Thread: East Coast or West Coast?

I agree with my mom on this one: take a 7-day CANE cruise that a friend took last year on the Caribbean Princess. Recently, I did a search for 2012 CANE cruises on Princess and hated the cost of a minisuite: $1,600 per person. That makes me wonder why it is so much more expensive than the $1,350 West Coast cruise I have been thinking about. One major difference is the ship: I saw the Caribbean is much bigger than the Sapphire. Are there other factors that can play into which itinerary would be best to choose for my first cruise?

What's "CANE"?

As with any cruise to any particular place, a cruise to Canada & New England versus the Caribbean versus the Mexican Riviera versus the Mediterranean, etc, etc, is based on the old supply and demand. Where there is more supply and less demand, the prices will probably be less. And on the flip side, if there is a big demand and less supply, the prices are going to be higher.

Of course, should things change, then the price may go up or specials will be offered.

Sometimes the port fees have an impact on the overall price, and sometimes taxes will have an impact.

Bottom line is to decide where you want to go, what cruse line you want to go with, what time you want to go with and then just do it. Don't over-think your decisions and don't try to compare apples and oranges, because comparing a Canada/New England cruise against a Caribbean cruise is just that. They are completely different.

Pete

Ah, Canadian and New England. C A N E. Thanks, Pete.

I did Caribbean Princess and paid about $1300 just for myself .. and sure was not in a minisuite, but the ship was the newest ship when we went into the planning.

One thing that was special, I dont know if they still do, was a all you can eat seafood buffet the first night onboard. Cracked crab legs, and other seafood, all you wanted.

Our cruise was January 2006. I thought the prices were way too high, but it was a group and we had a TA who seemed to be jacking up the prices over what was on websites. I was new to cruising or I would not have booked with the group I decided later. Too expensive.

Prices to me have come down quite a bit from what I paid.

Oh I see Pete says CANE is canada .... I was thinking hurriCANE. We did eastern caribbean which was also more expensive than other dates... it was a expensive cruise ... the prices you posted do not seem high to me at all.

Originally Posted by Smart Traveler

I agree with my mom on this one: take a 7-day CANE cruise that a friend took last year on the Caribbean Princess. Recently, I did a search for 2012 CANE cruises on Princess and hated the cost of a minisuite: $1,600 per person. That makes me wonder why it is so much more expensive than the $1,350 West Coast cruise I have been thinking about. One major difference is the ship: I saw the Caribbean is much bigger than the Sapphire. Are there other factors that can play into which itinerary would be best to choose for my first cruise?

CANE - Nice acronym. I'll have to remember that one.

I think Pete's advice rings true - supply and demand will affect these prices and these two cruise experiences are going to be quite distinct from one another.

The cost differential even though great for certain itineraries is not anywhere near the difference in experience. I'll be totally biased and attempt to campaign to convince you to consider a CANE cruise, as long as it includes a stop in the great state of Maine (where I live).

This answer to this really depends on the fine balance between cost and personal experience/preference.

If you do choose a CANE cruise and end up visiting Maine, be sure an touch base directly with me - I'll make sure and give you some very specific advice, if you wish.

Thanks so much for all your contributions and thought inspiring posts as you work towards deciding on your first cruise.

Thanks!

No problem Tim: One of the stops is Bar Harbor. Have you been to Acadia National Park?

I agree with Tim - you really need to try a Canada/New England cruise - they are truly wonderful!

And we really LOVED Bar Harbor! Beautiful little town. Only problem is that you have to be tendered there. We did a tour that included Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain - absolutely beautiful.

But we made sure to stop at some quaint little restaurants in every port to enjoy the fresh lobster - fantastic!

Halifax is also one of our favorites.

We did a 9-night cruise out of Baltimore the end of September a couple of years ago and the leaves were turning, so the colors were amazing.

However, prices are higher at that time - again, because of supply and demand.

Had a client do a 9-night Canada/New England cruise on the Caribbean Princess out of New York on July 19 - just got back yesterday. I talked to him this morning about it and he said it was wonderful. Loved every minute. Loved the ship, the food, the service, and the itinerary.

Definitely not a cruise to be missed.

Pete

Originally Posted by Smart Traveler

No problem Tim: One of the stops is Bar Harbor. Have you been to Acadia National Park?

As Pete has said, Bar Harbor is great.

I was in Acadia just last weekend, in fact, driving around in the early morning with my little boy. We often stay on a lake in Central Maine and make day trips to Acadia. It's one of my favorite places in the world.

Bar Harbor is a tender port - and will likely remain so for a variety of reasons. The local teams there work hard to ensure a safe, orderly and expedient disembarkation process. It does help to keep the main section of town from becoming overwhelmed in the Summer months. Be sure and take a tour of the carriage roads and Cadillac Mountain, especially if you're visiting in the Fall. The skeeters present a problem for some people unaccustomed to their presence in the Summer. I don't even notice them anymore.

Any questions you have - fire away!

There are very few coastal West Coast cruises (usually they are repositioning cruises moving the ship up to or down from the Pacific North west), but usually during the lower in demand September/May months.