Thread: Winners and Losers in Cruising: II

You're right, Reggie! On Princess it was $100 pp .... thinking $200 for BOTH of us. We did TWO because we were planning to take a b2b. $400 was charged to our credit card.

Also, yes... right again, we were told it was fully refundable just last month.

We did the same and got OBC as well. Such a deal!! We just have 2 years left to decide....

Originally Posted by cruiserlovr

We did the same and got OBC as well. Such a deal!! We just have 2 years left to decide....

Check out the Ruby cruise on 11-4-2009. A lot of CLF members are sailing in a CLF Group on that sailing.

Originally Posted by nealberk

Good question, Lars. And is that why so may cruise lines are reducing the amount of the deposit?

For sure it is. I would book cruises for 2010 and 2011 if the deposit was 50% off.
I am talking cruises more then 7 days here. Deposits for 7 days cruises are not bad at all but for 12 days cruises and more you are looking at $900,- for a cabin.
Another solution is ofcourse to book the cruises in Europe where you only pay 5-10% of the cruise price as a deposit.

I have always booked cruises months and months in advance, but now I will wait and see if there is a reduced deposit or a good deal before I put down cash on a cruise.
We are not really that bothered where our cabin is so for us its no big a deal to wait.

Originally Posted by *Lars*

But are cruisers still booking their cruises early. Can the majority tie up a deposit for months or years now a days??' Or are we waiting until last minute to see if we get a good deal???
Maybe we are becomming less "picky" and jump on the best deal regardless of ship, itinerary or cabin just to be able to cruise????

During the late 80's and early 90's we booked a lot of cruises that were the cheapest we could find. That way we were able to cruise more often. We had a great time on those old ships.

I no longer book the cheapest thing I can find, even though I have gotten some very good deals lately.

I currently have 4 cruises book between now and 3/10.

I do not know if I will continue to book a year out or not. Some of the advantages of booking early seem to be diminishing.