Cheap cruises that we saw after 9/11 are gone.

Rising cruise prices are not deterring travelers, reports say.

“Higher ticket prices and an insatiable demand among vacationers have the cruise lines basking in the smoothest sailing since the heavy discounts and tough times prompted by the 2001 economic recession and that year’s terrorist attacks,” reported the Associated Press.

Travel agents were quoted as saying passengers seem willing to pay an extra $1,000 for the same trip they took a year or two ago.

Passengers, in fact, are getting closer to spending as much on extras on board as they did in 1999, analysts said.

Carnival Corp. & plc, the world’s largest cruise company, had its most profitable year ever and expects to do even better this year.Cruise reservations in the second heaviest booking quarter of the year are increasing at a pace over last year.

Analysts say that with fewer ships being added this year, most vessels will be sailing with full passenger loads.

As for prices: analysts say they will go up this year.

Major cruise lines are now making it harder for low-cost Web sites to give passenger discounts. So many travel agents are passing on some of their commissions in the form of lower prices, said the AP.

I think the days of cheap cruises that we saw after 9/11 are gone.

David

Rising cruise prices are not deterring travelers, reports say.

“Higher ticket prices and an insatiable demand among vacationers have the cruise lines basking in the smoothest sailing since the heavy discounts and tough times prompted by the 2001 economic recession and that year’s terrorist attacks,” reported the Associated Press.

Travel agents were quoted as saying passengers seem willing to pay an extra $1,000 for the same trip they took a year or two ago.

Passengers, in fact, are getting closer to spending as much on extras on board as they did in 1999, analysts said.

Carnival Corp. & plc, the world’s largest cruise company, had its most profitable year ever and expects to do even better this year.Cruise reservations in the second heaviest booking quarter of the year are increasing at a pace over last year.

Analysts say that with fewer ships being added this year, most vessels will be sailing with full passenger loads.

As for prices: analysts say they will go up this year.

Major cruise lines are now making it harder for low-cost Web sites to give passenger discounts. So many travel agents are passing on some of their commissions in the form of lower prices, said the AP.

I think the days of cheap cruises that we saw after 9/11 are gone.

David

[Bill Millam]

David,
You can say that again! Cannot agree more! Mind you, this morning I saw a couple of bargains to be had: The Norwegian Wind 10 day sailing out of Honolulu on Feb 16th 2005 is $599 (or $537 from Vacations TO GO) and price includes port charges. This deal is even available from Norwegian's website.....The other is a 15 day sailing on the Norwegian Majesty on April 16 2005 out of Charleston to Boston for $799 direct from Norwegian or $749 from Vacations To Go, port charges included too! Both cruises are $50 per day on average!

[thomas stanton]

The bargains will return All it will take is another national disaster and they will be back.It is just a matter of time.
Tom