new price increases

[meow!]

This morning on the Oceania website, the prices of half of next year's European sailings have been further increased by some $300. Now, including air, a two week voyage in a basic balconied cabin can cost $4299 in April and $4999 in July. Any comments? Thank you.

[trvlnliz]

Hi Meow,
I checked the Barcelona sailings on Insignia for April1, June 26 and September 22. The brochure has an A1 cabin on 4/1 at $4599 the website has the rate at
$4299. Both June and September sailings, the brochure rate is $5299 and website $4999. This appears to be a $300 decrease or am I missing something?

Liz :confused:

[meow!]

My saying of a $300 increase is based on website rates before and after this morning, for about half of the 2005 European itineraries as mentioned on the "promotions" list (press on the top new item compared to press on the bottom older item as shown on that list).

I can guess at a plausible explanation between your even higher brochure rates and the new website rate: The website rate is continuously updated, while the brochure rate is meant to last for at least six months. The cruise line is leaving itself room for possible further increases when they publish a brochure, such that it will not be tied down to the limit shown on that brochure! Does this make sense? Any opinions? Thank you.

[aaannnthony]

They're not price increases; they're reductions of previously offered discounts. Oceania has been very consistent.....their best price has almost always been their first price....once they have a good base of bookings, they reduce the "offerings".....two-for-one plus free air becomes two-for-one plus two-for-one air, etc.!

[trvlnliz]

[QUOTE=meow!]My saying of a $300 increase is based on website rates before and after this morning, for about half of the 2005 European itineraries as mentioned on the "promotions" list (press on the top new item compared to press on the bottom older item as shown on that list).

The dates of the sailings on these promotions are completely different. The rates on the new promo are lower than offered prior.

:confused:

[meow!]

If I remember correctly, a few days ago, Jancruz already fore-warned everyone that a price increase would take place at the end of August. May be Jancruz will be so kind as to help explain the situation.

Before yesterday, the 2005 Europe "2 for 1 plus free air" promotion (now at the bottom of the promotions list) presumably applied to all such sailings, now it applies to only about half of those sailings. Instead, the new "promotions of the week" (now at the top of the promotions list and no longer 2 for 1 though still including free air) apply to the remaining sailings, and are now roughly $300 higher. It is rather common that lines start to increase prices or "lessen discounts" (whichever way you put it has the same effect on the consumer) as certain voyages begin to fill up.

Such confusion was a reason why I earlier suggested that Oceania tabulate all voyage prices and discounts clearly on one table (as Silversea did, for example). Then everything will be obvious at a glance! Thank you.

[digby]

This morning on the Oceania website, the prices of half of next year's European sailings have been further increased by some $300. Now, including air, a two week voyage in a basic balconied cabin can cost $4299 in April and $4999 in July. Any comments? Thank you.

Could it be because of the higher cost of fuel among other things?

[trvlnliz]

I still don't see it!! I see several promotions. But I don't see any increases.

[meow!]

To digby:
You may well be right, oil prices have been going up. Besides, the euro stays strong, and of course, there is supply and demand. If a merchant can raise prices by 5 to 10% and have a healthier profit margin, why not go for it? Afterall, business is business and we have to respect market realities (not to mention losing money and hanging on when times are hard!)

To trvlnliz:
Perhaps jancruz will be better able to explain the details. I hope she will join this discussion.

Thank you.

[Jancruz]

Hi Meow,
Thanks for the invitation to join the conversation..In one of the threads I did advise that prices would be going up toward the end of August..Oceania is only sailing the 2 ships in 2005 and they are over 50% booked for next year already..the price is going up because Oceania feels they can get a little more money than they have been getting..most cruise lines do the same thing when the demand is so high..I will make the suggestion again that if you want to book Oceania you do it as soon as possible, there are very few sailings that do not go out full..On the February 2, Insignia Buenos Aires to Rio there is a 218 person waiting list and has been since last February..my waiting list is a little shorter..
Jan
www.*************.com