Roboat Posted October 17, 2012 #1 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Poor economy? Recession? You can't see it in the cruise prices this year. I usually track the 7-day Florida to the Caribbean cruise prices. And I have always found numerous choices under $700/pp for an assigned balcony for Florida resident. But the past 2 years, the prices are higher and availability is lower. OK, supply and demand. But I wonder, why is demand so high when the economy is crappy and unemployment is high? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted October 17, 2012 #2 Share Posted October 17, 2012 It all comes down to supply and demand. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GORDONCHICK Posted October 17, 2012 #3 Share Posted October 17, 2012 I think some prices were raised to account for fuel price increases in order to not do the fuel surcharges. If fuel prices go down, the prices won't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luddite Posted October 17, 2012 #4 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Better question: Why haven't prices gone up more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted October 17, 2012 #5 Share Posted October 17, 2012 We think Keith has it right that its all about supply and demand. However, there are still some amazing bargains out there for those who are flexible with their travel dates, cruise lines, and itineraries. In the past 2 months we were able to get a fantastic price on a 25 day Celebrity cruise in Europe. Just last week we were able to book a 14 day Caribbean Cruise (for December) on Holland America for less then $2500 (total cost for 2)....and this was for a balcony cabin. In the case of both these cruises are cost per day for a balcony is well under $100 per person/day. These are actually cheaper prices then we paid for similar cruises years ago. We do understand that not everyone has the flexibility (we are retired so can go whenever we please) but the deals are certainly out there for those who want to shop around. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muti Posted October 17, 2012 #6 Share Posted October 17, 2012 The Princess prices now include the government fees and taxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted October 17, 2012 #7 Share Posted October 17, 2012 I do believe that the cruise lines are trying to cover the higher fuel costs instead of tacking on a fuel surcharge like they did a few years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebr.cruiser Posted October 17, 2012 #8 Share Posted October 17, 2012 I agree that many prices do seem higher this year, though not all. I feel it is probably the fuel costs that have driven most of this, as they don't want to add a surcharge for fuel. I was just on the Princess site and noticed that all the taxes and port charges are now included, so those cruises 'look' higher, even if they are not. I have seen some very good bargains though usually at times many can't cruise. We almost always do a early December cruise because of the great deals. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, we can't go in December this year!http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon9.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acklander Posted October 17, 2012 #9 Share Posted October 17, 2012 While the economy is sluggish, it's actually better than it was a couple of years ago, so I think the slow creeping up in price is a reflection of that. you're going to have to work harder to find the deals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoGal07 Posted October 17, 2012 #10 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Fuel charges and larger ships. Fuel is more expensive, and more and more consumers are demanding ships with all the bells and whistles, bowling alley, aquatic theater, multiple dining options, etc. I would imagine the costs for building these larger ships are spread slightly throughout the whole cruise line. Even if you are sailing on a smaller ship, I'd imagine at least a couple dollars are going towards the building of the new mega ships for the cruise line. Couple that with the fact that people are starting to feel more comfortable about the state of the economy (not saying it is great, just that people are feeling more comfortable, and therefore willing to pay the extra fare). Voila! More expensive. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted October 17, 2012 #11 Share Posted October 17, 2012 My grocery bill is higher every week. Our heating oil delivery this week was a whole lot more than the last one we had in the spring. My car gas tank is swallowing a whole lot of $$. Our insurance bill is higher. Electric, telephone, clothes........ everything costs more. If our family bills are higher, so are the cruise lines' bills. If they have to pay more to run the ship, we have to pay more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted October 17, 2012 #12 Share Posted October 17, 2012 I agree that many prices do seem higher this year, though not all. I feel it is probably the fuel costs that have driven most of this, as they don't want to add a surcharge for fuel. I was just on the Princess site and noticed that all the taxes and port charges are now included, so those cruises 'look' higher, even if they are not. I have seen some very good bargains though usually at times many can't cruise. We almost always do a early December cruise because of the great deals. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, we can't go in December this year!http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon9.gif If I may....... to make this :( emoticon type : ( with no space after the : (just trying to be helpful :) ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinm Posted October 17, 2012 #13 Share Posted October 17, 2012 I think sail7seas hit this right on the head... have your houshold expenses gone up? I know I have had to make some BIG changes to keep my regular houshold expenses down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebr.cruiser Posted October 18, 2012 #14 Share Posted October 18, 2012 If I may....... to make this :( emoticon type : ( with no space after the : (just trying to be helpful :) ) Thanks! I have managed to put emoticons on before; no idea why it didn't work this time. I suppose I just didn't do it 'right'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebr.cruiser Posted October 18, 2012 #15 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I think sail7seas hit this right on the head... have your houshold expenses gone up? I know I have had to make some BIG changes to keep my regular houshold expenses down. Very true. Every little thing costs 10-25% more than last year, especially noticeable in the grocery store, but also across the board. We are home builders; try explaining to customers why a house can't be built for the prices of even last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanSmithJr Posted October 18, 2012 #16 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Poor economy? Recession? But I wonder, why is demand so high when the economy is crappy and unemployment is high? Is it? Around here one can't find a paarking spot at the local malls. All the good restaurants require reservations, on a Tuesday! The stockmarket is setting all time highs, (look at CCL). Unemployment for those with college degrees is very low. Folks have experienced a down economy for nearly four years, it is now time to open up their purses and spend. Get on the boat before it sails without you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putterdude Posted October 19, 2012 #17 Share Posted October 19, 2012 It is a combination of a number of things such as a generally improving economy, more people discovering cruising, increased fuel and food costs to the cruise line. While some of it is spin, all cruise lines are reporting a general uptick in bookings....now they are working on pricing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klfrodo Posted October 19, 2012 #18 Share Posted October 19, 2012 Because they're not hitting their revenue forecast as promised to their shareholders? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookwife Posted October 19, 2012 #19 Share Posted October 19, 2012 Poor economy? Recession? But the past 2 years, the prices are higher and availability is lower. OK, supply and demand. But I wonder, why is demand so high when the economy is crappy and unemployment is high? well for us the economy is not only not crappy, we are doing fairly well for ourselves and are now in a position where DH can actually schedule a vacation and NOT have to worry about it being canceled at the last minuet for deployment. also a cruise vacation is economically a very good deal for those who have some discretionary income.. there is not a whole lot of out of pocket expenses once on board that are not totally voluntary. if you only have $2500 to spend, do you take a 3 day trip to Disney or spend a week on a cruise ship? much as I love the Mouse.. much more bang for the buck on a cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseco Posted October 19, 2012 #20 Share Posted October 19, 2012 Fuel costs, etc only have an effect on what the cruise lines will TRY to sell their cruises for. Heck, if they could they would sell every cabin on every sailing at full brochure rate. But the consumer doesn't care how the costs break down. If there's aggregate price resistance at, say, $2000 for a particular sailing that the cruise line wants to sell at $2200 the company only has two choices -- reduce the price to $2000 or sail with those cabins empty. It makes absolutely no difference if that extra $200 they were trying to get was fuel related. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted October 19, 2012 #21 Share Posted October 19, 2012 Fuel related costs do not only apply to what makes the engines run. It is related to food costs, linens, cleaning supplies, uniforms, liquor costs and just about everything else. It all has to get from farm to market, factory to consumer, truck to ship........ Everything we touch, just about, is impacted by fuel costs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKman2495 Posted October 19, 2012 #22 Share Posted October 19, 2012 Well, I would say that your premise is not entirely correct in that the economy may be crappy for some, but is obviously getting better. People are booking more cruises and lines are adding new ships. My Carnival corp stock is also near its 52 week high and shows no signs of dropping. So, basically, it boils down to the economy getting better after all.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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