It goes without saying that not all cruises are created equal. The good thing about cruising is, there’s usually an affordable cruise for just about any budget. If you’re new to cruising and find yourself wondering how much are cruises, you’re in for a treat.

In this comprehensive article, we’re going to discuss:

Two types of cruises

When it comes to cruising, there are just two main types of cruises to choose from: ocean cruising and river cruising. We’ll take a closer look at each to help you determine which you’d prefer or if they both sound appealing.

Ocean Cruises

Cruise ships for ocean cruises tend to be much larger than river cruise boats. While they vary in size, the average cruise ship can carry around 3,000 passengers, and some can hold over 6,000. Cabins tend to be larger on ocean liners than river boats.

Another key difference between ocean cruises and river cruises are the destinations. Ocean cruises can travel from one continent to another, from country to country or even from island to island, such as in the Caribbean. Ocean liners can even take you to remote destinations like the Arctic or the Antarctic.

Excursions also tend to be different. Because ocean liners have more passengers, they also have a wider range of excursions to choose from, at an additional cost separate from the cruise itself. In fact, unlike river cruises, which fare prices tend to be all-inclusive, most ocean liners fare prices don’t include things like excursions, adult beverages, WiFi and gratuities.

If you like to eat and try different food, you’ll be happy to know that ocean cruise ships have a variety of dining options. Unlike, river cruises though, which tend to be more casual, it’s important to pack formal attire for the couple of formal nights that will be held in your assigned dining room, if you wish to participate. Even though everyone has an assigned dining room and time, no one is restricted to the one dining option. And the same goes for onboard entertainment. There are typically many activities and entertainment options to choose from.

Cruise Ships at port

River Cruises

River cruise boats hold less people than the ocean cruise lines, somewhere between 150 and 200 passengers. They’re constrained by their length, width and height because most river pathways won’t allow for boats that are too big. This means that everything is smaller on river cruises, including the cabins.

River cruise boats travel along rivers and can go to places where large cruise liners are too big to navigate. This allows these boats to dock right in the heart of the towns or cities where they’re visiting. The excursions at these destinations tend to be walking-based tours that focus on art, history and culture in these locations. While there are some excursions that you can pay for, river boat cruises tend to have one daily excursion included at no additional cost.

When it comes to dining on river cruises, your options are limited. There’s typically only one bar lounge and dining room of which you must eat at specified times. And no, there’s no room service so if you miss your dining time, that’s it until the next day. Entertainment is also limited on river boats. There might be a movie night, quiz night or entertainers who will come onboard from time-to-time but the choices are limited.

Types of cabins on a cruise ship

As was mentioned, river cruises generally have smaller cabins than ocean cruises. When it comes to choosing a cabin on a cruise ship, you typically have an option between the following types:

  • Suite
  • Interior
  • Ocean View
  • Promenade View
  • Balcony

How much are cruises?

The price of cruises often depend on a number of factors including: the type of cabin, the age of the ship, the time of year, any special occasions, and any special promotions.

A typical cost for a 7-day cruise can run between $700 – $2,000 per person. For informational purposes only, here are our rankings of cruises from least to more expensive:

  • 3 or 4-day Caribbean-based cruise can run you between ($150 – $500 per person)
  • 5 or 7-day Caribbean-based cruise can run you between ($350 – $600 per person)
  • 3 or 4-day Alaskan cruise can run you between ($350 – $600 per person)
  • 5 or 7-day Alaskan cruise can run you between ($580 – $2600 per person)
  • 3 or 4-day European cruise can run you between ($540 – $1000 per person)
  • 5 or 7-day European cruise can run you between ($1100 – $3000 per person)

These numbers are just to give you a rough estimate but can vary greatly in prices depending on a number of factors. Get in touch with us to get current rates on up-coming cruises or sign up to our email list by filling out the form below.

Our top cruise recommendations for 2023

There are a number of affordable cruises coming up in 2023. We have a couple of Caribbean, European and Alaskan cruises that we highly recommend. If you’re interested in learning about the exclusive deals that we have specifically for our clients, contact us now or sign up to our email list.

Ask us about the following upcoming cruise deals:

  • Carnival Cruise Line
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Princess Cruises
  • Royal Caribbean International
  • Celebrity Cruises

Takeaways

When it comes to cruising, there are only two types. You can either choose an ocean cruise which tends to offer more variety and flexible options or you can choose a river cruise which tends to be much more structured and regimented with fewer options. If you’re the type of person who prefers to have a more relaxed vacation, then ocean cruises may be more your speed. However, if you prefer to be around fewer people and do things according to a schedule, then river cruises may suit you better.

And when it comes to how much any given cruise will cost, that depends on many factors but you’re almost always likely to find a cruise in your price range, especially if you book early.

If you’re looking for affordable cruises, Just Pack And Go can help you get the best deals as that is our specialty. Feel free to reach out to us to ask us any questions you may have, we will be happy to assist you.

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