Sticker Shock - Cruise Planner

[The Scurvy Pirate]

I have been tracking the cruise planner for my Oct 22 8 day explorer.  For the last year, the UDP has fluctuated between $192/$216 while the 3 night has never changed from $89.  For the last 3 days the UDP is now $296 and the 3 night is $120.  Yet the banner still says 40%-45% off (I know, ignore the banners).  Also, the 4 device S&S jumped from $43.98 to $70.29.  Everything else has remained within  the price range for the last year.  I am hoping this is just a short term IT glitch for this cruise.  If this price increase was fleet wide I would think it would be topic #1 on the board.

[Biker19]

7 minutes ago, The Scurvy Pirate said:

I am hoping this is just a short term IT glitch for this cruise.  If this price increase was fleet wide I would think it would be topic #1 on the board.

Don't think it's a glitch - the higher Voom planner prices seem to have started at least a month ago. As with all other items, this is highly variable across the fleet.

[JT1962]

Carnival & NCL recently raised their pre-cruise planner prices, so Royal is probably following their lead.  I believe Royal Caribbean also uses dynamic pricing (as do many businesses), which is based on demand. If many are buying, the price will go up and as demand drops, the prices will go down. The best option is to book at a price you are happy with, then you can monitor the prices and re-book if it drops. 

Edited April 11, 2022 by JT1962

[Biker19]

2 minutes ago, JT1962 said:

Carnival & NCL recently raised their onboard prices, so Royal is probably following their lead.

We're not talking about on board prices (yet), but pre-cruise planner prices.

 

Biker, who thinks some folks who were used to "sale" prices may be in for a shock like the OP.

[shof515]

I am sailing next month and i noticed everything in my planner went up around 10-20 dollars 

[PhillyFan33579]

I have noticed prices have been higher across the board on the 7 RCI cruises I have booked for the rest of this year. Shouldn’t really surprise anyone based on the significant price increases in gas, food, etc. that are rampant these days. 

[molly361]

I bought the UDP for a 6 night Wonder cruise this past weekend for $192 which I thought was high and I was not going to do it.  Today's price is $222

[Merion_Mom]

I, too, noticed a precipitous increase in CP prices this weekend.

[jean87510]

Speaking of internet, I am hoping in the future Elon Musk Starlink becomes available for cruise customers. 

[Flipchild32]

I would take the advice I have read. Buy it at the price you like and if it goes down. Cancel and rebook if it goes down. That way you get a low price if they do go up you didn't miss the opportunity.

[Surfguyxxx]

I was looking at an UDP for an upcoming 8 nighter cruise and it too was $192.  Now it's $308 I believe.  Yikes 😬

[PTC DAWG]

I’m convinced that some people will pay anything for internet, the cruise lines know it, and are taking full advantage…I don’t blame them.  Some people just can’t disconnect.  It’s such a foreign thought these days..

Edited April 11, 2022 by PTC DAWG

[PTC DAWG]

Re the cruise planner, if you want something, see a price you can live with…buy it.  You have zero to lose..if it goes up, who cares? , if it comes down, cancel and rebuy.  

[firefly333]

Someone above mentioned carnival pricing went up. They dont really have pre cruise dining pkgs, onboard only kinda.

 

What went up was the onboard prices. Steak house from 38 to I think 42. I think new mardi gras already had a couple of higher priced eateries. Emerils and the seafood dining place. The low priced ones that were $15 went to $18. 

 

Cant wait for jubilee to come to Galveston.  With new higher priced eating places. Their lowest priced inside cost more to book right now than harmony inside balcony. A couple dates $1038 pp plus taxes, solo bottom deck inside. They did away with low priced categories like 1A and PT port holes. Every other dates is higher. I booked harmony, you betcha. I keep hearing how carnival is lower priced. ..not if you dont get casino rates.

 

Maybe the next shoe to drop for rcl is the same .. higher prices onboard? So far just the discounted pkgs before you board increased in price. I posted a one day zoom and stream of 32.99 I hit on liberty my last cruise. 

 

I'm debating should I buy airfare now for next march or wait? 

[Jerseygirl1416]

I’m hoping for a decent Easter sale🐣😎

[firefly333]

4 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I’m convinced that some people will pay anything for internet, the cruise lines know it, and are taking full advantage…I don’t blame them.  Some people just can’t disconnect.  It’s such a foreign thought these days..

32.99 price. Onboard.

 

How rcl repaid us for missing a port and keeping our port fees.

 

[BecciBoo]

Food on Adventure in MDT was excellent.  As a result, after lunch at Chops, we decided no more specialties.  Nothing but the meat is different, why pay that much for the same sides/salads/desserts when you can easily afford the Chops steak offering in MDR.  We're done with them.  If they want to lose diners at the specialties, let them.  They'll have to see the light some day and start lowering those prices again.  Same goes for Coco Cay.  I'll pay the $58.99 day pass to the beach club we got last year, but nothing higher.  I wish they'd just stop playing those games and get with an affordable price list!  Otherwise, we'll get a free lounger and swim in the free pool and the free ocean!!!!!!!

[Jerseygirl1416]

9 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

Food on Adventure in MDT was excellent.  As a result, after lunch at Chops, we decided no more specialties.  Nothing but the meat is different, why pay that much for the same sides/salads/desserts when you can easily afford the Chops steak offering in MDR.  We're done with them.  If they want to lose diners at the specialties, let them.  They'll have to see the light some day and start lowering those prices again.  Same goes for Coco Cay.  I'll pay the $58.99 day pass to the beach club we got last year, but nothing higher.  I wish they'd just stop playing those games and get with an affordable price list!  Otherwise, we'll get a free lounger and swim in the free pool and the free ocean!!!!!!!

The Beach Club is constantly going for triple that price. I don’t think you’ll ever see that price again or even under $100.

[Iamcruzin]

2 hours ago, Biker19 said:

We're not talking about on board prices (yet), but pre-cruise planner prices.

 

Biker, who thinks some folks who were used to "sale" prices may be in for a shock like the OP.

I'm in shock with the the land food prices. This inflation is going to be around for awhile.

 

[jean87510]

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

I’m convinced that some people will pay anything for internet, the cruise lines know it, and are taking full advantage…I don’t blame them.  Some people just can’t disconnect.  It’s such a foreign thought these days..

Same thought process applies for drink package.  Some people just can't not drink.

[cruiselvr04]

Everything else is going up.  
 

I’m watching a cruise that has increased $1k and thinking I’d better not wait any longer.  I’m very glad I’ve got 2022 and 2023 wrapped up and locked in and am starting to work on 2024.  It’s hard to plan that far sometimes but worth losing $200 once a year to paying $1k more.  
 

As for internet, I can get by with my free days. I do buy on longer cruises when it’s 11.99 per day.  CocoCay beach club at $169?  Nope.  I’ll take my free chairs and umbrella thank you.  I’ll only buy the Dining package at a certain point too and then they lose me.  I’m sure there will still be some who do it, it just won’t be me.  Hoping for some good flash sales for the cruise planner this year but not counting on it. 

[Jasukkie]

I paid $7.49 for a can of Quaker oats this morning. That's usually $4-something. As long as some fool like me keeps paying, why would they not charge as much as they can? 

 

I'm done with Royal's crappy internet though. The Diamond lounge should be unofficially repurposed as an internet sharing lounge. Everyone gets one or two free days, come by and share your login info with your new best friends. 

[PTC DAWG]

12 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

Same thought process applies for drink package.  Some people just can't not drink.

Drinking has been around a whole lot longer than the internet.. 🙂

[jean87510]

Just now, PTC DAWG said:

Drinking has been around a whole lot longer than the internet.. 🙂

yes but it is a foreign thought to ask people to give it up.  I don't get the drink package as I dont really drink enough to justify it nor do I care if people get drink package.  Its their money.  I honestly don't know why there always has to be snarky comments about giving up internet.  It isn't anyone's business how they choose to spend their vacation time and money.  

[Seville2Cabo]

Wow.  I bought the UDP and 2 device internet about 6 months ago for an August Alaska Cruise.  After reading this I went on line and checked the current price - up $100 pp for the UDP for 7 nights and $50 for the internet.  

 

My PC cruise (April 2023)  has not opened up for any purchases.  Can't wait to see the prices