Did DCL recently increase 2005 prices?

[westjones]

We cruise in September, the least expensive month of the year. The prices hardly ever go up (if any) on the 3 and 4 day cruise (at least that is how it has been for the past 4 years we have been cruising).

On Dec. 18, 2003, we booked a Cat. 10 (SPR) for the September 18th 4 night cruise for 2 adults and 2 kids for $1627.40.

NOW, just 3 months later (BUT 18 months before the cruise sets sails), it is listing for:

Total Price: $1,843.40 on the DCL website.

That seems like a big jump! This does not include transfers or insurance for either quote.

Are any of the rest of you seeing this for the 2005 cruises you have booked (or gotten quotes for a couple of months ago)?

DJ

 

[Empire Day]

Our next cruise witch is 400+ days away was about 200$ lower than our first same time same room etc. and same amount of advance purchase.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

the cruise for same time in 2005 that we are going in 2004 is $300 high in 2005. we need the other ships to be built to help lower the cost of DCL. thanks

 

[kcatoir]

I am looking at Sept 2005 7day which is posted now at $2900 cat 9 2 adults 2 kids.

The same exact cruise for 2004 is priced at $2800. Its $100 more for cruise that is 18 months away versis 8 months away. That makes no sense to me.

 

[makaylee]

My April 30, 2005 sailing has already gone up $200 since I booked. It is a 7 day though, hope this still helps.

 

[dharma517]

My September 05 (9/25 4 night Wonder) is still the same price as it was when I booked it in January.
Jenn

 

[westjones]

Maybe the prices went up in January. I booked my September 05 cruise in December, and just checked today to find it is up $200.

I just found it strange since the September cruises never seemed to change much in the past.

I guess this year the 'early booking' is advantage for September 05 cruises. I only booked early to get a SPR. I never thought it would start going up so soon.

DJ

 

[CRSNDSNY]

My March 5, 2005 Eastern has already gone up over $400 since I booked this past February.

 

[GenieDana]

I expect you will see more price increases very soon. Fuel prices are at record highs, and OPEC didn't help us today. There are calls for releasing some of the strategic reserves to ease prices (would not effect prices by more than a few cents, so that is nothing but political showboating anyway). Also, some States are talking about reducing fuel taxes to help consumer prices.

It's the fuel oil futures that will impact increasing pricing the most in the short term, and as always the demand remains high. DCL will price cruises what the market will bear.

P.S. - Cruise ships consume vast quantities of fuel oil. This is an interesting link about the powerplants and machinery for cruise ships. If you read carefully, you can see how a 50% increase in fuel prices over a years' time really eats at the bottom line, especially considering how much fuel they burn:

http://www.wartsila.com/english/pdf/Marine/MN_articles/diesel_electric_cruise_ships.pdf

 

[minniemouse1]

Just checked our cruise that we booked on the ship back in Oct and it is $900 more than what we paid in Oct! That seems like alot to me and I am glad I booked it then.