No Seven Day Caribbean in Spring/Summer 08

[NthernLgts]

Does anyone have thoughts on Princess not offering 7 day Caribbean cruises from May through September in 08 and Repo'ing the CB to New York? Personally I think its too bad. I would much rather sail out of Florida than New York due to the options it presents.

[Toto2Kansas]

We will usually jump on a last minute 7 day sailing out of Florida at the end of summer, but it seems next year that won't be possible. Not interested in sailing out of NYC at all. Did that once, and once was enough.

Yes, it is too bad that Princess has decided not to sail any 7 dayers out of Florida. Guess I will have to find another alternative, haven't checked on the 10 dayers yet, but I bet I can find one. :) If I can't, then it will be time to try other cruise lines again if what we want isn't available on Princess. Thankfully, there are many to choose from.

[Clutterlady]

Does anyone have thoughts on Princess not offering 7 day Caribbean cruises from May through September in 08 and Repo'ing the CB to New York? Personally I think its too bad. I would much rather sail out of Florida than New York due to the options it presents.

 

Only 9 night cruises for next spring and summer. Since the Crown won't be in NYC next year I'm glad they put the CB there. It's a good thing for those of us living in the NYC area:)

[spongerob]

I have some thoughts, but they might get me in trouble. :) Oh well, damn the torpedos...

 

I think that the summer season caters primarily to family vacations. If you think about it, many of those families are problably from northeastern states who have convenient access to sailings from New York. Florida, on the other hand, is to a large extent a retiree market. If Princess can get a premium on a cruise out of New York because the cost is still less than a cruise from Florida once airfare is included, they stand to do better financially. It would make sense then, to move the ship closer to its primary source of customers.

[cruisemom42]

Cynically, I think that 2 more days at sea (going from and returning to NY) equals more revenue for the ship.

 

However, we'd have to fly from Atlanta either way and we (DS and I) like sea days, so we will probably cruise CB again early next summer.

[can786]

The cruise lines have been reporting that sales have been soft in the Caribbean market and strong in other markets, so they move the ships to where they can sell more cabins at a higher per diem. Europe is a strong market right now (and many Americans look at cruising as a cost effective way to see Europe as all major cruise lines catering to Americans charge in USD) as is Alaska. Princess will be sending the Sun Princess to Australia and the far east during the summer (at least our summer!) of '08 and many of the Asian itineraries are gaining in popularity. Many people tend to look for bargains when cruising in the Caribbean and the cruise lines don't like to give many bargains. People tend to book much earlier for distant cruises as they need to plan their airfare as well. It's hard to pick up last minute bargain airfare to Europe or Asia compared to flying to Florida on a low cost carrier.

[janetz]

Europe and Alaska is were the $$ is. We love sea days, like sailing from NY and have booked the CB for next May. The ship is just about fully booked. Since it is the only Princess ship to the Carribean, all sailings most likely will be. The prices are much higher than sailing from FLL. :)

[Shogun]

Hi Folks,

 

If I am you normal cruise type person, I went to the Carb, a few times loved it sun sea, and cheap compared to Med.

 

I then went around Uk , North Europe because of price,

 

I then did Med because I wanted to but did cost a bit more,

 

Am going back to Carb after a break for Christmas then next real cruise will be Alaska.

 

I think the cruise companies are just moving there ships to please me and many more besides.

 

yours Shogun

[NthernLgts]

I guess the main thing that surprises me is that Princess has basically said goodbye to the entire Western and Southern Caribbean from April through September, and possibly even longer depending on the Q4 2008 schedule.

[jalves]

I'm very disappointed in the lack of a 7 day sailing from FL next summer. We were planning a late May or early June cruise next year. I guess we'll have to book on a different line.

[cruzkitty]

I am in total agreement with you jalves!!

[MaryPoppinz]

The cruise lines have been reporting that sales have been soft in the Caribbean market and strong in other markets

 

I don't know how long it's been since I've been on a Princess ship sailing to/in the Caribbean that wasn't sailing full. The market may be soft, but the ships are still full somehow.

[cruzkitty]

All three of my past Princess Caribbean sailings stated: "Sailing Full-NO Upgrades Available"-sounds like a pretty good market to me!! I have had to look at another cruise line for next Summer, too. I like cruising from Ft. Lauderdale on the 7-day cruises. Hopefully, Princess will come back to FL. in 09 with some new exciting Caribbean destinations.;)

[kendon]

In plain english, it stinks! We do the Caribbean every summer on Princess, but will be looking elsewhere from now on. I live in NY and won't sail to the Caribbean from here. NY is simply too far to travel to get somewhere and the itinerary is not for me. Let's protest!

[sonomaphil]

Just because the sailing is full does not mean the cruise line is maximizing revenue. Cruise lines fill the balconies from Lauderdale with prices around $799 or so per person. Out of New York they are starting at $1599 per person. Now do you understand why they left Florida for the summer?

[janetz]

Just because the sailing is full does not mean the cruise line is maximizing revenue. Cruise lines fill the balconies from Lauderdale with prices around $799 or so per person. Out of New York they are starting at $1599 per person. Now do you understand why they left Florida for the summer?

 

 

 

Ditto. On the Princess website the inside cabins in May start at 1100.00 Don't even want to look at the summer prices! :eek:

[MaryPoppinz]

Cruise lines fill the balconies from Lauderdale with prices around $799 or so per person. Out of New York they are starting at $1599 per person.

 

Even if Crown is sailing full, the NY itineraries are 9 days vs. 7 and include Bermuda, so the comparison doesn't quite work.....

 

But, my comment about sailing full in the Caribbean was in repsonse to the notion of 'a soft Caribbean market;' it wasn't about the embarkation city.

[JLC@SD]

Cynically, I think that 2 more days at sea (going from and returning to NY) equals more revenue for the ship.

 

I agree.....shops, spa, casino, bars ...........all open and operating on sea days....;)

[JLC@SD]

I'm very disappointed in the lack of a 7 day sailing from FL next summer. We were planning a late May or early June cruise next year. I guess we'll have to book on a different line.

 

.........keep in mind that most of the ships are in Alaska and Europe this time of the year......those who want to travel to those destinations have a short season.....which includes late May / June.

[can786]

Even if Crown is sailing full, the NY itineraries are 9 days vs. 7 and include Bermuda, so the comparison doesn't quite work.....

 

But, my comment about sailing full in the Caribbean was in repsonse to the notion of 'a soft Caribbean market;' it wasn't about the embarkation city.

 

They may be sailing full, but the cruise lines have reported having to deeply discount the sailings to fill the ships. It is just good business practice to move the ships to those markets where they can maximize the per diem they charge the passengers. If there are fewer ships in the Caribbean that helps maximize demand and will raise the per diem. Also, just about every Princess cruise has the sign out at the purser's desk about sailing full whether the ship is truly full or not. I have been on sailings that had plenty of available cabins two days before sailing and they still had the sign up.

[MaryPoppinz]

I think they do put up "Full Sailing - No Upgrades" signs up at the Purser's Desk on every sailing, but I wouldn't rely on the sign, either.

[fathercop]

I will join my voice with others decrying no 7 day Caribbean sailings from FLL.:(

 

We have gone the last three years! I was further surprised to see that Princess will not really be sailing from FLL during the summer of 2008. I wonder what impact that will have on the businesses who provide provisions, or has another cruise line filled in the void.

 

Additionally, I was surprised to see the fare increase on the CB sailing from New York. It seems like a hefty increase. We were booked on the Crown for August 2007 and I had to cancel one balcony and one inside cabin. My price for 2007 was no where near as high as what Princess is asking for next year.

 

I do realize that fuel has gone up considerably, so in addition to any profits they are trying to make, I wonder what percentage of the fare is too cover the fuel.

 

My main concern though is that I may have to look at another cruise line to book a seven day. Oh, well.... I guess that is why they call it capitalism.;)

[Fullimit]

The loss of competition between fewer cruise lines for the Caribbean market could bode for higher prices for passangers in the long run.

[NthernLgts]

I do realize that fuel has gone up considerably, so in addition to any profits they are trying to make, I wonder what percentage of the fare is too cover the fuel.

 

If Princess was looking to save money this way one would think starting a Caribbean Cruise out of New York might not be the way to do it. Besides, how many of you would be more willing to pony up an extra couple hundred to sail out of FL vs. NY. If that were the choice, I would. However, what I suspect it really is about....is that not all cruise lines are willing to do this (raise prices) and Princess doesnt want to price themselves out of the market.

[Tak8]

I wish Princess would continue Florida sailings. I also hope Princess will go back to San Juan sailings during the summer months. I wouldn't mind NY sailings as much if the port times were better. The islands seem good, but the port times are too small for my tastes.