One Way Cruise or Roundtrip

[disneyochem]

20 hours ago, wolfie11 said:

I wonder how many people sit down and figure out total costs between cruises?  Princess runs around $2000 for a balcony and Viking around $5500.  However, Viking includes:

• One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
• Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
• Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
• 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
• Port taxes & fees
• Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
• Visits to UNESCO Sites
• Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
• Access to The Nordic Spa & state-of-the-art fitness center
• Self-service launderettes
• Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge
• 24-hour room service

If you add up what you would spend extra for on Princess (shore excursions, alcohol, expressos, transfers, and specialty restaurants) it seems like it would be fairly close to the Viking price.

 

I sail frequently on Princess but have booked a cruise this summer on Regent at a 2 for 1 price, so I guess I'll see how it works out.

As you said, everyone needs to run the numbers to see what it costs on different lines.

I have a 28-day Alaskan HAL cruise for June 2024 that visits every port that the Viking cruise does (and more!).  We're paying $11,000 for two people in an ocean view cabin (early booking and casino discounted fare).  With that fare I get:  premium drink package, free Wifi, and crew gratuities; three shore excursion credits; three specialty dining meals; fitness center; all port taxes and fees; and $1200 OBC (plus a $800 gift card from my big box travel agency).  I will have to pay for an unlimited laundry package ($196) and access to the thermal suite.   I took a look at the free shore excursion at the ports for the Viking cruise (maybe because I've been to Alaska so many times) but not impressed.  The included excursion at Icy Strait Point is "Exploring ISP on your own."  The main advantage to me would be the small ship size; the HAL ship has a capacity of about 2000.

 

There are deals out there.  I think one just needs to look outside of one's favorite lines and see what's available.  We do like Viking and have a Great Lakes cruise booked on them next summer.  I just feel that there are better options for our style of cruising in Alaska.

 

 

[Coral]

I agree - everyone needs to look at all things involved. Sometimes one can hit a sail on a luxury line that makes it a great deal.

 

I am sailing on Princess in May because of the price, ports and times in port. For me - Alaska is all about the ports.