(Fox Business) Millions of Americans are getting ready to travel this summer, with recent research from the MMGY Travel Intelligence’s Portrait of American Travelers study revealing that 76% of Americans plan to take a trip this year.
With this travel surge, savvy consumers are always striving to reap value from vacation dollars.
But does a cruise offer more vacation value than a land-based hotel stay?
FOX Business consulted with four different travel professionals to find out how and if consumers can stretch their vacation dollars on a cruise vs. a hotel stay.
Here’s a deep dive into the issue — with eight intriguing reasons why cruises may win out in the end.
1. Cruise amenities are usually plentiful
Cruise loyalists sail over and over again because of the “unpack once” concept — and the value a cruise can present.
Not only can you visit several ports during one sailing, there are ample food options, activities and entertainment that your cruise fare covers.
A cruise ship is shown docked at an unnamed location. Aboard cruises, there are usually ample food options, activities and entertainment — all covered by the cruise fare. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Also, there are often booking incentives with onboard credits, free drink packages, free Wi-Fi and military discounts on some cruise lines. For consumers who are driven by price, it’s worthwhile to research cruise options this summer.
“When we look at pricing for mid-summer travel season in the Caribbean — a seven-night cruise in July, for example — we’re seeing an average starting fare of $1,160 per person, or $165 per night, per person,” said Colleen McDaniel, spokesperson with Cruise Critic, who is based in Denver.
“And when you take into account the amenities included in that fare — food, entertainment and your room — it’s an extremely competitive price compared with similar options on land.”
When you’re considering apples-to-apples in terms of quality, you’d be hard-pressed to find a comparable hotel option for less, according to McDaniel.
“At sea, you’re experiencing not simply a room and a pool, but you’ve got an array of bars and restaurants, Broadway-caliber entertainment, waterparks and more,” she said.
2. A cruise’s value can be stretched
Experts say travelers can make a cruise an even greater value than a land-based hotel stay.
“One perk of cruising is that it allows many American travelers to, in effect, ‘drive’ to their cruise destination — whether that’s the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada/New England or Mexico, as homeports can be found along the East and West Coasts, and along with the Gulf Coast. So for many, it means there is an option to drive rather than fly,” said McDaniel.
“One perk of cruising is that it allows many American travelers to, in effect, ‘drive’ to their cruise destination — whether that’s the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada/New England or Mexico.” (Norwegian Cruise Line / Fox News)
Without the need to book a flight or numerous flights in some cases, you can save thousands of dollars if you were flying across the U.S. or to an island in the Carribean.
Also in the win column for cruises: There’s the reduction of travel hassles.
“One could also argue that avoiding the airport — crowds, delays, cancellations, added fees — has even more value in the form of mental wellness,” McDaniel said.
3. There is more choice in lodging picks
Unlike hotels, part of the cruise booking process also includes booking your exact cabin — and the room choices can be extensive.
“So, rather than choose between a handful of room types at a hotel, most of which come at relatively the same price, you’re able to select the cabin that best fits both your needs and your budget,” said McDaniel.
