High demand= Priced out

[JasonL]

Cruising is our families favorite vacation, but the prices are soaring. Used to always be able to find the value cruise for a family of 5 on an older Oasis or Freedom/Voyager. It seems those days are gone. Anyone else feeling the pinch on cruise prices recently? I know demand is up and with that comes higher prices, but I can't even find reasonable Freedom/Voyager sailing anymore. Sadly I think we need to look elsewhere for our family vacations for a while. 

Might even have to try dipping my toes in the C word and see how the pricing compares

[Babsy47]

Yep.  My son, DIL, and grands are going on a three day cruise on Navigator in a couple of weeks.  They asked if I wanted to come.  $1,300 for a basic ocean view cabin is just too rich for an old ship for 3 nights for my old bones . . .

[JasonL]

9 minutes ago, Babsy47 said:

Yep.  My son, DIL, and grands are going on a three day cruise on Navigator in a couple of weeks.  They asked if I wanted to come.  $1,300 for a basic ocean view cabin is just too rich for an old ship for 3 nights for my old bones . . .

Yes, the day of the last minute cruise deal is in the wind.  I always look 1 year out or more for the best deals, but even those are sadly becoming out of reach for me. I can handle the extra when it's just Me and the wifey, but when you have a family of 5 and you have to do a specialty room or 2 rooms it's just no longer viable.

[OCSC Mike]

2 hours ago, JasonL said:

Yes, the day of the last minute cruise deal is in the wind. 

If you’re flexible, some good deals have begun to appear 1-2 months out for the first time in a while. Some in the GGG sale, some randomly.

I’m only going on Allure in 13 days b/c a good price popped up about 3 weeks ago (and we were able to make it fit our schedule, sort of).

A retired friend of mine just got a really good deal on Wonder for early December in last week’s GGG sale (she can pretty much sail whenever she wants).

Don’t get me wrong, prices are absurd in general, just pointing out that some last minute deals have begun to reappear.

[RCIfan1912]

I know this is a Royal Caribbean fan site and it's all that I sail as well but maybe look to MSC cruises? They really have some cheap cruise prices. 

[ScottD]

1 hour ago, RCIfan1912 said:

I know this is a Royal Caribbean fan site and it's all that I sail as well but maybe look to MSC cruises? They really have some cheap cruise prices. 

Thats what I did...trying them next year. Even if the cruise isn't great, the price I paid for 3 people, on one of the newest ships in OV Balcony, 7 nights on a 4 island itinerary that I haven't done, WITH Wifi and drink packages all included.  I couldn't pass it up! It's less than I just booked for a 5 day, on an older ship with no extras added yet on RC. 

[RCIfan1912]

25 minutes ago, ScottD said:

Thats what I did...trying them next year. Even if the cruise isn't great, the price I paid for 3 people, on one of the newest ships in OV Balcony, 7 nights on a 4 island itinerary that I haven't done, WITH Wifi and drink packages all included.  I couldn't pass it up! It's less than I just booked for a 5 day, on an older ship with no extras added yet on RC. 

Hey if it comes down to it then that's the easy it goes.  I don't sail Viking cruises because it's too expensive, this is the same thing only Royal Caribbean turned into that, didn't start that way. If I came down to it I would flee too. When KSF ends even my oldest is 12 in 2 years I may be in the same "boat". Pun intended.

[Gilley]

The prices are even higher for a solo cruiser like myself.  I think I might have to jump off the RC ship too.   I have already limited myself to ports close to Philly so I can eliminate the airfare.  

[ScottD]

50 minutes ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Hey if it comes down to it then that's the easy it goes.  I don't sail Viking cruises because it's too expensive, this is the same thing only Royal Caribbean turned into that, didn't start that way. If I came down to it I would flee too. When KSF ends even my oldest is 12 in 2 years I may be in the same "boat". Pun intended.

Yeah,our son turns 12 in January so was trying to squeeze one more in, but we had to book in the summer for next year since the MSC one is during school and I can't take him out twice in one year, so even though he is still eligible for KSF, we ended up booking for full price, which definitely hurt. 

[RCIfan1912]

Just now, ScottD said:

Yeah,our son turns 12 in January so was trying to squeeze one more in, but we had to book in the summer for next year since the MSC one is during school and I can't take him out twice in one year, so even though he is still eligible for KSF, we ended up booking for full price, which definitely hurt. 

It just sucks to climb to the loyalty program to then have to change lines. That kinda stinks but I will take a look at MSC cruises. Also living in NJ Cape Liberty is so much easier to sail from than NYC. I mean it doesn't sound like a big deal but it kinda is. If things get to be too much then we will look to move on too. 

[recogneyes]

8 hours ago, JasonL said:

Cruising is our families favorite vacation, but the prices are soaring. Used to always be able to find the value cruise for a family of 5 on an older Oasis or Freedom/Voyager. It seems those days are gone. Anyone else feeling the pinch on cruise prices recently? I know demand is up and with that comes higher prices, but I can't even find reasonable Freedom/Voyager sailing anymore. Sadly I think we need to look elsewhere for our family vacations for a while. 

Might even have to try dipping my toes in the C word and see how the pricing compares

Have you considered looking for group rates through a travel agency?  I have found some much better pricing with Harr Travel and Vacations to go with their group rates.  Service has been amazing and most times the rates are refundable and come with OBC.  We have booked Oasis and Quantam class cruises and none are directly through Royal.

[smokeybandit]

I just booked a Christmas 2024 cruise for a good deal. 

While the best deals now tend to be a soon as the schedule window opens, there still are deals to be found. Just not as many.

[Ditchdoc]

Some days  I think RC is slowly digging a hole for its self with higher prices, lower standards of service, crowding, and every amenity coming at an extra fee on top of high base rates. I already started comparison shopping and when a week for two starts costing 10k and more, I start seriously thinking "what else could 2 people do for 10k?" and there are a lot of options.

[sleepy425]

I booked Adventure Christmas 2023 for about $3900 for 6 people in 2 balconies.  Then I got a 2 bedroom Grand Suite for Alaska over 4th of July 2024 for only $7300 for 6 people. Then NYE 2024/25 was released and the prices were the same for that, so I jumped on it.  I'm eagerly awaiting the schedule extension so I can see what my next family cruise will be - whatever cruise is affordable I will make work with our schedules.  But if the prices all look like Icon, I will gracefully bow out and find new adventures. Especially since as of recently we are a family of 7.

[Gilley]

I have booked Anthem with American Airlines got a good solo rate.   Also booked Icon with family when it first came out, only paid $1500 for an ocean view balcony.  Today it seem like that same room has double or tripled. 

I will definitely try TA for any future cruises.

[tonyfsu21]

Book early, very early. Regardless, things will only get more expensive with the demand soaring. If you think it’s any better to book a land based vacation, think again. Good luck. 

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Also living in NJ Cape Liberty is so much easier to sail from than NYC. I mean it doesn't sound like a big deal but it kinda is.

It’s a big deal to me. PC is an hour drive for me. The South Florida ports are 3-4 hours (and an awful drive from what I’ve been told). I refuse to make that drive. I greatly value the convenience of PC. Others don’t mind the drive, which is fine too. We all value things differently.

[Traveling Mike]

I just paid $4.95 for a gallon of gas and felt I was getting a good deal.  If I can get a burger and fries for under $10 I am doing good.  2 1/2 years ago gas was $3.25 and lunch as $4.  Inflation is killing everything including the cruise market.  We have been waiting to go back to Disneyland until the prices goes down and I just read Disney is raising prices.  Lucky, I have been booking 2 years out, so I am OK for the next year.  All I can do now is book my 2025 cruises when they come out and hope the prices come down.

[Lovetocruise2002]

9 hours ago, JasonL said:

I always look 1 year out or more for the best deals

Post covid, that is no longer early enough IMO

53 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Book early, very early

^^This

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

While the best deals now tend to be a soon as the schedule window opens

^^This

I'll be honest, I book almost every sailing that I can remember (for the last 7-8 years now) upon release. Pre-covid, the strategy was book upon release, watch pricing, price down before final payment. Saved a lot of money that way in the past.

Post covid, I still book upon release, but now I just watch prices rise, and rise, and rise, and rise as we head towards final payment. Over the last year and half, prices haven't even come down after final payment on my sailings. Rooms get released, and they come back way higher than they were originally. I know because I've tracked the pricing. Rooms seem to be the lowest now when they get released. It's super depressing. I find that even the GGG prices aren't that great anymore.

[OCSC Mike]

1 minute ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I find that even the GGG prices aren't that great anymore.

They’ve been useless post-covid until recently. There are some decent prices here and there now (although they don’t all actually become available).

[smokeybandit]

With the summer 2025s coming out next month, that's the time to book. For many that's a tough haul to book something that far in advance. But that's the way to do to get a deal. Then again past performance of booking early may not be an indicator of future results.  Southwest used to offer cheap fares the day their schedule window opened up. Not anymore. 

[RCIfan1912]

I will say this, I always find a good deal. I just work at it and when the price is doable for me I book it. It does seem lately that is when bookings first open but that's ok with me as well. Something to look forward to. 

I'm also in a different place than I was 7-8 years ago. My salary has basically doubled and pinch more than I was making then. Took a chance and somehow lucked out with a much better job than I had. More responsibility but money made up for it.

[TheMaxRebo]

A little funny (if that is the right word) as we migrated to Royal as were p iced out by Disney, and now Royal seems to be following and pricing is increasing so much, that upcoming Icon cruises are priced as high or even more than Disney 

 

So guess it is my fault lol

 

Still obviously options that are cheaper and still ways to make things work, but prices are going up everywhere - just some places more than others and maybe have to work a little harder to find options that fit your budget or maybe just cut back how often you go (definitely my dream of taking a bunch of "cheaper" cruises maybe won't be realized)

[Jolly Ogre]

I am just wondering that if when the time comes, am I going to book on another line and cruise for the sake of cruising and being disappointed that I am not on Royal?

[Matt]

The other component to this conversation is what constitutes a "good price" or "deal".

I'm certain we all have different definitions and expectations for what that looks like. Or as once was famously said, "I know it when I see it…"

[Gilley]

I hear book early.  I’m on Anthem next month, if the 2025 calendar is out should I book thru next cruise.  If I do that and transfer to a TA will I lose the OBC I received from next cruise?

[USFFrank]

It's sad that the former CFO who is now the CEO has done what people were saying he would do when he took over. Any yes I know Royal has a debt to pay.

It's funny how the other cruise lines haven't really gone in that direction. They may have raised their prices too, but not like Royal. 

At this rate they might as well merge with Disney and call it "Disney / Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines". 

I say all of this with a heavy heart. If you look at my signature, even though I may not have cruised as much as some of you on this board, the vast majority of my cruises have been with Royal Caribbean. I got married on Freedom of the Seas. 

I'm now in diamond status and have 2 cruises booked with Royal that are significantly more money if I were to book them now than when I booked them this past February.

I was looking at a cruise for early December, 2025 and although there are only a few out there available now, I chose to book the Carnival Mardi Gras. I weighed the pros and cons of booking that vs. Icon of the Seas and I like my decision. Not only is Mardi Gras one of their newest and largest ships, during it's 4 stop itinerary it will be visiting 3 places I have never been to. The biggest decision was in the price. In booking the same type of interior cabin that week (I checked other weeks as well) Icon of the Seas was more than double what I'm paying for on Mardi Gras.

[Geezer Of The Seas]

48 minutes ago, USFFrank said:

It's sad that the former CFO who is now the CEO has done what people were saying he would do when he took over. Any yes I know Royal has a debt to pay.

 

Striking while the iron is hot (demand) to whittle away at that debt. A lot of the debt amassed was through issuance of junk bonds with high and variable yields with rather short terms. Suggests even the folks underwriting the paper know there's considerable risk. I'm no finance, guru, but my perception is if there's a Chapter 11 filing looming on the cruise line horizon, it's NCL. Their debt to equity ratio is nuts, and their net margin is way more in the red than Royal Caribbean or Carnival. Maybe that's why Frank Del Rio thought it was a good time to retire..........

[Ampurp85]

2 hours ago, Gilley said:

I hear book early.  I’m on Anthem next month, if the 2025 calendar is out should I book thru next cruise.  If I do that and transfer to a TA will I lose the OBC I received from next cruise?

No there is only one reason you would lose the NC OBC, if you apply a casino certificate to an already book cruise. That OBC should stay with TA transfers, ship, date and itn changes. 

[JasonOasis]

9 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

I know this is a Royal Caribbean fan site and it's all that I sail as well but maybe look to MSC cruises? They really have some cheap cruise prices. 

I've sailed with MSC 3 times already and the next time I'm looking at getting on a MSC cruise is when MSC World America shows up.   

MSC is a great cruise line but they are not Royal and I'm not just saying that to try to convince people to stay with Royal, I could care less if people cruise with Royal or MSC. All I'm saying is I noticed the difference some good and some not so good. The one area MSC excels in is food, they have some of the best food on their cruise ships, on the other hand if you buy a speciality dinning package and think you will have access to 99% of the menu be prepared to hear a lot of this word NO that is if you ask questions before ordering.  Purchasing a specialty dinning package on MSC only gives you access to 15% of the menu if you order anything outside of that 15% they charge you al la carte.  If you don't ask your server you won't hear the word NO they will take your order and then surprise you with this nice huge bill at the end of your meal while you are sitting there thinking I have a dinner package then the server will tell you none of what you order was included in the specialty dinner package. 

The drinks and wifi package is something MSC offers off and on from time to time but just like with NCL it is buyer be where.  The drinks package is for well drinks only so if you drink something other than well on land and are looking to have that drink onboard you have to change your preference or pay the difference. And the free wifi is for browsing, email, and text messages only it does not include streaming.  That was another thing I noticed people were finding out once onboard, however by now I think people should know anytime a cruise ship offers free wifi it is going to be their slowest wifi that is free anything above that you have to pay.

Another area MSC excels in is entertainment any one sailing on Meraviglia pay the extra money for both Cirque du Soleil shows (they are not the same shows).  However there is a lot lacking during their daytime entertainment.  If you are someone who likes the casino and are use to Royals fairly large casinos then be prepared for an extremely small casino even on their newer ships hopefully they fix this on MSC World America a ship that is being specifically built for the US market.  There are a lot of things to do to keep your self entertained on MSC cruise ship but be prepared to pay onboard for some of those experiences much like NCL.

Lastly if you are like me and like to cruise in a suite the good news is MSC has a lot of suite categories.  However do your homework because some "suites" on MSC ships are suites in name only not in actual size, meaning some "suites" are the same exact size as a standard balcony.  So if you are booking a suite because you either want or need extra space do your homework do not just book a suite simply because the word suite exist look at the square footage of the room to make sure you are actually getting what you are paying for.

I feel like MSC in America (totally different if you do MSC cruise out of Europe) but here in America I feel like they are a hybrid model somewhere between NCL and Royal.  They are quite NCL but they are quite Royal either but it works as long as people go onto their cruise with all the information and the correct expectations.  If you do your homework first and modify your expectations your MSC cruise will be a great experience. However, if you go into it expecting Royal then prepare yourself for a huge disappointment.  

At the end of the day depending on your experience your MSC cruise more than likely will end up costing you just as much as a Royal Caribbean cruise.  The difference is you are not paying for it all up front instead you are paying for a lot things once onboard that you don't realize you're paying for until the cruise ends.

[Lovetocruise2002]

23 hours ago, Jolly Ogre said:

I am just wondering that if when the time comes, am I going to book on another line and cruise for the sake of cruising and being disappointed that I am not on Royal?

The short answer, likely yes.

We did that when we strayed over to DCL those years when the kids were little, and again when MSC Seaside first came over. There was not one non-Royal sailing, that I did not wish I was on Royal.

[Gilley]

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

No there is only one reason you would lose the NC OBC, if you apply a casino certificate to an already book cruise. That OBC should stay with TA transfers, ship, date and itn changes. 

Thanks @Ampurp85.  This is good to know.  I don’t have casino certificate.

[Traveling Mike]

4 hours ago, Jolly Ogre said:

I am just wondering that if when the time comes, am I going to book on another line and cruise for the sake of cruising and being disappointed that I am not on Royal?

I have stopped looking at other cruise lines because I was disappointed, and any cruise is too expensive to be disappointed.

• Disney priced me out of the market.  I look every now and then, but the prices are still way too high.
• Carnival, I got tired of drunk people that were rude.
• Norwegian, I have one left booked for 2024 but I am not looking anymore because they are expensive when the entire trip is done, and they just are not as good to work with before the cruise and during the cruise.  
• Princess, the last two cruises made me feel out of place.  The music and activities were designed for an older crowd than me and I am 62. 
• Celebrity, I am going on a B2B in November, but they keep changing their pricing structure.  I cruise solo and it is very hard to find a good deal with them.

[Geezer Of The Seas]

35 minutes ago, Traveling Mike said:

I have stopped looking at other cruise lines because I was disappointed, and any cruise is too expensive to be disappointed.

 

 

• Norwegian, I have one left booked for 2024 but I am not looking anymore because they are expensive when the entire trip is done, and they just are not as good to work with before the cruise and during the cruise.  

Gee, this is making me feel good.  We had 2 NCL cruises booked before we ever cruised with Royal Caribbean. After our first trip on Mariner, those NCL cruises morphed into an 8 day trip on Jewel & 7 days on Wonder. That first cruise on Mariner really made an impression...........

[RCIfan1912]

We did one NCL cruise on the brand new at the time Breakaway and it was at a great, great price. Honestly I thought NCL might replace Royal Caribbean as your preferred cruise line but NOPE. It just wants for us. Hated the cruise terminal in Manhattan! The ship was beautiful but oddly laid out with bottlenecks and dead ends. The service was very slow everywhere. It just wasn't for us and missed Royal Caribbean very much. Haven't been on another line since. 

[Linda R]

I book early, as soon as the cruises are available to book.  Which is 1 1/2  to 2 years out.   Those seem to be the best prices.  I also try to go the weeks that are less expensive.  No holidays including spring break.   I always do transatlantic cruises in the spring.  Very inexpensive, like 14 night cruise for the price of 7 nights.  And flights 1 way back home are becoming less money all the time.  Sometimes I get them for less than a domestic flight.    I also have a credit card that I get airline miles (and I put everything I buy on that credit card) and have used the miles for free international flights, upgrades, or the flight to debarkation port in the US.   You also get companion fares.   I live in Montana so have to fly everywhere to get  a cruise, and cruise often. 

[ScottD]

13 hours ago, Gilley said:

Thanks @Ampurp85.  This is good to know.  I don’t have casino certificate.

@Gilley Just remember, also, if you book through Next cruise you don't NEED to pick a date right away, just put the deposit down then you have a year to pick the date (but if it's after 2 months, you will lose the OBC- So suggest you pick sooner than later) ALSO, if you booked your current cruise through a TA, your nextcruise booking automatically goes right to them, so you don't need to transfer it. BUT if you did not book through a TA, and you want to trasnfer it, you must do that within 30 days or it can't be transfered and you're just dealing with RC for the booking.  

Hope that's not too much, we just did our last 2 cruises this way and didn't know about the 30 day transfer thing and luckily the TA was able to get Royal to transfer it after a few calls since it was only like 32 days. This next one was transferred right to her, and she reached out to us within 2 days of departing the ship. 

[steverk]

I just repriced a couple cruises because they are cheaper than they were. That indicates at least some softening of demand and price. Granted, this is the exception.

Overall, there's no question that bookings and prices are way up. However,  I'm going to watch the 2025 itinerary release carefully before I panic. The last couple years I picked up some really great cruises in the first few days they were released. It's the best way to save money on a cruise. 

[OCSC Mike]

16 minutes ago, steverk said:

I just repriced a couple cruises because they are cheaper than they were. That indicates at least some softening of demand and price. Granted, this is the exception.

I've been checking my booked cruises from time to time for the heck of it (all TA group rates so they'll never go below what I paid) but the website prices have gone down a bit on them (from their high point at least).

16 minutes ago, steverk said:

I'm going to watch the 2025 itinerary release carefully before I panic. The last couple years I picked up some really great cruises in the first few days they were released. It's the best way to save money on a cruise.

Yep, will be interesting to see what those prices are like. My guess is they won't be the good deals those of you who book as soon as they're released have gotten in the past but I'm hoping they're still relatively decent prices. We'll find out soon enough.

[JasonOasis]

The high cost of cruising has now caught the attention of the news media.  According to several new outlets including NBC News cruise prices have soared and are now 43% higher than where they were in 2019.

Interestingly enough it isn't Royal Caribbean that leading the way or in the drivers seats it is Carnival with Carnivals CEO saying just a few days ago on CNBC that Carnival with all its brands is well position to push prices even higher industry wide in 2024.  Cruise lines from Carnaval, Royal, NCL, even Virgin are all blaming the price increases on unprecedented demand which shows no signs of waning, the rising cost of labor, food and fuel.  Carnival stated and I quote "the company has been able to deliver a value of 25% to 50% over comparable land-based vacation alternatives". 

According to the Today Show this morning a 5 night Bahamas cruise this December will cost at least $736 dollars per person that is 37% higher than it was just last year in 2022.  That  37% increase is across all cruise lines with NCL telling the Today Show even with these price increases cruising remains the best value for customers vacation dollars.

For cruise lines like Royal, Carnival, NCL, Virgin it is full steam ahead for 2024 and according to the Today Show the cruise lines are saying customers are putting less emphasis on pricing and more emphasis on setting sail to paradise.  According to the cruise lines they all stated don't look for prices to come down any time soon, there are still deals to be had but they are few and far between.  If you want the best price book early because for now demand and according to another article I read some travel agents agree with cruise lines that cruising is indeed a better value than land-based vacation in fact some travel agents are saying taking a cruise is still 50% to even 70% cheaper than a comparable land based vacation. 

For people saying they are thinking about switching to Carnival or another brand that is cheaper than Royal just think about people who cruise with Carnival people who are loyal to cruise lines like Carnival some of them are being priced out completely.  Think about it if you are being priced out of Royal and are considering Carnival or some other brand that appears to be of value there are people at those brands who are truly being priced out of the cruise industry completely and for now there is no end in sight.  

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/09/cruise-prices-rise-as-operators-meet-surging-travel-demand.html

https://nypost.com/2023/10/10/cruise-prices-surge-43-amid-post-pandemic-travel-boom/

 

As someone who works in the airline industry an industry I've been in for 27 years I can tell you we are suppose to be in the "off" season now.  Before the pandemic mid-September through mid-November was typically the "off" season along with the second week of January through the first week of March.  I can tell you this we are not in the off season even though summer is over the children are back in school, the college is back in session airplanes are just as full as they were in July.  In fact we are busier this fall than we were at this same time in 2022.  I can't explain what is going on in the travel industry all I can say is if you are thinking about travel book early, book early, book early.  For those of you looking for last minute deals good luck I truly do hope you can find them.