Too often, people tend to stick with what they know and love when choosing a cruise line and ship for a vacation. Most of the cruise lines we book for clients are mass market cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, NCL, Princess, Holland America and Celebrity.
There are many cruise lines that are considered luxury lines and most people never think about cruising on them. Yet in many cases, these cruises may cost less than the mass market lines when you consider what is and isn’t included. You won’t feel nickled and dimed to death on these ships. Service will be a much more intimate experience, since ships are smaller and the ratio of crew to passengers is greater.
Azamara Club Cruises, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas and all of the river cruise lines are considered luxury cruise lines. What do you get for the price you pay?
Azamara Club cruises spend more time in port than other lines so you have a real good feel of the port you are visiting. They offer complimentary beer and wine at dinner (as well as soft drinks, coffee and bottled water) that can be a huge money saver, considering the average glass of wine on a ship usually starts at $8 per glass. Gratuities are also included, another savings of as much as $15 per person per day. Booking shore excursions in advance can save you up to 50% on the cost of an excursion. Also included is complimentary self-service laundry and shuttle service to and from ports where available. While they don’t offer two for one air on their cruises, if you book air through their air department you can get some great savings on air.
Oceania often offers 2 for 1 cruise fares with free economy air from 27 U.S. cities. They also are currently running a Business class air promotion on 16 European cruises for certain cabin categories (offer expires March 31). They do not charge for alternative dining, but do charge for wine and beer at lunch and dinner but they do have two beverage packages that can be purchased. Bottled water, soft drinks, juice, cappuccino, espresso, tea and coffee are included in your cruise fare. This line does charge for gratuities (up to $13.50 per person per day). No fees for specialty restaurants and there are often specials that might include pre-paid gratuities as a bonus.
Take a look a what Regent Seven Seas offers :
2-for-1 Fares PLUS Additional Bonus Savings of up to $13,000 Per Suite
free roundtrip air*,free Business Class Air* in penthouse suites and higher on Europe Voyages,free unlimited shore excursions,free Luxury Hotel Package
free unlimited beverages Including fine wines and premium spirits,free open bars and lounges plus in-suite mini-bar replenished daily,free pre-paid gratuities,free ground transfers,free 24-hour room service and no charge for specialty restaurants,welcome bottle of champagne.
Crystal Cruises now includes gratuities and alcohol in their fare. Fares often include two for one deals and early booking will get you the best deals.
Here is an actual price comparison – Oceania vs. Princess for a Greek Isle cruise in May, 2013. Pricing is as of Feb. 23, 2013. Oceania offers free airfare and has a current promotion with free pre-paid gratuities for this cruise plus 2 for 1 savings. For the least expensive balcony stateroom on Oceania, the cruise for two people would cost $7398 – including air and the current promotions. Neither of us drinks liquor, so the free bottled water, soda and coffees are all we need during this cruise.
The Princess cruise is $5928.58 for two people in the lowest balcony category. Add air from JFK at $2332 (for two people), gratuities of $161 ($11.50 p/p per day), $210 for soda and bottled water ($15 per day per person) and you have a total of $8631.58 for the Princess cruise. Choosing Oceania would provide a savings of at least $1233.58. If we chose to dine at alternate dining venues on Princess (included with Oceania) our cruise fare would be more.
River cruises also offer much more than a traditional cruise line. Besides a more intimate setting, with a smaller passenger load and smaller passenger to staff ratio, river cruises offer similar savings and even more value as wine and excursions are usually also included. River cruises bring you to the "heart" of small towns, villages and big cities like a floating hotel, avoiding big ship industrial ports and allow you to be much more centrally located with all cultural sights just steps away. Not to mention the beautiful scenery of countrysides, vineyards and castles as opposed to the vast, open sea.
Viking River Cruises often has 2 for 1 fares, The price you pay covers just about everything—port charges, wi-fi, meals, lectures, activities and shore excursions—as well as hotel accommodations on their cruise - tour itineraries. So all you have to do is relax and enjoy a great vacation that is also a great value. All of your onboard meals are included in the cost of your fare, and on a number of itineraries you are invited to dine ashore in a pre-selected restaurant. Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner on board, and you can help yourself to tea, coffee and cappuccino at any time. Guided tours incorporate the highlights of each and every destination, and these are included in your fare. Plus, a variety of included cultural events are also offered to provide an enriching, entertaining and memorable experience. On every Viking cruise tour package, your fare includes overnight stays in major cities.
Beginning in 2014 on their Europe river cruises, Uniworld is going “all inclusive” – look at what will be included with Uniworld:
All gratuities onboard and onshore*,unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits,soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and bottled water*†,all meals onboard, impeccably prepared by our chefs using the finest and freshest ingredients from local farmers’ markets, all scheduled airport transfers, shore excursions hosted by English-speaking local experts, with “Choice Is Yours,” “Gentle Walking,” and “Go Active” options, complimentary portable audio headset system used on all shore excursions, a variety of complimentary culinary experiences and onboard dining options, complimentary Internet and Wi-Fi access onboard, all entertainment and Signature Lectures onboard, complimentary in-stateroom Infotainment center, complimentary well-equipped fitness center and exercise classes, complimentaryuse of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks for onshore enjoyment
AMA Waterways river cruises also offers similar savings. Your inclusive vacation provides incredible value from the champagne breakfast and free-flowing hand-selected European wines with lunch and dinner to a fleet of bicycles, free Internet access, included sightseeing excursions and live cultural entertainment onboard. AmaWaterways also provides complimentary bottled water, specialty coffees and teas throughout your cruise. Experienced guides will lead daily, enriching excursions during your cruise, and passengers are free to use AmaWaterways' fleet of bicycles.
There are many other river cruise lines we can go into detail with, but all offer similar savings and a very different experience – instead of sailing large oceans, you are sailing smaller rivers with beautiful scenery throughout your cruise. Step off your river cruise ship in small towns and walk or bike to see the sights. River cruise ships hold at most 200 people, so you’ll have a much more social experience getting to know fellow passengers and a more relaxed time, not having to line up on long queues getting on and off the ship.
Have we opened your eyes to the value of a luxury cruise line? Are you ready to try a luxury line or river cruise to experience the savings? Call us and we’ll find the perfect cruise for you – 516-608-0568.
*some restrictions may apply
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