Hi!

Long time no post. Since our 2007 Alaska cruise, we spent 10 days in Slovenia/Austria in 2008, and last month spent 12 days in Ireland celebrating Guinness's 250th birthday, and our friend's 40th birthday simultaneously. Now, it's time to plan for next year's vacation!

We were thinking we'd do lower key - drive up to Utah and see Bryce Canyon/Zion National Park, and all the gorgeousness up there - lots of hiking, etc. But, Regent is still being mean and mailing us lots of glossy brochures with prices that keep dropping. And my browser seems to have some kind of malfunction where it goes to rssc.com and luxurycruisetalk.com at random times (strangely it seems to be right after frustrating or boring meetings at work...) So, I started thinking maybe we'd do a short (5-7 day) cruise in addition to the Utah trip. Then, my mind wandered and I figured, why not put Utah off til 2011, and do a longer (10/11 day) cruise next year?

Well, then there's that pesky work (that is so annoying!). Next year I'll be a subcommittee chair for a conference, which will involve a total of 5 meetings, and 2 other deadlines I need to be available for, that's going to seriously limit the dates we can travel. So, that makes 2011 make more sense than 2010.

But, will the prices be so good for 2011? I mean 50% off - $1000 makes some of those cruises look pretty good...

What do you guys who have been watching prices for more years than I have think? Any chance of these good deals in 2011? Or, should we bite the bullet and find a cruise that fits our schedule next year, even though it might not be our first choice of location or dates thanks to work commitments?

I know no one knows the future, I'm just looking for your thoughts...

:)
Liz

I think prices may go up in 2011, especially if the economy improves

concur w/judge coffe cup

I concur, as well, Liz! Prices going to be wicked when they get going up again! I'm only taking a nice long 14 day cruise on Mariner this fall because the prices fell so low, one that I had already canceled previously. Now it is on waitlist because of demand at those prices. Get them while you can is my take on it. If you are with BK, they will try to get you any reduction that comes out after you book, but before the cruise.

Book now, Liz. If you cancel before penalty face, you loose very little, if anything.

I follow my wise travel agent's advice (her name begins with an N) to book early so that you get the cabin and cruise that you want.

In fact, Alan and I just added Sydney to San Francisco on the Navigator for 2010. Too good to pass up.

One more edit, if you can go, don't put trips off. Who knows what can happen during the year that you wait. People get sick, bad things happen, go while you can.

I totally agree with Donna - this is our philosophy - absolutely don't put it off. The events of 9/11 made us want to travel as if tomorrow were our last day, and I can't tell you how glad I am we are doing just that. And the way I see it, the world "ain't gettin' any better", so do it now! :)

I'll add to the chorus. Book something for 2010 NOW. You can always cancel once 2011 prices start appearing, and if they stay low, all you have to worry about is transferring your deposit.

I, too, think prices may rise after 2010.

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Eugene

I too would say there's nothing bad about booking for 2010, then switching the booking when the 2011 prices and itineraries come out. Only downside is that you can't get emotionally invested in the 2010 cruise until you know (I tend to get attached to my upcoming cruises.)

If the world economy does *not* improve, all bets are off anyways. If this happens, we will have cruise lines going bankrupt or mothballing parts of their fleet.

Geez - I wish you guys could come to a consensus and stop giving me such conflicting advice. ;)

Ok, ok. So, this morning I sent an email to this travel agency I heard about on a cool luxury cruise message board. Hopefully they get back to us soon and we can get this booking started!!!!

We're looking at one of the black sea cruises - or maybe a caribbean, but probably black sea.

I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions if we do this booking, so get used to seeing me!

:)
Liz