When you think of budget travel, cruising might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Budget travel can often be associated with sleeping on overnight trains and lugging an oversized backpack from one hostel to another. However, the cruise can be a hidden gem for those looking to travel on a budget.
Cruises provide an incredible travel experience with a straightforward, all-inclusive vacation style that almost eliminates all of the typical travel logistics. Every morning, you’ll wake up to a new view of a different country or city without even needing to pack your bags.
Here’s a look at how cruising with Royal Caribbean can not only make your trips easier, but also make vacations very affordable.
Cruising is not what you think
Time is limited on vacation and it’s understandable that you want to enjoy as much experience and culture as possible.
Unlike land vacations, cruises allow you to easily see multiple countries in one trip without worrying about logistics or coordination. Luckily for Royal Caribbean cruisers, there is so much to see on and off the ship that you will undoubtedly get the most for your money.
Most travelers might not consider cruising due to a misconception that it is too expensive or not suitable for a younger population. While some cruise lines still cater to older travelers, Royal Caribbean has continued to innovate and refurbish its ships to appeal to younger travelers.
Royal Caribbean is a great choice for young travelers looking to spend their hard-earned money on memorable travel experiences – without sacrificing cultural experiences!
Most routes allow 8 to 12 hours in each city if you are looking to optimize port stays. Some cruises even offer several nights in the same port to allow more time for exploration.
More affordable than you think
Take note of millennial travelers – you don’t have to skimp on luxury to enjoy an affordable vacation. Millennials have actually lowered the average age of cruise passengers in previous years. Gone are the days when traveling on a budget meant staying in a hostel and hiking between cities.
While hostels can certainly be affordable, there may be several foreigners sleeping nearby and sharing your bathroom. You may be paying for train tickets, taxi rides, plane tickets, and bus tickets to travel between cities. Buying 3 meals a day can also add up quickly, unless you’d rather live with granola bars or skip meals.
In this way, cruises can end up being more affordable by adding up the daily travel expenses – from food each day to the cost of transportation and accommodation. In addition, the time you typically spend traveling between cities is now spent relaxing on board or exploring the port.
See the world in a more reasonable way
Cruising is so efficient that you will be shocked at how much you can stack up in your travel days.
Picture this: you have spent the whole day exploring the ancient temple of Kek Lok Si in Penang, Malaysia. You climbed so many steps to visit the temple and did some local shopping along the way. Lunch was taken at a Malaysian food court where you tried the freshest crushed ice dessert concoction. You learned all about the history of the city from your local guide.
It was a great day to immerse yourself in the culture and sights of the city; However, you are sweaty and clingy after exploring the scorching heat of Southeast Asia.
Instead of heading to your hostel or budget accommodation, you return to your docked ship in town. You are back in your air-conditioned cabin, which has been meticulously cleaned by your cabin attendant.
After taking a well-deserved shower, you head to dinner for a delicious 3-course meal in the dining room.
The evening concludes with a Broadway-style musical on board in the theater. While you loved to taste the local specialties for lunch, relaxing with a familiar meal at the end of the day is just what you needed. Tomorrow you’ll arrive in Phuket, Thailand for another full day of exploring, so it’s time to sleep in your comfortable and clean cabin.
This scenario is a great example of why you should consider a cruise – you can have elements of luxury and vacation while immersing yourself in different cultures. Visiting different ports and exploring the world is exhilarating, while returning to the ship is both heartwarming and relaxing.
Cheap cruise deals are here for you to find
The ship is a safe and comfortable home base to return to each night. Not having to worry about logistics and travel coordination is also a huge perk of cruising that is sure to put your mind (and wallet!) At ease.
When it comes to pricing, cruise fares cover accommodation, transportation, and food in one price and one place. If you are flexible with your travel schedule, off-season itineraries and dates can offer very low rates.
Repositioning cruises and last minute cruises can also offer very low fares if your schedule allows. For an inside cabin, many Royal Caribbean cruises can cost less than $ 100 / day. You can even find cruises for half that price depending on the departure date.
For example, you can cruise the Rhapsody of the Seas from Venice and visit Barcelona, ââMonte Carlo, Rome and Florence for 7 nights in June 2022 for $ 75 / day. A repositioning cruise in November 2022 connects Barbados to Spain with stops in Portugal, France and the Azores. This navigation costs only $ 49 / day for an interior cabin.
Another affordable option includes a 7-night cruise to Russia, Sweden, Finland and Estonia for just $ 88 per day on Voyager of the Seas in July 2022. These are just a few examples of affordable itineraries. and culturally immersive offered by Royal Caribbean.
While you can easily spend more on your boating, it’s not hard to stick to your prepaid cruise fare throughout your trip. Independent exploration in port can dramatically cut costs, while still enjoying meals on the ship whenever it suits your schedule.
With a little planning and flexibility, cruising gives you the opportunity to see the world while traveling in luxury, even on a budget.
Why I went from hostels to cruise ships
When I first started traveling in my early twenties, I was all about budget accommodation, including hostels, budget motels, and sketchy Airbnbs. I wanted to be as cheap as possible, even if it meant sacrificing comfort. I packed a protein bar to get me lunch, which meant I only had to buy one or two meals a day.
I quickly learned that these accommodations were not worth the savings. I ended up having high anxiety while traveling. I was constantly worried that my belongings would be stolen, especially my passport or my money.
I also didn’t like the idea of ââsharing a room with a stranger or staying in an Airbnb host’s private room.
Once I started doing the math, I realized that the cruise was essentially the same price when I added all of my travel expenses.
Staying on the ship also provided a safety, reliability and comfort that I couldn’t find with other budget accommodation.
I started browsing because I wanted to see the world on a budget – and never returned to hostel life.