Cruises rates for 2014 “are” climbing. Each new offer is proving it !

So many folks have taken advantage of the many sales, for 2014 sailing, offered by the cruise lines, even before August 2013.  They seem to be truly getting the lowest rates with the change of each sale.

In just looking at Carnival, I can see the price increase.

I bought a cruise for myself, for the Splendor, December 19, 2014, for an 8N out of NY.  With their Guest Appreciation Sale, I could purchase an inside for $ 529 and upgrade to the Lido (pool deck).  Today, they have a Guest Appreciation Sale and a Guest Appreciation Sale with up to $160 per cabin Shore Excursion credit.  The price now for the GAS is $20 pp more than I paid.  And the GAS with Shore Excursion credit is $60 pp more and I would only receive $ 80 Shore Excursion cabin credit.  Either way, that’s a $20 pp increase.  

May seem low now, but in 8 months, I expect this cruise to increase $300 pp at least !  Just like I bought a 10N Royal Caribbean for December 14.  Before the inside cabin sold out, it had increased over $300 pp, and I only bought this 6 months prior to sailing.  Sure, probably when the pricing first came out, it was $499 like mine, and then when they offered a sale, 6 months prior, it may have been the same !  Either way, its "timing" and will you be there "if" you will be watching when that price takes a dip !

Another sail date, Halloween 2014,I have a group on the Carnival Sunshine.  The pricing today, from

2 months ago, is $50-100 pp more, depending on “which” current Carnival promotion you compare it to.

Don’t be fooled into thinking, “there will be another sale.” You’re right, another sale is usually offered right after the last one.  And yes, maybe it’s only $20 pp higher.  But if you let 5 of these sales pass, that could mean $100 pp higher, like in some of these Carnival sailings !

Or maybe the price will come back down, further down the road.  As mentioned, will you be watching at the right time ?  It's better to buy low rates up front !  Then watch the sailing !  And you have the better cabin for doing so !