Carnival rising prices

I am a big fan of Carnival. Looking to book a cruise for Feb2017. But I have found the comparable prices across the different cruise lines Carnivals prices have been higher for the most part. Was comparing Vista balcony to an ocean view Balcony on RCI Harmony of the Seas both lines newest ship. And the Harmony was lower by several hundred dollars. Checked Celebrity and for the same price they included drink package for 2 plus a $300 on board credit. WOW no brainier there. I love Carnival but money talks. Now we just have to decide between Harmony of the Seas and Celebrity Reflection. No drink package on RCI but it does have $250 on board credit. Of Vista does have $125 OBC. But that still is weak compared to the others. We got a better deal on our Princess cruise in October too. Plus a $400 OBC. Are people not shopping around? Carnival has become outrageous price wise. Not sure when we will sail again after our April cruise. Too bad too we just turned platinum.

If I was shopping for another cruise I'd look elsewhere. I saw celebrity's promo. Looks pretty good.

I've been saying this for a year or more but was told I had a lobotomy.

Yeah I think We are going to book Celebrity. The balcony price was $400 cheaper than the Vista PLUS it includes 2 drink packages and $300 OBC. How can I keep booking Carnival? Plus with the lame entertainment on Carnival ( which I was willing to let slide for a great price) but now I guess I'll take the better entertainment along with the better deal!

Prices for Vista have jumped over that last year. The prices for my Vista cruise in January has went up $800 since I booked it.

And that $125 obc is actually just $25pp. That Celebrity deal sounds great!

The Reflection is gorgeous and my favorite ship!

Carnival compared to RCCL and Disney is so much cheaper out of Galveston. Since we don't have to fly we will always go with the better deal no matter what line. The better deal for us always seems to be carnival

I am a big fan of Carnival. Looking to book a cruise for Feb2017. But I have found the comparable prices across the different cruise lines Carnivals prices have been higher for the most part. Was comparing Vista balcony to an ocean view Balcony on RCI Harmony of the Seas both lines newest ship. And the Harmony was lower by several hundred dollars. Checked Celebrity and for the same price they included drink package for 2 plus a $300 on board credit. WOW no brainier there. I love Carnival but money talks. Now we just have to decide between Harmony of the Seas and Celebrity Reflection. No drink package on RCI but it does have $250 on board credit. Of Vista does have $125 OBC. But that still is weak compared to the others. We got a better deal on our Princess cruise in October too. Plus a $400 OBC. Are people not shopping around? Carnival has become outrageous price wise. Not sure when we will sail again after our April cruise. Too bad too we just turned platinum.

Yes there prices are getting higher and the quality has gone down. I would do Harmony.

Carnival's pricing for 2016 and beyond seems to have gone up 15 to 20%. I started going on other lines when Carnival went to a 200% fare for a solo traveler like myself.

NCL's studio's and free specialty dining packages and Celebrity free offers and OBC are certainly competitive, if not less than, Carnival's new pricing.

The OP has staunchly stood as a Carnival booster in the past, so his change of thinking should get others to cost compare future bookings.

Yeah I have always had great cruises on Carnival. Their biggest downfall is the main showroom entertainment. Other than that absolutely no complaints. But I am not going to pay several hundred dollars more for similar cruises. Have booked early saver most times but price drops are no more.

I will say that everything went up this month when they started running their "promo" to include OBC. EVERYTHING went up $30 or more dollars....and I am keeping a close eye on about 3 different May sailings, and the cabins aren't filling up with this promo.

I did book the Magic around December 8th or so, and it has gone up $70 per person since we booked.

Shrugs. Who knows. I'm kind of hoping prices come back down a little bit after this promo ends. And I do wish they ran some better promos. For about the same price (and to the same destination), we could sail on NCL with either a free beverage package or free specialty dining. But I am VERY hesitant to go sail on NCL....especially given a lot of changes that the new CEO has made. We may hold out for guarantee and/or pack n go rates, which if I remember right, tend to start showing up close to final payment date - which should be early March for us.

Carnival compared to RCCL and Disney is so much cheaper out of Galveston. Since we don't have to fly we will always go with the better deal no matter what line. The better deal for us always seems to be carnival

Was so much cheaper. The better deal could very well turn out to be another cruise line. Carnival's pricing is going up, up up.

Celebrity is running a deal that includes drink package if you're not happy with NCL.

I agree Carnival runs an OBC sale but bumps up the price to cover the OBC. I think cruisers are figuring out the deception.

The beauty of it is Carnival's bookings are stronger than ever right now and a few Carnival die yards looking elsewhere for better deals will not hurt them one bit. I do not see Carnivals lower prices coming back anytime soon. I also know that there is a lot more like me that's not looking elsewhere even with better deals on other cruise lines. Carnival gives me everything I looking for in a vacation. Not gonna fix something that isn't broke even if it cost me a few more bucks. (And yes, I've tried a couple other cruise lines)

I wouldn't mind paying a few more bucks but I am finding its several hundred bucks. I like the Carnival product but it definitely is not the best. The main showroom shows are probably among the worst. So I am not going to pay several hundred dollars more for an adequate product when I can get a better product for less.

Example how crazy overpriced Carnival is getting. While researching cruise for Feb 2017. Carnival Vista balcony for 2 people. $2900 includes $125 OBC and all taxes ports fees etc. It is an 8 day cruise. On Celebrity. 7 day cruise. Balcony for 2 people. $2100 including all taxes and ports fees. PLUS it includes drink package for 2 PLUS $300 OBC. For 1 less day your talking almost $2000. That's more than a few extra bucks

Carnival compared to RCCL and Disney is so much cheaper out of Galveston. Since we don't have to fly we will always go with the better deal no matter what line. The better deal for us always seems to be carnival

We are in Arkansas .... It's cheaper for us to leave out of NO or Galveston. We can drive, which is much cheaper than flying 6 people someplace! So we stick with carnival.

I'm glad the casino players club always sends me comped cruises. I have two 8 day cruises booked this year and only have to pay taxes. :)

I'm glad the casino players club always sends me comped cruises. I have two 8 day cruises booked this year and only have to pay taxes. :)

Are these pack and play offers? My husband gets those and we are waiting for those offers to come back so we can book our 2 cruises for this year!

I would absolutely take the Celebrity offer and book a balcony with free drinks. Then I would order dinner from the MDR through my steward and when it was delivered, I would enjoy eating it on my balcony under a full moon. But that is just me. And that is something not offered by Carnival. The only thing you are giving up is laundry.

I am a big fan of Carnival. Looking to book a cruise for Feb2017. But I have found the comparable prices across the different cruise lines Carnivals prices have been higher for the most part. Was comparing Vista balcony to an ocean view Balcony on RCI Harmony of the Seas both lines newest ship. And the Harmony was lower by several hundred dollars.

I checked prices for my family of 5. Spring Break 2017, same date.

RCI Harmony - 1 Balcony (OV) and 1 interior:

7 days with stops in Nassau, St. Thomas & St. Maarten

$5450 Plus $250 OBC

Carnival Breeze - 1 Balcony and 1 interior (Both Lido Deck)

7 days with stops in Montego Bay; Grand Cayman & Cozumel

$3870 Plus $125 OBC

Carnival Vista - 1 Balcony and 1 interior (Balcony is Ext. Aft)

6-days with stops in Ocho Rios; Grand Cayman & Cozumel

$3972 Plus $125 OBC

RCI has the better ship and itinerary but unfortunately for at least my family of 5 the price isn't remotely close. Carnival is still lower cost by quite a bit and I'm not finding what you are price wise.

I'm not going to argue whether or not Carnival's prices are going up...they undoubtedly are. I've noticed that the Journeys cruise that I want to take next January seems more expensive than they have been in the past.

And I've seen some cruises by other lines that are similarly priced to Carnival's over the past couple of years. Just as Walmart isn't always the cheapest retail store, Carnival isn't always the cheapest cruise line. Granted, I've never compared identical or even similar itineraries between the lines, but rather itineraries that I would like to go on, and sometimes other lines have been cheaper.

But...I will say, if Carnival didn't raise prices and instead eliminated more of what they offer on the cruise, I think many of you (and a lot of others on these boards) would be complaining about cutbacks. Maybe by prices going up, Carnival has realized that they've hit the point where they can't (don't dare) eliminate much more.

Example how crazy overpriced Carnival is getting. While researching cruise for Feb 2017. Carnival Vista balcony for 2 people. $2900 includes $125 OBC and all taxes ports fees etc. It is an 8 day cruise. On Celebrity. 7 day cruise. Balcony for 2 people. $2100 including all taxes and ports fees. PLUS it includes drink package for 2 PLUS $300 OBC. For 1 less day your talking almost $2000. That's more than a few extra bucks

Which X ship??