Total cost for Med cruise

The total cost of Med. cruise seems getting a bit out of control. We have booked a Med. cruise for June 2008 on Summit. We REALLY would like to go on this cruise. The cruise fare seemed fair so we booked and did not realize how much everything would cost until after we booked.

We are only getting a oceanview cabin for 3 of us. That is already a bit over 6K. Airfare will likely cost around $1500 per person (based on the airline and route we refer). Then the cost of private tour guides (I know I know...you are going to tell us that we don't necessarily need private guides). I estimate for three of us, each city's private tour will cost us about 250 Euros assuming we do share with others in a van. We like to have private guides for Rome, Florence, Naples, Athens and possibly Nice. That is at least 1000 Euros.

Plus hotels pre and post cruise, meals and transportation, plus the misc expenses on board. We usually don't spend that much on board but still there will be some expenses e.g. a few drinks, ice cream and laundry.

I estimate this trip may cost us around $15000!!!

Folks who just finished their Med cruises, tell me how much you had spent?!

In the worse case scenario, we may have to cancel the trip.

Help!!

The problem with the airfare is due to going to Europe in June which is peak travel time for going to Europe and you are going to pay top dollar.

I am going on a Med Sea cruise in october:

Cruise $797 a person

Airfare $ 745 a person

Precruise Hotel: Hotel Continental Barcelona 110 euros

NCL Excurisons: 230 a person

Naples, Rome and Villelefranche on your own: TBD

plus other expenses

It all depends on how much you do on your own and you could save on private tours if you do your own planning.

Also you are paying a premium for going in June.

quanmama,

I totally sympathize. I'm kind of in the same boat (pun intended). I found a really nice cruise on the Grand Princess out of Rome for 12 nights ending in Venice, Oct '08, at a decent price, so I booked it. I didn't take Princess airfare as they wanted $1200 pp. Thought I could find it cheaper on my own. Ha Ha Ha

When I started looking, airfare is $1200-1500 for the open jaw flights.

I'd like to do 2 nights pre-cruise in Rome and 2 nights post cruise in Venice, but having trouble finding hotels under $280+++ per night. Transfer from the airport to Rome is 50 EUR, but then the transfer from Rome to Civitavecchia is 120 EUR.

I'm looking at $5000 per person, and I'm not doing private tour guides at all, so your estimate of $15,000 for three of you would be about right. I'm doing Hop on/hop off buses at most destinations and just doing our own thing. The only ship tour will be in Santorini because I don't want to have to take the gondolas or mules up the side of the caldera.

With the dollar doing so poorly, prices in Europe are terribly high right now. The only thing that might help is if the dollar can gain some strength between now and '08, but I'm not holding my breath. When I first booked, the exchange rate was $1.31 to 1 EUR, now it's $1.37 to 1 EUR, so it has lost ground, but anything can happen in the next year.

Good Luck, and I hope you can still take your cruise!

Well, you're right about it being expensive. The cost of the cruise

is not so bad but the airfare can kill you. We're doing a 12 night

E. Med cruise in Sept. We opted for a longer one to get more

bang for our buck. We've been planning this for a couple of years

now. We cashed in our frequent flyer miles and we're using Hilton

points for all our pre and post cruise stays. That alone has saved

us thousands. We are doing all private tours and the total tour cost

will be $2500 (for two of us). That's not including spending money

for food, souvineirs, tips, and misc expenses. Since you're planning

for 2008 you will have time to plan and save.

Cat Girl,

If you don't mind my asking - Who have you booked your private tours with? Especially Rome and Florence.

Tina

The problem with the airfare is due to going to Europe in June which is peak travel time for going to Europe and you are going to pay top dollar.

 

I am going on a Med Sea cruise in october:

Cruise $797 a person

Airfare $ 745 a person

Precruise Hotel: Hotel Continental Barcelona 110 euros

NCL Excurisons: 230 a person

Naples, Rome and Villelefranche on your own: TBD

plus other expenses

 

It all depends on how much you do on your own and you could save on private tours if you do your own planning.

 

Also you are paying a premium for going in June.

Dh and I would love to be able to cruise off peak season. However, summer is the only time we could cruise due to our DS. June, July and August have almost the same prices and I believe July and August are actually worse than June.

quanmama,

 

I totally sympathize. I'm kind of in the same boat (pun intended). I found a really nice cruise on the Grand Princess out of Rome for 12 nights ending in Venice, Oct '08, at a decent price, so I booked it. I didn't take Princess airfare as they wanted $1200 pp. Thought I could find it cheaper on my own. Ha Ha Ha

 

When I started looking, airfare is $1200-1500 for the open jaw flights.

I'd like to do 2 nights pre-cruise in Rome and 2 nights post cruise in Venice, but having trouble finding hotels under $280+++ per night. Transfer from the airport to Rome is 50 EUR, but then the transfer from Rome to Civitavecchia is 120 EUR.

 

I'm looking at $5000 per person, and I'm not doing private tour guides at all, so your estimate of $15,000 for three of you would be about right. I'm doing Hop on/hop off buses at most destinations and just doing our own thing. The only ship tour will be in Santorini because I don't want to have to take the gondolas or mules up the side of the caldera.

 

With the dollar doing so poorly, prices in Europe are terribly high right now. The only thing that might help is if the dollar can gain some strength between now and '08, but I'm not holding my breath. When I first booked, the exchange rate was $1.31 to 1 EUR, now it's $1.37 to 1 EUR, so it has lost ground, but anything can happen in the next year.

 

Good Luck, and I hope you can still take your cruise!

Thanks for the sympathy! Doesn't it suck? Both DH and I work very hard and we just want to have a vacation that we could enjoy and spend time with DS.

Well, the area where we live in does not help us save--we are in the Silicon Valley area where the housing market is still going crazy. Everything is expensive here--groceries, gas, school tuition, mortgages....!!

May be we will just do a week of Alsaka........

Your estimate seems on target. We are doing the Med next month - on the Legend of the Seas. Spending 4 nights in Rome pre-cruise is going to cost us around 200 Euros per night. Post cruise two nights (one with points and the other $250. USD). Transfers to the to hotel - port - port - hotel - airport = 300 Euros (doing private car for two people). Three excursions booked = $600 USD. Balance of sightseeing on our own - walking through towns and savouring the atmostphere of Greece and Italy. Add in onboard tips, wine, few drinks, few souvenirs and food pre and post cruise = $1000 USD. Add in price of cabin. Fortunately we are using points to fly and one of our hotel nights is covered by points.

On the other hand we do enjoy the casino so that will have an impact as well.

Overall, very expensive however the chance to see the Pyramids, being on a boat on the Nile, see ancient Greece, Pompeii, ancient Turkey, Cyprus and beautiful Greek islands and, of course, the seas = Priceless!

For us it is a dream come true -- we were in Rome in the early nineties - threw some coins into Trevi Fountain wishing to come back some day. That day is almost here.....

:)

Your estimate seems on target. We are doing the Med next month - on the Legend of the Seas. Spending 4 nights in Rome pre-cruise is going to cost us around 200 Euros per night. Post cruise two nights (one with points and the other $250. USD). Transfers to the to hotel - port - port - hotel - airport = 300 Euros (doing private car for two people). Three excursions booked = $600 USD. Balance of sightseeing on our own - walking through towns and savouring the atmostphere of Greece and Italy. Add in onboard tips, wine, few drinks, few souvenirs and food pre and post cruise = $1000 USD. Add in price of cabin. Fortunately we are using points to fly and one of our hotel nights is covered by points.

On the other hand we do enjoy the casino so that will have an impact as well.

Overall, very expensive however the chance to see the Pyramids, being on a boat on the Nile, see ancient Greece, Pompeii, ancient Turkey, Cyprus and beautiful Greek islands and, of course, the seas = Priceless!

 

For us it is a dream come true -- we were in Rome in the early nineties - threw some coins into Trevi Fountain wishing to come back some day. That day is almost here.....

:)

That is great. Congratulation on being able to go back.

The problems that contributed to the high costs are the dollar vs. the euros for the costs associated with the cruise and extra money spent in ports and the high cost for fuel contibuting to the increase in airfare costs.

No question about it, the cost has increased for trips to Europe.

Three suggestions for keeping costs down;

-Try to select a cruise in the off peak months. This includes March, April, October and November. Actually, the weather is more comfortable and there are less crowds than in the summer.

- Minimize purchases in the Med. Given the exchange rate the costs for items are very expensive to begn with. Set a budget and stick to it.

-Do lots of research on shore excursions. In some cities I see people doing very extensive private tours that can be done at a more cost effective manner. For example, many times folks book a private tour (including car) for a pre cruise say in Rome. It can be very expensive. You have the fees for the driver and car , lunch seems to be a big to do (can be included or not) and before you know it, the fees are quite high. You can still do an organized tour for a much cheaper price. We have done a couple of group tours in Rome (8-10 in a group). We met the group at a designated spot and for each of 2 days went on two tours. One was a four hour tour of the Vatican Museum and the other was a 4 hour tour of the Colloseum and the Ancient City. The rest of what we saw in Rome was on our own. And, some would argue that we could have done these on our own but in our case we wanted to have a knowledgeable person explain the history to us. But, either way you can do a small group tour that you arrange or just tour on your own and save quite a bit.

What I am trying to get to here is that why we go to Europe is for the wonderful history. So, you can reduce expenses by not making food or shopping the focal point and by making seeing the sites the focal point and you can see the sites at cost effective ways if you want to. So, I would think through how to maximize the most in each port without spending a lot of money.

Related to that, take lots of pictures. For us, that is our memory rather than feeling the need to spend a lot for items in the stores that we really don't need anyway.

Keith

This is an interesting thread because I was just telling a friend that I think this will be my last year in Europe for a while do to how expense it has gotton.

In September I will travel with my almost 8 year old son to Rome where we will stay for 2 nights at about $300 a night. We will then go with a private driver to Positano for 3 nights and pay about $400 a night. We will then board the Westerdam for 10 nights. We will use private tours in all the ports as well as for the days in Rome and transfers. Travelling alone with my son, doing it on my own scares me.

I was fortunate to be able to cash in Amex points for free usiness class airline tickets or this trip really wouldn't have been possible. (Just imagine how expense tickets are from Cancun:eek: )

Since this is our third year to Europe I don't expect to spend much on shopping. I don't drink alcohol but I like to go to the spa ,so with tips my on board account will probably be less than $1000.

So in the end, I will easily spend the 15k that you have budgeted. That being said, I love Europe and I think it's a great place to show our kids so much history. If this is your first trip I would say without a doubt that it's worth the money.

Then the cost of private tour guides (I know I know...you are going to tell us that we don't necessarily need private guides).

I would try to cut costs wherever possible rather than cancel a cruise as fantastic as this one.

Since you knew that this suggestion would come up;) I will pass it along .... Athens, Rome, Villefranche and Florence can easily be done on your own at very little cost....as long as you enjoy walking and doing research in advance.

Meals on our pre & post cruise days, and port days, were not a big expense for us .... lunches were often a quick sandwich or even a stop in a grocery store to pick up some cheese, bread and meat. We were so busy sightseeing that we didn't want to take time for long meals. Dinners were 'sit down' ones, but there are reasonably priced restaurants to choose from.

I hope your plans work out for you, but if not, Alaska is a nice destination .... but I will add that our Millennium Med cruise has been one of our best vacations to date.:)

Cat Girl,

 

If you don't mind my asking - Who have you booked your private tours with? Especially Rome and Florence.

 

Tina

My cruise doesn't stop in Florence. But here are my expenses for

Rome:

Transportation by www.romecabs.com from FCO to hotel = 50E

All day tour of Rome for two (Salvatore Lucibello) =350E

taxi to Vatican from hotel =10E

private tour guide for Vatican (3 hours) =180E

taxi back to hotel = 10E

pick by Salvatore for transportation to pier = 120E

Rome will be my most expensive port of call. I know I

could have done things much cheaper by catching the

train but this is my first trip to Europe so I'm kind of

chicken. I'm sure the next time I'll be more adventurous and

tackle the public transportation.

That would be right, but after two incredible experiences on the Med Im going to tell you that you wont regret it and that its worth every cent!!!!!

These are my two cents:

First experience it cost more or less what you are paying. Why ? We were 3

We have 2 nights pre cruise in Madrid and Rome on hotels very well located

We had private tranfers and tours in both places.Our cruise was the Grand Princess(inside 6,000 for 3) and ended in Venice were we also spend 2 night in a hotel near St Marks. In this trip we used private tours in Livorno and Naples but were a group of 14 so this tours ended up being cheapest than the ships.We did others with the ship.We pay 1,000 for our plane tickets. Using private tours and transfers and booking hotels well located made our trip perfect and trouble free.

This time it was cheaper and we had an even better time its that possible Why?

Took the Carnival Freedom (inside guarantee) for 5,300 for 4 people. I wanted to go back no matter what and this ship has a great itinerary and value.WE Choose inside because you are not going to spend much time in your cabin and for seeing those incredible ports you need more than a window or balcony you need a 360 view.:D It was on the last floor and it was very quiet and we where the first to go out and when you come back and the elevators are full you only go up one floor Excellent!! It was a great experience we love the ship and the people and we have many great memories.The food was veryyyyy good.This time we also got our air for 1,000. This time we stay in Rome for 2 nights pre and pot cruise on a B&B for 55E pp per night. We didnt take private tour in Rome we use the metro but we took private tranfers. We did private tours on Livorno and Naples but again we were 10 so it was cheaper than the ships.This time we also had the Roll call for our cruise here and many people join for transfers and tours.We did it in Messina.We did one ship tour and went on our own some times. Read about your ports of calls to save money and eat pizza and simple things for lunch.We dont spend very much on souvenirs or anything. My treasure and souvenirs are my pictures(more than 800):eek: I was just happy to be there I dont need anything else

When I first booked, the exchange rate was $1.31 to 1 EUR, now it's $1.37 to 1 EUR, so it has lost ground, but anything can happen in the next year.

What I am reading in the financial news is that many currency analysts are predicting a further decline in the value of the dollar; it may hit $1.49 to 1 EUR before it stops, though they think $2.06 for £1 may be as bad as it's going to get.

For people who are planning their trips well in advance, joining an airline frequent flier group and then maximizing every chance you have to earn miles to pay for airfare can be a huge help.

For example, I fly a few times a year -- not enough by itself to get a lot of points. However, I also applied for a credit card that earns points for me (more on some purchases than others, PLUS a certain number of bonus points just for getting it). I check their website frequent for other special offers -- you can easily earn 1,000 miles here, 2,000 miles there if you are diligent.

Since airfare is such a big chunk of the expense, it's worth considering....

What I am reading in the financial news is that many currency analysts are predicting a further decline in the value of the dollar; it may hit $1.49 to 1 EUR before it stops, though they think $2.06 for £1 may be as bad as it's going to get.

RHefley

Thanks so much for that tidbit of news. I could have gone all day without that, but it is nothing that I haven't been thinking could happen. I still pray the analysts are wrong, and the dollar bounces back.

If it is as high as $1.49 next year, I may have to rethink going back to Europe. I've been, so to me, it's just not worth spending that kind of money to go again. I got the cruise fairly well priced (compared to others I have taken), but I wasn't quite prepared for the prices of the hotels, food, tours, and transportation on land. I got a 12 night cruise for $2000, I'm certainly not going to pay that amount for 2 nights in Rome and 2 nights in Venice. If others weren't so willing to spend the money (whatever the cost), maybe prices would come down.

I'm seriously thinking of cancelling the cruise and just travelling here in the good old USA and keep my money at home!

For Canadians, the Euro is doing just great!! When we cruised in 05, it was around 1.60...now it's 1.44. Even at 1.60, I'm not going to let a few $100 make or break a trip for us. Most of the costs are in US$ anyway. So you've got private shore excursions, daily spending and any pre/post stays...couple of $100 difference at most. Adjust your spending if you can't afford a bit more. Stay one night pre cruise instead of two. Do a couple of shore excursions on your own rather than through the ship or private.

My cruise doesn't stop in Florence. But here are my expenses for

Rome:

 

Transportation by www.romecabs.com from FCO to hotel = 50E

All day tour of Rome for two (Salvatore Lucibello) =350E

taxi to Vatican from hotel =10E

private tour guide for Vatican (3 hours) =180E

taxi back to hotel = 10E

pick by Salvatore for transportation to pier = 120E

 

.

I get the being chicken bit on your first trip, but if you're staying in Rome anyway, why the private tours? You could just wander through the great city and see so much by yourself.

Europe is not to be missed. The experience of travelling is priceless especially for children. Yes, DH & I could have a big house etc...but we love to travel so much that we spend our money doing that.

As mentioned on this post you can minimize expenses in each port. Join your roll call and get a group together for trips. You can save over $100 dollars per person. European cities have great public transit systems. We are doing walking tours in Rome with Through Eternity tours - quite reasonable and free for children under 12. We also were lucky enough to get on the Scavi tour at the Vatican - while you have to put your name in a few months in advance - (see the Vatican website for more details) it is a cheap 10 euros per person. They have other tours too that with a bit of planning you can book.

With some research - you can have a great trip and not spend thousands of dollars. The memories your family will have will last forever.

My DH and I did the Millie 05/03/07 10 night RT BCN to BCN. CC cabin # 8045 total including tax 4873.00, on board expenses including gratuities 370.00(had 200.00 credit) separate gratuities 60.00, RT non stop air fare on Continental 1942.00 (including 400.00 penalty to change date), 3 nights at the Hotel 1898 BCN pre cruise 1137.00, I will allow a generous 2000.00 for expenses(including 370 for ships tours and 400.00 for 2 private tours) for a total of just under 10,000.00. I think if you research the air and cruise fares you will get a much better deal in early May or September in the Med plus great weather and fewer people. Was a great trip.

agabbymama Check your Santorini tour. Usually they pick you up at the bottom by bus but they end at the top and give you a gondola ticket to go down. I was not excited by the gondola but it was fine. Sit with your back to the water and you don't even know you are going up. We took the gondola up to the top about $4-5 euros. Walked thru Fira to the bus stop and for $1.20 we took a beautiful motor coach bus to Oia. Our whole trip was about $12.00 versus the trip's tour for $100.

Wait ! Dont give up! We are a middle class family also struggling with the economy. My husband just started a new business and I am a teacher and you know what that means.Like another poster said I dont have a big house our and expensive car I like to travel. Please think about it Why? You are ok now you dont know what you are going to be like tomorrow. Never let for tomorrow what you can do today, Life is soooo uncertain in many ways. Enjoy it! When I was thinking like you about taking my first my cruise to the Med my friend told me something that is very true. You are never going to have this kind of money to do this, You have to take it. I am still paying for it, truth but do I regret it NO! How do I regret something that made me live the best days of my life ? A dream! That change my whole perspective of life. That open the door to a whole new world of incredible beauty.

I have to quotes that I love that Im going to share with you and with anyone that is thinking of going to Europe but is a little afraid ($$$) as I was

Life is too short to dream and not dare

And the other;

Life is not measured by the breaths we take but by the moments that take your breat away.

I guarantee you that you are going to have many of those moments in Europe:) Have a good day!

Wait ! Dont give up! We are a middle class family also struggling with the economy. My husband just started a new business and I am a teacher and you know what that means.Like another poster said I dont have a big house our and expensive car I like to travel. Please think about it Why? You are ok now you dont know what you are going to be like tomorrow. Never let for tomorrow what you can do today, Life is soooo uncertain in many ways. Enjoy it! When I was thinking like you about taking my first my cruise to the Med my friend told me something that is very true. You are never going to have this kind of money to do this, You have to take it. I am still paying for it, truth but do I regret it NO! How do I regret something that made me live the best days of my life ? A dream! That change my whole perspective of life. That open the door to a whole new world of incredible beauty.

I have to quotes that I love that Im going to share with you and with anyone that is thinking of going to Europe but is a little afraid ($$$) as I was

Life is too short to dream and not dare

And the other;

Life is not measured by the breaths we take but by the moments that take your breat away.

I guarantee you that you are going to have many of those moments in Europe:) Have a good day!

Thanks for the encouragement!! Likely we will sit for a bit and see since we have a long time to think about it before we could cancel the cruise without penalty.

We will do more research on how to get around some of the ports without a private guide. Again we really would love to go. We love traveling too.

We had been to Japan quite a few times and love it. Now we are ready to explore Europe. We did British isles last year and liked it a lot. I truly believe Med. area will give a whole new perspective.

I agree that the cost of a Med cruise is quite high. Flying to Europe from the west coast is not inexpensive. We are looking into a late May trip next year and the costs just keep going up and up. I think that many people (like us) will just 'bite the bullet' and go anyway. It might be our only chance to experience the Med, and what better way than from a cruise ship. That being said, I really appreciate everything I have learned from the other posters on Cruise Critic. Thank you each and every one of you. :)