5 Things You Won't Be Able To Do On Cruises This Year!

Summary

The transcript discusses the significant changes in the cruising industry from last year to this year. It highlights the impact of geopolitical events, such as attacks by the Houthis, on cruise routes, leading to cancellations and altered itineraries. The speaker shares personal experiences of reduced last-minute deals, higher fares, and the scarcity of upgrades due to full ship capacity. The importance of early booking for dining and excursions is emphasized, as is the improved Wi-Fi connectivity on cruise ships. The speaker also notes a shift in cruise lines' policies, with less willingness to match lower fares and a reduction in the inclusiveness of packages, advising cruisers to closely scrutinize what's included in their deals.

Takeaways

• 🚢 **Cruise Destination Changes:** Due to attacks by the Hoy Rebels, many cruise lines have altered their routes, avoiding the Suez Canal and Red Sea, leading to fewer Asian and Arabian cruise options.
• 🌍 **Impact on Israel Cruises:** Since October, cruise lines have stopped calling into Israel, and this is unlikely to change this year due to ongoing security concerns.
• 🛑 **Crime-Related Travel Advisories:** Civil unrest and high crime levels have led to travel advisories against certain destinations like Jamaica and the Bahamas, affecting cruise itineraries and excursions.
• 📉 **Decreased Last-Minute Deals:** High demand and full capacity on cruise ships have resulted in fewer last-minute deals and higher fares compared to previous years.
• 🔄 **Upgrades and Cabin Changes:** Opportunities for cabin upgrades or changes have become scarce as ships are sailing at full capacity, with no available options even once onboard.
• 🍽️ **Dining and Excursion Bookings:** To secure desired dining experiences and excursions, early booking is crucial as popular options fill up quickly, and last-minute arrangements are often not possible.
• 📶 **Improved Wi-Fi Connectivity:** Cruise lines have rolled out better Wi-Fi services, such as Starlink, allowing passengers to stay connected without the previous limitations of poor or costly internet.
• 💻 **Work-Life Balance Aboard:** Enhanced Wi-Fi has made it easier for passengers to work from the cruise, which could be both a positive for staying connected and a negative for those seeking a complete disconnection.
• 💰 **Fair Match Challenges:** While cruise lines were more flexible with fare matching in the past, this year many are refusing to do so, making it more difficult for passengers to secure lower prices through tracking and matching.
• 🎁 **All-Inclusive Package Changes:** Some cruise lines have altered their all-inclusive packages by removing certain benefits, like gratuities, or reducing the value of included drinks packages, making them less inclusive than before.

Q & A

What major change did the speaker experience on a recent cruise with Silversea's Silver Spirit?

The speaker experienced a significant change when their Grand Voyage from Cape Town to Athens was abruptly cut short halfway through due to the ship needing to return to the Mediterranean in time for the crew season.

Why were cruise lines forced to alter their routes and cancel certain trips?

Cruise lines had to alter routes and cancel trips due to attacks by the Houthi Rebels on ships passing through the area, which made certain routes unsafe and led to a reduction in cruise options through the Suez Canal and Arabian Peninsula.

How have cruise lines responded to the increased demand and full capacity ships this year?

Cruise lines have responded by reporting record-breaking bookings and higher load factors than previous years. This has resulted in fewer last-minute deals, no opportunities for upgrades, and the necessity for early booking of dining and excursions to secure desired experiences.

What impact have global events and local issues had on cruise destinations and itineraries?

Global events and local issues, such as civil unrest in Ecuador and high crime levels in Jamaica and the Bahamas, have led to cruise lines dropping certain destinations and itineraries. Additionally, local campaigns in places like Yorktown, Virginia, and Barcelona have sought to reduce or stop cruise ships from calling at their ports.

What technological advancement has changed the cruise experience for passengers this year?

The implementation of Starlink satellite Wi-Fi by cruise lines has provided better internet connectivity, making it harder for passengers to use poor Wi-Fi as an excuse to disconnect and more accessible for work-related communications.

How has the availability of all-inclusive packages changed from previous years?

All-inclusive packages have become less inclusive, with some cruise lines removing items such as gratuities from the bundle or limiting the classic drinks package to only cover drinks up to a certain price on the menu.

What was the most valuable piece of advice the speaker gave cruisers in previous years?

In previous years, the most valuable advice was to track fares on specific websites and ask cruise lines to match lower prices, either with an equivalent upgrade or onboard credit.

Why has fare matching become more challenging this year?

Fare matching has become more challenging because cruise lines are including terms and conditions that lock in the price at booking and refuse to match fares, despite high demand and promotional periods.

What is the speaker's strategy for dealing with the changes in all-inclusive packages and add-ons?

The speaker recommends that cruisers keep checking what is included in the add-on bundles, as these packages appear to be getting squeezed or reduced in terms of benefits.

What advice does the speaker have for cruisers looking to save money on their cruise experience?

The speaker suggests that cruisers should research and compare what is included in all-inclusive packages and be aware of the limitations of classic drinks packages, as well as consider alternative options to purchasing directly from the cruise line.

Where can readers find more information on fare tracking and matching?

Readers can find more information on fare tracking and matching, as well as tips on saving money on cruises, on the speaker's blog at tipsoftravelers.com.