Replacing Cruising with All-Inclusive Land Vacation for now...

[NavyCruiser]

With 25+ cruises so far, Our family has truly enjoyed cruising over the years.

 

However, with all the latest changes (esp prices) over the years, we feel like cruising is not a great value it used to be.

 

When the kids were younger, both cruising & all-inclusive resorts were great in terms of fun & value.

Then the airlines got greedy & airfares were extremely high, cruising was a great value.

 

Today, with lower oil prices & more competition, esp to Carib, Mexico & Bahamas region, flights & all-inclusive packages (esp with alcohol factored in) looks more attractive to us.

 

This next part is a personal thing. I used to love to go on a cruise vacation & light up a good cigar, relaxing on our balcony. Getting away from the politically correctness of home. No more. With no smoking on the balcony cabin policy onboard, it's better for me anyways to do the same on private beach at an AI resort.

 

Maybe the business model will change in the near future, & the cruise lines may make it a better VALUE for us to do more cruises...

[pseudoware]

Prohibiting smoking on balconies is not about "political correctness." It's about the right of all passengers to be able to breathe fresh air and not be forced to risk their health and endure the secondhand smoke of others. And it's about what the overwhelming majority of passengers want while in the privacy and comfort of their own cabins and balconies.

[cynicalscotsman]

Prohibiting smoking on balconies is not about "political correctness." It's about the right of all passengers to be able to breathe fresh air and not be forced to risk their health and endure the secondhand smoke of others. And it's about what the overwhelming majority of passengers want while in the privacy and comfort of their own cabins and balconies.

 

 

I think you missed the point.... Maybe re-read

[cruisefrost]

We too after 25 cruises and diamond plus have decided that cruising is no longer affordable.I have posted before about the lower level of service and the extra charges for for just about everything. I will miss the sea days but I'm not willing to pay an arm and a leg for it.

[Big_G]

We felt ourselves trapped in AI's so that's why we prefer cruising and still think it's a better value so far. If I want to light up a stick, I just go to the cigar bar or smoking area and enjoy but then I never smoked one on my balcony anyway. It's just too close to my neighbors.

[Paulette3028]

With 25+ cruises so far, Our family has truly enjoyed cruising over the years.

 

However, with all the latest changes (esp prices) over the years, we feel like cruising is not a great value it used to be.

 

When the kids were younger, both cruising & all-inclusive resorts were great in terms of fun & value.

Then the airlines got greedy & airfares were extremely high, cruising was a great value.

 

Today, with lower oil prices & more competition, esp to Carib, Mexico & Bahamas region, flights & all-inclusive packages (esp with alcohol factored in) looks more attractive to us.

 

This next part is a personal thing. I used to love to go on a cruise vacation & light up a good cigar, relaxing on our balcony. Getting away from the politically correctness of home. No more. With no smoking on the balcony cabin policy onboard, it's better for me anyways to do the same on private beach at an AI resort.

 

Maybe the business model will change in the near future, & the cruise lines may make it a better VALUE for us to do more cruises...

 

If cruising isn't for you any longer and AI land vacations make more sense -- so be it. Since you only have one cruise port very close -Galveston -- flying is going to be involved whether cruising or flying to an AI resort regardless of its location. Your personal desire for a 'smoke' on your cabin balcony, is your thing.....but I wonder how limited you will be at any AI as well.

 

I can go on a cruise without spending much on the 'add ons' to keep it reasonable....and good service by and large can still be gotten, just put on a happy demeanor and watch how good service flocks to you.....at least that has been our secret.....sour faces attract poor service, has been my lesson in life.....not accusing you of having a sour face -- just a generic comment -- because everyone complains that 'service is lacking'.

[lobstertan]

We too after 25 cruises and diamond plus have decided that cruising is no longer affordable.I have posted before about the lower level of service and the extra charges for for just about everything. I will miss the sea days but I'm not willing to pay an arm and a leg for it.

 

I totally agree, I can now book several AI family holidays at the price they are asking for myself and two teenagers on a two week cruise(both over 12 now :( and even though they would be sharing a cabin with me, they both are charged at full adult rate)

I miss waking in a different location each day but as i can have several holidays for the same price i can just vary where we spend them :)

[dplusd]

For us too, the value proposition for cruising is reaching a tipping point. Increasing costs with a declining product has caused us to rethink our vacation dollars. We still enjoy cruising enough that I don't want to cut it out completely. But this year we've replaced 1 week of cruising with another driving trip to National Parks. Both I enjoy!

[FSRoberts]

While what was said may have a grain of truth for the Caribbean, cruising still has the best prices for trips on many other itineraries, including Alaska, Mediterranean, Baltic, and New England itineraries.

 

The disappointing thing is rather than try to become creative with itineraries and options, the budget cruise lines are doubling down on short caribbean itineraries, exactly where those all inclusives are starting to win.

[Lexus1224]

May I ask where all of you are going when you do AI? I have yet to find anything comparable to cruising.

 

Thanks

[George C]

We love AI resorts not as much as cruising, we have done 15 or so AI and more than 50 cruises. last 3 years we did one of each, doing Sandals Whitehouse (Jamaica) in Thanksgiving weeks each year and also doing a spring cruise. Sandals has nice choice of restaurants with no charge for any of them, top shelf liquor , no children and no tipping and swim up bars which I love ( this resort also is all ocean view with balconies) . But in general still prefer cruising and will do 2 this year , love the entertainment on RCCL, all the music and the ice show etc .

[TheMastodon]

AI's are fun, and a good change of pace from cruising. I enjoy both equally!

 

Our land vacation of choice lately has been Atlantis - great beach, incredible casino, a golf course, solid food, and freedom to roam around.

 

I do miss smoking cigars on my balcony at night though on the cruise ship. Personally, I think it's more of a safety issue rather than offending others around you. In the past, I always asked my neighbors if they minded if I smoked cigars out there at night just in case. However, my last 3 cruises on Oasis/Allure I discovered the cigar area above the pool at night. It's great, and no one can complain about the delicious and wonderful smell of cigar smoke up there!

[Don Pedro]

AI's are fun, and a good change of pace from cruising. I enjoy both equally!

 

Our land vacation of choice lately has been Atlantis - great beach, incredible casino, a golf course, solid food, and freedom to roam around.

 

I do miss smoking cigars on my balcony at night though on the cruise ship. Personally, I think it's more of a safety issue rather than offending others around you. In the past, I always asked my neighbors if they minded if I smoked cigars out there at night just in case. However, my last 3 cruises on Oasis/Allure I discovered the cigar area above the pool at night. It's great, and no one can complain about the delicious and wonderful smell of cigar smoke up there!

 

Some people love the smell of a good cigar or the odor of excellent pipe tobacco. Others find it extremely offensive or harmful to their health, especially those with asthma or COPD.

[NavyCruiser]

There's plenty of hard-core cruise defenders & anti-smokers on here.

But you're missing the point.

I'm not complaining about the service, nor have a "sour face". We're very happy cruisers.

 

Just an observation that, for example:

The # of airlines flying out of Houston to vacation destinations south increased exponentially from just United (which stinks after they took over Continental), to new carriers from SouthWest, Spirit, AeroMexico, Viva, etc...

& United's monopoly prices (ave $550 to Cancun, for example) has also drastically dropped to the $200's with all the new competitors.

 

Whereas, the # of cruise ships going out of Galveston has remained the same, & the trend is higher overall prices.

 

Seeing lots of (lower) sale prices for flights+AI vacations in the coming months.

 

Just an observation...

[Paulette3028]

There's plenty of hard-core cruise defenders & anti-smokers on here.

But you're missing the point.

I'm not complaining about the service, nor have a "sour face". We're very happy cruisers.

 

Just an observation that, for example:

The # of airlines flying out of Houston to vacation destinations south increased exponentially from just United (which stinks after they took over Continental), to new carriers from SouthWest, Spirit, AeroMexico, Viva, etc...

& United's monopoly prices (ave $550 to Cancun, for example) has also drastically dropped to the $200's with all the new competitors.

 

Whereas, the # of cruise ships going out of Galveston has remained the same, & the trend is higher overall prices.

 

Seeing lots of (lower) sale prices for flights+AI vacations in the coming months.

 

Just an observation...

 

When you look at dropping airfares and combining a AI vacation vs the limitations of cruising from a nearby port.....when alternatives make more sense to cruising so be it --- and that is a cost decision, not a service decision.

[Debde]

I've been doing both for years. I've said for years here that AI's, doing your homework are a good value but no one believed me.:cool:

 

By the time I fly in a day early, book the hotel, spend money on excursions and anything I want to drink on a cruise-AI's give just as much value and choosing the correct one, just as much to do on and off site that is included.

 

Although not an AI but just returned from Atlantis also which is known for its expense. If done correctly, quite affordable and I did not cook one meal!! Yes, brought a few snacks from home but still found it to be a great time with a good value.[as many talk about going food shopping to cook to save money-no way in h@!! am I cooking on vacay!! lol]

[spammie]

With 25+ cruises so far, Our family has truly enjoyed cruising over the years.

 

However, with all the latest changes (esp prices) over the years, we feel like cruising is not a great value it used to be.

 

When the kids were younger, both cruising & all-inclusive resorts were great in terms of fun & value.

Then the airlines got greedy & airfares were extremely high, cruising was a great value.

 

Today, with lower oil prices & more competition, esp to Carib, Mexico & Bahamas region, flights & all-inclusive packages (esp with alcohol factored in) looks more attractive to us.

 

This next part is a personal thing. I used to love to go on a cruise vacation & light up a good cigar, relaxing on our balcony. Getting away from the politically correctness of home. No more. With no smoking on the balcony cabin policy onboard, it's better for me anyways to do the same on private beach at an AI resort.

 

Maybe the business model will change in the near future, & the cruise lines may make it a better VALUE for us to do more cruises...

 

I couldn't agree more! Three years ago I would have never considered not doing two cruises a year. We will be going on Freedom in a few weeks but that will probably be our last RCCL cruise. We have a cruise booked on Celebrity next March but it is costing us less for that cruise in a Conceirge Class balcony cabin which includes gratuities, free alcohol package and $300 OBC.

 

We will most likely be looking for all inclusive destinations in the future. Unfortunately the service and value with cruising is no longer there and I don't really think RCCL cares about keeping their loyal cruisers.

 

We have always enjoyed cruising and I was always the first one to recommend it to people I know as the best value out there. Unfortunately I can no longer agree with that. Makes me sad. :(

[bigque]

With us, we don't look at a cruise vs. AI resorts as which one is giving the best value, etc. When we are booking a cruise, we pick the cruise we want and plan expenses for everything we want to do including excursions, drinks (We don't drink a lot during a week just because we are on a cruise) flights, hotels, etc. It is the vacation we plan for at the time and we do it. We don't plan it with expectations that everything is going to be priced the same as it was yesterday, last month, last year or 5 years ago or the first time we cruised. Heck..nothing stays the same forever be it on a cruise or a at a AI resort, or Disney (Disney prices are high as H*ll, from when I use to take my kids) or airlines, restaurants, hotels, gas, and on and on!

We only cruise on average every other year so it never grows old on us and during the in between year we do other vacation things as there is so much other vacation things to do and see besides taking multiple cruises every year.

One thing about cruising to the various islands in the Caribbean that we like is having seen places that we would want to go back and spend a week at an AI on a couple of those islands but not because it is such a better deal than a cruise but just to do something different and spend some time at a place we enjoyed being at while on a cruise! :cool:

[American Bear]

We felt ourselves trapped in AI's so that's why we prefer cruising and still think it's a better value so far. If I want to light up a stick, I just go to the cigar bar or smoking area and enjoy but then I never smoked one on my balcony anyway. It's just too close to my neighbors.

 

First of all, you're not smoking on your balcony even when it was allowed shows you were considerate of your fellow cruisers, wish more cruises were like that.:D

We agree, cruising is still the best 'bang for your vacation buck'!

We've just decided that RCL is an occasional cruise instead of the 4-6 a year we used to take. We now cruise mostly other cruise lines.:)

[American Bear]

We love AI resorts not as much as cruising, we have done 15 or so AI and more than 50 cruises. last 3 years we did one of each, doing Sandals Whitehouse (Jamaica) in Thanksgiving weeks each year and also doing a spring cruise. Sandals has nice choice of restaurants with no charge for any of them, top shelf liquor , no children and no tipping and swim up bars which I love ( this resort also is all ocean view with balconies) . But in general still prefer cruising and will do 2 this year , love the entertainment on RCCL, all the music and the ice show etc .

 

 

 

I went to the AI site you mentioned and priced a Thanksgiving week with air, and its about $5000. and up per week, so I would agree if you wanted similar on a RCL Thanksgiving cruise, a balcony with booze, and with specialty rests., and it would cost about the same, but,,,,

 

If you looked beyond RCL, you could get more for less with a cruise.:eek:

Check out the NCL Haven, and MSC Yacht Club.

Fantastic service, with booze, and for less money!:D

[Theodorable]

We book a small condo. We are going to the Dominican Republic for 2 Weeks in September. Far cheaper to book a condo and eat out than be tied to an AI. The condo we book is very close to lots of beach restaurants and bars...as well as a supermarket for breakfast/lunch stuff. Has a great pool and daily cleaning service...it is heaven. We created a spreadsheet to work out the costs.....Just something for you to think about

[Theodorable]

We book a small condo. We are going to the Dominican Republic for 2 Weeks in September. Far cheaper to book a condo and eat out than be tied to an AI. The condo we book is very close to lots of beach restaurants and bars...as well as a supermarket for breakfast/lunch stuff. Has a great pool and daily cleaning service...it is heaven. We created a spreadsheet to work out the costs.....Just something for you to think about.

 

Ps...this is also factoring in flights.

 

Pps...sorry...seem to hav somehow duplicated my post..it won't let me delete or edit the first one!

Edited April 16, 2015 by Theodorable

[BecciBoo]

I wish someone would post a cost analysis of Atlantis versus Liberty or Allure, etc. so we could see exactly what the differential is.

 

I have priced several and after factoring in air/resort/outside entertainment (not all AIs have good entertainment on site) they are not cheaper. I am very picky with the cruises I choose. Watching fares etc. There is no way I could fly to Maui and stay for the $629 pp I booked on our upcoming Legend. Not to mention, I will not be stuck on one island, but visiting 4 of them!~

 

Preference is another matter entirely. Different strokes for different folks. Fortunately for us, we usually cruise from Galveston so no air or use points to pay for flights so our situation is slightly different maybe...but we still prefer cruising. Its the ambiance we like.:D

Edited April 16, 2015 by BecciBoo

[Desert Cruizers]

Our average cruise is every 2 to 3 years and I tend to do all the planning, DH prefers to not deal with the techicalities of how we get somwhere, I look for new places to see rather then repeat cruises. With flying to every cruise from California, I plan accordingly, our overall expenses. One thing we have begun to consider, is a River Cruise.

[Debde]

I wish someone would post a cost analysis of Atlantis versus Liberty or Allure, etc. so we could see exactly what the differential is.

 

Because we fly to all vacations. When we fly, that's always factored in to my costs. As is the pre cruise hotel.

 

Atlantis is one of the more expensive resorts as it is not an AI so depending on how much you drink, it can be pricey. Harborside resorts, just outside the resort but so close you can touch it is the way to go. You have the kitchen option if you like for cost savings. Right outside the gates you have great options for food as you do in the Atlantis Marina where we had all our meals. Never had to eat in Atlantis where all the real pricey options are. Same for drinks-right outside the gates, a liquor store!

 

When I did the price comparison of cruise to Atlantis, I was happily surprised and enjoyed my vacation. It was a nice break from cruising. Trust me, you do not feel as if you are 'stuck' in Atlantis or the right AI.

 

Both vacations offer something that appeals to me so I would not say I'll only do one. Enjoying both options is the way to go. Figure out your flight, pre-cruise hotel, excursions and definitly compare it with Oasis class an up and I think the numbers after you are done, could be to your liking!! Remember, no excursions or extra pay for activities needed at Atlantis because there is so much to do. You'll probably find Atlantis/Harborside resort vs. Oasis class could possibly be fairly close in cost.