Has anyone gotten last minute deals for Oct or Nov sailings with RCI?

[paminohio]

I would like to know if anyone has noticed good discounts close to sailing for Oct or Nov? I remember last year (when I first starting researching cruising) a good deal on Princess about 3 weeks from sailing. Wondering if RCI ships fill up sooner so they don't need to offer good disounts right before sailing.

Pam

until Voyager
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[k2]

I got my value a long time ago... I have only seen the price inch up since!

Grandeur 5/99
Enchantment 10/01
Navigator 11/03
Voyager 11/04

[k2]

I have found that the further out you book, the better deal you get. Basically, if you find a good agent and the price drops after you book, they will price match. Mine always does, ensuring that the further out I book I am going to get a great deal if I do my homework! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Grandeur 5/99
Enchantment 10/01
Navigator 11/03
Voyager 11/04

[Desertbelle]

I have read, but I don't know how true it is, that RCI starts out with lower prices and they inch up as time goes on, and Princess starts out with higher prices and they move downward as the date approaches. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Margie

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Windjammer-Flying Cloud 1991
Carnival Elation 1999
NCL Sun 2002
Star Princess 2003
Legend of the Seas 2003

[JMG]

They have Tuesday specials. I don't know too much about them but have heard about this program.

[pcur]

I just posted about this on a previous thread. I find that if you sign up for the online travel agency email alerts and newsletters, you see the good last minute deals.

So, either book way in advance and watch the price within the 30 - 45 day window just before the cruise, or go for the last minute deals. Last minute means more flexibility on the ship and the itenearary.

Also, in October the Transatlantic and repositioning cruises are really good bargains. We were on the Grandeur last October 31st from Baltimore to San Juan for 8 nights for $656 each (not including air, but including port and fees).

Peggy - RCI since 1973

[pattymo]

I sailed the explorer Nov,2002 and the prices went steadily up except they had a Q guarantee a couple mos before sailing for $600 as I recall. The 3rd and 4th person prices that fall were 299 pp for the Explorer, we paid $1200 pp for a D1, that was pricey for Nov, but there were limited balcony cabins available, Prices are supply and demand driven.. In Oct,2003 I sailed the enchantment four nite weekend and again the prices rose steadily. Booked the enchantment 4 nite for Nov 2004 a year in advance and the ship is almost sold out and our cat is $200 more PP than when we booked. I seems the newer ships and the long weekend cruises sell out without any price reductions. Also those cruises that straddle a holiday ( columbus day/ election day) are in demand. Look at the majesty/soverign 4 day cruise to the bahamas for price reductions.

[cruisinTrish]

It all depends on how the ship is selling for any given month. RCCL had some great Happy Hour Specials(on Tuesday)on the 11 night Brilliance for last November. Prices started at $599 with 3rd and 4th person $299.
I would have booked it but I had just booked a Happy Hour special on the Summit 12/01(11 nights) the week before.
Princess did have some great deals last fall! I wanted to go on the Golden before my Explorer cruise but it didn't get into port until the day after the Explorer sailed. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] Maybe next time!



Trish [img]http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/wave.gif[/img]

NEXT CRUISES
4/27 & 5/7 cruises to Hawaii on the Legend
9/19 Eastern Caribbean on the Mariner


12/01/03 Summit-11 day Ultimate carribean
9/29/03 Majesty of the Seas
9/20/03 Explorer-Eastern Caribbean
3/09/03 Enchantment- Eastern Caribbean
10/05/02 Rhapsody-Western Caribbean
8/17/02 Radiance-Alaska
1/05/02 Rhapsody-Western Caribbean

[This message was edited by cruisinTrish on 04-10-04 at 01:22 PM.]

[Murphy]

Columbus Day week will usually sell out so don't expect any bargains then. I've seen some good deals for the second week in November early on and at the last minute.

7 previous cruises, Hawaii on Legend scheduled May 2004, and Enchantment Oct 2004

[CindyS9163]

We found a great bargain on Rhapsody of the Seas
10/31 5 night sailing to Mexico. 18 family members booked in two royal family suites and one inside cabin.
Total cost...6,500. I consider it a bargain with the level of cabin and the amount of people going.