Cruise Line Axes last Minute Discounts

So the answer to the question “Will I get it cheaper if I leave it?” has been answered by one of the top cruise lines for UK Guests and it is an emphatic NO!

Recently voted as people’s Choice in our community awards, beating the likes of P&O for the top spot, Royal Caribbean may have set a cat among the pigeons with this decision.

The chief executive of Royal Caribbean Richard Fain is set to put a stop to last minute price slashing. This has been introduced to the US market and will follow suit in the UK and Mediterranean soon.   The aim according to Michael Bayley is to stop devaluing the product.  Cruising is a high end product and yes people who cruise regularly know it is great value for money when you take into account everything that is included.

At the moment Royal Caribbean reduces prices 30, 20 and 10 days before departure to fill the ships to capacity however as this new policy falls into place there will be no discounts beyond 30 days from departure.

Is this a risk? Well of course. Agents and customers could switch to other products which are cheaper but it is a risk that Royal Caribbean are happy to take as they think in the long run it bring back that exclusive feel that cruising used to have and will in the long run improve their business.

People who want to experience their product will have to pay a bit more for the privilege but it means the experience they get on-board will be enhanced as they will not be trying to cut corners elsewhere to save money.

In recent months this has been a big feature of my welcome home calls when people say that the cruise line was not what they used to be. The food standards have dropped or there is not as much entertainment choice on board. All signs of cost cutting.

I don’t know about you but I agree. It is all these special features that I go on a cruise for and if the standards drop you are getting a Luke warm version of the cruise experience and yes you may have saved a few pounds but is it worth it?  Pay a little extra and get the Full Monty or pay less and be disappointed.  What is your opinion on this?

 So Royal Caribbean are leading the way as is often the case in trying to re-vitalise the cruise market.

Will the others follow suit? I hope so.

We do spend a lot of time dealing with customers who book then call us back when the prices drop and are surprised that the cruise lines will not do anything about it. You would not buy a washing machine then go back into the shop 6 months later because the price had dropped!!! So why would you assume that you can do this with a cruise.

This move will help stop customers who book early from being disgruntled because inevitably passengers talk on board about what they have paid and it just winds everybody up and gets them frustrated.

What do you think about it all? Good or bad decision?  Let me know.

Who will be next do you think?