Do people realize just how good these deals are?

[sunsetbeachgal]

We booked a January cruise on the Regal a month or so ago, and was surprised at how low the prices were that far in advance of the cruise. Think maybe there are too many big ships doing the same Itinearies.

[Iamcruzin]

That's exactly what I thought of my last cruise on Caribbean.

 

Didn't cost much. Wasn't worth much. Don't need to do it again.

 

It was exactly like cruising in the first couple weeks of december,

when prices are really low. Everyone onboard is a huge bargain

hunter, and there are lots of retirement village groups from florida.

 

On carribbean, 2pm on a sunny sea day in the carribbean -- there

were lounge chairs next to the pool available!!!! You make it sound like a bad thing.

 

I don't know why -- maybe some fresh oatmeal had been brought

out in the lido...

 

...as opposed to say a New Year's eve cruise, where everyone has

paid a lot, and it really there to have a good time!

 

I think the worst thing about these short B2B itineraries is the return to Ft Lauderdale, but I guess if you live there it gives you time to go home feed the cat,change the litter box and get back on the ship.

[bhopal21]

I think the worst thing about these short B2B itineraries is the return to Ft Lauderdale, but I guess if you live there it gives you time to go home feed the cat,change the litter box and get back on the ship.

 

That and the fact that Jamaica is included as a port stop on some.

 

Mike:)

[The O Mariners]

Amen!

 

At some time in the past 10 years I realized that I had stopped trying to convince anyone to do anything they didn't want to do. Maybe it was about the time that I realized i resented others doing that to me. Life is so much happier since then. I just accept that everyone is living their lives in the way that's best for them, or they would be making changes themselves. They don't need me instructing them how to do it.

 

You ALL just made me feel both thankful(which I am) and very happy for my decision to "spring" for the cruise we are going on October 18th. We are meeting our daughter and granddaughter from Alaska we only get to see once each year. My husband was initially convinced it was not in our price range. I just watched week by week. With a Caribe balcony, combining OBC, FCC, more OBC with one more price drop, we are now down so low we can afford to "spread the good fortune" with the staff. I am keeping the auto gratuity charge and carrying extra cash for the hardworking staff. (I thought I would be able to retire but the recession changed that- now I work two different careers- one as a hospice RN with 13+ hour shifts never stopping- So I feel for them.)

In that new career- I now know for CERTAIN- people remember the good times- they always want MORE time with their family, MORE memories- they NEVER say they wish they had worked more....or worried about silly things... or had less "good times" with the ones they cherish.

Thanks :)

[Chery]

This is why I'm doing b2b2b cruises on the Caribbean Princess in October for 14nts (5/5/4). With inside rates for a solo from $398+tax and $400obc on the first two legs and $300 OBC credit on the 3rd sailing (plus FCC & Shareholder OBC) they are practically paying me to go!

 

My total cruise fare (excluding taxes) is $1194 + $258.90 in taxes ($1452.90) and I have $1325 in OBC :D. That means 14 days onboard costs me only $127.90 +$161 in gratuities ($288.90 total) before discretionary spending. that's only $20/day for lodging, three meals and entertainment. I literally can't afford to stay home :D

Do you book with a travel agent to get the OBC or do you book directly with the cruise line? Looks like more b2b's you do the more OBC you receive. Is that correct?

[dorisis]

Will you be doing a review? "You get what yo pay for" sounds like maybe your cruise didn't live up to your expectations.

 

No review. It was a good cruise for what we paid.We were in a suite and they were still quite a bit higher than minis.Prices rarely go down on suites, so we felt luck to get a good price on our B2B. Princess, like most other lines, has cut back on quality as well as staff.

 

They are still best as far as their Loyalty program goes. And they are truly best with combinable OBCs

[shredie]

In that new career- I now know for CERTAIN- people remember the good times- they always want MORE time with their family' date=' MORE memories- they NEVER say they wish they had worked more....or worried about silly things... or had less "good times" with the ones they cherish.

Thanks :)[/quote']

 

Truer words...I don't mind paying the extra to take my grandchildren with me, and these cheap deals out of LA are making that more feasible.

[pablo222]

I think the worst thing about these short B2B itineraries is the return to Ft Lauderdale, but I guess if you live there it gives you time to go home feed the cat,change the litter box and get back on the ship.

 

If I were on a B2B, I would be praying that I had booked two

cruises, so I could cancel the second.

 

And, the midday available lounge chairs -- it demonstrated the

activity level of the crowd.

 

About once a day, I would be able to point someone out to Mrs.

Pablo -- "Look, someone under 30 -- I bet they can't wait to get

home and ream their travel agent!".

 

There was however, knitting and nattering every day. Someone

had to explain to me what nattering was, as I thought it was

talking gibberish.

[RMM34667]

In that new career- I now know for CERTAIN- people remember the good times- they always want MORE time with their family' date=' MORE memories- they NEVER say they wish they had worked more....or worried about silly things... or had less "good times" with the ones they cherish.

Thanks :)[/quote']

 

That is so true and for me that's what this cheap cruise is all about. I get to spend 9 days relaxing with my Mom. Recently diagnosed with vascular dementia. Who knows if we will ever cruise again. I want this one to be memorable for her. I will need the pictures to prove it though! Our first 5 days have my Sister and her BFF (my Sister from another mother) and my cousin and her husband. Second 4 days my brother will join us. And if history repeats itself (I really hope) maybe more family will surprise us on board.

 

Hearing so many negatives on this thread. Like there is something wrong with getting a great deal. If people are happy with where they are going and what they are paying for why be so sour on it?

 

I guess it's just the nature of cruise critic. Although I always thought the Princess board was above that.

[FamilyMooner]

Does this cruise go to Jamaica? That may be one reason for the sale.

 

Mike:)

Excuse perhaps stupid question from neophyte cruiser, but why would cruise be reduced because it has Jamaica on itinerary?

[Nebr.cruiser]

Excuse perhaps stupid question from neophyte cruiser, but why would cruise be reduced because it has Jamaica on itinerary?

 

They were kind of kidding, (I think) but many people, after being to Jamaica once, would rather not go again, due to sometimes very obnoxious harassment from people ashore, especially those trying to sell things.

 

We've been there several times and have so far been fairly lucky in not having too much trouble, but we choose our activities and tours carefully. It's too bad that the island has that reputation, as it is very beautiful.

 

Many people choose to stay on the ship there.

[Iamcruzin]

Excuse perhaps stupid question from neophyte cruiser, but why would cruise be reduced because it has Jamaica on itinerary?

Not a stupid question. After being to Jamaica once I have no desire to go back. We were on a Princess beach excursion and we couldn't take being harassed by the locals trying to sell star fish and conch shells so we walked back to the ship. That was a mistake. On the walk back they were soliciting drugs and begging for money. I've traveled in the NY subway system and have been asked for money many times. If you just ignore those people they leave you alone. They are relentless in Jamaica. They followed us all the way back to the ship. I have heard from friends who have done a land trip that you can't even leave the resort. Never again.

[pablo222]

Excuse perhaps stupid question from neophyte cruiser, but why would cruise be reduced because it has Jamaica on itinerary?

 

http://articles.latimes.com/1997-03-02/travel/tr-33945_1_state-department-travel-warnings

[bhopal21]

Excuse perhaps stupid question from neophyte cruiser, but why would cruise be reduced because it has Jamaica on itinerary?

 

Not stupid at all.

 

There were so many complaints Princess et al eliminated Jamaica from their itineraries.

 

The last time we were there (2009) we managed to walk about a mile from the ship and were continually besieged to buy this and that to the point we feared for our safety so we turned around and went directly back onboard being followed all the way to the fence around the port area.

 

I can't imagine why Princess has once again added this stop to any cruise.

 

Mike

[pablo222]

I have a question about these deals.

 

If I booked one for November, I would potentially have almost $600

in OBC.

 

I would buy a soda sticker, maybe a dinner or two at a speciality

resturant, and pay the tips.

 

Has anyone been successful with going to the casino and putting

$400 on their slot bank, and then cashing it out?

 

These 'free' cruises are really only free if you can disembark with

the OBC converted to cash.

 

I'd hate to go, and then once onboard, find out that the OBC can

only be used on board, and can't really be gotten all in cash

(and then used to pay the credit card bill with the cruise fare)

[lovevacadays]

http://articles.latimes.com/1997-03-02/travel/tr-33945_1_state-department-travel-warnings

 

Interesting article from March of 1997. My mom did this exact tour on my birthday in 1997 - about a month later than the article. We were not fans of Jamaica and have never been back. However, we actually had a great time on this excursion. We did the falls as well. We didn't climb, just went to the middle section and enjoyed the pools. That was really nice.

 

The reason we would never go back is the extremely rude vendors. Whether you are on an excursion or choose to go to one of the shopping areas, they were the rudest people I have ever encountered. We've cruised many Caribbean Islands and cruised Mexico more times than I can count. We never encountered anything like it was in Jamaica. I remember we were very surprised. Back then, there were so many commercials about coming to Jamaica to meet all the friendly people. NOT. Would not go again.

[Kruznut]

Makes me wish I lived in close proximity of a port. I'm so jealous I can't take advantage of such great deals !

[Bernbun29]

Okay...So I just made my final payment for our November 23 sailing of the Golden Princess...

 

The cruise itinerary isn't all that exciting...We're going from LA down to Ensenada and back...

 

BUT, everyone likes to get away from home for a nice weekend every now and then...

 

For some of the prices they are offering now, how does anyone NOT take a cruise?

We just did the 3 day Vancouver to LA and the 4 day LA to Catalia Island/Ensanada to LA -- they were wonderful little cruises. If you have the option, go on the Casa Donna Lupe (or something like that) Winery Tour. At the second stop, you get to go into the warehouse where they have the huge oak barrels they are ageing the wine in, we plan to do that excursion again!!

[cruiseintoheaven]

I've been looking at some if these routes and curious if they are cold, freezing cold, etc....looking at February - thanks!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[RMM34667]

I've been looking at some if these routes and curious if they are cold, freezing cold, etc....looking at February - thanks!

 

I have mostly cruised the Caribbean in November in the last 5 years. I have never been cold. This also include stops at Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay so I can include the Bahamas. There is no guarantee, but our weather has always been on the warmer side (sometimes HOT).

[Griller]

Not stupid at all.

 

There were so many complaints Princess et al eliminated Jamaica from their itineraries.

 

The last time we were there (2009) we managed to walk about a mile from the ship and were continually besieged to buy this and that to the point we feared for our safety so we turned around and went directly back onboard being followed all the way to the fence around the port area.

 

I can't imagine why Princess has once again added this stop to any cruise.

 

Mike

 

Its amazing that we've been to Jamaica few times and never had a bad experience there, always found the locals friendly and helpful. Having said that it certainly pays to stay in the tourist areas and not go into parts of Kingston where even the cops only go 30 in a truck armed with submachine guns.

Got to love that tasty jerk chicken and high strength local brewed Guinness. And the local Jamaican Ginger Beer which may not be alcoholic but is very fiery.

[cruiseintoheaven]

I have mostly cruised the Caribbean in November in the last 5 years. I have never been cold. This also include stops at Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay so I can include the Bahamas. There is no guarantee, but our weather has always been on the warmer side (sometimes HOT).

 

Yes - agree would expect warm/hot tempts for Caribbean or Bahamas in February - I was thinking of the west coast getaways - from LA.....would think temps would be similar to Alaska - but maybe not. I'm sure someone will come along and let me know. Thanks for reply!

[richstowe]

Yes, for those of you who live near a port, you would be crazy not to go.

Adding to those that have mentioned it's not the cruise cost, it's the transportation cost that is high.

Sure cruises are great value but except for the 2 cruises I drove to, the cost of air

was similar or more then the actual cabin cost (i.e. not including tips ,port fees and all the rest).

The only good thing is with cabin costs at about a 1/3 of the total cost of a cruise vacation,

it makes it easy to justify a higher cabin category. Just proves you can rationalize anything ! :D

[JF - retired RRT]

Yes - agree would expect warm/hot tempts for Caribbean or Bahamas in February - I was thinking of the west coast getaways - from LA.....would think temps would be similar to Alaska - but maybe not. I'm sure someone will come along and let me know. Thanks for reply!

 

The CA coast in November can range from chilly (in the 50s) in SF to warm (in the 70-80s) in San Diego. Be prepared, dress in layers.:D

[sippin-time]

This is such a great thread....thanks OP for starting this thread! My DH and I started cruising on our honeymoon 13 years ago and since then, we've become serious cruise junkies for the EXACT reason stated by the OP, lol!! We "were" loyal to Royal until they changed their loyalty program (almost right after we reached their highest level of loyalty program...Diamond Plus) We recently tried Princess and now we simply luv this cruiseline! We are extremely fortunate to live only 45 minutes from San Pedro and now with all of Princess' new "quick weekend get away" West Coast sailings, we are most definitely spoiled!!

 

Happy sailing :)

Edited October 3, 2014 by sippin-time