Cruise Deals Vs. Other Budget Vacations: Which Is Better?
When planning a vacation on a budget, camping trips
, weekend stays at the beach and visits to nearby cities come immediately to mind. Cruises tend to carry the stigma of being lavish and expensive prospects, but a little diligent searching and knowing exactly what youre looking for will prove that an unforgettable escape across the waves can fit into just about any budget.The Sea Versus the Highway
The classic American budget vacation of hitting the road with the family and luggage packed in tight and nothing but hours and hours of pavement between you and paradise begs the question of just how road trips became such a romantic fixture. Blame it on nostalgia and compare the pros and cons of a long haul in the minivan to a week-long cruise to the west Caribbean.
While the notion of getting to wherever your family may wish to go (within driving distance anyway) by your own devices may seem appealing, the reality is that even the most angelic of kids get antsy after a while strapped in the back seat, especially if space is limited. And though it may seem you are saving a bundle on travel expenses, cars have the tendency to break down at inopportune moments and gas prices have never been figures to scoff at.
Compare this classic scenario with embarking on a relaxing cruise. While its true you must first arrive at your port, most likely by plane, the process of getting there will prove to be simpler than carrying all that you need with you where ever you go. All a family needs to worry about on a cruise is a few changes of clothes and a toothbrush although even those items can be procured on the ship.
Once you have checked into your cabin, all anyone needs to ponder is what fun or relaxing activity to do next. Since most essential costs are covered in your cabin rates, including meals, theres no passing up unique dining experiences in lieu of cheap roadside eats. Chances are, every meal you enjoy aboard a cruise will be a unique and undoubtedly delicious one. You may even choose to spend the whole trip in the galley.
On other budget vacations, its up to the parents to entertain kids, but on cruises kids can be enrolled into a wide variety of programs to keep them active and entertained all day long. Typical kids stuff aboard cruises includes all sorts of sports, video games, water park excursions and even educational activities. In the meantime, the adults can catch some dinner theater, a live band or a musical or maybe just relax with an expertly administered massage.
When it comes time to hit the shore for a port call, compare snorkeling through crystal clear tropical waters and hiking through a tropical jungle with checking out the museums in a nearby city or sharing a crowded beach with droves of stressed vacationers. The best choice for a budget vacation youll never forget becomes even clearer when you know how to find a great deal on a fabulous cruise.
Find a Cruise that Fits Your Budget
While cruises have gotten a bad reputation for being expensive propositions over the years, in actuality, there are great packages and deals to fit any budget. The cheapest cabins aboard cruise ships are those located in the center that is, those lacking windows. Though the lack of sunlight may be a bit discouraging, the rates available for those spots make a great case for spending all your time on board having fun out of your room. For example, 5-day cruises in the Caribbean can start as low as 300 dollars per person. 7-day cruises to Mexico can go as low as 350 dollars per person.
Deal prices like those rival even the cheapest of roadside motels for the same number of days. And on a cruise you dont even have to worry about checking out on time the next morning.
If, however, a room with a view is a must, they can be had for lower than average rates as well if you book them for the off or shoulder season periods of the cruise you are interested in these are the times when fewer people choose to book cruises. The off-season in the Caribbean is late summer and autumn, but the weather in the islands is always picture perfect, barring the occasional tropical storm. Rates for cabins with windows and even balconies can be as much as half their normal prices during the off season.
Instead of hitting the pavement this summer, it makes more sense to hit the deck on an action-packed and stress-free budget cruise.
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