I received these 3 quotes from the same company. Can anyone tell me what might be causing such a big difference in the prices. I requested a room (for 2 adults) with balcony.<BR><BR>Island Princess, $3,024, Vancouver-Seward, July 26<BR><BR>Dawn Princess, $6,434 (ouch!), Van-Seward, July 28<BR><BR>Sun Princess, $4,418, Seward-Van, July 28<BR><BR>The cheapest quote says balcony quarantee. The other two say guarantee category BF or better, Balcony.<BR><BR>I'm new to cruising, what does this mean?<BR>

You are comparing apples and oranges. You are trying to look at three diferent ships. Every ship will have different fares based on how many cabins have been sold when you check.<BR><BR><BR>When you try to compare prices you have to price the same category cabin on the same ship on the same date.<BR><BR>If you do not do this you will end up with a mess.

Bob,<BR><BR>I'm sorry I still don't understand . . . I'm comparing a cabin w/balcony (isn't that the same) on 3 ships on the same line with the same itineraries and number of days. And, the dates are almost the same.<BR><BR>What am I missing? Or, maybe I'm too stupid to cruise.

What you are doing is that you are comparing three different ships. Yes they are the same cruise line and the same size ship and yes you are comparing the same type of cabin. The problem is that they are three different cruises.<BR><BR>The price that you find on any ship is based on how many cabins have been booked when you check.<BR><BR>From what you show, I would say that the Island Princess has a great many empty cabins at this time. The Dawn Princess is probably all but sold out.<BR><BR>Hence, the more cabins that are sold when you check will result in a higher price. The more cabins that are unsold will result in a lower price.<BR><BR>Also Princess does a lot of resident specials, meaning that residents of one state may get a lower fare than residents of another state. the Island Princess may be having a special for your state and the others may not.<BR><BR>Some times Princess will run a Balcony Special on certain sailings. This also could effect the fare.<BR><BR>There are many reasons, just don't drive yourself crazy. If you are happy with the Island Princess on July 26, just go for it.

Hi Newbie,<BR><BR>I am just taking an educated guess here but the Island Princess' balconies start lower therfore the low price.<BR><BR>The Sun and Dawn should be the same price but I believe someone added in $1,500 for the price of the tour.<BR><BR>Paul

Ooooooooh, now I understand! Thanks Bob. <BR><BR>And Paul, you may be right about a tour being added in, I'll check on that.<BR><BR>Thanks all!<BR>

Look at the age and size of each of the ships/cruises you're considering. Often the older (and usually smaller) ships are cheaper because people want the new and improved version. Most older ships have smaller cabins and balconies. Compare the sq footage of the rooms. Also, the higher and more centered cabins will generally command a higher price than lower cabins that are located on the ends. If all three ships are about the same age and size, then pick the cheapest one (assuming the cabin category is virtually the same for each).

Not sure if you have your heart set on Princess, but if you're considering other cruiselines, we obtained a balcony cabin on the NCL Sun from Seattle to Alaska for lots less than the prices you're showing.

We are only considering Princess and Holland America.<BR><BR>NCL may be fine, but there's so many posts here about how bad they are that I just can't take the chance.<BR><BR>Princess and HAL seem to get the best reviews overall.<BR><BR>On our first cruise, I'm going with one of these two.

FORGET the big boys. Go on a Cruis West small ship for a real close up look at Alaska. Much nicer to sail with only 100 fellow passengers than it is to sail with 2000-4000. Man the small ships are so nice and you really see thing that can not be seen ever on the big boats. Go Cruise West and you will never go back to the big boys, never, nerver,never.

Don't know your age but if you sail on NCL, Princess or HAL it will most likely be an older crowd (typically 45 and Up) than with Carnival. I've been on all 4 of these lines and they all have plus and minus. Personally, I prefer NCL because I especailly like the &quot;freestyle dining&quot; of being able to eat when/where we want and not having a formal night (hate to wear suit or tux as I wear a suit everyday). NCL (except the Sky) and HAL have the best balcony cabins IMO. Princess cabins tend to run on the smaller side. If casinos are important Carnival probably has the best. Entertainment...hmmm, it's kind of a toss up but I'd probably give that one to Carnival as well. I don't do cruiseline excursions so have no opinion here. Food again on all 4 lines is pretty comprable, just depends on the individual meal. Food wise, I think all 4 of the above were better than on RCI. Been on 26 cruises and planning another! For Alaska, I'd definitely want a balcony cabin. Bring your binoculars, it gorgeous. Ted

The majority of passengers in Alaska are seniors including on Carnival. One plus, if you like to not go to bed early, cruise Carnival. <BR><BR>Holland and Princess have been doing it the longest in Alaska and they do have the best environmentalists on-board. Holland does have an enormous amount of seniors.<BR><BR>Cruise West is fabulous is you do not wish the large ship &quot;do it all&quot; and it is more one-on-one. A learning experience.<BR><BR>Paul