My family loves cruises and we find them to be very cheap compared to other vacation trips.
We can cruise for a week and visit several countries for less than $3000.
When it comes to the value for money of our trips, we can hardly find anything better.
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Cruises sometimes get a bad rap, and it’s not uncommon for travelers to complain about things like cramped cabins or boring old buffets. However, there’s a reason cruises are among the most repeated trips. According to the Cruise Lines International Association 85 percent of travelers who have cruised once would cruise again, and that number is six percent higher than before the pandemic.
Why is a cruise so popular? Based on my personal experience of cruising, I believe there are several factors at play here. First, a cruise is fun and much more dynamic than a hotel or resort stay where you stay in one place for the entire trip. In my opinion, cruise ships are floating fun cities that offer activities and entertainment for all members of the crew.
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Plus, cruises are very affordable compared to other travel options, and it’s an all-inclusive vacation where you know what you’re going to pay (for the most part) when you book your trip. Aside from all-inclusive resorts, there are few types of vacations that don’t leave you with a hefty bill at the end.
If you want to make trip planning and budgeting easier for you, you can book a cruise with a drinks package and internet access, add some excursions, factor in cruise ship tips and taxes, and pay for your entire cruise before you arrive.
Cruises can be very affordable
While my family has taken a few cruises with Carnival and Princess, we sail almost exclusively with MSC Cruises – a Europe-based cruise line. We have cruises with MSC in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Greek Islands and… Norway made.
You have to consider the cost of a cruise and everything that is included to see if it’s a good deal. I found that I could book a seven-night cruise from Miami for my family of four for well under $3,000. This price includes free drinks and WiFi and a sea view cabin, as well as taxes, port fees and tips. My family has stayed in an inside cabin in the past, but the ocean view cabin offers a little more space.
A cruise acts as a floating hotel throughout your voyage, and you get all the amenities and services you would expect from a hotel, from room service to housekeeping and daily fresh towels in your cabin.
A cruise offers 24-hour entertainment
All meals and snacks are also included on cruises, but you can pay extra for specialty restaurants if you wish. My family rarely does this as the buffets and main dining room are more than adequate for our needs. We’re vegetarian and our kids love the variety, so it’s worked out well so far.
What else comes automatically with a cruise? Of course, you’ll get transportation to all the places listed in your itinerary – the Miami cruise I was considering visits multiple countries. The cruise I considered included internet access and drinks, but that’s just an optional way to save some money.
Finally, a cruise offers 24-hour entertainment. My kids love cruise ships for the onboard pools and water parks, the endless live music, and the fact that there are so many places to shop and run around. When they were younger, they also liked going to the kids’ club on the ships, which is another big plus. Most cruise lines offer child care for families boarding during certain hours.
$3000 is a lot of money, but when you add up the cost of food, drinks, entertainment, and visits to different countries, it’s good value.