For so long, I’ve almost exclusively covered airlines and hotels when it comes to the travel front. In recent times, I’ve been warming up more to the concept of cruising.
Continue reading: Is Booking A Ritz-Carlton Cruise Worth It? My Experience & Thought Process
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Since they charge per person instead of per room, is this a good option for solo travelers? Or is there an extra booking fee for single occupancy?
Plenty of overnight ferries in Japan!
Also highly recommend narrowboating in the UK.
How do I feel about cruises in general? Well, hammer meet nail:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iBXO1Tk6okU
(Also, having once had norovirus, I'm going to do everything I possibly can to avoid putting myself at risk for it again. That certainly means staying away from giant floating toilets.)
One is minded to imagine that this venture into cruising is to open up another revenue stream. Perhaps the bottom is falling out of the airline reviews business …. Oh well, never mind …. 🙂
Hi from Tampa. We're doing pretty much the same version of the first Japan itinerary you posted above this summer for my 50th. I'm pretty excited about it. I'll let you know!
I mean on Princess, not Ritz. I'd never pay that amount of cash for a cruise, especially with two kids.
I assume that “all-inclusive resort people” are also “cruise people.” And I recently confirmed that I’m not an AI resort person.
I don't know the motivation, but surely these articles sound repetitive and keep comparing these with mass market cruises when the real comparator at this pricing level is chartering your own vessel (maybe not a good idea for Antarctica though). The only thing that makes these articles worthwhile is the occasional banter in the comments.
I'd much rather read a review of a business class flight with Cabo Verde Airlines, or even Vietjet.
Some cruise lines have started to cater to single occupancy travelers. My mom just joined us that way on MSC. You pay more, but not double. You definitely pay the port fees only once since those are government fees.
Bonus perk: you put the drink package on the single person’s cabin and then share drinks. We saved a ton (non-alcoholic package) because there was 7 of us. Most cruise lines will force you to buy a drink package for everyone registered in the cabin to prevent sharing drinks.
I assume he wants to take advantage of the tax-deductibility of a review as he tries out increasingly luxury trips. The trajectory has noticeably changed over time. Hotels increasingly lux, and all-inclusive cruises added. Can't blame a guy for adulting, I guess.
I have cruised with them. The best part is they price out poor people, so you won’t have to deal with riff raff that often comes with that and making your experience not as good. Also keep in mind that rich Chinese and Indians can show up, which is never good. But avoiding them is luck of the draw.
Partly that, but I think also Ben is driving traffic to his husband's luxury travel cosnultancy, who do a lot of bookings with Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton.
This is not a criticism - this blog is Ben's livelihood, and is free to read, so has to be monetised somehow.
I'm assuming you are being tongue in cheek. Otherwise, you belong on the douche class cruises.
If you take Hurtigruten cruises, they are all inclusive, reasonably priced, with great food, and absolutely nothing like a Ritz-Carleton cruise. And with a very large list of cruises and explorations, including cruising the NW passage. For many, me included, the "Coastal Express" is on many people's bucket list.
Let me guess, in five years, or less, Ben will have blog devoted to this rich people phenomena. And it will be sponsored by the very same cc companies. Now if he can find a way to enable his readers to use opm to pay for their "business" cruises.
AlanZ, not sure how it is in Malta, but I doubt even with this defanged IRS back in the states that anyone is getting away with expensing a luxury cruise… sure, sure… there was a ‘conference’ on-board… everyone earned ‘CLE’ etc. Seems like quite a stretch. Folks really should just pay their fair share, and then go enjoy nice things like luxury cruises. NW Passage does sound incredible. Wild that it’s even possible.
Have heard similar things about the canals in the south of France (Midi). Better cruising for those who’d get seasick on open ocean.
Just like the "not sponsored" Four Seasons review trips arranged by Ford, it is all a coincidence!
A thought has just popped into my brain cell …. A new revenue stream for you Ben, might well be ONMAAT …. One Nautical Mile At A Time.
Not only sea cruising but inland waterways too perhaps? There might not be much scope for points for credit card usage presently (except in the U.S. cruising Lake Powell, the mighty Mississippi or the Great Lakes, etc), I don’t know. However, the international traditional markets like Europe and Egypt are still strong. Not forgetting that the Asian markets are becoming more popular too.
I am sure that 1990Bot/Ford will have an opinion on such a venture too?
Ever hear of global warming. Just not kidding. But seriously, I highly recommend the 12 day Hurtigruten Coastal Express, from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. About 150 passengers and 75 crew. Visit every fjord you ever want to see. Catch king crab, hike, 3 hours old salmon carved into sashimi on the fantail, ice cold seawater poured over your head when you cross the arctic circle, really great cuisine. We had a Finnish chef who kept the Norwegian head chef honest. Suites available if you wish to go posh. They also have a similar cruise to Iceland. Just a ton cheaper, but not cheaply run.
Funny you mention that barge cruising on Canal du Midi. We are planning on doing it next summer.
Also, and this is most important. Several years ago we had a Christmas/New Years holiday in Budapest. Absolutely so wonderful. A fantastic city to visit. BUT, we took a vow to never to go back until that schmuck Orban was dead or lost the election. I think we will go to Budapest for Xmas this year. YEAH for the winner. We will be there for sure!
Hold on a minute. Ben, you didn't tip? You said you spent nothing beyond the fare. Among the reasons I hate cruises is the endless nattering about tipping. Maybe I just went on cheap cruises.
There's no way to tip or an ask for tips on Ritz Carlton cruises. There's no check to sign etc. You'd literally have to bring cash and go out of your way to tip to do so. I didn't see anyone tipping and that definitely wasn't the expectation.
"Not sponsored" does not mean they aren't tied to the overall business / livelihood. He's fully transparent about the connection. They're obviously not a coincidence but unless you lack basic critical thinking skills, you can read his disclaimers and decided for yourself if they are biased or if the incentives bother you.
And if it's not of interest, don't read it.
I find most luxury hotel reviews to be incredibly bland and fully sponsored by the hotels themselves which is not helpful. So having real, detailed reviews here for Four Seasons, Aman, and Rosewood properties is very helpful.
I did a Ritz-Carlton cruise last week on Evrima and honestly, it was better than I could have imagine. I'm not a 'cruise person' and I don't like all-inclusive resorts either but the service, rooms (for a cruise), and food were all well beyond my expectations. Honestly the base room is larger than some new construction hotel rooms in New York City. Their tasting menu restaurant is quite exceptional as well and I appreciate that the alcohol is actually high quality and not cheap crap.
Since they charge per person instead of per room, is this a good option for solo travelers? Or is there an extra booking fee for single occupancy?
Some cruise lines have started to cater to single occupancy travelers. My mom just joined us that way on MSC. You pay more, but not double. You definitely pay the port fees only once since those are government fees.
Bonus perk: you put the drink package on the single person’s cabin and then share drinks. We saved a ton (non-alcoholic package) because there was 7 of us. Most cruise lines will force you to buy a drink package for everyone registered in the cabin to prevent sharing drinks.
Plenty of overnight ferries in Japan!
Also highly recommend narrowboating in the UK.
Have heard similar things about the canals in the south of France (Midi). Better cruising for those who’d get seasick on open ocean.
Funny you mention that barge cruising on Canal du Midi. We are planning on doing it next summer.
Also, and this is most important. Several years ago we had a Christmas/New Years holiday in Budapest. Absolutely so wonderful. A fantastic city to visit. BUT, we took a vow to never to go back until that schmuck Orban was dead or lost the election. I think we will go to Budapest for Xmas this year. YEAH for the winner. We will be there for sure!
How do I feel about cruises in general? Well, hammer meet nail:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iBXO1Tk6okU
(Also, having once had norovirus, I'm going to do everything I possibly can to avoid putting myself at risk for it again. That certainly means staying away from giant floating toilets.)
One is minded to imagine that this venture into cruising is to open up another revenue stream. Perhaps the bottom is falling out of the airline reviews business …. Oh well, never mind …. 🙂
I don't know the motivation, but surely these articles sound repetitive and keep comparing these with mass market cruises when the real comparator at this pricing level is chartering your own vessel (maybe not a good idea for Antarctica though). The only thing that makes these articles worthwhile is the occasional banter in the comments.
I'd much rather read a review of a business class flight with Cabo Verde Airlines, or even Vietjet.
Hi from Tampa. We're doing pretty much the same version of the first Japan itinerary you posted above this summer for my 50th. I'm pretty excited about it. I'll let you know!
I mean on Princess, not Ritz. I'd never pay that amount of cash for a cruise, especially with two kids.
Six articles on Ritz-Carlton Cruises in one month.
I assume he wants to take advantage of the tax-deductibility of a review as he tries out increasingly luxury trips. The trajectory has noticeably changed over time. Hotels increasingly lux, and all-inclusive cruises added. Can't blame a guy for adulting, I guess.
Partly that, but I think also Ben is driving traffic to his husband's luxury travel cosnultancy, who do a lot of bookings with Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton.
This is not a criticism - this blog is Ben's livelihood, and is free to read, so has to be monetised somehow.
Just like the "not sponsored" Four Seasons review trips arranged by Ford, it is all a coincidence!
"Not sponsored" does not mean they aren't tied to the overall business / livelihood. He's fully transparent about the connection. They're obviously not a coincidence but unless you lack basic critical thinking skills, you can read his disclaimers and decided for yourself if they are biased or if the incentives bother you.
And if it's not of interest, don't read it.
I find most luxury hotel reviews to be incredibly bland and fully sponsored by the hotels themselves which is not helpful. So having real, detailed reviews here for Four Seasons, Aman, and Rosewood properties is very helpful.
I assume that “all-inclusive resort people” are also “cruise people.” And I recently confirmed that I’m not an AI resort person.
If you take Hurtigruten cruises, they are all inclusive, reasonably priced, with great food, and absolutely nothing like a Ritz-Carleton cruise. And with a very large list of cruises and explorations, including cruising the NW passage. For many, me included, the "Coastal Express" is on many people's bucket list.
Let me guess, in five years, or less, Ben will have blog devoted to this rich people phenomena. And it will be sponsored by the very same cc companies. Now if he can find a way to enable his readers to use opm to pay for their "business" cruises.
AlanZ, not sure how it is in Malta, but I doubt even with this defanged IRS back in the states that anyone is getting away with expensing a luxury cruise… sure, sure… there was a ‘conference’ on-board… everyone earned ‘CLE’ etc. Seems like quite a stretch. Folks really should just pay their fair share, and then go enjoy nice things like luxury cruises. NW Passage does sound incredible. Wild that it’s even possible.
Ever hear of global warming. Just not kidding. But seriously, I highly recommend the 12 day Hurtigruten Coastal Express, from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. About 150 passengers and 75 crew. Visit every fjord you ever want to see. Catch king crab, hike, 3 hours old salmon carved into sashimi on the fantail, ice cold seawater poured over your head when you cross the arctic circle, really great cuisine. We had a Finnish chef who kept the Norwegian head chef honest. Suites available if you wish to go posh. They also have a similar cruise to Iceland. Just a ton cheaper, but not cheaply run.
Join an expensive cruise , and throw away your $ , all on impulse .
Join an expensive cruise , and throw away your $ , all on impulse .
I have cruised with them. The best part is they price out poor people, so you won’t have to deal with riff raff that often comes with that and making your experience not as good. Also keep in mind that rich Chinese and Indians can show up, which is never good. But avoiding them is luck of the draw.
I'm assuming you are being tongue in cheek. Otherwise, you belong on the douche class cruises.
A thought has just popped into my brain cell …. A new revenue stream for you Ben, might well be ONMAAT …. One Nautical Mile At A Time.
Not only sea cruising but inland waterways too perhaps? There might not be much scope for points for credit card usage presently (except in the U.S. cruising Lake Powell, the mighty Mississippi or the Great Lakes, etc), I don’t know. However, the international traditional markets like Europe and Egypt are still strong. Not forgetting that the Asian markets are becoming more popular too.
I am sure that 1990Bot/Ford will have an opinion on such a venture too?
Hold on a minute. Ben, you didn't tip? You said you spent nothing beyond the fare. Among the reasons I hate cruises is the endless nattering about tipping. Maybe I just went on cheap cruises.
There's no way to tip or an ask for tips on Ritz Carlton cruises. There's no check to sign etc. You'd literally have to bring cash and go out of your way to tip to do so. I didn't see anyone tipping and that definitely wasn't the expectation.
I did a Ritz-Carlton cruise last week on Evrima and honestly, it was better than I could have imagine. I'm not a 'cruise person' and I don't like all-inclusive resorts either but the service, rooms (for a cruise), and food were all well beyond my expectations. Honestly the base room is larger than some new construction hotel rooms in New York City. Their tasting menu restaurant is quite exceptional as well and I appreciate that the alcohol is actually high quality and not cheap crap.