What's The Cheapest Cruise You Can Find! - Page 3 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Lanky Lad · 06-25-2009, 08:31 PM

I wish we were getting great deals like that here in the UK. But I have yet to see any really good deals.

I am hoping for one next year as I don't have a cruise booked yet.

nealberk · 06-25-2009, 09:11 PM

...And any great deals on Cunard sailings that rival the ones for Carnical , NCL, HAL, RCL, or Celebrity.

cruise4me · 06-26-2009, 12:43 AM

Here one, I received today.

Coral Princess 7 day, Alaska, July6 for $349.

Paul

suntanshipshape · 06-26-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruise4me

Off subject a little, but cannot help but reply. Once got a Princess mailing and called the day I received it. I was told the prices are not available any longer. Just a come on. I had them remove me from their mailing list.

I understand an online price can go fast, but a mailing should be honored for a while.
Paul

Yes, that has happened once too often with me, so now I don't get too excited. I don't want to call my travel agent on false hopes. It really doesn't help anyone.

Cruise Planner · 07-01-2009, 08:30 PM

Here's a few more;

Carnival Valor - 7-nights - Western Caribbean - 11/1/09 - Resident Rate $349

Carnival Splendor (NEW SHIP) - 7-nights - Mexican Riviera - 1/10/10 - Resident Rate $359

Sapphire Princess - 7-nights - Mexican Riviera - 11/28 - 12/12/09 - $399

RCCL Mariner of the Seas - 7-nights - Mexican Riviera - 12/6 & 12/13/09 - $401

Celebrity Millennium - 7-nights - Southbound Alaska - 08/28/09 - $449

Pete

nealberk · 07-01-2009, 09:08 PM

Resident of where?

Cruise Planner · 07-01-2009, 09:22 PM

Several States.

What - am I suppose to work for free?

There's also Early Saver Fares available for about the same price for anyone who doesn't mind purchasing a non-refundable deposit.

nealberk · 07-01-2009, 10:56 PM

Hey, if you had said only Nebraska, Vermont, and Wyoming, I would say you are pushing it! That is not a special, it is a very limited offer!

guzmang1 · 07-07-2009, 01:25 AM

My situation is that I cruise alone and some cruise lines, like Princess, have steep single suppliments. I don't want to share a cabin with a stranger so I don't look into those offerings. Now that I am retired I may have to wait for 'last minute' offerings when the ship is about to sail and has to get a cabin filled. Any 'single friendly' cruise lines someone may know of?

Cruise Planner · 07-07-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guzmang1

My situation is that I cruise alone and some cruise lines, like Princess, have steep single suppliments. I don't want to share a cabin with a stranger so I don't look into those offerings. Now that I am retired I may have to wait for 'last minute' offerings when the ship is about to sail and has to get a cabin filled. Any 'single friendly' cruise lines someone may know of?

Just so you know, they call it a 'single supplement'. The price of a cruise is actually made up of three prices; the cruise fare, port fees (also referred to as non-commissionables), and taxes. Normally, when a single is traveling, you'll find the single supplement to be 100%, which means the cruise fare will be doubled. Since the port fees are usually applied per person, most of the cruise lines will not double this amount, however there are some who will (just another way for them to make extra profit because it's not needed).

So, if you see a single supplement of 100%, it means the cruise fare is doubled. If you see a single supplement of 50%, then it means you'll pay 1-1/2 times the cruise fare. And so on.

In past years, most of the cruise lines offered a reasonable single supplement for singles. We sometimes saw 50%, 25%, or even 0%. Celebrity use to be very good about this. Unfortunately, as cruising became more popular, they started to do away with the discounts and simply charged a single supplement of 100%.

I hate they do this because my philosophy is that I would rather sell a cruise to a single at a reduced rate and make some money than to not sell a cruise to a single at full fare. But then again, they never seem to ask my opinion.

Currently, of the major mass-market cruise lines, you'll still find some good single discounts on Princess and Holland America. Occasionally, Carnival will offer something, but they are far and few between and almost always for shorter cruises (3-, 4-, & 5-night cruises). The luxury cruise lines, such as Regent Seven Seas, Crystal, and Silversea will also offer some discounts every now and then.

However, as with most specials, you'll find very few or no discounts for singles during the highly traveled times (Summer, holidays, Spring Break, etc.). So, you need to be prepared to travel during the off-peak times.

And lastly, do not wait until the last minute! Almost always, specials, including discounts for singles, are capacity controlled and once they're gone, they're gone. It's best to work with your agent and have them look for single specials as far in advance as possible. Once found, you can then deposit and plan for your cruise. If you decide you don't want to go on that cruise or find another one, simply cancel before final payment due date and get a 100% refund - provided you're working with someone who does not charge fees for their services.

Waiting until the last minute to book is never a good idea. Yes, you may get lucky and get a good deal, but it's possible the best rates were available when the ship opened for booking or specials were offered months before sailing and are now no longer available. And purchasing airfare at the last minute is never a cheap proposition. Plus, should you book early and a discount is offered, your agent should get the special for you, provided final payment has not been made - after that, it depends on the cruise line. So, there's no advantage to waiting until the last minute, but there are definite disadvantages to waiting.

Hope this helps.

Pete