Cruising and the economy

KeithnRita · October 1, 2008

Has all the bad economic news, including the so called bailout, had any affect on your long range cruise plans? We just paid for our upcoming New Year cruise so we are good to go. Next year, who knows? We generally start looking again about a month after completing a cruise. We did change our plans this year as we intended on booking a Fall cruise out of New York prior to our New Year cruise. Business condition here at our family business forced us to back off from booking another cruise. We will probably wait a little longer in 2009 before deciding on our next booking. How about you?

cruisetarp · October 1, 2008

Our Panama Canal cruise in December is all paid for so we are all set there. We are booked on the Connie Goes Crazie in November 09 and hope nothing interfers with that as we are already putting money aside each month for that. However, we had hoped to do a cruise next Spring/Summer and will seriously have to rethink that one if things don't improve.

JoeyandDavid · October 1, 2008

I am voting option D.. I am not changing current plans ... I also am not making NEW plans either..

KeithnRita · October 1, 2008

I am voting option D.. I am not changing current plans ... I also am not making NEW plans either..

Okie dokie Joey, you now have option D to vote.

DebbieandJerry · October 1, 2008

Like anything else, I bargain hunt. When we booked our March 2009 cruise, I started paying $500 a month against the cruise (so that it would be paid in full way before the time you had to pay for it).

I am now beginning to look at Spring 2010 cruises. There are some great bargains out there. For instance, MSC has an Eastern/Western itinerary (BALCONY) for a little under $900 for the 7 days. I still have to get my airfare to Fl. I also realize that this is about $200 more than what we paid on Princess, but that was three or four years ago. So, all in all, that doesn't seem like such a bad thing going.

Jerry and I love to cruise. We have determined that this is our preferred choice of vacation. When we add up the cost of transportation, hotel, entertainment and food, cruising is still the way to go.

So, for now, plans have not changed. But, Jerry has cautioned me against putting deposits down "to hold" prices. He's right. That probably isn't the best use of our money. Once we are sure what our 2010 plans are, then I'll plop the deposit down.

JoeyandDavid · October 1, 2008

Next year, who knows? We generally start looking again about a month after completing a cruise.

according to your answer you could have almost voted D yourself... Thanks Keith

zebra · October 1, 2008

Waiting to see - holding our breathe :ohmy:

sailingrose · October 1, 2008

Waiting to see - holding our breathe

Jeez Jackie......don't do that! With our politicians you could be holding it a long time!

Not sure how to vote........we will still cruise but may go more off season to reduce cost. I'm just bummed that it looks like you European cruise is history for next year unless we find a great deal

JoeyandDavid · October 1, 2008

Waiting to see - holding our breathe

Jeez Jackie......don't do that! With our politicians you could be holding it a long time!

Not sure how to vote........we will still cruise but may go more off season to reduce cost. I'm just bummed that it looks like you European cruise is history for next year unless we find a great deal

And they may come discounts i mean...depending on the economic situation in Europe itself...

zebra · October 1, 2008

Jeesh... it looks like worldwide economies have taken a hit. I see the Italian airline, Alitalia, is filing bankruptcy.....

I wonder what all of this actually means to the future of cruising...... the cruise lines are going to have a tough time trying to fill those cabins, I'm sure!