Is there such thing as a cheap cruise???

[Jana60]

Newbie here! My DH and I are going on our first kid free vacation to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We don't have a very big budget and every time I add up costs for the $339 pp fare, it totals well over $1500 and that's sleeping in an interior room. I want to go on a cruise so much but wonder if there is more bang for my buck elsewhere.

Should I spend my money elsewhere or am I just going to have to stomach the cost being a far cry from $339 each?!?!

 

Tips to save money:

1. If you have a local cruise port close enough to drive to save airfare and travel out of there.

2. Since you are not taking the kids, travel at a time when kids are in school and the prices will always be lower.

3. Cheapest time of the year to cruise is typically Sept through December excluding Holidays in which children are out of school. re: christmas.

 

I don't know what length of cruise your 339 pp fare is for, but I am booked on 7 day Eastern Caribbean on Glory out of Miami in Dec for total cabin price including tax and port charges of $893.67 for a 1A upper lower on Carnival Glory. They have Ocean view with king size bed for total cabin price of $1229.34 incl tax and port charges. That would be about $175 per day for a vacation for 2 that includes gormet food and entertainment. Or you could do the Western Caribbean route (lower port charges in Mexico) for total cabin price of $1136.34 for Ocean view with king bed. Unless you go camping and sleep in a tent you will be hard pressed to find a better value than a Cruise.

[Jana60]

Tips to save money:

1. If you have a local cruise port close enough to drive to save airfare and travel out of there.

2. Since you are not taking the kids, travel at a time when kids are in school and the prices will always be lower.

3. Cheapest time of the year to cruise is typically Sept through December excluding Holidays in which children are out of school. re: christmas.

 

I don't know what length of cruise your 339 pp fare is for, but I am booked on 7 day Eastern Caribbean on Glory out of Miami in Dec for total cabin price including tax and port charges of $893.67 for a 1A upper lower on Carnival Glory. They have Ocean view with king size bed for total cabin price of $1229.34 incl tax and port charges. That would be about $175 per day for a vacation for 2 that includes gormet food and entertainment. Or you could do the Western Caribbean route (lower port charges in Mexico) for total cabin price of $1136.34 for Ocean view with king bed. Unless you go camping and sleep in a tent you will be hard pressed to find a better value than a Cruise.

 

To do a fare comparison I searched for a 7 day trip flight and hotel from Norfolk VA to Cozumel (which is of course a cheaper place to visit than Eastern Caribbean) with all inclusive hotel and the cheapest one is $971 pp for the same dates. That would be $1942 total. Aiirfare for 2 for Dec 2-9 trip from Norfolk VA to Miami would be about $600 making total price $1736. Still less than land trip. You would still have tour expenses whether you stay on a ship or stay in a hotel. Of course the all inclusive includes alcohol but you can buy quite a few drinks for $206 even at cruise line prices.

[maldenmusic]

I always find our cruises to be more economical than most other vacations we could take. We drive to the port and that saves us on airfare.

[calliopecruiser]

I agree that if you can drive to a port, cruising is a very economical way to travel......it's the airfare that's a killer for those of us who don't live in a port city :(

[gilboman]

That has not been my experience. The presentation and service surpass any chain restaurant I can think of. And they often have items you wouldn't find at a chain restaurant either, things like escargot, frogs legs, and so forth (granted these types of items may not be to everyone's liking...). And the food quality, for me, has been almost always at least as good as a chain restaurant, and often surpasses it.

 

Fair enough..but I'll take Ihop anyday over any lunch/breakfast on the massmarket cruiseline and anything at cheesecake factory is better than the stuff I've been served on RCCL/CCL anytime of the day.

 

But everybody has different expectations. Was just wonder what cruiseline you're sailing.

[gdisney]

Fair enough..but I'll take Ihop anyday over any lunch/breakfast on the massmarket cruiseline and anything at cheesecake factory is better than the stuff I've been served on RCCL/CCL anytime of the day.

 

But everybody has different expectations. Was just wonder what cruiseline you're sailing.

 

I've been on RCI, Carnival, and Princess in recent years. Actually, I think I would agree with you on the breakfast part...

[CruiserBruce]

Fair enough..but I'll take Ihop anyday over any lunch/breakfast on the massmarket cruiseline and anything at cheesecake factory is better than the stuff I've been served on RCCL/CCL anytime of the day.

 

But everybody has different expectations. Was just wonder what cruiseline you're sailing.

 

Those aren't particularly good comparisons. Neither an individual IHOP or Cheesecake Factory are serving thousands of meals at a seating... And if cruise lines had the cost for food that Cheesecake Factory charges...

[gilboman]

Those aren't particularly good comparisons. Neither an individual IHOP or Cheesecake Factory are serving thousands of meals at a seating... And if cruise lines had the cost for food that Cheesecake Factory charges...

 

That's not the point..the poster said and i quote "5-star" meals which you seem to agree by saying the cruiseline can't come close to replicating because of the banquet hall and bargain basement ingredients they are limited to by the cheap cruisefares.

 

So if it's not even Ihop or Cheesecake factory quality (which are far far from 5-star)... that was why I was wondering what cruiseline(s) had such gastronomical meals lol

 

But I agree with you, with the sheer number of meals in a constrained amount of time and with the low low cost available, you won't even get chain restaurant quality food on the mass market cruiselines. But I did remember reading I think it was on here about themed cruises and one had Nobu onboard.

[CruiserBruce]

I guess we need to define "5 star". Cheesecake Factory, as I recall, doesn't serve filet mignon, lobster, escargot or caviar (sp?), as many ships do. So what defines "5 star". I don't think a waffle at IHOP does. But I would learn seriously towards escargot. Simply getting a large serving (as Cheesecake Factory is known for) of something you like doesn't imply better.

[cruisinonnie]

I definitely feel cruising is the less expensive way to travel. Airfare has become ridiculous but if you are on a budget go to southwest and get their credit card you can usually get 2 free tickets. Cost for card 95.00 year. Check out the various web sites you can get inside room (and we have had mini suites, balconies, outside and inside rooms and don't mind any of them as not in the room much) Some cruise specials have shipboard credit you can apply to your tips. Don't plan to drink as that is very costly on a ship. Many people get surprised. Get a hotel on hotwire to keep costs down. Go to beaches. Take a Taxi to and from and your costs will be minimal. We don't eat off the ship except on rare occasions. You can have fun you just have to plan. Free entertainment on the ships. We don't buy a lot of junk anymore after you get it home you say what???? Do your research and you can come up with something. We try and take a less expensive cruise in fall so we can take another in Jan when we are tired of the cold. Good Luck to you.

[calliopecruiser]

But I did remember reading I think it was on here about themed cruises and one had Nobu onboard.

 

Crystal cruise ships each have a Nobu-designed Japanese restaurant with Nobu-trained chefs (I'm not sure if they're "official" Nobu restaurants, though).

[gdisney]

I definitely feel cruising is the less expensive way to travel. Airfare has become ridiculous but if you are on a budget

 

It certainly can be, especially if you live fairly close to a port. Another suggestion - for our next cruise we're taking Amtrak to the port as opposed to flying. It was about $150 less per person, and although it of course takes longer we're looking forward to the adventure or riding the rails and seeing the land. And the Amtrak ends up only about 5 miles from the pier, so a cab ride won't be too bad.

[ladybug1s]

Newbie here! My DH and I are going on our first kid free vacation to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We don't have a very big budget and every time I add up costs for the $339 pp fare, it totals well over $1500 and that's sleeping in an interior room. I want to go on a cruise so much but wonder if there is more bang for my buck elsewhere.

 

Should I spend my money elsewhere or am I just going to have to stomach the cost being a far cry from $339 each?!?!

you say your from VA? Have you tried looking at the port of Baltimore? Then you wouldnt have the airfare?

[indigosails]

Back in "the day," when we were all young and poor, we had friends who took a ferry up the Alaskan coast. They LOVED it! I don't know the logistics, and I'm sure the cost is more today, but it was a great way to go for very little money. Check it out. It was called "Alaskan Ferry," IIRC.

[SOUNDANDFURY]

I live in Virginia so not really close to a port. Baltimore isn't far but it's more costly than say port canaveral or Miami. $1500 is for both cruise fares, prepaid gratuities, and our excursions. Gas on top of that to drive to Florida would be $300-400 unless I can score a cheap flight. Making the 5 day cruise to the Bahamas around $2000. Just seems high to me!

 

I live in VA (hampton roads area)and do not fly, I have driven to the port in Baltimore for a cruise. I have also sailed from cape liberty NJ, both offer some pretty good deals. You just have to watch for them.

 

Last year we took a 7 day on the carnival dream from port canaverial (excuse my spelling) FL, we drove down, paid for parking, 2 people in a cove balcony room, 4 excursions each, bought pictures on the ship and the whole ball of wax for about $2000.00 total.

 

Our next cruise is leaving from Norfolk VA October 14, and the cruise fare with tax was only $1050.00 for both of us, we are taking a taxi to the port so we don't have to pay for parking, so this cruise will probably be around $1800 grand total with excursions, drinks, etc.

[tubabob]

We took a winter cruise from Baltimore on the Carnival Pride - although we had a suite, inside staterooms can be had at bargain prices, especially if you are able to wait until a few weeks before the cruise. If it's $400 pp for a seven day cruise, $1500 total seems realistic when you add tips and port charges, plus parking in Baltimore. You can skip the excursions and just go to the beaches at each port - much cheaper. Once on board, unless you want soft drinks or alcoholic drinks, absolutely everything is included - meals, shows, pools, even ice cream between meals.

[ladybug1s]

We took a winter cruise from Baltimore on the Carnival Pride - although we had a suite, inside staterooms can be had at bargain prices, especially if you are able to wait until a few weeks before the cruise. If it's $400 pp for a seven day cruise, $1500 total seems realistic when you add tips and port charges, plus parking in Baltimore. You can skip the excursions and just go to the beaches at each port - much cheaper. Once on board, unless you want soft drinks or alcoholic drinks, absolutely everything is included - meals, shows, pools, even ice cream between meals.

 

Was it cold leaving out of Baltimore in December? Where did you go and was the water and weather warm for swimming? The only thing with Enchantment is there is only one Family Ocean view. Wonder why they don't have more rooms to accommodate families with children without having to buy the pricey suites when obviously some of the rooms are bigger than some of the Suites.

[PalmettoBug]

I'm looking for a cruise tonight because I have spent the past few weeks trying to find something I can afford in the Florida panhandle and am spoiled by the low prices for cruising. Everything we are seeing for rent is at least $1300 for a week, and those are condos with no meals and no entertainment. I'd say $399 x 2 for a week of meals and entertainment is a pretty good deal. It isn't necessary to take an expensive shore excursion most places cruise ships go. We generally look for cruises that go places we haven't been before or places we have been that we loved--like Santorini. If you do that, you could spend your time at most ports just exploring what's there without having to spend any more than you want and save your $ for one biggie for the trip.

[Cruisin' Chick]

When you consider the price per night, five day cruises are generally not as good a value as a 7-day cruise. As you increase the number of days of a cruise, all else being equal, the daily rate goes down.

 

As others have said, when you start considering going to the same city (as your embarkation port) and stay five days, the amount of money you'll probably spend may actually be higher than going on a cruise.

 

Other than the fare, gratuities, transportation (flights, shuttles, taxis) to the embarkation port and back, pre-cruise hotel (important if you are traveling more than a simple drive away), port fees/gov't taxes... mostly everything else is up to you. If you just go into port and walk around, and not do any excursions -- less money (some ports you may have to take a taxi, others you can just walk off the ship and into town). You can take your own photographs. You can drink only the free drinks (water, tea, coffee, etc). You can avoid the casino.

 

Our last two cruises were two-week cruises and other than the fare, we probably spent a lot less for the three of us than some people drop on a week's cruise. On one of those, we did three excursions booked thru Princess; the second one, we didn't do any excursions. We used a car service to get to the port, an hour's drive for us (neither of our trunks can hold two week's of luggage). We brought our own bottled water/soda with us. My hubby did buy some wine (even though we also brought a box o'wine) and I brought one drink. My hubby bought some of the photos. But we didn't eat in the specialty restaurants, we didn't gamble. Our purchases were more like tee shirts.

 

Maybe one thing you can do is talk to a cruise specialist (a TA who specializes in cruises) and get his or her advice on when's the best time to travel. If you can be flexible on ship/cruiseline/date/itinerary, you might be able to save $.

[navyrotorhead]

Newbie here! My DH and I are going on our first kid free vacation to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We don't have a very big budget and every time I add up costs for the $339 pp fare, it totals well over $1500 and that's sleeping in an interior room. I want to go on a cruise so much but wonder if there is more bang for my buck elsewhere.

 

Should I spend my money elsewhere or am I just going to have to stomach the cost being a far cry from $339 each?!?!

 

Spend some time shopping around and comparing between different on line sights, travel agents, and cruise lines. I just did a 14 night transatlantic for 599.00 per person. You can find 7 nighters for 349-399. If you can be flexible about your travel dates, deals abound.

[bahrain_not_dubai!]

Cruises ARE amazing bang for buck, even at the prices you have stated above.

 

If you were to try to get the same service, food, entertainment, and transportation as you would on a ship on land, you will run up a much, much higher price than you would on a ship. The only drawback is that usually, the 'rooms' or cabins don't compare to those found in hotels, but you won't spend time there anyway and they are all very practical, as well as somewhat cozy.

 

Is there any chance the costs add up due to flying? Again, trust me, cruising is by far the most affordable kind of vacation, when you add up what you will actually be receiving onboard once you get there, not just purely the cost. The return on the investment, if you like, is incredible.

 

At any standard, weather it be normal cruises, premium, luxury or even ultra-luxury voyages, they usually offer a far better product than their land based counterparts at a much lower price. In other words, cruises have the most bang for buck in the travel business.

 

For example ''navyroterhead' above managed to sail on a 14 night cruise with Celebrity, a premium line (5 star) for $599. Doing the same on a hotel that offered the amenities and services that Celebrity does would cost close to $3599 even in low season, and that of course does not include the transportation, entertainment, or meals.

[Mijo]

I live in Virginia so not really close to a port. Baltimore isn't far but it's more costly than say port canaveral or Miami. $1500 is for both cruise fares, prepaid gratuities, and our excursions. Gas on top of that to drive to Florida would be $300-400 unless I can score a cheap flight. Making the 5 day cruise to the Bahamas around $2000. Just seems high to me!

 

I am new to cruising too. You have to do a lot of hours of research to get as much info for what you want to do. Go online and check diferent online booking agencies to see which cruise line has the best fare as well as seeing what is on each ship. Check the ports ( see CC and do a google sat map to check the area), read CC a lot!!

I'm from Montreal and my DH and I are leaving in december for a 8 night NYC to the Bahamas cruise for about 1700.00$. Includes bus fare MTL to NYC, 1 night hotel in NYC, cruise fare, gratuities and a bit of spending money for onboard (alcohol and others).

It's doable!

 

Good luck!

[Jo-Bob]

Back in "the day," when we were all young and poor, we had friends who took a ferry up the Alaskan coast. They LOVED it! I don't know the logistics, and I'm sure the cost is more today, but it was a great way to go for very little money. Check it out. It was called "Alaskan Ferry," IIRC.

 

Alaska Marine Highway Ferry.

 

Not longer cheap, and not much of an option for someone living as far away as Virigina...then they'd have to get BACK from Alaska. Even though you can take your car on the ferry, probably looking at around a 7 day drive, from Alaska....probably 4 days drive to Vancouver. I would suspect this is not even remotely possible for OP.