Reading this thread, I realize how good a value cruising is: I'm booked on a Cunard Queen Victoria 10 day cruise to Canary Islands, Madeira, Oporto, etc out of Southampton, inside cabin, single occupancy (meaning I pay for two beds), for US$3,650 all in, except for alcohol, gratuities, land tours, casino, and other extra spending. For that, I have a full lie flat bed (two in fact) in a 150 sq foot room with private toilet/shower, twice daily maid service, up to 5 meals a day at full sit down lunch/dinner, shows, lectures, dancing, get-togethers, etc.

Suites and balcony rooms are way more expensive, but the stuff outside the cabin are pretty much the same. But then there are way cheaper cruises, like $50 - 100 per day per pax, two to a room.

Air travel to/from HKG/LHR/HKG in Eva Air premium economy is US$1,700 plus my daughter's one night stay at 5 star Radisson Hampshire in London using miles, and an additional US$350 for all the extras (include those listed above) and I'm at US$5,700.

What int'l first class could one get for that? Of course, 10 days worth of time doesn't get factored into the comparison. My own money, no way I would fork out for F/C. Use the money for a nice cruise instead, and figure out decent way to get to/from departure/arrival port.

Just checked HKG/LHR/HKG F/C, BA and CX are US$8,700, and Qantas is US$10,000.