Economy finally affecting luxury cruises???

[canadagal]

Esther, I hear you! I miss how easy and quick it was to clean my starter home. Not to mention how much more junk you collect with the added square footage you gain over the moves to something bigger. Downsizing to me sounds good on many levels.

Pat

[Dolebludger]

Understand about the need to downsize homes. With our kids long grown and gone, our 5250 sq. ft. home is way too big. Problem is, it is in Oklahoma, and therefore is not worth half of a house less that half as big in Colorado, where we'd like to live. We'll make it someday.

 

On the cruise situation, I may have said this before, but lux cruise prices have reached the point for us that about 3 to 4 seven to ten day cruises would cost us as much as a new car! I'm not talking about an economy car either. I am talking about a new Mercedes! I don't need a new Mercedes, but this price relationship has deterred me from cruising of late, just because the cost has risen to where it isn't worth it to me.

[canadagal]

Richard, I fully agree about the cost of lux cruises. The only reason we went on the Mariner this March was to try her out,....we've never been on her before and we wanted to know what she was like before we make final payment on a 24 day segment of the world cruise on her next year. The segment has so many stops that both my husband and I have dreamed about visiting for oh so long. The fact that Regent has continually upped their prices over the past year or so really is pushing us to our threshold and we keep asking ourselves.....over and over again......is this really value for the money and what we want to spend our money on. Both hubbie and I waffle week to week on whether we should go. One week we say......yah go for it....if we don't go now then when will we. Neither one of us is getting any younger and my husband especially wonders if he'll be around later due to health issues. But then the practical side kicks in and says.......wait a minute......this is a lot of money.....look what else we could buy. So I do empathize and I bet there are many others out there just like us.

Pat

[esther e]

Richard, I fully agree about the cost of lux cruises. The only reason we went on the Mariner this March was to try her out,....we've never been on her before and we wanted to know what she was like before we make final payment on a 24 day segment of the world cruise on her next year. The segment has so many stops that both my husband and I have dreamed about visiting for oh so long. The fact that Regent has continually upped their prices over the past year or so really is pushing us to our threshold and we keep asking ourselves.....over and over again......is this really value for the money and what we want to spend our money on. Both hubbie and I waffle week to week on whether we should go. One week we say......yah go for it....if we don't go now then when will we. Neither one of us is getting any younger and my husband especially wonders if he'll be around later due to health issues. But then the practical side kicks in and says.......wait a minute......this is a lot of money.....look what else we could buy. So I do empathize and I bet there are many others out there just like us.

Pat

 

 

And then there is our point of view. We canceled a few main line cruises for the next year and instead are going on 2 Regent. Reason? We like Regent. We aren't getting any younger and who knows what is going to happen in the next week, much less year. So, I guess our feeling is go for it now because you never know....... I've known too many people who saved and saved and never made the dream trip. All of our cruises are dream trips, even if they are short hops to the Caribbean. We weigh pros and cons (our pros and cons) and bottom line is we want open seating, all-inclusive, including internet and phone service and most important large suites with balconies. Oh yeah, and fewer passengers. Regent fits the bill for us. We'd rather go on one Regent than 3 less expensive main stream lines.

 

Esther

[ORV]

Understand about the need to downsize homes. With our kids long grown and gone, our 5250 sq. ft. home is way too big. Problem is, it is in Oklahoma, and therefore is not worth half of a house less that half as big in Colorado, where we'd like to live. We'll make it someday.

 

On the cruise situation, I may have said this before, but lux cruise prices have reached the point for us that about 3 to 4 seven to ten day cruises would cost us as much as a new car! I'm not talking about an economy car either. I am talking about a new Mercedes! I don't need a new Mercedes, but this price relationship has deterred me from cruising of late, just because the cost has risen to where it isn't worth it to me.

 

Of course that would depend on whether you are talking a entry level C Class Mercedes or a top of the line S Class. You can buy 3 of the C Class for what one highend S class will cost.

[Dolebludger]

Actually, I was looking at Mercedes like the "loaded" C Class, the E Class, and the SLK Class. But the idea that four cruises equals ANY new Mercedes is a "shockaroo", isn't it?

[ORV]

Actually, I was looking at Mercedes like the "loaded" C Class, the E Class, and the SLK Class. But the idea that four cruises equals ANY new Mercedes is a "shockaroo", isn't it?

 

Yes, but I'm not sure that we are comparing apples to apples. Either way though yes, luxury cruise are a lot of money, but we are going to budget for one every couple of years in the future. With some land vacations and a couple of mass market cruises in between. Like others here we are approaching retirement, (July 1, but who's keeping track) and we are in the Boomer demographic(early 50's). Unlike some others I don't find the mass market lines distasteful, it's just a different product. I don't expect Princess to be Silversea, I know what I'm getting when I book a mass market and pretty much have a great time either way.

 

Having said that if money was no object though all our cruises would be on luxury lines.

[Host Dan]

All of this talk about the weakening economy and luxury cruising brings to mind one thing. Very rarely on the luxe lines have I experienced this, but none the less it exists... The passenger that loves to brag about the size of his house, his fancy car, his fancy boat, and how he (or she) can afford to only cruise on the best lines...:rolleyes:

 

You wonder how many of those "blow hards" are actually up to the neck in debt, will probably face foreclosure because of their "attractive" interest only 100% mortgage on the McMansion they bought in 2005, and can't afford the gas in their Hummer.. I guess that is a segment of the "luxury cruisers" that won't be re-sailing anytime soon... Too bad...:D

 

Host Dan

 

P.S. Strangely enough I find many more of these egomaniacs on the premium lines. But hence there are a few on the luxe lines....

[BILLP1]

Dan,

 

To be honest , I have never met anyone on Regent who appeared to be up to their neck in debt. At the repeat party on the Mariner this April there were 372 repeat cruisers and according to the Captain they accounted for 7000 nights on Regent . The only line I waited in was the future bookings office.

[Dolebludger]

BILLP1:

 

I too have never met anybody on Regent who appeared up to his/her neck in debt. Most have been just like me -- no debt! -- just sometimes not much money. If I want to go on a cruise and am comfortable writing a check for it, I'll go. If not (which is increasingly the case), I don't go. But the last thing most of us would ever do is to borrow money to take a cruise.

 

The many Regent regulars I know are all down-to earth people who are conservative about their finances. Many, for this reason, don't cruise as often as they once did. But there are no "show boaters" among them.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Richard, I have to agree with you 100%!

[canadagal]

Dan, your post gave me a good laugh. I've met some of those people too and I've always believed that those that make the biggest noise about having it all are the ones with the least. Those that do have it are very confident and don't need to flaunt it. I'm with you Orv, I still cruise the mainstream lines and I've met some really nice people on them too and had some of my best cruise experiences as well. I love to splurge on the lux lines but I certainly don't turn my nose up at the mainstream ones either and split my time between both as well as land vacations. Editing to add, I too would never go into debt to vacation either. I really wouldn't know if the people I cruise with are up to their neck in debt either as it's certainly not a dinner subject I would be comfortable discussing with people.

Pat

[Travelcat2]

Richard, I fully agree about the cost of lux cruises. The only reason we went on the Mariner this March was to try her out,....we've never been on her before and we wanted to know what she was like before we make final payment on a 24 day segment of the world cruise on her next year. The segment has so many stops that both my husband and I have dreamed about visiting for oh so long. The fact that Regent has continually upped their prices over the past year or so really is pushing us to our threshold and we keep asking ourselves.....over and over again......is this really value for the money and what we want to spend our money on. Both hubbie and I waffle week to week on whether we should go. One week we say......yah go for it....if we don't go now then when will we. Neither one of us is getting any younger and my husband especially wonders if he'll be around later due to health issues. But then the practical side kicks in and says.......wait a minute......this is a lot of money.....look what else we could buy. So I do empathize and I bet there are many others out there just like us.

Pat

 

Really hope you will end up going on the 24 night cruise. We've also gone back and forth -- but, whenever one of us says "no" -- the other says "yes". Although really expensive, this particular cruise is almost the same cost as a 14 night cruise. Lots of sea days -- learning to love them!

 

Many years ago (1982), when my DH wanted to go to Tahiti -- I said "we can't afford it". His response was "was can't afford not to".

 

Being British, he has always been extremely "thrifty" (not a slam at people from the U.K. - just their upbringing). However, on vacation, he loosens up quite a bit:-

 

Dan, I also enjoyed your post. While we don't live in a McMansion, we haven't downsized yet (just moved away from our family -- it works equally well). We're finding that even our compact car isn't inexpensive when it comes to filling the tank. When I look back at our many Club Med vacations. . . I'm not that sure that they were any less enjoyable than luxury cruising.:confused:

[HappyCruiser44]

As Regent pricing has gone up significantly, we have had to cancel our 2008-09 bookings. We did 8 trips in the last 4 years (and really loved it). However, Regent just doesn't provide the same value as it did when it was about $1000/per day for the two of us. I think that many repeaters like us are switching or downgrading (our expectations/cruiselines). Our friends have switched to Oceania and also find good deals on Crystal. We will try HAL later in the year. Can get a deluxe suite (larger than Regent) for half the fare. Still love the Regent product but think it is now "overpriced" for our needs.

 

hc44

[Emdee]

I am with Canadagal and ORV I cruise both the mainstream and the luxury lines. I really enjoy the big casinos in some of the larger ships, or the itineraries of others or the magic of the PG. With land vacations we tend to search for the special experience and like to stay in hotels that are more than just buildings -- so we have stayed in palaces in India, Monasteries in Peru, a gaudy 3000 square foot suite at the Burj in Dubai or a tent in africa...... Cruising is great - travelling is great as long as I can live my life to the full. If the economy takes a downturn and I cannot afford to travel because of money or health I will still have all those wonderful memories of places and people. Meanwhile its only a few months to my August PG trip and I made my final payment today!

 

Miriam

[Travelcat2]

Just read on another thread that Regent has changed their slot machines (pretty sure they are run by contractors). Apparently the "new" ones take your money faster (perhaps just keeping up with the economy?)

[Iamboatman]

Personally, I don't care if someone is debt free, choking in debt or anywhere in between. I don't even care if they make up their stature...and that does happen more than people can imagine. All that I care about is that when I meet them it is not a topic of conversation. It is not my business and don't want to make it part of my vacation.

 

Many are debt adverse (hating to owe anyone anything). Others are big on leverage (debt is a vehicle which leverages assets anticipating future appreciation). Neither is "right" and neither is "wrong". They are just two different approaches...to someone else's life. I can't be that judgmental. Live and let live.

 

Say hello, have a laugh, talk about past cruises, art or wine and I am good with that.

[LindaandJeff]

Of course that would depend on whether you are talking a entry level C Class Mercedes or a top of the line S Class. You can buy 3 of the C Class for what one highend S class will cost.

 

On the cruise situation, I may have said this before, but lux cruise prices have reached the point for us that about 3 to 4 seven to ten day cruises would cost us as much as a new car! I'm not talking about an economy car either. I am talking about a new Mercedes! I don't need a new Mercedes, but this price relationship has deterred me from cruising of late, just because the cost has risen to where it isn't worth it to me.

 

I worded it this way when explaining to my 14 year old why I wasn't going to lease the Lexus Hybrid SUV I've had my eye on..."We can get the Lexus just so I can chauffer you and your friends around in a Lexus until you get your license but we won't take any cruises for three years or we can get a Honda SUV and take 2 cruises a year for the next three years." Her response...Honda and you don't have to do any chauffering! She loves cruising. But don't worry, we don't take her on Regent. Family cruises are on other lines...We baby boomers (1957 and 1951) save Regent just for ourselves. :D

[canadagal]

Really hope you will end up going on the 24 night cruise. We've also gone back and forth -- but, whenever one of us says "no" -- the other says "yes". Although really expensive, this particular cruise is almost the same cost as a 14 night cruise. Lots of sea days -- learning to love them!

 

Many years ago (1982), when my DH wanted to go to Tahiti -- I said "we can't afford it". His response was "was can't afford not to".

 

Being British, he has always been extremely "thrifty" (not a slam at people from the U.K. - just their upbringing). However, on vacation, he loosens up quite a bit:-

 

Dan, I also enjoyed your post. While we don't live in a McMansion, we haven't downsized yet (just moved away from our family -- it works equally well). We're finding that even our compact car isn't inexpensive when it comes to filling the tank. When I look back at our many Club Med vacations. . . I'm not that sure that they were any less enjoyable than luxury cruising.:confused:

 

Morning! TC2, Right now we are back on the mode of......we are going! It's not just the value for the money thing on this particular cruise as I think this one out of a lot of Regent cruises is really well priced. It's leaving our business for a month and then my dog that is getting on in age and ill health and how well he will do in boarding for 30 days that's playing into the equation. We are doing the same thing. Each time one of us says no......the other reminds us why we should go and then we are back on track. It was me last week worrying about being away for so long and thankfully my husband said nope......we are going! So I guess we'll play this out until final payment. I wouldn't bat an eye if it was only for 14 days but the length of the cruise plus the added days pre and post cruise as well as the flying time really stretches it to a month. So I guess it's really how things are looking come the end of October and when final payment looms that will really be the deciding factor. I just love the itinerary. I like sea days too but this one has more then I would normally book for but if you want to go in this particular area then unfortunately that's what you have to learn to live with. So we are mentally adjusting to that too. I like to play the slots on the ships but I noticed on the Mariner in March that there were no winners and it didn't take very long to eat up your money. I always seem to win on the mainstream lines and/or break even as their slots seem much looser. The Mariner's casino was the pits.

Pat

[DocDesdin]

Dare I say that most people lose in the casinos. However, on a recent Mariner cruise with my parents (none of us are big gamblers) we all won small amounts in the casino.

[canadagal]

That's for sure Doc! The casinos are not set up in the patrons favor but I'm glad to hear that someone won on the Mariner. I was noting on another thread on this board where they mentioned that the slots had been changed on the Voyager. Just wondering if they were changed on all the ships and that's why not so loose slots.

Pat

[lord of the seas]

Maybe the Pacific Northwest should be getting their gas elsewhere -- we're at $3.89 and have refineries here.

 

I was quite surprised about the Tropicana declaring bankruptcy. The summer months may ease things a bit -- they do get tourism from around the world. Our local airport (Bellingham International -- the size of Wal-Mart) has an airline (Allegiant) that is actually making money -- they fly direct to Las Vegas -- usually filled to capacity with our northern neighbors (Vancouver, B.C.)

 

We currently have three cruises booked (more than usual) and do not plan on cancelling any of them. However, we are not even thinking beyond February, 2009 (except for the U.K. where we don't have to convert our U.S. currency). I'm sure we'll cruise again -- just not certain how many cut-backs there will be on the luxury lines -- will all of the projected new ships be built? -- lots of questions. While I'm not opposed to higher end mass market lines, the ships are way too large. Guess we're taking a "wait and see attitude".

 

 

P.S.'s

esther e -- your post reminded me to add shampoo and conditioner to my packing list;)

 

lord of the seas -- isn't a pint of beer around close to $10?

 

Ragner -- I'm enjoying the "OC" references. . . I actually have family there

:cool:

 

I think beer is about £3.00 a pint it may be cheaper to drink the PETROL!!

[esther e]

That's for sure Doc! The casinos are not set up in the patrons favor but I'm glad to hear that someone won on the Mariner. I was noting on another thread on this board where they mentioned that the slots had been changed on the Voyager. Just wondering if they were changed on all the ships and that's why not so loose slots.

Pat

 

 

Hmmm, I was under the impression that all money lost in casinos went into a fund for the retired aged sea men.:rolleyes: No? (By the way, wanna buy a nice bridge??????);)

[Travelcat2]

I was just rereading some of this thread. I began the thread after reading what I perceived to be slight changes in Regent, Silversea and Seabourn -- not big -- just a few take-aways.

 

Mentally, I;ve leveled the playing field in terms of being able to afford luxury cruise -- to some it takes saving -- others may find it easier to afford. Yet, there seems to be three distinct ways of proceeding into late 2008, 2009 and 2010. We do not know for sure what further changes will occur in the luxury cruise segment -- probably higher fuel surcharges, cutting back on what they can.

 

Some posters are going on with their lives as if nothing has or will change. Booking luxury cruises in 2010. Are these people more of a risk taker than.......

 

Those of us who are going on our "booked" and, in some cases, completely paid for cruises. . . but are waiting to see the trend in the next 6 months before booking another cruise.

 

Last, there are many of us who have either booked a mass market cruise or are looking into them.

 

It seems that, although money plays a role, risk taking is in there also. Perhaps this should be a different thread. The thread on whether luxury cruise lines were worth is was eye opening. Now we're talking about how the economy is affecting luxury cruising. Logically (in my somewhat unlogic mind) is whether or not we are gambling on the fact that the economy will improve and/or luxury crusing will remain the same. . . . that all ship builds currently projected to take place in the next 2-3 years will happen. Or, are we booking way in advance to get the right cabin with the thought that we can always cancel?

 

Please forgive typo's -- my mouse is temporarily missing.:confused:

 

 

 

P.S. Pat, we hate leaving our three cats -- all seniors. We have made special arrangements for next week's 11 night trip and will do so again for the 24 night. They will be in good hands (plus, we'll be in contact with home daily).

[Ninabelina]

Travelcat2, perhaps your cats are not that old and infirm........your mouse has gone missing..........