There are several factors contributing to these discounts. The first two are business-related and have helped to keep cruise prices low year-round. The first cause is simple--more berths than passengers. Several cruise lines are adding new ships this year and next. Several cruise lines will have new ships in the Caribbean this fall.
A second factor that has lowered prices is consolidation. Because of acquisitions, the Carnival and Royal Caribbean lines account for over 75 percent of the market. Although less competition often leads to higher prices, this has not been the case in the cruise line industry. The greater purchasing power and ability to amortize costs over more ships have allowed the cruise lines to keep prices down.
Weather is probably the major factor that makes fall cruises less expensive than the rest of the year. A drop in cruise prices to the Caribbean can be directly linked to a rise in the temperature in the United States. Planning a fall cruise to the sunny, warm Caribbean in July just doesn't have the same attraction as it does in the middle of the winter!
The last primary factor contributing to the lower demand in the fall is also related to the weather. All it takes is a few pictures on TV about hurricanes, and many people will think twice about a fall vacation to the Caribbean. However, modern technology allows cruise ships to alter itineraries and avoid severe weather. If you stop to think about it, a cruise is a much safer choice than a fall Caribbean resort vacation.
Where can you find information on these fall discounts? There are several places. First, you can call your favorite local travel agency. Alternatively, you can check out the on-line sites of the cruise lines, or visit the sites that allow online booking. Finally, there are numerous travel agencies with web pages that you can contact via email or telephone. Many people do their own research on-line and then use the telephone or travel agency for booking. However you plan and book your cruise, you should be able to get a bargain this fall. One estimate I read was that in current dollars, a cruise will cost you less than half of what it was 15 years ago!
I'm ready to plan a fall getway vacation, how about you?
