Which company for inexpensive worldwide trip?

[Heidi13]

We have also completed a full WC with Princess and sailed on Columbus, so can provide another comparison from our experience. Prior to the transfer to P&O Australia, the ship started life as Fair Majesty (Sitmar), but before her maiden voyage Sitmar was purchased by Princess, so her maiden voyage was as Star Princess. Shortly after grounding in Alaska, she was sent to P&O UK as Arcadia, which replaced Canberra. Before transfer to P&O Australia she operated as Ocean Village.

 

When it comes to cruises, we all have different expectations. After 35+ years working/cruising with P&O/Princess, our 2015 WC, R/T Sydney was our last with them. We spent 2 weeks with CMV on Columbus, a few months after they purchased the vessel. Although it is an older vessel, it was vastly superior to the condition of the Princess ship.

 

Food quality is highly subjective; we found CMV meals were basic and had less choices, but we found the quality superior to our last Princess cruise. However, we have some serious concerns with the service and operational issues with the CMV ship, which in my opinion and experience, were well short of modern industry standards. In the Theatre, we observed a waiter delivering a huge tray of drinks, give a drink to a pax, then return a couple of minutes later to retrieve the drink, which was then given to another pax. Also watched a barman take the slop glass below the tap, top it off and serve it to a pax.

 

The operational issues we observed and experienced will ensure we never return to this Line, especially a World Cruise that visits some hot areas of the World. Every vessel must have a Ship Security Plan (SSP), as per the ISPS Code. The Plan must be approved by Flag/Class and should be followed at all times. Having actually developed a SSP, I cannot envisage how the security procedures, or lack thereof, we observed could be approved. I also observed navigation practices that were not consistent with current practices on passenger vessels.

 

When comparing prices they do have cheap cabins,  but comparing similar cabin categories, I found the CMV 120 day WC in 2020 considerably more than our 2015 Princess WC and only $5,000 cheaper than our similar length 2020 Viking WC. Base cost of a balcony cabin + tips (where reqd). However the Viking cruise is fully inclusive + free tour in every port and comes with many thousands of dollars of OBC.

 

 

 

 

[Cls241]

Wife and I are looking to retire in about 5-7 years and our plan is to do a WC.  We have another 7-day Alaska coming up... but we're trying to find a way to retire / cruise.  Looked at some 8-month cruises on Viking and it may be doable.  We're going to find a way to mix it with work and travel.  I have had some online businesses before and closed a Photography studio in 2015 and I have 1000s of negatives I can edit and books I have been wanting to complete.  So hopefully with travel / street photos, my vintage negatives, My rock & roll collection, blogs / Youtube and Instagram (all which may be replaced by something else at that time) maybe we can make a living.  

 

I figured we may need to move to Florida / Miami area if we want to take advantage of last min deals and downsize to live (when off ship) in a 1 BR somewhere, but it maybe could happen.   It's something we're going to need to plan for 2-3 years in advance, but who knows. 

 

Looking forward to trying!

[Spud of Doom]

Figuring out the total cost for these cruises is pretty complex, and there's a lot of margin for error when you try to estimate on-board costs (especially excursions).

 

If you were to go fully barebones and look for the cheapest world cruise base price, a lot of the ones from UK/Europe are cheapest. In (roughly) ascending order of price:

• Costa, C&MV, MSC, and P&O UK look like they could even be done for below $20k per person, but only cover the basics of lodging and meals.
• Fred. Olsen, HAL, Cunard and Princess are a small step up in cost, but their itineraries (especially HAL) look better to me.
• Crystal and Oceania (starting more like 45-55k) seem like a real tier above, with more ports of call, more inclusions (laundry options, gratuities, many drinks, some excursions)
• Viking, Seabourn, Silversea and Regent are the top end, costing even more but typically throwing in extras like flights pre- and post-cruise, WiFi, and lots of excursions. Viking ends up cheaper per day than the others with the extra-long itineraries they are currently advertising. Silversea is even pitching one of their 2021 world cruises as an "Expedition world cruise", which visits both Antarctica and Svalbard in the same itinerary.

 

Edited May 4, 2019 by Spud of Doom

[muggo11]

Still wish someone would create an interactive app that let us plug in costs and spit out an apples to apples comparison!  

We loved Cunard—Spanish classes, watercolor classes, the best port and enrichment lecturers. . But could also see ourselves on Princess for a WC. May of 2021 or January 2022 are our dream dates. 

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Not much of a market for such a niche app, I'm afraid.  So you pretty much have to do the legwork yourself, and ask lots of questions on boards like this.  I know one couple who posts here who were a bit disappointed with the Princess WC.  Just make sure you can compare apples to apples.

 

My Regent WC, which begins January 2021 out of Miami, is expensive, yes.  But it includes: all drinks everywhere, tips, linternet, specialty dining and many excursions (standard stuff for R), plus WC extras such as laundry, pressing and drycleaning, medical care, luggage shipment to/from, a visa package, biz or first class air, special gala activities.

 

To us, this is good value, and we already know we love their product. 

[Heidi13]

Similar to Wendy, our next World Cruise with Viking has a base fare considerably more expensive than the mainstream Lines, but it virtually all-inclusive - gratuities, all drinks (<$15), specialty dining, unlimited wi-fi, laundry, business class flights, excursion in every port and considerable OBC.

 

With respect to an app to compare total costs, it would require significant variables, as well as pricing options, it also needs to consider the perks provided by loyalty programs. Personally, I prefer to use Excel and control the process.

[Go-Bucks!]

And just to add to Heidi13 and Wendy the Wanderer, my Oceania world cruise includes all the same perks as Regent and Viking except that the perk of a beverage package is one of the OLife choices and shore excursions is another option to choose (onboard credit is the 3rd option).  We took the excursion perk and each got 36 of them valued up to $199 per tour. We also got a pre-cruise night in a 5 star hotel and transfers.  

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Yeah, we get the pre-cruise hotel too, with some kind of 'gala' dinner I'm told.

[SargassoPirate]

On 5/5/2019 at 12:08 AM, muggo11 said:

Still wish someone would create an interactive app that let us plug in costs and spit out an apples to apples comparison!  

We loved Cunard—Spanish classes, watercolor classes, the best port and enrichment lecturers. . But could also see ourselves on Princess for a WC. May of 2021 or January 2022 are our dream dates. 

 

My target date for a world cruise is January 2022 as well, and I'm just waiting for the various cruise lines to announce their itineraries.  Judging by the 2021 schedules that are out, HAL's itinerary looks the best for ports of call that I'd like to see.

[muggo11]

Yes, we are waiting for Princess’ spring WCs to be announced and may jump on one. It is all wrapped up with retirement plans. Though we may wait until Jan of 22. Itineraries matter but I am also a huge lover of sea days so the proportion and rhythm of sea days vs. ports matter to us as well. Oceania is SO port intensive. Cunard and Princess are at the top of my list for now. We are NOT big drinkers and I enjoy DIY/not-through-the-ship excursions.  We have never sailed Holland America so reluctant to do WC on a line we don’t know. Think if I win the lottery, we would go with Viking. 

 

[Heidi13]

5 hours ago, muggo11 said:

Think if I win the lottery, we would go with Viking. 

 

Couple of considerations - Viking is similar to Oceania in that they are more port intensive than Princess/Cunard.

 

Having already completed a Princess WC, we booked the all-inclusive Viking WC next year. While the up-front cost for Viking is significantly higher than Princess, I am projecting the total daily spend to be almost identical,

 

On the Princess Cruise our bar bill was very low for almost 4 months, we didn't use any specialty restaurants and with Elite status had free internet & some cabin drinks. So our main expenses were tours (ship & private) & flights. If considering the same Princess Cruise we did from Sydney, you have to add the airfare, which is included with Viking (business flights).

 

So while Viking & Oceania are more expensive up front, I suggest your total costs after the cruise will be very similar to a mainstream line, unless you spend nothing onboard.

[muggo11]

Heidi13.  No need too much detail but are the key cost issues that make 20K more per person comparable gratuities, alcohol and airfare?  I am still trying to wrap my brain around how the daily spend can be identical. . .of course, not having a casino will immediately afford me a savings😂🤪

[SargassoPirate]

6 hours ago, muggo11 said:

Heidi13.  No need too much detail but are the key cost issues that make 20K more per person comparable gratuities, alcohol and airfare?  I am still trying to wrap my brain around how the daily spend can be identical. . .of course, not having a casino will immediately afford me a savings😂🤪

 

 

You definitely have to put the pencil to it and compare with your style of cruising.  We have done one Viking Ocean cruise so far and loved it, but the per-day, per-person, cost was high, even if we figured in the inclusions.  We cruised with friends and for the itinerary.  Sure, there is an excursion in every port, but it's the basic walking tour and they will be happy to $ell you a better tour.  Some specialty dining is included..  Beer and wine are free at lunch and dinner.  Your in-room mini bar of water and soft drinks is replenished daily for free.

 

And, they want final payment a year out.

[LynnTTT]

Since I started this.....  we booked the Costa Deliziosa world tour for January 5-April26 (I think) 2020.  It's Venice to Venice. Our total price is less than $18,000 per person and includes a beer and wine package at meals.  Outside cabin "no view"

It includes 15 excursions, most of which are coach tours of major cities. We did just see a day long tour of Petra is included.

I'm sure it's not as deluxe as Viking or Oceania etc. Maybe more sea days than some.  But the whole trip should cost about half of what  Viking might cost.  This trip we can afford.

Edited July 8, 2019 by LynnTTT

[Go-Bucks!]

23 hours ago, muggo11 said:

Oceania is SO port intensive.

 

My current world cruise is on Oceania. We've had 60% port days and 40% sea days....not what I would consider "SO" port intensive, but certainly you get to see the world, which is the whole point of the trip. I absolutely LOVE sea days, but I wouldn't want to waste my time or money to go around the world with mostly sea days.  But, to each his own.   😉

[Heidi13]

11 hours ago, muggo11 said:

Heidi13.  No need too much detail but are the key cost issues that make 20K more per person comparable gratuities, alcohol and airfare?  I am still trying to wrap my brain around how the daily spend can be identical. . .of course, not having a casino will immediately afford me a savings😂🤪

Prior to our first WC (May 2015 with Princess, R/T Sydney) I created an Excel spreadsheet to develop an estimate of our total costs. How much you spend on the entire cruise is entirely personal, but in our opinion, if we are spending over $60K on a cruise we will wait until we have sufficient money to afford the on-board spend & tours.

 

Comparing our 2020 Viking Cruise (119 nights) $59,700 with the 2020 Princess R/T Sydney (106 nights) S35,900. Both balcony cabins on lower decks close to m'ships. Viking cabin about 50% bigger. Note - all pricing in CAD$. Additional costs:

 

- On-Board Credit  None (Princess)          $8,000.00 (Viking - available for shops, spa services and optional tours)

- Gratuities              Included                       Included

- Taxes/fees           $2,335.50                     Included

- Flight(business)  $8,000.00                     Included

- Visas                     $1,000.00                     Included      (based on Viking's cost to provide our Visas)

- Bar bill                   $3,000.00                    Included       (used a fairly low number for a 15-week cruise - $100pp/week)

- Tours                     $8,200.00                     Included      (estimated at $100 pp/port, which is again fairly low)

- Internet                 $1,600.00                     Included      (based on 20 mins/day at Princess prices)

- Specialty Dine           750.00                     Included       (based on once per week)

- Laundry                      200.00                     Included       (based on $12/wk + soap, etc, which are all included on Viking)

- Transfers                   160.00                      Included       (based on $40pp at both ends of cruise) 

- Spa/Sauna                    ??                           Included      (sauna/ice room/heated beds/therapy pool all included on Viking)

 

On Princess & other mainstream lines you will also have possible spending on Photogs, Casino, Art Auctions & the plethora of additional selling that arrives in the post-box daily. None of these exist on Viking.

 

Notes - You can certainly reduce the flights by going economy, but for us no way we are spending 15 + hrs shoe horned into the back of the plane. Visas can also be done cheaper by visiting the embassy/consulate for every Visa you require, but unless you live in a major city with consulates you may require a Visa service provider. If you must travel to cities with Consulates, that is an additional cost.

 

The other on-board spends, I believe are minimal and are lower than our spend on the 2015 WC. I have provided comparisons to Viking, but note that Oceania would provide a similar result. Hopefully Go-Bucks can provide a perspective on Oceania. 

 

Hope this helps to qualify the real costs of World Cruises on Premium & mainstream lines.              

    

 

[muggo11]

Wow!  Heidi13, More info than I ever expected. Extraordinarily valuable and helpful. Thanks so much. Now, just waiting for late 2021 WCs to be announced. Looks like I might have to wait until 2022 if I choose Viking. 

[Heidi13]

12 hours ago, muggo11 said:

Wow!  Heidi13, More info than I ever expected. Extraordinarily valuable and helpful. Thanks so much. Now, just waiting for late 2021 WCs to be announced. Looks like I might have to wait until 2022 if I choose Viking. 

Just noted I forgot to change the OBC, as although we paid everything in CAD $, it is provided in US $. Therefore, our on-board credit is in fact the equivalent of about CAN $10,500.

 

The other consideration is deposits & full-payment dates. I note Viking does require payment earlier than mainstream lines. Our deposit was CAN $ 10,000 pp and full payment 6-months in advance. I believe Oceania's payment terms may be closer to the mainstream lines.

[Go-Bucks!]

On 7/8/2019 at 1:25 PM, Heidi13 said:

Prior to our first WC (May 2015 with Princess, R/T Sydney) I created an Excel spreadsheet to develop an estimate of our total costs. How much you spend on the entire cruise is entirely personal, but in our opinion, if we are spending over $60K on a cruise we will wait until we have sufficient money to afford the on-board spend & tours.

 

Comparing our 2020 Viking Cruise (119 nights) $59,700 with the 2020 Princess R/T Sydney (106 nights) S35,900. Both balcony cabins on lower decks close to m'ships. Viking cabin about 50% bigger. Note - all pricing in CAD$. Additional costs:

 

- On-Board Credit  None (Princess)          $8,000.00 (Viking - available for shops, spa services and optional tours)

- Gratuities              Included                       Included

- Taxes/fees           $2,335.50                     Included

- Flight(business)  $8,000.00                     Included

- Visas                     $1,000.00                     Included      (based on Viking's cost to provide our Visas)

- Bar bill                   $3,000.00                    Included       (used a fairly low number for a 15-week cruise - $100pp/week)

- Tours                     $8,200.00                     Included      (estimated at $100 pp/port, which is again fairly low)

- Internet                 $1,600.00                     Included      (based on 20 mins/day at Princess prices)

- Specialty Dine           750.00                     Included       (based on once per week)

- Laundry                      200.00                     Included       (based on $12/wk + soap, etc, which are all included on Viking)

- Transfers                   160.00                      Included       (based on $40pp at both ends of cruise) 

- Spa/Sauna                    ??                           Included      (sauna/ice room/heated beds/therapy pool all included on Viking)

 

On Princess & other mainstream lines you will also have possible spending on Photogs, Casino, Art Auctions & the plethora of additional selling that arrives in the post-box daily. None of these exist on Viking.

 

Notes - You can certainly reduce the flights by going economy, but for us no way we are spending 15 + hrs shoe horned into the back of the plane. Visas can also be done cheaper by visiting the embassy/consulate for every Visa you require, but unless you live in a major city with consulates you may require a Visa service provider. If you must travel to cities with Consulates, that is an additional cost.

 

The other on-board spends, I believe are minimal and are lower than our spend on the 2015 WC. I have provided comparisons to Viking, but note that Oceania would provide a similar result. Hopefully Go-Bucks can provide a perspective on Oceania. 

 

Hope this helps to qualify the real costs of World Cruises on Premium & mainstream lines.              

    

 

 

We estimated the value of all the Oceania included perks to be between $22,000 - 27,000. If you add that to the cost of a mainstream cruiseline price, they are nearly even. Oceania has excellent food, a small ship that can get into more exotic ports and a fantastic loyalty program. 

 

A 20% deposit was due at booking and final payment was about 6 months prior to sailing. 

[Go-Bucks!]

On 5/4/2019 at 5:24 AM, Spud of Doom said:

Viking, Seabourn, Silversea and Regent are the top end, costing even more but typically throwing in extras like flights pre- and post-cruise, WiFi, and lots of excursions. 

 

 

Oceania includes first class r/t flights, pre-cruise luxury hotel, transfers, luggage delivery service, wifi, visa preparation, excursions, medical care, laundry, no charge specialty restaurants, all non alcoholic beverages, great parties and 5 "events".

Edited July 17, 2019 by Go-Bucks!

[Sergeant Major]

On 6/7/2018 at 9:38 AM, Heidi13 said:

The base fares on World Cruises vary significantly and the primary reason is what is included. With the main stream cruise lines the base fare generally gets you onboard with basic meals, unless you have loyalty benefits. With Viking and Oceania, their World Cruises are fully inclusive. There are others, but these are the 2 we researched in detail.

 

Our 2015 WC with Princess, the base fare was a little more than 1/2 the base fare of our upcoming 2020 Viking WC. Once I consider all costs, I project the daily cost of the Viking Cruise will be identical to slightly less than the 2015 cruise. Only difference is we pay everything up front.

 

Yes, you can do it cheaper, but isn't a WC a once in a lifetime holiday. Will you be happy saying you have been round the world, or do you actually want to see some of the world.

 

If you go mainstream mega ship, some costs to consider:

- laundry: ship service costs a fortune and the self-service machines aren't cheap. On Viking the self-service machines are free.

- Wi-fi: in addition to being slow, it is very expensive. Can you survive without internet for 4 months. In port you can follow the crew to free internet providers, but that reduces time for exploring. Viking provides free, unlimited internet access.

- Gratuities: budget on $2.5K to $3.5K. On Viking tips are included

- Drinks: most mainline ships provide tap water, tea/coffee/juice in buffet. Specialty teas, coffee, bottled water and all bar drinks cost extra. Bar prices are not cheap. Our Viking cruise is virtually all-inclusive, with ultra-premium spirits probably the only extra. They provide free bottled water for going ashore.

- Excursions: with up to 50 ports of call, figure on many thousands of dollars, regardless of whether you use ships tours or private tours. With our Viking cruise we have a free tour in every port and almost $9K OBC for additional tours

- Visas: number of Visas vary by itinerary, as some WC's require many Visa's. Getting some Visas can be expensive, especially if you have to use a Visa procurement company. For our next WC, Viking is paying for all Visas, all we require is sufficient passport photos and post them with our passports to Viking's Visa procurement company.

- Airfares: these obviously vary significantly. In 2015, we required RT Vancouver to Sydney. In 2020 we require flight to LA and back from London. Long haul, we choose not to fly cattle class. With Viking, free business flights are included.

 

 

This is a brief summary of some of the major additional costs on a mega ship mainstream line, but also suggest you consider they are expert at removing pax from their money. Hopefully this will give you a few items to research when selecting a World Cruise.

 

Wow, this post has really given me so much insight to ponder. In the future, I will be looking at Viking World Cruises with a new set of eyes now. Thanks Heidi13.

Edited September 9, 2019 by Sergeant Major

[Sergeant Major]

On 7/8/2019 at 11:25 AM, Heidi13 said:

Prior to our first WC (May 2015 with Princess, R/T Sydney) I created an Excel spreadsheet to develop an estimate of our total costs. How much you spend on the entire cruise is entirely personal, but in our opinion, if we are spending over $60K on a cruise we will wait until we have sufficient money to afford the on-board spend & tours.

 

Comparing our 2020 Viking Cruise (119 nights) $59,700 with the 2020 Princess R/T Sydney (106 nights) S35,900. Both balcony cabins on lower decks close to m'ships. Viking cabin about 50% bigger. Note - all pricing in CAD$. Additional costs:

 

- On-Board Credit  None (Princess)          $8,000.00 (Viking - available for shops, spa services and optional tours)

- Gratuities              Included                       Included

- Taxes/fees           $2,335.50                     Included

- Flight(business)  $8,000.00                     Included

- Visas                     $1,000.00                     Included      (based on Viking's cost to provide our Visas)

- Bar bill                   $3,000.00                    Included       (used a fairly low number for a 15-week cruise - $100pp/week)

- Tours                     $8,200.00                     Included      (estimated at $100 pp/port, which is again fairly low)

- Internet                 $1,600.00                     Included      (based on 20 mins/day at Princess prices)

- Specialty Dine           750.00                     Included       (based on once per week)

- Laundry                      200.00                     Included       (based on $12/wk + soap, etc, which are all included on Viking)

- Transfers                   160.00                      Included       (based on $40pp at both ends of cruise) 

- Spa/Sauna                    ??                           Included      (sauna/ice room/heated beds/therapy pool all included on Viking)

 

On Princess & other mainstream lines you will also have possible spending on Photogs, Casino, Art Auctions & the plethora of additional selling that arrives in the post-box daily. None of these exist on Viking.

 

Notes - You can certainly reduce the flights by going economy, but for us no way we are spending 15 + hrs shoe horned into the back of the plane. Visas can also be done cheaper by visiting the embassy/consulate for every Visa you require, but unless you live in a major city with consulates you may require a Visa service provider. If you must travel to cities with Consulates, that is an additional cost.

 

The other on-board spends, I believe are minimal and are lower than our spend on the 2015 WC. I have provided comparisons to Viking, but note that Oceania would provide a similar result. Hopefully Go-Bucks can provide a perspective on Oceania. 

 

Hope this helps to qualify the real costs of World Cruises on Premium & mainstream lines.

 

This is enlightening to see these side-by-side 2020 Viking & Princess World Cruise comparisons. Since my wife & I have some different spending habits, and with the 2021 Princess World Cruise Early Booking Benefits being much better in 2021 than it is for 2020, the Viking cruise would still be nearly double the price for us. Thanks for sharing this info, it actually makes me feel better about my upcoming 2021 Princess WC now, but I will also be keeping a closer eye on price comparisons for future WCs. I see you also have an RV & timeshares, so perhaps we will see each other sometime in the future. We are enjoying your blog too. Keep enjoying life to the fullest, and Safe Travels!

 

 

[Heidi13]

10 minutes ago, Sergeant Major said:

 

This is enlightening to see these side-by-side 2020 Viking & Princess World Cruise comparisons. Since my wife & I have some different spending habits, and with the 2021 Princess World Cruise Early Booking Benefits being much better in 2021 than it is for 2020, the Viking cruise would still be nearly double the price for us. Thanks for sharing this info, it actually makes me feel better about my upcoming 2021 Princess WC now, but I will also be keeping a closer eye on price comparisons for future WCs. I see you also have an RV & timeshares, so perhaps we will see each other sometime in the future. We are enjoying your blog too. Keep enjoying life to the fullest, and Safe Travels!

 

 

Planning for a couple of months in Indio, CA in Jan 21, then in the Spring 21 a couple of months at the W'Mark Kihei.

[Sergeant Major]

Just now, Heidi13 said:

Planning for a couple of months in Indio, CA in Jan 21, then in the Spring 21 a couple of months at the W'Mark Kihei.

 

The 2021 World Cruise leaves on Jan. 17th, but we could grab a timeshare in Indio/Palm Springs during the first week of that month. Thanks for the heads up, when the time comes, I will make the reservation(s) and then get back in contact with you guys. Enjoy your two upcoming WCs, and your trip to Hawaii. Nice!

Edited September 10, 2019 by Sergeant Major

[Heidi13]

12 hours ago, Sergeant Major said:

 

The 2021 World Cruise leaves on Jan. 17th, but we could grab a timeshare in Indio/Palm Springs during the first week of that month. Thanks for the heads up, when the time comes, I will make the reservation(s) and then get back in contact with you guys. Enjoy your two upcoming WCs, and your trip to Hawaii. Nice!

Unlikely we would be in CA before Jan 17th, as our Grandson's birthday is the 15th. Normally depart a day or 2 after that. In Indio, we stay at Indian Waters RV Park, but have also stayed in both W'Marks.