What do you think...

cruisetarp · September 28, 2007

I really don't see it effecting the amount of travel we do, however if the economy continues its downslide we may have to look at shorter cruises or settle for less expensive cabins. I think the major cruise lines will be OK - but the smaller lines may have big problems. In looking back over all our cruises, it is still cheaper to cruise on a 9 day cruise in a balcony cabin that it was to cruise a 7 days cruise in an inside cabin 20 years ago.

Great seeing you back on the boards Joey - I hope you will continue to post.

jacketwatch · September 28, 2007

Welcome back Joey!! :biggrin:

Believe me things weren't the same w/o you. I'm so glad you are posting again. As for the question I sort of think the ships will finds a way to stay solvent. perhaps there will be less $$ for future projects as new ships or at least fewer of them but somehow they will find a way to stay afloat (pun intended :biggrin:

)

JoeyandDavid · September 28, 2007

Hey the least of my worries were the cruise lines.. :wub: I am really wondering how it would effect the everyday Joe and Jo...

We tend to be financial conservatives... David prefers to call me cheep...although we were smart enough not to spend all the equity we have in our home on "living large" as so many people did during the housing boom.. WE on the other hand we were not as smart as to take advantage of those opportunities as well..

For us the current pricing structure means less travel (cruising) because when we do travel we have our levels of comfort ... we have to have <] a balcony fresh air is important to us while we are in our stateroom.. and with a balcony we do spend a lot of time in the stateroom

also we have our preferred line as you may know.. although we are trying Princess for the first time at the end of October The "Golden" just a quick run to Mexico and back a 7 nighter.. so we may expand our choices .. after our expierence.... we will see.. but unless prices start to drop by at least a few hundred per person our choices for vacations may dwindle.. some of the Itineraries we would like to sail are just priced out of our budget.. but hey such is life...

jacketwatch · September 28, 2007

I sort of think the ships will finds a way to stay solvent.

Hey the least of my worries were the cruise lines.. I am really wondering how it would effect the everyday Joe and Jo...

We tend to be financial conservatives... David prefers to call me cheep...although we were smart enough not to spend all the equity we have in our home on "living large" as so many people did during the housing boom.. WE on the other hand we were not as smart as to take advantage of those opportunities as well..

For us the current pricing structure means less travel (cruising) because when we do travel we have our levels of comfort ... we have to have

also we have our preferred line as you may know.. although we are trying Princess for the first time at the end of October The "Golden" just a quick run to Mexico and back a 7 nighter.. so we may expand our choices .. after our expierence.... we will see.. but unless prices start to drop by at least a few hundred per person our choices for vacations may dwindle.. some of the Itineraries we would like to sail are just priced out of our budget.. but hey such is life...

I think I could have worded that better. :biggrin: What I mean is if there are fewer people cruising for economic reasons then the bottom line for the cruise companies is effected so it hurts them to. Therefore I think the cruise companies will make changes to attract more people, i.e. rate reductions, 2 for 1's, more upgrades, future cruise credits, on board credits, etc. :cool2:

Longboysfan · September 28, 2007

I do not think the housing market or the EURO v the Dollar have anything to do with the domestic cruises leaving from US soil or Canada.

I do think that there will be more Canadians on the ships. :thumbdown: :rolleyes2: :ohmy: :sick: :tongue: :wink2:

Well you get the point.

But back to the question - I think these factors will not stop the constant cruisers. It may hold back some of the new cruisers - as the cost right now may stop them from this.

jacketwatch · September 28, 2007

Don't be a hoser, eh. :biggrin:

sailingrose · September 29, 2007

We budget for our vacations but now and then I throw Howie a curveball and book a short cruise. We'll just have to cruise close to home and avoid airfare for now if possible. I'm not willing to give up my cruises so we'll adjust somehow.

Chucksta63 · September 29, 2007

Hi Joey Glad to see you posting!!! :thumbup: :smile:

Great Question!

Yes I do think there is going to be some backlash with all of this on the industry! Not sure it is going to be 30% but I do feel the first timers will slow down. I think alot of folks that are in this trouble are not going to look to do cruises untill their housing gets situated. On the other hand there is alot of folks that have a morgage that are in good shape! We work extra so we can cruise, but others are doing ok!

I am hoping to get a couple of cheaper cruises in the future due to the slowdown in bookings I see coming. I think where the industry is going to get into trouble, is all the new ships that are going to hit the oceans just as the slow down is going to get into full swing. Alot of the new ships are being catered to familys with more things on there for kids to do. This is going to hurt them as familys slow down on cruising. I do forsee more couples trying to get away with out the kids, but the newer ships are not going to appeal to them as they are wanting more of an adult time & not family time.

I think RCI is going to hurt more in this area & Carnival is going to pick up the slack with discounted cruises. I think the higher end cruises will do just fine, but I really see RCI taking the hit when this happens unless they try to follow suit with Carnival & cut prices to get folks on their ships. For me right now they would really have to cut prices to get me on board! Carnival seems to fit my bill & wallet!

Thanks for asking this question Joey! :smile: :thumbup:

JoeyandDavid · September 29, 2007

Great responses .. thanks... anyone else?

JohnG · September 29, 2007

Joey,

My business this year, in the midst of all this housing slump etc, is almost twice what it was last year and it shows no sign of slowing down. Our cruise bookings as a company are up significantly over last year. If something is slowing down I don't know what it is, but is isn't people booking cruises. This past year I saw a lot more Caribbean bookings than the past two years, but a slowing of Alaska and Europe bookings. Interesting since the cruise lines are roughly doubling their European capacitiy next year. Guess the people with Euro's aren't reluctant to spend them!

Pricing has been creeping up, not down. The prime target of cruiselines is the baby boomers who are retiring and have spendable funds available.