Dangers of cheap cruises?
Aug 7th, 2003, 12:03 PM
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Dangers of cheap cruises?
This may sound like a weird question, but...
We're traveling on a very tight budget this winter because the kid starts college in September. An expensive college.
We usually do land-based vacations to the Caribbean or Florida and have never taken a cruise.
There are some cruises (out of Florida) that are being advertised for such low prices that it's cheaper than a land/hotel vacation.
Assuming we're talking about "major" cruise lines, how bad can a cheap cruise be? We're willing to take an inside cabin. What else do you sacrifice when you pay, say, $499 for a 7-day cruise?
We're traveling on a very tight budget this winter because the kid starts college in September. An expensive college.
We usually do land-based vacations to the Caribbean or Florida and have never taken a cruise.
There are some cruises (out of Florida) that are being advertised for such low prices that it's cheaper than a land/hotel vacation.
Assuming we're talking about "major" cruise lines, how bad can a cheap cruise be? We're willing to take an inside cabin. What else do you sacrifice when you pay, say, $499 for a 7-day cruise?
Aug 7th, 2003, 12:26 PM
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Absolutely go.
The prices are so low because cruise lines don't like to sail with empty cabins--people who are not on the ship don't buy drinks, photos, shore tours, or gamble in the casino.
While the prices change radically based on the time of year (and the agency you buy from, so shop around!) the service is identical whenever you go. You many even be able to get an outside cabin for the same $$.
I just got a deal for less than $700 pp. for a balcony guarantee for a 7-day Princess cruise (12/14, out of San Juan) that would cost me more than double the price if I went over New Year's (the most expensive time of year).
I recently saw a statistic from a survey where more than twice as many people who have cruised rate crusing as a great value compared to only 31% who have never cruised (and don't know what they're missing).
And of course, that price includes six-course gourmet dinner?plus breakfast, lunch, a midnight chocolate buffet, and unlimited free room service. Plus, you also get free admission to the health club, live stage shows, comedians, live music, eighteen bars, a casino, pools, hot tubs, plus a room with twice daily maid service and exotic views that keep changing.
I think you'll be very surprised at just what a great deal you get.
Cheers!
The prices are so low because cruise lines don't like to sail with empty cabins--people who are not on the ship don't buy drinks, photos, shore tours, or gamble in the casino.
While the prices change radically based on the time of year (and the agency you buy from, so shop around!) the service is identical whenever you go. You many even be able to get an outside cabin for the same $$.
I just got a deal for less than $700 pp. for a balcony guarantee for a 7-day Princess cruise (12/14, out of San Juan) that would cost me more than double the price if I went over New Year's (the most expensive time of year).
I recently saw a statistic from a survey where more than twice as many people who have cruised rate crusing as a great value compared to only 31% who have never cruised (and don't know what they're missing).
And of course, that price includes six-course gourmet dinner?plus breakfast, lunch, a midnight chocolate buffet, and unlimited free room service. Plus, you also get free admission to the health club, live stage shows, comedians, live music, eighteen bars, a casino, pools, hot tubs, plus a room with twice daily maid service and exotic views that keep changing.
I think you'll be very surprised at just what a great deal you get.
Cheers!
Aug 7th, 2003, 12:36 PM
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Price is also dependent on the time of year. This is particularly true with the Carribbean. Aug/Sept through October (and often into November) is the hurricane season. You may be lucky and have a smooth cruise with sunny skies. Or, you may hit a hurricane or at least a tropical storm. It is not usually dangerous - the captain will chart a course to avoid the worst of the weather. However, you might end up missing scheduled ports of call. At the least, you could be in for an E Ticket ride (i.e., rough and "exciting"
. So, it's a trade-off - cheap fares vs. iffy weather.
. So, it's a trade-off - cheap fares vs. iffy weather.
Aug 7th, 2003, 01:32 PM
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How many years has it been since Disney theme parks stopped having different classes of tickets for different rides and went to a "pay-one-price" model? 20 years? 30?
I think it's cool that "E" ticket still survives in the language...
Cheers!
I think it's cool that "E" ticket still survives in the language...
Cheers!
Aug 8th, 2003, 05:28 AM
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You are Not sacrificing anything. However, add to that $499 (assuming this includes taxes & port charges) the tips...automatically added on to your account on some ships).
Assuming you do not buy the photographs, buy an excursion trip, play bingo, get a massage or other Spa service,visit the casino or have a drinking habit, you will prob. find the Cruise is CHEAPER than a land-based vac. since not only your food but your entertainment (where there is no drink minimum or cover charge) is included.
Some tips: Most of the Caribbean can be done w/o taking a ship's tour...Hook up w/ another couple to take cabs or "ride the bus"
(A VW in St. Maartin and a hoot).
Take some fruit from morning buffet
& carry water bottle when going on-shore to stave off hunger pangs).
And if you do succumb to charging scrutinize your final bill as the concessions DO make mistakes which must be corrected prior to debarkation. And lastly, enjoy!
Assuming you do not buy the photographs, buy an excursion trip, play bingo, get a massage or other Spa service,visit the casino or have a drinking habit, you will prob. find the Cruise is CHEAPER than a land-based vac. since not only your food but your entertainment (where there is no drink minimum or cover charge) is included.
Some tips: Most of the Caribbean can be done w/o taking a ship's tour...Hook up w/ another couple to take cabs or "ride the bus"
(A VW in St. Maartin and a hoot).
Take some fruit from morning buffet
& carry water bottle when going on-shore to stave off hunger pangs).
And if you do succumb to charging scrutinize your final bill as the concessions DO make mistakes which must be corrected prior to debarkation. And lastly, enjoy!
Aug 8th, 2003, 02:35 PM
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We actually went on a very cheap 4 day cruise out of Miami - in our case it was related to my husband's business and they had a series of meetings on the ship - it was almost cheaper than doing it at a hotel.
What we found was that it would have been very easy to get lured into paying for "extras" - what is a few cute drinks with umbrellas, when the trip was so cheap. But if you skip the expensive drinks, photos, art auction, etc., it really was fine. I suspect cruise lines figure most people will more than make up the cost of the cruise buying this kind of stuff.
Also, people on this board have mentioned that they are not comfortable with the passengers on some cheaper cruise - I think the term "trailer trash" has been used here. Again, we did not find this - younger, heavier drinking people had no interest in hanging around with us - a couple also sending a kid to college in a year.
What we found was that it would have been very easy to get lured into paying for "extras" - what is a few cute drinks with umbrellas, when the trip was so cheap. But if you skip the expensive drinks, photos, art auction, etc., it really was fine. I suspect cruise lines figure most people will more than make up the cost of the cruise buying this kind of stuff.
Also, people on this board have mentioned that they are not comfortable with the passengers on some cheaper cruise - I think the term "trailer trash" has been used here. Again, we did not find this - younger, heavier drinking people had no interest in hanging around with us - a couple also sending a kid to college in a year.
Aug 9th, 2003, 07:05 AM
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These are my usual cruise rates. 
Haven't paid over $500pp in years!! So do consider it- I especially like the Western Caribbean and I would strongly encourage you if you do cruise west to get an all day port time in Cayman. Half day is very tough to make good use of time. It is extremely easy with some research - to book your own tours. As mentioned, $499 is not the inclusive price, add $70pp for tips, drinks including soft drinks- there may be a soda card you can purchase for the week, spa treatments, casino, photos, gift shop, alt. dining etc. But with knowledge of these added expenses it can indeed be an exceptionally bargain trip.
Haven't paid over $500pp in years!! So do consider it- I especially like the Western Caribbean and I would strongly encourage you if you do cruise west to get an all day port time in Cayman. Half day is very tough to make good use of time. It is extremely easy with some research - to book your own tours. As mentioned, $499 is not the inclusive price, add $70pp for tips, drinks including soft drinks- there may be a soda card you can purchase for the week, spa treatments, casino, photos, gift shop, alt. dining etc. But with knowledge of these added expenses it can indeed be an exceptionally bargain trip.
Aug 12th, 2003, 08:54 AM
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A few comments. That is a great price if you are going during the summer. HOwever,keep in mind that hurricane season can screw with the cruise a little. Also, if that price is in the winter, then the water will be cool (maybe too cold to swim in - but if you usually go to Florida, then it will be a tad warmer than the water in florida in the winter).
Finally, when there are really cheap deals ($500 for a 7 day cruise is generally a really cheap cruise) then you have to look at a few things. 1) is it an old ship? If the ship is not 5 years old or less, then the deal is no longer really good, but just an average deal. And 2) if it is really cheap, then yes the old geezers on fixed incomes use their walkers and take the retirement home bus with all of their neighbors and pack the ship. Also, the trailer parks become empty and the firebirds and cameros will fill the port parking lot.
Finally, when there are really cheap deals ($500 for a 7 day cruise is generally a really cheap cruise) then you have to look at a few things. 1) is it an old ship? If the ship is not 5 years old or less, then the deal is no longer really good, but just an average deal. And 2) if it is really cheap, then yes the old geezers on fixed incomes use their walkers and take the retirement home bus with all of their neighbors and pack the ship. Also, the trailer parks become empty and the firebirds and cameros will fill the port parking lot.
Aug 16th, 2003, 01:37 PM
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We took a $399 Princess cruise Halloween 2002. Best money we ever spent. Any of the mainline cruise lines should be fine. Book the lowest cabin, the food entertainment and everything else is what is more important than the cabin. And you will probably get upgraded.
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