Sticker Shock - Cruise Planner

[Colorado Buffalo]

UDP was $189.00 last week. Now it's $219.00 and it says that's 50% off ..lol

[chiguy67]

Purchased the UDP with the new cruise planner for our Symphony cruise for September for $163pp but with the gratuity added it was $197pp. I like the old cruise planner when the gratuity was already in the price.

 

We only use our free Diamond 1 day internet For flight check-in etc. and use the internet when in port. 

Edited April 11, 2022 by chiguy67

[mkmaj]

I just re-booked our several times canceled cruise on Anthem and noticed the same thing. Right now, Coco Cay is the only thing available to look at but seeing the Beach Club at $199 compared to the $79 we paid last time was quite a shock. Honestly, if the prices don't calm down I'll cancel again and book an all inclusive resort. I like to make cruising an all inclusive experience with packages but at these prices it's not worth it.

[Bound4Bermuda]

I’ve been checking the cruise planner almost daily since I booked just under a month ago, and prices have been jumping all around. I too swear that the base price of an excursion changed significantly since I first wanted to book it on sale a few weeks ago vs what I actually ended up paying yesterday (once I finally convinced my husband that he isn’t going to fall in and drown kayaking). I ended up paying a “sale” price of $71 and it was $52 a couple of weeks ago—and today it’s $5 more than yesterday. Though in another thread there’s discussion that RCCL just had one of their biggest booking weeks ever (I think; should confirm on the thread if I’m misstating) so I guess it makes sense if they were trying to lure people in with rock-bottom prices, now they can gouge prices back up. Yet, it does seem that they have their planned “sales” in place in advance so even if they’re keeping the sale percentage the same, they’re changing the base price to increase the overall price.

[Rogueperson]

I saw this post and checked the UDP for my 5 night leg of by b2b.  I bought it for 110/person last week.  It is now 176.  That's an insane price jump.

[Joseph2017China]

I noticed food went up.  Kind of not surprised, but do wish the quality goes up.  I'm fine in the MDR.  As far as internet is concerned, you can check with phone carrier, which ATT offers a cruise ship package.  Note it is not wifi, but data on cellular at sea.  So, it might not be as good, or as fast, but it is a cheaper option.  I think $100.00 for 30 days, and it is not unlimited.  But for us, that's fine. 

[PhillyFan33579]

4 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

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

 

Likely thru 2024. 

[Florida32]

5 hours 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..

Some of us have pets, loved ones etc back home that we need to keep in contact with?

[deliver42]

The cruise lines all will be "adjusting" the extra cost packages to keep the money flowing. As far as the internet, the first thing I do is shut the phone and put it in the safe. See you in 7 days.

[PTC DAWG]

1 hour ago, Florida32 said:

Some of us have pets, loved ones etc back home that we need to keep in contact with?

I think the $10 a day that AT&T offers is a better deal…but if I’m at sea, what can I really do?  If it makes people more comfortable, so be it..who am I to question? 
 

You must have some very cool pets.  Our dog hates the internet. 🙂

 

Like I said, people will pay.  

Edited April 11, 2022 by PTC DAWG

[Sunshine3601]

Unfortunately, we work while we cruise so we have to pay the ridiculous price for surf n stream to connect to our VPN (surf only won't work).    Right now my planner is showing $24/day for surf n stream.      That is ridiculous, Black Friday I think I paid $15/day

For those interested, The Key is selling for $35 pp/pd.    Also, Ridiculous!!

 

I am hoping (fingers and toes crossed) to see some Easter sales.    Maybe this why all the prices are go up now so they can go on "Sale" for Easter. 

 

I totally agree the Beach Club price is insane.   Yes, it is a nice area but There is NO way I would pay $180 pp.   I last paid $46.99 pre-covid and then said I would never pay more than $50 or $60 pp. I guess I will never go there again.   The perks are exactly the same as 2 years ago.     As long as people keep buying at the $180 price they will keep selling it.

 

 

[RoperDK]

56 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I think the $10 a day that AT&T offers is a better deal…but if I’m at sea, what can I really do?  If it makes people more comfortable, so be it..who am I to question? 
 

You must have some very cool pets.  Our dog hates the internet. 🙂

 

Like I said, people will pay.  

Lol, my cat managed to send a random email of gibberish to a friend while lounging on my keyboard while I took a break for lunch.  We had a good laugh about it and thank goodness it wasn't to my boss or a business associate.  Still don't know how he did it.  What are the odds!  I make sure to close my laptop now when I am away. 😉     

[goldfish65]

Welcome to the great re-set or the purge or whatever you want to call it, that covid ushered in. 

[Computer Nerd]

9 hours ago, jean87510 said:

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

Doubtful since you have to use a small satellite dish to pull the signal in.

Not to mention, it costs $700 for the equipment and $110 month for service.

Edited April 11, 2022 by Computer Nerd

[Florida32]

2 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

I think the $10 a day that AT&T offers is a better deal…but if I’m at sea, what can I really do?  If it makes people more comfortable, so be it..who am I to question? 
 

You must have some very cool pets.  Our dog hates the internet. 🙂

 

Like I said, people will pay.  

I have two cats that I'm having a cat sitter come in and check on. I'd like to be able to keep in contact with her should anything come up. The $20 a day in worth putting my mind at ease. I can also check in with my neighbors. We lost a cat suddenly at the end of 2020 who was only a year old so I'm willing to do whatever to be in contact. 

 

Plus I can check on life in general. 

[Intent2smile]

We watched the beverage package for about a month before it dropped to $55 pp per day.  I was about to give up because I did not want to pay $65-68 that it was running.  
Thankfully we got the ultimate dining for $168 months ago.  I thought that was high because I do not remember it being that high pre COVID.  I ended up thinking that it is a lil over $25 a meal and we would spend more than that in most nice restaurants.

[neverbeenhere]

Prices aren't coming down. Everyone has money and apparently enough to burn. Even my 22 year old college attending nephew and his girlfriend with part time jobs have multiple cruises booked. And they aren't using Mom and Dad's or loan money and I paid for his college, they just make plenty working part- time and living cheap.  Oh, to be young and living cheap.

[perfect match]

14 hours ago, Seville2Cabo said:

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

Same with our April 2023 cruise. There is absolutely nothing showing in the cruise planner for purchase except a few things at Coco Cay. Most of the Coco Cay prices for the Coco Cay items are quite high. There are no dining, beverage, or internet packages looted at all.

 

I purchased everything I plan to for our September 2022 Harmony cruise last year during Black Friday sales at good prices. I was feeling pretty silly making those purchases so far in advance. Right now it looks more like I made a brilliant move by making those CP purchases when I did.

[Jerseygirl1416]

9 hours ago, neverbeenhere said:

Prices aren't coming down. Everyone has money and apparently enough to burn. Even my 22 year old college attending nephew and his girlfriend with part time jobs have multiple cruises booked. And they aren't using Mom and Dad's or loan money and I paid for his college, they just make plenty working part- time and living cheap.  Oh, to be young and living cheap.

Where are they living cheap?? I’ll send my young adult kids! Everything is more expensive for them now like everyone else. Ubers, Chipotle, Starbucks, rent, utilities, clothes, concerts, flights, gas, groceries, bars….Let’s face it, no one is living cheap anymore. 

[d9704011]

15 minutes ago, Jerseygirl1416 said:

Where are they living cheap?? I’ll send my young adult kids! Everything is more expensive for them now like everyone else. Ubers, Chipotle, Starbucks, rent, utilities, clothes, concerts, flights, gas, groceries, bars….Let’s face it, no one is living cheap anymore. 

Let's not confuse all the things people can spend their money on as necessary expenses.  I know plenty of people who forgo concerts, $10 coffees, bars, restaurants, etc... so they can choose to do something else.

Edited April 12, 2022 by d9704011

[Jerseygirl1416]

1 hour ago, d9704011 said:

Let's not confuse all the things people can spend their money on as necessary expenses.  I know plenty of people who forgo concerts, $10 coffees, bars, restaurants, etc... so they can choose to do something else.

So let’s not overlook that absolutely everything is more expensive now. Rent isn’t really optional.

[vjmatty]

16 hours ago, Florida32 said:

Some of us have pets, loved ones etc back home that we need to keep in contact with?

 

We were on vacation when one of our dogs got really sick and could not live without an oxygen bag.  Had we not been reachable to make the decision about putting her down, she would have lived another week in severe pain and misery.  Having access meant we were not only able to make this decision and end her suffering, but were also able to see her one more time.  It's not the same as holding her at the end but it was something.

 

Having three elderly dogs now, all over 14 years old, completely unplugging on vacation is a luxury we can't enjoy.  It amazes me how many people don't understand that.  I don't judge people for spending money in the casino or smoking or other things that I don't participate in, yet it's ok to criticize people for staying connected on vacation.

[d9704011]

26 minutes ago, Jerseygirl1416 said:

So let’s not overlook that absolutely everything is more expensive now. Rent isn’t really optional.

Didn't say they aren't.  My point was that it's not so much about where a person is living but what their activities (and, of course, needs) are that way permit them to live more economically (cheaper) than others and make different choices on what they want to spend their money on.