Is Cruising Still the Great Value it once was????

[Iluvcruising2]

We have just done our first ever cruise and for us it is by far the cheapest way to have a fabulous holiday. Granted we are retired and can pick and choose when we go, and can go last minute too.

 

In January we did an MSC cruise (inside cabin) around the Canary Islands and up to Morroco 7 days for €435 (equiv to $385) each and this included the full 24 hour drinks package and tips. We couldn't stay in a decent hotel for a week for that.

 

I do understand that for those who work, especially for those tied to school holidays, that the prices are horrendous and cruising is then a luxury holiday, but if you are free to go as and when you will then you are cruisin for a bargin

 

I want to retire & go cruising. :):)

[mrobstad]

Ditto x 2......retire and cruise....that's the plan[emoji568][emoji568][emoji568][emoji568][emoji2][emoji2][emoji2]

[sfaaa]

You are definitely on the right track. Most cruises I've been to are full of retirees or people close to retirement age.

[philv]

We are about to leave on a 7 day eastern Caribbean cruise on Princess and have an obstructed view cabin on Lido deck for $649 pp. We picked this cabin and location and I think it's a terrific value for what we are getting. In our younger days we never thought we could afford cruising at all but now I think that for our limited vacation budget, we get a very high quality experience. We be cruisin'! :D

[Jasalth]

I think the biggest thing when deciding value really depends on the type of person you are.

 

We cruise as a family of 4. Our current booked cruise in August will run us about $5000 including everything (travel & excursions). Then again, we don't do a lot of the "normal" things! DH doesn't drink at all, and in 5 cruises I have bought 2 alcoholic drinks. Everyone already has their own camera so we don't buy photos. Any food is good as long as I am not cooking so we don't spend extra there. Also myself having a gambling issue, we no longer spend any time in the casino.

 

Compare this to our last land vacation. We went to Williamsburg / Bush Gardens for 4 days. All told, it cost me about $3000. On top of that, I had to figure out what to do, when to do it, where to eat, where to stay and then have to make alternate plans due to the fact we had a really bad weather day!

 

As for all inclusive resorts I actually priced them before I booked our August cruise. With airfare, I couldn't get away with anything less than $7000 for when we were looking to go. Maybe they are the way to go with 2 adults, but as a family it really isn't that good of a deal IMO.

[simplelife]

Dh is retiring this year after 35 years of teaching. We are looking forward to being able to cruise at times other than the high dollar school holidays.

[MrsPete]

Cruising has never been a "great value". I have always been able to find cheaper vacations (without sacrifice of quality) by doing a little research.

 

On the other hand, I don't think cruising is over-the-top expensive either.

[Iluvcruising2]

Ditto x 2......retire and cruise....that's the plan[emoji568][emoji568][emoji568][emoji568][emoji2][emoji2][emoji2]

 

I have many years to go before retirement.

[Markanddonna]

I am beginning to think that folks who spend most of their time in the Caribbean are likely to get bored eventually unless they are the type who have leathery skin from laying in the sun for hours and hours.

 

The Caribbean and the Bahamas are lovely but the islands all start looking the same with minor variations that to be honest, aren't all that interesting to me. I think looking into an all inclusive resort might be a great idea compared to cruising for many. We prefer to vary our experiences: TA's to Europe, Alaska, the Panama Canal, etc.

 

For "simple life" and any who are locked into those high price school holidays: retirement is absolutely wonderful as you can enjoy some of the best times of the year at the lowest prices. We went on an 8 night Carnival cruise (our first- not great, but not that bad either) for $199 pp, have gone on TA's both east and west bound for $725-950 pp (cabins were anything between an obstructed view to a balcony) and a 19 night Panama Canal cruise $1,149 for a balcony- all scheduled during the time of year teachers can't get off. Few children, although the ones on board were just fine.

Hotels are cheaper, flights, etc.

 

Of all the cruise types, I prefer TAs so that we can do some exploring inland. These vacations require a lot of research and aren't a last minute type of deal for us.