Why are Princess Australia Fares twice as much as Princess USA ?

[shieldsboy]

I noticed that American TAs are offering 12 night Sapphire Princess cruises to/from New Zealand from $US 1299.

And yet the Princess Australian site's cheapest price is $A 2429.

Given that the Aussie Dollar is worth around $US 0.90 at present this pricing structure seems to be very discriminatory.

And I note that Princess does not allow American TAs to sell cruises to Australian residents.

Perhaps we should spend our monies with Celebrity and Holland-America who are also cruising here and, I believe, let American TAs sell to us!

Don

[shieldsboy]

I may have to eat humble pie and apologise to Princess Australia as I have just received an email offering Australian fares on the Sapphire Princess for $A 1259 upwards.

It is great to see the results of competition in the local market and it makes some of the P & O Australia fares for the Sun and Dawn seem pretty high.

Don

[AuzzieCruiser]

It is great to see the results of competition in the local market and it makes some of the P & O Australia fares for the Sun and Dawn seem pretty high.

Don

Same company anyway!!:rolleyes:

[arxcards]

I noticed that American TAs are offering 12 night Sapphire Princess cruises to/from New Zealand from $US 1299.

And yet the Princess Australian site's cheapest price is $A 2429.

Given that the Aussie Dollar is worth around $US 0.90 at present this pricing structure seems to be very discriminatory.

And I note that Princess does not allow American TAs to sell cruises to Australian residents.

Perhaps we should spend our monies with Celebrity and Holland-America who are also cruising here and, I believe, let American TAs sell to us!

Don

Hi Don,
Is not about having to buy from Oz travel agents. Your second post gives a special oz price, but our US friends get them too. Why are we dearer.


Aussie dollar. These cruises were first available\priced when the Oz dollar was below 80c
US fare does not include Port taxes, ours does
US passengers are expected to tip, for us is discretionary ($10 per passenger per day. American cruises also have a pretty fat bar surcharge
Way less volume and competition in OZ marketCeleb & HAL are not different, so why use as an example. A US cruiser will get a cheaper fare on them than we can. HAL, Princess and P&O are all part of Carnival. Yes we pay more, but can't directly compare brochure and website fares.

Cheers
Geoff

[AuzzieCruiser]

Some of those Internet specials do include the gratuities. Always read what is included in each fare or package. Port charges are always a couple of extra hundred dollars, plus any other charges or levies.
I must admit, I am jealous of our American friends.:p With the prices they pay, I'd go cruising once every month!!:rolleyes:

[shieldsboy]

Geoff,

I can't totally agree with you:

1. The fares I quoted were current (until yesterday) when the exchange rate was around $0.90.
2. The US fare did include Port charges
3. The tipping argument is interesting - your argument assumes that even those Aussies who pay the full service charge should be "punished" by higher cruise fares. And all will pay the 15% extra on bar charges
4. I'd agree on the effect of market size but then it is reasonable for us to give our business to those who treat us best.

Don
PS I did make a mistake with Holland America - however Celebrity are from another group and do allow American TAs to book Aussies.

[arxcards]

Geoff,

I can't totally agree with you:

1. The fares I quoted were current (until yesterday) when the exchange rate was around $0.90.
2. The US fare did include Port charges
3. The tipping argument is interesting - your argument assumes that even those Aussies who pay the full service charge should be "punished" by higher cruise fares. And all will pay the 15% extra on bar charges
4. I'd agree on the effect of market size but then it is reasonable for us to give our business to those who treat us best.

Don
PS I did make a mistake with Holland America - however Celebrity are from another group and do allow American TAs to book Aussies.

Sorry Don,
Wasn't aware you had factored the charges in. The US fares do not usually show up front, and you usually need to consider this when looking at the great deals.
T\As are the same all over the world. They are commission sellers, and the cheaper US prices are because of cheaper prices from the cruise lines.
If you can choose the currency you pay with, the daily rate will make a difference. Companies protect themselves from devalued currency by hedging. The hedged rate will set the base price of Oz fare. The high Aussie dollar means it is a great time to book a US cruise though.
Won't mention tipping anymore - it is too big a can of worms.
The presence of competition is great news. Celebrity does not have many Oz itineraries to pick from at the moment. Will be ecstatic to see the increased competition from Celebrity and RCCL resulting in cheaper fares from Carnival Australia.

Cheers
Geoff