2025 Alaska

[PL8SWPR]

 

Athem vs Quantum. 

 

Any major differences?

[Va4fam]

We enjoyed our trip to Alaska this summer and considering going back in 2025.

I didn't see the 8 night Vancouver to Seattle trip that Royal had this year and in 2024..   Is it no longer an option or did I just miss it?

 

[Pattycruise]

We went to Alaska in 2019 and loved it. We were fortunate to earn casino comps for May 2024 and will be doing B2B for port fees/taxes and a small upgrade fee to ocean view on Radiance.  Can’t wait.  Sounds like Alaska is so out of reach financially.  This will likely be our last trip to cruise Alaska.

[Ampurp85]

I earned my B2B Alaskan sailing on Quantum through the casino. Quantum had Interior VB, so I didn't upgrade to a balcony I would not be using, so it was only port taxes fees and gratuities. However, I have a larger group going and their rooms were expensive, at least I thought it was before seeing the 2025 prices. They paid $3500 for two people in a balcony. Then $2200 for solo in an Interior. The prices for 2025 are 29-35% higher and this is when they are first released. 

Alaska is a different beast because of the excursions. Just doing one or two excursions can tack on another $1k. It is not like the Caribbean, where the most expensive thing might be a cabana. So, an expensive cabin on top of everything else makes it seem out of reach financially. But there is someone who will pay. 

[Ampurp85]

3 hours ago, PL8SWPR said:

 

Athem vs Quantum. 

 

Any major differences?

They are the same class so it will boil down to what amenities you are looking forward to on the ships. That would be specialty restaurants and shows. 

[Vlad]

2 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I earned my B2B Alaskan sailing on Quantum through the casino. Quantum had Interior VB, so I didn't upgrade to a balcony I would not be using, so it was only port taxes fees and gratuities. However, I have a larger group going and their rooms were expensive, at least I thought it was before seeing the 2025 prices. They paid $3500 for two people in a balcony. Then $2200 for solo in an Interior. The prices for 2025 are 29-35% higher and this is when they are first released. 

Alaska is a different beast because of the excursions. Just doing one or two excursions can tack on another $1k. It is not like the Caribbean, where the most expensive thing might be a cabana. So, an expensive cabin on top of everything else makes it seem out of reach financially. But there is someone who will pay. 

That's exactly the problem and the reason for this prices. When people pay, outrages prices, like it's the end of civilization and no hope left, Royal Caribbean and any other companies, can ask any price they want, because why not? 

Soon we'll see $10,000 interiors. 

Icon already has $7000 for a standard balcony in 2025 new schedule . I've never thought that not Luxory cruise line could have such outrages prices. 

[steverk]

We can continue to grouse about prices if that's what everyone wants to do.  Or we can try to find sailings that are still reasonable and work together to enjoy those. The latter option seems much more productive.

[smokeybandit]

3 minutes ago, steverk said:

We can continue to grouse about prices if that's what everyone wants to do.  Or we can try to find sailings that are still reasonable and work together to enjoy those. The latter option seems much more productive.

Well we'll have to grovel over prices for another week until the European schedule comes out and we can decide if that's worth groveling over, too.

The real fun comes in two weeks when the Caribbean stuff starts to come out.

[Vlad]

59 minutes ago, steverk said:

We can continue to grouse about prices if that's what everyone wants to do.  Or we can try to find sailings that are still reasonable and work together to enjoy those. The latter option seems much more productive.

They are all the almost the same pricing. Have you not seen? 

[Vlad]

57 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Well we'll have to grovel over prices for another week until the European schedule comes out and we can decide if that's worth groveling over, too.

The real fun comes in two weeks when the Caribbean stuff starts to come out.

Carribean will be released in 2 phases. 1 phase, probably the 2nd one, will be Star of the Seas. 

Once you see pricing on that, you all would think why Alaska so cheap...

Pretty soon enough it would be, sell your car, take a cruise. If it's a good car, maybe even two weeks cruise. 

[smokeybandit]

45 minutes ago, Vlad said:

the 2nd one, will be Star of the Seas. 

I'll be looking at those prices purely for entertainment value.

[SMOKEY0202]

Definitely if what dropped today as rates for Alaska sailings for 2025, i fear Europe and Caribbean rates could be high as well.

Here we go Royal, cut benefits/perks to passengers then slash our wallets with higher rates.....

Alaska for 2025 OVERLY EXPENSIVE just to stay in dark drenches then add airfare and excursions

What is a diva to do.....hustle hustle sell an organ, blood, plasma, pick up a side job or set up a Gofund for my cruise addiction. 

Holidays are coming....Santa just bring a cruise or 2 for 2025 in my stocking.  Doubt normal requests of MANY cruises will appear in my stocking but doesn't hurt to dream.....

Reality is it's happening across the board.  Even Delta restructuring Sky Miles has been brutal to accept so it's time to explore other options and see what's best fit even if it means another brand for what i want in a sailing

 

[Vlad]

6 minutes ago, SMOKEY0202 said:

Definitely if what dropped today as rates for Alaska sailings for 2025, i fear Europe and Caribbean rates could be high as well.

Here we go Royal, cut benefits/perks to passengers then slash our wallets with higher rates.....

Alaska for 2025 OVERLY EXPENSIVE just to stay in dark drenches then add airfare and excursions

What is a diva to do.....hustle hustle sell an organ, blood, plasma, pick up a side job or set up a Gofund for my cruise addiction. 

Holidays are coming....Santa just bring a cruise or 2 for 2025 in my stocking.  Doubt normal requests of MANY cruises will appear in my stocking but doesn't hurt to dream.....

Reality is it's happening across the board.  Even Delta restructuring Sky Miles has been brutal to accept so it's time to explore other options and see what's best fit even if it means another brand for what i want in a sailing

 

What about Celebrity? 

Any thoughts? 

Now that Royal prices went up, Celebrity is on park... 

[SMOKEY0202]

I have sailed Celebrity numerous times and will be on her again for Thanksgiving.....

You won't find many kids on Celebrity.  Activities are plentiful with a more upscale feel.  Nightlife, casino and bars are enjoyable.  It's a different vibe with a more pampering elegant experience.

I have found food to be better and perks with status match have been great.  Imagine going to the pool, towels laid out without having to check towels out.  In port, you get a bag, towel, umbrella to use night before.  

Lately Celebrity has had some great rates and with all included it's been cheaper than Royal.  With status match, perks are actually things people will use like laundry, priority off ship access etc.

 

 

 

[27th Lady]

What’s happened to star class on Quantum? The rooms typically labeled star class are not. Is this a bug or a feature?  This for example is all it says for the owners loft. This is not the case on anthem.  Overall it’s interesting on Anthem at least to see how little price difference there is between star class and sky class. I think it mostly reflects how crazy the prices in sky class are, rather than star becoming a bargain. 

[smokeybandit]

Prices did go down. The same cabin that was over 12k yesterday is $3k less today

[Matt]

19 hours ago, PL8SWPR said:

 

Athem vs Quantum. 

 

Any major differences?

Anthem has a West End show (we will rock you) whereas Quantum has no Broadway/west end show

[Vlad]

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

Prices did go down. The same cabin that was over 12k yesterday is $3k less today

Maybe because that was more overpriced than others 

When I checked balcony. Same price. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

10 hours ago, 27th Lady said:

What’s happened to star class on Quantum? The rooms typically labeled star class are not. Is this a bug or a feature? 

I thought the only time the SC suites were "reclassified" was when the ship is sailing out of China.  That's not the case for Quantum, is it ?

[ZMANATL]

Matt made a great point in one of his Blog posts on Alaska Cruising.. get the cheaper cabin and save money there to spend on the exceptional and high priced excursions. Booked an ocean view myself.. using money saved to help pay for the land tour at the end of the cruise. Another good point from Matt, how jet lag effected him and family when he went. Figure I'll go to Vancouver a couple days early. Acclimate a bit and be ready for the multiple nights in the Alaska wilderness after the cruise. Want to do the whale watch / mendenhall glacier out of Juneau and the drive up to Canada in rental car from Skagway. Both suggestions thanks to folks here.

[Scatmanjack]

 

With these prices, now I want to see what Celebrity will be offering for Alaska 2025...

We will have made Diamond by then...

[Shaburr]

On 11/2/2023 at 3:55 PM, ZMANATL said:

Matt made a great point in one of his Blog posts on Alaska Cruising.. get the cheaper cabin and save money there to spend on the exceptional and high priced excursions. Booked an ocean view myself.. using money saved to help pay for the land tour at the end of the cruise. Another good point from Matt, how jet lag effected him and family when he went. Figure I'll go to Vancouver a couple days early. Acclimate a bit and be ready for the multiple nights in the Alaska wilderness after the cruise. Want to do the whale watch / mendenhall glacier out of Juneau and the drive up to Canada in rental car from Skagway. Both suggestions thanks to folks here.

What is “Matts blog”…? Thank you!
I have noticed many references to Matt but I am a newbie so it’s lost on me.

[FionaMG]

5 hours ago, Shaburr said:

What is “Matts blog”…? Thank you!
I have noticed many references to Matt but I am a newbie so it’s lost on me.

Hi @Shaburr and welcome.

Matt runs royalcaribbeanblog.com and these boards are part of that website so when people refer to Matt's blog they mean this site.

Apart from the boards, there are lots of useful articles that you can find by clicking the "Home" button top left. If you want to find articles about a particular topic you can then use the search box at top right on the home page. So for Alaska you have all these articles: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/search/node?keys=Alaska

There is also a big yellow form on the homepage that you can use to request a travel agent from MEI, which sponsors the site. Lots of people on here use MEI and recommend them, myself included. A good travel agent can save you money and, more importantly, be there to help if something goes awry.

[Shaburr]

@FionaMG  wow there is a huge resource here and I didn’t even realize it… thank you. I did just put a courtesy hold on an Alaska 2025. Maybe I will look up MEI and call them. Or look for a CDN TA.

[FionaMG]

1 hour ago, Shaburr said:

@FionaMG  wow there is a huge resource here and I didn’t even realize it… thank you. I did just put a courtesy hold on an Alaska 2025. Maybe I will look up MEI and call them. Or look for a CDN TA.

My pleasure.

You will find this is a very helpful community with a wealth of cruising experience, so feel free to ask questions whenever you need to.