Thread: Cruise prices for Mediterranean

We have been on several cruises to the Caribbean and would like to go to the Mediterranean.
I am curious as to why the prices are so much higher than those for the Caribbean. I also realize that the airfare would be expensive in addition.

I'm sure our more knowledgeable folks will have additions to this, but in the Med you have more port stops incuring extra expense; the value of the dollar against the Euro is in the pits! Supply and demand--they charge more because folks will pay more.

Couple of things you have to look at; the Mediterranean is most popular with Americans during the Summer. Prices on any cruise is going to be higher during the peak seasons. You also need to look at the fact that most Med cruises are longer than 7-days, whereas most Carib cruises are 7-days.

But you'd be surprised as to how close the prices actually are. For example; if you look at the Mariner of the Seas on July 13th doing the Western Caribbean for $999 versus the Navigator of the Seas on July 13th doing the Eastern Med for 7-nights for $999.

The dollar isn't doing real well against the euro right now, so cruising is actually a pretty good deal and a great way to visit European countries. If you were to do a European land-tour, you'll find food, lodging, and transportation cost more now than it has in the past.

But yes, airfare has increased due to the high cost of fuel and does not appear to be going down anytime soon.

Based on what we sold this year and the number of bookings already made for next year, it appears to me that cruises to Europe are gaining in popularity. The two main reasons is people see it as a good deal and the fact that most regular cruisers have grown tired of the usual Caribbean ports and are looking for something new and exciting.

It's definitely high on our list of wanna-do cruises; now it's just a matter of saving up the money.

Pete