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Cruise Line Extra Charges Can Easily Double The Price
Cruise lines say a cruise vacation is one of the best travel values around. Commonly included in the price are meals, entertainment, onboard activities and more. Like other ways to travel, incidental expenses, those optional extra charges, can add up fast. Unlike other ways to travel, extra charges during cruises are quite predictable and easy to budget for. Here are some of the big ticket extra charges not included in the price of a cruise that can get out of control quickly if not planned in advance.
Gratuities- Most cruise lines these days automatically add on a pre-determined amount to cover usual and customary gratuities given to crew members in consideration of services rendered. In the olden days of cruising, this was done on the last night of the cruise when passengers would show their appreciation for a job well done, handing appropriate crew members envelopes with cash inside. Today, cruise lines break this down for passengers in advance adding between $10 and $12 or more per person, per day on to their onboard charge account. On a seven-day sailing for a family of four, that's about $300 more to the total price of the cruise.
Shore Excursions- Most major cruise lines charge extra for organized tours ashore. The cost per person on these can vary widely from $30 per person for a quick bus tour of a port of call in the Caribbean to hundreds for flightseeing in Alaska. The good news is that most cruise line websites have detailed information and pricing on these excursions available in advance, to help budget what can be a big ticket item, not included in the price. High-end cruise ships sometimes include shore excursions in the price but that cruise fare price is much higher.
Spa Treatments- Every cruise line has a spa, usually connected to their exercise center. Onboard treatments can include everything from a haircut to a manicure or a variety of massages, skin treatments and lifestyle classes. All cost extra and often up to twice the price that the same service might be offered for on land. On a recent sailing we saw a manicure and pedicure combination advertised for $95. That was a sale price available only when the ship was in port. On land, we pay between $20 and $40 for the same treatment. Still, there's something to be said for a massage at sea to get that cruise vacation off on the right track.
Casino Action- On cruise ships with casinos on board, like casinos on land, this is an item that can add up fast too. Savvy cruise travelers budget a certain amount to play with for each day of the sailing. Gaming lessons, available on board most cruise ships, as well as other complementary casino events can help lower this extra expense.
Alcoholic Beverages and Soft Drinks- Many cruise lines charge extra for soft drinks and alcoholic beverages but pricing is available online that can help with budgeting. High-end cruise lines like Azamara Club Cruises, Viking River Cruises and others, include soft drinks and paired wines with meals as part of the deal. Passengers in upper accommodations on some cruise ships get an initial bar setup included. Princess Cruises includes a fully stocked mini-bar setup for past passengers that have sailed enough to reach their Elite level. Carnival Cruise Lines is experimenting with an alcoholic all-you-can-drink package, which can have value for heavy drinkers. Most cruise lines have unlimited soda packages that can be added on in advance of sailing or once onboard.
Travel Insurance- An optional charge on any cruise vacation, travel insurance of some kind is always a good idea. Where we buy it is another matter altogether. Cruise lines all have their versions, which can be added to the cruise fare and paid along with the price of the cruise. Third-party sources like TravelGuard, recommended by experts as the way to go, can be both cost efficient and provide customizable coverage. Comparing cruise line coverage to third-party sources on a cost and coverage basis, older travelers often come out ahead buying via the cruise line while younger travelers get a better value with third-party sources.
Spending Off The Ship- Other than the price of Shore Excursions, cruise travelers often choose to go ashore for shopping, which is often duty-free and can offer some good savings compared to U.S. land-based shopping options. A stop by a sidewalk cafe for coffee, a drink or two or maybe lunch should also be considered.
Optional Dining Venues- Generally included in the price of the cruise is an upscale main dining room experience, a buffet of some kind and 24-hour room service. In addition, some optional dining venues, called "alternative dining," are available for a nominal charge for those who want something different. Those can run anywhere from $5 per person to $50 or more but, to many cruise travelers, offer one of the best values of all the optional charges. All can be researched in advance and many can be reserved in advance too. Royal Caribbean, for example, has 150 Central Park on their Oasis-class vessels that offers one of the best dining experiences ever on land or sea for $40 per person additional.
Parking- Cruise lines have made it easy to sail, deploying ships at home ports scattered around the United States. In the olden days of cruise travel, most ships sailed from a Florida port, making airfare a serious consideration in the total cost of a cruise vacation. Driving to the port eliminates that cost but parking can add up too. Storing your car in a secured, covered lot at the cruise port can cost between $15 and $20 per day, an extra $100 to $150 on top of the fare paid. Satellite lots at most cruise ports with a shuttle to and from the ship are available at reduced prices.
Pre-Cruise Hotel Stays- Experienced cruise travelers know that coming in to the embarkation port where the sailing begins a day early is a good idea. This is especially true when flying from a northern U.S. location to a southern U.S. embarkation port in the winter, when flight delays due to weather are a real possibility. As airfare prices rise and more cruise travelers look for ways to save, flying stand-by is becoming more popular too, demanding travel a day or two in advance of sailing, just so they don't "miss the boat." Most cruise port-oriented hotels have Cruise and Snooze, Fly and Cruise, or Drive and Cruise specials that include transfer to and from the cruise port.
Internet Fees- This one can add up really fast. Internet access on cruise ships can cost up to $.75 per minute. The best value will be on the largest packages available and can cut that cost in half on a per-minute basis. Equally important to consider when budgeting for Internet access at sea is the reliability and speed of the ship's Internet system. In other words, it is often not how much you pay but what you get out of it that counts. To get the most out of your Internet access dollars, pick a new ship or recently remodeled ship with the latest satellite system installed. Also, stop by the ship's Internet cafe and ask the crew members working there one simple question: "What do I need to do on this ship to get the most out of your Internet connection?" A frank answer will greatly maximize your online experience.
How important are all these fees?
Let's take a look at a typical 7-day Caribbean cruise.
For a family of four, taking advantage of the best pricing available on a summer sailing in 2013, we'll use Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Liberty, sailing on June 9, 2013.
Carnival Liberty is an older ship that was recently refurbished, adding most of the latest features that Carnival Cruise Lines has to offer making it one of the line's best values. We picked June 9 because that's when the kids will be out of school and sailing towards the beginning of the peak summer season is most often one of the best values as well.
To maximize the value, we selected Carnival Cruise Lines Early Saver Fare, guaranteed to be the lowest by the cruise line. The reduced fare carries some restrictions, much like a restricted airfare, including a non-refundable deposit and a no-change policy that incurs a $50 administrative fee per person, per change for any changes made after booking.
The total cruise fare price for four in the least expensive inside stateroom is $2909.92, including port charges, government fees and taxes.
Typical extra charges this family might incur:
- Prepaid gratuities- $322
- Travel Insurance from the cruise line- $350
- Optional Dining Venues- $0 (Mom and Dad are cheap)
- Parking at the Port of Miami- $140
- Pre-Cruise hotel stay- Comfort Suites Miami Park and Cruise package- $134
- Internet Fees- 250 minute package- $100
- Shore excursions- Tours of two of the four ports of call- $432
- Spa Treatment- Mom wants a pedicure- $70
- Casino Action- Dad likes to play the slots, a little bit, $20 per day- $140
- Alcoholic Beverages- Dad wants the all-you-can-drink liquor package that Carnival Cruise Lines is testing and hopes it is available. If so, both Mom and Dad must take it and it is priced at about $50 per person per day or $350 per person for 7-days, $700 total for both Mom and Dad, typical of what they normally spend on a cruise- $700
- Non-alcoholic beverage package for the kids- $4.50 per day +15% gratuity- $72
- Spending off the ship- 4 ports @$50 per port for some souvenirs or dining- $200
Total Extras- $2660
Adding those optional extras to the $2990.92 price of the cruise runs up the total vacation cost to $5,650 – almost double the price of the cruise fare. That's really nothing to be scared of or prevent someone from choosing a cruise vacation as a viable travel option but surely something to consider. In our example, non-drinkers would save $700. Skip the gambling and lose $140 off the total for some. For others, $20 per day to gamble would be a fraction of what they might spend.
Cruise vacations can offer good value but those extra expenses, as we see here, can add up fast. And this is on a Carnival Cruise Lines cruise, arguably one of the best values in cruise vacations.
Cruise line extra charges are nothing to scare would-be cruise travelers away, but surely something to be seriously considered when comparing a cruise vacation to other travel options.
[Flickr photo by stevendepolo]
Filed under: North America, United States, Budget Travel, Cruises
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 4)
Patricia Sep 15th 2012 1:14PM
Having sailed over 300 days, I still prefer Holland America. My next cruise is a 10 day on HAL at which time I will achieve 4 Star Mariner status (200 days) at which time I receive 50% discount on wine packages, specialty restaurant surcharges, beverages in the Explorations Cafe, mini bar packages and MUCH more. To save a buck or two, take a case of water and a few 6 packs of sodas, each passanger can bring a bottle of wine onboard. Not many kids running around pushing elevator buttons is also a plus--try Carnival out if you want to spend your day on the elevator and get squished by those 300 pounds plus "guests" who spend their entire cruise eating! YUK! Gratuities are NOT mandatory, you can "do your own thing" and tip those who give you good service.
blov8r Sep 16th 2012 11:43AM
Bringing water and soda on board is the height of silliness. Spend a couple grand on a cruise and shlep water and soda on board to save a few bucks?
Ron C Sep 15th 2012 2:03PM
They also do not consider the fear factor after the captian sinks the ship.
Andy Sep 15th 2012 3:18PM
We just returned home on the 7th of September from a MSC Lirica Crusie, Amsterdam to Amsterdam cruise with ports of call in Hamburg, Heligoland (could not dock),So. Queensferry (Edinburgh, Scotland),Invergordon,Kirkwall (Orkney Islands also could not dock), Oban, Scotland Dublin and Cork Ireland and return to Amsterdam.
We have been on many cruises but this was about the worst. The food in the main dining room was of the poorest quality I have ever had. Service was good by the Indonesian staff but the Italian staff, in better postions, were almost rude. Travel insurance did not cover the fees paid for the missed ports of call. We do not care to be herded around in mass on shore excursions so with a little preparation before we sailed I booked private vans at most ports for a few dollars more, in some cases than the ships excursions. Tips are split up among ALL members of the crusie ship. If good service is provided an envelope is given to that person.
Jack Sep 18th 2012 1:09PM
OMG, MSC is the worst of the bunch. Lucky you lived and were not fed to the fishes!
Andy Sep 15th 2012 3:17PM
Almost forgot! With the exception of breakfast in the main dining room ANY beverage i.e. coffee, hot or cold tea and water was charge to your cabin with 15% service charge.
Chris Sep 15th 2012 3:17PM
This article is so very true. I am taking my son, his wife, and my three grandsons on a Caribbean cruise this coming February. I researched all the details for about six months before booking. Finally I found a rate for two connecting state rooms with connecting balconies on the spa deck. If you watch your cruise sites the rates drop daily. Just like airfare there are better days to book than others. I noticed that Wednesdays and Sundays the rates drop. Anyway I found the rooms we wanted at a price on their site of $249.00 per person early bird saver. Anyway I had to call to actually book and make sure I got everything we wanted included. By the time I was done, our cost per person is $569.00. Now the ages of my grandsons are 10, 5 and 2 yet they charge each one of us a $30.00 per person per day gratuity charge. I thought this was crazy as the boys will not be waited on in any manner. There are also other fees that are added on taxes etc. The good side is, the cruiseline that I booked with guarantees that if the price goes down we get the difference as our room credit. In fact I just checked today and since our cruise is for this coming February the price is already coming down. Also make sure you realize that all food is included, but not your drinks. You really have to do a lot of research on all the little glitches that they add on to your charges. I have researched this until I'm blue in the face; so by the time we go we will know exactly what to expect; and all we have to do is lay in the sun and have some fun!!!
amaconsul Sep 15th 2012 3:41PM
Sounds like a bate and switch to me, and try not to faint when they give you the final bill . I have been on a few cruises, and they nickle & dime you even for a bottle of water, charge you an uncorking fee for a complimentary bottle, calibrate the slot machines and treat their crew like slaves. Don't take my word on it, ask any of them that signed a ten month contract. If you get injured or killed on the cruise, try to find out how to sue under International Martime Law
PS: you cannot board the ship with any liguor or the crew will confiscate and store it until the trip end. Even if you buy a bottle on board, you cannot have it until end of trip disembarment. They want you $ at their many bars.
Joe Sep 15th 2012 4:26PM
Jessica, travel insurance really isn't the ripoff you believe it is. God forbid you should get sick while on the ship, with travel insurance they will fly you back and drive you to YOUR hospital at no charge.
laurie Sep 15th 2012 5:16PM
HINT Carnival allows you to bring soft drinks on board.1 12 pack/person(or 12 24 oz bottles).Since they don't have Coke Zero,Cherry Coke or Big Red we always load up a suitcase with softdrinks. That gives us an empty suitcase for souvineers at the end of the cruise. You can also by 12 packs at the port shops before reboarding for abou $4.00/carton.
laurie Sep 15th 2012 5:28PM
Also you can book cabs to the beach for about $20 to most beaches. There are also tours . We got a cab over to Dolphin Encounter at Grand Cayman for $20 and discovered you could watch the Dolphins for free and it was like $50 for the boys to interact. That was $70 for the 4 of us . The cruiseline was well over $400. The only problem we had not being able to do what we wanted was Gran Turk. Carnival owns that port basicly. HOWEVER, at Gran Turk the beach is as you walk off the boat and so you can eat on the boat at will and everything is free.
hp Sep 18th 2012 11:47PM
First, cruise lines do not say they are "all-inclusive" other than a very few luxury lines. Secondly, these extras are almost all personal-choice and not hidden costs. How can shopping and casino losses even be included in these extras? Does any vacation include those? If you're drinking $50 a day in alcohol, you won't remember much of your vacation anyway.
You can take a cruise and pay very little more than the cruise fare with taxes.
This article should be titled, "what ANY vacation can really cost."
Susan Sep 15th 2012 11:11PM
When we cruised Queen Victoria Cunard ship,.. we knew ahead of time the "extras".. your travel agent should be sharing all that with you before booking your trip. We did a 35 day trip, Ft. Lauderdale to Sydney Australia. This was the best way we could think of for our life change moving back to Australia. The airlines be damned,.. our $14,000 fee for both of us for 35 days, heaps better than flying business class and restrictions up your bum expenses. So cruised we did,.. with your expenses, you can get a print out any time to keep an eye on your extras. Many people ask us, was it worth it,... oh yes and we plan on doing the cruise with Queen Mary when she does a trip all around Australia. If you want a very relaxing, quiet, no kids running around cruise,.. do the Cunard,.. they are truly the best at sea.
Jacque Sep 17th 2012 12:53PM
Duh. Read the fine print. It's there for a reason. Nobody is going to pay for you to gamble, drink mixed drinks or buy stuff off the ship...get real. Still best way to travel if you can use common sense.
AL Sep 16th 2012 9:08AM
The word FROM, is the big Deception. The from !!! is the price of an inside
room in the bottom of the ship, during hurricane season, and does not include the
additional $10.00 a day, per person charge when Oil prices go above $90.00 a barrell. also the $10.00 a day per person gratuities charge.. I'll reconsider making a reservation, when these cruise lines offer less deceptive advertising.
blov8r Sep 16th 2012 11:52AM
If you won't cruise until they have "less deceptive advertising" the odds are you won't ever cruise again. You'll likely not fly again, either. You're intelligent enough to understand what "FROM" means, and you can avail yourself of the add-ons on line.
Scotnovel Sep 16th 2012 2:56PM
What a great "family" vacation - mom and dad are drunk the entire time after having purchased the unlimited alcohol. Who enjoys that? Cut out the unlimitied alcohol, actually enjoy your family time, and save your self $700. Also, iIf you can't go 7 days without being on the internet, you have a problem, cut those fees and enjoy your family time and save another $100.
Mapminder Sep 16th 2012 5:28PM
Haven't taken our first cruise yet, but have several we would like to take. I bought two books that I can suggest:
The Unofficial Guide to Cruises - explains how cruise lines work and it is very detailed, plus it reviews each cruise line - food, comfort, pluses, drawbacks, value, etc.
Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports - my husband and I are more independent travelers and this book tells you about each port, whether it is better to buy an excursion or if you can handle getting into port and round on your own, plus maps, recommendations, and a lot more.
We have used Rick Steves' guides in Europe for years, with great success.
Just FYI...hope it helps.
mrgmorgrgan56 Sep 16th 2012 8:57PM
This article is really misleading. Most all inclusive cruises are 20-40% less and you don't to hassle with tours, tipping, hotel stays or all the other nonsense you would expect. Take a look at Ultimatecruiseplanners.com.
Bill Sep 16th 2012 11:52PM
Your average example is about right. We receintly went on a 14 day cruise with our teen grand daughter and our extras were in the ball park of what was quoted in the article. The cruise booking price is fairly deceiving that is for sure.
River cruises seem to us to be a much better deal than ocean cruises as we took a 14 day one of those and didn't spend anything like that much since a lot of the tours are simply walking tours and wine for dinner was free!