Is it cheaper to go on a cruise or fly?

What are the disadvantages of going on a cruise?

Ugh, cruises, right? So many downsides! First off, those hidden costs are killer. It’s never just the ticket price. Drinks, shore excursions, fancy coffees–it adds up fast. Like, way faster than you think. My cousin went last year, came back broke.

Then there’s the whole time thing. You’re basically on a schedule, always rushing. No time to just be anywhere. You get a few hours in a port, then it’s back to the boat! Crazy. It’s not a relaxing vacation, it’s a super rushed sightseeing thing. Really a bummer.

And the food… weight gain is a real problem. All-you-can-eat buffets, delicious desserts, fancy meals – it’s a recipe for disaster! I swear, my aunt gained ten pounds on her cruise last summer. She couldn’t button her pants afterwards! Ten pounds!

Seasickness is another biggie. Motion sickness sucks, especially if you’re prone to it. My friend, Sarah, she was green the whole trip. Totally ruined her vacation. She even needed meds!

Plus, zero flexibility. Everything is planned for you. Want to spend an extra day somewhere? Tough luck. You’re stuck with the itinerary. No spontaneity. Bleh!

Lastly, those tourist traps in port are super annoying. Overpriced souvenirs, cheesy photo ops – it’s all just a big money grab. Seriously, its awful. I heard they’re trying to market this one cruise to Alaska next year that sounds kinda cool but i bet it still has the same problems!

Here’s a quick list to sum it all up:

• Hidden Costs: Drinks, excursions, etc. Expect to spend way more than the advertised price.
• Limited Shore Time: Rushed visits to ports; barely enough time to see anything properly.
• Tourist Traps: Overpriced and underwhelming excursions and souvenirs.
• Seasickness: A very real possibility, especially for those prone to motion sickness.
• Lack of Flexibility: Strict itinerary; little to no room for spontaneity or changes of plans.
• Weight Gain: All-you-can-eat buffets and tempting desserts lead to excess calorie consumption.

What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?

January’s the cheapest, unless you’re a glutton for punishment and like fighting crowds of retirees. Think geriatric mosh pit, but with shuffleboard.

February? Bah! Valentine’s Day inflates prices like a balloon animal on helium. Avoid it like the plague, or a particularly aggressive mime. But the end of February? Prices plummet faster than my dating life after a bad Tinder date.

Other cheap times:

• Late August/September: Kids are back in school, leaving the seas (relatively) calm and the prices even calmer. Think serene ocean, not screaming toddlers.
• November: Before the holiday rush, cruise lines slash prices like they’re having a clearance sale on seasickness remedies.

My Uncle Barry swears by April, but he also once tried to pay for a cruise with seashells, so… maybe take his advice with a grain of salt the size of a small island. He’s got stories, that one.

What is the most expensive month to go on a cruise?

Summer haze… a shimmer on the water. June. July. August. Sun-drenched decks.

School’s out! Freedom’s siren call. Expensive! The wallet weeps.

Cruises? Summer cruises, ahoy! Price hikes! Family escapes.

June, July, August again. Always the same. The burn of the sun…the sting of the cost.

More about the allure (and expense) of summer cruises:

• Demand surge: Summer draws crowds. Everyone wants a sun-kissed escape. Prices rise accordingly.
• Family time: Schools are out. Families flock to the sea. They are willing to pay a premium.
• Weather: Summer often brings favorable weather in many cruising regions. Ideal conditions are appealing.
• Destination dependence: Alaska is very expensive in Summer.

Dreaming of escape…but also of budgeting. Maybe a shoulder season cruise then?

What is the low season for cruises?

January. Still, the echoes of New Year’s bells fade, right? January, yes. A hush falls over the decks.

February whispers, cold winds maybe? Early February. A ghost ship almost, drifting… before spring.

September… ah, September. School bells clang, children, gone. The sun dips lower now. September to December. A long exhale.

Less sun. Less warmth. Fewer crowds. Prices fall like autumn leaves. The ship, suddenly, ours?

Lower fares. Deals beckon, tempting. An escape from the everyday. Cruises change, the mood changes, right? Like a dream…

Promotional deals. The lure of the sea. My grandmother loved the sea; always did. Always told stories. She sailed in September, alone, once. Found peace, she said. September.

So, yes, January, February, September. Low season. Listen. The sea whispers secrets then. The boat is almost yours.

• January: Post-New Year lull, stillness descends.
• Early February: Winter’s grip loosens ever so slowly, cruises less crowded.
• September to early December (excluding Thanksgiving): School’s back, summer’s gone, holidays loom distantly, deals abound.

What time of year is least busy to cruise?

Off-season cruises are like finding a unicorn riding a skateboard—rare and awesome! Hit the high seas from July to early November. Trust me, your wallet will thank you, and you won’t have to fight over the last buffet shrimp.

Shoulder seasons? Think May, June, or around Thanksgiving and early December. It’s like the Goldilocks zone—not too crowded, not too empty.

Peak season (late December to April)? Nah, son. Unless you enjoy crowds louder than my Aunt Mildred at a bingo night, steer clear. Sheesh, it’s like everyone suddenly remembers they own swimwear.

Here’s the deal, broken down for ya:

• Busiest Times (avoid if possible):Late December to April. Think spring break mania and folks escaping winter’s wrath. Picture sardines in a can, but with more sunburn.

• Shoulder Seasons (pretty good):May, June, Thanksgiving, early December. Fewer lines, slightly better prices, and you might actually find a pool chair.

• Least Crowded (winner winner chicken dinner):July to early November. Yes, hurricane season looms. Maybe you’ll see a waterspout, it would be like a bonus, right?

So, unless your dream vacay involves elbowing your way through hordes of sun-deprived tourists, aim for the off-season. More piña coladas for you! I’m sure you’ll love it, for real.

What months should you avoid cruising?

Hurricane season, duh. June to November. Think of those cruise ships as giant, floating, slightly-less-elegant-than-a-yacht targets for angry, wet weather. You want calm seas, not a watery rollercoaster designed by Poseidon himself.

March and April? Spring breakers. Picture this: a floating frat party, but with less personal hygiene and more questionable decisions. Avoid like the plague. Or, you know, like a particularly contagious cruise ship flu.

Late May to early September? Heat, crowds, and potential for tropical storms – unless you enjoy sweating profusely while shoulder-to-shoulder with a thousand other tourists. My own attempt at a Caribbean cruise in July was less “relaxing getaway” and more “survival of the fittest.” I won’t make that mistake again.

Holidays? Unless you relish the distinct joy of overpriced everything, packed-like-sardines conditions, and service that’s about as friendly as a grumpy seagull guarding its chips (my experience on a Christmas cruise, I tell ya).

In short:

• June – November: Hurricane Season – Nope!
• March-April: Spring Break chaos – Hard Pass.
• Late May – Early September: Summer crowds and heat – Yikes!
• Major Holidays: Overpriced misery – Seriously?

My brother-in-law, bless his heart, tried a Thanksgiving cruise. He returned looking like he’d wrestled a kraken, smelling faintly of turkey and despair. He now firmly advocates for land-based celebrations. Learn from his mistakes.

Are cruises cheaper in the winter or summer?

Ugh, summer cruises? Overpriced tourist traps. Seriously, the prices are insane. December? Now that’s a different story. Way cheaper. Think about it, less people, more deals. Makes total sense.

My friend went on a Caribbean cruise last December, scored an amazing deal. She got a balcony room! Jealous much? I need to plan a winter getaway. Maybe a Mexican Riviera cruise? Or the Bahamas? So many choices! Decisions, decisions…

Winter cruises are undeniably cheaper. Period. It’s not even a question. Summer is peak season, duh. Everyone’s off work, schools are out. Supply and demand, people. Basic economics.

I checked some prices online last week. Crazy difference! A similar cruise, same ship even, almost double the price in July versus December. No brainer, right? Book a winter cruise.

Gonna start searching for deals myself. Need a vacation. Badly. Thinking Alaska… or maybe the Mediterranean? So many options. Ugh, too many choices. I’ll probably go with Mexico this year. Better climate for December. Plus margaritas. Lots of margaritas.

• Cheaper prices in December/January
• More deals available
• Less crowded
• Summer cruises are more expensive
• Consider Alaska, the Mediterranean, or Mexico

What months are off season for cruises?

Off-season for cruises? Ha! That’s when cruise lines practically give them away.

It’s like, you know, when the pumpkin spice latte craze dies down.

• Peak Cruise Season: Late December to March/April. Basically, when everyone’s escaping winter. Folks be like, “Take me away from this polar vortex, stat!”
• Shoulder Season: May/June and late November (Turkey Day, anyone?) to early December. Think of it as the Goldilocks zone. Not too hot, not too cold, just…meh. But with cheaper fares.
• Off-Season Cruise Time: July to early November. Summer vacations are so over. Back to school, back to reality… back to heavily discounted cruises, yeehaw!

Basically, off-season is cruise lines desperately trying to fill those giant boats.

Think of it like trying to sell snow cones in Antarctica. Good luck with that.

Why the price drop?

• Kids are in school: Cruise lines understand the struggle. Families ain’t got time for a week-long jaunt in the Bahamas, unless Mom & Dad pull a Ferris Bueller.
• Hurricane Season: Oh yeah, that thing. Nobody wants to tango with a tempest at sea. Insurance companies weep.
• Summer is over: People are all sunburned and broke from their summer escapades. Wallet’s cryin’.
• Fall is for pumpkin patches and apple picking: I mean, who needs an ocean view when you got a corn maze? Priorities, people!

So, if you’re lookin’ for a steal, brave the off-season. Just pack your sea-sickness pills and keep an eye on the weather reports, partner! I remember one year I went in like, september? Almost lost my lunch!