popov

I've never been on a cruise, but I thought that I'd look into the possibility despite the negatives of having less flexibility and more regimentation. River cruising seemed more likely to be interesting than going to sea so I searched through the major river cruise companies webs sites.

I was shocked! The prices were unbelievable. Then I realized that a 11 day cruise was really only 9 nights, etc. I was shocked even further. $800 up a couple per night plus incidentals? I realize that they include a lot but I've never taken a European trip that cost me anywhere near that. For that price, I could stay at the top hotels and go to the top restaurants in every European capital for that. And have money left over.

This is a serious question: am I missing something here? Why would I want to pay that kind of money just to ride around on a boat.

jacketwatch

Show us a link from whatever company you saw to show a price like that please.

Reme

I suspect that if you added up all the costs on an ocean cruise, you would also be shocked. We cruised with Viking and had wine, beer, soft drinks and excursions included. All these are very expensive on an ocean cruise. But then you have not been on a cruise. If you tour on your own you can control costs by sleeping and eating as cheaply as possible. But I have been on cruises where everyone returned to the ship for meals because the shore prices were very high. Granted the food on board was paid for in advance. River cruises are for a quieter, gentler time. Why not a cheap Caribbean cruise for starters?

bettyk

We just returned from a Gate 1 Danube River Cruise. Like you, I always found river cruises to be much more expensive that what we paid when traveling on our own in Europe.

But, we had never been on a river cruise and I wanted to go at least once. We found Gate 1 to be a perfect fit for us. While not as luxurious as Viking or some of the other cruise lines, the price was more reasonable IMO.

We paid $5800 for our 12 night cruise/tour which included 3 nights in Prague and 2 nights in Budapest at 5* hotels (and they were both VERY nice properties) in addition to our 7 night cruise. That price also included transportation to and from the airport and two optional tours.

Our boat was very nice and the crew couldn't have been nicer. The food was very good and there was plenty of it as well as free wine, beer or soft drinks. We ate all of our meals on board because we enjoyed the food and the social aspect of talking to our new "friends."

Our tour managers and local city guides were top notch and we met some wonderful people on the cruise.

In all, it was one of our best vacations. I am again looking at the possibility of another river cruise with Gate 1. I would also consider Viking, etc., if I could find a better all inclusive price than Gate 1.

Rhea58

I'm with Jacketwatch. A quick search of a major company
shows $1,856 for 8 days ($232/pp/nite) & $3,056 for 12 days ($261 pp/nite) plus airfare to Europe.

bettyk

I should have clarified that the $5800 was for TWO of us. If you discount the cost of the two optional tours that I included, it would be a total cost of $2725 pp or $227/pp/nite plus airfare.

charli

I don't know what Popov was looking at (perhaps the Presidential Suite) and he/she hasn't responded again, but I don't believe this is a serious question. Either that or they have not been to Europe and stayed or eaten in "top hotels and restaurants" lately. Neither do I know their definition of a "top hotel".

jacketwatch

charli: I agree.

Cathinjoetown

Cruises can be very good value if you shop around and if that type of holiday appeals to you. We just booked a suite on the Celebrity Eclipse for a 13- night transatlantic crossing Ft. Lauderdale to Southampton next April. It includes stops in the Bahamas, Bermuda (overnight) and Azores.

The cost including taxes and gratutities is $5,200 for two. That is not much more than two Virgin Atlantic premium economy plane tickets.

Alcohol is not included and that can add up. On Celebrity you can buy packages but at around $130 a day for two people, you would have to do a fair amount of drinking. We just took an eastern Med cruise on Celebrity Reflection, drank what we wanted but spent no where near $130 a day.

It's of course more than a budget trip but considering it is also getting us from the US to UK, we think it's great value.

popov

I don't know were some people are getting their prices. Maybe the steerage class cabins on crappy cruises. Try looking at a decent cabin with a balcony on major cruise lines. There is nothing under $800/night. Nothing. I've looked extensively. I challenge anyone to show me, for example, a Viking Cruise that it "$232/pp/nite". for 8-11 days.

I've also concluded that the ridiculous prices isn't just about ships. Those obscenely overpriced extensions for $1000/couple/day for the so-so hotels that you could book at $250 tells you a lot and about you are really paying for.

I realize, however, that it looks like advertised cruise prices are akin to hotel rack rate. You can get a deal if you book a year ahead or at the last minute, both risky propositions. But they still are much more expensive that normal travel. Add in the regimentation and the fact that all-in-one means that if you don't like or want something, you've paid for it anyway, and it still looks like even a worse deal.

But here's the killer: eating all your meals on the ship. Half the fun of travel is trying the local restaurants, pubs, etc. Who wants to travel to Europe to eat lowest-common-denominator ship food? And who wants to pay extra so that vegetarians or gluten free types or whatever types have enough alternatives.

Sure, it would be nice to travel without having to worry about transport and checking in/out hotels. But the cost, both in money and freedom, is far too high.

jacketwatch

Lets see a link to your alleged prices. Prove it.

bettyk

popov, I suggest you stay away from cruises as you obviously don't know how to find a good deal anyway. Your comments are insulting to those of us who have found wonderful cruises at a good price.

Cathinjoetown

Popov

The prices I referenced above are from Celebrity's website. Please feel free to check.

This crossing is very good value. In May, we paid about the same for an 11-night eastern med Celebrity cruise, Aquaclass with balcony and other perks. Standard balcony rooms started at around $300 per night.

We thought our cruise was great value but it's all down to individual taste and travel styles, isn't it? We had similar excellent prices for a suite on Cunard's Queen Victoria in March 2012. It's your prices that are WAY off.

Regarding lowest common denominator food, my experiences are with Celebrity and Cunard, both of which we thought reached a very high standard of food quality, prep and service. No one is forced to eat all meals onboard, on our May cruise we had memorable lunches in Istanbul and Mykonos.

Similarly, no one is forced to stay in port hotels chosen by the cruise line. We stayed in a 100€ room in Citavecchia before out last cruise.

I have travelled extensively for 40+ years, starting at 19 with Frommer's "Europe on $5 a Day" to incredible business trips and everything in between. You may not agree with my opinion, but it's not based on a two-night cruise to nowhere.

jacketwatch

I think popov is just popping off. He/ she just tosses out outlandish statements seemingly to provoke a response. People who are experienced cruisers know better. Just ignore this poster. JM2C.

Cathinjoetown

I know I should have moved away from the keyboard but that level of misinformation drives me nuts. No doubt the intent!

jacketwatch

I get ya buddy. Its all good. BTW what and where is joetown.

Eschew

Larry, West Virginia is my guess. There is also an Amish colony in Iowa called Joetown.

Cathinjoetown

St Joseph, Missouri, my hometown. I lived there through high school and again from 2006 to 2009. Have lived in SW France since 2009 but haven't changed my Fodor's name.

jacketwatch

I looked at your profile so that explains it. Thank u and happy 4th of July!

popov

"Nothing. I've looked extensively. I challenge anyone to show me, for example, a Viking Cruise that it "$232/pp/nite". for 8-11 days."

I'm still waiting for an answer from all those people who say that I don't know that I'm talking bout.

"I think popov is just popping off. He/ she just tosses out outlandish statements seemingly to provoke a response. People who are experienced cruisers know better. Just ignore this poster. JM2C."

Yet, you are unable to present any facts to contradict what I said.

"Cruises can be very good value if you shop around and if that type of holiday appeals to you. We just booked a suite on the Celebrity Eclipse for a 13- night transatlantic crossing Ft. Lauderdale to Southampton next April. It includes stops in the Bahamas, Bermuda (overnight) and Azores."

I said that I'm not interested in ocean cruising. I know it's a bit cheaper, but but it's boring.

"Show us a link from whatever company you saw to show a price like that please."

I specifcally said Viking Cruise Lines. Perhaps finding their site without my spoon feeding you a link is too difficult for you. My apologies.

"popov, I suggest you stay away from cruises as you obviously don't know how to find a good deal anyway. Your comments are insulting to those of us who have found wonderful cruises at a good price."

I'm still waiting for someone to show me some where I'm wrong. So here's a challenge:

Show me a cruise from from say Amsterdam to Basel, for 8 so days on a a better cruise line, in a good cabin (outside, patio, doesn't have to be a suite) that doesn't cost around
$800/night. Not per day, but per night.