheaper during those times.  That being said, the casino deals we get from Carnival are unbeatable...(IMO)... the NCL cruise we have booked (Getaway, November) was also a casino deal, but with the upgrade in cabin and airfare it's still more than we pay with Carnival...(but we had to use this credit)...in comparison, we are booked on a 14 day (b2b), extended balcony, on the Mardi-Gras in January all inclusive (except airfare) for $1000 each week ($2000 total)... free drinks everywhere, $200 obc each week and $500 free play for each of us for each week ($2400 total)... and we have the same deal booked for a 14 day b2b again in Sepetember 2023.... (and no, we do not spend thousands in the casino...not at all...)

[FitchburgWIFamily]

10 hours ago, cusematt4 said:

 

For example, looking at the getaway for December 23 8 nights over the holidays, it would be $7,000 for two of the cheapest balcony cabins for 4 people.

 

That’s 3500 per room for an 8 day cruise in a high demand week?  What fare were you expecting?

That’s less than $500 a night, right?  Less than $250 per night per person?   Is that with or without FAS?  
 

It doesn’t seem that high to me when a room at an Embassy Suites is about $280 a night.   And all inclusive sun Mexico are considerably more than that over Christmas.

 

We just got off a 7 day on the Getaway and are about to get on the Breakaway in a week.  Inside state rooms.  $2500 for one and $2100 for the other.  Obviously I am happy with the price point or I wouldn’t have booked them.

[cruiseny4life]

Given you're booking over the Christmas holiday when supply is low, due to demand (kids out of school, families cruising together, it's a holiday), I think you're looking at a pretty good deal. If my math is right, then you're looking at just under $220/night, per person. Find a decent hotel for that rate, then add on your food and transportation. You'll be well over $220/night.

 

Sorry, methinks you're getting a good value. If you don't want to pay that amount, then you better not sail during Christmas week. Good luck and happy voyages!

[Sailing12Away]

I really don't understand how someone can compare a cruise on some of these other lines to a cruise on NCL and say they're comparable just because they stop in the same locations. A cruise is not a cruise... there's a reason some of those other cruise lines are always cheaper.

 

Regardless, there are always deals to be found. If you have your heart set on a particular week or destination, less options for deals - especially if it's the same week everyone else is off and wants to go. But I've been watching a 10 day on the Getaway for the last week of October this year and prices for Haven are ~$350/person/day which is a steal. 

[tallnthensome]

1 hour ago, Sailing12Away said:

I really don't understand how someone can compare a cruise on some of these other lines to a cruise on NCL and say they're comparable just because they stop in the same locations. A cruise is not a cruise... there's a reason some of those other cruise lines are always cheaper.

I guess you really don't understand or have cruised enough on multiple lines or cruising long enough period to know that some cruises that are more destination cruises like Alaska and Europe don't require the fanciest and newest ships to make it a great cruise. When you spend a lot of time off the ship or have few sea days there is less of a point to spend more in order to see the same things. If you are jusr cruising for the ship itself that may be different. There is nothing about NCL that justifies it to be double or slightly more now than the other lines when they have not improved anything. I still like NCL and our last trip on the 15 day full Panama Canal trip on the Bliss a couple years ago was wonderful .....at $5900. Not the $10,000 they want now. It's not justifying why the other lines are cheaper when the real question is why anyone would think NCL is worth double the cost..... it's not and foolish to think it is. I've done Princess, Holland, MSC, NCL, Royal, Carnival.....multiple times and NCL is just a notch above Carnival. Still not seeing anyone listing any "deals" on NCL. 

Edited August 27, 2022 by tallnthensome

[hallux]

6 hours ago, njkate said:

Bottom line after taxes and fees it’s about $982 still a great price for one in a balcony 

then, when you add the 20% discount code NCL has dropped in my account JUST for a Canada/NE cruise this year and the $100 'great cruise comeback' credit I got earlier it's an even BETTER deal!  I'm just debating spending my 'cruise fund' on a second cruise this year or do one in the Spring next year, for which NCL has dropped a 10% gift in my account.

 

Yes, folks - CHECK YOUR ACCOUNTS!  I've had two random % off coupons dropped in my account PLUS that $100 credit...

[Trimone]

You can book a land based holiday in 5 star accommodation in a premium resort for 50% cheaper than any NCL cruise.

My PCC is offering the kitchen sink to get us to book, not a chance canaries on an old rust bucket NCL SUN ? 

[MotownVoice]

8 hours ago, PATRLR said:

I agree with @tallnthensome  - Check other lines, NCL has been pretty clear they aren't going to lower prices to fill cabins and then they came out and acknowledged they intend to nickle and dime every last coin out of you on board.

 

Well the only thing I buy on board is water, gourmet coffee and the specialty restaurants cover charges.   I don’t even buy their poorly posed photos.  I come home with 5000 pictures everytime we leave the house.   Why do I need portraits where they pose us to look like American Gothic?   And they do NOT like it when you try to get creative.  I had a photographer go caustic on me just because I told him to shoot us on the stairway looking in two different direction, like it was capturing a spontaneous moment.   He wasn’t getting paid enough for spontaneity apparently. So no more of those pricey things.   

[RumRunner2021]

20 minutes ago, Trimone said:

any NCL cruise.

Any NCL cruise?

[gabbygal99]

7 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

Carnival Pride August 2023 out of Londen (Dover). It wouldn't be my first choice of lines and ships but pricing is great when taking two teenagers as well and it being a destination cruise where the ship isn't as important as where we are going. 

I was looking at the one too! I currently have one balcony and one inside cabin booked on the Dawn for the July 2 British Isles sailing next summer, with FAS and airfare from Boston- for $11k and change. 
 

I can get these two cabins on this Carnival itinerary for $6700 total, and then buy airfare, wifi, and a drinks package (we always book independent excursions) - for probably a lot less than the extra $4600 I’m paying to NCL. 
 

I keep booking NCL because I’m still trying to use up all the CruiseNext certificates I bought on my Bliss cruise in 2019, though! Maybe I should just sell them and call it a day…