Celebrity is weaker but overall, not much change in trends. We’re still cautious heading into Wave season.
- Caribbean pricing did not move much. Getaway is getting a good premium ahead of its inaugural Caribbean voyages in February 2014.
- Celebrity exhibited pricing weakness across most regions, probably as a tactic in response to the negative publicity stemming from the Celebrity Millennium troubles in Alaska. It remains to be seen whether this is a temporary setback for RCL’s premium brand, which has had a great year. Meanwhile, the RC brand showed strength in its close-in FY 2013 European pricing.
- Costa's 2014 pricing remains steady
Here are some observations from our proprietary pricing survey of >12,000 itineraries. We analyze YoY trends, as well as relative trends, which are determined by pricing compared to the last earnings/guidance date for a cruise operator i.e. CCL: 6/25; RCL: 7/25; NCLH: 7/29.
CCL
Caribbean
- FQ4 close-in pricing remained weak, though it is slightly better than a month ago. FQ1 2014 pricing was moderately lower YoY and FQ2 2014 pricing was flat. Relative trend is stable.
Europe
- Costa’s close-in FQ4 pricing of mid-to-upper teens growth continued through August. Early 2014 Costa pricing trend is slightly positive.
- Cunard’s FQ1 pricing is down double digits YoY. Pricing trend remains negative.
- The new ship, Royal Princess, had some discounting for its FQ2 2014 itineraries, relative to July
- AIDA pricing was mixed with Scandinavia/Red Sea itinerary was doing a little better than Western Europe/Eastern Med
Alaska
- Holland America pricing finally turned around in Alaska, up nicely YoY in FQ2 2014 and FQ3 2014
Asia, Mexico, & South America
- Asia
- Costa’s and Holland America’s FQ1 2014 pricing trend was flat. Princess’s pricing for its sparse itineraries was slightly positive.
- Mexico
- Carnival pricing was down 14% YoY in FQ4, -3% in FQ1 and flat in FQ2
- Holland America’s pricing trend was flat, while Princess pricing trend was moderately positive
- South America
- Costa’s and Holland America’s pricing trend was flat, while Princess’s pricing trend was slightly positive
RCL
Caribbean
- RC brand: YoY pricing for FQ4 and FQ1 were similar to the last pricing update in early August. FQ2 pricing was roughly flat.
- Celebrity: pricing worsened YoY in FQ4 and FQ1. Trend was slightly negative.
- Pullmantur: flat pricing trend
Europe
- RC brand: FQ4 close-in pricing was very strong but FQ2 2014 pricing was moderately lower YoY
- Celebrity: FQ2 2014 pricing is down substantially and trend was negative.
- Pullmantur: close-in pricing trend was slightly positive
Alaska
- Celebrity YoY pricing was 12% lower for F2Q 2014.
Asia and South America
- Asia
- RC brand, Celebrity, and Azamara pricing were all slightly positive for FQ1-FQ2 2014.
- South America
- Positive RC brand pricing offset by lower Celebrity pricing in 2014
NCLH
Caribbean
- Close-in pricing was a little better than that seen in early August. FQ1/FQ2 pricing was up slightly.
- Very close-in Breakaway pricing was slightly higher while early FQ 2014 pricing was slightly negative.
- Getaway pricing had a nice 5% uptick in its pricing since early August. It is commanding a 50% premium to Epic and a 10% premium to Sun.
Europe/Hawaii
- Flat pricing trend across all durations.