Help me understand the actual cost

[Aldeya]

With some of the extras mentioned,you would get your choice of 2 "Free At Sea" promotions instead of 1 for "insides" - that could cover your internet usage with a 250 minutes plan (for light use, checking email, etc. while at sea ***) and $50 shore excursion credit per day per stateroom (that's $50 x 4 port days = $200 equivalent (non) cash-back)

 

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I'm not sure this is the correct information about $50 excursion credit. Every time we chose this perk we were told that this is ONE TIME $50 credit, not in every port.

[NMLady]

I'm not sure this is the correct information about $50 excursion credit. Every time we chose this perk we were told that this is ONE TIME $50 credit, not in every port.

 

For most cruise offers, you are correct.

 

The current Distinctive Voyages perk on some of the longer cruises that perk is $50 off ship excursion, one discount offer per cabin in EVERY port.

Edited September 6, 2017 by NMLady

[All-ready2cruise]

I'm not sure this is the correct information about $50 excursion credit. Every time we chose this perk we were told that this is ONE TIME $50 credit, not in every port.

 

Mking8288 has given correct information. It depends on the promo you've received since NMLady is also correct. Refer to the T&C for your specific promotion.

[davy jones]

We find cruising to be a good value if you do not have to fly to the port. We take most of our cruises from ports that we can drive to. That limits our options, but we do alternate cruise lines and try longer cruises to get different itineraries. We would rather pay for an extra day at sea onboard a home port cruise than airfare.

 

You have been given a lot of good advice and information. I would only add that many Caribbean ports have reputable tour operators that you can book at a considerable savings over the ship's tours. Many ships tours are done by the same operators. You can get information for your specific ports on the Ports of Call boards.

[kristinp36]

We are not necessarily loyal to one cruise line....they all have pros and cons. I plan based on when we want to cruise, the available ship and itineraries and the price. I like to search for cruises using a website where I can see all the cruise line options in one place so I can compare. We generally like to sail during the Oct-Nov time frame so I will use a "travel" booking engine to search for all cruises in Oct-Nov. Then I can see what is available and who has the best prices.

 

Some cruises we spend a lot on extras.....others we spend next to nothing. The choice is really yours.

 

If you are comfortable booking your own excursions then that saves a lot of money. You can research every port you are visiting using these boards to get lots of good ideas and reputable vendors. Sometimes your own excursion is getting a taxi to a beach! Since you want beach time...some of my favorite beaches are the cruise lines private islands. I am not sure if NCL has one but we have been several with other cruise lines.

[Budget Queen]

If either of these cruises are an option and you can late book, I've seen some very favorable price dumps. on both the Gem and Breakaway. I never pay these kind of rates.

[Ktuluorion]

There's been some really detailed answers that give most of your answers, so i'll try to address the financial aspect from my personal experience to try to give you an idea.

 

When I started cruising, things were a bit different (I would cruise in inside rooms and tend to spend a bit less overall on cruises). Now, I have been cruising in suites recently, so the ballgame is a bit different.

 

So:

 

If you were to book an inside room for ~800/pp, here's what your cruise cost would look like:

 

$800/pp x 2 = $1600

Based on what you've mentioned, pick the UDP to get 3 specialty dinners included.

UDP Grats - $20

Port Charges/Tax - $250

Misc Drinks/Expenses - $200

Gratuities - $150

Misc Excursions / Things to do in ports - $300

Wifi - $100

 

That's a fairly lean budget and costs ~$2600

 

For comparison, i'll give you my latest booking:

Haven Spa Suite (Total cost of booking including all taxes and fees: $5600)

Includes perks: Dinner, Drinks, Wifi, Shorex Credits, $700 on board credit, Free Gratuities

 

Because of my perks, I expect I will spend just about nothing (will use on board credit for shore excursions) on board other than tipping the butler/concierge.

 

This shows you how much of a wide range of perks and options that you can use to shape your experience.

 

 

If you really scrimp, I'd bet you can do it for around $2100, but I'd recommend at least spending a bit more to really enjoy your trip!

[Ktuluorion]

I'm not sure this is the correct information about $50 excursion credit. Every time we chose this perk we were told that this is ONE TIME $50 credit, not in every port.

 

That has not been my experience, it has been PER PORT when I've had it.

[soccercoach]

That has not been my experience, it has been PER PORT when I've had it.

 

 

Current that I see is that it is $50 per port, but you must use it on NCL excursion for that port or you lose it. You cannot skip a port on day 3 and think you can have a $100 on day 4's port. Again, as stated, read or ask your NCL agent for the booking you are on.

[Ktuluorion]

LOL it's also worth noting that when they started including this perk every excursion went up by $50-$100 from what they were before =)

[mking8288]

LOL it's also worth noting that when they started including this perk every excursion went up by $50-$100 from what they were before =)

Buyer's beware, that's where you do the due diligence.

 

The offer is included and available, but you do NOT have to book and use it. Like, in Port Canaveral, taxi transfer to the Cocoa Beach and/or Cocoa Village is cheaper than what the ship offered - we've actually learned that NCL price matched & lower theirs 3 years ago ;p

 

The devil is in the details, read the fine prints & disclosure and get them in writing. Be thankful there's not an automatic 18% service or admin fee ... YET. :rolleyes:

[boscobeans]

An example of why we cruise..

Our next cruise is for 14 nights out of a port just a few hours drive from home.. Parking is 400 less than a flight to Florida so we will not count that into our figures as it will differ for everyone.

 

So for

355.00 per day for 2 passengers for 14 nights (ALMOST 14 DAYS)

We have an aft facing veranda that has two lounges and chairs and offers as much privacy as anyone needs.

 

The stateroom that is better than most hotel rooms (granted they are usually smaller) and offer steward's services only a phone call away along with friendly turn down service and bathroom freshened, restocked and towelled.on demand.

 

Access to a variety of shows, music venues and lots of other entertaining things to do or see. Pool, Sun, Track, Gym just to name a few..

 

We will be transported to 8 (eight) Caribbean Islands all of which offer plenty of interesting things to do and see, whether it is just walking through town or spending time and money on an excursion. Remember you have the option to either eat at a local place or return to your ship where the dining choices are many.

 

Plenty of non bubbly beverages, coffee, tea, milk always available.

 

Food is always a strong point on ships and is a 24/7 deal on NCL. There is ALWAYS something at some venu to satisfy any cravings, within reason.

 

Food whether it is complimentary in the Main Dining Room or at a restaurant for an additional charge is as good as if not better in quality and presentation than at many restaurants on land.

 

Our price includes the unlimited beverage package which for the most part includes brands that up until a few short years ago were considered to be top shelf.

 

We also have a dining package that will allow us to visit 4 specialty restaurants, if we so desire.

-------------------------------------------------------

From recent first hand experience staying in Florida:

 

For 14 days at the Hilton Marina in Fort Lauderdale the best Trivago can find is $2,576 or $184.00 per day. That is for a room with maid service in the morning, a small veranda with two chairs. Granted you do get free Wifi and a bunch of TV stations.

 

Figure about $25 total for a modest breakfast at one of several places...

Walking or cab at $15.

 

Two burgers, fries and drinks for two at their poolside restaurant (lunch) is just about 45$

 

Dinner for two at Carrabbas (in my opinion an insult to Italian dining) including soup, salad and an entree starts at $25 per person add 2 drinks each and dessert that a total of at least $80.00 This price would be about right for the average, NOT SEAFOOD OR BETTER RESTAURANTS. + $20 cab fees

 

There is NOTHING to see or do at the Hotel, aside from some Muzak or a piano player on occassion. To sight see in Lauderdale requires travel to see almost anything. The beaches are a cab ride to and from the hotel and would be at least 15$.

 

Aside from the drinks we have included in the above we would each usually have at least 5 more during the day while relaxing, seeing a show or making our donations in the Casino. So at local prices 10 drinks would be at least $90 minimum.+ tips

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our cruise is 355/ day total for 2

 

The Hilton vacation would be:

184

25

15

45

80

20

15

90

______________

 

$474 total

Imagine if we decided to spend an evening even at a steak house like Ruth's Chris and 3 more at similar semi expensive venues ????

 

Add to this the many places to be entertained on the ship that are included..

 

For us it is a no brainer and for the last 18 years we have cruised at least 24 times and stayed rarely at hotels for vacations.

 

Only our experiences and opinion.

 

bosco