Cruise or resort - Which is better value?Many would-be cruise passengers are often surprised to discover a cruise isn't as costly as they perceived. Even a modest hotel room can average £200 a night. And that is only bed and breakfast. Whether you eat in the hotel at night, or go out to a restaurant, you will expect to pay a lot of money over a 10 or 14 day holiday. Do the costings yourself, and you will be surprised at the total cost for a hotel based holiday. Even a self catering holiday has hidden costs that add up – getting there, all the food, electricity, going out…. But all this is included in a cruise holiday. You can get a weeks cruise for as little as £500 per person. And that is all inclusive. The cruise is beginning to look like a great deal because of the available amenities—all meals and snacks (including standard beverages), games and activities, parties, evening entertainment, and sports and fitness activities. You can calculate your own total cost using the following chart. Fill in the blanks based on your personal choices.
For an even bigger surprise, compare the cost of high-end luxury cruises with suite accommodations at a super-deluxe hotel. On some of the luxury cruise lines, for instance Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Radisson Seven Sea Cruises, even MORE is included in the base fare... complimentary stocked in-suite mini-bars, wines with lunch and dinner, and other beverages. Guests find it difficult to spend any money beyond their cruise fare and shore excursions while on a Silversea cruise because the voyages are so all-inclusive. Do the calculations and you just might decide that a cruise holiday is not only a more satisfying vacation choice, it's also better value. Items not covered in the basic cruise fare can include:
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