Original Post Date: May 15, 2015
Have you been thinking about cruising but not sure if you everyone will like it? I’m hoping these tips to consider before cruising will help you understand what to expect.
Cruising is one of the best ways to take the family on vacation. There is something to do for everyone…all ages!
Over the years, we have learned a few things from our cruises. Some of the highlights of cruising include: endless food choices (even for picky eaters), each day you are in a different city, and tons of entertainment.
Now there are a few things that the first time cruisers, even second and third time cruisers need to be aware of or need to look at more closely. Don’t get me wrong, I’m ALL about cruising! However, I try to get the most bang for my buck!
What are some tips to consider before cruising?
1. Port fees / charges: These vary from cruise to cruise
The price that you view online for a particular cruise does NOT include the dreaded port fees / charges. These charges vary from cruise to cruise.
What are they? Each destination city or port charges the ship to dock. So, of course they pass that fee along to the cruiser.
Look, I don’t mind paying fees to dock at a city but sometime the port fees are just as much as the cruise itself!
For example, I was looking to book an Alaskan cruise on a particular cruise line and the cruise was going to be $499 pp for an interior room PLUS $399 for port fees (for the whole week)!
Whoa! I couldn’t do it! However, I’ve booked 7 day cruises and the port fees were only $98 per person.
So look closely at the final cost. Some destinations are worth the extra fees, some aren’t.
2. Trip Insurance
This is an expense that I also don’t mind paying but the price varies from company to company.
Travel insurance, especially for cruising is a MUST have in my book. If you have a scheduled port, and the ship doesn’t stop there because of unexpected weather, you can usually file a claim and get reimbursed the port fees.
The cruise line will usually provide some sort of onboard credit for missing a port too. Or, your ship might be delayed or arriving to the home port because of weather or other unexpected travel situations.
3. Gratuities / Tips
Each room (stateroom) is assigned a crew member who is dedicated to cleaning your room for the length of your cruise. I’ve always had friendly, happy, and helpful room attendants during my cruises. They deserve to be compensated!
Some cruise lines will include a daily tip (around $18 / day per person) onto your final bill when you disembark (leave), and others won’t. The gratuity also pays the dining room servers, bartenders, cruise director, other crew members throughout the ship.
When I’ve cruised, there are certain crew members that go above and beyond their level of service. For those folks, I try to give them cash. The reason: the $18 a day ship imposed tip, will also pay the captain of the ship too.
Yes, he did help us get from point A to point B, but the captain didn’t provided the extra level of hospitality as the other crew members did.
4. Port Transfer: Getting to a from the ship
So, once your plane arrives at the airport, how do you get to the ship? Well, you need to get a ship / port transfer. Depending on where the port is, you could be charged $25 – $150 one-way, per person, getting from the airport to the ship!
Remember, you still need to get back to the airport! The cruise lines usually offer a rate that is lower that hailing a taxi cab at the airport.
I try to do my research before my trip and see if there are local transportation companies or shuttle buses that offer a flat rate instead. I’ve found this to be much cheaper.
However, I must disclose that if you do book with the cruise line, and the ship is delayed arriving to port, they are much more flexible trying to accommodate than if you book privately.
5. Airfare
Most cruise lines offer booking your airfare with your cruise package. You aren’t required to do this but it can be helpful if you aren’t comfortable booking these type of things on your own.
The airfare with the cruise line is usually more expensive than if you book on your own. HOWEVER, if you flight is delayed or cancelled the cruise line will usually do everything it can do get you to the ship if the ship leaves port without you.
In essence, the cruise line is taking responsibility for you not getting to the ship because they booked your plane tickets. So far, I have not booked with the cruise line airfare because I am comfortable doing it on my own.
I always fly in a day BEFORE the ship. This helps to eliminate stress especially if my flight is delayed or cancelled.
Conclusion: Tips to consider before cruising
So, wrapping it up, here’s the lowdown: money surprises are nobody’s friend, especially when you’re all hyped up for a cruise (unless, of course, you’re winning some cash – that’s a different story)!
No one wants to be scrambling through their pockets for extra bucks just when the fun is about to kick off. Hope these tips on things to consider before cruising were handy for you.
Now spill the beans! What are your cruising revelations? Share your two cents below!
And if you dug this article, there’s more where that came from. Check out another cool read: “10 Tips to Save Money on Your Next Cruise.” Happy cruising, folks!
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Excellent! Well explained & clearly broken down — love the ease of the details. Makes me see value in letting Family guide ”do it” for me! Lot to consider on my own. Great job! My neighbor just told me she won $10,000 at Bingo in Vegas, where we live. I’ve never played bingo ( nor any other Vegas gaming ). After reading your Family Guide posts, you know-w-w . . . bingo sounding much more interesting! 🙂
You make some good points. Sometimes it is easier to just let them book the flights for you, especially if it makes them more accountable for making sure you get on the ship!
Great post! I am yet to do a cruise, but I really found this very informative and helpful! Thanks for the breakdown.
Going on a cruise is still on my bucket list just not something I have done yet but this really helps to know a bit about it. I never knew there was port charges so it’s good to know before I book one. Thanks for the information
I’ve never been on a cruise before, but when I do, I’ve got all tips I need :). Really helpful!
Been wanting to do this and I know it needs a lot of resources and planning. At least now I have a great guide. thanks for this! 🙂
Things I’ve never even thought about lol…should save this post
Woah, I had no idea there were that many hidden fees in cruising! I guess when you’re paying a low all-inclusive rate it makes sense, though. Still..it looks like you’ve figured out all of the tricks to make it really worth your money!
The fees can seem high but I still think it is the best bang for your buck! Everyday you are in a new place!
Excellent post. You are so right and so many companies “forget” these charges when they give you the price, and many people are not aware you have to take them into account! A cruise has been one of my dream to-do things ever since we lived in Gibraltar right on the the sea and waved hello to each and every cruise ship coming in or out! I really do have to do it already 🙂
Cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel! I’ve been on 6 cruises, my husband 8, our 7 year old daughter 2, and our 4 year old son just went on his first a few weeks ago. You won’t be disappointed!
to arrive on time or you will get left. best to arrive day before.
This raises some good points. I have really wanted to do a cruise but I failed to think about all of the extras that may occur. Thanks for reminding me to do some more research before I spontaneously book a cruise! 🙂
This is a great reminder that what sometimes seems like a bargain sometimes isn’t and we should always check the fine print! Thanks.
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We live in Germany and when we book a cruise the prices shown include tax, port fees and some more. They have to show the correct prices by law and if you want you may even shorten or stop paying the graduities. But anyway I like your informations.
[…] out other posts about cruising – 20 Unexpected Costs of Cruising, 10 Best Reason to Cruise, 5 Tips to Consider before Cruising, 10 Tips to Save Money on Your Next Cruise, and 8 Reason to Cruise with […]
[…] Check out other posts about cruising – 20 Unexpected Costs of Cruising, 10 Best Reason to Cruise, 5 Tips to Consider before Cruising, 10 Tips to Save Money on Your Next Cruise, and 8 Reason to Cruise with […]