Excited, but confused... Valor cost question

[StingRaysfan]

This is my first time posting on these boards, although I read quite a bit.

 

I'm excited because my husband and I are looking to book another cruise... this will be my second and I'm thrilled!! The first one was for a friends wedding so there wasn't a lot of planning on our parts as far as which ship etc.

 

Anyway, I'm looking at 7 day cruises in late May (right after school gets out here) from any port in Florida. We live in Florida so it's fairly easy for us to get anywhere.

 

Most of the cruises are in the 6-7 hundred dollar range, however the Carnival Valor out of Miami is MUCH cheaper right now starting at $509 for the May 30th cruise... thats cheaper then the cruise on the same ship the week before!

 

My question is... is there usually a reason for this?? construction?? events??? I don't want to book a cruise with a crazy religious cult also on board having a conference(lol).... ;):confused:

 

 

I hope this isn't a dumb question but without calling Carnival I was hoping the great minds on here would have an answer... THANKS!!!

 

April

Carnival Inspiration 09/22/08

[notme1955]

It's most likely that the end of May is just not a very popular time to travel and their having trouble filling the ship. The first thing that came to mind was graduations may take priority for many people. Also, the start of summer/end of school may play a part.

 

We paid $509 per person for our balcony cabin on a Valor cruise in September. The price went up drastically after, so you may want to grab it at that price if it's still available!

[pugsammy]

Grab it!!!

The Valor is a really nice ship.....12 of us sailed on the Valor last year and really enjoyed our cruise!

[runningcrazy]

Grab it! We are sailing on the 6/12 departure and are paying $929 ES rate for a balcony--8D. That is a great deal for May, but like most, my boys don't get out of school until June 4th.

[iewe]

Grab it -- that is a great price :) We were on the Valor over spring break this past year, and it was very nice. Would definitely go on that one again.

[Max Circus]

That is a super deal - especially if you're able to drive to the port. The Valor is my favorite Carnival ship of the three I have been on.

[SailBolt]

Like other's before me, I would say grab it at that price!.Just off the Valor 10/04 and even though, I personally wasn't too crazy about the ports, I would do that ship again in a heartbeat.

[spencercoop]

WOW! What a great deal for a summer Caribbean cruise.

[StingRaysfan]

Thats what I was thinking!! I NEED TO GRAB IT!!! lol

I already sent the link to my husband in his email so he can look at it. It did seem like a great deal to me...

 

I'm still concerned about the whys of it.... but I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth..

Thanks for your responses!!

 

April

Carnival Inspiration 09/22/08

[kcroxyoursox]

I'm still concerned about the whys of it....

 

Supply and demand. When there is more supply than demand (ie, most people aren't demanding that cruise because they have school, work, graduations, etc.) then they have to lower the price to entice people to book.

 

When demand outranks supply (there is a set number of cabins, everyone is out for summer vacation) then they can charge more money for the same rooms because the people who really want to cruise that ship, that itinerary, that week, will be more willing to pay more for it.

[Trplnckl]

Supply and demand. When there is more supply than demand (ie, most people aren't demanding that cruise because they have school, work, graduations, etc.) then they have to lower the price to entice people to book.

 

When demand outranks supply (there is a set number of cabins, everyone is out for summer vacation) then they can charge more money for the same rooms because the people who really want to cruise that ship, that itinerary, that week, will be more willing to pay more for it.

Guns Up !!!

[firefly333]

Thats what I was thinking!! I NEED TO GRAB IT!!! lol

I already sent the link to my husband in his email so he can look at it. It did seem like a great deal to me...

 

I'm still concerned about the whys of it.... but I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth..

Thanks for your responses!!

 

April

Carnival Inspiration 09/22/08

 

Tomorrow Carnival is having a upgrade and OBC sale, so I would probably wait until tomorrow to look at your options. One TA said they are upgrading from OVs to Balconys free of charge. Iv seen Carnival do this before but it wasnt on my sailing .... wouldnt hurt to see whats being offered tomorrow, more than likely nothing that would help if you are looking at ES fare.

[mdguy99]

Normally I would just say it's supply and demand but I just got off Valor and we too had a great deal. However, once onboard I discovered for both our cabin attendent and our wait staff it was their last week before their contracts were up. Service definitely was lower than normal, however good friends, old and new, let us laugh off wet cabin carpets for 2 days, mixed up orders, spills, oh and the fight the bus boy and waitress got into just inside the kitchen!

 

Persosonally though I would still go for your deal!

[SailBolt]

Normally I would just say it's supply and demand but I just got off Valor and we too had a great deal. However, once onboard I discovered for both our cabin attendent and our wait staff it was their last week before their contracts were up. Service definitely was lower than normal, however good friends, old and new, let us laugh off wet cabin carpets for 2 days, mixed up orders, spills, oh and the fight the bus boy and waitress got into just inside the kitchen!

 

Persosonally though I would still go for your deal!

 

Just curious.....who won the fight and were they taking side bets?

[Luvsparties]

We just the Valor for June 6 and we got it a category 8B for $535 (for 2 adults/2 teens). I'm thinking we got a pretty good deal -- it jumped significantly after that.

[tamrad]

We also just got back from the Valor. Our price was less than that for an 8 day, but it was in Sept. I was not impressed with the Valor at all. I won't go on that ship again if I can help it. Smoking was allowed all over the 5th floor and it reeked. There is a cigar room they never closed the doors too so it too smelled and it was right outside the dinig room! It took forever to get served in the dining room, then the food came luke warm oh, and we were getting our own drinks. One night my brother got his steak ate it and waited 45 minutes for us to get our food. We only ate in the dining room 3 times because of it. Kids were rampant on the ship and took over pools and the hottubs. I think it was the size of the ship personally. We have been on 2 other ships that we loved, only smoking was in the casino and outside and never saw a kid, but they were smaller.

[TrqoisWtrs]

We just cruised Valor in Sept. Would not hesitate to sail her again. Didn't notice any of the problems the previous poster mentioned. Yes, it was smokey in parts on the 5th floor, where the casino is, but we just walked through.

 

If you're happy with that rate, book it! We got an even cheaper rate, but it was because its hurricane season. We were willing to take that chance and the weather was gorgeous. :)

[letsgocruz1]

To the OP, I always try to book my cruise that same week for my family of 4. (We are doing the Dream next summer, May 29) It seems its always cheaper that week, and rates jump much higher for those cruises that begin in June. So I wouldn't let the great price scare me away one bit.

 

We were on the Valor May 31 sailing this past summer and had wonderful service. We couldn't have been more pleased with the entire vacation. We liked it so much we booked for Oct 3 and just got home 2 days ago. The first two nights at dinner, our waiter was horrible. He did not even say hello, just stood at our sides like "what do you want". He was rude and service was slow. (he even rolled his eyes at my friend when she asked for a side item). So we switched tables and the difference was night and day. This wait team was the best I've had in 12 cruises. They magically appeared anytime one of us needed something, and could not have been any friendlier. Our room steward took great care of us as well, even with special requests.

 

So snatch up those cruise prices; they probably won't last.

[letsgocruz1]

We also just got back from the Valor. Our price was less than that for an 8 day, but it was in Sept. I was not impressed with the Valor at all. I won't go on that ship again if I can help it. Smoking was allowed all over the 5th floor and it reeked. There is a cigar room they never closed the doors too so it too smelled and it was right outside the dinig room! It took forever to get served in the dining room, then the food came luke warm oh, and we were getting our own drinks. One night my brother got his steak ate it and waited 45 minutes for us to get our food. We only ate in the dining room 3 times because of it. Kids were rampant on the ship and took over pools and the hottubs. I think it was the size of the ship personally. We have been on 2 other ships that we loved, only smoking was in the casino and outside and never saw a kid, but they were smaller.

 

Do you remember your waiter's name?

[StingRaysfan]

Well.. we took all of your advice and we GRABBED IT today....

 

Well actually the husband booked it, so I can't tell you about any special deals as he didn't tell me he was doing it and just booked online on the Carnival website...

 

I was very excited anyway because he booked a balcony room instead of the inside cabin I was expecting.... We're on the Verandah deck!!!

 

just thought I'd let you all know and show off my new countdown clock!:):):):)