Changes EVERYONE Cruising in 2024 Needs To Know About
After listening to what cruise lines are telling investors they’re doing this year, I’m convinced that in 2024 we are going to be facing five new and unwelcome challenges. But I also have some suggestions on how to work around these and get ahead of them,
Including one solution that you may not even realise is possible. By the way, if you’re new here, welcome aboard. I’m Gary Bembridge, helping you to get cruising right – especially for 2024! There is something I’ve seen happening that is going to be increasingly common in 2024,
And that is that people being bumped off cruises due to overbooking. The practice hit the headlines at the end of last year when 11 sets of cruisers waiting to board Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas in Brisbane, had their vacation dreams shattered.
The ship was oversold and there weren’t any cabins for them, so they were sent home. On investigating I found this is happening more than I had realised but wasn’t making the news as cruisers were being bumped from their cruise in the run up to their trips – not at the port.
What is going on and should you be worried? In 2024 the lines are aiming to have ships sail full and over capacity. All three major cruising groups (Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Group) have told investors that sales in 2024 are way above any previous year,
And occupancy of their ships is already running at 109% capacity and above. For those of you not sure what that means, the capacity of a ship is measured based on the number of fixed beds, which on average is around double occupancy per cabin. But many cabins have sofa
Beds or beds that can be pulled from ceiling recesses for kids or friends to share cabins. As demand is high, they are overselling using “guaranteed fares”, which just guarantees a cabin grade not a specific cabin, on the assumption that people will drop out when
Final balance payment is due and again between then and departure and they can take everyone. All the affected cruisers who are being bumped off cruises have been booking guaranteed fare cabins. Knowing this is an issue for 2024 what can you do to manage your risk? First, consider booking the slightly higher fare
Where you choose a specific cabin so you know you will be on the sailing. Second if you have booked a guaranteed fare, check in as early as possible when it opens online as that often triggers the cabin allocation process.
There is another huge implication of demand being high and ships sailing fuller than ever. Fares. If you’ve not booked a 2024 cruise yet, you are likely to be paying more than those that have, and you will find it harder to get closer to departure deals.
Cruise lines use dynamic pricing. This means as the ship fills up, the prices increase. So unlike in previous years, holding out and booking late probably will not mean lower or deep deals. I do have some suggestions on how to deal with this if you’re still looking to book in 2024.
First, the highest demand and where ships are sailing fullest are in the Caribbean and Alaska, regions popular and handy for USA cruisers. You may find it harder to get deals here. However, I have seen cruise line leaders asking travel agents to push Europe,
Both the Mediterranean and Northern Europe as North American tourists seem to be steering clear of booking 2024 here due to the ongoing and uncertain situation between Russia and Ukraine, and in the Middle East. There will be more deals.
Second, the biggest opportunity in 2024 for deals will be when final balance payment is due, so if you want to cruise at shorter notice then be ready 60 or 90 days before sailing. The point when cruise lines know who has dropped out and what capacity they must fill.
I’ve noticed a lot of activity around that time, particularly with short flash sales, often advertised to their mailing list and on social media. But if you got this route move fast. I’ve had several people contact me booking for cruises in 2024,
Seeing those deals and taking time to think about it overnight and it was gone by the next day. Demand is high and deals go faster than ever it seems. But high demand and ships sailing full and over capacity is not all the cruise lines
Are telling investors they are doing. This next one will also hit us harder this year. All lines have said they are working hard to increase the amount of money we spend on board. Norwegian for example, say they’ve already got passengers on average to
Spend up to 15% more versus 2019 and see scope to grow that more. What I found fascinating and telling is they also told investors that the main way they get us to spend more is through packages. They say passengers that buy
Packages are spending more than people that don’t and who pay ad-hoc on board. I’ve often in past videos said that whenever the cruise line introduces anything, I assume that it’s there to make them more money. So, all those packages like Celebrity “Always Included”, Holland America “Have It All”,
Princess Plus, Norwegian “Free at Sea” all make us on average spend more than if we did not buy them. But so do the drinks packages, dining packages, excursion packages and so on. So, my suggestion in 2024 is when looking at the packages,
Don’t assume you’re getting a savings versus what you would spend if you were buying ad-hoc. I know that I will tend to spend more as without a package I won’t go to as many speciality dining, have as many drinks or use as much Wi-fi or whatever.
Try and cost it out. For example, use the drinks package calculators on sites like Cruzely.com and CruiseMummy.co.uk that by cruise line, you can input the drink amounts you think you will have and, it’ll tell you whether it’s worth buying a package or not. Look at the excursion options and do comparisons of excursions
Options. I talk about those and how to do that in recent videos on the topic. Remember the lines are working to get us to spend more on board than in past years, so be ready for that. But talking about on board there is a massive
Change that I don’t think most passengers have realised is coming. It is one thing I have noticed and is affecting the way that I choose cruise lines. The lines have told investors they are focusing on attracting new-to-cruise travellers, increasing their marketing spend to attract them and looking to
Cater more for a changing type of cruise passenger. In practice at the expense of their traditional ones on some lines. For example, a few weeks back I spotted ads by Holland America pushing their kids and family fares. A line that
Used to be seen and was catering for a more traditional, older couple cruiser. On my last Holland America trip, over Christmas, there were 400 kids and teens. Totally changing the dynamic of the line. My Princess cruise in Alaska last summer was full of families versus historic also couples and older crowd.
As 2024 rolls on, you may find a different and evolving vibe and mix from lines you think you know. Many lines have been launching different classes and styles of ships and working to attract different cruise passengers for them and this will start to affect your cruises this year.
For example, Celebrity Edge Class ships (Edge, Apex, Beyond and Ascent) are very different ships, experience and are attracting a different passenger. I found it’s almost like going on a different cruise line compared to sailing on their Solstice or Millennium class ships – as are the guests.
So, as you plan what lines to use in 2024 and beyond take time to check and reflect if the line is still as relevant to your needs, or if you should be looking elsewhere to get that. But there is some good news wrapped up within all of this in the next issue.
The cruise lines have still committed to investors to add capacity in 2024, which means nine new ocean cruise ships for us to try this year. And the good news is it looks like the delays and disruptions we saw the last two years where most new ship launches had to be pushed back,
From what the lines are telling investors, these are expected to happen on schedule. Though looking at the line-up, one disappointing thing stuck me is that almost all continue the trend by lines to go bigger and bigger. And most are adding family focused features and activities. In 2024 there is Royal Caribbean’s Icon of
The Sea with 7,600 passengers and Utopia of the Seas carrying 6,700. Princess Cruises is launching Sun Princess. It’s a 4,000-passenger ship and a new class called the Sphere Class with a big family focus. It’s introducing a thing called Park Nine,
Sea Breeze Ride, rope courses, ship within a ship. So, it’s changing and evolving Princess. Disney Treasure also has 4,000 passengers. Silversea is launching their second of their Silver Nova class with Silver Ray. Again, it’s more passengers than any of their other ultra-luxury ships carrying 728.
Even the luxury line Viking Cruises is launching a bigger ship called Viking Vela now carry 998 passengers instead of that usual round about 900. Cunard are also launching a bigger ship with Queen Anne carrying 3,000 passengers. The other two ships are a second ship for Explorer Journeys with Explorer II,
And Ritz Carlton are launching their second ship, Ilma. Yes, in 2024 ships are getting bigger and bigger. But, to avoid one of the big mistakes I saw cruisers make last year, join me over in this video looking at how to make sure what you do
In port this year does not ruin your cruise. See you over there.
After listening to what cruise lines are telling investors they’re doing this year, I’m convinced that in 2024 we are going to be facing five new and unwelcome challenges. But I also have some suggestions on how to work around these and get ahead of them, including one solution that you may not even realise is possible.
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00:00 Start
00:35 Capacity Changes
04:50 On Board Changes
06:57 Experience Changes
08:49 New Ship Changes
39 Comments
Great information Gary. I had no idea they now over book by that amount 😳. In 2015/2016 I remember talking to some staff onboard RCCL who had said they always kept a few cabins free in case they had to swap people into them due to maintenance problems (toilets and aircon probably), I wonder how this is dealt with on a fully booked ship if they are at full capacity or do they still do this but full capacity always includes a few spare cabins? We have had to swap cabins before due to issues but there was always somewhere to move too apart from one MSC and we just had to put up with something loose rattling behind the front fascia on a wall (was like a dripping tap).
Inflationcalculator: $100 in 2019 is worth $120.10 in 2023, so they have increased with 15% sales onboard, but lost in value.
I think I'll give cruising a miss in 2024 if it's going to be more expensive and more "family-friendly." Listening to hoardes of badly behaved brats shreik and cry and paying a small fortune for the privilege is not my idea of a holiday. All-inclusive adults-only resorts, here I come!
please hold your hands stilll , not waving around like you're swatting a fly…very dustracting!
Please put your arms away. Appreciate all of your info thanks
I am using the Free at Sea on NCL for my next cruise which works out at £22 a day each. As someone who does drink alcohol I know I will be up on this amount, so for me it makes sense. That is before you added in the dining, wifi etc. Horses for course but as you say worth checking if each package is worth it for you. Only once ever had a guaranteed cabin and that was because of a mistake at the agents when booking. At the time it actually worked out better but given what you say not perhaps a risk worth taking.
Have Cruisers whined and complained this much in the past ?
Or has it just been the past few years ?
6 ships in my next port of Cruising we are on the smallest one and thats where I will be !
Not surprised at these developments. The cruise lines lost a lot of money during the pandemic, so of course they're going to do their best to maximize revenues. Unfortunately, we all know that these changes will be permanent. The "good old days" are pretty much gone for good. Your tip about looking to Europe makes a lot of sense. Families with kids want beaches and rides. I'm on a HAL Caribbean cruise in a couple of weeks, and it might be my last for that part of the world. I think the Mediterranean and Western Europe is going to be on my radar for 2025 and beyond.
I am sorry but this is not true. If there have been so many people canceled at the port on boarding day you would be hearing about it on all the different social media platforms. Cruise lines do not intentionally overbook like airlines do. The recent issue was said to be due to them needing additional cabins for crew. This may have had nothing to do with overbooking. Also all other reports of canceled cruises were before sailing day and many of those were due to IT issues with the booking software. Until I see multiple actual experiences of individuals being denied boarding on embarkation day I will book a guarantee if it is a good deal. Also the people who were recently denied boarding were very well compensated.
I’ve been cruising for many years and lucky to have cruised with my parents. I’ve always loved cruising……………until recently! It’s been such a crap shoot with way too many people on board! We are slowing down and possibly moving to river cruising or higher end cruise lines!
Great and insightful video, thanks. So for solo cruisers like me these are not the best of news I guess?
Whats going on is people not wanting to pay 200 extra for pick your own cabin. I always have a room number the day i buy or finance cruise
Solo cruiseing
Very interesting insights as always.
Depends what you want on drinks packages!
For me, it's worth it and it's much, much better than going to an all inclusive *** star resort; those resorts are overpriced and don't offer much (ex: SECRETS MOXHE – Mayan Riviera)
Forget the ships the port experience is going to be abysmal with that kind of capacity. I can't imagine the impact four 6,000 capacity ships would do to a port like Juneau. They don't have enough helicopters, uber drivers and McDonalds to handle that. I believe we are still seeing the post-covid surge. Two years from now it will be a different story as we cycle through the bodies until it gets out of their system. I'm sure those mega mega ships will stalk the Caribbean.
The best way to avoid these problems is to not go on cruises.
The possibility of being bumped is alarming. It's different than floghts because of the number of flights andich lower cost but a cruise is a whole vacation planned aroind a specific time. Cruise lones absolutely should not be allowed to do this. People book far in advance and there are deposits to protect cruiselines from no shows.
Cruising for 40 years. I’m Done. Beautiful places for adults only on land!!!
I got bumped off SEADREAM 2 from an itinerary i especially wanted because it was resold as a chartered week. It’s put me off that company!
Oh bloody L! Holland America wants more kids? Ugh!!!
I love the whirlpool suite on MSC. We're going February 4-11. I'd like to book 2 whirlpool suites on the same ship for next Dec 8-15. Should I call and book now or go to the Future Cruise desk on the ship when we get there? My husband and I take no packages but my son and his fiancé want the premium drink and wifi package.
$1800 for an interior cabin on the Icon OTS? I don't think so….
The thought of turning up to an oversold ship is an absolute nightmare – I didn't even realise cruise lines were doing this! What an awful practice, especially when it means some people turn up and can't get on their holiday!
While cruising last year, I did actually find it more difficult as the year went on to not pay for more things while on the ships – a clear change that's really come in over the last year or so!
15% since 2019 is less than inflation though… depends if they mean in actual $ or in real terms…
Thanks Gary for the info!
Another thing that is happening is that cruiselines are starting to charge SOLO passengers MORE than just the double occupancy fee. They don't want solo passengeers as that lowers the onboard spendings. Royal and Celebrity is out first with this. We can probalby expect this from the other companies as well.
Gary, your videos have been a great help to us. Thanks.
I'm still seeing a mixed bag in the cruises I am considering of voyages where there is a surcharge to choose a specific cabin versus ones where guaranteed category and choose your own cabin are at the same price. That's on both Princess and on Holland America. Trying to figure out a pattern to explain how/why both companies switch back and forth from surcharge to no surcharge. I was looking this month for 2024 sailings.
I haven't gone on a cruise since the pandemic. My last one was a solo, aboard the now-defunct Majesty of the Seas, a "small" ship that RCL sold for scrapping. The cruise was so cheap that I was able to snag a cabin for a tad above my $100 a night cap. It was terrific. With all of the increased charges and reduced services, I think my cruising days are gone. Now, if I want an ocean view, I drive five miles to the beach.
We just returned from two weeks on P&O Arvia for Christmas and New Year. Arvia isn’t for us and won’t go back, far too many people and not enough staff or space.
Thanks!
I'm surprised they're focusing more on families. I thought things like the solo cabins would be more the focus. Many of the people with disposable income nowadays are single or married millennials who opted not to have kids.
If anyone is from the UK, I can't recommend a site called 'Planet Cruise' enough so far.
We're going on our first cruise 11-21st March Japan to S.Korea on NCL Jewel, inside Cabin, free at sea package, including 2 nights stay at Keio Plaza hotel in Tokyo before the cruise, 2 nights stay at Novotel Ambasador hotel in Seoul plus transfers to/from the Airports and ports. Flying from London.
Total the holiday is costing £6374.40 ($8,134.59), this is also including the prepaid gratuity. We added a couple shore excurions to use some of the $50/1st gust credit but mostly doing our own thing on ports
This makes sad viewing. Its been coming drip by drip over the last couple of years. The giant cruise companies are extorting more money from our pockets and giving people less for their money. Encouraging a "larger demographic of clientele" will ruin what was once a luxury indulgent way of holidaying. I will now look for alternative luxury holidays.
I really enjoy your videos. Thank you for the great info! I would like to see you check out the new Explora Journeys cruise line as my wife and I are interested in them.
ALready have 2 booked on Celebrity for this year and 1 on Royal for January 2025. Hoping to get one more for this fall. But it will be for me as a solo. Any ideas for good solo traveller? Still NCL? Celebrity is like 3x more expensive as a single traveler.
I am a sort-of first time cruiser. My partner is a never-cruiser, however I am finally dragging him onto Cunard in march for a short cruise. Having told Cunard this, the amount of gay-friendly comms I have had from Cunard is amazing. I can honestly saying they are trying to make us regulars!
I just heard that Royal Caribbean is going to be building a smaller ship this year, yay! I think they might’ve been listening to all of the cruisers that wanted a cruise that wasn’t a floating circus😊
I don't understand how people can think that an entire industry can shut down cold sober for years on end and expect it to bounce back to pre covid conditions, or better, especially in a global inflationary environment. I live in Australia, and our cruuse industry was closed for probably the most time out of any of them. I've been on 5 cruises since they resumed. The last one was from England to Norway and back on P&O UK. I'm just thankful to be cruising at all at this point, and I'm happy to pay extra, even if that means some of the services are reduced, changed, cancelled or cost more.