The true cost of cruising

[jtdlmc]

While I agree cruising is a very good value for your dollar, I would put up an AI against it too.

 

The cruise we are going on in March, would cost(I had points to get it comped) $1,045 and then add in air, $800, hotel(night before and assuming it had a free shuttle) $100, lunch/dinner the day/night before, $50-$100, transfers back to airport, $30, trip insurance(if wanted) $150-$200and you are at about $2300.

 

We stayed in a 3-4 star hotel in Cancun last year for $2475(hotel, air, transfers, trip insurance). That included all food and drinks(alcoholic and non-alcoholic), non-waterized motorsports, snorkeling, etc.

 

Now, I know you can take cruises for much less, if you go in the off season, and you can also go to AI's for much less, if you downgrade some.

 

I personally favor the AI over a cruise, mostly because I feel much more relaxed and not as rushed, always watching a clock. What I do enjoy about the cruise is the variety of entertainment and all the ports. Really, they are two different creatures with pros and cons for each.

 

I agree with you on this. After I added up the cost of the cruise, air fare, pre and post hotels, a rough, probably very low ball guess as to our final S&S account, it came close to $5300 for the four of us. That doesn't include excursions which I'm sure will be another $1000 or more! We always book AIs last minute and therefore get a rock bottom deal. Doing it that way we could go to a 5* AI for half the price of this cruise, but since finding out about the more relaxed dress code and dining times (YTD) we decided to try a cruise this time. We also think it will be nice to be able to experience four different countries in one week. Yes, we could do our cruise cheaper - inside room (we have a balcony), drink less, no excursions, etc. but those are things we want to do on our vacation.

[marshhawk]

Hubby and I often talk about doing land vacations again, we love Cedar Key(north west Fl) and Sanibel (south west Florida) even off season, and cruising is still the better option. If we can spend each day at the beach on shore excursions, and being entertained and fed the rest of the time. We don't have to "drive" any place once we get "there", and we can relax until our time is up on the ship.

 

I can take two cruises for what one land vacation costs.

And hubby doesn't care where we go as long as we end up on the beach each day. That's not too hard.

[papilliontraveler]

Hubby and I often talk about doing land vacations again, we love Cedar Key(north west Fl) and Sanibel (south west Florida) even off season, and cruising is still the better option. If we can spend each day at the beach on shore excursions, and being entertained and fed the rest of the time. We don't have to "drive" any place once we get "there", and we can relax until our time is up on the ship.

 

I can take two cruises for what one land vacation costs.

And hubby doesn't care where we go as long as we end up on the beach each day. That's not too hard.

 

I see you are close enough to drive to those locations you mention. I don't know that I would want to have to drive to my destination. I prefer flying.

 

I am talking more about going to AI's in Cancun, Aruba, etc., not somewhere I have to drive.

We like the idea of having at beach at our disposal 24/7(our hotels are always located on the beach), unlimited food, drinks and entertainment. Nothing better than getting up in the morning and taking a stroll on the beach.

 

Like I stated earlier, I am very curious to see how well we still like cruising in comparison to the AI's.

 

Bottom line for us though, we just love to travel, so we are not real picky as to whether it is on land, sea, etc.

[waterwatcher]

As most are optional for the cruiser it makes sense to pay only for the service that you use. Most of those listed do not bother me as I do not use them.

 

It does keep the basic cruise rate low and that is what is important to me.

 

 

I totally agree with you. Spend only what you want as far as extras and cruise at a reasonable cost.

[stewpapa]

I don't get why folks get all worked up about going on the newest and biggest ship. The smaller and older the better for us. Prices are lower.....less people.....same or better service, entertainment and food. We also don't use many of the "fee" services mentioned by the OP.

The Ecstasy is smaller and better to us....even tho Galveston is thought of as an expensive port. The only time we part with Galveston is to go to new ports and we come out about even as Florida is cheaper anyway. The new large ships coming to Galveston, should bring lower prices on the older ones. Good for us. The cheaper we can book, the more we can cruise. Book early and often!

[Tbay-eh]

Both AI and cruising have their advantages and disadvantages - living in Northern Ontario we have done both.

 

Cruising Advantages - variety of and awesome food - buffet varies - different ports - beautiful sailing - can meet people on Rollcalls and made many lifelong friends - casino - great entertainment - can sail around bad weather.

Disadvantages - AIR FARE (a killer for us) and flights have multiple stops and must fly in day early and pay for hotel - charged for liquor and sodas - games and jokes same as 10 years ago - small cabins - chair hogs - pay to get to a beach

 

AI Advantages - includes airfare and usually direct - huge rooms - stocked fridges (beer and sodas) mini bar has 26ers of liquor in room plus free anywhere on compound also includes wine - multiple dining options (steakhouses etc) free - swim up bars - usually located on pristine beaches with waiters walking around - tips are included in price (other than tipping waiters etc)

Disadvantages - buffet is same every day - in same area for whole time - entertainment not as great - if raining or bad weather no chance of getting out of

 

I love both and we switch it around - have b2b Freedom in February booked. Overall for us an AI is cheaper but love cruising

[Honeyroastedmelnut]

My DH and I were looking into going back to the AI where we spent our honeymoon. On a whim I decided to check out cruise prices (DH has never cruised and I only cruised before as a kid).

For us, a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise was way cheaper than the AI. I figured out for what we would have paid for just 6 nights at the AI, we will get the 7 night cruise, plus all the excursions we want and plenty of shopping/drinks/pictures/gambling money to play with. Granted we live in FL so we "save" even more becuase we can drive to the port on embarkation day and not have to buy plane tickets and fly to the AI.

[dan40]

I don't get why folks get all worked up about going on the newest and biggest ship. The smaller and older the better for us. Prices are lower.....less people.....same or better service, entertainment and food. We also don't use many of the "fee" services mentioned by the OP.

The Ecstasy is smaller and better to us....even tho Galveston is thought of as an expensive port. The only time we part with Galveston is to go to new ports and we come out about even as Florida is cheaper anyway. The new large ships coming to Galveston, should bring lower prices on the older ones. Good for us. The cheaper we can book, the more we can cruise. Book early and often!

 

 

There are very few longer sailings on the older ships and almost no sailings to the more remote ports. I'd happily cruise the smaller older ships if they did more than 3 n 4 day cruises to the same ol same ol.

[madgally]

Dollar for dollar cruise vacations remain one of the best value for travelers, despite a slew of additional fees.

 

The cruise lines may have not increased their fares, but they have been building more expensive ships filled with more amenities, more activities and more options, some of them unheard of a decade ago. And many of these optional amenities and features come at a cost to the consumer. Below (in no particular order) is a list of some ways cruise lines have come up with to generate on board revenue.

 

Pictures - Shore excursions – Alcoholic Beverages – Non Alcoholic Beverages - Casinos - Specialty coffee drinks, pastries and ice creams – Spa services – Flower Sales – Photography - Food/wine tasting - Upscale dining options – Internet - Ship to shore communications - Laundry service - On board shops - Cruise sponsored shopping – Bingo - Medical services - Mandatory tipping – Airline bookings – Transfers - Art auctions - Corkage fees - On board activities (wave rider, zip lines, etc.) - Behind the scenes tours - Specialized fitness classes

 

Have I missed any? And, in the future, what amenities do you think the cruise lines will add or charge for to keep the basic fares low?

 

 

You get more money for your dollar at an all inclusive resort then you would on a cruise. All Drinks for one thing and water sports (non motorized), transportation to and from the airport, much more dining choices and no extra cost, full tips and more. Cruises are great do not get me wrong but for the $ you get alot more at a resort (of course it depends on the resort but I'm talking 4 start ones).

[WinnipegCruiser]

You get more money for your dollar at an all inclusive resort then you would on a cruise. All Drinks for one thing and water sports (non motorized), transportation to and from the airport, much more dining choices and no extra cost, full tips and more. Cruises are great do not get me wrong but for the $ you get alot more at a resort (of course it depends on the resort but I'm talking 4 start ones).

 

YOU ARE CORRECT! All of the super all inclusive Sandals resorts I have been to have all that you mention, and they are fantastic.... however they are almost double the price.

 

AND when you wake up at the Sandals resort.... you are still at the exact same Sandals resort you went to sleep at.

[dan40]

AI's

Day 2 Been there done that.

Day 3 Really been there done that.

Day 4 Boring,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[blindrid]

This is a copy and paste of the same thread you started on the general boards .. any reason for a new thread??

 

Since its generic and some applies more to Carnival, some not at all ... maybe it could be made more Carnival specific .... Carnival is not offering as many fee venues as some others.

 

I think CCL is no different as they are all pretty much the same.

 

With airline costs increasing, I have to figure out if the real cost is a true value like it once was. For those that don't have to fly, I would still agree. But flying into warm weather ports in the winter time, they can sure kill any perceived value.

 

I know some land based vacations can be achieved that truly compare but I'm still partial to a ship, water, sand and beer. I can achieve three of the four though.....

[ThisFemmeKat]

There was a special on t.v. not long ago about how cruise lines make their $$ -- they are very dependent on alcohol sells, gambling, and then photo sells!! Hmmm, they must hate to see me book!! Next was the specialty dining and excursions. Hmmm, they still hate my booking!!

 

 

They definitely dont like me either.. Neither I nor my girlfriend drink at all. I dont even drink soda. If i go to the casino I spend maybe 100 the whole week between both of us.. i have only bought 2 photos over my cruises.. because i dont need 8 x 10's of everything.. i do not eat in the specialty places.. i love the MDR and dont expect to pay for food on a cruise.. and I never book excursions.. I work something out once in port and always get a much better deal that way. so for my cabin they dont make too much of the extra.. but I do always invite friends and family and they do drink some.. but not to the extent of some passengers I have seen. lol :eek: