Best Cruise Prices EVER?!

[Deakon]

I keep hearing on the news and through travel agents that these are the lowest prices ever to go cruising (and go on vacation in general). I work in the media and I've even produced some commercials making this statement.. So I checked the prices as I do now and then and I don't see a very big difference in prices at all?? In most cases, its more expensive. Where are these super awesome savings? The news/commercials I hear are for local consumption so that should account for airfare etc.

What are you guys finding?

[sparks23]

i got a good deal in 2007 for my first cruise as i did for the one i booked for may 2009..i think cruising is a good deal all around, but whether or not it is better now than EVER before..i dont know.

[2Littletime]

I personally think it's hype that can't be proven true. The prices are good but I haven't lucked into any deal that I think is the best price ever and for the most part the prices I'm seeing aren't much different from what I saw last year and even to some degree the year before. I think they are using the economy as a marketing tool and while this is potentially a wise move for them, the seasoned cruisers for the most part seem to be a little disappointed that the deals aren't as good as the ads. This is just my opinion, but it's hype, not fact.

[LucyR.]

There are some great rates presently on the Carnival ships.

Presently the rate on the Carnival Splendor is $379. per person for Oct. or Dec. and then you add taxes and fees that makes around $579. per person.

[Zingy]

The cruise in and of itself seems to be a great deal......how one has to get there however, may or may not be.

We have saved over $400 on our next cruise in Nov 09 on the Spirit (part from a past guest discount and most from the newly implemented Early Saver program). We live in California and drive to the port, so our only cost incurred would be the motel/hotel/parking and anything we may do prior to or after the cruise.

For those who have to fly to their ports.....it would be hard to say whether or not a savings is realized....a lot would have to depend upon the airlines.

[Pocono Pug]

I know the price I paid for my Valor cruise was almost unheard of $399 pp for an inside plus $100 OB spending. When we got on board the gave us an additional $123 for our fuel surcharge. I couldnt beat that deal with a stick.

[LucyR.]

Whenever I hear of some people on cruise ships that get a great deal I am so happy for them.

Getting a deal is like the stock market. You have to buy when you see the deal. If you wait one day it may be sold out by the next day. That has happened to me many times with cruises and airfares.

A friend of mind got a great deal on a cruise. I tried to book it the same day but my agent didn't return my call and I was busy with appointments that day. When I returned home my agent had referred me to another agent because he was busy that day. The other agent called me on the next day which was too late for the deal.

I missed out on that deal and that guy is nolonger my travel agent.

[susierphillips]

It may be a great deal if you don't mind an inside cabin and don't care where you are going, but both of those things are factors for me. I'm picky; don't want to go to Nassau again and so forth. Haven't seen any deals for verandahs on 7 day sailings. Prices look the same as last year.
Maybe I'm missing something. It's not really an issue for me right now, anyway.

[Pocono Pug]

I just got off the phone with my cruise specialist and I got a deal for a 7 night cruise on the Victory for $1522 a couple for a ct 8f balcony. Now all I have to do is pay for it and convince Mrs.Pug

[Kenito]

Mr and Mrs Pug:

I don't know about the rest of the group, but I think $108 pp/day for a cat 8 balcony is a nice, fair deal! Congrats.

It seems to me that some of the prices may stay the same... after all, how low can they go in their charges for the basic fare?

However, I do believe that we are seeing more upgrades, more on board credits, and other benefits.

I look at the daily pp cost for everything, and that is the criteria for me.

~K

[fireba11]

Prices have been so good lately I almost regret my 1 year booking policy(booking cruises a year in advance) that I institute on myself.

I think I will wait till 2010 to book my cruises for that year and see what happens.

[briguy]

I think with the early booking savings you can wait up to 5 months before the cruise. At that point that deal goes away. IMO booking a year in advance not only risks losing the deposit if you cancel it also prevents you from finding a better deal later. Granted you can fill out a form and ask for the difference in OBC but what a hassle. No cruise sells out a year in advance anyway so availability wont be a problem 5 months out. Hope that all made sense.

[BobMiller]

No, not the best deals ever. Good deals yes, but you can always find good deals. Best prices were right after 911. I refused to be bullied so we traveled extensively the rest of 2001 and though 2002. That set us up in a pattern of taking several trips a year. Gas prices drove everything up and they are just now settling back down to “normal” again.

I got $30 rooms in Vegas but that’s pretty typical for us right now. A couple of years ago half our nights would have been free. Those went away during the high energy prices and are just now starting to come back a little at a time. The economy is not creating any major price reductions yet.

If you want to sail on short notice or in Sept-Oct you can get a balcony for less than $700pp.

Shop around and do your homework then you can get a good deal any time.

[johnsmom]

I think it's a lot of hype about nothing in order to get people to book. Carnival's sales I feel is nothing to get excited about.

[Synderrela]

I found an awesome price at vacationstogo.com, with a military rate of $348, 7 day riviera cruise! Can't wait! American Airlines also had good prices, but this was about $250 less for the interior cabin anywhere else so I went with it!