If you have been thinking of doing a Caribbean cruise this Fall or winter, this may be the best opportunity over the next several years; if you want variety and value. The reason for this opportunity is simple old fashioned supply and demand. The cruise lines have significantly increased their capacity in the number of ships and cruises they are sailing to the Caribbean. At the same time, the demand has been flat cruises to the region; at the same time the overall cruise demand globally has increased. What this means for you and I are more options at a lower price.
The reason for this imbalance in supply is a combination of the cruise line looking for more stable markets for their ships, after a disastrous drop in demand for European cruises between 2010-12; and an increase in new ships and and new cruise lines entering the Caribbean market year round. The Caribbean Princess, which would spend the summer in Europe is now based year round in Florida. In addition, the cruise lines are adding new ships, with more features and larger capacities, such as the Norwegian Getaway, the Regal Princess and Royal Princess. The Norwegian Getaway is based year round out of Miami, while the Princess ships are cruising the seasonally in the Caribbean. Throw in the popular European line, MSC, which based its new 4000 passenger ship, the Divina, which they based this year in Miami for year round Caribbean cruises. The result is a 20% increase in passenger capacity this Fall, compared to 2013. Norweigian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan described this in Travel Weekly, as " the lemming theory... at the same time, and it's like you show your hand and everybody's in the Caribbean, with the capacity being up 20%."
The demand has been flat for Caribbean cruises over the last several years. The cruise lines think a major reason for this is is a perception in the public that the cruises are on the same old ships to the same old destinations. In response, the cruise lines have increased their marketing to show the new features on their new ship; and and changing their cruises. They are adding new ports of call, varying the port schedules, and adding both longer and shorter cruise lengths; to meet the changing demands of the American travelers.
But this valuable opportunity for us; of more cruises and cruise options, will not last forever. Already the cruise line have a reduction in both the number of ships to sail year round out of Florida and the number of ship cruising seasonally in the Caribbean for 2015/16. Both MSC and Princess will discontinue year round sailing out of Miami. In addition, ships that had been scheduled to sail in the Caribbean such as the Norweigian Epic, and Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Quantum of the Sea, will be moved to other faster growing cruise regions, in this case Europe and China respectively. What this means for us will be a large reduction in options for us next year. So while the ships are all here this season, go have some fun on that cruise you want to do, try a new ship, enjoy the new cruise lengths and ports of call. The value is hard to beat.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Christmas Vacation Planning - In June?
The question of whether you should start planning for your Christmas/Holiday trip 6 to 7 months in advance depends on your destination, lodgings, and if you plan on flying or not. Travel during the Winter Holidays has historically been one of the busiest travel periods. According to AAA, based on travel trends so far for 2014, the Holiday travel season could set a record. A little planning now could save you some money and prevent some disappointment down the line.
The projected record number of people traveling during the Christmas season means higher rates and possible room shortages at hotels and resorts at the most popular destinations over the holiday period. According to Orbitz, the most popular destinations can be divided by cold and hot. By this I mean the opposites in the weather during the season. For the cold weather, the most popular destinations are:
* Colorado - for many people the Holiday season means snow and skiing. The ski resorts in the state are expected to be full earlier than normal this year.
* New York, NY - for thousands of people the sites and sounds of New York during the holidays are what the season is all about. Plus New Years eve in Time Square is something everyone should experience.
On the other side of the spectrum, for many people, the Holiday season give them the opportunity to leave the cold and travel to a warmer location. According to Obitz, the most popular warm weather locations are:
* Florida - the major tourist destinations of Fort Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Tampa, and the most popular Holiday destination in the US, Orlando, all offer what many people want: warm weather and major tourist attractions.
* Cancun - the most popular foreign Holiday travel destination offers the right combination of warmth, beach, and exotic locale are a perfect match for Christmas.
* Puerto Rico - other love the islands for the holidays, and San Juan is the ninth most popular destination for the season.
* Arizona and Southern California - for many people, a better option for getting warmer weather means traveling to the Los Angeles or Phoenix areas. Major regional attractions and activities like golf are reasons for the major holiday travel to the region.
In addition, the 2 week Holiday season, is the highest demand period for taking a Caribbean cruise, with packed ships and pricing that are 3 to 5 times more than any other time during the winter season.
Another reason to start planning early for your Holiday travel is the "sticker shock" at the cost of airline tickets. In general, the price for tickets has risen by nearly 10% over the last several years, as the airlines has reduced capacity, and the increase in demand. If you are planning on flying during the Holiday travel period, checking airline availability now may offer you a savings, in the price of the ticket, and being able to reserve before the flight you want is booked.
So as the saying goes, sometimes "the early bird gets the worm". If your traveling to a popular region, and you want the best rate at a resort, or special accommodations, now may be the best time to start planning and booking. If you take a cruise, booking now will give you more options on cabin locations and types, and will in general cost less than if you waited, or you may get free upgrades. If you plan to fly during the season, in general , the longer you wait the higher the costs and the less options you will have. Some planning and action now, will allow you to take that Holiday vacation you want, and will leave you more money in your wallet.
The projected record number of people traveling during the Christmas season means higher rates and possible room shortages at hotels and resorts at the most popular destinations over the holiday period. According to Orbitz, the most popular destinations can be divided by cold and hot. By this I mean the opposites in the weather during the season. For the cold weather, the most popular destinations are:
* Colorado - for many people the Holiday season means snow and skiing. The ski resorts in the state are expected to be full earlier than normal this year.
* New York, NY - for thousands of people the sites and sounds of New York during the holidays are what the season is all about. Plus New Years eve in Time Square is something everyone should experience.
On the other side of the spectrum, for many people, the Holiday season give them the opportunity to leave the cold and travel to a warmer location. According to Obitz, the most popular warm weather locations are:
* Florida - the major tourist destinations of Fort Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Tampa, and the most popular Holiday destination in the US, Orlando, all offer what many people want: warm weather and major tourist attractions.
* Cancun - the most popular foreign Holiday travel destination offers the right combination of warmth, beach, and exotic locale are a perfect match for Christmas.
* Puerto Rico - other love the islands for the holidays, and San Juan is the ninth most popular destination for the season.
* Arizona and Southern California - for many people, a better option for getting warmer weather means traveling to the Los Angeles or Phoenix areas. Major regional attractions and activities like golf are reasons for the major holiday travel to the region.
In addition, the 2 week Holiday season, is the highest demand period for taking a Caribbean cruise, with packed ships and pricing that are 3 to 5 times more than any other time during the winter season.
Another reason to start planning early for your Holiday travel is the "sticker shock" at the cost of airline tickets. In general, the price for tickets has risen by nearly 10% over the last several years, as the airlines has reduced capacity, and the increase in demand. If you are planning on flying during the Holiday travel period, checking airline availability now may offer you a savings, in the price of the ticket, and being able to reserve before the flight you want is booked.
So as the saying goes, sometimes "the early bird gets the worm". If your traveling to a popular region, and you want the best rate at a resort, or special accommodations, now may be the best time to start planning and booking. If you take a cruise, booking now will give you more options on cabin locations and types, and will in general cost less than if you waited, or you may get free upgrades. If you plan to fly during the season, in general , the longer you wait the higher the costs and the less options you will have. Some planning and action now, will allow you to take that Holiday vacation you want, and will leave you more money in your wallet.
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