Easiest way to learn "how full is my upcoming cruise?"

[daveAZBC]

There must be a quicker way to find out how full an upcoming cruise is than creating a new mock booking!

I'd love to learn your tips and tricks. Thanks!

[1025cruise]

I just assume the ship is sailing full.

[TiogaCruiser]

With the standby program I would not expect enough empty cabin to make a difference.  Especially with guests 3&4 free

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Some TA post open cabins.

[CruiserBruce]

1 hour ago, daveAZBC said:

There must be a quicker way to find out how full an upcoming cruise is than creating a new mock booking!

I'd love to learn your tips and tricks. Thanks!

Lots of people spend a lot of time trying to figure this out, and it is discussed here quite regularly, but, in reality, between guarantee bookings and the new standby program, its really hard to get any serious idea.

 

Hasn't affected us yet in 27 cruises. The only one that we even thought about it was our Solar Eclipse cruise last April, but we figured it would sell out fast, and in fact it was over sold. 

[syesmar]

@daveAZBC 

This may be outdated, as it has been a few years for me, but a travel agent once told me the way she could get an idea was that HAL uses a standard “9” to show how many cabins are available per category (even if there are greater than 9, what she could see would just show “9”) in her booking portal until the actual number dipped below 9 available (per category). When it dipped below 9, the real number of cabins in that category would be displayed for her. 

[Hlitner]

There is a reason that many of us use the term "mass market line" to describe HAL, Princess, RCI, etc.  These lines all use a business plan based on "maximizing onboard revenue" which also means finding ways to fill most of the berths (i.e. an empty berth does not generate any onboard revenue).  Lines like HAL fill their berths through many methods, such as last minute "casino specials" targeted to gamblers who will often cruise at huge discounted rates, Interline deals which are aimed at various folks, in the travel industry, who also get discounted rates. If all else fails they can offer nearly free cruises to employees, folks who work at the cruise terminals, etc.  

 

And then there are the last minute deals that are often handled by certain cruise agencies (and consortiums) that are fine for those of us who are prepared to commit to last minute travel.  In the past, we have taken advantage to some of the last minute HAL deals (you will not normally find these on the HAL web site or through a PCC).  

 

I agree with the posters who say, do not waste your time trying to find cruises well below capacity.  If you must, consider cruises with lousy itineraries at low travel times (such as right after New Years).  But we have noticed that many savvy cruisers have also discovered the less popular weeks, so even they may now be fully booked.  

 

Probably the best time to cruise, ever, was right after the COVID restart.  Ships, of many cruise lines, were often less than 50% of capacity and prices were quite low.  During those months, we managed to travel on two longer Seabourn cruises for bargain basement prices.  On one Seabourn cruise we actually had more crew than passengers (and service was fantastic).  We saw one of the huge Celebrity Edge-class ships in the Greek Islands when it was at less than 50% capacity (some of the passengers told us it was eerie).

 

These days, finding the great deals is difficult because cruise bookings are strong.  We have had some good luck finding deals, but it has mostly been on the ultra-luxury cruise lines where we can sometimes snag deals that are less costly than a suite on HAL.  

 

Hank

[syesmar]

6 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

…Probably the best time to cruise, ever, was right after the COVID restart.  Ships, of many cruise lines, were often less than 50% of capacity and prices were quite low.  During those months, we managed to travel on two longer Seabourn cruises for bargain basement prices.  On one Seabourn cruise we actually had more crew than passengers (and service was fantastic).  We saw one of the huge Celebrity Edge-class ships in the Greek Islands when it was at less than 50% capacity (some of the passengers told us it was eerie).…

I was hit with that realization only after-the-fact. I think some of us (me included) were fazed by the images of previously stranded or ill passengers that we didn’t realize the re-start probably presented one of the best opportunities to cruise.

[syesmar]

@daveAZBC I used to try and see how full a sailing was and only put a booking on hold when I thought I was in danger of losing a spot (part of the reason is that those with active bookings can miss out on some sales, which never made sense to me as some people hold multiple bookings for various sailings at a time. Another reason at the time was a pattern of price drops at certain intervals). I said that to say, one time I waited one day too long, thinking I would be fine to wait til morning to make my booking, based on the supposed number of rooms available. But a large family group took all the remaining rooms and by morning my luck had run out. Space never opened back up on that sailing. I learned my lesson after that.

[Hlitner]

2 minutes ago, syesmar said:

I was hit with that realization only after-the-fact. I think some of us (me included) were fazed by the images of previously stranded or ill passengers that we didn’t realize the re-start probably presented one of the best opportunities to cruise.

Many folks were dealing with Covidphobia and truly afraid to go anywhere!  In fact, we still see some of that when we travel/cruise,  DW and I had a different attitude and actually kept traveling throughout COVID (except for March-July of that first covid year).  It was a fun challenge trying to find places to go during the pandemic (we went to Mexico and Key West during the worst part of the pandemic)  

 

When cruising restarted, we quickly booked an amazing deal on a few week Seabourn cruise in the Greek Isles.  We than doubled down and, when we got off that cruise, jumped on a large ferry and cruised to Naxos, later to Paros, etc.  It was some of the best travel we have done in decades.  There were plenty of other folks traveling the Greek Isles, mostly from other European countries (except the UK which still had crazy restrictions on their folks).  But we never met a single American in Naxos and Paros!

 

I admit to being somewhat of a travel contrarian.  When folks tell me they are afraid to go to certain places, we start looking at booking a trip (to that place).  We now have the relatively new issue of "overtourism" which is causing lots of problems in popular destinations   I am starting to fear that cruising (to interesting ports) is becoming a major issue.  On the other hand, independent land trips such as a long driving vacation in western Europe, is still a terrific option.  Most recently, we got frustrated because two of our future cruises changed their itineraries to avoid Turkey (a country we really enjoy),  So yes, we recently booked a future flight to Japan, via Istanbul, so we could spend some time in that fabulous city.

 

I will admit that being on a full cruise ship does not normally cause us a problem.  Why?  Just like when we do our independent land trips, we are contrarian cruisers.  For example, if on a HAL (or many other lines) we realize that many folks want to dine early, go to early shows, and go to bed early,  So, we dine late, go to the shows that are timed for later diners, etc.  Even on full ships we seldom need to wait in lines.  With dining, the new trend is for folks to dine at "2 tops" so we usually opt to share larger tables with folks.  Not only do we seldom wait, but we meet many interesting and fun folks.  On HAL, the Lido will normally have a line at 11:45 to at least 12:30, for lunch.  But go at 1 and there is usually no line and no crowding at the various buffet stations.    

 

Hank

 

 

[sunviking90]

I think this is the year that all the cruises are sailing truly full. Even last year we were on some sailing at only 80%. We know a number of people who weren’t “ready” to sail until this year and have finally booked.

We are booked on our annual Alaska cruise in August, but as locals, the  “deals” we usually take advantage of for these disappeared a lot sooner this year, and most sailings are sold out. Usually I am still getting offers for Alaska into July. I’m not looking forward to a full ship, but it is what it is. At least most of our cruises these days are longer itineraries, so we are less likely to have the packed 3rd and 4th filled berth situation we will likely have in Alaska.
Early post Covid sailings were truly the best time to sail and I think really spoiled us forever. January 2022 we sailed on a Princess Royal class ship at 30% occupancy. We had around the same number of crew as passengers, and they were all so happy to be back, were able to give great service etc. Fortunately I was newly retired and we took 8 cruises that year.

 

 

Edited July 21 by sunviking90

[POA1]

The advice on the 9 available is solid. A lot of your travel booking systems are built on top of SABRE. It only allocated 1 digit to availability. When you see a 9, it could mean any number nine or higher. 8 or less matches the available cabins.

 

 

The character limitations are also why people with long names have theirs truncated. (Side note: If you have a hyphenated last name and you breed with another hyphenated last name person, your spawn may have travel troubles in  the future.)

 

Edited July 21 by POA1

[rj59]

17 hours ago, Hlitner said:

There is a reason that many of us use the term "mass market line" to describe HAL, Princess, RCI, etc.  These lines all use a business plan based on "maximizing onboard revenue" which also means finding ways to fill most of the berths (i.e. an empty berth does not generate any onboard revenue).  Lines like HAL fill their berths through many methods, such as last minute "casino specials" targeted to gamblers who will often cruise at huge discounted rates, Interline deals which are aimed at various folks, in the travel industry, who also get discounted rates. If all else fails they can offer nearly free cruises to employees, folks who work at the cruise terminals, etc.  

 

And then there are the last minute deals that are often handled by certain cruise agencies (and consortiums) that are fine for those of us who are prepared to commit to last minute travel.  In the past, we have taken advantage to some of the last minute HAL deals (you will not normally find these on the HAL web site or through a PCC).  

 

I agree with the posters who say, do not waste your time trying to find cruises well below capacity.  If you must, consider cruises with lousy itineraries at low travel times (such as right after New Years).  But we have noticed that many savvy cruisers have also discovered the less popular weeks, so even they may now be fully booked.  

 

Probably the best time to cruise, ever, was right after the COVID restart.  Ships, of many cruise lines, were often less than 50% of capacity and prices were quite low.  During those months, we managed to travel on two longer Seabourn cruises for bargain basement prices.  On one Seabourn cruise we actually had more crew than passengers (and service was fantastic).  We saw one of the huge Celebrity Edge-class ships in the Greek Islands when it was at less than 50% capacity (some of the passengers told us it was eerie).

 

These days, finding the great deals is difficult because cruise bookings are strong.  We have had some good luck finding deals, but it has mostly been on the ultra-luxury cruise lines where we can sometimes snag deals that are less costly than a suite on HAL.  

 

Hank

Man, restart year was nice. My first was Ovation of the Seas going to Alaska at 30% occupancy. Then several on Majestic Princess to Mexico, with under 1000 people on board. Then 4 cruises on Celebrity Solstice to Mexico with 600-800 people on board, several of them with all-included, for $300 average for an inside solo. Carnival was selling 4-night cruises to Mexico for $25. Masking and having to get a Covid test were a pain, but worth it. It made it that much harder the following summer, when I was on a full Discovery Princess, with no seating at any production show, and I ended up getting Covid. That was the end of the good times, although I did buy 100 shares of RCL at $40 to get shareholder OBC, and now it's at $160. 

[terrydtx]

I thought once your cruise no longer shows up to book in the HAL website it was sold out. Our Volendam cruise next month has not been on the HAL website for the last few weeks, prior to that time only the inside cabin category showed as available.

[Will_Dieterich]

44 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

I thought once your cruise no longer shows up to book in the HAL website it was sold out. Our Volendam cruise next month has not been on the HAL website for the last few weeks, prior to that time only the inside cabin category showed as available.

Not always.  I have been watching for a cruise that completely disappeared from travel web sites but has now shown back up as being sold out.  Now the issue is that is the middle of three different cruises and they as selling all three as a single cruise or you can purchase segments 1 and 2 or segments 2 and 3 both as single cruises.   In the past you could purchase each of the parts separately.  So it is not sold out but not currently available.

[albingirl]

If you are already booked, call and ask for an upsell.  You'll find out then if the cruise is full.

[kangforpres]

I just ask a crew member once onboard, either a cabin steward or MDR steward and they usually give me an exact number since they were just told it.  For exaple 2415 on the Konigsdam means about 345 empty berths. They will not know unfilled cabins just total pax.

 

-Paul

[CruiserBruce]

1 minute ago, kangforpres said:

I just ask a crew member once onboard, either a cabin steward or MDR steward and they usually give me an exact number since they were just told it.  For exaple 2415 on the Konigsdam means about 345 empty berths. They will not know unfilled cabins just total pax.

 

-Paul

But that doesn't mean every cabin isn't booked. It would just mean all the third and fourth berth cabins are only occupied by 2. Or even 1 person in some cases.

[Rubyfisch]

21 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

But that doesn't mean every cabin isn't booked. It would just mean all the third and fourth berth cabins are only occupied by 2. Or even 1 person in some cases.

Yeah - the numbers can get wonky. On my first Holland cruise, effectively all of the cabins were sold, but we were several hundred under capacity because there were so many solo travelers. 

[CruiserBruce]

10 minutes ago, Rubyfisch said:

Yeah - the numbers can get wonky. On my first Holland cruise, effectively all of the cabins were sold, but we were several hundred under capacity because there were so many solo travelers. 

And this is why just a random number doesn't tell the whole story. And just one of many reasons why it's so hard to determine how full the ship is.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Strange results looking at a cruise on Eurodam for this winter. I'm already booked, and our roll call has noticed how little availability there is for verandah cabins. Neptunes are sold out. 

 

After the discussion about singles and doubles not able to book a triple cabin, I did some exploring. A month ago, sure enough, I couldn't find a triple cabin if I entered 1 or 2 passengers (I checked the deck plans against the website). I tried 3 and got a whole different set of cabins offered. 

 

Today, I see only two double cabins on the whole ship. Same two whether I enter 1 or 2 passengers. If I ask for a triple, the website wants me to book two cabins. But it shows me a selection of quads on deck 4. Why would I want two quads for 3 people?????

[wdw1972]

11 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

Today, I see only two double cabins on the whole ship. Same two whether I enter 1 or 2 passengers. If I ask for a triple, the website wants me to book two cabins. But it shows me a selection of quads on deck 4. Why would I want two quads for 3 people?????

From my experience a quad is no different than a double stateroom, other than having extra bedding for the 3rd & 4th person (including one that pulls down from the ceiling - ridiculous)! There is no way I'd consider cruising with 3 of us sharing a stateroom, but that's just me. When the 3 of us cruise, we book 3 staterooms - but I realize many people either don't mind sharing or feel they can't afford to cruise without sharing. 

 

I agree this booking attempt is odd, and it's the opposite of HAL's recent approach of trying to cram as many bodies onboard as possible. Then again, HAL's not the most consistent entity out there 😉

 

Sue/WDW1972