2009 Cruises 30% cheaper than last year.

CruiseDirect is reporting that cruises companies are reducing 2009 cruise prices by up to 30% for off peak sailings,iIn an attempt to lure price conscious cruisers to book early.

P&O Cruises will launch their 2009 Preview brochure on 21 April, unlike last year when each ship’s program was launched on a different day, will this year release stock in blocks of departures, over a six day period.

Nigel Esdale, Managing Director of P&O Cruises, said that the line had experimented this year, by cutting prices for departures which are traditionally slow to sell and this pricing policy would be extended. For some cruises the daily cost has been reduced to £70 instead of the usual £100.

Sharon Munro, Managing Director of Barrhead Travel says, ‘These are great deals as while cruise lines are cutting prices to lure the early booker, the prices at peak times have actually risen by 2-3% because there is a lull in cruising capacity in 2009. Ex UK, overall capacity increased by 40% this year but no major rise is planned for next year by the leading cruise lines in the UK market’