I travel a lot and with the economy in the dumper everywhere I go hotels, resorts, etc. are slashing their prices... but NOT the cruise lines. In fact, cruise prices are a bit higher than they were a few months ago. Anyone know why?

Hi Sam,<BR><BR>Prices are about the same as last year and sometimes less. <BR><BR>Remember, as a rule of thumb, the early booking prices are the best and then the prices escalate as you get closer to the sailing date. If you are booking late you may just as well wait to see if the prices drop at the last minute if the ship is not filling. Just saw a price on a 5 day cruise on the Carnival Jubilee within a week of sailing for $210 pp plus port and taxes.<BR><BR>Paul

Hahahaha that's one cruise I would avoid like the plague. Prices like that usually bring out the bargain shopper and soda smugglers.

What is wrong with bargain hunters and soda smugglers. If I can save a dollar I am going to save it. And when I bring sodas on board in their original cases in front everybody, then that is not smuggling I do not believe.

Xman has a good point. For example, when the ships that debark from Florida do not fill up, there are HUGE ads in the Florida newspapers. <BR><BR>When the old geezers on fixed incomes see that they can cruise for $200, they get their penny pinching friends and fill that ship with cheapscates.<BR><BR>Be prepapred to hear a LOT of complaining from fellow passengers when you go on cruises that are very cheap.

Two things about the 5day Jubilee. One - its one of Carnivals older ships and had the Viva Las Vegas interior decorator design the ship. You know, the kind of carpeting that forces you to hold onto the walls as you want down the hallway so you don't fall over!<BR><BR>Two - since the prices are so cheap (by the way, they're cheap all the time) they attract the businesses who pass the trips out as rewards for delivering the most beer in a month, being the best greeter in the WalMart system, etc. You get the Joe Six Pack crowd; which, if you are one is great - but if you're looking for a little relaxation and pampering - don't bother.<BR><BR>Try the Sea Princess out of San Juan on Oct 12 for $499 including port charges for a seven day great Southern itinerary.

Remember too, that last year's fall and winter bookings were hurt tremendously due to the Sept 11th aftermath. We got a balcony cabin on one of the highest decks last year for the Christmas sailing of the Grand Princess for only $850pp including all the port charges, taxes, fees etc!!! We knew we'd never see prices like that again, so we took advantage of the situation. We live in South Florida, so airfare wasn't an issue for us. Apparently the cruise industry has rebounded quite nicely, because I'm not seeing prices anywhere near last year's rates.

Actually, Carnival serves a useful purpose. It keeps the losers from considering trying other lines. Every neighborhood must have its slum.