To Cruise or Not to Cruise?

I've been on 2 cruises with the wife only (alone time) and my thoughts leaving were it was okay, but I want more time in port less time on the boat. I'm a workout guy, so endless food, casino, drinking, overcrowded pools, wasn't my thing. I prefer nicer food, serenity, historic sites, unique experiences.

Once at port though the beach, relaxing, a margarita, a 4hr excursion was awesome. Then back on the boat I always felt UGH.

This was years ago 2004 and 2009 and both times on Carnival. The second piece is cost. Cruises are supposed to be cheap....but I don't see it that way anymore maybe I'm doing it wrong. Last minute deals? Yes!! Just 2 people or kids? Yes!!, but when bringing 6 people total and all are older 14, 15, 17, 19, and 41, 42 I haven't found any "cheap" prices.

We went to Ireland this past summer 16 days total tally every penny spent was a hair over 20k. It was awesome. We did Italy the year before 15 days for right under 19k.

I'm looking at cruises out of Galveston, 7 day cruise, specifically the week of March 10-19th it has to be during that time. The quotes I am seeing for 2 adjoining balcony rooms, plus drink package, tax, etc is no less than $1750 a person and only 3 ports will be seen the rest of the time you are at sea.

I figure a easy 12k for the 6 of us for 7 days just doesn't seem very awesome.

I feel like for that price I could fly to many places, spend a week, have freedom, relaxation, see sites, etc for the same price or less.

I guess my post is twofold for the cruise fanatics what is it you love versus flying to a destination? Is it just knowing you don't have to do anything, just on the boat chilling, catered to, no worries?

Secondly are my prices off or is 12k in 3/10/17, 6 people out of Galveston, sound about right?

For us one of the big things about cruising is the convenience. We have one destination (the ship) that takes us to multiple destinations (ports) without having to pack, unpack, pack, move, etc. For us, also, the ship becomes a quasi-destination. We love not having to discuss where to eat, where to go in the evenings, etc.

I would think for a family of your size, the logistical convenience would be big!

As far as cost, really, it's up to you. Even though Spring Break is an expensive time to cruise, you can cruise for much less than what you have mentioned. Do you really need adjoining balcony rooms? What about a balcony and an inside? Oceanview/inside? Are drink packages necessary? Do you drink enough alcohol to justify Cheers? Do the kids drink enough pop to justify BB? What about taking your own pop on board?

It sounds to me like you should choose your cruise based on the ports, and that a port-intensive cruise would be up your alley. I would suggest that you do a little more research regarding itineraries and find one that you would be comfortable with.

And don't forget to hit the gym on the ship (and the jogging track)!

I'm seeing $7302 for 6 people in balconies with taxes, port fees, and gratuities for the week of March 12 on the Breeze out of Galveston. All else is optional.

You don't sound as if you really enjoyed cruising, but did like your land vacation.

Maybe consider sticking with what you know you will like? Your two older children may not find much to do on a cruise ship; no kid's club and they are too young to participate in adult activities.

I've been on 2 cruises with the wife only (alone time) and my thoughts leaving were it was okay, but I want more time in port less time on the boat. I'm a workout guy, so endless food, casino, drinking, overcrowded pools, wasn't my thing. I prefer nicer food, serenity, historic sites, unique experiences.

 

Once at port though the beach, relaxing, a margarita, a 4hr excursion was awesome. Then back on the boat I always felt UGH.

 

This was years ago 2004 and 2009 and both times on Carnival. The second piece is cost. Cruises are supposed to be cheap....but I don't see it that way anymore maybe I'm doing it wrong. Last minute deals? Yes!! Just 2 people or kids? Yes!!, but when bringing 6 people total and all are older 14, 15, 17, 19, and 41, 42 I haven't found any "cheap" prices.

 

We went to Ireland this past summer 16 days total tally every penny spent was a hair over 20k. It was awesome. We did Italy the year before 15 days for right under 19k.

 

I'm looking at cruises out of Galveston, 7 day cruise, specifically the week of March 10-19th it has to be during that time. The quotes I am seeing for 2 adjoining balcony rooms, plus drink package, tax, etc is no less than $1750 a person and only 3 ports will be seen the rest of the time you are at sea.

 

I figure a easy 12k for the 6 of us for 7 days just doesn't seem very awesome.

 

I feel like for that price I could fly to many places, spend a week, have freedom, relaxation, see sites, etc for the same price or less.

 

I guess my post is twofold for the cruise fanatics what is it you love versus flying to a destination? Is it just knowing you don't have to do anything, just on the boat chilling, catered to, no worries?

 

Secondly are my prices off or is 12k in 3/10/17, 6 people out of Galveston, sound about right?

Taking your second point first, if you need two balcony rooms AND drink packages, then that price sounds about right. I would note that oceanview and interior rooms are cheaper, if you're willing to settle for them.

On your first point, I'm not a "fanatic", but I do enjoy my cruises. What did I like about them? I liked sailing from island A to island B to island C to island D (and sometimes E and F). Every day was a different experience in a different country. I liked the service I received. I liked the mostly-inclusive nature of cruising. I liked the food. Sometimes I even liked the entertainment and the other passengers.

It sounds like cruising isn't for you and your group would prefer other experiences. That's fine; it's always valuable to know what you don't like.

Also, I'm not sure who told you that cruising was a "cheap" vacation ... it's a good value, yes. Cheap, no, especially at Spring Break.

I guess the first step is to find a 4-5 port 7 day cruise out of Galveston.

Wow, you seem to be fixated on the "cheap" prices, which I must say, are non-existent. Cruising is not cheap. It may have appeared so some years ago but not anymore. Everything has gone up, from drink prices, gratuities/service charges, excursions, etc. If money is the motivating factor to give your family a vacation, I might suggest you stick to a land vacation. Sounds like you don't like cruising anyway and guess what... not everyone does, and that's OK. :):):)

Because of the things you say you enjoy, you'll get more "bang" for your buck on land vacations! Cruises are NOT for everyone! Spend your money in the way that makes the best sense TO YOU!! Nothing wrong with that at all!

First..... you need to pick a cruise that has land activities that you will enjoy. With kids, I would say that they are all old enough to really enjoy many of the excursions in Roatan, Belize, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Cozumel. Lots of "active" all day choices. Out of Galveston, you can do 3 ports and yes, 3 sea days.

Second.... drink packages are $$$$ drain. If you want to save money, skip them. On the land trips, did you drink $50+ per day worth of booze? Probably not. Just because there is booze and casino, doesn't mean you have to endulge.

We enjoy cruising, but we only consider the ship as our hotel. The whole POINT of the trips is the excursions! We plan our trips totally for where they go. We don't hate the ships, but we don't do casinos, we don't do late night partying and our alcohol consumption is maybe 3-4 drinks in a day for DH, and 1 for me. Just isn't the point of the trip. We can stay home and sit on the couch to drink.

Just my 2 cents.

I've been on 2 cruises with the wife only (alone time) and my thoughts leaving were it was okay, but I want more time in port less time on the boat. I'm a workout guy, so endless food, casino, drinking, overcrowded pools, wasn't my thing. I prefer nicer food, serenity, historic sites, unique experiences.

 

Once at port though the beach, relaxing, a margarita, a 4hr excursion was awesome. Then back on the boat I always felt UGH.

 

This was years ago 2004 and 2009 and both times on Carnival. The second piece is cost. Cruises are supposed to be cheap....but I don't see it that way anymore maybe I'm doing it wrong. Last minute deals? Yes!! Just 2 people or kids? Yes!!, but when bringing 6 people total and all are older 14, 15, 17, 19, and 41, 42 I haven't found any "cheap" prices.

 

We went to Ireland this past summer 16 days total tally every penny spent was a hair over 20k. It was awesome. We did Italy the year before 15 days for right under 19k.

 

I'm looking at cruises out of Galveston, 7 day cruise, specifically the week of March 10-19th it has to be during that time. The quotes I am seeing for 2 adjoining balcony rooms, plus drink package, tax, etc is no less than $1750 a person and only 3 ports will be seen the rest of the time you are at sea.

 

I figure a easy 12k for the 6 of us for 7 days just doesn't seem very awesome.

 

I feel like for that price I could fly to many places, spend a week, have freedom, relaxation, see sites, etc for the same price or less.

 

I guess my post is twofold for the cruise fanatics what is it you love versus flying to a destination? Is it just knowing you don't have to do anything, just on the boat chilling, catered to, no worries?

 

Secondly are my prices off or is 12k in 3/10/17, 6 people out of Galveston, sound about right?

You could definitely Cruise cheaper than 12K for 6 people. You could Sail on Norwegian Dawn out of New Orleans in 3 balconies in a row from March 12-19 for the price per balcony listed below. The below quoted prices are per cabin for cabins 8516, 8518, and 8520.

TOTAL 2 GUESTS $2,598.00

CHOICE PROMO SRVC CHRG $24.84

GOV'T TAXES, FEES & PORT EXPENSES $281.28

TOTAL$2,90412.

The above would include specialty dining package and standard gratuities for the room. Since your kids can't drink alcohol you wouldn't want to choose a drinking package for them. Instead just use the money saved on the room gratuities to buy them a soda package. So total is less than $9,000.

I've been on 2 cruises with the wife only (alone time) and my thoughts leaving were it was okay, but I want more time in port less time on the boat. I'm a workout guy, so endless food, casino, drinking, overcrowded pools, wasn't my thing. I prefer nicer food, serenity, historic sites, unique experiences.

 

Once at port though the beach, relaxing, a margarita, a 4hr excursion was awesome. Then back on the boat I always felt UGH.

 

This was years ago 2004 and 2009 and both times on Carnival. The second piece is cost. Cruises are supposed to be cheap....but I don't see it that way anymore maybe I'm doing it wrong. Last minute deals? Yes!! Just 2 people or kids? Yes!!, but when bringing 6 people total and all are older 14, 15, 17, 19, and 41, 42 I haven't found any "cheap" prices.

 

We went to Ireland this past summer 16 days total tally every penny spent was a hair over 20k. It was awesome. We did Italy the year before 15 days for right under 19k.

 

I'm looking at cruises out of Galveston, 7 day cruise, specifically the week of March 10-19th it has to be during that time. The quotes I am seeing for 2 adjoining balcony rooms, plus drink package, tax, etc is no less than $1750 a person and only 3 ports will be seen the rest of the time you are at sea.

 

I figure a easy 12k for the 6 of us for 7 days just doesn't seem very awesome.

 

I feel like for that price I could fly to many places, spend a week, have freedom, relaxation, see sites, etc for the same price or less.

 

I guess my post is twofold for the cruise fanatics what is it you love versus flying to a destination? Is it just knowing you don't have to do anything, just on the boat chilling, catered to, no worries?

 

Secondly are my prices off or is 12k in 3/10/17, 6 people out of Galveston, sound about right?

You should be able to find a balcony for $1,000 per person per week (less than that for an inside or ocean view cabin), unless you are only cruising during prime time (Christmas, summer vacation, spring break ...). $2,000 per person per week sounds like you are in a suite. The last two times I paid $2,000 per person per week, I was in a suite.

Looking at the prices for the Liberty of the Sea in March 2017 for an ocean view I see:

Feb 26 - Mar 5, 2017 - $1,217 / person / week in an ocean view or $7,302 for three cabins or $5,658 for two cabins (three per cabin - the 3rd person is at a lower rate)

March 5 - 12 - $978 / person / week in an ocean view or $5,868 for three cabins or $5,794 for two cabins (three per cabin - the 3rd person is at a slightly lower rate)

March 12 - 19 - $1,572 / person / week in an ocean view or $9,432 for three cabins or $8,204 for two cabins (three per cabin - the 3rd person is at a lower rate)

March 19 - 26 - $1,053 / person / week in an ocean view or $6,318 for three cabins or $5,374 for two cabins (three per cabin - the 3rd person is at a lower rate)

Mar 26 - Apr 2 - $1,201 / person / week in an ocean view or $7,206 for three cabins or $6,148 for two cabins (three per cabin - the 3rd person is at a lower rate)

As you can see, when you go and which itinerary you choose makes a difference in the price.

Of course the more important question for you is, is cruising really for you???

I'm assuming that the reason the original poster is looking for March 12th Thru the 19th is because their kids are off for spring break at that time. That's why I suggested Norwegian out of New Orleans might be an option because it's still within driving distance but has slightly lower price per cabin and throws in some extra perks like specialty dining and free gratuities. Or instead of the free gratuities for the adult cabin they could do the drinks package. Plus the shows and evening entertainment are better on Norwegian than on Carnival.

Agree that the spring break pricing is the main culprit here. However, cruising is not a cheap way to vacation from what I have booked.

I see cruising and land based holidays as two very different things. I'm fortunate to live in Europe, so I have easy access to many awesome places.

I treat cruising as a get away from it all holiday where the ship is the destination. DH and I have been on three cruises in the past year and have only gotten off the ship once. In our opinion, cruising is not the way to see places, and I would never use it for that. Having spent long weekends in most European cities, I can't imagine going to say, Rome for just a few hours as port stop.

If I had access in Europe to all inclusive resorts of the same caliber as those in Mexico and the Caribbean, I probably wouldn't cruise. For me, cruising fulfills that sort of holiday need. City breaks, trips to Thailand, Australia, etc. are in a different category.

I've been on 2 cruises with the wife only (alone time) and my thoughts leaving were it was okay, but I want more time in port less time on the boat. I'm a workout guy, so endless food, casino, drinking, overcrowded pools, wasn't my thing. I prefer nicer food, serenity, historic sites, unique experiences.

 

Once at port though the beach, relaxing, a margarita, a 4hr excursion was awesome. Then back on the boat I always felt UGH.

 

This was years ago 2004 and 2009 and both times on Carnival. The second piece is cost. Cruises are supposed to be cheap....but I don't see it that way anymore maybe I'm doing it wrong. Last minute deals? Yes!! Just 2 people or kids? Yes!!, but when bringing 6 people total and all are older 14, 15, 17, 19, and 41, 42 I haven't found any "cheap" prices.

 

We went to Ireland this past summer 16 days total tally every penny spent was a hair over 20k. It was awesome. We did Italy the year before 15 days for right under 19k.

 

I'm looking at cruises out of Galveston, 7 day cruise, specifically the week of March 10-19th it has to be during that time. The quotes I am seeing for 2 adjoining balcony rooms, plus drink package, tax, etc is no less than $1750 a person and only 3 ports will be seen the rest of the time you are at sea.

 

I figure a easy 12k for the 6 of us for 7 days just doesn't seem very awesome.

 

I feel like for that price I could fly to many places, spend a week, have freedom, relaxation, see sites, etc for the same price or less.

 

I guess my post is twofold for the cruise fanatics what is it you love versus flying to a destination? Is it just knowing you don't have to do anything, just on the boat chilling, catered to, no worries?

 

Secondly are my prices off or is 12k in 3/10/17, 6 people out of Galveston, sound about right?

NCL has been running what seems to be months on end that 3rd and 4th persons go free. They have 5 specials of which you get 2 to choose what works for you . I think you should check out Norweigan Cruise Line !!

Sounds to me that you would prefer a land vacation - being at sea (which seems to annoy you) is part of the deal when you cruise. Picking a prime Spring break week is not the best way to find lowest prices; and cruises are not cheap - rather good value for the money.

If Galveston is easy for you to reach, check out a beach rental on Padre Island - or maybe fly to Cancun --- Club International has some good housekeeping condos which fit 6.

No point in thinking about something which you do not think you will like and which you feel is overpriced.