Would you spend $14,000 on a cruise?

[Sigyn]

Interesting article about $14,000 cruises: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2023/06/11/luxury-cruises-experience-cost/70294612007/

 

It discusses how on luxury cruise lines you get everything included, without being nickel and dimed, so the higher cost balances out. It also touches upon the cruise within a cruise concept on other cruise lines such as MSC's Yacht Club. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

32 minutes ago, Sigyn said:

Interesting article about $14,000 cruises: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2023/06/11/luxury-cruises-experience-cost/70294612007/

 

It discusses how on luxury cruise lines you get everything included, without being nickel and dimed, so the higher cost balances out. It also touches upon the cruise within a cruise concept on other cruise lines such as MSC's Yacht Club. 

If you choose a Premium line like Oceania, you also get a menu of inclusivity so you don’t need to pay for what you don’t want. 

Always do the bottom line math in cruise price comparisons (all required and optionally desired costs - even airfare or air credit) and you’ll find that the true value in the combo of quantity and quality on Premium lines is unbeatable.  

[StollyBolly]

We switched to the all-inclusive smaller ships in 2011, and have never looked back.   The breaking point came while on a Royal Caribbean cruise the waiter brought the chit to sign for an espresso after dinner.  I said “it’s coffee”.   
 

Then Seabourn had an offer. So we decided to splurge.  Now that fare seems a real bargain.  We started in St Thomas and it began to rain lightly.  A gloved hand holding an umbrella was at the taxi door before I could get out right at dockside.  Up the gangplank, into registration with a glass of champagne.  I tell everyone, they had me at the umbrella.   
 

We are very lucky.  We worked, we saved, married later so no college to pay for.  This is our treat now.   But for younger travelers or those with families, the ships with more activities are no doubt for them.   It’s nice that now there are so many options. 
 

 

[cruisemom42]

As usual, these articles are written to grab your attention. $14,000 for a cruise!!!  Upon reading the first couple of paragraphs, it seems (although the writer isn't as specific as I'd like) that the cruise was a) 14 days and b) the $14,000 was for a couple, not per person. Also, if I'm not mistaken, Regent includes airfares in their fare. So...$7,000 per person for a 14-day cruise on a luxury ship that includes just about all expenses -- probably not that unreasonable.

 

And spare a thought for us poor solos. Whereas a couple would pay $7,000 per person, a solo will likely be spending close to double that -- which is one reason luxury cruises are often NOT a great deal for solos unless you are diligent about finding cruises with a low or no solo supplement.

 

Do think about what matters to you when considering a luxury ship. Some of the examples of things that are included just don't matter to me. Laundry?  I can hand wash some things and unless I'm traveling for three weeks or more I usually don't need to do more than one bag of laundry. I am picky about my clothes and most times prefer NOT to send them to a ship laundry anyway. Still mad about one of my favorite pairs of Smartwool socks getting shrunk to toddler size on my HAL cruise in Japan....

 

Larger cabins, concierges, butlers -- all are also valueless for me. What does matter is itinerary, and the article makes a good point that most luxury lines offer smaller ships, which can sometimes go places larger ones cannot. Food is somewhat important too.

 

Anyway, there are lots of choices for everyone out there in cruise world, from under $100/day to well over $1000/day. 

[jsn55]

Too bad the reporter didn't differentiate between river and ocean cruises.  In most aspects of life, I prefer to pay a base price, then add on the features that I want.  Running the numbers to compare the two kinds of cruises takes some effort ... and many decisions about what is important to YOU.  For a two-week cruise from Provence to Normandy in a 'Royal Suite' on Avalon, $14K would be a real bargain.   

Edited June 11, 2023 by jsn55

[ColeThornton]

2 hours ago, Sigyn said:

Would you spend $14,000 on a cruise?. 

 

 

No, I can do multiple cruises in very comfortable surrounding for that much.  I'm not really the luxury type.

[ldubs]

33 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

 

 

No, I can do multiple cruises in very comfortable surrounding for that much.  I'm not really the luxury type.

 

I'm in the same category.  This is really one of those things that will vary greatly by individual and has no universal answer.  

[navybankerteacher]

The title of this thread is an absurd half question.  The answer has to be: “It depends”.   It depends first of all upon your budget making it possible in the first place.  Then an understanding of what is included in the fare, finally whether what is offered is of real interest to you.   
 

Not only would I not pay $100 for a seven day March cruise to the Bahamas on NCL, I would probably pay several times that amount to avoid it.  I have recently booked a several thousand $ seven day cruise to Bermuda for the two of us.  

Edited June 11, 2023 by navybankerteacher

[cruiseaholic777]

I love Princess cruise line, but they raised the prices to almost double. So I booked 2 cruises on Royal Caribbean instead.  I would rather go on more cruises than pay a high price for just 1.

[lynncarol]

cruisemom42

Your outlook on cruising is very similar to mine.  I always check out the the itinerary first. And lots of what others think of as critical (free drinks, laundry, unlimited wifi, casinos, personal concierges etc) are not important to me. However, if I think I will never experience a particular event again, I will definitely spend the money.  A 17 day- Black Sea mega-yacht cruise, balloon ride in Sedona, Alaska float plane to see the bears, a small-plane sightseeing tour over Canyonlands are among the things I have done that I know will never occur again in my life.  Were they expensive at the time? Yes but my memories are priceless.

[lenquixote66]

If I had $14,000 it would not be on a cruise .

[Mary229]

It is all about value , both economic and personal.  There is no where in the Caribbean that I would spend that kind of money I don’t care which mode of travel.  

[Mary229]

26 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

It is all about value , both economic and personal.  There is no where in the Caribbean that I would spend that kind of money I don’t care which mode of travel.  

I tried to add, as mentioned above for Europe that might be reasonable 

[navybankerteacher]

2 hours ago, cruiseaholic777 said:

I love Princess cruise line, but they raised the prices to almost double. So I booked 2 cruises on Royal Caribbean instead.  I would rather go on more cruises than pay a high price for just 1.

At some point, however, wouldn’t you draw the line between saving money and enjoying the experience?   I would rather go one one enjoyable cruise than four bare-bones poor service, bad food boring itinerary trips.  We all have bottom lines below which we will not go - no matter how cheap the cost.

[navybankerteacher]

2 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

If I had $14,000 it would not be on a cruise .

If that $14,000 was loose change left over after meeting all my other wants and needs and securing all my conceivable future wants and needs - why not?

[lenquixote66]

17 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

If that $14,000 was loose change left over after meeting all my other wants and needs and securing all my conceivable future wants and needs - why not?

I would never have $14,000 in loose change.

[George C]

We spent close to that for penthouse on edge , actually had sky suite and did a large move up bid to get penthouse for my wife’s 60th it was an amazing cruise. 

[Aquahound]

43 minutes ago, George C said:

We spent close to that for penthouse on edge , actually had sky suite and did a large move up bid to get penthouse for my wife’s 60th it was an amazing cruise. 

 

Great point.  For a special occasion, I might consider that price tag for a high-end suite on a line I love like Royal Caribbean or Celebrity.  However, I do not see myself dropping that kind of cash on so-called "luxury" lines that do not have the amenities I really enjoy on a cruise. 

[ldubs]

52 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

At some point, however, wouldn’t you draw the line between saving money and enjoying the experience?   I would rather go one one enjoyable cruise than four bare-bones poor service, bad food boring itinerary trips.  We all have bottom lines below which we will not go - no matter how cheap the cost.

 

Very good point(s) and I agree.   Especially about acceptable minimums.  The perspectives on this topic are incredibly individual.   From where I stand, and I suspect others, I have the opportunity to go on three or four enjoyable cruises as opposed to one that probably won't be three or four times the cost worth of marginal happiness.  Even if within budget there comes a point where I will draw the line.  My personal preference I guess.   

[Flatbush Flyer]

3 hours ago, Mary229 said:

It is all about value , both economic and personal.  There is no where in the Caribbean that I would spend that kind of money I don’t care which mode of travel.  

Agreed. Caribbean is a waste of time, energy and money. Head to the Pacific (and even Indian) Ocean.

[Joebucks]

I would spend $14k on a cruise, but it would be a "world" cruise. For a normal time duration, there is no chance in hell.

 

I always get a chuckle at these kinds of write-ups. If you have the money, and enjoy the experience, then just say it. There's nothing wrong with that. Especially as we get older, our interests and financial situations evolve. If you're going to try to convince me you saved money because of the ultra-scary "nickle and dimes," then you're wasting your time. 

[TheOldBear]

We spent a trifle less than that for a 26 night sailing- including two transatlantic crossings. There is no way we would spend that for a shorter cruise.

[George C]

We spend about 11k each year total on a 7 day music charter that has great music stars from 70’s , inside cabins are about 3k each , but our 5,500 gets us a royal suite with drink setup of our choice and unlimited specialty restaurants, drink package etc , even had a hot tub on balcony, which we never use. Next year has Don McLean, Dave Mason, Foreigner , Mellisa Manchester, War etc etc. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, Joebucks said:

I would spend $14k on a cruise, but it would be a "world" cruise. For a normal time duration, there is no chance in hell.….

A six month ATW for $14K? LOL! 

[ldubs]

2 hours ago, George C said:

We spend about 11k each year total on a 7 day music charter that has great music stars from 70’s , inside cabins are about 3k each , but our 5,500 gets us a royal suite with drink setup of our choice and unlimited specialty restaurants, drink package etc , even had a hot tub on balcony, which we never use. Next year has Don McLean, Dave Mason, Foreigner , Mellisa Manchester, War etc etc. 

 

That sounds awesome!

 

You know, I never opened the link so don't know what is included in the $14K.  For a 14 day cruise that works out to $500/person/ day.  Not saying I would do it, but I can very easily see that for a suite with a hot tub, especially if all inclusive.  Might even be a deal, IDK.