When does it make sense to cruise?

Between going on your own land tour and getting on a cruise, when does it make sense to get on a ship with hundreds of other people?

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas

I'm not going to lie, cruises can be expensive, especially when you start looking at top of the line brands like Silversea or Regent Seven Seas. But what's the appeal of sharing a vacation with hundreds of other people? I used to be a skeptic of cruises, but there are certain situations where they make sense. 

One big reason why cruises are so well loved is because they're all inclusive. A cruise fare includes your stateroom, food, basic beverages, and entertainment. Plus, your "transportation" from port to port is taken care of. 

It's certainly a stress-free way to vacation, since you pretty much wake up in a new destination to explore, and can eat whatever you want without having a bill at the end of your meal. 

Keep in mind, many cruise lines have multiple add-ons (like alcoholic beverage packages and "specialty restaurants") that will increase the cost of your sailing. However, if you're not a drinker and stick to the included dining options, costs can stay low. 

The definition of "a good deal" is going to vary from person to person. For me, I consider $100 per person, per day (before taxes/fees/gratuity) very reasonable since the lodging and meal costs are included in that price. This is especially true for European sailings (where the USD is weaker); you could barely find a hotel room for $100, not to mention your food as well. 

It's all relative, but don't forget to factor in the entertainment aspects on the ship as well, like theater shows, the pool, and gym to keep you busy.

Lately, I've been watching Virgin Voyages since their cruise rates include non-alcoholic beverages, gratuity, wifi, and fitness classes in their fares (in addition to the expected stateroom and dining). I ended up booking a sailing in 2025 that ended up being $109 per person, per day - INCLUDING taxes/fees for a "Sea Terrace" (aka balcony cabin), which was an incredible deal in my opinion. 

Like any industry, there are plenty of cruise lines providing different service levels and experiences to align with different budgets. Depending on the cruise line and ship you select, the experience can range from a floating family-fun resort to a more personalized, boutique feel. I tend to stick with Royal Caribbean since the quality has always been consistent, but I've sailed on Princess and Celebrity as well. 

Each cruise line has slightly different inclusions, but you can always expect at least your stateroom and base dining to be included. Some might include wifi, gratuity, or even a drink during meals, so be sure to research each cruise's fares before booking! 

Here's a breakdown on where various cruise lines sit (in my humble opinion): 

Budget: 

• Carnival
• MSC
• Costa

Mainstream quality:

• Royal Caribbean
• Princess
• Norwegian
• Holland America
• Disney (hovers between mainstream quality/upscale because of its inclusions)

Upscale: 

• Azamara
• Celebrity
• Cunard
• Virgin Voyages

Luxury:

• Silversea
• Regent Seven Seas
• Seabourn
• Viking

Cruises hold a special place in my vacation-planning arsenal since they are great for groups or families. They allow large groups to meet up for an activity if they feel like it, or explore the ship on their own. Larger ships usually have plenty of entertainment options to keep a large range of age groups satisfied (think Broadway-style shows and rock climbing). 

When in port, there's the freedom to go on excursions together as a group or break away from the pack. However, the overall ship schedule keeps everyone together from port to port. Personally, I like to plan dinner with the group, but then everyone can make their own plans during the day if they want. That way, you can share your day's adventures over your meal but not get sick of being around each other 24/7. 

Personally, I'm looking forward to trying out Virgin Voyages in the summer of 2025. While I've cruised with my family in the past, this is the first time I'm inviting both friends AND family on the same sailing (I'm extending my interline rate to them). I'm interested to see if the variety on Virgin is enough to keep these two groups entertained!