The good folks at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution report on a bit of bright light for the Alaska cruise industry. Apparently the aggressive deals and discounts they have been offering have resulted in a huge rush of customers.
Princess Cruises set new records for daily booking by recording an increase in volume of 17 percent over its previous best day. Their Alaska cruise specials have been some of the most aggressive, and I’m sure they are grateful for the response.
A welcome development is that the fuel supplement charges of last year have been eliminated across the board. The lower price of oil has lowered the costs for the cruise lines, and they’re happily passing their savings on to their guests.
Going against the grain, Royal Caribbean has many of its passengers up in arms over a recently announced $3.95 fee for late night room service orders. It will be interesting to see if they make the fee stick, or are forced to roll it back.
Anyone looking for an excellent Alaska cruise deal should find a lot of great options this season.
Source: The Altanta Journal-Constitution
I sift through an enormous number of blog posts every day in order to find the best Alaska cruise deals. There are always a few that I find every week that are particularly good, and I always make it a point to share them.
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American Safaris Cruises is well known for its luxury Alaska cruises. Its long time former CEO, Dan Blanchard, will be back in charge as his new holding company, InnerSea Discoveries, purchases the small ship operator. The new management will be in effect beginning with the 2009 Alaska cruise season.
Blanchard has committed to maintaining American Safari Cruises’ strong focus on natural history and environmental education for all of its Alaska cruise tours. Their ships are some of the smallest operating Alaska cruise routes, only carrying between ten and forty passengers. Because of their small size, their guests enjoy a far more intimate, flexibly itinerary featuring active shore excursions and the finest cuisine.
Their prices are competitive for the luxury Alaska cruise market, starting at about $4,495 per person. If you can afford it, an Alaskan cruise with American Safari Cruises is sure to be a memorable one!
Source: USA Today
As reported by the Calgary Herald, Royal Caribbean claims it’s not the crushing recession or low bookings that have forced it to take Serenades of the Sea off the Alaska cruise market. No, it’s high taxes!
I guess it sounds better than simply saying your prices are too high to fill all of your ships.
It’s true that Alaskan cruising is made a lot more expensive by the head taxes charged for each passenger, not to mention local taxes and fees, corporate taxes, gaming taxes and the cost of marine pilots.
But all of these factors have existed for years, a period when more and more ships were brought online. 2008 was a record year for Alaskan cruising–and profits!
Just high taxes? I’m not buying it. Over capacity, plain and simple. Royal Caribbean might have more luck offering more aggressive Alaska cruise deals.
Source: Calgary Herald
Just in from The West Australian, Silversea Cruises has announced aggressive savings for a number of its upcoming Alaska cruises.
The cruise line is offering an onboard spending credit of $774 per person–a full $1549 per couple–for its May and September sailings on its Silver Shadow ship.
The promotion can be applied to shore excursions, spa treatments, and a host of other amenities.
Why the credit and not an outright discount on the price of the cruise?
The logic is that the super luxury cruise lines such as Silversea Cruises want to make sure they are not tarnishing their brand. With their premium cruises and prices, the last thing they want is to be viewed as a discount cruise line!
One thing is for certain, anyone shopping for discount Alaska cruises should consider these two departures on Silversea Cruises to make their trip far more affordable.
Source: The West Australian
