CRUISING...WHEN IS IT TOO EXPENSIVE?

I mean, I WISH it was 25 straight, but thats over 2 months, and 2 seasons. Longest stretch is 8 days, over Thanksgiving....its my year to be gone for the holiday...which will be extraordinary for my mental health!

Doing fine...until you mentioned the 25+ nites at hunting camp...spare me...I'm jealous...most i've ever spent consecutively was 12 and that was a few years back...used to sort of rough it, but now theres cabins and its sort of civilized....getting picky about the company tho...bunch of city folks show up....can't understand why us locals who live in the back of beyond anyway do it. If I tried to explain, I'd be wasting my time....saves me the expense of psychiatry and/or divorce lawyers....I come back a "new" man...welll.......sort of.....besides, its a fraction of what cruise costs....

In 7 days, I start a marathon year, where I sail 19 nights, over the course of 3 cruises.

I say marathon, because it includes 5 days at Disney, 5 days in Denver, 10 nights camping, 25+ Nights at hunting camp, 5 nights of work travel, 6 nights of Fire Department Training Travel in Indianapolis, plus whatever emergencies the Fire Gods place before my Volunteer Company. It will be a whirlwind for sure.

The only cruise of those 3 that I'm paying "Full Price" for is 7 nights in Alaska, around $2,200 for 2 adults in an Oceanview. Everything else was flash sale, or so extremely low, I thought they made a mistake! This trip to Alaska is by far the most expensive I've ever booked, and I hope it remains that way for a long time.

Dying takes care of itself, but Living requires you to do something special! So plan ahead to live a life you value and can look back at that will improve your time on the Earth. Family and Friendship is where its at, those palaces and gardens will all turn to rubish oneday...but our Relationships will be the most important to us. Cruisers generally are very happy to sail with, except when they have to wait in line for the Entertainment or the Buffet? You might want to get plenty of rest while onboard your cruise.

Great rant and a good read....that "choke point" re cruising's "bang for the buck" is different for everyone.. some folks just don't care what it costs, or what they get or don't get...others are getting increasingly picky and/or resentful about it all....we've cut way down on the number of cruises we'd take annually, part of its age, but mainly its knowing some of the cruises we'd take just aren't as enjoyable as they used to be...beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess....

It can be frustrating to see the increases, well we in America got an increase in Social Security Benefits so we may as well spend it before the Hospital and Doctors get it...Lol...

I was reading where they claim the price is going up because of fuel prices...well I know differently cause they can raise the price of our cruise we agreed to pay for an additional fuel surcharge if they choose too written in the contract. Figure out when to purchase and by whom and you may save 30 to 50% from what your paying. Even Veteran Cruisers tell me they paid more than I did even with the same cabin catagory. Obviously those extras like Spa, Drink Packages can add up the costs. I once gave up Soda Pop, cause I objected to paying the $7 a day X 14 day cruise. So figure out what you can skip and figure out when and where to cruise will save you more than during peak seasons. There are a few ways to work around Alcohol/Wine if you know how to navigate the system in place per cruiseline. I try to look up even though its sad to know what the new cruisers missed...they can only listen to us now.

We all know that to "Get your Vitamin Sea" you must be on a cruise somewhere!! I am a Stowaway Crusier and love to find the Jewels in Plain sight like my 2019 adventure from Oahu to Sydney for $1100, 30 days and 16 islands never been done before and never again by any line that I am aware of?

I listened to this Paid Blogger the other day, will not mention his name but he is British....he stated he spent $15,000 on NCL in the Haven for a 10 day cruise and said it was money well spent (or something like that). Honestly these paid blogger have to be lying to us and I am willing to say it here for everyone to hear. Nobody except a millionaire would say something even remote to this statement for one and multi millionaires (excluding real estate values) do not read these posts we make.

So price spent depends upon you, I personally prefer for all my costs, hotel, airfare, cruise incl tips and shuttles to be under $100 a day. So I just upset alot of cruisers and I understand if you paid twice or thrice that. I have had to pay upwards of $200 a day average and set that aside for that ship and itinerary that the value is worth it.

All in all as a 30 past cruiser (never thought I would get that high) we know the value we used to get for less than we pay now but....we all know that its a 50% chance that something will happen on your cruise that will affect the total cruise experience. i just completed a 12 day reposition from Orlando to Rome and the Ship Blew an Engine and had to rebuild it....48 hrs non stop round the clock work and we missed a Port...No refund either folks. So I expect this and that is why I do not overpay cause they cannot deliver. If you been reading anything online plenty of ships are experiencing engine issues and reduced speeds missing ports of call. If they can get people to pay $300 or more a day for the cruise than I maybe staying on land, even though I could afford to pay it, I personally cannot see the value for the $$$'s with all the exceptions or risks that come with Cruising. I will wait for everyone to spend there life saving and then when they drop the price, I will join you on the same ship. Patience and knowing where to look for the best prices always helps.

Prices going up is never fun! As fellow cruisers, it's understandable to feel disappointed paying more for less extras. At the end of the day though, the memories made with family/friends are truly priceless.

Yank, I work alot of Overtime to be able to cruise. I wont normally leave my hard earned funds in the hands of a TA, unless there is a MAJOR logistical nightmare. ie: a 1-way, Vancouver to Seward, with us flying out of Toronto(as opposed to Buffalo)

Unfortunately, with my next cruise being the aforementioned Vancouver-Seward, I dont know that too much lounger time will be in my future....

AB, I am in the same boat. I generally refuse to sail the newest ships, for the reasons stated - way to many people, that are spending way too much. Also, all Crew and Mechanical issues usually are not sorted until well into the 2nd or 3rd year of operation. I prefer smooth...sailing.

We have not had the pleasure of embarking on a Voyager class vessel YET. We were supposed to go on Adventure otS in December 2020m but COVID took care of that, unfortunately.

we have been on a solid mix of Large and small ships from RCI...from the Empress, up and to the Symphony. Each ship, even among the 3/6 Oasis Vessels we have been on, has its own quirks, and interesting aspects.

IMO Royal Caribbean's staff does a phenomenal job of exploiting all of those quirks and interesting aspects to the advantage of the guests. I have had 7 Phenomenal experiences on RCI, and 1 that was OK(only due to post-COVID measures)

IMO Being a 25-year-old Vessel, with 5 years since it's amplification, Voyager otS should fit the bill for character markings, and having all those staffing kinks worked out.

I totally get where you’re coming from. It’s frustrating when costs keep going up, and you feel like you’re getting less in return. Personally, I’d probably start looking for alternatives or maybe explore different cruise lines.