Whats your magic number?

Im always looking for the best deals when looking for solo cruises. I usually can find cruises about $60+/night, but occasionally run into $55+. If I find a cruise sub $50, I usually book right away depending where it departs from (calculating cheapest airfare). Late last year, Carnival had some crazy deals that were under $40 departing from MIA and FLL.

So whats your magic number? What price will make you jump to make the purchase?

It is not only price, length, ports. Got a great rate for August out of NYC $799 but I have been to the Bahamas a lot. So, I let it expire but it is still available. I will see what is available after my 14 night cruises.

Not into cruises to nowhere unless it is on a yacht[emoji572]️[emoji2]

For me it's not the price but whether or not I've already been to the ports and if I want to go back to them.

I'd rather go somewhere I haven't been to than go back to a place where I've been.

And I'm running out of places. <G>

$799 for a balcony on a 7 night with a newer ship and going somewhere I want to go.

Im always looking for the best deals when looking for solo cruises. I usually can find cruises about $60+/night, but occasionally run into $55+. If I find a cruise sub $50, I usually book right away depending where it departs from (calculating cheapest airfare). Late last year, Carnival had some crazy deals that were under $40 departing from MIA and FLL.

 

So whats your magic number? What price will make you jump to make the purchase?

No magic number for me! I'm not looking for the lowest price, I'm looking for a ship and itinerary that I want. Yes, I'm looking for good value, but not the lowest price.

Im always looking for the best deals when looking for solo cruises. I usually can find cruises about $60+/night, but occasionally run into $55+. If I find a cruise sub $50, I usually book right away depending where it departs from (calculating cheapest airfare). Late last year, Carnival had some crazy deals that were under $40 departing from MIA and FLL.

 

So whats your magic number? What price will make you jump to make the purchase?

?? $40 to $60pp or just as a single??? best I have ever done is 90 a night? 120 a night is my limit.

So whats your magic number? What price will make you jump to make the purchase?

I don't have a true magic number, but at $100/night, I certainly start looking closely IF I like the itinerary and IF I can make the dates work.

For me to do Breakaway again, I estimate it as $800 for a last minute balcony- but I look at the trip as a whole.

Besides fare I have port fees $200, insurance $130, the tips at $84.

I also budget $300 for potential on ship expenses (specailites, excursions/bingo). I also start with $400 or $500 in cash (needed for bus, taxis, misc. for before cruise, tips during cruise and after cruise) and then factor in hotel price before cruise- next time would be one after as I am already in NYC on the potential date.

i.e last year cost of ship with balcony at around $780 was about $2,030.

When I did epic for $749 around $2,450total.

My 2013 Breakaway which had a base of $1,100 was around $2,300 perhaps

and when I did the Jewel in 2010 the base was around $600 and it finished at $1500.

If I am going from NYC as time goes on I try to keep it a 50/50 mix between the fixed ship and variable costs.

Im always looking for the best deals when looking for solo cruises. I usually can find cruises about $60+/night, but occasionally run into $55+. If I find a cruise sub $50, I usually book right away depending where it departs from (calculating cheapest airfare). Late last year, Carnival had some crazy deals that were under $40 departing from MIA and FLL.

 

So whats your magic number? What price will make you jump to make the purchase?

We all have our comfort zone when it comes to the cost of a solo cruise. Personally, I'm past looking at just the bottom line. I have no desire to book a cruise to the Caribbean or Mexico simply because it's dirt cheap. Been there, done that. I prefer to expand my horizons and look for good deals on destinations/itineraries that are on my travel wish list. If the price is something I can live with and within my budget, I'll book it.

Tony

We all have our comfort zone when it comes to the cost of a solo cruise. Personally, I'm past looking at just the bottom line. I have no desire to book a cruise to the Caribbean or Mexico simply because it's dirt cheap. Been there, done that. I prefer to expand my horizons and look for good deals on destinations/itineraries that are on my travel wish list. If the price is something I can live with and within my budget, I'll book it.

 

Tony

Hi Tony:D....me too......but price is part of the equation.....but

like you, I don't have a specific "majic number".

Oh, I saw you posted about booking a cruise downunder.......

I hate you:D;):)......not fair!

Hi Tony:D....me too......but price is part of the equation.....but

like you, I don't have a specific "majic number".

Oh, I saw you posted about booking a cruise downunder.......

I hate you:D;):)......not fair!

Come with!! :D:D

Tony

Lots of factors help me go from looking at different cruises to booking a specific cruise. I usually travel around Christmas/New Years and consider both land trips and cruises. Two years ago I cruised to Hawaii roundtrip from my home port in SF. This year I have a deposit on a cruise to Mexico from SF. I love not having to fly during the holiday

My magic number is $1,000 for a 7 night cruise in an ov cabin from a west coast port. I also prefer my cruises start and end on a Saturday or Sunday so that I'll be able to use fewer vacation days. In March/April I was looking at Alaska cruises (round trip from Seattle and Vancouver) and couldn't find anything I was interested in for May or June. I also checked out a repo cruise from LA to Vancouver that I was able to book for right around $1,000 for an obstructed ov room. Faith

For planned schedule trips that's 9 months or more out, its $1100 & under for 7 days; for last minute ones under $1000 plus airfare. So far, I paid $671 for last minute Carnival trip last year plus $1013 for schedule NCL trip (room got upgraded from a studio to minisuite due to massive price drop). And this year, I paying about $1800 for a scheduled 12 day trip and next year paying around $2100 for 3 weeks (1 week on Escape is $920, 2 weeks on Getaway was $520 each - taxes and port fees included). Not bad in the 'not paying alot' department...:)

No magic number, as it can vary so much by itinerary. And some of the really low priced cruise lines aren't of great interest to me.

I try to look for best value for that particular itinerary. I have no problem with a relatively cheap Caribbean cruise (this spring, I never even got off the ship, and had a great time), but am probably going to spend the most I've ever spent on a cruise to Alaska this fall (if I can make myself make final payment next weekend!).

Being solo, I have relatively more flexibility than many of my friends to be able to book great deals after final payment, so that's often where I find bargains.

I try to get a zero single supplement. Ship is more important for the Caribbean. Ports are more important for Europe. Typically, I start by booking a studio, and then try to negotiate a better room.

Price alone doesn't do it for me. It's got to be a destination and/or ship that I'm interested in. Once over that hurdle, I usually shop for what I can get at around $200/night. This has often resulted in a balcony cabin on NCL.

I'll pretty much take any itinerary if I can get in for $100/day as a solo (except I won't sail Carnival).

I'll spend more for a better cabin, a better ship and a better itinerary. But $150/day (or less) is generally where I start getting interested.

Joe

Norwegian sun $349 July 6 to Alaska. I've never had any desire to see Alaska, but at $50 per day, I could be convinced![emoji77]

They convinced me. lol. 14 night worth.

I'll pretty much take any itinerary if I can get in for $100/day as a solo (except I won't sail Carnival).

 

 

 

I'll spend more for a better cabin, a better ship and a better itinerary. But $150/day (or less) is generally where I start getting interested.

 

 

 

Joe

Oceania had some interesting deals for solos. Keep an eye out.