Interesting to read from Jane Archer that the Crystal Serenity, which she is on board this week, is sailing less than half full. There are 550 passengers on board a truly luxury cruise ship which has a capacity of 1,070, and a crew of 655.
This on a vessel which already has one of the highest passenger-space ratios in the business; luxury liner QE2 was almost exactly the same tonnage, yet carried 600 more passengers.
Fares for Serenity’s current 12-day voyage from Athens to Barcelona started at £3,500 per person, which included a £1,250 ($2,000) on-board credit per couple; the money could be used for spa treatments, drinks, shore excursions, or even a new outfit from the on-board boutique.
Contrast that with the approach from the bigger – and better-known – cruise companies which will cut fares to the bone in order to fill their ships. Royal Caribbean, P&O, Norwegian and the rest will all tell you that because of the world economic situation fares have been driven so low that cruises have never been better value.
Passengers attracted by 14 nights in the Caribbean for £899 cannot, however, expect on-board credit perks. Instead, they are assailed from every angle to spend more – on drinks, premium restaurants, spa treatments, photographs, on excursions and in the casino.
So you pay your money and you take your choice, but you can’t dispute that there has never been a better time to take a cruise.
About the Author: John Honeywell
John Honeywell is a travel writer specialising in cruise ships and cruise travel. Winner of CLIA UK's Contribution to Cruise award 2017.
£7,000 for two people is a lot of money for a cruise less than two weeks. Peter Mandelson might be able to afford that, but I certainly can’t. Give me the £899 for two weeks any day. It’s not like I’d spend another five thousand on drinks and trips
7 thousand is a lot for me, too, but i would rather pay that than be stuck on a ship with jogn prescott
I suppose MPs can put their holiday cruises on expenses