Prices have fallen this year on most cruises to the Caribbean, but one ship -- the new Oasis of the Seas -- is raising rates, says Mike Driscoll, editor of Cruiseweek, a cruise industry newsletter.
Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world -- with 16 decks to carry at least 5,400 passengers in 2,700 cabins -- arrives in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in November 2009. Cruises to the Caribbean begin in December.
As the delivery date draws near, Oasis' pricing continues to rise, reports Driscoll. Now Oasis is an anomaly: a high-priced big ship in the Caribbean.
From research through travel agents by Driscoll:
When Royal Caribbean began accepting bookings in August 2008 for a 7-night cruise February 20, 2010, Oasis inside cabins were priced at $999 per person for two people, outsides at $1,209, balconies $1,329, Junior Suites $2,179, and Crown Lofts $4,229.
This month, says Driscoll, inside cabins on that cruise have climbed by $250 to $1,249, outsides by $100 to $1,309, balconies by $70 to $1,399. Junior Suites are up $1,000 to $3,179, Crown Lofts up $900 to $5,129.
Looking ahead a few months, prices in August 2009 for a June 12, 2010, departure on a 7-night cruise were $1,299 for inside, $1,529 for outside, $1,679 for balcony, $2,899 for Junior Suite, and $5,679 for Crown Loft.
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