Here’s how a cruise holiday can actually save you money

The thought of going on a cruise might not appeal to everyone, but new data has shown that a cruise holiday could be the way to go if you’re a little short on budget.
Aussie travellers can save $100 or more per day on the cost of a holiday by choosing a cruise instead of a traditional on-land getaway, according to analysis by Money.com.au. 
The finding came, after the cost of cruises for two travellers from Australia to three popular destinations with equivalent traditional holidays were compared.
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The analysis compared cruises (including meals, entertainment and select on-shore excursions) to economy flights to the same destinations and hotel accommodation in the final docking city of the cruise.
”The cost per day of cruising can be much lower than a traditional trip when you factor in the included meals and activities,” says Money.com.au’s Finance Expert, Sean Callery.
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A 10-night South Pacific cruise on the Ovation Of The Seas, sailing from Sydney with stops across New Zealand’s South Island and Wellington, comes in at $4,997, including all onboard meals, entertainment, and a drinks package.
In comparison, a traditional 10-day holiday to New Zealand for two travellers would cost $6,013, with flights and accommodation alone costing $2,813. Meals, drinks and activities on land would add another $3,200. 
The cruise costs $499.70 per day, compared to a traditional trip at $601.30 per day — resulting in a daily saving of $101.60. Opting for this cruise could save you $1,016 overall compared to a traditional holiday. 
Looking a little further afield, a 13-night cruise with Princess Cruises from Sydney to Fiji, including stops in New Caledonia, costs $6,208, which covers all onboard meals, entertainment, and a basic drinks package. 
In comparison, a 13-day traditional holiday to Fiji for two travellers would cost $7,533, with $3,333 allocated to flights and accommodation. Meals, drinks, and activities would add another $4,200.
The cruise costs $477.54 per day, compared to an on-land trip at $579.46 per day — a saving of $101.92 per day. Opting for the cruise could save you $1,325 overall compared to the traditional holiday. 
Sean says the cost benefits of cruising come from the all-inclusive pricing of this type of travel.
“If you’re comfortable spending multiple days at sea, the real value of cruising lies in having all those extras like meals, drinks and entertainment rolled into the fare. On-land vacations offer more flexibility but tend to be more expensive because these costs are typically separate and can quickly add up,” he says.
“Additionally, cruise itineraries often visit multiple destinations, so that allows travellers to explore entire regions without the need for multiple flights or overland transport.” 
“However, there are likely fewer departure location options for cruises compared to flights, meaning many travellers will need to travel to the departure city, potentially adding extra costs.”