Why are pre/or post cruise options ridiculously expensive?

[aerospace]

I have never seen a pre or post cruise hotel offer that was even reasonable. As example the cruise I'm going to in November wants $498pp for 2 nights hotel. Going to the hotels own web site the total comes to 313.50 euro(about $382). That's 2.6 times as much, $616 more.

Do they think we are stupid? Granted it includes pickup from hotel to pier but they don't even offer to pick you up from the airport.

[Trip]

I would not book a a pre/post cruise stay through a cruise line. We precruise all the time, and, have never paid those high rates.

Doable on your own, through Priceline, Entertainment Book coupons, etc,we have whittled down the cost, to enjoy our 2 days in our favorite city, Lauderdale. In high season, the hotel rates published, are sky high, but, even this past March we got more favorable rates...

[Lakers Fan]

We only pre-cruised once .That was in Ft.Lauderdale ,a great hotel and a very good price .We did a post cruise in a hotel in Seattle and it was very nice as well.

[buttons16]

The cruise line has to take their cut. My wife and I always arrive near the pier a day early and not once did we use the cruise line to book our hotel the night before, we always booked it ourselfs.

[aerospace]

I have no problem with them hiking the rate 20% for ease but charging more for 2 nights hotel than the entire 11 night cruise costs?

[KellyKayden]

Because they can be?

[Bruce Chafkin1]

Cruise Lines are not travel agencies.
But since so many passengers are too lazy to book pre-and post cruise packages on their own - or through a travel agency - they want us to do it for them.

We are also not charities. We can provide anything you demand, so long as we can do it at a profit.
Anything is possible - if you are willing to pay for it.

As for your question about cruise lines thinking you are stupid, you really do not want to hear the truthful answer.