What would you do?

[EngIceDave]

Wife and I have an October Med cruise booked on Carnival Pride, Rome - Lisbon. 

Got it cheap through a $100 casino offer. Booked airfare and plan to arrive in Rome a few days early to do the tourist thing.

While researching a place to stay those extra days at an airbnb, it has dawned on me that since the airfare is now purchased and the cruise was through a cheap casino offer, meaning they have an expectation of my playing in the casino as usual, we could stay in Rome the entire time and do the full immersion thing for about the same money.

 

We enjoy cruising like everyone else, but given it'll be about dollar for dollar the same, AirBnB & food (we don't drink), would you still go on the cruise or spend 10 days "living in Rome" instead?

 

Edited May 11, 2022 by EngIceDave

[iamsteph]

If I was able to spend a couple of days in Rome beforehand, I'd go on the cruise so that I could a bunch of new places too.  

[ColeThornton]

You should probably be asking your wife this instead of internet strangers.  lol   😉

[EngIceDave]

7 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

You should probably be asking your wife this instead of internet strangers.  lol   😉

We're both deciding....we both want both...LOL

Edited May 11, 2022 by EngIceDave

[Lee Cruiser]

I'm personally not seeing how staying in Rome that whole time with meals and lodging could be the same as a cruise you booked for $100 (plus taxes and port fees).  We've take numerous cruises and usually pay much more than that, but we've also done the comparison to land vacations several times.  Lodging alone usually is more than the entire cruise price and money spent on extras, without even considering the cost for food for an entire week plus.

 

We don't gamble, so we really can't fathom spending that much more money in the casino.  I know you say that they have an expectation of you gambling, but is it an absolute requirement?

[EngIceDave]

I'll spend a few hours a day in the casino, that requires a decent bankroll

I will likely budget about $500 a day for gambling on the ship. 

[EngIceDave]

Shipboard, still have add ons like shore excursions and beverages

[EllaDuChien]

57 minutes ago, EngIceDave said:

Wife and I have an October Med cruise booked on Carnival Pride, Rome - Lisbon. 

Got it cheap through a $100 casino offer. Booked airfare and plan to arrive in Rome a few days early to do the tourist thing.

While researching a place to stay those extra days at an airbnb, it has dawned on me that since the airfare is now purchased and the cruise was through a cheap casino offer, meaning they have an expectation of my playing in the casino as usual, we could stay in Rome the entire time and do the full immersion thing for about the same money.

 

We enjoy cruising like everyone else, but given it'll be about dollar for dollar the same, AirBnB & food (we don't drink), would you still go on the cruise or spend 10 days "living in Rome" instead?

 

 

My question would be: Have you been to Rome before?  What about the rest of the ports you would be stopping at?  I have been on multiple Med cruises and I use them as kind of a teaser to see if I want to go back to that particular place for a longer land vacation.  A way to get a taste of several European cities without being tied to just one for the first time.  

If you have already been to all of them and Rome is your favorite, stay in Rome and enjoy!  

[EngIceDave]

1 minute ago, EllaDuChien said:

 

My question would be: Have you been to Rome before?  What about the rest of the ports you would be stopping at?  I have been on multiple Med cruises and I use them as kind of a teaser to see if I want to go back to that particular place for a longer land vacation.  A way to get a taste of several European cities without being tied to just one for the first time.  

If you have already been to all of them and Rome is your favorite, stay in Rome and enjoy!  

GREAT QUESTION!

Yes, a single day while on a cruise....and it wasn't long enough.

A day in these cities never seem long enough and is something we both complain about....wish we had more time in each city.

 

[scrotser]

I don't think getting a great rate from the casino means you are obligated to spend a ton in the casino.  I got a FANTASTIC Alaskan cruise rate (casino rate) and don't gamble that much.  Like, $20 a day.  Take the cruise, gamble less, spend more on excursions.  Just my 2 cents!

 

[csm5986142]

Cruising is my preferred form of travel because I like to get to my cabin, unpack once, be in safe familiar surroundings, but still be able to do excursions in the ports.  So I would of course stick with your original cruise plans, but it's all personal preference.

[Badfinger]

Do the cruise.  Next year (or month, or whenever), do Rome.

 

I have to ask, even though you booked a Casino rate, and you stated they expectation is you will gamble, is there some rule that you have to gamble?   I have never been offered a Casino rate so I have no knowledge of the rules.

[jetsfan58]

Always take the Cruise!! Beats all other forms of Vacation!

[EngIceDave]

When it comes to land casinos, you play less than usual your offers decrease or vanish.

 

Casinos, at least land based ones have an expectation that you will maintain your level of play (hence, losses...LOL) which is why they give up those free rooms or suites and meals.

[Cruisesfun65]

I would go on the cruise since you're already staying in Rome a couple days pre-cruise.

I've been to Rome 3 times and I know it's a personal preference, but I seriously don't want to spend 10 full days there.

[mondello]

@Badfinger No rules that I'm aware of; however, offers are better the more time/money spent in casino. Cancelling the booking shouldn't effect future offers, you're not onboard to play rather than spending less.

[cruizergal70]

2 hours ago, EngIceDave said:

I'll spend a few hours a day in the casino, that requires a decent bankroll

I will likely budget about $500 a day for gambling on the ship. 

Why? Do you really want to spend so much on gambling? They can't make you gamble.

[ArchieCruise]

I have done a cruise out of Italy before.  I would recommend doing the few days in Rome and then the cruise.  It allows you to see more of Europe.  If you have visited Europe several times in the past then maybe that will change things a bit.  I would also recommend looking at sleepinitaly.  It is similar to Airbnb but for Apartment rentals in Italy.

[Moviela]

I have spent a lot of time on location in Rome. A two day visit is enough. I'd rather in Paris or the Dalmatian coast for ten days. Even Barcelona is a place that a weeks stay would be better than Rome.

 

I would take the cruise and if possible change your flight to spend a few days in Portugal. Lots of culture and things to see. Rent a car see where the road takes you.

[EngIceDave]

21 minutes ago, cruizergal70 said:

Why? Do you really want to spend so much on gambling? They can't make you gamble.

No, they can't make me and I'd spend more in the casino given the opportunity, I enjoy it. 

It's also why I get offers of $100pp 9-Day Med Cruises as well as casino offers to Las Vegas and more.

 

 

[mz-s]

56 minutes ago, cruizergal70 said:

Why? Do you really want to spend so much on gambling? They can't make you gamble.

 

If you don't maintain your level of play the offers stop coming.

[cruizergal70]

32 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

If you don't maintain your level of play the offers stop coming.

Have folks done a cost analysis? The OP is spending $500 a day in the casino for a 9 day cruise.  That's  $4500. Without the special deal, that cruise is like $3000 give or take. Is it really a deal when you run the numbers?

[Tradestock]

From an internet stranger to another, we would do Europe without the cruise.   Equally, we would not focus on one city for an extended amount of time. Italy is part of the Schengen area, so travel to other countries is relatively simple.  Europe has an extensive public transportation system (trains, buses, ferries, and your legs) that is easy to navigate and economical.  We are willing to cook meals, shop at local supermarkets, and utilize a variety of overnight accommodations. This style of travel requires more planning than a cruise, but is our personal preference overseas.  Safe travels, either choice, and we hope you enjoy your vacation.

[Saint Greg]

4 hours ago, EngIceDave said:

We're both deciding....we both want both...LOL

Then book 7 more days in Rome after the cruise.

[EngIceDave]

Just now, Saint Greg said:

Then book 7 more days in Rome after the cruise.

We finish in Lisbon.