Alaska Luxury Cruises are Affordable

A lot of our clients are pleasantly surprised to find out that a luxury cruise may be easier to afford than they think. Especially now that some of the upscale cruise lines have become more inclusive and the contemporary and premium lines a little less inclusive. For example, Regent Seven Seas has begun including all shore excursions, wines and spirits, pre-cruise hotels, and airfare on its lineup of worldwide cruises. When you compare the bottom line cost between Regent and some of the premium-class cruise lines, the result is often surprising in that the luxury line may end up being comparable in total price to the premium brand.

It's always a good idea to consider the all-in estimated cost of your cruise vacation when selecting a cruise line. And, in some cases, a luxury line may represent the best value. A major consumer cruise site, Cruise Critic, recently did just this by comparing a Regent Seven Seas Alaska cruise with a comparable stateroom and itinerary on Celebrity Cruises' Millennium. The results re-published below show a surprising result. By way of caution, it is almost impossible to do a true "apples to apples" comparison due to variations in the size of the ships and relative amenities available. But this is a good way to identify some great values and your personal cruise specialist can help guide you to the best purchase decisions.

Ship	Navigator	Millenium - Suite	Millenium - Balcony
Cabin Price	$4,779	$3,015	$1825
Taxes	$0	$143.64	$143.64
Airfare	$0	$813	$813
Pre-Cruise Hotel	$0	$162.37	$162.37
Drinks	$0	$200	$200
Juneau Shorex	$0	$139	$139
Skagway Shorex	$0	$112	$112
Ketchikan Shorex	$0	$152	$152
Icy Strait Shorex	$0	$154	$154
Tips	$0	$105	$81
Dining	$0	$35	$35
Total	$4799	$5031	$3817