burchan

8 hours ago, The_Big_M said:

You haven't said which cruise, but the cheapest cruise in USD in Dec 2019 on Celebrity for Au/NZ is Dec 2. 

 

For a C3 on a like for like basis with your 2013 booking that is priced for 2 at USD 5110.24, incl taxes. Gratuities are extra US$348, totalling 5458.24.

 

That is an extra US $1355 for the same cruise, which recognises price trends that have increased over that time.

 

In AUD it is even worse, coming to AU$7,687 - more than double what you paid in 2013 (AU$3,953 to be precise).

 

You got it wrong.  In US dollars calculation cruise in 2013 was $4103. In  2019 it is $US4073 less $US600 OBC making it $3473 This is based on Celebrity Australia booking in Australian dollars The values converted into $US at then and now exchange rate. ( in 2013 $US was 0.91 and now is 1.40) We are not comparing prices in USA market which might be different. Cruise costs include taxes-fees and service charges. Cruise is now cheaper then it was at the height of economic slowdown.

29 minutes ago, Docker123 said:

 

Just wait for a sale.

 

i am sure that will take the prices to 2013 levels 

What I was trying to say is that it is cheaper now in 2019 then it was in 2013 

Interesting observation. I made booking for December cruise  in New Zealand on Celebrity. I did the same cruise back in 2013 during the US recession and strong $A.  The same  ports and the same ships. Nothing has changed.  In 2013 I paid $3733.90 for concierge C3 class stateroom. That is $US4103 when $US was worth only $A0.91 So per person it was $A1560 plus service charge $A142.56 and tax $A155.39 for a total of $A1866.95 per person

In 2019 Concierge C3 stateroom is $A2806.66 per person, service charge is included, Tax is $211.94 less $150 discount plus you get $US300 per person OBC. The cruise cost is now $A5737.20 or $US4073. This is cheaper then in 2013 Take another $US600 OBC and cruise now costs $US3473. So the cruise in 2019 is $US 630 cheaper then in 2013 if OBC is included.

Another changes observed is times in port. Ship departs earlier and arrives later making 7.5 hours loss in port times. Greatest impact to passengers is early departure from Auckland which now requires hotel accommodation instead of flying in on the day. In all a good value.

Where is all that information coming from about Solstice cruise? My son is on her. At Seascaner.com it shows current location as 1/3 way direct to Sydney and has travelled 318 mile since Milford sound. I see no changes due to cyclone

From reading your post it looks like you like to be organised. We have cruised NZ 3 times and enjoyed the ports on our own. Cruise is all about ports. You will not see New Zealand on a cruise. Ports are the highlights. Why travel distance just to soak in the mud. New Zealand deserves proper land holiday.with car hire and time,

In Bay of islands we took free bus to Paihia, looked around town and markets then walked back, stopped at Maori Marae then to Maori Museum, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Maori War canoes, Maori meeting house with show. Fantastic day on our own.

Akaroa is nice little town to walk on your own. We have seen groups walking following the flag. We love our freedom.. To the right is lighthouse and monument. To the left is nice town to admire and stop for a meal and beer. A wonderful day.

Tauranga.port is located near Mount Maunganui. We walked over the Mount Maunganui for wonderful views and down to Maunganui waterfront.. Another time we took helicopter ride for $35 when it was available..

It is getting a bit harder to find any good cruise deals at the moment. Just noticed Cunard has free upgrade deals making it a good value for balcony staterooms in Australian sectors of the world cruise.

Most cruise lines are cost cutting and standards of dropping. Cunard continue to maintain high standards making it best value around.

sorry - april the 3rd. .

Celebrity has reduced price special until March 3 with up to $600 OBC on selected NZ cruises.

Singapore-Fremantle

27 August 2016

 

14 Nights

Dawn Princess

 

Twin From $1130.42 pp (inside)

Quad From $1261 pp

That was interesting. I checked the price with Princess and was $1799 but from cruise agent it was $1130. Did not know agents are cheaper. Will need to check both next time I book something.

Cunard QE Feb 2017 Sydney to Kobe 15 nights $A2414 per night for balcony. That is only $A160 per night for balcony.

12 April 2017 Emerald Princess. 29 nights Sydney to LA

-via NZ ,Pago Pago, Tahiti and Hawaii

includes a one way air fare back to Australia

from just $4,699 per person twin share.

Sorry -Nothing cheap about this one at $162 per night for inside even if air is included. I did similar cruise last year for $2200 in balcony stateroom - no air. Hawaii to Sydney.

For a real cheap cruises this July from Hong Kong return 4 nights or 5 nights with RCI Voyager of the Seas 4 nights balcony $A342 and suite $348 That is $A87 per night for suite. Visit Sanya and Vietnam. Even better 5 nights $327 for balcony and $A335 for suite. That is $A67 per night for suite. Visiting Vietnam ports. This is real El Cheapo offers but you have to be there to take it.

Agree with most what was said. Excellent camera. Get 35mm f1.8G DX lens. You will love it and it is so cheap. Forget about cheap filters. It would be like taking photo trough window glass. Get proper filter or none at all. Tripod is must on cruise. How are you going to take picture of your self without one or in low light situation. Get Carbon fibre travel tripod with ball head. Get Nikon moist lens cleaning wipes. Sling bag, Vanguard BIIN 37 or Lowepro Transit Sling. A speedlight would be good to have but can do without.

Royal Caribbean has 72 hours special. Best value is 13 nights in balcony stateroom to South Pacific on December 3, 2016 for $1370 tax included. That is $100 per night for balcony.

Good prices for Cunard next year in balcony staterooms. Sydney to Kobe 15n QE $A2414 balcony. Singapore to Dubai 10n QM2 $1999 balcony, Hong Kong to Singapore 7n QM2 $A1449 balcony, Sydney to Hong Kong 16n QM2 $A3214 balcony.

17 nights Honolulu to Sydney on Radiance of the Seas $1218 for inside. That is $71 per night PP September 21st. 2015

We cruised on Dawn Princess in 2012 off Port Douglas and experienced the full eclipse. Due to the positive experience, we are booked on the Sea Princess which is advertised as being at the solar eclipse position in the Java Sea on the 9 Mar 15. I realise that it is the wet season in that area at that time of the year and it is unlikely we will see the eclipse due to cloud cover. Where is your reference to the fact that the Sea Princess will be at a partial eclipse position and not the total eclipse position? I will be @*$*! if we are not at the Total Eclipse position.

You are correct. Sea princess is in the eclipse position on its 42 day cruise. We were on Oosterdam in 2012 and it was wonderfull experience worth doing again but 42 days is just to long for me.

You would think that major cruise lines would take advantage of this opportunity. Only HAL Volendam is available and the best cabins are already sold. At $3498 for inside cabin for 16 day cruise is not cheap but ports are good even if the weather could spoil the show.

Another option is Silversea Discoverer at US$15675 pp.

Celebrity, RCI and Princess are all in partial eclipse area but not making any effort to position for full solar eclipse. This would sell better then what they are selling now. Time to wake up.

RCI Radiance of the Seas Trans pacific Balcony special $2217 will finish tomorow. Celebrity and Carnival are doing similar cruise for twice the cost and HAL even less for twice more.

Another good special with RCI is 14 nights cruise Explorer of the Seas Barcelona to Dubai, inside $A1078 out $A1293 and balcony $A1641.

Cunard QM2, QE, QV from Sydney or Brisbane to Hong Kong next year from $A144pp per day. 15 to 18 nights.

We are seeing some of the best prices in years and I can't understand why this should be with $A down. We are also seeing more ships in Australia. As an example RCI will have 5 ships in in 2016/7 Radiance, Explorer, Voyager, Legens and Ovation and 4 in 2015. The prices for balcony at $A130pp per night. It is good time to have good time and cruise now. It just can't last long when you consider cost of living if not going and staying at home. If you are renting can you get waterview for $1000 per week?, and you have to make your own bed and make your own meals.

Airfares can be a problem. I have booked 17 nights balcony cabin on Radiance for $2217pp Honolulu to Sydney. That is $130 pp per day. Cheapest one way flight with Qantas is $2038 because it is school holidays. Jetstar saved the situation.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm still mulling it over. I have until Monday to commit i.e pay the deposit.

Balcony cabin at $2774 pp Brisbane to HK is great but even better is Sydney to HK at $3054. In hull balcony is not that great. Pay extra for glass balcony. For 2014 world cruise sector on QE Sydney to Yokahama I booked balcony for $2834 in July then rebooked in August for $2264. In October price was $5404 so it is a gamble to wait. Considering $A at the moment prices are excelent.

RCI Radiance of the Seas $2217 for balcony for 17 day cruise Honolulu to Sydney September 21 to October 9, 2015. That is $130 per day PP for balcony.

Just found on Cunard site Med. 14n cruises QV 27June, 3rd July, 18 July, 25th July. Prices are from and include taxes, port charges.

Inside $A979, outside $A1099 Balcony $A1269, Princess Grill $A2008, Queens Grill $A2429

Never seen such value but how to get there? Flights are insane expensive.

Several days a go I recieved Email from Celebrity for special event cruise Anzac day 100th Anniversary Celebrations in Turkey. 12 nights from Rome return departing April 22. From $A714 but priceless.