To those experienced cruisers....

[gsocruisers]

We have cruised 8 times now & have 2 cruises booked for 2007. We've been on Royal, Princess & Carnival.

 

Here's my ? When you are determing what cruise you want to take do you calculate what the per day rate is?

 

I'm trying to figure out for 7 days or greater what a good 'daily' rate would be.

 

Any thoughts on this?

[ckrobyn]

We have cruised 8 times now & have 2 cruises booked for 2007. We've been on Royal, Princess & Carnival.

 

Here's my ? When you are determing what cruise you want to take do you calculate what the per day rate is?

 

I'm trying to figure out for 7 days or greater what a good 'daily' rate would be.

 

Any thoughts on this?

 

To be perfectly honest - I never look at it that way...:o I'm not sure why I don't, I just don't. It's actually weird that I don't, because when I book hotels I am very much aware of the "daily" rate!

 

I basically book what I want (usually a JS) and book early enough so I get a good price to begin with....but I never look at it on a per diem basis...?

[cb at sea]

Neither do I! They tell me how much the whole thing will cost, I determine if I'm willing to pay that amount, and if I am--off we go! Same with any other vacation, land-based or not! I mean, in Vegas, one night you might pay $89.00 for the room, and the next night the same room could be $300.00!!! I don't really care how it breaks down--

If you want, divide the price by the number of days--there you have it!

[LLSullie]

as a matter of fact, not much money here :p

 

However, when I decided we were going to do our first cruise in April, I found the one I wanted, priced it out. When you consider what all is included does the daily rate really matter?

 

And I guess we got our $$$'s worth, cuz I booked my second cruise the night I got back from the first ... aren't payments wonderful ? :rolleyes:

[Stormlover]

I usually use the $100 a day when determining which cruise to take. We feel if we can get anything for $100 pp per day that it is a good deal, of course you have to factor the time of year you are cruising , cause you know the summer months are going to be a lot more. We try for usually late April early May, or August - Oct for the best rates. But we do not have any school age kids to worry about either. Right now 7- days on Mariner Sept 23 07 is $549 pp for an interior cabin I think that is a great price. We got a Balcony room for $749 pp. when we booked back in August, We also got to apply our platnium discount and got onboard credit for $100. :D

[daveky]

Same as the other posts, haven't really looked at it that way when booking. What I've done within RCCL is pick the ports I want (eastern, western or southern), then category of room I want, then I find the ship. I will look at the pricing of the week I want to go, then price a week before and a week after. Sometimes if they're having a problem filling the ship for a certain week you can catch a big price difference.

 

Dave

[cruisenfever]

When we book, we go for a cruise that we want based on itinerary and ship. Never took into account the daily rate. We like to book a JS cabin, and if you can book as soon as the itinerary has been released, the prices are always low........then we take into account the C&A discount per cabin. We still think that we are getting the best bang for our buck when cruising.

[Alexis]

Our 24th cruise is booked. We have never thought about a "daily rate". We start looking the day the cruises become available to book. They are usually cheaper then.

We look at the itinerary and try to get the best price that we see for that cruise and then on what ship. Just give us the total price with everything included and then we decide.

Daily rate to us is not necessary when we book a cruise.

The daily rate for hotels is the only thing that does interest us. ;)

[Majesty Fan]

I do a daily rate I figure out how much money I want to spend on the cruise. Do I have money for a balcony? Yes or No. If no I do an inside no problem. We try not to cruise in the busy times of the year and can drive to most cruises since we live in FL. Next year Hawaii will be more pricy as we have air. For example our 7 night Disney cruise was $1700 with a FL resident rate for guaranteeplus we had 2 nights at DW at $83 plus $80 park. No airfare. To Hawaii on the rhapsody for a 10 night cruise with an aft balcony is just under $3000.

Lexi

[superjerryw]

While cost is certainly a factor, I look at the itinerary and the ship first. We've spent more on per day basis on some cruises than others because it was a ship that we wanted to sail on and/or an itinerary we wanted to sail. Prices vary according to the destination as well. Alaska and Bermuda have always commanded a higher price than the Caribbean. European cruises can be expensive as well. If you limit your choice based on how much you are paying per day you will be sailing mostly in the Caribbean. I recognize that everyone's budget is different so that many people cannot afford more expensive cruises. However, for those that can afford them, I don't think analyzing the daily cost per person is the right basis to use when making a decision on which cruise to take.

[hoosiermarty]

I shop for price. Then the ship and the itenerary. We just booked Empress of the Seas out of San Juan. My son is working there for 5 months and we are shacking up with him in his suite at his hotel,. So we decided to take advantage of being in San Juan already and doing a cruise. Airfare from Chicago to San Juan roundtrip nonstop on American will be $30l. each. We found a TA with $200 off oceanview, $l00 casino credit and a final price of $693. per person. That is under 70 a day as it is an 11 day cruise. I am cruising the internet daily for deals. I just wish I had more money because we have the time RETIRED,

[gsocruisers]

Thanks everyone

 

I've never figured the 'per day' average either but I was talking to some friends about cruising & the subject came up.

 

I was looking at a transatlantic cruise pp amounted to $79 a day (of course doesn't count air & anything extra we spend $$ on). Heck I think that's a great price!

[traveler/]

We have cruised 8 times now & have 2 cruises booked for 2007. We've been on Royal, Princess & Carnival.

 

Here's my ? When you are determing what cruise you want to take do you calculate what the per day rate is?

 

I'm trying to figure out for 7 days or greater what a good 'daily' rate would be.

 

Any thoughts on this?

We definitely use a per day per person calculation to decide what cruises and all trips to book.

Our general amounts for cruises are going up because prices are up. For 2007, all including taxes / port tax.

int = $70 p/p per day

OV = $90 p/p per day

BAL = $110 p/p per day.

SUITE = $125 p/p per day

I include any discounts, price reductions in my calculations to arrive at a "final effective price".

This method has worked well for us, and makes it easy to compare cruises of different lengths.

[mikeblum]

What's the most important thing that you take into consideration when booking that cruise...is it the long winter months...the need to get away with your loved one...the food...the entertainment...the ship...the casino...the different ports of call...the sun and fun...or just the overall experience...

[gsocruisers]

Traveler

 

Did you include in your cost per day air fare?

[Bruin Steve]

You know, I always hear about these "guidelines", like $100 per day...but, for me, that just dosn't enter into it...

 

There are far too many variables for any strict "rule of thumb" to have any meaning...

 

And, on my "major" cruises, I doubt I've EVER cruised for $100 per day...

 

First thing to realize is that time of year is a major factor in price...We most often cruise during the "high season"...because my wife works for a school district...we have to go during school vacations...

 

Second, a whole lot depends on what sort of cabin category you want...Not that we WON'T cruise in an "inside" (We have on a number of occasions), it's just that I'd PREFER a balcony...and that really affects that "per day" guideline as well...

 

And most importantly, it's a question of WHERE...I prefer not to do the same local routes over and over...I'd rather go to Europe...or the occasional Alaska...or other "exotic" itineraries...and these are going to cost more...not to mention airfare...and pre- and post-cruise hotels...and the more expensive excursions or tours...

 

And, of course, I won't compromise choice of cruise line or ship just for a lower price...

 

So, my attitude toward cost is..."it is what it is"...

I look at the TOTAL COST of my vacation, all things considered, then ask, can I afford it? and will it make me happy?

 

I choose more along the lines of itinerary first, cruise line and ship second, cost last...

 

And I've learned not to get too bent out of shape that the fare for my Liberty of the Seas cruise upcoming is $1600 per person when I see ads for cruises with taglines like "Starting at $499"...My cruise is on a great new ship, in a "center hump balcony" for a prime sailing date that fits into my schedule...The "$499" is for an inside cabin on the oldest ship in the Carnival fleet on a date that doesn't fit our schedule during hurricane season...

 

So what if I'm paying $228 per night per person? I'm getting what I want on my schedule...I'm also paying for airfare and Disney hotels and admissions...and a second cruise to go with it so I don't fly across country for a mere 7 nights...

 

I look at the total package and I'm happy...

I don't cruise to save money...I cruise to enjoy myself...

[gsocruisers]

I agree with all the posts. I've never looked at a 'per day' amount. Same as others, which ship, what itineray, what timeframe etc

 

We, too, always book balconies & are trying a short 5 day interior just to see what it is like.

 

I just was curious if people had a 'general rule of thumb'.

 

Thanks

[HERnME2]

Wow, does anyone take in account the quality of a cabin,,,Be it an inside cabin on deck two or an Owners Suite on deck ten,, and then do you think about where you might want to go, or when?? and what about the ship it's self ,,,New, generally cost more per day then one of the older ships.

If it's a matter of just a per day amount your interested in then tell your T/A you have X amount of $$$ to spend and let them try to fit something into your budget. Otherwise I would find the trip of my dreams and the category of cabin I want,,Then see if it works into your budget,, Maybe you will just have to book it more into the future but you will probably come away with a much more satisfying experience.

If you book well in advance you'll get a much better deal then if you book with just a few months.

Good Luck and Happy Planning......:p .

ME2.

[gsocruisers]

The sad thing is that I want to go 'big' in 2008 but alas I have to wait for the schedules to come out from Royal

[HERnME2]

The sad thing is that I want to go 'big' in 2008 but alas I have to wait for the schedules to come out from Royal

 

Peggy some of the itineraries for 08 are out and have been for sometime now,,If you see in my signature we are booked on the Explorer of the Seas for Feb. of 08 out of Cape Liberty NJ. for 12 night adventure to the Southern Caribbean,,Still has some very good prices,Why not join us??

I see you live in San Antonio ?? Well we are about to become neighbors,, What I mean by that is were at this time having a new home built in New Braunfels about 35 miles north of you. Or should I Ya'll. Should be ready around July of 07,, We are very excited about it and just having trouble waiting.:D

Happy Trails...........Larry

[gsocruisers]

Hi Larry

 

We come on down!! We moved here around 18 months ago & love it.

 

Now you'll be able to sail out of Galveston!

 

I've been waiting for 2008 Med itinerary. I'm told it doesn't come out until spring of next year

 

You'll have to let us know when you make down here. There is a group from SA that meet every once in awhile that are from cc.

[xpcdoojk]

Peggy some of the itineraries for 08 are out and have been for sometime now,,If you see in my signature we are booked on the Explorer of the Seas for Feb. of 08 out of Cape Liberty NJ. for 12 night adventure to the Southern Caribbean,,Still has some very good prices,Why not join us??

 

I see you live in San Antonio ?? Well we are about to become neighbors,, What I mean by that is were at this time having a new home built in New Braunfels about 35 miles north of you. Or should I Ya'll. Should be ready around July of 07,, We are very excited about it and just having trouble waiting.:D

 

Happy Trails...........Larry

 

Larry, are you fleeing the left coast? Good choice. My wife cost me a fortune at the outlet mall in New Braunfels several years ago!

 

Good to see you. Say hi to Cherie, and drop me an email sometime!

 

Always glad to see old buddies around here!

 

jc

[GMoney]

I usually use the $100 a day when determining which cruise to take.

 

Me too. I'm always very pleae if my 7 days cruise is less than $100 / day, but it's not a limiting factor for me, just a baseline for comparison. My HAL 11 night Xmas cruise is less than $100 / day, which a great deal, considering the cabin class and time of year.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

My Hubby is one of those folks who loves to "do the math" on virtually everything, such as his "Lost Balls to Holes Played" ratio in golf and, of course, minute records about gas mileage and cost per mile, and calories eaten to miles walked ratios, and weekly weight average to daily calorie average, plus daily blood pressure records, etc.

 

So with that proclivity, yes, he does figure the daily price on every cruise we have ever taken, keeps a record and compares cruise to cruise and uses it as a basis for deciding if a cruise is "expensive" based on daily cost.

 

The math of "Daily Cost of Cruise" does not factor in type of cabin, itinerary, enjoyment, type of ship. Still, although he calculates the daily cost, we have never turned down a cruise because he felt the daily cost was too high to be reasonable for the itinerary or ship.

 

Hubby is a bit compulsive with all his statistics, but a man could certainly have far worse traits than that.:D

[HERnME2]

Peggy, We are very much looking forward to our move,, We will be coming your way January 20th to check on things with the new house and then driving on to New Orleans for a 7 nighter on the Grandeur of Seas, Were driving so that we can spend a few days really looking around the area,, Hopefully I can keep Cherie out of the outlet mall that JC. talked about!! So far we have not found it,,I did see some up in the San Marcus area,,,I'll be sure to steer clear of that.:D

We are thinking we will be moving June or July and I do hope we can keep in touch, As we would love to meet your cc group,, We do have some cc friends living in the Houston area but know no one in the New Braunfels area.

Our trip in Jan. we are flying our daughter out to meet us,,So were hoping she will like it and move also. :)

JC. What a nice surprise to hear from you,,I often wonder what great adventures you have planned next. We have calmed down a little lately staying a little closer to home,,Although we did do a transatlantic back in May and just did a family Halloween cruise on the new Freedom of the Seas,,It's really a nice ship and we had a ball on her ,,, But for me it's to big,,,With five cruises on the Legend,,it's Cherie's favorite,,being somewhat directionally challenged she can find her way around;) ,, so that might have something to do with it.. I really have become a fan of the Radiance Class with the Jewel being my favorite.

Peggy we have done a few trips on the Med. so if we can answer any question about itineraries,,Would be happy to try and help.

JC. Hugs to your beautiful bride, Looking forward to a cruise with guys again one day.

Happy Planning All........... Larry