When does a cruise price become just too irresistable?

[ABoatNerd]

No cruise price, Celebrity or otherwise, is too low.

 

Not cruising period.

 

The cost of all elements of a trip are escalating significantly - well above inflation. At the same time many items previously provided for the price are being eliminated, downgraded or now cost extra; this includes cruise lines, hotels, restaurants etc.

 

Add in the ever increasing hassal of travel, the contempt of the airlines in squeezing seat sizes and charges for bags...on and on.

 

Our household is very mindful of terrorism.

 

Everyone, yesterday March 14, in Toronto - there was a muslim terrorist who knife attacked 2 staff a military recruiting center. This individual was born in Montreal, a Canadian. So the airport was put on alert.

 

Last week the Solstice could not stop at Bali due to concern about terrorism which has occurred there in the past. Much disappointment.

 

No thank you - no longer participating in international travel.

 

Taking a very comprehensive view of travel - the benefits do not outweigh the costs any longer.

 

For those who continue to travel, be safe and enjoy.

 

ABoatNerd

[bEwAbG]

No cruise price, Celebrity or otherwise, is too low.

 

Not cruising period.

 

The cost of all elements of a trip are escalating significantly - well above inflation. At the same time many items previously provided for the price are being eliminated, downgraded or now cost extra; this includes cruise lines, hotels, restaurants etc.

 

Add in the ever increasing hassal of travel, the contempt of the airlines in squeezing seat sizes and charges for bags...on and on.

 

Our household is very mindful of terrorism.

 

Everyone, yesterday March 14, in Toronto - there was a muslim terrorist who knife attacked 2 staff a military recruiting center. This individual was born in Montreal, a Canadian. So the airport was put on alert.

 

Last week the Solstice could not stop at Bali due to concern about terrorism which has occurred there in the past. Much disappointment.

 

No thank you - no longer participating in international travel.

 

Taking a very comprehensive view of travel - the benefits do not outweigh the costs any longer.

 

For those who continue to travel, be safe and enjoy.

 

ABoatNerd

 

Interesting perspective to hold...on a travel forum, no less. There are just as many risks going to the grocery store at home than anywhere. C'est la vie.

[richsea]

No cruise price, Celebrity or otherwise, is too low.

 

Not cruising period.

 

The cost of all elements of a trip are escalating significantly - well above inflation. At the same time many items previously provided for the price are being eliminated, downgraded or now cost extra; this includes cruise lines, hotels, restaurants etc.

 

Add in the ever increasing hassal of travel, the contempt of the airlines in squeezing seat sizes and charges for bags...on and on.

 

Our household is very mindful of terrorism.

 

Everyone, yesterday March 14, in Toronto - there was a muslim terrorist who knife attacked 2 staff a military recruiting center. This individual was born in Montreal, a Canadian. So the airport was put on alert.

 

Last week the Solstice could not stop at Bali due to concern about terrorism which has occurred there in the past. Much disappointment.

 

No thank you - no longer participating in international travel.

 

Taking a very comprehensive view of travel - the benefits do not outweigh the costs any longer.

 

For those who continue to travel, be safe and enjoy.

 

ABoatNerd

 

Everyone has to decide what is the best way to live their lives; how much travel is worth, how safe it is to travel, or go outside their house for that matter.

We choose to live our life, spend what we feel comfortable & safe with, & let the chips fall where they may. To each his own.

[C 2 C]

Our household is very mindful of terrorism.

 

Everyone, yesterday March 14, in Toronto - there was a muslim terrorist who knife attacked 2 staff a military recruiting center. This individual was born in Montreal, a Canadian. So the airport was put on alert.

 

Perhaps spending time at sea would be safer than staying at home....

 

We fly Delta from Detroit, so often that we now are pre-checked...

We get a free soft drink, pretzels and the flight is "free" on points. They guarantee bags in 20 minutes and they get to the carousel before we do..

 

We will stay away from hot zones (and now including Toronto only 3 hours away)

 

but a question... Why continue to monitor a travel site when you have no plans to travel? I stayed away from CC because I had no travel plans (and a personal gripe)

[smtcan]

Perhaps spending time at sea would be safer than staying at home....

 

We fly Delta from Detroit, so often that we now are pre-checked...

We get a free soft drink, pretzels and the flight is "free" on points. They guarantee bags in 20 minutes and they get to the carousel before we do..

 

We will stay away from hot zones (and now including Toronto only 3 hours away)

 

but a question... Why continue to monitor a travel site when you have no plans to travel? I stayed away from CC because I had no travel plans (and a personal gripe)

 

Glad to see you back Arno. We are booked on the Silhouette TA and we will continue to travel as often as we can. I would rather enjoy the life that is left to me as fully as possible, rather than stay home and worry. I suspect an accident on the 401 on the way to the airport is more likely than a terrorist bomb.

 

BTW, did you check return flights from Gatwick, only $320 CAD one way to Toronto on Westjet.

[villauk]

Many thanks, Villauk and Wiltonian. I have checked the 90 day ticker and sent off an email and had an almost-immediate phone call in reply. They must be desperate for business. I am now checking to see if a friend wants to come with me. My choice of cruise could depend on that.

 

At first I was quoted a ridiculous price for single occupancy. I queried that, comparing it with what was on the website, and was given one that was nearly $500 cheaper, so I don't know what was going on there.

 

I thought that transatlantic was an incredible price! However, air fare kept coming out at around £1,000, so the overall price was no longer cheap.

 

The internet site I am checking out says that on 'select oceanview and balcony' cabins there are all sorts of other sweeteners, like free drinks or internet or onboard credit or gratuities. I wonder what they mean by 'select' cabins. Are they the ones that can't be sold any other way? Are they cabins I would not want at any price?

 

Have you checked ita matrix for flights? You can't book on that site, but it does give you all the flight info/coding/rules etc. to get quotes from TAs and direct from the airlines ;). Do put in different UK airports for departure, it can make all the difference. We're flying from AMS later in the year because it was so much cheaper than flying out of the UK, just tagging a budget flight over to pick it up.

 

Regarding the cruise, ask the TA which cabins qualify. Select can mean Oceanview or above. GTYs will give you the minimum cabin in that particular category e.g. X=balcony, Y=oceanview, Z=inside etc. It can also pay sometimes not to have any perks and just book the cabin. Get some quotes so that you can compare options :).

[Fouremco]

No cruise price, Celebrity or otherwise, is too low.

 

Not cruising period.

 

The cost of all elements of a trip are escalating significantly - well above inflation. At the same time many items previously provided for the price are being eliminated, downgraded or now cost extra; this includes cruise lines, hotels, restaurants etc.

 

Add in the ever increasing hassal of travel, the contempt of the airlines in squeezing seat sizes and charges for bags...on and on.

 

Our household is very mindful of terrorism.

 

Everyone, yesterday March 14, in Toronto - there was a muslim terrorist who knife attacked 2 staff a military recruiting center. This individual was born in Montreal, a Canadian. So the airport was put on alert.

 

Last week the Solstice could not stop at Bali due to concern about terrorism which has occurred there in the past. Much disappointment.

 

No thank you - no longer participating in international travel.

 

Taking a very comprehensive view of travel - the benefits do not outweigh the costs any longer.

 

For those who continue to travel, be safe and enjoy.

 

ABoatNerd

You say no more travel because of terrrorism, then cite what you term a "muslim terrorist attack" in your home town. Does this mean you plan to move out of Toronto?

[richstowe]

Congrats on taking advantage of the great deals Arno . I assume you are taking a balcony ?

[C 2 C]

We are booked on the Silhouette TA and we will continue to travel as often as we can. I would rather enjoy the life that is left to me as fully as possible, rather than stay home and worry. I suspect an accident on the 401 on the way to the airport is more likely than a terrorist bomb.

 

BTW, did you check return flights from Gatwick, only $320 CAD one way to Toronto on Westjet.

 

We are continuing on to Amsterdam and flying back to YYZ with KLM for under $400 CAD.

 

Strangely, the "normal, non-Exciting Deal pricing for a Concierge Balcony (got an aft) included free grats, $150US pp OBC was cheaper on Monday than the Tuesday price. Throw in another $250 from our TA and free Z drinks and this deal was also fantastic.

[monicajay]

We are continuing on to Amsterdam and flying back to YYZ with KLM for under $400 CAD.

 

Strangely, the "normal, non-Exciting Deal pricing for a Concierge Balcony (got an aft) included free grats, $150US pp OBC was cheaper on Monday than the Tuesday price. Throw in another $250 from our TA and free Z drinks and this deal was also fantastic.

 

Congratulations on getting such a great deal.

 

As I look at future pricing I find it has gotten ridiculously high and for the first time since we started cruising have no future cruise booked.

:rolleyes:

Not being retired, it would be hard to book last minute like this. Glad to see there are still deals though.

 

Looking forward to retirement.

 

Best wishes!

[iancal]

Great deal.

 

Now that we are retired we only book cruises inside the final payment window.

Prices have indeed increased over the fast 24 months. But prices in some markets had been artificially low for some time.

 

We think it is a great time to travel. Spent five weeks in Greece and Islands last fall. Prices were down, crowds were down, and accomodation reservations a day or two in advance were not a problem. We expect to return this fall and add a cruise if we can snag a deal. We simply select our route carefully and avoid troubled islands.

 

We are mindful of where we travel. If we followed the murder stats and mass killings one of the first no go countries would be the USA. That would not make much sense but this is the reality of the situation.

Edited March 16, 2016 by iancal

[dkjretired]

Arno:

 

Welcome back, good to see you. A little OT but Wine-0 and I just got nice price cuts from Celebrity just before final payment due to price decreases. Made my Monday morning.

[cruisequeen4ever]

Wow, irresistible indeed! [emoji106] Happy last-minute cruising to you!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[momandpoptocruise]

Congratulations on getting these late minute deals.

You must have your packed suitcase at the ready!!!!!

 

Hi, I have been trying to read about Colon, Cartagena. We want to go and see everything we can. I would so appreciate any suggestions and who with. We will be in Cartagena for two days. We will be on Equinox, Nov.7th and btw a great deal with Celebrity right now for the 11 nights, 899. If Celebrity lowers the balconies we will jump on it, for now we grabbed this. We so want to do ALL we can. THANK YOU!

[fantasy51]

Safe - no - my American TA just encourages me to book more cruses, it's an addiction :p. Yes, I have previously reserved from the Xciting Deals flyer. I hate to tell you this, but if you have cruised with X before, they already have your details so they know exactly where you are from :D. No point putting on that American accent, they'll still know you're British :p. Joking aside, many US TAs advertise on CC, you can find their details by changing your setting to US (go to Deals link above, press the US flag on the bottom right and it will change from UK to US ;)). Many offers advertised by TAs on that page - just watch the exchange rate :). Teecee has also given some good advice, see above post #4. Btw, it's not the TAs that take the money from your account like they do over here, you will see X's name on your credit card statement ;).

 

Thank you for your advice. I have tried a few times to get the US deals on this site but even when I click on the US flag, it still sends me to UK travel agents. Frustrating. I only know the name of one US online site to check their 90-day ticker. I would love to know of any other US online sites. If anyone wants to contact me, I have an alternate email account: myzetazinovia@yahoo.co.uk. I would appreciate any help. I have left it a little too late and missed the best deals. I was waiting for a friend to check out possibilities.

[neverenoughtime]

I book air at the last minute on choice air all the time and have not noticed much, if any change in the fares. In fact, twice I have gotten cheaper fares at the last minute. Once I scored business class OW FCO to JFK for $830 on Lufthansa. To make things sweeter, Celebrity was running a promo and I got $100 extra OBC for booking air.. So dont automatically assume fares at the last minute will be more expensive.

 

I am flying out of LAX so I realize fares in other smaller markets may change more due to supply and demand but you won't know until you check it out.:D

 

Ditto, I'm on the much talked about Silhouette 4/23 sailing. Not only is the price $600 less ( and I thought I got a great deal when I booked) but the Choiceair price for my Delta flight from Atlanta is $100 less each too. Next year I'm holding out!!

[TommyD3]

That happened to me on the Eclipse cruise embarking today. Price kept dropping until the normal price was less than the Exciting Deal and I could transfer an existing booking keeping the deposit and OBC. Concierge for $100 per day!!! Celebrity "made" me book it !!!

[TVLady3]

I found a $479 to Bermuda for May 1st of this year, waited one day to long to book, and price went up to $529. Was still considering ($529 isn't bad), when our PCC called me at work. Told him to call DH who was home and let him decide, and by time he reached my DH the price went down to $459! Heck yes we booked.

 

I got the May 1st deal at $449pp plus $25 OBC and a value booklet from my TA.

[Vectorboy]

So much for booking early.

 

Booked the Equinox TA (Apr 15) back in August. Exact same category stateroom available now for $500 pp less and X won't budge.

 

Live and learn.

[markluke]

So much for booking early.

 

Booked the Equinox TA (Apr 15) back in August. Exact same category stateroom available now for $500 pp less and X won't budge.

 

Live and learn.

If you are retired or extremely flexible on travel dates then it does make sense to wait. For those of us with kids and school holidays to work around, I pay more for the certainty of getting the cabin I want on the cruise I want. And I book S1 or S2 so if I wait I'm usually out of luck.

 

What this does tell me is that in the future I may take one of my kids on a last-minute inside cabin cruise instead of to Disney (both Orlando and Miami are 2-3 hours away by car) and save some cash!

Edited March 20, 2016 by markluke

[Orator]

Pricing is really a roll of the dice. Yes, some cruises a real bargains as one gets closer to the travel date, but some cruises really go Sky high. For example, I paid $4300 for my DW and I for a 1A on the Mardi Gras cruise. Today the price for two is a whopping $8808! Appears to me that TAs and Caribbean cruises tend to become the best buys if one books late, but it is better to book as early as possible for special events cruise and cruises with new ports.

At some point Celebrity will realize that booking cabins at low, or no margins is counter productive since more potential cruises will just wait for the "bargains" to book.

I suspect that Celebrity is very concerned about their future bookings. Perhaps that's why they've been using a reduced deposit to make the record on future booking appear stronger than they really are. I would humbly suggest that Celebrity should consider how cutbacks and increased prices for some goods and services have affected bookings.

I too am on the SIL TA and the Shakespeare cruise that follows and look forward to seeing some old ( as on "long time" ) cruising friends.

[richstowe]

Pricing is really a roll of the dice. Yes, some cruises a real bargains as one gets closer to the travel date, but some cruises really go Sky high. For example, I paid $4300 for my DW and I for a 1A on the Mardi Gras cruise. Today the price for two is a whopping $8808! Appears to me that TAs and Caribbean cruises tend to become the best buys if one books late, but it is better to book as early as possible for special events cruise and cruises with new ports.

I agree especially with Celebrity .My impression is that their are more last minute deal with CCL brands then RCI's . Yes there are last minute deals but this thread is amount transatlantic cruises that have traditionally been the cheapest on a per day basis .

 

At some point Celebrity will realize that booking cabins at low, or no margins is counter productive since more potential cruises will just wait for the "bargains" to book.

I suspect that Celebrity is very concerned about their future bookings. Perhaps that's why they've been using a reduced deposit to make the record on future booking appear stronger than they really are. I would humbly suggest that Celebrity should consider how cutbacks and increased prices for some goods and services have affected bookings.

Wasn't there a pledge by management to no longer offer last minute discounts ?

Once again TA's may be a distinct category as the usual perks & promos don't apply .

Edited March 20, 2016 by richstowe

[Orator]

I agree especially with Celebrity .My impression is that their are more last minute deal with CCL brands then RCI's . Yes there are last minute deals but this thread is amount transatlantic cruises that have traditionally been the cheapest on a per day basis .

 

Wasn't there a pledge by management to no longer offer last minute discounts ?

Once again TA's may be a distinct category as the usual perks & promos don't apply .

 

Guess a pledge is a pledge until it isn't.

Bet Celebrity would not need to make radical price restrictions on some TAs if they increased perks. The perks make it look like you're getting something and they cost Celebrity little or nothing, especially since OBC from Celebrity can lo longer be withdrawn from the Casino for cash.

Not all TA's are equal as some do sell out relatively quickly, especially if the customer wants a balcony or higher.

[matondo]

Looking forward to the day when I am able to "land" one of those fantastic deals.

 

Question, the choice air, if you book through a TA can you book choice air through Celebrity?

[smtcan]

post deleted.

Edited March 20, 2016 by smtcan