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I have spent a large number of my days at sea with NCL in The Haven, that is, a “ship within a ship” concept that includes a number of amazing perks like a private Haven restaurant, sun deck, bar as well as your own butler and access to the concierge onboard. Needless to say, it is a way to take your cruise vacation to the “next level” of being spoiled and enjoyment.
The Haven is beyond a suite and just so next level. Even boarding and departing the ship at every port is amazing with butlers waiting to assist you getting to and from The Haven so you never have to wait for an elevator like the rest of the guests.
I have booked directly, over the years, a number of Haven cruises but most times I would simply place a reasonable bid for a Haven suite and weeks before the cruise I would get a very nice e-mail that my credit card had been charged and I had been upgraded to The Haven.
I think those days are now over.
I have seen this trend with Delta (and they have been yelling about this) that there is a large segment of the population with a LOT of cash to spend and they are more than willing to spend it on luxury travel and this is now reflected, not just in cruise prices, but in the offers to upgrade to luxury if you have not yet purchased it outright.
Just take a look at the STARTING lowest prices (per person) for a shot at an upgrade to The Haven for a cruise I have coming up over the winter. I don’t know about you but for me these kinds of numbers are waaaaaaayyyy out of my comfort price range.
In the past I used to be able to plan to bid somewhere around $100 per day to win an upgrade to The Haven for the two of us. I have slowly bumped it up a little bit more but during my last NCL cruise I went big (in my mind) and bid $200 per night and did not win anything bidding for a number of different Haven suites. No way I would even consider bidding $300, $400, $500 or more per night for The Haven – it is nice but not THAT nice.
I have started, like with flying, being careful where I spend my extra cash or points. For example I am fine with Premium Economy on shorter or daytime flights and splurge only for full flat business class for very long or night flights where sleep really matters. The same is going for cruising and booking private sun deck space for a more modest price with a balcony cabin (often an upgrade with points from ocean view). I can still get an amazing experience and not break the bank if you will.
What do you think of the current pricing in cruising? Are you willing to spend what it takes for an ultra luxury vacation or are you more like me and picking and choosing where you can get the most value for your travel cash? – René
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RENE – if the demand is really there then your conclusion is right. But if it isn’t, there will be opportunities to upgrade at a lower price. They will find out quickly with this level of price change.
@Greg – I hope so. For now, it seems, they are simply selling almost everything HAVEN at retail prices as folks seem to be so flush with cash (the rich anyway). I have some means but I also would rather always get a deal so…
Rene’, you have been blogging for decades, I thought you were in the 1% club!!
@Mark R – We are not OMAAT or VFTW or FM or TPG unfortunately. Our income is MUCH more modest!
I’m sure @Rene is 1% of something! 😉
Rene, if the company can get it, why shouldn’t they? There will be a point where even the very well off will figure it’s not a good value anymore.
Mike
We are picking and choosing!!!!