I was thinking the same thing; it's a way for them to cut expenses without raising the price of the cruise. All the more reason to look more closely at Holland America for my next trip to the Islands--they are sticking with 15 days.
Princess has done the same thing with their Exotic Panama Canal cruise; I'm on the 15 day next month, but starting in September it's only 14 days--at the same price.
Maybe they just haven't posted them for next year? Or maybe too many complained that 7 hours in Hilo wasn't enough so they dropped that port of call? I haven't received my fall brochure for 2009 so I don't know for sure.
Interesting thought, tekdive; but those are three very different products. I wonder how much crossing over you would find between those three lines. For example, I might try Carnival; but Cunard holds no interest for me at all.
Originally posted by RichC:
The days of being loyal to one cruise line is coming to an end.
Well it is a good thing that you can cross between Princess, Cunard, and Carnival...maybe more will "merge" their loyalty programs.
I don't know about crossing between the lines - they don't honor past Princess travel credits on other lines as far as I know. We wouldn't sail Carnival (to crass for us) or Cunard (to formal for me) & I personally wouldn't sail NCL ever again after what they're trying to pull with the latest maneuver but I'm not ruling out HAL.
What irks me is not so much as a price increase, which I can understand, but eliminating a great port. I have to fly 3,000 miles, then sail another 1, 550 miles or so just to see only four ports. Just increase the price & be done with it. People who opt for a 15 day cruise are spending 3K to 6K dollars & won't be put off by an additional $100 to $200 but I think they'll lose business to the competition on this move.
Sorry, f-mattox, got the wrong side of the island I only saw through April of 2009 on their website. I did see some 29 and 32 day cruises. RichC, you're right. They can add the extra day and the extra price. F-mattox, you wouldn't like to try the QM2 or the Victoria? I would really like to try it, it's just so dang expensive. Even when they send me their "deals". I also read that if you don't book a certain level room, you're limited to the dining options, which makes it even more expensive. I still would like to try a real ocean liner. I've never sailed on one. I guess I should have sailed the Norweigan way back when.
Penny, Not that I know anything about Cunard but aren't all their dr's somewhat formal all the time? I don't think they even have casual evenings. This is not my type of enjoyment for a cruise- it's torture.
I only saw through April of 2009 on their website. I did see some 29 and 32 day cruises. RichC, you're right. They can add the extra day and the extra price. F-mattox, you wouldn't like to try the QM2 or the Victoria? I would really like to try it, it's just so dang expensive. Even when they send me their "deals". I also read that if you don't book a certain level room, you're limited to the dining options, which makes it even more expensive. I still would like to try a real ocean liner. I've never sailed on one. I guess I should have sailed the Norweigan way back when. 
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