Most of you base your cruise decisions primarily on the itinerary, but like any reasonable person, the pricing comparison DOES matter. You’re not looking for the cheapest option, but you DO want to understand the value. So who offers “the best cruise deal”?
The question may be straight-forward, but the answer is NOT. This is because we all put a different value on different inclusions, room sizes, or other amenities. So you need to do a bit of math to get an apples to apples cruise comparison, and figure out what’s best for YOU.
Here’s one very typical example. I chose Alaska because ALL the cruise lines are there, and other than some limited variation in ports of call, they are all very similar. The prices were current at the time of writing, but even if they change, the assessment process is still valid:
| Best Cost Veranda | Nights | Cost/Day | Notations | |
| Crystal | $8010 | 11 | $728 | |
| Explora Journeys | $10,360 | 14 | $740 | |
| Oceania | $3040 | 7 | $434 + $30 = $464 | 1200 Guests. RT Seattle |
| Regent | $5999 | 7 | $857 | Excursions Included |
| Seabourn | $6498 | 7 | $928 | |
| Silversea | $4675 | 7 | $667 | |
| Viking | $6099 | 10 | $610+$20+$25 = $655 | Basic Excursions Included |
The devil is always in the details, so here are those details for assessing best cruise value:
- NORMALIZE for ACCOMODATION: The price is for the best priced veranda room on the ship. Some ships have less expensive window rooms.
- NORMALIZE for DURATION: The cost per day is the most important number to look at.
- NORMALIZE for INCLUSIONS: you need to adjust to make the inclusions even:
- Oceania: $30 per day is added for the full beverage package
- Viking: $30 per day added for the full beverage package, and $20 added for tips.
ASSESSING the BEST CRUISE VALUE:
- Best Cost per Day: Oceania – but you are on a slightly larger ship (1200 guests).
- In the running: Crystal, Explora, Silversea and Viking are all fairly close in price. Viking includes basic shore excursions (the others do not).
- Regent: Includes shore excursions, which is fine if you would pay for them anyway. I personally would prefer to pay less per day, and choose my own excursions.
- Seabourn: I’m not sure why they’re so much higher than everyone else.
In the world of small ship luxury ocean cruises, there’s not a consistent price leader, so it’s important to do some variation of the arithmetic above whenever you’re assessing options. We’re happy to help you with this, but I would underscore again, that itinerary should be the prevailing criteria. A great price on an itinerary that isn’t right for you, is not good value.
The PODCAST: Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED
In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim interviews Bob about “cruise line math” — how to compare cruise fares, itineraries, cabin types, inclusions and onboard experiences so you can work out which cruise line offers the best value for you.
In Case You Missed It:
UNEXPLORED MEDITERRANEAN: You’ve been there before, but there’s much more to learn and discover:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/undiscovered-mediterranean-why-you-should-return/
SILVERSEA: If you’re a fan of classic luxury on a small ship, here’s a bit more info on Silversea.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/silversea-classic-luxury/
HOW TRAVEL CHANGED ME: Here’s a personal story from Bob about the impact his travels have had on him.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-travel-changed-me/
Featured YOUTUBE Video:
Introducing SEACLOUD. Kevin Smith, President of Seacloud Cruises, talks Bob through who Seacloud are, and what types of travelers are a great fit for this brand that is new to the North American marketplace.
Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!
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Today’s Travel Opportunities
SEA CLOUD Salt-Water River Cruise Experiences
You may have been to these places before. This time see them up-close, and get to where larger ships can’t take you.
Eastern CARIBBEAN: round-trip Philipsburg departing December 5, 2027 for 7-nights
- Visit Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, Iles des Saintes, Nevis & Antigua.
- Sail the scenic Eastern Caribbean islands, and get into small coves and harbors on board the 136 guest Sea Cloud Spirit.
- Fares from $6995
CROATIA’s DALMATIAN COAST: Venice to Dubrovnik departing August 30, 2027 for 7-nights
- Start in Venice and visit Rovinj, Sibenik, Korcula, Hvar, Vis, and finish in Dubrovnik.
- Fares from $7495
REMEMBER: On ANY SEACLOUD sailing, we can offer an additional $50 per person, per day on board credit to spend on Spa Treatments, an elevated Shore Experience, OR a great bottle of wine!
SILVERSEA TRADITIONAL LUXURY
We’re HOSTING a cruise with Silversea in the British Isles! Set sail with KIM from our office, or maybe go golfing with her husband, Jed:
BRITISH ISLES: London round-trip departing August 14 for 11-days:
- Start in Southampton, and then visit Falmouth (Cornwall, England), Fishguard (Wales), Belfast, Liverpool, Invergordon (for Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands), Edinburgh, Dover, Honfleur (France, for the Normandy Landing Beaches).
- Optional golf package with Perry Golf
- Featuring the Edinburgh Military Tattoo
- Fares from $8700, and a $200 per person on board credit as a thanks for joining us! Can’t wait to meet you all in person!
SOUTH AMERICA & PANAMA CANAL: Santiago to Miami departing March 5 for 18-days
- Start in Santiago, and then visit Arica, Lima, Guayaquil, Panama City, full daylight transit of the Panama Canal, Cozumel, and finish in Miami.
- Fares from $10,750
Here’s our latest ship tour video of Silversea’s SILVER NOVA:
LUXURY RAIL in the UNITED STATES:
CANYON SPIRIT: Salt Lake City to Denver for 5-nights
- Start in Salt Lake City and visit Moab, Canyonlands NP, Arches NP, Glenwood springs, and finish in Denver.
- Departures April through November from $7872
CANYON SPIRIT: 5 National Parks from Las Vegas to Denver for 5-nights
- Visit Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonland National Parks, and then hop on the luxury train for two days to Denver. The rail journey includes an overnight at Glenwood Springs where you can visit the hot springs.
- Departures April through November from $10,999
AMERICAN CRUISE LINES: River Cruises in the United States
If you’d rather not fly overseas, here’s some options closer to home:
MISSISSIPPI RIVER: Memphis to New Orleans for 9-days
- Start in Memphis and visit Cleveland, Vicksburg, Natchez, Baton Rouge, Oak Alley and finish in New Orleans.
- Departures October through June from $3795 per person
COLUMBIA & SNAKE RIVERS: Portland OR to Spokane WA departing in November for 8-nights
- Start in Portland and visit Astoria, Kalama, The Dalles, Pendleton¸ Lewiston, and finish in Clarkston.
- Fares from $5055
ACL includes pre-cruise hotel night, gratuities, open bar, and shore experiences.
OCEANIA – A la Carte Luxury on a Small Ship
Oceania has an elevated culinary experience, and you can choose whether you prefer included beverages or a shore excursion credit.
JAPAN: Tokyo round-trip departing March 21, 2027 for 10-Days
- Cherry Blossom Season!
- Start in Tokyo, and then visit Hokkaido, Niigata, Kanazawa, Sakaiminato, Busan, Nagasaki, and Shimizu
- Fares from $5199
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND: Sydney to Auckland departing December 23, 2028 for 12-days
- Start in Sydney and visit Tasmania, cruise the Fjords of Milford Sound, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga, and finish in Auckland.
- Fares from $5,749
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC REMOTE EXPLORATIONS
With NATGEO it’s always quiet season. They put far fewer people on a vessel than other cruise lines, and they go to more remote places.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST: US San Juans & Canadian Gulf Islands for 8-days round-trip Seattle
- Visit Victoria BC, Desolation Sound for kayaking and hiking, Alert Bay for First Nations immersion, the Gulf Islands to visit quaint communities, Friday Harbor for the Whale museum, and other islands in Puget Sound.
- This corner of the country is a well-kept secret. Visit remote islands to see the sea lions, eagles, humpback and orca whales. Go for a bike ride in Victoria; kayaking, zodiacs, and paddleboarding in remote bays.
- 2027: Departures in October from $6150
COSTA RICA & PANAMA CANAL: San Jose to Panama City for 8-days
- Start in San José and visit the Osa Conservation Area, Golfo Dulce, Coiba National Park, Gulf of Panama Islets, Gatún Lake, and finish in Colón
- Departures November 2026 through April 2027 from $7629
Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?
Viking’s BON VOYAGE incentive allows you to book your next Viking cruise in the 35 days BEFORE you board, and get some extra goodies for doing so:
- $100 per person on board credit
- 6-month final payment date
- $100 per person OFF one-week cruises, and bigger discounts for longer itineraries.
We made a short video about the Bon Voyage Program if you’d like more details:
https://youtu.be/gBM8IvjIb3U?si=Vy9UDiSqZQYHWR32
Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
