Is it just me, or are the prices high?

[curlybelle2]

We are looking at a Caribbean cruise for Feb 2016. The cruise we want is $1500. Per person for a balcony! Even a inside is $800 pp. That is so much higher than we paid last time..

 

Is it just us or has the cost of a cruise with princess really increased?

 

We have been waiting for a sale that includes February 2016 cruises,but so far nothing. If we don't see a price drop we might start looking at other cruise line options.

 

Any ideas ?

 

Kaye

[kitty9]

We have been frequent Celebrity passengers, but we canceled two cruises on them because we thought their prices have become insanely high. We thought that the Princess prices were much more reasonable, for similar cabins and similar itineraries, when compared to Celebrity's prices. So, I guess those who've cruised Princess recently can better answer, but we've found their fares to be rather decent.

[JF - retired RRT]

Prices can be higher depending on when you book and how well the category you want is selling.

Our first 2 cruises (3 years ago), we paid $1800 for a balcony and a mini (B2B) to/from Hawaii.

We are going again in December 2016 and paid $1000 for an inside with a casino discount. The non-discount price is around $1500 right now. Balconies are over $2K.

[paul929207]

At the last earning conference call, the CEO of Carnival Corp (Carnival, Princess, HAL, etc) said that sales for the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of next year are ahead of a year ago and at higher prices.

 

With Carnival Corp controlling about half of the business, I would think other lines probably have similar results.

[curlybelle2]

I guess we are spoiled a year and a half ago we paid $650 for a balcony. Hoping to get the same kind of deal this year.

[RocketMan275]

I guess we are spoiled a year and a half ago we paid $650 for a balcony. Hoping to get the same kind of deal this year.

 

 

Suggest you consider booking this cruise now. If there are price drops, you can take advantage. If they're price increases, you're protected. If at final payment you're not happy with the price, you can always cancel.

Edited August 25, 2015 by RocketMan275

[tcdcruiser]

Prices do vary based on demand and season. Nevertheless having a method to compare cruise to cruise is useful.

 

I use a concept I called cost per person per day. I only include cruise plus tax and port charges.

 

I find my Princess cruises over the last five years vary between $175 and $225 per person per day for a mini suite. When I find a cruise for $275 per person per day I think twice.

 

iMHO find your range and do the math.

 

Happy cruising.

[Kamloops50]

The prices on some cruises has actually come in line with others.

I'm looking a HAL and Princess cruise from Aust to Canada in 2017 . Hal is actually cheaper for a cruise that is 7 days longer.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

I booked an inside this year for more than I paid for a balcony last year on an upcoming coastal. It is a similar itinerary and same time of year, and after refaring during a sale a few months back.

 

I just took advantage of an upsell offer to a balcony, so am now paying a total of 55% more than last year apples-to-apples.

[Nezmo]

The cruise I have booked in March 2016 is 19% higher in 2017. That's just nuts.

[baggal]

I just checked our Caribbean cruise on the Regal for mid-December, traditionally the least expensive time of the year. Incredibly, insides are $889 and balconies start at $879. Yes, my numbers are correct!

 

But, I have a feeling that after today's stock market plunge, many people will be canceling if they can and last minute prices will be very competitive.

[Iamcruzin]

We have been frequent Celebrity passengers, but we canceled two cruises on them because we thought their prices have become insanely high. We thought that the Princess prices were much more reasonable, for similar cabins and similar itineraries, when compared to Celebrity's prices. So, I guess those who've cruised Princess recently can better answer, but we've found their fares to be rather decent.

 

I found it to be the opposite. I booked a Celebrity cruise because for what Princess was charging for an obstructed balcony on the Regal, I booked a Concierge balcony and got a drink package, paid gratuity, and $300 OBC for only $50 more than what Princess was charging.

[Colo Cruiser]

We are looking at a Caribbean cruise for Feb 2016. The cruise we want is $1500. Per person for a balcony! Even a inside is $800 pp. That is so much higher than we paid last time..

 

Is it just us or has the cost of a cruise with princess really increased?

 

We have been waiting for a sale that includes February 2016 cruises,but so far nothing. If we don't see a price drop we might start looking at other cruise line options.

 

Any ideas ?

 

Kaye

 

The prices are higher for sure. :rolleyes:

[caribill]

I just checked our Caribbean cruise on the Regal for mid-December, traditionally the least expensive time of the year. Incredibly, insides are $889 and balconies start at $879. Yes, my numbers are correct!

 

 

With Princess sending a number of their ships to Asia and Australia, there are less left to sail in the North American market.

 

In effect, less supply for what is probably at least the same demand as in the past.

 

Perfect scenario for higher pricing.

[sunsetbeachgal]

At this point, prices for Caribbean sailings look quite high. But keep an eye on prices and each of the sales offered, not only the price but what it may include. We are not big drinkers so "free" drink packages are of little value to us, but sales that include on board credit or prepaid gratuities have real value to us. Most of the time we are also flexible about sail dates and cabins (often do guarantees) which makes it easier to jump on sales.

 

Only you can decide if the higher prices are worth it to you. Good luck!

Edited August 25, 2015 by sunsetbeachgal

[Nezmo]

At this point, prices for Caribbean sailings look quite high. But keep an eye on prices and each of the sales offered, not only the price but what it may include. We are not big drinkers so "free" drink packages are of little value to us, but sales that include on board credit or prepaid gratuities have real value to us. Most of the time we are also flexible about sail dates and cabins (often do guarantees) which makes it easier to jump on sales.

 

Only you can decide if the higher prices are worth it to you. Good luck!

I've watched four sales come and go and not one has been for the cruise I have booked. Then again, I'm booked at peak season.

[birdiebill]

We booked a ten day Caribbean on the Royal for early 2016 several months ago. We initially booked a premium balcony; then for $250 more per person, I changed to a mini-suite. The price now for the same mini category is $1000 more per person than what I booked several months ago.

[hcat]

We have been frequent Celebrity passengers, but we canceled two cruises on them because we thought their prices have become insanely high. We thought that the Princess prices were much more reasonable, for similar cabins and similar itineraries, when compared to Celebrity's prices. So, I guess those who've cruised Princess recently can better answer, but we've found their fares to be rather decent.

 

 

We are also Celeb regulars usually in Aquaclass..we have 3 booked with triple perks..grats, obc and alcohol....got good prices early on with the perks...BUT.......

 

Yesterday, looking for a change and specific itin, we booked a Coastal Calif on Ruby Princess yesterday for spring 2017...great price, we think, for a mini suite..

 

Even better, today they added the new promo..grats, wine and 1 free specialty dinner..so far very happy

 

But as stated above, everything is relative for each line....

[Thrak]

Timing can be important. I am booked for a 13 day connieusseur cruise tour in June. Because of the date my wife wants (June 23 sailing for the return voyage) it costs more for an inside cabin that it would cost for a balcony if she selected a date in early May.

[drblue]

I would book it and then wait for an offer that brings the price down. Then, just call Princess or your TA and get it reduced.

It seems, however, that Caribbean sailings are higher in price while the Asia promotions are more significant as Princess sends more ships to that part of the world. This year, we are sailing on a South East Asia cruise for 11 days with Princess on December 18 (high season). The initial price for an Ocean View was $1800 pp. Then, it dropped to $1199, and I got my fare reduced. Now, it went back up to $1500. It pays to keep checking the pricing schemes. It is all about supply and demand.

[curlybelle2]

Well I am disappointed, new sale is not for February 2016. I have been waiting for this sale in hopes it would cover February. Time to look around. :(

[geoherb]

I started my annual spreadsheet of holiday cruise prices a couple of weeks ago. It seems to me that prices are down from what they were last year at this time. For instance, the base fare on the Regal Princess for Christmas (before any discounts from a TA and without taxes and fees) is $190 less for an inside cabin and $200 less for a balcony.

[cpcruzr]

We are looking at a Caribbean cruise for Feb 2016. The cruise we want is $1500. Per person for a balcony! Even a inside is $800 pp. That is so much higher than we paid last time..

 

Is it just us or has the cost of a cruise with princess really increased?

 

We have been waiting for a sale that includes February 2016 cruises,but so far nothing. If we don't see a price drop we might start looking at other cruise line options.

 

Any ideas ?

 

Kaye

We are loyal Princess passengers, but I'm finding Holland America to have lower prices. We may be switching over to Holland.

[maggie.1008]

I am finding Princess much less than Celebrity. This year I am on 2 Princess and 3 Celebrity.