Is a 3-day cruise worth it?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

NO, the cruises you have looked at are probably NOT worth it. BUT, the reason is primarily because you are looking at a cruise at the last minute and therefore you are getting last minute premium prices. All of the cruise lines give the very best prices for booking early and early means about a year in advance. After that the prices start to go up as the cruise date approaches.

In addition, cruise lines do have specials or deals when they have a reduced price. So if you are looking to go next month and get a good price you need to look for a special or deal. Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival have specials and links to them right on their home web pages. You will likely get a much better price by looking for a special and that may mean cruising later this year or next year.

But do take a look at both web sites:

Carnival's page leading to their specials:
http://www.carnivalcruiselines.com/cms/fun/specials/default.aspx

http://www.carnivalcruiselines.com/cms/fun/specials/caribbean_cruises.aspx?WT.mc_id=HcaribbeanSpecials

Royal Caribbean's page leading to their "Hot Deals":

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/dealsandmore/allHotDeals.do;jsessionid=00003JPoYSnezJ4oQ8hFuMQ-Yht:12hdhu6tq?dest=CARIB&promoType=1&cruiseTourOnly=false

You need to know that all cruise cabins are sold based on double occupancy and the prices listed will be per person and based on at least two people going on the cruise. Then the price for the 3rd and 4th person in the same cabin are significantly less; in the range of 50% of that of the first two people. So, for example, if the first two people pay $600 each, then the next two would pay about $300 each, a total of $1,800. for 4 people.

The price you pay will depend mostly on the type cabin accommodations that you choose. There are 4 basic types of cabins on ships;

- inside (no window),
- outside (a window or porthole),
- balcony/veranda, and
- suites.

Royal Caribbean has some inside cabins on its Freedom and Voyager Class of ships that have a window overlooking an inside promenade mall.

The "FROM" prices you see will always be for an inside cabin. There are also some subcategories within each category with cabins on a higher deck, and/or a better location on ship (like midship), and/or that are slightly larger costing more. So as you browse, pay attention to the square footage of the cabins. You may not want to pay more for the same sized cabin on a higher floor; or vice versa do pay less for the same cabin on a lower deck.

You can reserve a cruise:
- on line on the cruise line's web site,
- by calling the cruise line's cruise consultant to book, or
- through a travel agent

You must pay the minimum deposit which will be between $250 and $350 per person for a 7 day cruise, depending upon the cruise line. The balance will be due approximately 60 days before the cruise departure date. But you can make periodic payment on line or with the cruise line. I have reserved on line and made payments many times. If you are trying to book for July you will likely have to pay the full amount at booking.

You DO NOT have to book the air fare to the cruise port city through the cruise line. You can book that or your own, OR if you want drive to the cruise port. All of the cruise ports have parking available right at the port. I do that all of the time for cruises leaving from Florida ports. If you book your own air you can, if you want pay for transfers between the airport and the pier, or just take a taxi.

My recommendation is to take a 7 day cruise rather than a 3 or 4 day cruise. In my experience the short cruises are not worth the money to get to and from the port city (unless you live in or very near a port city and can drive there). I also think that you will enjoy the longer cruise better, you will likely get a better ship, and also have better port stops.

Kristen

For me, personally, I would say no. Airfare is outrageous now so you should try and get your money's worth. Have you checked out a 7 day cruise to see if it would be that much of a difference? Where are you from?

Janique. What kind of room are you getting that it is costing you $10,000 a person??? I have never heard of ANY cruise costing that much.

eliz_esc

I think for your first cruise 3 or 4 days is just right. It's just enough time to decide whether cruising is for you - not so long that if you don't really enjoy it you're stuck for a long week. But it's long enough to enjoy.

Price is a different ball game and that seems a little steep for the 3 or 4 days, even including air.

Try www.vacationstogo.com and search cruises. If you vary the dates of your cruise you can get much better deals than that.

jennaonna2000

I've been on 2 cruises a Carnival 7 day Mexican Riviera and a 3 day Baja Mexico. I would say that if you in an area where you have to take an airplane then I would agree with the first girlsâ€™ comments about getting your moneys worth... If youâ€™re going to do a cruise you should look in to at least a 7 day. Since I went on my 7 day before the 3 I can tell you the 3 day is way too short and especially for you guys because you have a lot to deal with air travel and so by the time you get on the boat and finally settle down you will be packing up and getting ready for the hectic ness again the day after the next and it's too much and very exhausting... Since its $3483.64 for a 3 day a 7 day would only be about another $300 to $400 more but it will definitely be worth it when it comes to your relaxation and lessen the traveling stress. The 3 day will be too rushed.

Don't get me wrong though the 3 days are great mini vacations you don't have to miss much time from work and they are still great fun but with those its easier to cruise somewhere that is within driving distance to the port so you save more money because they can run pretty cheap sometime they have really good deals.

I live in California so I was able to drive to long beach and catch the ship but I know it would be very hard living in a start that may not be near the coast.... Well good luck and what ever you decide cruises are a blast and they are soooo addictive.

Smiley

We just got back from a Disney 4 day cruise on the 5th. We thought for our first cruise 4 days would be enough to try it. I'm glad we did the 4 day. We all were saying the next one will have to be longer.

We are not disappointed that we did a short cruise for our first one. We just didn't know what to expect so it was a good choice for us.

Have fun, you will no matter what you decide

----ToRi---- -

i would go for a seven day

JANIQUE W

wow thats cheap im goin on a 8day disney cruise and its 10,000 a person.its not worth it

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