HMC Villas are listed as $999.99 now?!?!

[wemjam]

9 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

All you have to do is check with shore excursions the day before to see how many are left, if any, and if there was a price reduction once on the ship. We look forward to your report. 😉

I didn't think of that, I will have to try to remember and run down and ask. 😄

[jcearth]

I am having a difficult time reconciling how a company can maximize their revenue (when they are already losing money at the rate they charge me to get on the ship) by making onboard optional purchases so expensive that I won't buy them. 

[icft]

2 hours ago, jcearth said:

I am having a difficult time reconciling how a company can maximize their revenue (when they are already losing money at the rate they charge me to get on the ship) by making onboard optional purchases so expensive that I won't buy them. 

But the thing is many others will buy them. I mean, I'm with you. I'm not going to waste money, but apparently a lot of folks do. Why else would there still be art auctions and jewelry stores on the ships?

[wemjam]

17 minutes ago, icft said:

But the thing is many others will buy them. I mean, I'm with you. I'm not going to waste money, but apparently a lot of folks do. Why else would there still be art auctions and jewelry stores on the ships?

One man's trash is another man's treasure.  

[RD64]

If it is worth $999 to you then book it.

 

if $999 is a price point that you are not willing or able to pay, then stop complaining because they are not letting you book one for $99 or whatever price you are willing to pay. The universe does not owe you a cabana at a price that you are willing to pay. Economics 101 - no such thing as a free lunch + Law of Supply and Demand. Time to move on and let this thread die.

[KmomChicago]

7 hours ago, jcearth said:

I am having a difficult time reconciling how a company can maximize their revenue (when they are already losing money at the rate they charge me to get on the ship) by making onboard optional purchases so expensive that I won't buy them. 

There's a whole lotta things on cruise ships that are so expensive I won't buy them. 

 

1. Photo packages

2. Spa services of any kind

3. Art as in auction

4. Balcony rooms

5. Chef's Table

6. Most specialty dining

7. A whole lotta shore excursions

8. SUITES! They should just get rid of them because they're too expensive. Especially they should quit making bigger, more expensive ones. Same with all ship-within-a-ship concepts.

9. Fare on any luxury lines. They should get rid of them because I would never pay fares like that!

10. Laundry

11. Souvenirs in the gift shop

12. Call brand liquor

13. Fitness classes

14. Casino

15. Single occupancy cabin

[staceyglow]

9 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

There's a whole lotta things on cruise ships that are so expensive I won't buy them. 

 

1. Photo packages

2. Spa services of any kind

3. Art as in auction

4. Balcony rooms

5. Chef's Table

6. Most specialty dining

7. A whole lotta shore excursions

8. SUITES! They should just get rid of them because they're too expensive. Especially they should quit making bigger, more expensive ones. Same with all ship-within-a-ship concepts.

9. Fare on any luxury lines. They should get rid of them because I would never pay fares like that!

10. Laundry

11. Souvenirs in the gift shop

12. Call brand liquor

13. Fitness classes

14. Casino

15. Single occupancy cabin

While I may disagree with you on a few of these, let's be grateful for the folks that don't mind paying for them.  They are subsidizing our cruises. 🙂

[KmomChicago]

15 minutes ago, staceyglow said:

While I may disagree with you on a few of these, let's be grateful for the folks that don't mind paying for them.  They are subsidizing our cruises. 🙂

Oh I am well aware, Stacey Girl!! This is a response to the guy who said the business won’t make money by selling anything too expensive for him.

 

 I think they should charge TWO thousand for the villas. WTH do I care how much someone else pays for something? Buy it all!

[Pellaz]

On 5/3/2023 at 5:20 PM, Jamman54 said:

2K.

 

Eek.    Although the Private Oasis DOES include, effectively, an open bar, so if you split it with a bunch of drunk friends you're good.  🙂   

 

7 hours ago, RD64 said:

If it is worth $999 to you then book it.

 

if $999 is a price point that you are not willing or able to pay, then stop complaining because they are not letting you book one for $99 or whatever price you are willing to pay. The universe does not owe you a cabana at a price that you are willing to pay. Economics 101 - no such thing as a free lunch + Law of Supply and Demand. 

 

TANSTAAFL.  

 

6 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

There's a whole lotta things on cruise ships that are so expensive I won't buy them. 

 

1. Photo packages

2. Spa services of any kind

3. Art as in auction

Concur.  

My mom bought a lot of art onboard cruise ships and it hung (sorta) proudly on the walls of the family manse.  When we sold the house, NOT ONE of those pieces sold at the estate sale.   I always found them to look somewhat garish.  

 

6 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

4. Balcony rooms

I'll splurge for one if it's not too badly up-priced and/or if two friends are also staying.  

 

6 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

5. Chef's Table

6. Most specialty dining

We seldom, if ever, pay extra for any dining.  I've done it on Royal, basically out of necessity (their included dining was sub-par) and also when a friend paid for a dining package.   I just (almost) never see the need.  Carnival competes with themselves when it comes to good included dining options.  Royal, not so much, on Freedom-class and smaller.  

 

6 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

7. A whole lotta shore excursions

Carnival's prices -- at least for the most part -- have been lower than Royal's...HMC cabanas and villas notwithstanding.  A similar snorkeling excursion costs around $70 on Carnival...but $130 on Royal.   I'll pick and choose depending on the port.  

 

6 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

8. SUITES! They should just get rid of them because they're too expensive. Especially they should quit making bigger, more expensive ones. Same with all ship-within-a-ship concepts.

Have never booked a suite on Carnival and with rare exceptions, I wouldn't consider it since the perks are comparatively lacking.  But those Havana areas, though.......

6 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

9. Fare on any luxury lines. They should get rid of them because I would never pay fares like that!

Take THAT, Regent Seven Seas! 

6 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

10. Laundry

11. Souvenirs in the gift shop

I think I get free (well, subsidized) laundry starting on my next cruise, so hooray.  

 

BUT, you can have my ship-magnets when you can pry them from my cold, dead, $6.00 poorer fingers.  😄  

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Pellaz

[momof3cruisers]

7 hours ago, RD64 said:

If it is worth $999 to you then book it.

 

if $999 is a price point that you are not willing or able to pay, then stop complaining because they are not letting you book one for $99 or whatever price you are willing to pay. The universe does not owe you a cabana at a price that you are willing to pay. Economics 101 - no such thing as a free lunch + Law of Supply and Demand. Time to move on and let this thread die.

Wow, you seem angry. I don’t think many people are complaining. The initial response was shock, some disappointment, wonder about WHO is going to buy one, discussion about Carnivals bottom line, curiosity about what Holland is charging. To me it has seemed a very pleasant thread. Especially by CC standards.

[wemjam]

10 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

There's a whole lotta things on cruise ships that are so expensive I won't buy them. 

 

1. Photo packages

2. Spa services of any kind

3. Art as in auction

4. Balcony rooms

5. Chef's Table

6. Most specialty dining

7. A whole lotta shore excursions

8. SUITES! They should just get rid of them because they're too expensive. Especially they should quit making bigger, more expensive ones. Same with all ship-within-a-ship concepts.

9. Fare on any luxury lines. They should get rid of them because I would never pay fares like that!

10. Laundry

11. Souvenirs in the gift shop

12. Call brand liquor

13. Fitness classes

14. Casino

15. Single occupancy cabin

To each their own.

 

Several items on your list I do buy now and then, others no.

 

That's the beauty of it, it is YOUR vacation enjoy it the way that makes you happy.  

 

Keep in mind though, just because you find something a waste of money does not mean others don't enjoy it.  Broad statements like they should just get rid of Suites is narrow minded.  Just because you don't feel they are worth it, does not mean others don't enjoy the little extra luxury (and this is coming from someone that doesn't get suites either - only done it 2 times in 50 cruises).  No one way is right or wrong.

 

None of the items on this list are bad or good.  They are options the cruise line offers to make money.  And obviously different people do enjoy each of them and are willing to pay for it or they would not keep offering them.

[KmomChicago]

14 minutes ago, wemjam said:

To each their own.

 

Several items on your list I do buy now and then, others no.

 

That's the beauty of it, it is YOUR vacation enjoy it the way that makes you happy.  

 

Keep in mind though, just because you find something a waste of money does not mean others don't enjoy it.  Broad statements like they should just get rid of Suites is narrow minded.  Just because you don't feel they are worth it, does not mean others don't enjoy the little extra luxury (and this is coming from someone that doesn't get suites either - only done it 2 times in 50 cruises).  No one way is right or wrong.

 

None of the items on this list are bad or good.  They are options the cruise line offers to make money.  And obviously different people do enjoy each of them and are willing to pay for it or they would not keep offering them.

 

Apparently nobody got my point which was a comment on someone else who said the cruise line won't make money by pricing the cabanas HIGHER THAN THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY and thus suggesting the cruise line should never price ANYTHING higher than that one guest wanted to pay for it. 

 

My list is a joke, a farce, a satire. I would take all that stuff for free or super cheap but more importantly, I understand entirely that lots of people are willing to pay more than me for certain things, just like in every other aspect of life itself.

 

It is ludicrous to say a company should not sell any products or services at a price that you - one single customer - are unwilling to pay, because doing so will fail to earn them money.  The one customer is not that important.  The one customer is not representative of the full spectrum of customer means and preferences.  My list is silly because everything in the world is not all about me. My preferences are nearly meaningless because I am not the target customer for any of those items.  Who is? The customer who wants them and is willing to pay for them.  The customer who is willing to pay for the Villa at HMC.

 

The whole point of the luxury economy and upselling is to extract funding from the relatively smaller market segment of customers who ARE willing to pay.  Hence back to these villas and cabanas.  To say the cruise line should not charge a luxury price for a luxury item because they won't make money if they price out SOME customers, is just plain silly. They should absolutely charge more for such items than I personally would pay for them.  If they did lose money by doing so, they simply wouldn't. Why are they raising prices? TO MAKE MORE MONEY.  Arguing it is outrageous or unfair is irrelevant. If it makes them more money they will do it, and very likely that will be the case. 

 

For the record, I think it is stupendous that people will be sailing with me next May in suites like this and paying EIGHT TIMES what I am paying for interior cabins on the same ship.  I think everyone EXCEPT ME should pay the prevailing prices for every item on my list.  Anyway, I get it. Nobody got my point.

 

[1kaper]

27 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

Apparently nobody got my point

 

If it makes you feel better, I did. 

[KmomChicago]

1 hour ago, 1kaper said:

 

If it makes you feel better, I did. 

Yes it does @1kaper, thankyouverymuch.

 

 I’m adding now that the fact that I booked a cabana a couple years ago at $399 is basically proof that they were underpriced. Thriftiness is practically baked into my personality.

Edited May 5, 2023 by KmomChicago

[1kaper]

31 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

Yes it does @1kaper, thankyouverymuch.

 

 I’m adding now that the fact that I booked a cabana a couple years ago at $399 is basically proof that they were underpriced. Thriftiness is practically baked into my personality.

 

Still too rich for my blood. 

 

[KmomChicago]

2 hours ago, 1kaper said:

 

Still too rich for my blood. 

 

It was worth it for a one time experience and we actually broke the rules by having 5 people total; the other couple gave us $100 toward the cost. It was a nice day weatherwise; we were down toward the end of the row so the location was pretty quiet and uncrowded (we had prebooked but were the last to choose a cabana onboard and got the last one left which was totally fine). 

 

It was, other than HMC, a mediocre itinerary - just Nassau and Freeport where we didn't do any excursions and barely got off the ship - so this was our one special port, and my big thing was to enjoy the sunshine as we were there around winter solstice.  And my husband and teen had never done a beach break type cruise day before.  I am truly glad and grateful we did it. 

 

Would not pay the $700 now but again I don't begrudge them charging what they can get. 

[icft]

6 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

 

Apparently nobody got my point which was a comment on someone else who said the cruise line won't make money by pricing the cabanas HIGHER THAN THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY and thus suggesting the cruise line should never price ANYTHING higher than that one guest wanted to pay for it. 

 

My list is a joke, a farce, a satire...

 

 

 

I think most did indeed get your point and enjoyed the way you presented it. I know it made me chuckle.

[Greenpea2]

12 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

 

Apparently nobody got my point which was a comment on someone else who said the cruise line won't make money by pricing the cabanas HIGHER THAN THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY and thus suggesting the cruise line should never price ANYTHING higher than that one guest wanted to pay for it. 

 

My list is a joke, a farce, a satire. I would take all that stuff for free or super cheap but more importantly, I understand entirely that lots of people are willing to pay more than me for certain things, just like in every other aspect of life itself.

 

It is ludicrous to say a company should not sell any products or services at a price that you - one single customer - are unwilling to pay, because doing so will fail to earn them money.  The one customer is not that important.  The one customer is not representative of the full spectrum of customer means and preferences.  My list is silly because everything in the world is not all about me. My preferences are nearly meaningless because I am not the target customer for any of those items.  Who is? The customer who wants them and is willing to pay for them.  The customer who is willing to pay for the Villa at HMC.

 

The whole point of the luxury economy and upselling is to extract funding from the relatively smaller market segment of customers who ARE willing to pay.  Hence back to these villas and cabanas.  To say the cruise line should not charge a luxury price for a luxury item because they won't make money if they price out SOME customers, is just plain silly. They should absolutely charge more for such items than I personally would pay for them.  If they did lose money by doing so, they simply wouldn't. Why are they raising prices? TO MAKE MORE MONEY.  Arguing it is outrageous or unfair is irrelevant. If it makes them more money they will do it, and very likely that will be the case. 

 

For the record, I think it is stupendous that people will be sailing with me next May in suites like this and paying EIGHT TIMES what I am paying for interior cabins on the same ship.  I think everyone EXCEPT ME should pay the prevailing prices for every item on my list.  Anyway, I get it. Nobody got my point.

 

I got your point! I will splurge on the NCLHaven AND unlimited internet, but not art work or big photo packages, lol.

 

[Thenagers]

On 5/4/2023 at 8:35 PM, KmomChicago said:

There's a whole lotta things on cruise ships that are so expensive I won't buy them. 

 

1. Photo packages

2. Spa services of any kind

3. Art as in auction

4. Balcony rooms

5. Chef's Table

6. Most specialty dining

7. A whole lotta shore excursions

8. SUITES! They should just get rid of them because they're too expensive. Especially they should quit making bigger, more expensive ones. Same with all ship-within-a-ship concepts.

9. Fare on any luxury lines. They should get rid of them because I would never pay fares like that!

10. Laundry

11. Souvenirs in the gift shop

12. Call brand liquor

13. Fitness classes

14. Casino

15. Single occupancy cabin

I disagree with several of these but want to add one I will never buy again, Bingo!  It has wasted too much of my time and money! Never again!! I know others delight in this activity but I have learned my lesson! 

Edited May 6, 2023 by Thenagers

[KmomChicago]

15 hours ago, Thenagers said:

I disagree with several of these but want to add one I will never buy again, Bingo!  It has wasted too much of my time and money! Never again!! I know others delight in this activity but I have learned my lesson! 

a fool's errand unless you just enjoy it to pass the time. 

[ninjacat123]

On 5/4/2023 at 8:35 PM, KmomChicago said:

There's a whole lotta things on cruise ships that are so expensive I won't buy them. 

 

1. Photo packages

2. Spa services of any kind

3. Art as in auction

4. Balcony rooms

5. Chef's Table

6. Most specialty dining

7. A whole lotta shore excursions

8. SUITES! They should just get rid of them because they're too expensive. Especially they should quit making bigger, more expensive ones. Same with all ship-within-a-ship concepts.

9. Fare on any luxury lines. They should get rid of them because I would never pay fares like that!

10. Laundry

11. Souvenirs in the gift shop

12. Call brand liquor

13. Fitness classes

14. Casino

15. Single occupancy cabin

I have done all of these except for 15.  Oooops🤣 As usual, Kmom you make me laugh!! Thx!!

Edited May 6, 2023 by ninjacat123

[kona_wahine]

As long as it continues to sell out the price will keep going up. 

[balcony bound]

I am just back from a cruise that stopped in HMC - and we did have a cabana at the old pricing.  The day of our stop, there were still cabanas available that day, but no villas.

 

Also had a port stop in Amber cove.  The poolside cabanas were sold out, but the over the water and the hillside cabanas were still available on the day of our stop.  Our cabin was aft and had a direct view to the over the water cabanas - only three were occupied.

 

Half Moon Cay used to be one of our favorite places and if I had a choice of itineraries where one had HMC that would be the one I chose.  That's not the way I feel anymore after my last two visits (11/22 and 5/23).  The ships are now so big that there are just too many people... going to the beach with 3908 of my new friends just isn't the same as it once was.  Still beautiful, but oh so very crowded. The beach has eroded a bit as well, leaving even less space for the lounge chairs.

[icft]

5 hours ago, balcony bound said:

... going to the beach with 3908 of my new friends just isn't the same as it once was... 

🤣🤣🤣

[hard_eight]

23 hours ago, balcony bound said:

I am just back from a cruise that stopped in HMC - and we did have a cabana at the old pricing.  The day of our stop, there were still cabanas available that day, but no villas.

 

Also had a port stop in Amber cove.  The poolside cabanas were sold out, but the over the water and the hillside cabanas were still available on the day of our stop.  Our cabin was aft and had a direct view to the over the water cabanas - only three were occupied.

 

Half Moon Cay used to be one of our favorite places and if I had a choice of itineraries where one had HMC that would be the one I chose.  That's not the way I feel anymore after my last two visits (11/22 and 5/23).  The ships are now so big that there are just too many people... going to the beach with 3908 of my new friends just isn't the same as it once was.  Still beautiful, but oh so very crowded. The beach has eroded a bit as well, leaving even less space for the lounge chairs.

That's unfortunate, used to be out favorite port. Wish they would open something bigger and sell me HMC🤣