As we all know by now, it’s an expensive world out there. This may lead you to believe that any vacation exploring that world is going to come with a sky-high price tag. Au contraire. One type of getaway has, by and large, avoided skyrocketing costs and could be the perfect budget-friendly vacation for you and your traveling party: cruises.
Not only have cruise prices remained stable during these inflationary times, that stable price is incredibly low. “[The prices] are some of the lowest that we’ve seen in a very long time,” Chris Gray Faust, managing editor of The Cruise Critic, recently told “Good Morning America.” “Not only are the fares low, but a lot of the cruise lines are putting in a lot of extra value type of things–like, they’re throwing in free gratuities, free Wi-Fi, free drink packages, things like that.”
All-Inclusive Cost
What makes a cruise so budget-friendly is that the price to book your spot onboard includes travel to your destination, lodging, meals and entertainment. If these were purchased individually, they would cost significantly more than the price of a cruise ticket.
Let’s take a look at an example. Norwegian Cruise Line’s seven-night cruise from New York to Bermuda starts at less than $800 per person. Factor in a round-trip flight and add in a week-long stay at a nice hotel and you’re already well past the cost of a cruise.
And this is without taking into consideration the food and entertainment. Norwegian offers several complimentary dining options onboard, meaning you won’t need to pay for a single meal all week. (You can, of course, pay for a meal at one of the many specialty dining restaurants if and when you choose.) And entertainment? The ships put on several Broadway- and Las Vegas-caliber performances throughout the week. If you were to purchase tickets to such a show on land, it would likely set you back at least $100 per person.
Budgeting Made Easy
Cruises also make it easier to budget accordingly by allowing you to prepay for any add-ons you may want. Drink packages and shore excursions, for example, can be purchased beforehand so you know exactly what you’re paying for each and are not surprised at the end of your trip with massive bill.
Walking onto the ship with all aspects of your trip already paid for ensures that you won’t exceed your budget and provides a peace of mind that will suit you well as you set sail.
Book your Norwegian Cruise today!