Why are cruisetours so expensive?

[voyager70]

Having never booked a cruisetour before, maybe I am missing something. We were planning on spending a day or two in Barcelona on our own prior to our Med cruise next June. Recently the cruisetours became available on the website, so I thought this might be a neat thing to do, until I checked the price! A four-night Madrid-Barcelona cruisetour next June is over $5000 more for two people, compared to the cuisefare alone we paid for our D1 stateroom. This doesn't include airfare, just the four night hotel stay, 3 half-day tours, 5 meals, and transportation. Am I missing something or does this seem overpriced for what you're getting?

[ehaugen]

Am I missing something or does this seem overpriced for what you're getting?

 

Nope you are not missing anything! Your spot on, it's overpriced!:eek:

[cruisingbooboo]

I think they play on ones fear of being in a strange place alone, do your research and find your own hotel, tour for a fraction of the cost!

[satxdiver]

Overpriced is in the eye of the beholder. The cruise tours include a nice commission for both RCL and the tour organizer/TA plus a measure of insurance that the tour has been checked and is up to the standards of RCL. If you go on your own, you eliminate the commission for both and only deal with the actual provider(s). You may choose lesser priced options while the RCL tour provides a more expensive alternative. If you go on your own, it is at your own risk so do your homework beforehand to be sure you are dealing with a reputable vendor. It is no big deal, you just have to keep your eyes open and do your homework. With the RCL trip you just have to pay and go with no worries. How much comfort are you willing to pay for?

[Loyal2RCCL]

We did our first cruise tour in Alaska last year and the cost for the 6 night pre-cruise tour was close to the cost of the 7 day cruise, but it was worth EVERY penny we paid!! Everything was first class and we didn't have any hassles with regard to planning, transportation, tours, luggage etc. We were treated royally (no pun intended) and in pricing out the same services separately it was a bragain to book through RCCL.

 

As Europe is very expensive when it comes to hotels, tours, guides, transportation etc, there is still great value to booking the cruise tour over doing things on your own-- not to mention the cruise tour guests do not have to wait in line for the museums etc.

[Bennett'sCruise]

We did our first cruise tour in Alaska last year and the cost for the 6 night pre-cruise tour was close to the cost of the 7 day cruise, but it was worth EVERY penny we paid!! Everything was first class and we didn't have any hassles with regard to planning, transportation, tours, luggage etc. We were treated royally (no pun intended) and in pricing out the same services separately it was a bragain to book through RCCL.

 

As Europe is very expensive when it comes to hotels, tours, guides, transportation etc, there is still great value to booking the cruise tour over doing things on your own-- not to mention the cruise tour guests do not have to wait in line for the museums etc.

 

Totally agree! A Cruisetour is a 5-star experience from start to finish! You are catered to all the time ... most include tons of excursions, many meals, all luggage handling, the best tour guides AND drivers, and, of course, the transportation. The suggestions about where to go and what to do at each stop made to us by the guide and driver were invaluable.

Talk about spoiling ... it's wonderful! :D

[negc]

You may be paying a premium for having the convenience of the cruiseline making all of the arrangements for you and overseeing your transportation, lodging, sightseeing, and perhaps even some or all of your meals. Try pricing each of the elements individually and see how much more you are paying by booking the whole thing through the cruiseline. That amount is pretty much what you are paying for the convenience of having them do everything for you and for assuring that you are going to be dealing with reputable tour companies, hotels etc. After you have figured out how much extra it is costing you to do it through the line, you will be in a better position to judge whether or not it is really overpriced. It may be, but then again, you may decide that it is worth the extra amount to be assured of a first rate pre-cruise experience.:)

[voyager70]

I understand the convenience and security of booking a cruisetour as opposed to doing it on your own, and would expect to pay a premium price. But this still, IMO, doesn't justify paying double what we would if booking things independently. I've priced 4-star hotels and independent tours, and estimated meal costs included in the cruisetour, and it would be about half of the cruisetour price.