Choose Your Cruise Tip #4 – Calculating the Cost

This is a complicated subject to cover. Calculating the total cost of a cruise can be difficult at times. It can be as expensive as your pocketbook allows! Beyond the initial cost of booking passage on the itinerary and ship that interests you most, there are many additional factors that affect your pricing.

This is another area where it is good to work directly with an experienced travel planner. They know how to assist you with calculating additional expenses for excursions, additional meals in port and other factors that go into calculating the total cost of a cruise vacation. There are a host of variables that affect the final cost of your trip. Some of these variables can be planned out ahead of your actual trip. Others occur during your trip. Let’s take a look at some of these various items.

1. The first thing you need to take into consideration is where your ship is leaving port for your cruise. For example: if you are booking an Alaskan cruise and it departs from Seattle, WA, are you planning to drive there or fly there?
2. Cabin Selection. Naturally, the most inexpensive cabins are inside with no windows or balconies. While some may think it more “romantic” to have a cabin with a window or balcony, the truth is there are vast amounts of public space on most cruise ships. You will want to spend the majority of your time out and about on the ship instead of being in your room. If you’re just planning to sleep there…why choose a more expensive room? There are multiple decks with pools, atriums, and libraries — all to be enjoyed for free — not to mention all of the scenery passing by. On an Alaska trip, you’ll spend part of a day at sea cruising past an enormous glacier — an incredible sight at no extra charge.
3. Food. While your meals are included in the price, meals at specialty on-board restaurants are not. Most cruises will also have charges in place for alcoholic beverages and soft drinks as well. If you’re planning to try a fancy on-board restaurant, you need to plan for the additional costs attached as well. Also, meals are not generally included when you are in a particular port (unless you return to the ship for your meals). Be sure to include additional funds for meals while exploring on land.
4. Excursions. Whether it’s just a half day trip to explore ancient ruins or a multi-day trip into the interior, excursions are always an additional cost. Most of these can be planned ahead of time, so discuss it with your travel planner. Many of these experiences are well worth the additional cost. A helicopter ride over the glaciers of Alaska can be a once in a lifetime experience, but it can also add several hundred dollars to your final bill.
5. Port Charges. Port charges are taxes the cruise lines are charged for using the ports they dock in. The fees are determined by the government of the country or countries your ship is visiting. Port charges will generally be higher on longer trips that stop at more destinations. For example, on a 7 day Caribbean cruise, the taxes can range from $120 to $200 or more, depending on the itinerary. The good news is that port charges are usually included in the price of your cruise these days. However, there are exceptions, so it pays to read the fine print carefully, especially if you find a cruise price that seems too good to be true. Again, this is one of those points where it is advisable to use a qualified travel planner because of their expertise and knowledge of these charges.
6. Tips/Gratuities. This is often a gray area for most cruise passengers. The best advice is to ask your travel planner. While you certainly want to recognize quality service to those workers on-board the ship, you also want to plan and budget for this expense. Several cruise lines have instituted an automatic gratuity system by adding $10-$15 per day, per guest to their shipboard account for dining and room services. Some cruise lines simply offer suggestions. Other lines make it clear that they institute a no tipping policy. In any case, it’s best to discuss this with your travel planner.

This list is not comprehensive, just merely representative of some of the additional expenses that may add to the total cost of your cruise. Again, (not to sound like a broken record) you really should consult an experienced travel planner. While most travel arrangements can easily be made online these days, cruises are the exception. A travel agent with solid cruise line experience is absolutely the best option. Their professional advice on these matters and others is indispensable.

Rhonda Sand, at TMI Travel is a cruise expert and will help you with all of your arrangements and reservations. TMI Travel works with cruise lines all over the world. Due to our extensive experience and our membership in the prestigious travel group, Virtuoso, we have access to some amazing ships and itineraries! Please contact Rhonda to discuss your vacation desires today.