From: Ohioguy on
I had finally decided on the Carnival Legend for my first cruise, and
found a pretty good price on a balcony 7 day cruise - $569 per person.
I went to book it, and the price jumped up to $650 - an extra $160 for
both of us. This was before taxes & fees on the cruisecheap website, at
just before 11 PM.

I checked out a couple of other websites as well, and the prices seem
to have gone up $40 there in just a few hours. (what you see isn't what
you can get, before taxes are added)

So, now I have questions. Do online prices jump up & down regularly
for cruises, or did I just run into some form of "bait & switch" ? Was
I starting the checkout process when the prices jumped? Do they
regularly change at about 11 PM on Mondays?

I was willing to pay an extra $100 for that day vs going about 10
days earlier, just because it was a little more convenient for a
relative who will be visiting. However, with another $160 on top of
that, I'm not inclined to pull the trigger just yet.
From: Ohioguy on
Another example, from "cruisehotsheet.com"

Sept. 19 Carnival Legend from Tampa shows
$539 for 7 day balcony, per person
- but when you click in it, I get $649


What gives? Obviously, I don't want to pay an
extra $220 for our trip.

From: D Ball on
On Jun 7, 10:43 pm, Ohioguy <n...(a)none.net> wrote:
> Another example, from "cruisehotsheet.com"
>
> Sept. 19 Carnival Legend from Tampa shows
> $539 for 7 day balcony, per person
>    - but when you click in it, I get $649
>
>    What gives?  Obviously, I don't want to pay an
> extra $220 for our trip.

I don't think you're seeing price jumps but simply the addition of
taxes and fees. On Carnival's site, the base rate was $569 pp,
producing:

CRUISE RATE $1,138.00
Gov't Fees & Taxes $141.44
Total Amount $1,279.44

But, yes, prices can jump quickly based on supply and demand.

Diana Ball
Austin, TX
From: Jean O'Boyle on

"Ohioguy" <none(a)none.net> wrote in message
news:kPiPn.124176$gv4.101462(a)newsfe09.iad...
> I had finally decided on the Carnival Legend for my first cruise, and
> found a pretty good price on a balcony 7 day cruise - $569 per person. I
> went to book it, and the price jumped up to $650 - an extra $160 for both
> of us. This was before taxes & fees on the cruisecheap website, at just
> before 11 PM.
>
> I checked out a couple of other websites as well, and the prices seem to
> have gone up $40 there in just a few hours. (what you see isn't what you
> can get, before taxes are added)
>
> So, now I have questions. Do online prices jump up & down regularly for
> cruises, or did I just run into some form of "bait & switch" ? Was I
> starting the checkout process when the prices jumped? Do they regularly
> change at about 11 PM on Mondays?
>
> I was willing to pay an extra $100 for that day vs going about 10 days
> earlier, just because it was a little more convenient for a relative who
> will be visiting. However, with another $160 on top of that, I'm not
> inclined to pull the trigger just yet.


You are in need of a good travel agent. There are several right here on this
newsgroup who are very knowledgeable. Call George Leppla, Susie or Kerry@
Cruise Outlets or Cal Ford. I have used each of them and they have always
come through for us and we have been on 51 cruises with three more booked
for Sept, October and next February.
Not only will they look for the best deal, but they will give you sound
advice, make sure all your questions are answered and will look out for you
afterwards if anything should happen. Also they check regularly to see if
your price has dropped after you booked or if you are lucky enough for the
upgrade fairy! And all for not a single penny extra for you.

Good Luck!

--Jean




From: Charles on
In article <kPiPn.124176$gv4.101462(a)newsfe09.iad>, Ohioguy
<none(a)none.net> wrote:

> I checked out a couple of other websites as well, and the prices seem
> to have gone up $40 there in just a few hours. (what you see isn't what
> you can get, before taxes are added)

Like airline fares they can go up and down based on yield management.

Also you have to look at the taxes. Some don't include that in their
quotes.

$1300 for a balcony cabin on a seven day cruise is a good price.

--
Charles