Will prices drop during a war?
Mar 17th, 2003, 10:50 AM
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Will prices drop during a war?
<BR>I know that many people are fearful of traveling if the USA goes to war with Iraq. Personally, I am planning on going on a cruise to the Western Caribbean in June.<BR><BR>My question is this: When should I buy my tickets?<BR><BR>I have had some travel agents tell me to buy now because the prices always go up as the cruise gets closer. In general, I would agree, but that totally disregards the world events.<BR><BR>I am certain that some cruise travelers will cancel their trips and there will be vacancies. My only question is when is the best time for me to get a great deal on a cruise for June?<BR><BR>I am assuming that a war will have begun between April 1- April 30<BR>
Mar 17th, 2003, 02:20 PM
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Your name is similar to 'John Doe', is that why you wrote this!?<BR><BR>Do you even guess how many reservations are out there on all the cruise ships up to now.<BR><BR>Are these people worried, some probably.<BR>A small percentage will cancel, and sit home and watch the news BUT everyone will be out there supporting the businesses(land and sea) that make a vacation worthwhile.<BR><BR>Sure, those guys (and women) are out there , and I am proud of them, but they do not need a bunch of wimps to <BR>come home to. We have done that before.<BR><BR>So, I would say buy houses, take a trip,send them a CARE pkg.<BR><BR>As for when to buy, do it now, and pick the cabin-dinner seating, etc. you want.<BR>If the price goes down before you have made the final pymnt., you can get it.<BR><BR>I've said enough on this .<BR><BR>
Mar 17th, 2003, 03:50 PM
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What I would do is see if you can hold a cabin for 5-7 days. Most cruise lines will allow you to do this and you can often extend it for another week. This way, you have a price on hold. <BR><BR>Sounds like we will be at war by the end of the week. If the price goes down (which I think it will), you can reprice it before you put a deposit/final payment down.<BR><BR>Prices are very good right now but I think they may go a tad lower.
Mar 17th, 2003, 03:53 PM
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Despite everybodies "bravado" about continuing to travel and make reservation I think people will hold back. Deep in my heart I'm afraid of terrorists in our country. Yes, I have reservations for a cruise...will I cancel...hoping I'm brave enough not to..but I have until July to make up my mind.. Yes, I think the cruises line will suffer as other resorts and "disney" type parks...they are already.
Mar 18th, 2003, 04:22 AM
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I have gleaned two things from the above responses: <BR><BR>1) people are trying to convince themselves that they and others will still cruise after war breaks out; and <BR><BR>2) prices will continue to drop.<BR><BR>I have cruised 15 times so I fully understand about cabin selection and the benefits of reserving early. However, in light of the extreme circumstances (war) I am doing something that I never do – thinking about waiting until the last second.<BR><BR>Since it appears that every seems to agree that prices will continue to drop, I am confused why some of you think that I should book now.<BR><BR>Obviously I am nervous because I usually make reservations long in advance. However, I simply do not see the benefits of doing so when I can save so much money by waiting. Why should I bother reserving when there will come a date that I will have to make that final payment?<BR><BR>I doubt that I will be able to receive any money back from the cruise line after I made my final payment (which can still be pretty far in advance of the cruise).<BR><BR>So, if I can pay $900 per person now for a 7-day cruise in June on the Navigator, why not wait another 2 months and be able to pay half that?<BR><BR>Or am I crazy to think that a brand new ship will be available?<BR><BR>Regardless, I can easily cruise on a 10 year-old ship. <BR><BR>I see that there are 7-day cruises for $300 right now (granted they are for cruises in April) so I cannot fathom that the normal summer prices will remain the same during a war.<BR>
Mar 18th, 2003, 04:45 AM
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Jim, I think you're on the right track. I have a feeling that there are going to be some unprecedented deals out there. <BR><BR>I don't know who the TA who told you prices always go up, but they are full of it. If there are empty cabins, the price is going nowhere but down, anytime, regardless of a war or not!
Mar 18th, 2003, 06:42 AM
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It seems intuitive that prices will drop, but i've heard this asked SO MANY times in the last month (not just for cruises, but airfare, hotels, etc) that i think the demand is out there just waiting to buy. <BR><BR>Afterall, is this war something none of us expected? Perhaps the prices have already taken this war into consideration. (i obviously have no idea if prices will drop, but it just seems than when everyone expects something, the opposite will happen)<BR><BR>Also, while i understand the fear of terrorism, i think that a cruise ship may actually be safer than being on land, as these ships don't fly under the US Flag.<BR><BR>I'm not saying i'm right on any of the above, but just my thoughts if needed to be "devil's advocate".<BR><BR><BR><BR>
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