TinyTim

Well, DW and I cruised for our 10th anniversary in 1982 - that's right, we've been married 45 years - and the discounted price was $1000 per person for an Ocean View Cabin (OV = small round porthole like in the old movies, hardly worth it. Also cabin was pretty small.). I had done my research and considered this a good deal. Itinerary was Nassau, San Juan, St, Thomas, ship was NCL Starward. It seemed, felt like, there were more active activities on the ship and less arts & crafts types. In those days NCL had a full broadway play on their 7 day cruises. Ship carried about 600 passengers. No free drinks, no specialty dining rooms. In my opinion the main dining room was a cut above what is served now. They touted drinks as being lower priced than typical on shore prices in the U.S. Contrast this to current prices - we are taking the Rhapsody in December in a large inside stateroom (not real sure how big large is, but surely larger than the Starward cabin 35 years ago - it was tiny) for $509. So let's compare. I'm not sure what inflation from 1982 woud be (maybe assume inflation would make it $6000-$8000), but I know that the $2000 was a large chunk of a month's pay for me. I'm retired now and the $1000 is less of a hit to my mothly income. It appears that cruising is not just a good, but a GREAT value, especially if you aren't a heavy drinker. I don't know the last time I had a hard liquor drink in a bar or restaurant, so I can't comment on those prices. I do know that I've had a beer with dinner once or twice and not paid more than $5.00. So it appears drink prices are a bit high. So what? The cruise line is entitled to make a profit. I doubt they do much more than break even on the fares, so they are making a lot of their money on the activities, bars, specialty restauraunts, coffees, etc. DW and I aren't big drinkers, she never due to diabetes, me rarely a beer at dinner, so a cruise is a good value for us. If you were to factor in the cost of a room for a week, eating out three meals a day at good restaurants with unique menus (you won't find a number of the items on the cruise ships menu in many restaurants), planned daily activities, entertainement in a lounge every night (with no cover charge), and you'll find it difficult to match a cruise at twice the price.

For the most part I agree. The only time I really ordered room service for coffee was when we were on the Radiance sailing the inside passage. It was great to sit on the balcony and sip my coffee watching the scenery go by. IMHO if you're going to Alaska the Radiance class ships are the best way to go. Views everywhere on the ship.

I only ever took afternoon snacks (cookies) to my room, but then I’ve never been in a situation where DW felt like she had to stay in the room. I will, however, probably bring my travel mug for my morning coffee when we take the Rhapsody in December.

I would opt to find out which night the main showroom had a family friendly show, or alternatively an evening the outdoor cinema had a movie she would enjoy and make a family evening of it. Adventure Ocean memories are good, family memories are BETTER.