Sunday, March 31, 2024

10 Hidden Costs of Cruising and How to Save Money

average cruise cost

Don't forget to budget for transfers between the airport, hotel and ship if you're not driving to the port and parking there. To demonstrate how much a cruise really costs, I'm going to break things down so you can add up the costs that you would likely incur. Because cruise costs vary widely, I'll use real examples from my recent seven-night cruise on Celebrity Cruises to the Mexican Riviera, coupled with averages. They now have cruise ships home porting in ports all around the United States in locations like Port Canaveral, Port Galveston, Long Beach Cruise Terminal, and more. If you’re booking a cruise on your own, the best way to start is by researching online. Read reviews of different cruise lines and compare prices to find the best deal.

How to Lower Cruise Prices: Saving Money on Shore Excursions

These days, most of the gratuities you’ll be expected to pay will automatically be added to all onboard purchases. The standard cruise gratuity is 15%, though this is adjustable in your onboard account. It’s important to note that you do not have to pay these gratuities, but if you enjoyed the service from your stateroom and dining staff, you should pay them. Just like with the cruise fare, different people will spend different amounts.

Extra activities and shore excursions

The cruise line pays them a commission after the sale, and you pay no more than you would if you booked directly with the cruise line. It’s generally best to book a cruise 6-12 months in advance. This will give you the widest selection of dates and itineraries.

How Many Cruise Ships Does Carnival Cruise Line Have in Their Fleet?

This fare is what the cruise line charges for you to sail on the ship. Cruise fare includes your cabin, most meals, entertainment on the ship, access to pools, lounges, and more. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry.

average cruise cost

#12 - Mardi Gras Cost to Build

The ship measures 185k gross tons and is one of the largest in the fleet. If we look at the Costa Smeralda cruise ship cost per tonnage, we get a price tag showing $5,135 per GT. If we look at the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship cost per tonnage, we get a price tag showing $5,632 per GT. If we look at the MV Iona cruise ship cost per tonnage, we get a price tag showing $5,163 per GT. The ship measures 136k gross tons and is one of the largest in the fleet. If we look at the Costa Firenze cruise ship cost per tonnage, we get a price tag showing $7,011 per GT.

THE 25 BEST 7 Day Cruises (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE 25 BEST 7 Day Cruises (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:08:02 GMT [source]

5 Best Cruise Insurance Plans in April 2024 - NerdWallet

5 Best Cruise Insurance Plans in April 2024.

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Budgeting for these indulgences means you don’t have to miss out on anything, so check out what your cruise ship has on offer before tallying up the final costs for your vacation. Other cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, focus on providing the highest quality connection possible. VOOM, the Internet aboard Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise ships, is fast and consistent, but with a price tag to match. It’s also worth noting that cruise fares are always listed per person, not per cabin.

average cruise cost

So while you might pay $16 per day for a normal cabin, that amount might be $18 per day (or more) if staying in a suite. Gratuities (~$16-20 per day)Yes, you can adjust the amount of gratuities if your service is particularly poor. In fact, onboard spending is the area where you have the most control over what you’ll spend. If you fly in for your cruise, then you need to factor in your airfare. We also suggest anyone flying in to arrive the day before you sail and get a hotel room, just to avoid any delays that might cause you to miss your ship. That means tracking down the specific cost of a cruise for each person is difficult.

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If you're on a budget, it can be tricky to figure out just what your total vacation cost will be and what kind of extra charges to anticipate. While a $7 pina colada likely won't break the bank, you might be surprised to discover how quickly an exercise class here and a round of bingo there can add up. Be sure you include the total cost of your cruise when using the calculator — not just the headline price.

Answered: How Much Does a Carnival Cruise Cost?

Many cruise lines offer drink packages both in advance and on board. Whether you’re on a family vacation or a booze cruise, these packages can occasionally help to soften the sticker shock of drink prices. Be sure to read the fine print, though, as not every drink package is the deal it may seem. With the exception of many luxury cruises and, somewhat oddly, Norwegian Sky, prepare to pay for all alcoholic drinks and specialty coffees while on the ship. Many cruise lines also charge for sodas and bottled water, at least outside of meal times.

If we look at the Odyssey of the Seas cruise ship cost per tonnage, we get a price tag showing $5,550 per GT. If we look at the Spectrum of the Seas cruise ship cost per tonnage, we get a price tag showing $5,569 per GT. The ship measures 172k gross tons and is one of the largest in the fleet.

We drank those in our cabin to avoid the corkage fee (you can ask your cabin attendant for a bottle opener and two glasses). Celebrity offers free drinks in the casino while gambling, so my extra drink cost was zero. Nonalcoholic drinks like drip coffee, hot and iced tea, some sort of punch, juice, lemonade, milk (at mealtimes) and tap water will be included no matter which cruise line you choose. Most cruise lines give you the opportunity to pay crew tips at the time of booking.

You can play various sports, from football to golf, for either 30- or 60-minute time blocks. Cost varies based on time, sport and number of people playing. On the upper decks, quick-service food stations, soft-serve ice cream and a buffet are available. Every Disney cruise also includes unlimited coffee, tea and soda. You will have to pay to park at the port or at a third-party parking lot.

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