I wonder how much bookings are down

[arcadialover]

Just been looking at a cruise on Arcadia and on D deck there are still 5 out of the 6 aft cabins still available. This is usually a popular cruise and these cabins always seemed to be booked by the goldies who could book earlier than everyone else, so we never stood a chance. I then went on to look at other cabins on B deck and ny first 8 choices were also available.

Perhaps people are waiting for a good getaway fare. Just out of interest has anyone had their shareholders benefit refused because they have booked a cheaper deal (getaway)?

[Suekersh]

We went on a getaway del last September and our shareholder benefit was paid as normal. We are on another getaway deal at the end of May and we have an e mail confirming our shareholder benefit OBC so do not anticipate any problems.

Sue

[Kendhni]

I was just reading an item on another site that was discussing about RCI last minute deals ... and have read similar articles in relation to Carnival, Princess and even Celebrity. I think all the companies are chasing after a much reduced number of passengers .

In P&O's case I think their pricing model of early brochures assumed the recovery would be stronger and people would be taking more holidays .. unfortunately (for us all) that has not been the case.

[david63]

Is this not the same thing that happened with the package holiday industry some years back - everyone held out for the late deals?

[Quizzical Bob]

Is this not the same thing that happened with the package holiday industry some years back - everyone held out for the late deals?

That's exactly what we are doing. For the first time in years we have no cruises booked in advance.

[Mariner Mike]

Looking at the good Getaway deals and filter in economic uncertainty are some people also holding off to avoid the risk of having to cancel because of job changes, redundancies or other changed circumstances? We have a shortie booked in May and normally also go in Sept/Oct but have nothing booked as yet and are waiting for Getaways

[Islander]

Same here, Quizzical Bob. Normally pre register and have all the next years booked and sorted. We are waiting too. The differences in prices could mean another cruise.

[Kendhni]

We were doing the same (i.e. holding off in the hope of a late deal) ... (un)fortunately during the time of 'holding off' some great land based holiday deals came up and we took advantage of them (Crete, Sharm and Mexico) ... so now we are waiting for a good deal for September 2014.

I have also been informed that in 2015 it is our 30th wedding anniversary and Julie has made it clear that she does not want another iron (which is good news, since it means the one I got her for our 25th anniversary, must still be going strong.).

[david63]

I have also been informed that in 2015 it is our 30th wedding anniversary and Julie has made it clear that she does not want another iron (which is good news, since it means the one I got her for our 25th anniversary, must still be going strong.).

I believe that Karcher window vacs are the "in thing" for wedding anniversaries at the moment

[Kendhni]

Duly noted David ... and hopefully the price will drop significantly in the next couple of years

[Capt Black]

We're certainly waiting for the Getaway deals for specific cruise at the end of the year. Yes, there is a risk that it may sell out, but I consider that very unlikely. And if it does sell out, there's a couple of cruises around that time, so hopefully something will be available. Just not prepared to pay the Vantage price on this occasion.

[Holiday Planner]

Likewise, we are watching a selection of cruises for early September (including some non-P&O), and waiting for a good deal. It will be the first time cruising just the two of us, so are fairly relaxed about what we end up doing!

[MicheleW]

We usually book a cruise as soon as they come on sale, but have nothing booked for 2014 yet. Along with many others we are waiting to take advantage on a getaway deal. We don't have any specific itinerary in mind, so are hoping for a good deal!

Michele

[Mr-big-bits-mk2]

We have our next two cruises book under vantage fares but that will probably be the last, given the size of the discounts for getaways (there's one with Vantage at £2479 or Getaway for £899 so a saving of £1580) we'd feel stupid paying full price. No matter what the lost perks are if the cruise is running at half price it has to be a better deal.

[Holiday Planner]

There's an even better deal of Vantage £2579 Getaway £749 (balcony) - 16 nights Fjords & Iceland on 1st June.

[Dark Knight]

we are lucky, inso far as we can holiday when it suits us, as we have no children, we would decide on the itinerary first and then look for a cruise or other holiday to fit
if a Vantage or getaway was open to us at that time, we would make the appropriate choice after weighing up the pro's and con's of each one

[Mr-big-bits-mk2]

It wouldn't be so bad if the price difference was 10-20% but when some of the reductions are hitting 60-70% then the price will be shat makes a choice.

[Mr-big-bits-mk2]

KNIGHTMARE, why is the 'S' key so close to the 'W'.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Not a problem if you use a good smell-checker

[qbman1]

Does that detect the shat errors M&T ?!

[ItsmeAnnC]

That's exactly what we are doing. For the first time in years we have no cruises booked in advance.[/quote]

Same here. By now we would have a couple booked for next year, and possibly a Caribbean one for early 2015, but we have nothing after our Celebrity cruise in September, for the first time ever. What's more - I'm not bothered. If the right thing comes up at the right price I'll look at it, but I'm not actively looking. We don't like flying, so further afield is a big decision for us, and the ex-Southampton cruises are the same old ports.

[Manoverboard]

It wouldn't be so bad if the price difference was 10-20% but when some of the reductions are hitting 60-70% then the price will be shat makes a choice.

I was thinking about asking if you would like me to delete " .... makes a choice "

[ItsmeAnnC]