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We have taken and enjoyed several cruise lines including HAL, Princess, and Celebrity. We have also taken Royal Caribbean, Carnival and NCL, but did not care for them as much. We are both senior citizens.
We have always booked a cruise with an inside guarantee as we don't use the cabin for anything except sleeping, showering and changing our clothes. We prefer being on the deck, by the pool or at the bar. And that inside guarantee cabin allows us to save A LOT of money, and enjoy traveling more frequently. But in recent years, that savings has been eaten up by the higher costs of tips, excursions, inflated prices of wine, drinks at the bar, and even some of the restaurants.
We don't mind paying for value, but everyone has a different opinion on exactly what is valuable. We have no interest in paying big bucks for luxury (like Crystal or Seabourn). But we are considering a river cruise in Europe or Asia. At first glance they look WAY more expensive than what we are used to, but I have heard they also more all inclusive. Can anyone share some information about this?
Last edited by Jkgourmet; 06-17-2013 at 01:41 PM..
We have taken and enjoyed several cruise lines including HAL, Princess, and Celebrity. We have also taken Royal Caribbean and NCL, but did not care for them as much. We are both senior citizens.
We have always booked a cruise with an inside guarantee as we don't use the cabin for anything except sleeping, showering and changing our clothes. We prefer being on the deck, by the pool or at the bar. And that inside guarantee cabin allows us to save A LOT of money, and enjoy traveling more frequently. But in recent years, that savings has been eaten up by the higher costs of tips, excursions, inflated prices of wine, drinks at the bar, and even some of the restaurants.
We don't mind paying for value, but everyone has a different opinion on exactly what is valuable. We have no interest in paying big bucks for luxury (like Crystal or Seabourn). But we are considering a river cruise in Europe or Asia. At first glance they look WAY more expensive than what we are used to, but I have heard they also more all inclusive. Can anyone share some information about this?
They are more inclusive, that is certain, but they are still pricier..no matter how you look at it. Now, river cruising is very different that what you have experienced and rarely do you hear anyone come back and say they didn't enjoy their cruise. Just keep in mind it is something removed from what you are accustomed to in the past. I think, If it wasn't for that long flight, we would be tempted to do an Asian river cruise.
As for the nickel and diming we are all experiencing I share your pain. The cost of wine hasn't increased that much but the meals in the MDRs have taken a beating, making it more tempting to pay for specialty dining rooms.
For us, we happen to like NCL, all their ships are newer now (the old ones are gone) and we do like the open dining. Yes, all lines now offer casual dining with casual dress, but we like the way NCL does it the best, plus we have always had good service (at least most of the time) and we like the entertainment. We have had mixed experiences with Celebrity and we love HAL except, even at our age (seniors for sure) it just seems like everyone is so old. Our least favorite line is Princess. Isn't it amazing how subjective cruising can be.
Quite true about the subjectivity. And it's been a far number of years since we did Princess, so it might well have changed.
I think the itinerary and season often alter a cruise experience as well. Longer itineraries or debarkation ports outside of the US will often create and older demographic as they have more time and money to travel. Spring break season on cheap cruises, well, we all know what that will produce. And that may have had a major affect on our single NCL experience - a spring cruise, departing from Galveston, TX (requiring no airline fare for many of the passengers) and heavily discounted. (We had people bringing mixed drinks into the dining room in Gatorade bottles! Just tacky.)
I rather like an older crowd. At 56, it makes me feel younger!
I've been on 3 river cruises, all with Grand Circle Travel, and all during the beginning of December so I can enjoy the Christmas Markets. We also cruise regularly on the big ships, preferring Princess but have been on Carnival and Celebrity.
River trips are totally different. It's like comparing apples to oranges. But both are equally tastey! I can say during the Christmas trips it is a much older crowd, say more 65 and up. I was by far the youngest in my early 40's. Didn't bother me a bit. It was fun because they are such smaller boats you get to know just about everyone. No assigned seating so you can sit with somebody different at every meal.
I don't know about river cruises in Asia, but in Europe, the cruise line would have to buy all their fuel and food in Europe where prices for fuel and food are astronomical compared to what we pay in the USA. So that is going to increase costs.
They have to pay to go through the locks. That increases costs
Ships are much smaller, so costs are spread out over fewer passengers.
I've looked into them a bit and didn't think that the pricing was bad at all, considering the things that are included--bikes, tours, etc. Of course if you typically cruise mass market to the Caribbean or Bahamas, you'll probably have sticker shock. But if you typically cruise small ships in Europe, the pricing is pretty par.
I don't know about river cruises in Asia, but in Europe, the cruise line would have to buy all their fuel and food in Europe where prices for fuel and food are astronomical compared to what we pay in the USA. So that is going to increase costs.
They have to pay to go through the locks. That increases costs
Ships are much smaller, so costs are spread out over fewer passengers.
You have not shopped in Europe.... Food is really cheaper as in the US. I go to the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany about 5 times every year. Fuel is expensive, but... distances are much shorter. Not to mention, bread from a bakery really beats factory bread.....
Go with the K D line in Germany. Costs are like pennys per mile.
There are locks on the Rhine, but you have to go to Basel. 90% has no locks.
Fuel for cars is expensive, Diesel for trucks is not, and Fuel for airplanes or ships is plain cheap. I can fly from Amsterdam to Lisbon for less than 100 euro, roundtrip.... The same distance in the US costs 400 dollars.... Explain that to me. Also, cars in Europe get great mileage. A pickup truck sets you 50 K back.... that is expensive....
You have not shopped in Europe.... Food is really cheaper as in the US. I go to the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany about 5 times every year. Fuel is expensive, but... distances are much shorter. Not to mention, bread from a bakery really beats factory bread.....
Go with the K D line in Germany. Costs are like pennys per mile.
There are locks on the Rhine, but you have to go to Basel. 90% has no locks.
I could be incorrect, but isn't KD Line more like a ferry? You buy a pass to go from one city to another? If I'm correct it's not really comparable to what I was asking about.
River cruises are all about the cities you'll visit..not so much about the riverboat or accommodations, although they may be very nice cabins! Fewer folks, but definitely none of the "bells and whistles" of a cruise ship. When you take a river cruise, it's because you want to experience the cities you'll visit.
If you want the "ship" experience, then stick to traditional cruise lines.
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