Short Caribbean cruises not selling

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Since we have to fly to the port and get there one or two days before the cruise, a short cruise becomes cost prohibitive. We will stick with cruises of at least 7 days, preferably longer.

[Iamcruzin]

Im booked on Reflection for Sept 30. I think it has more to do with the time of year being shoulder season than the short itinerary. It's the end of the summer schools back in session. It's the time of year for Newly Weds and Nearly deads.  These are the cruises Florida residents book. Quick get away, you can drive to port and they also come with a Florida resident/ Senior discount. Either way we qualified. 

Edited Wednesday at 01:08 AM by Iamcruzin

[NMTraveller]

I never could figure out why Celebrity was getting into the booze cruise market ...

[Iamcruzin]

6 hours ago, 563toM said:

On RC we cruised on a 4 day and 3 day so we could visit Coco cay twice and it was still a 7 day cruise.  It was on the same ship but we learned our lesson and never again.  They were both a booze cruise and for the 3 day no one got at Nassau which ruined our quiet ship plan.

 

Anymore due to the cost of airfare and hotel etc we now book two cruises back to back.  In December we are cruising a 7 day followed by a 6 day.  

We opted for the Key West and Bimini itinerary because we have never been to either. We knew Coco Cay would be a frat party since the drink package can be used there. I'm not a fan of the man made islands unless they are part of a longer itinerary.  I live in Florida and If I want to sit by the pool all day I could stay home. I won't even board a ship going to Nassau. When we lived in NY we wouldn't even consider a short cruise even 7 days turned into 9 or 10 when we earned more PTO. It's not worth the flight.

[canderson]

1 hour ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

Since we have to fly to the port and get there one or two days before the cruise, a short cruise becomes cost prohibitive. We will stick with cruises of at least 7 days, preferably longer.

Agreed.  We haven't taken a cruise (including river cruises) or B2B with different ports shorter than 14 days in many years ... especially if we have to fly to and/or from Europe where we started that practice even earlier.

[aylamarguerida]

I have an entirely opposite opinion to most here.  I can't spare the vacation time.  I have no problem coming up with the airfare. I frequently find airfare for under $100 round trip per person.  For a short cruise, no need to pay to pack more.  Vacation time is precious enough and my income is enough, that I would be willing to spend $350 or so pp to be able to cruise for a 3 day weekend.  Airfare is no issue.

 

But what is the problem?  Why am I not booked on the listed cruise? It isn't short enough.  Try finding a cruise that fits into my stated 3 day weekend. I have tried many times.  They don't exist.  Let me fly out after work Friday night. Board Saturday.  Disembark Monday morning. Fly home.  I will be on many of these if they are offered.  Not a partier either.  No interest in a booze cruise.  Just somebody who has to work.  What good does this fake short cruise do me?

 

Instead I get to spend my dollars at Disney which I can actually manage for a regular 2 day weekend or if I have a 3 day weekend head off to Punta Cana or Costa Rica.  I would prefer a cruise though. I suspect many would.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

9 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

I'm not a fan of the man made islands

 

Technically it's just human-developped (as are the other islands where there are ports). RCCL did not create the island - it existed already. They just developped it.

 

But I get your point.

[cruisetonowhere10]

I’m not opposed to a shorter cruise from a time standpoint.  As a teacher, my time off is confined to specific set days and taking any extra around said vacations/long wknds is forbidden in my district.  So, a 7 day is hard unless it’s the summer (DH has a hard schedule to work around as well) so next April we are trying a 4 night out of FLL.  Allows us time to fly in one day in advance, stay a night, cruise, fly home with a buffer of a day on each end to accommodate both work schedules.  I totally get other scenarios and wish we had that problem.  Typically we fly for free on SWA with points so the expenditure on flights doesn’t hurt as much.  Just an alternate opinion here showing that there may well be some market for the 3-4 day cruises.

[Iamcruzin]

1 hour ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Technically it's just human-developped (as are the other islands where there are ports). RCCL did not create the island - it existed already. They just developped it.

 

But I get your point.

Thank you I was aware of that. I was referring to the pools and such. I also consider Manhattan a man made Island.

[bEwAbG]

Short cruises attract partiers so even if you book multiple ones to make a longer trip, it's just exposure to the same type of traveler.  Nothing wrong with people who want to party but not conducive to the relaxing vibe I prefer if I'm going to take a cruise.  It's also very hot in the Caribbean this time of year in addition to the unknowns with hurricane season.  Don't really understand the strategy.  I think they need to get rid of a couple of ships or should look into offering more varied itineraries during the summer season.

[PTC DAWG]

14 hours ago, Team Stag said:

We did a short cruise a couple weeks ago & it was sold out.  I will also say - it was a lot of fun.  Very lively crowd but not over the top.  I know weekend cruises tend to be more lively; but I thought Celebrity showed themselves very well & are definitely appealing to a new customer base.  We thought we would be stuck with VV as short cruise line; but had twice as much fun on our Reflection weekend getaway.

 

One thing I think gets missed - we had several on our cruise who combined a 4 day & 3 day B2B but basically a 7 day cruise with a Ft Lauderdale beach day.  

Glad to hear it, choices are good..

[PTC DAWG]

11 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

I never could figure out why Celebrity was getting into the booze cruise market ...

Not everyone is interested in a short cruise on Royal or Carnival.

[Georgia_Peaches]

2 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Not everyone is interested in a short cruise on Royal or Carnival.

Carnival would have to pay me....A LOT to short cruise with them ever again.  Hubby and I did a short cruise on the Fantasy almost 20 years ago to celebrate our first wedding anniversary.  It was a 4 night jaunt to the Bahamas out of Jacksonville.  It was convenient both for driving and it fit my work schedule over thanksgiving.  HOWEVER, our only escape from the mayhem was the topless sun deck where most had no business being topless...the other option was the casino, which was fun but alive with not one, not two, but three different very public domestic disputes.  We still riminess about it to this day...so there's that.  Thanks for the memories, Carnival!

[retired dude]

6 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Carnival would have to pay me....A LOT to short cruise with them ever again.  Hubby and I did a short cruise on the Fantasy almost 20 years ago to celebrate our first wedding anniversary.  It was a 4 night jaunt to the Bahamas out of Jacksonville.  It was convenient both for driving and it fit my work schedule over thanksgiving.  HOWEVER, our only escape from the mayhem was the topless sun deck where most had no business being topless...the other option was the casino, which was fun but alive with not one, not two, but three different very public domestic disputes.  We still riminess about it to this day...so there's that.  Thanks for the memories, Carnival!

fondest memories on carnival: woman at our table that passed out twice in the prime rib, ball caps backwards, tee shirts,flip flops at formal night dinner, drunks in the halls all night long, and the list goes on...That was 30 years ago and there isn't enough $ to get me back on one of their ships,,,life is good on celebrity!

[hcat]

2 hours ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Technically it's just human-developped (as are the other islands where there are ports). RCCL did not create the island - it existed already. They just developped it.

 

But I get your point.

yes, they developed these beautiful natural areas..I believe most of  the profits go to the Cruise Line and its partnerships.

 

I think  they .did a nice job on  the one on Labadee Haiti... kept it quite natural  with  activites  that fit in.. coaster, zip line.. some water spirts,  the over water huts  and local  good in most shops  ( sad it is closed for now?)

 

Coco Cay was so much nicer as  it was..lightly developed and very  natural...Now its like any other resort or our  Fla Community! Turned into a kiddie carnival.. at very high prices..  Wonder  if kids there collect seashells or dig in the sand?

 

Anyhow.. that said we have 3 booked X  cruises..8, 7 and 4 days( on Silhouette...hope it will be ok)  None going to Coco Cay.

[PTC DAWG]

5 minutes ago, hcat said:

yes, they developed these beautiful natural areas..I believe most of  the profits go to the Cruise Line and its partnerships.

 

I think  they .did a nice job on  the one on Labadee Haiti... kept it quite natural  with  activites  that fit in.. coaster, zip line.. some water spirts,  the over water huts  and local  good in most shops  ( sad it is closed for now?)

 

Coco Cay was so much nicer as  it was..lightly developed and very  natural...Now its like any other resort or our  Fla Community! Turned into a kiddie carnival.. at very high prices..  Wonder  if kids there collect seashells or dig in the sand?

 

Anyhow.. that said we have 3 booked X  cruises..8, 7 and 4 days( on Silhouette...hope it will be ok)  None going to Coco Cay.

There are quiet beaches at Coco Cay…

[phoenix_dream]

20 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

Im booked on Reflection for Sept 30. I think it has more to do with the time of year being shoulder season than the short itinerary. It's the end of the summer schools back in session. It's the time of year for Newly Weds and Nearly deads.  These are the cruises Florida residents book. Quick get away, you can drive to port and they also come with a Florida resident/ Senior discount. Either way we qualified. 

Is it really necessary to call senior citizens "Nearly deads"

[keesar]

10 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

Is it really necessary to call senior citizens "Nearly deads"

Then why do they carry so many caskets on board? 

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

32 minutes ago, keesar said:

Then why do they carry so many caskets on board? 

Young people can die as well. And have on ships before.

[Iamcruzin]

2 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

Is it really necessary to call senior citizens "Nearly deads"

I am one and fine with it.

[Arzeena]

On 6/26/2024 at 9:38 AM, PTC DAWG said:

There are quiet beaches at Coco Cay…

Shhhhh. Don't spill the beans. We don't want the crowds!🤣🤣

[Tom and Ingrid]

On 6/26/2024 at 9:38 AM, PTC DAWG said:

There are quiet beaches at Coco Cay…

 

2 minutes ago, Arzeena said:

Shhhhh. Don't spill the beans. We don't want the crowds!🤣🤣

He is doing a good job convincing me that I should try CocoCay at least once 😄.

 

So much comes down to the "alternative" that was swapped out to put CocoCay in.  In the poll, I mentioned that it probably is a good swap for Nassau nowadays if you're looking just to find a relaxing beach. Back in the old days, we would just plop down near the Paradise casino/hotel, and wander up into it after spending time on the beach.  Nowadays, it's a bit more of a challenge to get off and out to a relatively quiet "public" beach area there, so I'm more open to trying CocoCay instead - especially if I can simply find a pretty & quiet stretch of beach and water to enjoy. 

[Iamcruzin]

6 minutes ago, Tom and Ingrid said:

 

He is doing a good job convincing me that I should try CocoCay at least once 😄.

 

So much comes down to the "alternative" that was swapped out to put CocoCay in.  In the poll, I mentioned that it probably is a good swap for Nassau nowadays if you're looking just to find a relaxing beach. Back in the old days, we would just plop down near the Paradise casino/hotel, and wander up into it after spending time on the beach.  Nowadays, it's a bit more of a challenge to get off and out to a relatively quiet "public" beach area there, so I'm more open to trying CocoCay instead - especially if I can simply find a pretty & quiet stretch of beach and water to enjoy. 

I won't even book a cruise that calls on Nassau or Freeport. In those cases any lines Private Island is better including Princess Cay which I hate.

[Tom and Ingrid]

1 hour ago, Iamcruzin said:

I won't even book a cruise that calls on Nassau or Freeport. In those cases any lines Private Island is better including Princess Cay which I hate.

That's sort of where I'm headed, I think.  First step - avoid both - but if that fails or the rest of the itinerary is good, pick the private beach option.  Still very unlikely to do a 4-5 day trip though.

[horseymike]

On 6/25/2024 at 4:00 PM, Salt Lifer said:

I personally just don't see Celebrity doing well in the short cruise market.  Too much competition from lines whose existing demographic better fit the market.

Maybe they are trying to get established for a piece of that market.