Experience $$ Booking When Itinerary First Release

[poffles]

Hi ... I am new to Holland (Celebrity loyal) and am keeping a watchful eye for Panama 2027.  This has me wondering what others have experienced with pricing of newly released HAL cruises, is the price more often initially high until 'traffic' settles down or is it rather that this might be better costing, or maybe it's all the same?

 

I realize this can be a total crap shoot for many reasons, my ask is more to not walk into a trap of inflated cost that others have known to be a pattern upon first release.  I am not looking for a unique cabin that might sell out but I am anxious to book and enjoy the wait, I also want HIA+ Early Booking which I am trusting to be refundable deposit bookings.

 

Hopefully the 2027 pricing won't be so bad that it stops me in my tracks, I really want to try HAL and a longer itinerary.  Thanks all....

Edited September 3 by poffles

[seagarsmoker]

IMHO when you said "this is a crap shot" is how I would answer your question.

We almost always book a couple of weeks after the cruise we want to take is available. The first reason is picking our own cabin; secondly, HIA includes gratuities (when you book early). In our case, we stay in cat SA, where the gratuities are higher, and in most cases, we come out ahead in paying for HIA. 

I look at the booked total price and check the website every couple of months and so far, the prices are higher the closer to the cruise. For our fall cruise, the price is 2k more; next spring, it is 3K more. Another example is my sister is cruising with us next spring and she is single and gets an inside cabin on deck 7. I have been telling her for over a year to book the cruise as prices are going up and she kept putting it off. Finally, about 10 days ago she said she was ready to book, and the price was $545 higher than a year ago.

Every situation is different, so I am not sure if I was of any help.

[poffles]

46 minutes ago, seagarsmoker said:

IMHO when you said "this is a crap shot" is how I would answer your question.

We almost always book a couple of weeks after the cruise we want to take is available. The first reason is picking our own cabin; secondly, HIA includes gratuities (when you book early). In our case, we stay in cat SA, where the gratuities are higher, and in most cases, we come out ahead in paying for HIA. 

I look at the booked total price and check the website every couple of months and so far, the prices are higher the closer to the cruise. For our fall cruise, the price is 2k more; next spring, it is 3K more. Another example is my sister is cruising with us next spring and she is single and gets an inside cabin on deck 7. I have been telling her for over a year to book the cruise as prices are going up and she kept putting it off. Finally, about 10 days ago she said she was ready to book, and the price was $545 higher than a year ago.

Every situation is different, so I am not sure if I was of any help.

 

Thank you ... def help and confirms what I was thinking but thought maybe I'm assuming too much.  I've never awaited and booked a cruise when it first came out so figured no harm in seeing what others have experienced.  I will likely book if price is not initially perceived to be jacked up and reap the HIA+ benefits.

 

Edit to add:  And I will definitely keep an eye on the price as time goes along.

Edited September 3 by poffles

[seagarsmoker]

2 minutes ago, poffles said:

 

Thank you ... def help and confirms what I was thinking but thought maybe I'm assuming too much.  I've never awaited and booked a cruise when it first came out so figured no harm in seeing what others have experienced.  I will likely book if price is not initially perceived to be jacked up and reap the HIA+ benefits.

 

Edit to add:  And I will definitely keep an eye on the price as time goes along.

I will add, prices for cruises two years out have an initial "sticker shock". 🙂  I know it did for us for our fall 2025 Panama cruise and Spring 2026 cruise.

[poffles]

Just now, seagarsmoker said:

I will add, prices for cruises two years out have an initial "sticker shock". 🙂  I know it did for us for our fall 2025 Panama cruise and Spring 2026 cruise.

 

Sticker shock as in higher and they go down or just that inflation has hit them and they were what they were.  I've looked at April 2026 and they definitely aren't 'cheap', especially for this Canadian that has to multiply the cost (UGH) but hoping they aren't higher still than what I see for that.

 

Time will tell I guess, based on my reading here from others, it sounds like the Panama 2027 cruise(s) might be released Nov/Dec (2024) so not far away.  🤞

[Alberta Quilter]

There are a couple of other reasons to book early. One is to get the Mariner Loyalty Benefit OBC (up to $400 depending on length of cruise but applies only to those who have sailed with HAL previously) and the chance to secure Club Orange before it hits the capacity limit.

 

If you're not familiar with Club Orange, I suggest you do some reading here on CC about it.  You could book a lower category stateroom and get an upgrade to a higher one with Club Orange. There can be some cost savings there, even though there is a cost for CO. There are other benefits, some better than others; only the Pinnacle class ship have the Club Orange dining room.

Edited September 3 by Alberta Quilter

[Mary229]

I book only refundable fares so can change my booking as often as I like while preserving my room selection.  It is not worth worrying about until final payment date.  Set up a cruise fare tracker and relax 

[poffles]

42 minutes ago, Alberta Quilter said:

There are a couple of other reasons to book early. One is to get the Mariner Loyalty Benefit OBC (up to $400 depending on length of cruise but applies only to those who have sailed with HAL previously) and the chance to secure Club Orange before it hits the capacity limit.

 

If you're not familiar with Club Orange, I suggest you do some reading here on CC about it.  You could book a lower category stateroom and get an upgrade to a higher one with Club Orange. There can be some cost savings there, even though there is a cost for CO. There are other benefits, some better than others; only the Pinnacle class ship have the Club Orange dining room.

 

Thanks!  Yes I've read some on CO (I'm an obsessive researcher sometimes to my own demise) and will definitely cost that out to know true value for sure.  That said, I am looking for a non-smoking ship and thinking smaller one that will go through old locks (Eurodam and NA are calling to me) but no way of knowing what ships will do this in 2027, Eurodam is there 2026 for the time I want in 2027 but I think this ship is elsewhere in 2027 ... thought I read about world cruise but don't quote me on that.  I wish Pinnacle were no-smoking anywhere interior, I would consider settling for new locks.

[WriterOnDeck]

2 hours ago, poffles said:

 

That said, I am looking for a non-smoking ship and thinking smaller one that will go through old locks

HAL ships are not non-smoking (try Viking and I'm sure others). The Vist class (Westerdam, Noordam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam) limit smoking to one side of the aft Lido outside deck. The Zaandam (and I think Volendam) allow smoking in the casino most days/nights. I think the same in some of the others, but don't know for sure.

 

Usually all HAL ships go through the old locks.

 

 

[poffles]

Just now, WriterOnDeck said:

HAL ships are not non-smoking (try Viking and I'm sure others). The Vist class (Westerdam, Noordam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam) limit smoking to one side of the aft Lido outside deck. The Zaandam (and I think Volendam) allow smoking in the casino most days/nights. I think the same in some of the others, but don't know for sure.

 

Usually all HAL ships go through the old locks.

 

 

 

I meant non-smoking anywhere inside, my reading Eurodam and NA are non-smoking anywhere inside (including casino), outside on deck I can avoid more easily.

 

Not all HAL ships go through old locks, my reading indicates the Pinnacle are too big for old locks.

[Turtles06]

3 hours ago, WriterOnDeck said:

Usually all HAL ships go through the old locks.

 

3 hours ago, poffles said:

Not all HAL ships go through old locks, my reading indicates the Pinnacle are too big for old locks.

@poffles is correct. The Pinnacle class ships are indeed too large for the original locks. 
 

Pinned to the top of the Panama Canal forum is a thread that lists, by cruise line, the Panamax ships — the ships that will fit in the original locks. HAL’s Pinnacle class ships are not among them. 

[Turtles06]

6 hours ago, poffles said:

I wish Pinnacle were no-smoking anywhere interior, I would consider settling for new locks.

If this will be your first transit of the Canal, you should seriously consider not “settling.”  IMHO, going through the original locks — especially for a first transit — is far more interesting. (Do some reading over in the Panama Canal forum, and you’ll find many others who agree.) 

[poffles]

22 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

If this will be your first transit of the Canal, you should seriously consider not “settling.”  IMHO, going through the original locks — especially for a first transit — is far more interesting. (Do some reading over in the Panama Canal forum, and you’ll find many others who agree.) 

 

Thanks. Yes first time so I was not 'really' considering Pinnacle, really hoping 2027 does me good and it isn't the only option. It's a retirement trip gift to myself so doing some homework for sure.

Edited September 3 by poffles

[FlaMariner]

9 hours ago, poffles said:

This has me wondering what others have experienced with pricing of newly released HAL cruises,

 

My anecdotal experience....

 

Prices seem to be "very high" when itineraries first come out and then a few months later, they are reasonable and that is usually when we book.....like a around to a little less than 1.5 years out....and then I do watch them and rarely do the prices drop lower.

 

YMMV.  It varies.  My advice is not FDIC insured and investment returns are not guaranteed....LOL

 

Enjoy finding the Panama Canal cruise...going thru the locks is fascinating.

[PROCRUISE]

25 minutes ago, poffles said:

 

Thanks. Yes first time so I was not 'really' considering Pinnacle, really hoping 2027 does me good and it isn't the only option. It's a retirement trip gift to myself so doing some homework for sure.

Congrats on your approaching retirement.

I completely agree that you want to do the old locks. Have done the full transit with HAL and partial transit with Princess. It is a phenomenal experience. You will do fine because you're a researcher and planner! You'll find lots of ideas/suggestions on CC if you scroll down to Ports of Call: Panama Canal.

I just booked with HAL, during their most recent $1 deposit deal (I put down $100) for Australia/New Zealand for 2026. I used my HAL PCP to pick the best priced and located balcony cabin, did not pick CO since it is not a pinnacle vessel, and I'm fairly sure the price is not going to go down unless we're in a full depression by then! You might consider a TA or HAL cruise planner but in either case, it is smart to do ones homework first so you know exactly what you're looking for with regards to the whole cruise.

Have fun!!

[Turtles06]

12 hours ago, poffles said:

 

Thanks. Yes first time so I was not 'really' considering Pinnacle, really hoping 2027 does me good and it isn't the only option. It's a retirement trip gift to myself so doing some homework for sure.

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement.  I think it’s a bit early to see the 2027 options, but I hope you find just the cruise you are looking for! 

In terms of homework, please do read David McCullough’s masterful “The Path Between the Seas.”  You will appreciate the Canal even more.  And, as already noted, the Panama Canal forum here on CC is a great resource. 
 

Good luck! 

[POA1]

17 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

My advice is not FDIC insured and investment returns are not guaranteed...

Like this. Tremendously. 👍👍

[tigervixxxen]

It looks to me the cruises just released for 2026 were subject to a $1200 deposit (for two in one room) and not available on the $25 deposit special. 
 

It seems booking early is generally preferable but not the instant the cruise comes out unless you have an exact cabin you want or it’s a special itinerary. If price is still a big consideration I don’t think that’s the time you are going to get a great early deal. 

Edited September 4 by tigervixxxen

[Mary229]

32 minutes ago, tigervixxxen said:

It looks to me the cruises just released for 2026 were subject to a $1200 deposit (for two in one room) and not available on the $25 deposit special. 
 

It seems booking early is generally preferable but not the instant the cruise comes out unless you have an exact cabin you want or it’s a special itinerary. If price is still a big consideration I don’t think that’s the time you are going to get a great early deal. 

The very best deal is booking onboard immediately upon release.  I love quirky rooms but they are hard to get. I booked a 28 day cruise for $300 per person, got the exact room I wanted, an extra onboard booking OBC and a large early booking OBC plus it is all refundable meaning if a better fare shows up down the line I can refare and keep my precious room

[Woofbite]

On 9/3/2024 at 8:02 AM, Mary229 said:

 Set up a cruise fare tracker and relax 

How do you do that?

[FlaMariner]

37 minutes ago, Woofbite said:

How do you do that?

 

To track changes in cruise fares, I've used the app SHIPMATE....they send an email when the price goes up/down for the cruise I have added.

 

Also, I track prices manually by looking them up every week or so on the big, online travel agency we use.

[AV8rix]

The cruise site sporting the name of a fruit is what I look at for tracking fares.  Just find the cruise in which you have interest and you'll see its price history from time it was announced to current time. It is always updated.

Edited September 5 by AV8rix

[FlaMariner]

3 minutes ago, AV8rix said:

The cruise site sporting the name of a fruit is what I look at for tracking fares.

 

now going to try to figure out this site......going thru fruits and clueless so far.....LOL

[AV8rix]

Just now, FlaMariner said:

 

now going to try to figure out this site......going thru fruits and clueless so far.....LOL

Look at this quick before it is deleted.  Name of site is cruise+fruit before being dried into a laxative 😉

[FlaMariner]

2 minutes ago, AV8rix said:

Look at this quick before it is deleted.  Name of site is cruise+fruit before being dried into a laxative 😉

 

now feeling stupid..LOL...still no idea...LOL