Day 12 - Air vs Sea
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One of the reasons that Kat and I initially looked into a cruise from England to the US was financial. Sure, it was nice to have a vacation and to visit exciting new places like Iceland and the Shetland Islands, but we were primarily concerned with the cost of getting ourselves and our belongings back home. We wanted to get more for our money: more relaxation, more fun, and more amenities.
We’re certainly not the first people to consider cruising as an alternative to a transatlantic flight and we won’t be the last. If you’re thinking about sailing to your next holiday destination perhaps this breakdown will help you decide.
1) Luggage
Flight: With fuel surcharges at an all-time high many airlines have begun charging extra for any luggage beyond a small carry-on. If you’re going somewhere for an extended period of time or travelling with small children this can be a real challenge and a real expense. Even airlines with fairly generous luggage allowances, like British Airways, charge for extra and overweight bags. This can really add up if you’re moving, say, an entire year’s worth of clothing and books from the UK to the US.
Cruise: If you can fit it in your room you can carry it with you. Perhaps best of all is that the cruise line will take your bags from you when you embark, deliver them to your cabin, and then have them waiting for you when you disembark at the end of the cruise. Look ma, no hands!
Winner?: Cruise by a long shot. However, if you are one of those master packers who can travel with just a carry-on then this isn’t likely to be one of your main concerns.
2) Food and Drink
Flight: A typical transatlantic flight includes a hot meal, a smaller cold meal, a snack, non-alcoholic drinks, a glass of wine and, on some airlines, unlimited alcoholic beverages as well. It’s usually edible, but the limitations of airline food are well known.
Cruise: Many people go on cruises just to eat. Food is plentiful and, on some cruise lines, of gourmet quality. Drinks, on the other hand, are not included. Sodas cost extra, as do alcoholic beverages. On Norwegian many of the specialty restaurants also carry a surcharge. There is always plenty of variety in the main restaurants however, with menus that change daily.
Winner?: Cruise. There’s really no comparison. On a flight eating is just something you do to pass the time until you land at your destination. On a cruise dining can be an experience to linger over and enjoy.
3) Time and Convenience
Flight: There are no two ways about it; flying is the fastest way to get from Point A to Point B. If you’re a business traveller or have a limited amount of time for a holiday you’re unlikely to spend a week sailing to your destination. The hassles of the airport are just the price you pay for the ability to travel thousands of miles in a few hours. Flights also depart with greater frequency and from a wider variety of locations than do cruise ships.
Cruise: There is a reason why the return to travel by train and by sea is considered the “slow” travel movement. Getting there is going to take several days and you have to be able to unwind and enjoy the ride. Hassles like immigration, customs, and security are still present, but even these occur at a less frenetic pace than they would in an airport. This doesn’t necessarily mean cruising will be convenient. Cruises do not depart several times a day, nor do they depart every day, every week or, indeed, every month. The cruise we took was an annual repositioning cruise. The dates were convenient for us, but there may not be a cruise sailing between your desired destinations on dates that work for you.
Winner?: Draw. You either have the time and the inclination to adopt slow travel or you don’t. There are some situations when a cruise is just not a feasible mode of transportation.
4) Entertainment
Flight: Depending on your airline you might have in-flight movies or even a personal seatback entertainment system offering films, television shows, music, and games. You can also read, sleep, or use any computers or personal gaming systems you may have brought with you.
Cruise: You can read, watch movies on your in-room television, play with your computer or sleep as easily as you could on any flight. You can also swim, go in the hot tub, meet for drinks at a bar, sing karaoke, go dancing, visit a casino, or watch a world-class stage show. On port days you can tour new cities and experience different cultures.
Winner? Cruise. The entertainment options are endless on a cruise ship. Cruise ships are vacation destinations as well as transportation and they have the amenities to prove it.
5) Overall cost
Flight: When we were pricing our journey home, a one-way transatlantic flight cost approximately the same amount as an inside cabin on the Norwegian Jewel. It made financial sense for us to cruise home.
Cruise: There are plenty of hidden costs associated with cruising. Port fees are not always listed in the overall cruise prices, drinks cost extra, and you are likely to spend money while in port. This can really add up, and if your primary reason for choosing to cruise is a financial one you could end up disappointed.
Winner? Draw. A flight may appear more expensive on the surface but it should end up costing you less, especially if you’re purchasing a round-trip flight. You could also argue that a cruise offers better value for money because you get a lot more for the price. This is certainly true; with a flight you are paying for speed and with a cruise you are paying for the experience.
So is cruising right for you? We certainly enjoyed our time on the high seas, but there are many things to consider. If you are looking to make the journey a prominent part of your holiday experience or are looking to move house across an ocean then cruising may be worth your while.
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Back to Travel Diaries
Read the other articles:
Day 12 - Air vs Sea (you are here)
Day 10 - A Taste of Halifax
Day 10 - Halifax: Ghosts and Breweries
Day 9 - The Cultural CV
Day 8 - Bird's Eye View
Day 8 – A Very Special Privilege
Day 8 – Quidi Vidi Brewery – Beer, with a side of history
Day 8 - Signal Hill and the Village of Quidi Vidi
Day 8 - North America's Far East
Day 8 - New Found Land
Day 8 – Land! Land! St. John’s, Newfoundland
Day 7 – You Have Permission to Enter the Bridge
A Peak at the Inner Workings of the Norwegian Jewel
How to Pour Champagne in a Moving Vehicle
Days 5-6 Shetlands to Iceland
Days 0-4 Dover to the Shetlands
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