Budget cruising?

[Norfolkboy, Norfolk]

Here goes my first attempt at starting a new thread, sorry if it's been covered before.

I've read a lot about so called 'budget cruiselines' the classic example I suppose is Thomson, however they are on occasions more expensive than more exclusive lines such as Cunard or P&O , so how do you define the word budget?

For me 'budget' means my personal maximum spend, I personally don't think there is such a thing a a budget cruiseline.

Hope that makes sense


Cheers NB.

[Topdeck, London]

The issue with Thomson is there is no competition in that sector any more they obsorbed suncruises(airtours) and island(first choice). Since then prices have never been that great but they are often good value as a package unless you lookc at TA packages with budget flights.

[Colin, Brighton UK]

Pullmantur is a subsidiary off R.C.I. As is Celebrity so no need to sell anything as they are all part of the same parent company.

I suspect they will 'sell' it even if it's within the same group just for accounting purposes - however, I take your point.

Even so, I had a great time on the all-inclusive Sovereign which is one - maybe 2 - steps up from a cross channel ferry so adding the Century to the brand would be brilliant.

(I was on the Century only last month in Alaska)

[tuggy, warminster]

Pullmantur is a (great) budget brand.

I heard - from a Celebrity crew member - that the Celebrity Century is being sold to them in 2015; if that's true you'd hardly get me off it.

Pullmantur is a subsidiary off R.C.I. As is Celebrity so no need to sell anything as they are all part of the same parent company.

[Lawnmowerman, Tain]

There is a deal of obfuscation between the terms budget and cheap. Pride usually means substituting 'budget' when what is really meant is cheap.

'Good value' should be preferable rather than budget although some will always want cheap - nothing wrong in that if it also gives good value.

We couch our language in euphemism's to avoid saying what we really mean. After a little teasing of the conversation we mostly, but not always, get to the real meaning of the conversation.

e.g. I sell about a thousand chainsaws a year and one of the most asked questions I get is - what is the price of your smallest chainsaw? Pound to a penny they mean the cheapest chainsaw. The smallest can cost several times that of the cheapest - usually built to professional standards.

The joy of the English language

[Colin, Brighton UK]

Pullmantur is a (great) budget brand.

I heard - from a Celebrity crew member - that the Celebrity Century is being sold to them in 2015; if that's true you'd hardly get me off it.

[dst87, Falkirk]

All very valid points, I still think that people's perception of budget is cheap, which is my main point, Cunard for instance offer some very competitive prices, but are never referred to as budget, Thomson on the other hand offer similar prices but are often referred to as budget, why is that?

NB.

I think probably because the terms refer more to the on board experience than the actual price. As was pointed out, Ryanair, a budget airline, can often end up costing more when you include the various charges, but the experience is still poor.

Similarly, Thomson offers a budget experience (older ships, lower-quality food etc.), while Cunard offer a higher-level experience (newer, more impressive ships, better food). That doesn't mean you won't be able to sail with Cunard for less than you would with Thomson, depending on when you book.

I would look at whether a deal was good value (all things considered) rather than 'budget', or 'premium' etc.

[Norfolkboy, Norfolk]

It is the cruise industry that defines Budget, standard, premium and luxury, NOT the punters!

In my opinion, all cruise lines initially offer fares which are far from 'Budget' (maybe £100pp, per day, for an inside cabin) including the so called 'budget' lines.

However the levels of later discounts indicates to me if they are a 'budget' operation.

CMV for example regularly have late deals at £50pp, per day, sometimes less. There D-Day cruises are currently "from £349" for 6-7 days. Thomson and MSC also have some remarkable late deals.

Personally I find that if I'm paying £50pp, per day, I am more likely to have my expectations exceeded than if I'm paying £150 pp per day.

All very valid points, I still think that people's perception of budget is cheap, which is my main point, Cunard for instance offer some very competitive prices, but are never referred to as budget, Thomson on the other hand offer similar prices but are often referred to as budget, why is that?

NB.

[Malcolm, Essex]

It is the cruise industry that defines Budget, standard, premium and luxury, NOT the punters!

In my opinion, all cruise lines initially offer fares which are far from 'Budget' (maybe £100pp, per day, for an inside cabin) including the so called 'budget' lines.

However the levels of later discounts indicates to me if they are a 'budget' operation.

CMV for example regularly have late deals at £50pp, per day, sometimes less. There D-Day cruises are currently "from £349" for 6-7 days. Thomson and MSC also have some remarkable late deals.

Personally I find that if I'm paying £50pp, per day, I am more likely to have my expectations exceeded than if I'm paying £150 pp per day.

[Norfolkboy, Norfolk]

My definition of budget cruising:

Good product at bargain pricing. Thomson for solo travellers is not a budget cruise line,

I have many sea days at a daily cost of less than £50 pp pd and I travel solo.

For what it is worth, I tend to group cruise lines into traditional and non-traditional but itinerary is 1st priority.

Annie

Fair comment Annie, I just wondered why people associate certain cruiselines with the word 'budget' Thomson being one, when infact they are relatively expensive at times.

As said previously budget and cheap are not the same, but people seem to think they are.

NB.

[annie, Glasgow]

My definition of budget cruising:

Good product at bargain pricing. Thomson for solo travellers is not a budget cruise line,

I have many sea days at a daily cost of less than £50 pp pd and I travel solo.

For what it is worth, I tend to group cruise lines into traditional and non-traditional but itinerary is 1st priority.

Annie

[Norfolkboy, Norfolk]

We are probably all guilty of that NB ,it may be a snobbish thing?
Some so called Budget deals are not that good ,by the time you add on all the extras it can be cheaper to book a premium line ,Ryanair being one example...Taffy

Yes, what you see is not always what you get, the 'add ons' tend to come out more than the headline price itself.

I suppose it comes down to research and knowing your individual budget, and don't get carried away by hard selling agents.

NB.

[Taffy, Wales]

Agree with what you say Taffy, numerous cruiselines out there offer very good deals at certain times, the problem I find is that people associate the word 'budget' with cheap, which is not the case in my opinion.

NB.

We are probably all guilty of that NB ,it may be a snobbish thing?
Some so called Budget deals are not that good ,by the time you add on all the extras it can be cheaper to book a premium line ,Ryanair being one example...Taffy

[Norfolkboy, Norfolk]

Very evocative thread? As Bradbury says its my budget that matters.
You can sail of a top end line like Cunard for $50pppn as many did just before Christmas last year,or you can sail on the same ship and pay over£150 pppn .
You have luxury lines that offer very little in the way of entertainment ,at a premium price,and Mega ships that offer you more entertainment than enough at affordable prices.
Some cruise lines have a very low star rating but have a huge following ,so I guess Horses for courses.We have a budget to cruise with so we look for a good deal on a ship we like Eclipse would be our first choice,but we do look at other lines?...Taffy

Agree with what you say Taffy, numerous cruiselines out there offer very good deals at certain times, the problem I find is that people associate the word 'budget' with cheap, which is not the case in my opinion.

NB.

[Taffy, Wales]

Very evocative thread? As Bradbury says its my budget that matters.
You can sail of a top end line like Cunard for $50pppn as many did just before Christmas last year,or you can sail on the same ship and pay over£150 pppn .
You have luxury lines that offer very little in the way of entertainment ,at a premium price,and Mega ships that offer you more entertainment than enough at affordable prices.
Some cruise lines have a very low star rating but have a huge following ,so I guess Horses for courses.We have a budget to cruise with so we look for a good deal on a ship we like Eclipse would be our first choice,but we do look at other lines?...Taffy