Is Royal Caribbean charging too much for their cruises?

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John

Guest
I have question for you all. Is Royal Caribbean charging too much for their cruises?

People are asking this question and I wanted to ask the experts "You" your thoughts. I know the prices were high for my first Voyager Class cruise when that ship debuted. Your thoughts on this hot topic?
 
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Bowmom35

Guest
I feel as though I get my money's worth when I cruise with RC. The service, food, cleanliness, shows and recreation are all very good. Of course, I'm not a good person to ask... I've never cruised on any other ship. :) I have enjoyed all the ports we've gone to. I LOVE Cococay, it's a perfect way to start a vacation. I followed the directions and headed out early to avoid a long wait for the boat that brings you over to the island.

I've also heard the cheaper the cruise the more it's filled with young families since it is so affordable. I'm getting too old for a lot of young people horsing around and making a ton of noise, putting their fingers in the food at the buffet. :p

I'm interested to know how RC does compare. I have read that some people think the new ships are too big but that is what I like about them. I love the adults only non smoking pool area, it's heaven to not have to deal with children shrieking and at the same time you wander through the doors and can be at a full blown party with all the kids and people having fun. I love being able to ice skate or roller blade too. There's just so much to do you can not not have fun!
 
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PH8

Guest
It all depends.......one can get a good deal if they book early.....and then keep an eye on falling prices,which RCCL will honor.(heard others dont).......

Im loyal to Royal and plan on staying with them........its hard to give up the perks we get even if another cruiseline is cheaper...
 
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Wuollebear

Guest
We'll be trying a new cruise line for the very first time this Feb. Though we are looking forward to our upcoming cruise we absolutely LOVE Royal Caribbean and feel we get our money's worth. We also love the way the ship is set up with the Promenade deck. They are top notch in our book.
 
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PH8

Guest
Wuollebear---Latest issue of Cruise Travel mag(Oct) has an article on the Emerald Princess...
 
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connie seabee

Guest
Royal Caribbean is my favorite cruiseline, we love the Voyager class ships. It does seem as if the prices have increased in the last couple years. I guess it about supply and demand. We found better deals on Princess and Holland last year.
 
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cruisebuddy

Guest
First, read my thread talking about defection from RC. In the highly competitive cruise game, if I can go on a comparable line for less, that's where I'm going (as long as it isn't Carnival). When I say comparable, I look at Princess, RC and NCL about even.

I saw a 7-day Mexican Riv cruise that was more expensive on RC than an 8-day on NCL. I could care less about cruising on the "biggest, baddest, boldest" blah blah blah ship, which IS something that you are paying for - the joy of sailing on one of those beasts. Their ships are getting a little too big for me anyway. They're so big, it doesn't even feel like you're on a cruiseship, and that is part of the fun!

Bowmom35 mentions "younger" families. I can say that I've run into the same ages on all three lines I've been on, so it balances out. Kids are kids, from our experience. I would recommend that Beth tries another line, just to make a comparison (again, stay away from Carnival)

As for perks, what perks really? Another luggage tag? A nice toiletries bag? To me, no perk is worth $200-$300. After one cruise, you start getting perks from any of the lines, so what is the difference?


We're trying Princess for the first time in November and, depending on the experience, may be changing allegiance permanently.
 
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PH8

Guest
Perks Im talking about:
No waiting on line to check in
No waiting on line to disembark
concierge service
etc.............

Those are priceless..........

I do also like the $200 discount on balconies and suites........and I like the fact RCCL will match lower prices.........like being invited on all expense paid cruises when the new ships come out...so on and so forth

But hey,there are lots of cruise lines and one of them will be right for you more so than RCCL.............but thats what makes the world go round........

We did go on Carnival(Spirit) once and it was very comparable to RCCL.

There is no need for anyone to belittle anyone's choice(and for the record,I am not saying anyone has)
 
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SteveD

Guest
we were lucky ,we went into the travel agents to book a summer trip and got talking to to the agent and he mentioned the Liberty and the promotion 2 weeks east n west for 2 grand the summer trip was quickly forgotten ! . ok so we are cave class(interior cabin way way below sea level ha ha. in the uk our sunday papers a full of cheap deals so often it pays to wait i dont know what it is like for you guys in the USA.
 
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Einstein

Guest
Frome hwen we have scanned thru the selection process for our next cruise they DO seem to be a bit higher as in about $100 -150 per person. Howver that probably can be negated with the C & A coupons that tend to come out closer to sailing. =shrug The potential of sailing on Radiance Class ship is quite appealing and therefore we might eventually bite the bullet and head out on RCCL again. :dance

.


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jackhammer

Guest
Just sail out of San Juan. I hear you can get on the ship for $250 per person.
 
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AJ coast

Guest
Considering the insane cost of fuel, their prices are justified.

Also they need lots of capital to fund their new ships!!!
 
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Libby

Guest
There are so many variables when you look at pricing - we've found the most significant to be when the cruise is booked. We just returned from a 12 night Med. cruise that we booked over a year ago, in category D1. When we booked in August of 06, the price for two of us was just over $5000. The cabins that were available (and ended up selling -- though I have no way of knowing what they sold for) were listed for just over $10,000. There has to be a supply and demand there. Also - We've also seen rates fall as the sail dates get closer and there is still a healthy inventory of staterooms available. We've simply gone back to RCL and requested the lower rate and they honor it. We've been on Celebrity, Carnival, NCL and HAL and have found we feel we get the best overall cruise experience for our money on RCCL. I will however mention in many cases, we sail the smaller, less 'glitzy' ships, and I think those tend to be a little less expensive.
 
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Jim

Guest
I would have to believe that many of the complaints about RCI pricing is their policy of not permitting discounting. Many agencies are trying ways to get around this with gifts, OBC's, selling block space, etc.
I would agree there are cheaper cruiselines, once our favorite, one particular line can be tracked that the quality of the product has declined and their lowering of prices seems to match that decline.

The mega ships are sailing FULL. Thus sustaining RCI's belief that the ship is now the detination. Heck NCL proved that back in the 70's when their brochure actually touted the NORWAY as the destination. it has simply evolved into today's monster ships.

We are now loyal to Royal. We haved sailed and will continue to sail Princess and Celebrity also, but if an RCI ship fits our schedule, and our destination choices, we stay with what we know, eliminating those little unplesant surprises.
 
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Justcat

Guest
Honestly my family can't afford to vacation any other way - compared to land based vacations a cruise is a "steal" with the C&A discounts, perks, and the ability to cruise from a nearby port (Carnival and RC both embark from Port Canaveral - our other choice for frequent cruises would be Disney from this port and talk about expensive)

Even with our two logical local choices - Carnival has too many days at sea for a short cruise. Some of their 7 days don't look too bad but their 4 or 5 days have 2 days at sea... I'll go on a 3 day RC and get CocoCay in the process! :)
 
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