Are consumers aware of the current “competitive war” among the cruise lines for 2014. January Vacation Planners may just miss the boat on 2014 early bird opporunities

It’s natural for folks to fall into the same routine in much of everything we do.  Whether it’s, eating at the same restaurant each day or week, ordering the same meal, shopping at the same stores, etc. 

 

It’s the same with cruise buying.  Consumers tend to venture on the same cruise line each year, and even the same destination.

 

Though it’s easy to get comfortable in being drawn to the same product each vacation year, there’s much more available for cruisers to experience !  Whether it’s another cruise line or a different destination.

 

Why change something that’s not broken ?  But “what if”, there’s more value for your vacation dollar ?

 

Years back, when I first begin cruising in 1986, the local agency put me on the same ship, from cruise 2-8.  I would keep seeing other ships, as I sailed, such as Royal Caribbean. I just figured, since the agent never mentioned another, it must be out of my price range.  The cruise line I was cruising, no longer exists today.  Anyway, after that 8th cruise, I decided to come back and do my homework.  It was $100 per person difference for the whole week. Of course, that's when I decided to join Cruises Inc, so I could stay abreast of the cruise market, in the future. 

 

Value falls at different levels for everyone.  Whether it’s up front cost, over-all cost, complimentary/exclusive amenities, experience, culture, history, sites, adventure, culinary, meeting new people and making new friends, etc.

 

Though it’s always actually been there, right now, for 2014 sailings (and Holidays, 2013), many of the cruises lines and even River Cruises, are aggressively participation in what seems to be, a “competitive war”, in winning consumers business.  And though Internet advertising and marketing hoopla, have folks focusing more on, which Internet company “might” (don’t take that word lightly) have the better price, cruisers ought to be taking a closer look at the “product and perk” completion between the cruise lines !

 

 

 

Here’s a few opportunities. Note, many have around the corner deadlines !

 

Celebrity Cruise Line “Holiday” perks.  http://www.celebritycruises.com/genericHtmlTemplate.do?icid=hp_ab2_pckyrp_1308_spcl_timg_803744&pagename=pick_your_perk_holiday_promotion

 

Carnival Cruise Line & the “Holidays”.  http://www.carnival.com/bookingengine/sailingsearch/search2?dest=&bypass=t&rateCode=PD3&icid=CC_holiday-hmpg-b2_1627

 

Avalon Waterways, Europe 2014
http://www.avalonwaterways.com/Special-Offers/select-departures/

Carnival Group Leader 2014 offer.  Lower group rates & bonus on the 6th cabin.  Ends in two weeks !
 

Princess Cruises warm destination offer. 

http://www.princess.com/cruisedeals/endlesssummersale.jsp#.UjCODJ3D_IU

 

Princess 2014 in Alaska and Europe
http://www.princess.com/cruisedeals/threeforfree.jsp#.UjCOM53D_IV

 

Holland America destination offer.
http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/SpecialOffers.action?

 

Holland America, pick your perks offer.
http://www.hollandamerica.com/pageByName/Simple.action?requestPage=explore4

Celebrity Cruises 2014 Alaska, Drinks & Gratuities offer.
http://www.celebritycruises.com/genericHtmlTemplate.do?icid=hp_cr5_lskcrs_1308_dtak_lk_581021&pagename=cruisetours_offer

 

Celebrity Cruises, pick your own perks offer.
http://www.celebritycruises.com/genericHtmlTemplate.do?icid=spe_cr1_pckyrp_1308_spcl_lk_759694&pagename=pick_your_perk_promotion

 

Royal Caribbean, 2014 Europe, complimentary Kids.
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithGallery.do?icid=kdstrf_tctclp_kds_hm_cntntr_1463&pagename=kids_tour_free_august_2013

 

Royal Caribbean, 2014 Europe offer.
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithGallery.do?icid=xtcbmr_tctclp_xtc_hm_cntntr_1250&pagename=europe_promo_august_2013

Royal Caribbean Exclusives (some ending tomorrow) - Once on page, scroll down to Royal Caribbean.
http://vwebb.cruisesinc.com/travel/admin/CMSTemplates/DisplayDraft.html?draft_display=true&edOid=536918334

 

Regency Seven Seas Cruise Line, a more inclusive style cruising.
http://www.rssc.com/default.aspx?s=msn&d=brand-regent&s_kwcid=TC-1026979-8078631524-be-933100935

 

 

 

Though it was back in 2010, when Travel Weekly first provided their new Official Cruise Guide www.CruiseLine4Me.com.

for consumers, it provided a nice little summary and even ranked the cruise lines by type.  For your enjoyment, go here: 

 

 

 

 

 

2014 is already promising to be a bigger cruising year than 2013.  Bookings are already bigger than the # of folks who cruised in 2013.  This years “January Vacation Planners” may just miss the boat on 2014 "early bird" of opportunities !