Is it worth it?

I continue to snicker at this question, “Is it worth it?” Fill in the blanks. We see this question every day, on almost every travel related on-line social media forum/blog. The question can quickly degrade into a long string of those who agree vs those who disagree and person asking the question ends up just aligning to opinions that self affirm.

IMO its an individual choice and taste to whether something is "worth it". Most of us can’t guess what makes an on-line stranger happiest using their hard earned vacation budget.

An answer - “it depends”. What is yes its worth it to some is not worth it to others. First what does "worth" mean to the poser of the question? “Worth” can be viewed as having economic advantage (a good price), or provide value as an enjoyment or indulgence (is it a tasty meal). And even if its a good price - does the purchaser believe it provide value to their vacation experience? Who knows - but the person posing the question (after they've actually experienced the event or whatever.)

The economic advantage of “worth it” could be objectively answered in relative terms. Purchase individual dining experiences for $50 individually, or purchases a package of 4 for $160. Clearly the economic value of the package is evident - a monetary savings is objectively observed. But are the premium meals better quality, better tasting than the included meals - how can a stranger answer that?

Drink packages are always an interesting debate, people develop spreadsheets to calculate whether anticipated use covers the al la carte path to purchasing beverages Doing the math can objectivity affirm a financial decision. A lump sum (fixed price) can be shown to be less than a weeks' worth beverage purchase steam. And that lump sum could vary from $50 - $80 pp/pd - lower is viewed as better, because the return on investment is seen sooner. Can everyone agree a lower priced drink package carries higher value? More drinks for less $$.

The other value proposition is related to a “subjective” enjoyment factor against the item being reviewed for purchase (like an excursion). For example, a hiking excursions carries a cost element coupled with and experience element. No one can judge if you’ll enjoy trotting up and down hills in a rain forest. Or paddling around with snorkeling masks with 20 other people bumping into you. While I might enjoy fly boarding just off shore, you might prefer lounging at a private beach club experience. I’m pretty active and don’t like sitting around, so value more active offerings, my wife is happy just sitting on a beach.

So before asking a bunch of total strangers, “Is it worth it”, ask the question, “Do you want someone to affirm the financial aspect of the activity, or are you asking someone else if you’ll enjoy that activity? If the later, no one can answer that but YOU. Big Smile

Tags: drinks excursions dinner

12 Answers

I think its all been covered.

An excellent analysis indeed! I'm sure you have enlightened many and most importantly,

they will all cease asking such questions henceforth. Wink

Ignorance is bliss. Don't try to upset that happiness with logic and reasoning.

.I think cyber has struck again..That really wasn't what this thread was about, but...at least adding the word "cruising" to that question is more apropos of this group anyways, I think by definition all of us would agree with you!! ...anyway, It IS better than some quasi-philosophical discussion amongst folks who probably have too much time on their hands as to why people ask what they do in cyber...fertile ground for shrinks methinks!..btw...I've been ranting off n on that cruising hasn't been on the top of my "to-do" list past couple of years...they cancelled several, we cancelled several...grrrr they kept adding hoops and conditions, unexplained outbreaks, cover-ups... blah blah blah...mebbe it IS easing off, who knows?...in some places, it ain't hardly easing off, or going away...other places, you'd think the whole thing was a figment and never happened..unless of course you happened to be involved...just like NAM, hmmmmm......anyway,,,our next one is AFTER that magical date in March. we'll see......

I would just love to concentrate on the act of cruising instead of reinventing proof that the world is really flat...

Is cruising worth it? To me , "Yes". Price and itinerary are my focus but once on board, it's relaxation. Best vacations by far.

I've backed way off on FB - limit is 10 min/day only to catch up on my cruise roll calls. Tends to draw newbies. Seems like the more seasoned travelers are on the actual travel social media platforms like this, cruise critic, or a cruise line blog. The primary reason I retain a FB monitor is that the information is nearly real-time. If you want to know how crowded the terminal is on embarkation day , or if you're joining a meet-n-greet/slot pull, you can quickly find information on the "what & where" on the FB roll call. You can also easily drop video of the events. Of course there are some cruise line blogs that allow the video/photo drops, but still not quite real time.

I don't feel like I'm missing anything by not being on it.

Yeah, we used to be on facebook years ago...decided it was one of the biggest wastes of time around...most folks simply don't have anything to talk about, and the "discussions without any facts" seem to be its stock in trade...along with folks telling each other jokes and plain ol gossip...does it have redeeming qualities, obviously, but nothing we can't do without..not even going to attempt to explain the "addictive" qualities to it...I try, (sometimes unsuccessfully) to only respond in here when something flips that switch in me than says the topic is of real interest to alot of folks..(not counting "side" or OT conversations like this one)....usually, it IS one that has been picked over before...not counting brand new cruise news...but thats the nature of the beast...answers to literally everything are already "out there", you just have to decide who or what you choose to believe...unfortunately, mix in a healthy (or unhealthy) dose of outright laziness, and the inclination is to let someone else do the work and respond...

What really used to irk me is when threads get just so incredibly long that virtually nobody has seen the answer to the OPs question a couple dozen replies back...or worse, when somebody responds almost word for word what someone else has said, and posts it like they're saying something original or even helpful...I say "used to irk me" because I've learned to ignore it....mostly...there are others, but, but they all get lumped into the "nature of the beast" category....

Ah, ok, understood. I'm not on Facebook, so I have no idea what goes on there. Other than this board, I'm not on social media. In fact, perhaps I shouldn't admit this, my teenage daughter was the one who informed me that this IS "social media". I was referring to it as a "chat room". (Boy did I get an eye roll from her on that one). I'll admit it, I'm an old dinosaur rube.

Thank you for the clarification.

I'm on a couple of FB cruise roll calls, and it keeps getting asked over and over. FB roll call topics are chronologically ordered, so new folks typically don't scroll through the historical record, so keep asking the same questions.

I typically don't respond to any of the queries, I like watching others respond. But its the arguments that influenced me to write my opinion. Folks get wound around the axle for things that they really shouldn't. Some people enjoy the premium steak restaurant, others might think its overpriced. So many variables and so much diversity in taste - why argue about it?

Now if you want to discuss if there are monetary values in packages - let's look at the numbers.

Thought provoking.

I find myself interested in learning the reason(s) that prompted your introduction of this topic. Is it just a want/desire to find reason and/or meaning to your observations of a generalized behavior on social media? Or is it due to annoyance at someone (or more than one) who has asked you that question on one or more occasions? I only ask because you use the word "snicker" to start off your post. That leads me to believe you have some sort of personal animosity to the question being posed. But what do I know?

As for an answer to the question itself, I don't think I can offer anything more than you and Y47 have already (and accurately) expounded.

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