5 day cruise price for 3?

[MNCruizer1]

Hi. We have never cruised before. My SIL is going on a 5 day and we were looking into going with her. She said for their group of 4...it was cheap(can't remember exact amount) having never cruised before...I have NO idea what a good deal is or isn't. I started looking on Carnival's website. The cruise is on the Triumph..leaving from Galveston. Stopping in Cozumel and Progreso Mexico. For the 3 of us..the price is $2051.00.(August 15th-20th.) That is just the cruise..not including airfare or hotel. I have no idea if that is a good deal or outrageously expensive. It feels expensive to me but again..I have never ever been on a cruise.

 

Thanks for any input.

[serene56]

Putting 4 people who are adults in one cabin will be very tight.

 

 

For me-- I like to keep my cruise price at 100 pp or less

 

for me 683 for a 5 day cruise is a lot of money. (I paid 1800 for 3 of us on a 7 day cruise on Splendor (you also need to factor in tips which at $12.00 pp per day airfare, hotel for the arriving the day before

 

What type of room are you pricing out?

 

Notice the HUGE price drop if you leave on August 29th. The earlier you book a cruise the most cheapest it will be

 

you could go on the Freedom for 7 nights for $1476.00

Edited March 17, 2015 by serene56

[Aquahound]

What type of room are you in? $683 per person on a 5 nighter sounds high, especially on Carnival. I recently did a 5 nighter on Liberty of the Seas and I scored a balcony for $350 per person. It was a last minute booking though.

[MNCruizer1]

Thanks for the reply. My SIL is already booked on the 15-20th cruise. I was pricing a balcony room..this will likely be the only cruise we ever go on.. So thought my boys might like a balcony. I think we are going to just have to pass and maybe look for something else down the road. Thank you

[MNCruizer1]

What type of room are you in? $683 per person on a 5 nighter sounds high, especially on Carnival. I recently did a 5 nighter on Liberty of the Seas and I scored a balcony for $350 per person. It was a last minute booking though.

 

Yep..its for a balcony. If we didn't need airfare..I would totally try last minute. The only reason we are even considering it is because my SIL is on it already. The lowest price for this cruise is $523 pp and that's for an interior room.

[MCC retired]

Thanks for the reply. My SIL is already booked on the 15-20th cruise. I was pricing a balcony room..this will likely be the only cruise we ever go on.. So thought my boys might like a balcony. I think we are going to just have to pass and maybe look for something else down the road. Thank you

 

The only cruise that you will ever be on ?

Expect that idea to change after this cruise.

Go with what you can afford now.

[MNCruizer1]

The only cruise that you will ever be on ?

Expect that idea to change after this cruise.

Go with what you can afford now.

 

Ohhhh..I know I would Love cruising but guess I meant only cruise with my boys(one is going off to college next year..one shortly after) Could we find a way to pay the $2051? Yes..but I think the price might be too much.

[NMLady]

Hi. We have never cruised before. My SIL is going on a 5 day and we were looking into going with her. She said for their group of 4...it was cheap(can't remember exact amount) having never cruised before...I have NO idea what a good deal is or isn't. I started looking on Carnival's website. The cruise is on the Triumph..leaving from Galveston. Stopping in Cozumel and Progreso Mexico. For the 3 of us..the price is $2051.00.(August 15th-20th.) That is just the cruise..not including airfare or hotel. I have no idea if that is a good deal or outrageously expensive. It feels expensive to me but again..I have never ever been on a cruise.

 

Thanks for any input.

 

Does that cost include fees/port taxes or is it the basic fare shown on the website?

That is about $685 per person for a five day cruise, about $135 per day per person before fees/port charges.

For a balcony, not bad but you could do better if not trying to do the same cruise as your SIL.

If that is fare shown on website, Fees/port charges will add about another $300 per person.

The gratuities for a five day cruise will be about $60 per person. So add that all in.

Edited March 17, 2015 by NMLady

[MNCruizer1]

Does that cost include fees/port taxes or is it the basic fare shown on the website? What kind of cabin? The cabin especially makes a difference.

That is about $685 per person for a five day cruise, about $135 per day per person before fees/port charges. I don't know what kind of cabin, so it's hard to determine what kind of deal it is.

 

If that is basic fare for balcony, probably a good price. Fees/port charges extra.

If that is inside cabin definitely not good, Oceanview cabin, depends on location.

 

I always try to pay no more than $100 per day per person for cheapest ocean view before fees/port charges.

 

The price includes fees/port charges but not gratuities. It is for a balcony room. I know there is a discount for the 3rd passenger but I totally don't understand how that works. It all adds up to full fare for all 3.

[chengkp75]

The price includes fees/port charges but not gratuities. It is for a balcony room. I know there is a discount for the 3rd passenger but I totally don't understand how that works. It all adds up to full fare for all 3.

 

This is confusing for new cruisers. While it appears to be full fare for all 3, if you read the fine print, it will say that the price reflects all promotions, etc., so what you are seeing is the average price per person. If you were to book only two in the same cabin, the price for each would be higher than your "average" price per person with three, but the total would of course be less.

[serene56]

T..this will likely be the only cruise we ever go on..

 

 

thats what we also thought- back in 2000 when we took our first cruise onboard Carnival Sensation.

 

just off #25 on Splendor and just booked #26 on Freedom of the Seas.

[zoncom]

Do some research, you will find Triumph is one of CCLs oldest ships and that price is way off. Google several discount cruise agencies. You will find that cruise, insides, runs between $300-349 pp. Does that run all summer so pick your week.With research you will find even better value in their new Mega ships which offer so much more.

[MNCruizer1]

thats what we also thought- back in 2000 when we took our first cruise onboard Carnival Sensation.

 

just off #25 on Splendor and just booked #26 on Freedom of the Seas.

 

I don't doubt I would love cruising...but hubby has no interest and they are toooo expensive.

[MNCruizer1]

Do some research, you will find Triumph is one of CCLs oldest ships and that price is way off. Google several discount cruise agencies. You will find that cruise, insides, runs between $300-349 pp. Does that run all summer so pick your week.With research you will find even better value in their new Mega ships which offer so much more.

 

Thanks.. I have looked at plenty. There are none for the week we are looking at that start at $349. If we didn't already have family booked to this specific cruise..we could be more flexible.

[spookwife]

I don't doubt I would love cruising...but hubby has no interest and they are toooo expensive.

 

 

not really. where else can you get food, lodging and entertainment for as little as $100 per person per day? and wake up somewhere new every day?

 

besides, who said you have to cruise with him?

[jb456]

Sounds like an awful lot of money for a 5 night to Mexico. Have you considered doing your own cruise at a different time? Maybe think about a last minute in Aug/Sept out of Miami or Ft Lauderdale which usually are the cheapest ports for last minute Caribbean cruises. Just find a good airfare deal first then wait last minute to book a cruise. That is if your not fussy / picky on the cruise itself.

 

Although not a balcony we did an inside, 3 people, last minute cruise for 5 nights last Sept to Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Cost was $854CAD and we got $500USD on board credit so essentially we only paid $100CAD each for a 5 night cruise. For our very first cruise (besides overnight Bahamas or day casino cruises) we felt that we got a super deal.

Edited March 17, 2015 by jb456

[jb456]

Just an example for you on price comparisons.

 

Looking quickly 3 people in a Balcony (lowest category) for 7 nights on NCL Getaway out of Florida in September - INCLUDING Drink Packages for the first 2 guests -- Is $2055.48

 

$4 more then what your paying for a 5 night lol.

 

 

If it were me I would wish the SIL a good trip and start searching your own:D

[MNCruizer1]

I know we should..lol. A few other factors...airfare from MN to Texas would be under $700 for 3. Airfare to Florida would be over $1300. We have other family in Texas..so was hoping to see them when we got back. I love all your advice though...it's extremely helpful. I think I am just going to wait it out for a bit and hope the price drops.

[MNCruizer1]

If it were me I would wish the SIL a good trip and start searching your own:D

 

lmao...I hear ya.

[jb456]

I know we should..lol. A few other factors...airfare from MN to Texas would be under $700 for 3. Airfare to Florida would be over $1300. We have other family in Texas..so was hoping to see them when we got back. I love all your advice though...it's extremely helpful. I think I am just going to wait it out for a bit and hope the price drops.

 

You should start watching the cheapy airlines for deals. Like Spirit that flies from MSP and Allegiant that flies from other places in MN.

 

Each day new deals come out and prices change all the time. Aug / Sept is to far out for good deals yet but as an example.

 

Right now MSP to Fort Lauderdale April 8 to 15 is $166.18 round trip. A checked bag is $30 each way. So roundtrip with 1 checked bag $226.18 total.

 

Sometimes with the deals they have its even cheaper then that. Example they have tickets MSP to Dallas / Fort Worth for $34.50 each way. $69 roundtrip. I'd fly that then rent a car to do the 5 hour drive from airport to Galveston cruise port.

Edited March 17, 2015 by jb456

[MNCruizer1]

 

Sometimes with the deals they have its even cheaper then that. Example they have tickets MSP to Dallas / Fort Worth for $34.50 each way. $69 roundtrip. I'd fly that rent a car to do the 5 hour drive from airport to Galveston cruise port.

 

Wow..that is an amazing deal. What airline did you see that deal on? If we could get tickets that cheap..I would totally book the cruise..lol

[jb456]

Wow..that is an amazing deal. What airline did you see that deal on? If we could get tickets that cheap..I would totally book the cruise..lol

 

Actually even a closer airport then Dallas / Fort Worth... I see you can fly MSP to IAH (Houston Texas) which is a 1.5 hour drive to Galveston cruise port.

 

As I mentioned it is TO EARLY for deals for Aug / Sept. Flight deals for those months will probably only come out around June. Spirit Airlines changes there deals / prices each day at 11am EST - check each day just after that time - see a deal and book as they don't last long.

 

But for an example if you go to their website now and search MSP to Houston Texas IAH -

 

You would see some dates in April and May for $34.50 each way. Again a checked bag is $30 each way. As for carryon they do charge for that as well (more then the checked bag and better to just pay another checked bag if needed) but they do allow a certain size free which a small schoolbag fits the dimensions.

 

website is spirit DOT com -- take a look for april and you will see some dates at $34.50

Edited March 17, 2015 by jb456

[MNCruizer1]

You should start watching the cheapy airlines for deals. Like Spirit that flies from MSP and Allegiant that flies from other places in MN.

 

Each day new deals come out and prices change all the time. Aug / Sept is to far out for good deals yet but as an example.

 

Right now MSP to Fort Lauderdale April 8 to 15 is $166.18 round trip. A checked bag is $30 each way. So roundtrip with 1 checked bag $226.18 total.

 

Sometimes with the deals they have its even cheaper then that. Example they have tickets MSP to Dallas / Fort Worth for $34.50 each way. $69 roundtrip. I'd fly that then rent a car to do the 5 hour drive from airport to Galveston cruise port.

 

Thank you

[jb456]

If you were not to picky on what cruise to go on and somewhat had a bit of leniency on dates to get the best possible deal I would watch the prices of flight deals on the cheapy airlines Spirit and Allegiant.

 

Since Spirit flies direct to FT Lauderdale you have two main ports right there. Port Everglades and Port of Miami within distance. Additionally you could also have the option of renting a car and doing the 2 hour 45 min drive to Port Carnaval or the 3.5 hour drive to Tampa.

 

Technically you could have all those 4 major cruise ports covered.

 

There are always a ton of cruises going from each of those ports. So first find a good deal on airfare, before booking, check the cruise lines to see what cruises are leaving during the dates that you found a good airfare deal. If there are lots of cruises and lots of options then book the airfare portion.

 

Sit back and wait to book the cruise portion last minute for the best possible deal. Last Sept Carnival for example had no single supplement cruises. When we were pricing out trips it was cheaper to get 3 separate cabins then 3 people in one cabin. There is always all kinds of deals for end of Aug, Sept and beginning of Oct.

Edited March 17, 2015 by jb456

[luvslexi]

That is a decent price for a balcony. I am at $1500 for 3 in an ocean view in April. You will be just fine with a lesser room. Trust me it is so much more fun to cruise with a larger group. You will NEVER regret pulling the trigger on this.