Most cruiselines charge a single supplement of 200% cruisefare which makes things very pricey for a single traveler. Some lines are building single cruiser cabins into the new deck plan to make this more affordable. This still comes at the expense of your wallet and a smaller cabin.

Wouldn't there be some way the cruiselines could discount the fares a bit, this seems like such an unfair practice. It is not the single cruisers fault if they do not have someone who they would like to travel with. I also realize the lines are in business and a single cruiser produces less revenue from fares along with on board spending. I definitely think the single staterooms are a huge step in the right direction.

Keep it up cruiselines! We as consumers love to see our input being implemented onto the new ships. It encourages us to keep traveling with you.

So many times I am asked: Which is a better value, Cruising or an All Inclusive? Truthfully, it is different for everyone. Some people prefer one over the other for whatever reason but the value in both options is definitely there.

With cruising, most activities are involved along with food (there are always options to upgrade for an additional fee). The biggest costs associated with cruising come from shore excursions and bar bills. Since there are so many options for things to do in ports this can fluctuate greatly in price. Some things are worth the price tag, others are not. (Again, personal preference) The other cost with cruising is the bar bill. Most people enjoy going on vacation and having a drink or two. If you are the type of person who wants to order 10-20 drinks per day of all different kinds, cruising would definitely not be the best value for your vacation dollar. But if you like the idea of seeing a different port everyday and can keep your bar tab in check, cruising is an excellent value.

All Inclusive vacations offer unlimited drinks and food along with most non-motorized activities. Most of the time it is a bit higher in price per day to go to an all inclusive than to go on a cruise once you factor in airfare but not always. Also with an all inclusive, as with any land vacation, you arrive at one destination and stay there for the duration of your trip. This is not always a bad thing, just depends on what you are looking for in a vacation.

Basically, there is no easy answer. Every situation is different and pricing is always fluctuating. Once you choose between the two, find a price you are c

There are so many options to paying for that vacation that you are planning to book. You can pay for it on your credit card and then pay it off over time. (This tends to be the majority vote for how to pay for a trip) There is the option of saving until you have enough to pay it in full. There are also payment plans. Any one of theses are completely effective ways to budget for your cruise. It's all a matter of what your personal budget allows for and knowing how to work with it. I personally, am a big fan of a combination of payments. I budget initially to come up with a bigger deposit, then make monthly payments from then until I have to make the final payment. After final payment, I make monthly payments to my vacation fund for spending money and use my credit card if I need it. After my trip :-( I continue making the monthly payments until my card is paid off. Then repeat!!!

Everyone is different. Find what works for you and go for it!!

My opinion:  It all depends.

There are times when driving is necessary. For the most part, if I can fly for close to the same price it's a done deal. With gas prices teasing at $4 a gallon in my area it is still pretty expensive to drive. We were pricing renting a van and the cost of gas to drive from Cincinnati to Tampa and it was between $900-1000! So for a family of 5, $200 per person to fly and it comes out to be the same amount. If you have 1 or 2 people going it is an even better equation. Yes, you still have to factor in the cost of getting to the airport, parking (maybe), car rental or transportation at your destination but there's so much less stress andyou won't arrive at your destination exhausted from a nightmare of a drive. 

Yes flights could be delayed or cancelled. But what do you do if you are traveling down the highway and there's an accident ahead of you that shuts the highway down (not even addressing getting into an accident yourself) and you sit in your car on the highway for hours? I would much rather be stuck in an airport than in a car.

Weigh the pros and cons and make the best choice for your situatuion. Flying is (at least for now....) more affordable than it seems.