How Much Does A Cruise Cost?

Posted on by Forest in Saving Money & Finances, Vacations

How Much Does A Cruise Cost?

As much as cruises used to be vacations of the rich and famous these days it’s a competitive business with many many ships, operators and destinations. It could be a great way to enjoy some world scenery and get away whilst relaxing. They are also great ways for people new to traveling to experience things but just how much does a cruise cost?

Well it’s not that simple. Cruise prices don’t seem to follow any simple rules. Of course there is a general range but that fluctuates depending on things like time of year, destination, the economy and demand for that cruises at that time. For these reasons it means you can pick up some absolute bargains, especially for last minute deals on big ships, as many bargain packages are created to fill up the liners. Of course on the upper end of the scale you can find some magical small-scale and even sail driven cruises for a really special time away.

Other cruise expenses: Before you go ahead and book a cruise based on the package price remember to factor in other expenses. You need to work out how much it’s going to cost to get to port and back home again. How much you will spend on days off ship. Look at what exactly is included in the cruise, some drinks and meal choices may not be part of the deal, are activities on board charged for too? A week sitting on a deck with no decent food and no budget to pay for the upgrades isn’t exactly fun. The empty ocean is only beautiful for so many hours in a row! Are there any taxes you need to pay? Visa’s you need to get or rental charges for anything. Will you need new clothing? Just try to think through all the factors.

Here are some sample prices for a few cruise packages at the time of writing:

P&O Cruises

These cruises include:

Free dining throughout the day
Superb Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar restaurants for a modest cover charge
Friendly and attentive service
Free West End shows, live music and comedy
Free daytime activities including cinema, sports facilities, sauna, steam rooms and pools
Luxurious, air-conditioned cabins with dedicated cabin steward
On board prices in British pounds sterling
Competitively priced beers, wines and spirits
Free shuttle buses (where appropriate)

06 December 2011 for 3 nights: 2 ports in 2 countries. Southampton, Bruges (from Zeebrugge), Le Harve, Southampton - From £299 pp

17 December 2011 for 23 nights: 7 ports in 6 countries. Southampton, Madeira, Antigua, St Maarten, St Kitts, St Lucia, Barbados, Ponta Delgada, Southampton - From £3,026 pp

Royal Caribbean

20th November 2011 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise: Sailing from Cape Liberty, Bayonne, N.J., on the Explorer Of The Seas – $1,189 pp

21st November 2011 7 Night Dubai Cruise: Sailing from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on the Brilliance Of The Seas – From $1,059 pp

Carnival

These cruises include:

Some of the most spacious staterooms at sea
Delicious dining – including 24hr room service
A variety of onboard entertainment
Fun-filled youth programs
Award winning stage shows
The most beautiful destinations
And more

May 8th 2012 7 Day Alaska from Seattle, WA: – from $649.00 pp
September 7th 2012 12 Day Europe from Barcelona, Spain: calling at Marseilles France, Livorno (Florence/Pisa) Italy, Rome (Civitavecchia) Italy, Naples Italy, Dubrovnik Croatia, Venice Italy, Messina (Sicily) Italy, Palma de Mallorca Spain. – From $1,149.00 pp.

I hope this gives you some idea of pricing. I would really spend my time calling and looking around to find the best deals. Compare prices, keep an open schedule and persist in finding a great deal. Also read ALL the small print and make sure you work out all the extras.

I’d love to hear any advice or experiences you have related to cruises and booking them.