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Your experience on an Alaskan cruise will vary based on the time of year you travel. The scenery, wildlife and foliage change by season, so many travelers return at different times of the year to experience it all. From the price of a cruise, the items that contribute to the cost, and the factors that can make a cruise cheaper or more expensive, we tackle it all in this in-depth guide. Many cruise lines have free loyalty programs that can offer valuable benefits. Becoming a member can earn discounts or qualify for upgrades or other perks that make your next cruise more enjoyable. Research the top attractions in your ports of call to determine if you can easily visit without an organized tour.
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas sees high demand, prices - USA TODAY
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas sees high demand, prices.
Posted: Wed, 08 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Hotels
Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks can be expensive on a cruise ship, and many mainstream cruise lines charge a premium for drinks served in certain venues or specialty restaurants. Many passengers don’t look at the prices before ordering so having a drink package can be helpful. Read on for our full guide on cruise expenses down to the drinks packages, shore excursions, and even gratuities as they can all add up during your cruise ship vacation. We've also added in the daily gratuities for each passenger in a standard cabin.
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The nice thing about cruising is it allows you to experience the new places you visit and even do activities like hot air ballooning, snorkeling, diving in a submarine, boat rides and more. These cabins offer passengers a private balcony where they can relax and enjoy the view. These cabins do not have any windows, but they are typically the most affordable option. Discover your options for staying connected at sea with our piece on internet and phone use onboard. Use Your Own Camera or Consider Photo PackagesIf you're worried about blowing your budget on photos, just say "no thanks" when the ship's photographer asks to take your picture. Or resist the urge to check out the photo in the gallery -- once you see the printed version, you're more likely to want it.
What’s not included in the cruise price?
You have the option to either purchase drinks as you go or buy a package. Cocktails average between $10 and $17 on most ships but can be higher for specialty drinks or with premium call liquors. Wine by the bottle (which you can take to your cabin or finish at subsequent meals) starts around $25 and climbs steeply from there. Specialty DiningOne of the good things about cruising is that all the food you can eat is included in the price of the cruise fare. But in the past few years the cruise lines have started to offer specialty dining as well.
Buying additional batteries, memory cards and other camera supplies onboard will likely cost you more money than it would back home. By bringing the right tools with you, you won’t have to worry about how much your cruise bill is at the end of the trip. Many souvenir stores carry the same products, so compare prices before buying. Wait Until the End of Your Cruise for Big Souvenir SalesAvoid temptation by not browsing in the boutiques onboard and ashore if you cannot afford to buy.
Carnival Cruise Line raises prices for specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi - USA TODAY
Carnival Cruise Line raises prices for specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi.
Posted: Wed, 06 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
It’s possible to embark on a Royal Caribbean cruise and spend nothing extra onboard. ParkingIf you are driving from the port, then you don’t have to worry about paying for a ride to the ship. Parking at the port is the most convenient option, but also the most expensive. Look for independent parking lots with cheaper prices, or if staying at a hotel near the port, look for one that lets you park for free during your cruise in return for one night’s stay. Lines that include some alcoholic drinks in the cruise fare usually offer a package to upgrade to premium drinks, which may have a broader choice of drinks or venues where they are available. An example of that is on Viking cruises, where the fare includes house beer, wine and sodas during lunch and dinner.
GratuitiesIf you’ve never sailed on a cruise before, you might be unsure of exactly what gratuities are and how they work. Before we get too far, however, you should know that just like buying a car, you can spend as much — or as little — as you want for your vacation. The price for children under two years old also varies and can be anywhere from free to the full adult fare. One of the biggest factors affecting the price of your cruise is your choice of the cruise line.
Guaranteed Ways to Save on Your Cruise
Unless you live in the port city you're departing from, you'll want to plan for extra travel costs. First, consider whether you can drive to the port or if you'll need to fly. A luxury, all-inclusive cruise will cost significantly more, while a no-frills Caribbean cruise can be cheaper. Before booking, find out what considerations you should make to determine the cost of a Caribbean cruise.
I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise
Taxes and fees will be automatically added to your cruise fare upon checkout, and the exact cost of taxes and fees will vary based on your cruise length and itinerary. Suites offer the most lavish accommodations available on a cruise ship. While they don’t feature a window and are usually smaller than other cabin categories, you’ll find some great deals on inside staterooms. You can expect to pay around $70-$160 per person, per night for an interior cabin.
The taxes, fees and port charges totaled a whopping $373.64 per person. I recently booked a 15-night transatlantic sailing between Rome and Tampa, with four stops — three in Europe and one in the Bahamas. My bill shows taxes, fees and port expenses of only $139.65 per person. Extra fees and taxes are part of your final cruise fare, but they usually aren't included in the first price shown when you are cruise shopping. The more ports your cruise visits and the longer it stays in port, the more you will be charged.
All ships offer free meals in the main dining room/buffet venue but many ships now have one or many extra-fee dining venues. That said, the Caribbean cruises offer the best value if you want to experience the Four Seasons ship. The first Caribbean cruise is due to set sail on January 25, 2026 and runs through to February 1, 2026.
Some people just get dropped off at the port by a friend or family member, so it costs them nothing. Others have to book a cross-country flight and a hotel stay the night before. Onboard Spending (~$85-$120 per day)By far the biggest expense of taking a cruise is the fare, but onboard spending can be a considerable chunk of change. Of course, those figures are averages across the entire company. Specific cruises can be much lower… or much higher… depending on your specifics.
Additionally, extra tipping can be useful to secure prime meal times or spots on excursions. Most luxury cruise lines have no-fee room service policies in place for their guests. You can bring your own wine, soda and bottled water onboard most cruises for in-cabin consumption, but note that cruise lines have strict policies around this that must be followed. See our comprehensive rundown of cruise line alcohol policies for specific rules. Depending on your cruise line or loyalty status, sparkling wine might be included at embarkation, at art auctions and/or during certain special events like a cocktail party with the captain.
Soda costs extra on all big-ship cruise lines except Disney Cruise Line and will run you $4.50 to $6 when ordered individually. If you're addicted to Diet Coke or other soft drinks, budget for a soda package, which gets you unlimited consumption for a flat daily rate. On my Celebrity cruise, I booked a cabin category that included breakfast and dinner in an exclusive specialty restaurant, so I did not pay for any food upcharges onboard.
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