Can you have a cheap cruising holiday?

Cruising is an insanely popular holiday choice in Australia. 

With 1.34 million passenger trips for the 2022-23 year, we are the fourth biggest market behind the US (18.1m), Europe, (8.2m) and Asia (2.3m). 

Part of the appeal is the lure of the ocean and exotic destinations. However, cruising has a reputation for being expensive and a luxury option, but is that deserved?

Can you have a cheap cruising holiday? Like most things, the answer is yes and no.

Cruising can absolutely be a cheap holiday. Like most tourism products, there are different levels of offerings. 

Luxury versus budget

While, of course, there are luxury cruises, and the industry likes to position its image at the higher end of the market, in reality, some ships are little more than RSLs that float and are priced to match.

And that’s okay, it’s horses for courses. 

Cruising would very soon be on its knees if the offerings only catered to the 1 per cent. You certainly wouldn’t see those obscenely huge ships coming onto the market, such as the Icon of the Seas, if the industry didn’t mould itself to the masses.

Like most things, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy yourself. If you wait for a deal, book an interior cabin and don’t buy a drinks package or onshore excursions, you can get away with spending about $100 per person, per day. There is no way you could have a hotel-based holiday for that price, much less an all-inclusive resort, which would be a better comparison to a cruise.

But don’t just take our word for it. Aussie travellers can save $100 or more per day on the cost of a holiday by choosing a cruise instead of a traditional on-land getaway, according to analysis by Money.com.au.

Money.com.au compared the cost of cruises for two travellers from Australia to three popular destinations with equivalent traditional holidays. The analysis* compared cruises (including meals, entertainment and select on-shore excursions) to economy flights to the same destinations and hotel accommodation in the final docking city of the cruise.

A 10-night South Pacific cruise on the Ovation Of The Seas, sailing from Sydney with stops across New Zealand’s South Island and Wellington, comes in at $4997, including all onboard meals, entertainment, and a drinks package.

In comparison, a traditional 10-day holiday to New Zealand for two travellers would cost $6,013, with flights and accommodation alone costing $2813. Meals, drinks and activities on land would add another $3200.

The cruise costs $499.70 per day, compared to a traditional trip at $601.30 per day — resulting in a daily saving of $101.60. Opting for this cruise could save you $1,016 overall compared to a traditional holiday.

“The cost per day of cruising can be much lower than a traditional trip when you factor in the included meals and activities,” says Money.com.au’s Finance Expert, Sean Callery.

And if we are comparing it to an all-inclusive resort, cruise ships almost always come out on top, price-wise. They are packed to the gills with free activities such as movies, dance classes, expert talks, libraries, gyms, nightly entertainment, trivia nights, port stops, free kids’ club, and the all-important buffet. 

Pay for extras

Of course, you can pay for extras such as the above-mentioned drinks packages, up-market food outlets, spa treatments, commemorative photos and fitness classes, but you don’t have to. And you would probably have to pay for these things at many ‘all-inclusive’ resorts as well.

However, there are few ways all-inclusive resorts or hotels come out on top. The rooms are usually bigger and you don’t have that crush of people like you do on a cruise unless you are in a particularly large hotel.

Another cruising money saver is if you don’t have to fly or travel too far to the departing port. Thankfully, these days the cruises lines are desperately trying to avoid Sydney and Melbourne’s ever-escalating port fees and are docking at smaller ports such as Geelong, Cairns, Kangaroo Island and even Mooloolaba. Shop around and you may be able to find a port you can drive to.

But if money is no object, naturally cruises can be expensive. I’d tell you the most expensive one if I could, but the really pricey ones, you have to apply for the information. 

Million-dollar cruise

For example, in 2027 the Seven Seas Explorer will travel to six continents, 40 countries and 71 ports in an around-the-world trip. The estimated price tag ranges from $100,000 for a part voyage to $1 million minimum per person for the complete trip. And, based on previous voyages, the company expects the trip to sell out within weeks of being released. 

In case you are wondering what that cool million or so will buy you, well, for a top-of-the-range suite you can expect your own spa retreat, original Picasso artworks on the wall, a custom grand piano and a mattress worth $200,000. 

You will also have a dedicated butler, a full bar, and a personal car and driver in every port. And you will also have the envy of all your friends, which is the priceless part.

Have you been on a cruise? Did you find it affordable? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below?

Also read: Nine cruises you need to book in advance