|
About your
cruise
cost
 Average
cruise rate
The rate you pay depends on many variables. These include:
 Itinerary
Season
Ship
quality
Cabin
quality
The average per diem rate based on double occupancy is $250 to $450. This range
assumes:
Itinerary,
season, ship quality and cabin quality are average
Airfare
is not included
You
did not get a discount (see my "Booking advice" page for details)
And, the above rate range does not include the standard extras (see the "Extra
costs" section below).
To put average rates in perspective, consider that the per person, per diem,
double occupancy rate for some cabins on some luxury cruises can run about $1000
per diem per person.
Cabin
cost factors
Outside cabins are more expensive than inside ones. Ditto for upper deck versus
lower deck cabins. Other rate increasers include private balconies or verandas,
convenient locations, more square footage, and freedom from external noises (see
my "Cabin Selection" web page for details).
Free
The following are normally included in a large-ship package cruise price:
Entertainment
- Admission to Vegas-style cabaret shows and lounge acts, Broadway musicals,
dancing, and movies.
Activities
- They include poolside lounging, deck sports, how-to
lessons, craft and aerobic classes, lectures by experts, card tournaments, and
TV-style audience participation games.
Extra
costs
On most cruise ships, the following items are not included in the cruise rate
(you pay for them):
Transportation
- Unless you purchased a bundled air/ship fare, you pay for your going and returning
transportation to the ship (but any boat service shuttling you between ship and
shore is free).
Beverages
- Both alcohol and soft drinks.
Tipping
- It is entrenched on virtually all cruise ships. Some use the staff pool
tipping method, others suggest how much to give various staffers. You will
receive printed guidelines. Typically, it runs about $20 to $25 a day per person for
everything, though on luxury cruises, the figure is higher.
Casino
- Money for your gambling chips.
Shore
excursions - See my "Shore excursion" web page for details.
Phone,
fax & internet - See my "Staying in touch" web page for details.
Other
services - Although many are gratis, amenities like laundry, spa treatments, beauty salon
visits, and medical care are extra.
Miscellaneous
Quickest
selling fares -
The most and least expensive cabins tend to sell out first.
Repeat
passengers - After taking your first cruise, the line will send you
special discount offers for future cruises.
Protect
your investment - Buy insurance that covers trip cancellation, interruption,
emergency medical evacuation.
Single
cruisers - To have your own cabin, you normally pay somewhere between 140 to
175% of the per-person double-occupancy fare. Or, you can save money by having
the cruise line match you with another single traveler of the same sex (though
you face the incompatibility risk).
Learn more candid
cruise tips &
insights
 
My "What it's Like on ..."
cruise ship sections
 to
view
|
