On the subject of cruising, I’m a hard-core price range traveler. The extra money I can save, the extra typically I can journey – and that is at all times my aim!
Though touring has turn into more and more dearer in the previous few years, I nonetheless discover unimaginable worth from cruising. With lodging, meals, leisure, and onboard facilities included in your cruise fare, it provides distinctive worth in your cash. My price range might be stretched additional whereas cruising with a lot included within the fare.
Nonetheless, there are at all times alternatives to splurge whereas cruising. Costly add-ons and upselling each appear to be extra prevalent than ever. Due to this, price range vacationers may discover fixed temptation to splurge on cruise extras, together with drink packages, web purchases, specialty eating, and excursions.
For me, 2024 was an enormous yr of journey. I sailed on eight completely different cruises throughout 4 continents. These far-flung itineraries required lengthy worldwide flights, throughout which I flew on almost 100 separate flight segments in 2024. This amounted to 135,206 miles of flying, with 13 days of the yr spent within the air.
I used to be in a position to test a number of main locations off my bucket checklist this yr by cruising, together with South Africa, Madagascar, Belgium, Indonesia, and Australia. I used to be in a position to attain these international locations whereas cruising on 4 extraordinarily port-intensive itineraries.
This included two sailings on Norwegian Cruise Line to South Africa and New England. I additionally cruised twice with Superstar Cruises to Norway and Australia in 2024. Different sailings included weekend cruises with Carnival Cruise Line.
Between bank card factors, low cost inside cabins, and my distant work jobs, I used to be in a position to stretch my trip price range considerably this yr. With a number of massive splurges in 2024, some purchases have been completely well worth the expense, whereas others felt like a waste of cash.
Price it: Balcony stateroom
Considered one of my favourite cruises of the yr was a 7-night Norway fjord crusing on Superstar Apex with my husband. We departed from England and visited three ports all through Norway, together with one cease in Belgium.
Though we sometimes ebook cheaper cabins like inside assure staterooms, we determined to splurge on a dearer balcony cabin for this cruise. We knew Norway could be extremely stunning with gorgeous views of the fjords all through the week. Due to this, we needed to have our personal personal balcony so we wouldn’t miss any of the sights!
Our deluxe porthole balcony stateroom was expensive at $4,200, which is definitely on the costly facet for a 7-night itinerary. However, the splurge was completely worthwhile! With additional area within the cabin and our personal veranda, our cabin felt like a slice of luxurious.
We additionally determined to splurge on selecting our particular stateroom as an alternative of reserving a balcony assure. Though we saved cash final yr reserving this type of cabin on our Jewel of the Seas cruise with Royal Caribbean, our stateroom was above the nightclub. We could not sleep till midnight every night due to the loud noise!
This time, we strategically picked our stateroom as a result of it was nestled amongst different cabins. This was price each single penny!
The spotlight of our balcony was crusing by way of the fjords from the privateness of our veranda. After bringing two bottles of wine onboard for embarkation day, my husband and I loved a calming blissful hour on our balcony every night, sipping wine because the ship sailed away from the ports of name. Watching the awe-inspiring fjords drift by made the splurge unforgettable.
Waste: Spa therapy
Throughout our cruise by way of the Norwegian fjords, my husband and I made a decision to splurge on a pair’s therapeutic massage. Cruise ship spas are notoriously costly, so the $400 value for our spa therapy was not shocking.
Sadly, the general expertise fell wanting expectations. The therapeutic massage itself was great, however I anticipated extra for the worth. I had excessive hopes for the Edge class spa, which is usually marketed as a top-of-the-line amenity for Superstar Cruises. As a premium cruise line, the onboard expertise is centered round fashionable leisure and rejuvenation.
First, the therapeutic massage room lacked ambiance – it felt very plain and resembled a fundamental spa in a shopping center. A number of the points of the expertise additionally felt low cost. As an example, the masseuse positioned a rolled-up paper towel over our eyes for the facial portion of the therapeutic massage. For the price of the spa therapy, I might count on a minimum of a heat towel for my eyes.
Sooner or later, I’ll most likely prioritize thermal spa passes that can be utilized all through the length of the cruise. Whereas cruising in Africa, I spent about $200 on a thermal spa move to make use of for the 12-night voyage. This was the primary time I splurged on a thermal spa move – and it was positively price it!
This was probably the greatest splurges I made throughout that itinerary. I loved the heated loungers with my ebook each afternoon, typically leading to a nap. This buy felt way more worthwhile, as I might benefit from the spa facilities daily of the cruise. On the flip facet, massages solely final about 60 minutes.
Price it: Drink packages
As a frequent cruiser, I hardly splurge on a drink package deal as a result of they’re terribly costly. Earlier than 2024, I had solely bought Royal Caribbean’s drink package deal as soon as and struggled to get my cash’s price. Maintaining with the required stage of ingesting all through the cruise felt extreme, and I in the end misplaced cash on the drink package deal.
Additionally, with my Royal Caribbean loyalty standing, I obtain 5 day by day drink vouchers for complimentary drinks priced as much as $14 every. This perk is greater than enough for me, primarily offering the advantages of a drink package deal with out the added value.
Nonetheless, one of many cruises I booked this yr included a drink package deal within the cruise fare. I cruised with Norwegian Cruise Line to Africa onboard Norwegian Daybreak in January 2024. The cruise line’s “Free at Sea” pricing included a drink package deal, during which friends solely wanted to pay for the gratuities on the package deal. I had by no means tried this package deal earlier than, however I believed the worth was affordable.
For the 12-night cruise, I solely paid about $500 in gratuities for Norwegian’s customary drink package deal. This included a lot of the drinks that I needed to order, similar to mojitos, martinis, and piña coladas.
With the ability to indulge all through this port-intensive itinerary was well worth the splurge. I appreciated not having to fret about paying for each drink consumed, though I do want specialty espresso was included in Norwegian’s customary drink package deal. Even nonetheless, I simply drank greater than $500 price in the course of the 12-night cruise – and I might splurge on Norwegian’s drink package deal once more.
Waste: Specialty eating
Specialty eating is often a splurge I get pleasure from. When crusing on longer itineraries, a specialty restaurant can present a change of tempo from the principle eating room. Specialty eating places on cruise ships embody higher-quality entrees and extra attentive service for an affordable surcharge. Nonetheless, this wasn’t at all times the case throughout my 2024 cruises.
Whereas cruising in Norway with my husband, he was particularly considering eating at Uncooked on 5 onboard Superstar Apex. As a sushi-lover, we heard rave evaluations in regards to the upscale expertise. Throughout our first sea day, we booked Uncooked on 5 for lunch to do this raved-about restaurant.
Sadly, Uncooked on 5 didn’t stay as much as our expectations. My husband tried two sushi rolls and one plate of oysters for lunch. Whereas the meals was edible, the meal was not notably spectacular. Equally, I attempted the pork butt and felt the meat was rubbery and hard. For $60, our cash might have been spent elsewhere.
Not all specialty eating was disappointing, although. My husband and I additionally dined at Rooftop Backyard Grill throughout our cruise and had probably the greatest meals on any cruise! I additionally tried Tuscan Grill on Superstar Solstice, which is certainly one of my new favourite cruise ship eating places. The truth is, the meal was so pleasant the primary time that we returned for a second go to throughout our 15-night cruise in Australia.
Price it: Cruise line excursions
I’m a destination-focused cruiser, so I often choose my sailings based mostly on the ports of name. If I’m going to spend money and time to journey, I wish to make certain I am visiting locations that I truly wish to see. Due to this, I plan my days ashore meticulously to maximise the time in port.
Whereas excursions by way of the cruise line might be undeniably costly, my splurges in 2024 on these excursions have been completely worthwhile. Cruise-sponsored excursions present added safety that your cruise ship won’t depart with out you. This implies sudden site visitors or delays aren’t a trigger for concern throughout your time ashore.
As well as, I’ve found that cruise-sponsored nearly at all times obtain precedence for disembarkation. In the event you’re docked in a port that requires tendering ashore, cruise-sponsored excursions can be among the many first to go ashore. These excursions additionally obtain precedence for ports of name that require face-to-face immigration.
All through 2024, I splurged on excursions provided by way of the cruise line – even when the price was considerably greater than reserving an unbiased tour. Whereas cruising round South Africa, we booked a number of safaris all through our itinerary. Most of those safaris have been hours away from the ports and required vital journey. To not point out, we have been required to do face-to-face immigration in South Africa.
I felt Norwegian’s excursions could be the most secure possibility for touring, particularly whereas touring to an unfamiliar a part of the world. We additionally acquired precedence disembarkation in each port, which allowed us extra time ashore. As a result of we have been booked on a Norwegian tour, we additionally prevented the chaotic immigration line with these going ashore on their very own.
All through 2024, I discovered myself reserving extra excursions by way of the cruise line for these causes. I additionally booked the Flam Railway throughout our Norway cruise by way of Superstar Cruises. As well as, we visited the Nice Barrier Reef whereas cruising in Australia. As an alternative of trying to save cash with an unbiased tour, we opted for Superstar’s snorkeling tour as a result of we might be touring removed from the anchored ship.
Price it: Disembarkation excursions
Disembarkation excursions grew to become a brand new favourite splurge of mine in 2024. These excursions permit friends the chance to tour the disembarkation metropolis earlier than heading to the airport or persevering with on with their travels. As an alternative of ready round on the airport all day, you may make the most of your time to discover the encompassing space.
The primary disembarkation tour I booked was in Cape City, South Africa, which was by way of the cruise line. As a result of our flight didn’t depart till 11 within the night, we had a complete day to tour town. I used to be ecstatic to see a tour of the Cape Peninsula to go to Cape Level and Cape of Good Hope, that are the southernmost factors in Africa. In fact, I couldn’t wait to additionally see the dear penguins waddling round Boulders Seaside!
With simply two days to discover Cape City, I used to be thrilled with this all-day tour, because it made essentially the most of our restricted time within the metropolis. We have been in a position to enterprise across the Cape Peninsula all day and nonetheless arrive on the airport with loads of time. As well as, we didn’t want to fret about storing our baggage someplace in a safe location on the coach bus.
After this optimistic expertise, I made a decision to make the most of the identical technique in Singapore after disembarking from my cruise round Australia. We solely had at some point to discover Singapore earlier than flying house the next day, so we organized a disembarkation tour by way of Viator.
With 4 individuals, we had a non-public van that shuffled us across the metropolis to the principle sights. We have been in a position to preserve our baggage within the automotive safely earlier than checking into our lodge later that evening. This was one of the simplest ways to finish a improbable cruise.
With future cruises, I’ll proceed to ebook disembarkation excursions if the proper alternative presents itself. I’d reasonably see extra of the native sights than wait round all day on the airport!
