No, we won't be trying to hang a price tag on your cousins.
Relative value in this case refers to comparisons between cruise possibilities.
Sometimes, we have obvious differences, such as between Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, which are now part of the same corporate family of brands.
Yes, if you take the top suite on NCL, you can pay in the neighborhood of what you'd pay for RSSC, giving you the big ship cruise experience when you want it and luxurious privacy when you don't, but for the most part, the average customer on either ship has vastly different expectations.
Yes, if you take the top suite on NCL, you can pay in the neighborhood of what you'd pay for RSSC, giving you the big ship cruise experience when you want it and luxurious privacy when you don't, but for the most part, the average customer on either ship has vastly different expectations.
Guests of premier cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas expect the best of everything, including intuitive service that anticipates what you want an instant before you realize it yourself. The staff learns not only your name but your personal preferences in order to provide personal service.
NCL for the most part will be a place where you are free to find what you want for yourself to make your cruise enjoyable for you personally. They call it free style, where no one plans your schedules but you. Then again, they do provide information when asked, as well as providing a daily program of activities.
Sometimes, the differences between lines are more subtle.
For example, competitors Oceania and Azamara have very similar attributes and target audiences.
With ships smaller than mega-sized mainstream lines and larger than ultra-luxury lines, their approaches come down to port-intensive itineraries and country club casual ambiance.
Their exact mix of offerings differs.
For example, Azamara always includes free beverages and pre-paid gratuities, whereas on Oceania there is frequently free internet plus a choice among great amenities like several free shore excursions, free beverages or pre-paid gratuities.
Oceania includes "free air," or gives a discount if you don't take advantage of that service.
There used to be a stark difference between ocean and river cruising.
Travelers making the leap from ocean cruises to river cruiess accepted the would pay more, because the river cruise experience included items which would be extras on a standard cruise.
Not necessarily so any more.
Viking Ocean has taken their river approach to deep seas, with more-inclusive mid-sized ships that include free shore excursions, free wifi and free wine and beer with lunch and dinner.
Meanhwhile, in mainstream ocean cruises, Royal Caribbean has ridden its ever larger and more jaw-dropping ships to demand well-deserved higher prices not only than competitors for several years running.
In fact, RCCL's jaw-dropping mega-ships have had such strong appeal across demographics that they usually cost more than upscale sister Celebrity.
More recently, Celebrity has taken a page from the smaller, more-upscale ships with more inclusive offerings, which has made all the difference, dramatically increasing the perceived value of their offerings and putting them more in line with Royal Caribbean in terms of demand and pricing.
Travelers making the leap from ocean cruises to river cruiess accepted the would pay more, because the river cruise experience included items which would be extras on a standard cruise.
Not necessarily so any more.
Viking Ocean has taken their river approach to deep seas, with more-inclusive mid-sized ships that include free shore excursions, free wifi and free wine and beer with lunch and dinner.
Meanhwhile, in mainstream ocean cruises, Royal Caribbean has ridden its ever larger and more jaw-dropping ships to demand well-deserved higher prices not only than competitors for several years running.
In fact, RCCL's jaw-dropping mega-ships have had such strong appeal across demographics that they usually cost more than upscale sister Celebrity.
More recently, Celebrity has taken a page from the smaller, more-upscale ships with more inclusive offerings, which has made all the difference, dramatically increasing the perceived value of their offerings and putting them more in line with Royal Caribbean in terms of demand and pricing.
Often, there can be price differences between a different promotion stripped of benefits that can be a better value for the price-conscious cruiser who is happy to scrimp on a few inclusions in order to save on his bottom line.
For example, on Celebrity the difference between a stripped cruise only booking and having $150 per person on board credit and free Classic Beverage Package might be anywhere from $150 per person (where it obiously is a good deal) or $1200 pp, at which you must ask yourself how much booze you actually want to down in ten days.
There's also a difference between how the lines interpret those inclusions. When Norwegian includes their free beverage package, a service charge (about $99 pp for a 7 night cruise) is added, whereas Celebrity's Classic Beverage Package is truly free. However, NCL includes a wider variety of drinks, whereas Celebrity's Classic package includes basic drinks with a selection that satisfies most guests, with the option to upgrade to get better selection including more named brands for a fee (usually $10 per day) for those with more discerning palates.
When you give me the mission of finding a cruise for you, I start with what you tell me are must-haves, such as itinerary and time frame, and then work to find the best value for your unique desires.
Because I receive daily updates about cruise specials and new innovations, I find different possibilities on essentially every cruise search, frequently leading to alternatives of better relative value you may never have otherwise considered.
On the other hand, just because one cruise might from a strictly rational view seem to be a better value, what really matters is where you will be most comfortable for your next great vacation, which is why it is important that I get to know you personally to help you find the best possible cruise. The more you share about your tastes, past experiences and future desires, the better I can help.
"Better service leads to better trips!"
On the other hand, just because one cruise might from a strictly rational view seem to be a better value, what really matters is where you will be most comfortable for your next great vacation, which is why it is important that I get to know you personally to help you find the best possible cruise. The more you share about your tastes, past experiences and future desires, the better I can help.
"Better service leads to better trips!"
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