I don't see why everyone else seems to think they are entitled to the lower price or an OBC
I agree. It doesn't hurt to ask though. If they say "no" I don't get upset. I made my deal with them when I booked the cruise. That was the agreed price.
and stores DO usually give you the sale price if the merchandise was reduced within two weeks of your purchase. They get sticky when you buy at the beginning of the season when your size and color were guaranteed in stock, and then want the same treatment as the people who are settling for whatever is left.
__________________
Laurie
RCCL Nordic Empress 1993
RCCL Nordic Prince 1994
RCCL Explorer 2003, 2005
RCCL Navigator, 2004, 2007
RCCL Mariner 2006
RCCL Liberty 2008
RCCL Adventure 2009 Read and post cruise reviews
The folowing quote was part of an article in today's edition of USA Today:
Royal Caribbean today confirmed what anyone shopping for a cruise in recent weeks already knows: The economic downturn has forced the company to offer some monster deals.
With the economy tumbling, "both ticket sales and onboard revenue have been impacted," the company says in a statement accompanying the release of its most recent quarterly earnings. "It has required substantial discounts to generate the requisite volume."
Interesting. It could be they are resetting their zero - and most likely as a direct response to Carnival pretty much always undercutting RCI on the same routes.
The earnings call statement could still be valid though. After all, I could cut prices 20% now and still not reduce them much more than that in the last few days before the cruise starts.
But this is nothing to quibble over, since it means lower prices. However, their USA Today statement also portends more cuts in shipboard services and perhaps more extra-fees for this and that.
Just came off the Grandeur. My observation of the way people were spending money is, you wouldn't know there was an economic downturn. People spend money on what they WANT to spend money. They only complain about not having money for things when it's something they truly don't want.
It seems to be an odd business model not to fill the ships at some price. They have to sail regardless, and that is where the revenue comes from. It also affects the crew's pay.
Carnival can probably undercut them because they are not paying for ice skating rinks, rock climbing walls, and flow riders. Not to mention the cost of fueling behemoth ships, and their construction costs. The smartest thing they did was say "no" to the bigger ship challenge from RCI. Instead they limited their new build orders and put the "Pinnacle project" on hold. Instead they invested money in the Evolutions revamp of the Fantasy class ships. So they don't have to charge extra for room service, steaks, and they still have lobster.
It probably makes sense because they aren't getting the result they wanted by slashing prices. The result they wanted was for people to spend more money with on board purchases. Generally speaking, cruises selling for $299/$399 do not draw the type of clientele that will then turn around and spend $1000 on board. It draws the clientele that are shopping for any cheap cruise. They may spend a little money on board but not to the levels of making up for slashing the cruise price.
I'd like to see the statistics the cruise lines have developed over the years. No doubt they have terabytes of data that compares cruise fare paid with onboard charges
I guess I'm the wierd one. If I find a good price on a cruise, then I can spend more money on board. Especially excursions, although I realize they only get a percentage. And the casino, of course
For me, give me a cheaper price on a cruise and I will spend more money on the ship....I think it's a win win situation....and my opinion on the Mega Ships is "NOT".....Happy sailing anyway...
Linear Mode
