There's No Time Like the Present for the Cruise Industry
March 15, 2005
With the summer cruising season close at hand, thrilling cruise vacations have never been in higher demand. From the Caribbean, to Mexico, to Alaska, to Europe, and even the Antarctic, if you can name it, there's probably a ship that can take you there. Onboard options and itineraries being offered today far exceed anything that was ever conceived to be possible in the past. Also, with increasing demand also comes increased competition, which in the end means an extensive variety of incredible deals for cruise consumers around the globe. From Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, to Carnival and Norwegian, the world's largest and most popular cruise lines are now offering their passengers more than ever before, all at some of the best overall values in the industry's history!
On the heels of several reports that have suggested that cruise prices are at an all-time high, the average cruise vacation is actually substantially cheaper and a much greater overall value than it was 25 years ago! In 1980, the average minimum price for a seven day Caribbean cruise from Miami was $599. Today, the average minimum price for the exact same seven day Caribbean cruise is also $599. As if that weren't surprising enough, when adjusted for inflation, a seven-day cruise vacation that sold for $599 in 1980 should cost more than $1,300 today! Also, when you take into consideration all the exciting activities, luxurious accommodations, fine dining options, and other incomparable amenities that cruise ships are now offering their guests, the difference in value is virtually astronomical!
Given the facts above, though it may appear as if cruise prices are continually on the rise, prices have actually proportionally decreased by more than 50% in the past 25 years! Carnival Cruise Lines president and CEO Bob Dickinson says that you almost can't even compare the primitive ships of yesterday with the ultra-luxurious, modern mega-vessels of today. "There's really no comparison between the seagoing vacations of today and yesterday," stated Dickenson. "Everything...from dining options and health and fitness centers to children's facilities and in-cabin amenities...[everything] has been upgraded dramatically. Factor in today's affordable pricing, and cruising is the best vacation value, hands down."
There has truly never been a better time to take a cruise vacation. Though thought to be effective and efficient in their time, the cruise ships of yesterday seem far inferior to the extensive offerings of today.
The small cabins and the ever so scarce onboard amenities and activity options of the mostly converted transatlantic ocean liners of the early 1980's are most definitely a thing of the past. The massive cruising vessels of today now rival even the finest land-based resort destinations, offering everything from a wide array of some of the finest dining options anywhere, opulent onboard spas and fitness centers, fully equipped casinos, unlimited duty-free shopping, special children's programming, spacious swimming pools, and a variety of themed bars, lounges, and nightclubs, to lavish entertainment venues featuring amazing, world-class nightly productions! Best of all, you only have to unpack once! Your spectacular floating resort moves with you to some of the most beautiful, fascinating, and exotic destinations in the world! Among other new innovations are the charming internet cafes that can now be found on most ships, something that was completely unheard of 25 years ago, allowing passengers to access e-mail, surf the web, and stay connected with their friends and family while at sea. Accommodations aboard modern cruise ships are also larger and far more luxurious than anything that has ever been offered in the past, with most ships now featuring more ocean view and private balcony cabins than ever before, allowing you to experience your magnificent vacation from an entirely new perspective!
The sky is truly the limit for this rapidly growing, ever-changing, and evolving industry. With extraordinary new ships on the way from leaders like, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, shipboard offerings and amenities are sure to only get even better and more impressive from here. As arguably one of the absolute best values in the entire travel industry, there is truly no better way to see the world than from a cruise ship, and with the overall value of a cruise now at an all-time high, there has never been a better time to plan a spectacular cruise vacation. Book today, and prepare yourself for the vacation of a lifetime!
Brian ReitterBook your cruise online
