Topic: Ultra Luxury vs. Regular Cruising

When you think of a 6 star luxury cruise, the first thing that might comes into your mind is expensive. However have you ever thought of how much is actually included? Next time you see a luxury cruise offer don't be put off by the price as it may well be cheaper than your regular 7 night cruise.

Below is a comparison of a 7 night cruise with Royal Caribbean compared to Regent Seven Seas Cruises. You will be surprised to find that after all the extra's you pay onboard a luxury cruise works out cheaper.



It’s not the cost you pay to get on a cruise, it’s what you pay when you get off that matters! Do you agree?

Great, do they sail from from southampton in the winter months as thats when we have to go on hols. Fantastic savings to be had.

Hi I do agree that the luxury cruise market isn't as expensive as many people think, and I would recommend people try this type of holiday but only if they can manage without 24/7 onboard activities. The ambience onboard is more relaxed and laid back than many of the cruise lines. However, the figures you present are slightly misleading although it my be occassionally be possible to cruise on Regent or the other luxury lines for around £1800 per week this isn't the normal situation, more often than not, the prices are higher. The marketing policies used by the mainstream cruise lines are successful because they entice passengers to book by advertising low boarding fares knowing that most passengers do not consider the overall costs and frequently use this site to complain about the costs of drinks, tips and shore excursions etc.

You have picked a Cheap discounted week on the luxury
against a relatively expensive week on a RCI.

7night RCI balcony more likely to be around £800.

actualy checking RCI site just now balcony is under £1k not the £1350

I agree the luxury can be very good value and if you are lucky they will be discounting when you can go and the mass market won't be.


If flexable then the mass market bargains will still undercut the luxury most of the time.

Often the like for like needs to be a suite on the mass market and then the comparisons become closer.

I read this article yesterday evening and thought it was quite misleading. No one is doubting that cruising offers excepttional value both at the luxury end and mid market lines. I don't think Oliver would quite enjoy Regent. Vinny

Seems a good price but I think I'll stick to Cunard. I do like larger ships...and the cabins are bigger.

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Seems a good price but I think I'll stick to Cunard. I do like larger ships...and the cabins are bigger.

Hi A fair point many people do prefer larger ships, but the size of your cabin depends upon the Grade you book, as a general rule larger cabins cost more.

I would love to cruise on one of the luxury lines, and they do sometimes do good deals on single occupancy. They are usually still out of my price range, and the RCI example above might work out more cheaply for me because I wouldn't drink that much. In fact, I'd probably be tempted to drink more if it were included in the price.

QUOTE:

I would love to cruise on one of the luxury lines, and they do sometimes do good deals on single occupancy. They are usually still out of my price range, and the RCI example above might work out more cheaply for me because I wouldn't drink that much. In fact, I'd probably be tempted to drink more if it were included in the price.

Hi Yogini, Have you checked out the solo prices for Azamara on this site? I was offered a really good deal last year through cruise dot with just a 25% sole occupancy supplement. The price included an overnight stay in a 4* Rome hotel, wine with meals, all soft drinks, bottled water, gratuities and free shuttle buses. I found that I spent very little, apart from the cost of a couple of excursions. The cruise was excellent, the food superb and they looked after solo passengers very well. When compared to a similar cruise I took with Cunard, the overall cost was far less and in my opinion the Azamara experience was superior. I'm looking forward to my next cruise with them. - Jan

The problem for me is that I don't drink alcohol or soft drinks, I only drink water and tea - both of which are usually freely available on all ships. I only do shore excursions when I really want to see something as I generally prefer to walk or jump on a bus and hang out with the locals for a few hours.

I don't mind about the shore excursions particularly as that's a personal choice and I will make some use of it, but I do think that the luxury cruises should give some consideration to non drinkers.