Non-cruisers around the world often view cruising as an expensive, luxurious trip. I’ve heard many people tell me they thought cruising was for rich people and I get judged as one of those rich people because I cruise all the time. But, I’m here to tell you that cruising can be a very cost-effective vacation when compared with a land vacation of equal length and destinations. Let’s compare cruising to land vacations and see how it turns out.
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The comparison has to be apples to apples. It wouldn’t be fair to compare cruising to an all-inclusive that is only at one destination since cruises take you to multiple destinations. So, for the purpose of this post, let’s take a 7-day cruise to the Caribbean on MSC. MSC usually has really low rates. I’ll choose a Bella oceanview cabin because a comparable hotel room would have windows, right? I won’t use any sales or special rates. OK, let’s get started.
Two Couples’ Vacation
Our MSC Cruise leaves Miami, FL on July 2, 2021. Here are the assumptions we’ll use for this comparison:
- The couples are from New York City
- Breakfast will cost about $25 per day if not included
- Lunch will cost about $40 per day if not included
- Dinner will cost about $80 per day if not included
- This will not include any paid activities/excursions
Here’s the itinerary:
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| July 2nd | Depart Miami, FL |
| July 3rd | At Sea |
| July 4th | Ocho Rios, Jamaica |
| July 5th | Georgetown, Cayman Islands |
| July 6th | Cozumel, Mexico |
| July 7th | At Sea |
| July 8th | Ocean Cay, Bahamas |
| July 9th | Arrive Miami, FL |
July 2nd – Miami
Our couples both need airfare and transportation to begin their trip. The difference here is that once our cruise couple boards the ship, they no longer need to worry about food and lodging.
| MSC Seashore | Land Vacation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation from home to Airport | $50 | $50 | |
| Flight from NYC to Miami | $616 | $616 | Pricing is roundtrip for 2 people |
| Transportation from MIA to Port/Hotel | $20* | Free Airport Shuttle | *Aprox. Uber price |
| Hotel | $2158 (total cruise) | $190* | *Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon |
| Breakfast | $25 | $25 | |
| Lunch | included | $40 | |
| Dinner | included | $80 | |
| Daily Total | $2869 | $1001 |
July 3rd – At Sea/Miami
Since the cruise will be at sea, our land couple can spend more time in Miami.
| MSC Seashore | Land Vacation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | included | $190* | *Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon |
| Breakfast | included | $25 | |
| Lunch | included | $40 | |
| Dinner | included | $80 | |
| Daily Total | $0 | $335 |
July 4th – Ocho Rios/Montego Bay
Our cruise couple is spending the 4th of July in Ocho Rios, so our land couple will need to take a flight to Montego Bay to catch up. Ground transportation to Ocho Rios is quite cost prohibitive at $120 each way. So, our land couple stays in Montego Bay.
| MSC Seashore | Land Vacation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation from Miami, FL to Montego Bay, Jamaica | included | $386* | *one way flight for 2 |
| Hotel | included | $371 | Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa |
| Breakfast | included | included | |
| Lunch | included | included | |
| Dinner | included | included | |
| Daily Total | $0 | $757 |
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July 5th – Cayman Islands
Our cruise couple will wake up in the Cayman Islands, so our land couple has to take a flight to catch up. (I’m tired already on behalf of the land couple. (All this traveling really takes a toll on a girl. LOL).
| MSC Seashore | Land Vacation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation from Montego Bay, Jamaica to George Town, Cayman Islands | included | $476* | *one way flight for 2 |
| Hotel | included | $646 | Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort |
| Breakfast | included | $25 | |
| Lunch | included | $40 | |
| Dinner | included | $80 | |
| Daily Total | $0 | $1267 |
July 6th – Cozumel
Our cruise couple wakes up Cozumel, but there are no flights directly to Cozumel from Grand Cayman, so our land couple hops a flight to Cancun and takes ground transportation to Cozumel.
| MSC Seashore | Land Vacation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation from the Cayman Islands to Cancun, Mexico | included | $774* | *one way flight for 2 |
| Ground Transportation | N/A | $175* | *roundtrip price for 2 |
| Hotel | included | $179 | Wyndham Cozumel Hotel & Resort |
| Breakfast | included | included | |
| Lunch | included | included | |
| Dinner | included | included | |
| Daily Total | $0 | $1128 |
July 7th – At Sea/Cozumel, Mexico
Our cruise couple will be at sea today while our land couple get to spend another day in Cozumel.
| MSC Seashore | Land Vacation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | included | $179 | Wyndham Cozumel Hotel & Resort |
| Breakfast | included | included | |
| Lunch | included | included | |
| Dinner | included | included | |
| Daily Total | $0 | $179 |
July 8th – Ocean Cay/Grand Bahama
Our cruise couple is at Ocean Cay which is MSC’s private island. Our land couple will be unable to go to the private island but they can still take a flight back to Miami and then take a daytrip to the Bahamas.
| MSC Seashore | Land Vacation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation from Cancun, MX to Miami, FL | included | $170* | *one way for 2 |
| Ferry to Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas (Day trip) | N/A | $358* | *roundtrip price for 2 |
| Hotel | included | $190 | *Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon |
| Breakfast | included | $25 | |
| Lunch | included | $40 | |
| Dinner | included | $80 | |
| Daily Total | $0 | $863 |
July 9th – Time to go home
Our cruise couple will sadly have to debark the ship and I’m pretty sure our land couple is tired from their adventures and are ready to go home.
| MSC Seashore | Land Vacation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | included | $25 | |
| Ground Transportation | $20* | Free Airport Shuttle | *Aprox. Uber price |
| Daily Total | $20 | $25 |
Compare Cruising to a Land Vacation: The Totals
| MSC Seashore | Land Vacation | |
|---|---|---|
| July 2nd | $2869 | $1001 |
| July 3rd | $0 | $335 |
| July 4th | $0 | $757 |
| July 5th | $0 | $1267 |
| July 6th | $0 | $1128 |
| July 7th | $0 | $179 |
| July 8th | $0 | $863 |
| July 9th | $20 | $25 |
| Trip Total | $2889 | $5555 |
So what are the benefits of a land vacation like this?
- You are staying overnight and you’re not on a time limit for the day
- Take your time to explore
- You are able to enjoy the nightlife (imagine Ibiza at night!)
- More time to interact with the locals
- You get to dine on authentic fare.
What are the benefits of cruising?
- One low price for multiple destinations
- Unpack once for the entire itinerary
- Includes lodging, food, some beverages, some entertainment, taxes, and tips
Now, of course, most people would not choose to mirror a cruise itinerary like this as you can see how intensive it is when you have to catch a flight every day. But, with the information laid out for you, you can see the value that cruising provides. While it definitely spoils you with great service and food, it is a very affordable option for what is included.
Now, if you are one of the brave souls that like intensive land vacations, check out G Adventures. They have bundle pricing that includes your lodging, some food, and travel to each location on the itinerary.
So now that you have the total breakdown of an apples to apples comparison, tell me in the comments below your thoughts on the comparison.