A Cheap Cruise Is A Good Deal Nowadays
During the recession, many Americans think of cheap travel as weekender road trips, not as luxury cruises. Yet that's exactly why cruises have become one of the best cheap travel deals in 2010. An industry newsletter from Cruise Week called 2009 "the worst booking slump in modern-day cruise history." The upside, they say, is "unprecedented low pricing." Some cruisers have reported paying just $499 for a week in Europe or $99 for a three-night Mexican cruise. Vacationers are also receiving more bang for their buck, with 2-for-1 specials, free cabin upgrades, spa treatment vouchers and shore excursion inclusions.
Precisely how cheap is a cruise deal? Consider that not too long ago, Carnival featured a three-day return vacation from San Diego to Ensenada, Mexico only $99! Less than $100 got you all your accommodations, travel, entertainment and food onboard the ship! These ships offer ping pong, water slides, running tracks a spa, mini golf, nightclubs, live shows and a plethora of restaurants and shops. Guests paid a $50 government fee and paid extra for alcoholic drinks and health spa procedures.
One might wonder, "How can a ship afford to operate, while offering such a cheap deal?" The answer is that 25% of their revenue comes from onboard expenses. Despite most packages being deemed "all-inclusive," vacationers find it easy to spend money aboard the ship. "You get most food, entertainment, soft drinks and coffee," explains one Carnival Corp spokesperson. "You pay for alcohol, merchandise, for the spa, for pictures. All of these things are optional, but it's hard not to spend money on a cruise because you are a captive audience." On a ship like Royal Caribbean's Voyager, you'll come across golf simulators, internet cafes and ice skating lessons, which all come for a small additional fee. It's still possible to find cheap travel if you can exercise some restraint, but many veteran cruisers confess to spending double what they paid for their initial cruise fare, in the end.
According to the UK Telegraph, one can find cheap travel cruises almost everywhere. Cruising in Europe, the Baltic and the Middle East has newly found favor among travelers. The Far East itineraries to China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Thailand, India and Malaysia are becoming hot spots for 2010. "Not surprisingly, the cost will be hugely important in 2010," writes The Telegraph's Sara Macefield. "The last year has seen a string of amazing offers, with widespread discounts of up to 60% accompanied by free flights, free places, complimentary car parking on ex-Britain sailings and on-board credits of up to $500 per person." She said, with more new ships to fill, 2010 is looking like a great year to find inexpensive travel deals as well.
When most people think "cheap travel," they peruse sites like www.orbitz.com or www.expedia.com for reasonably priced airline tickets or they visit www.hotels.com and www.bedandbreakfast.com for inexpensive accommodations. This year, all-inclusive vacations have become incredibly popular as they supply more bang for the buck, which means more facilities, more fine dining, more destinations and more luxury for as low as $50 a day! Much like airlines and hotel chains, there are a number of cruise operators, which means greater competition and cut rate prices for vacationers.
