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Ship tours is one of the most popular forms of travel recently.. If you are going on a cruise for the first time, it would be useful to get acquainted with some things before you go on a cruise.. I’m sure you have a thousand questions about the cruise.. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I have written with their answers.
As someone who will travel for the first time on cruises, you may think that you will not pay anything else when you see all taxes and all-inclusive fees in the advertisements, but you may be wrong.
Ship Tours Travel Pricing
Although these prices are quite affordable, the price mentioned generally covers the fee including the cruise and port tax.. You are more than satisfied with the food and beverage part, but the optional options that interfere with it may cause this price to increase.
Does the concept of ‘all inclusive’ sound familiar to you? Cruises made by cruise ship are quite affordable as they include all the main expenses such as food, accommodation, snacks, activities and entertainment.. However, there are some things in these travels that can cause the money in your pocket to fly out of nowhere.. These extra purchases are really challenging for your budget on an all-inclusive tour.
Companies advertise their expensive spa centers by highlighting unique world cuisine specialties, concept bars and lounges.. However, if you want to have a massage, have a cocktail, have a special meal other than the standard buffet meals, be prepared to pay extra fees out of your pocket. In addition, if you are going to take a tour at the ports you stop at, you will have to pay an extra fee for it.
10 Hidden Expenditures of Cruises
1. Harbor excursions
Ship tours also sell excursion programs at the ports where they will stop.. The prices of these tours are more expensive than you can find at your destination. Prices vary according to the things to be done. A quick city tour starts at $25, and a full-day tour with shopping is around $200.. Standard tours usually cost between $50 and $150.
Even though the offers on the ship seem very attractive and you want to buy one right away, you always have the chance to travel on your own, regardless of the tour.. That way you spend little or no money. When you arrive at the port, get free information brochures such as maps and event guides from the tourist office.. Plan ahead where you can go by using the ship’s library or internet.. Parks, beaches and art galleries are places where you can go for free or for a very low fee.
If you wish, you can visit the city on foot and stop for a coffee or a small snack wherever you want.. Even renting a car and having a driver show you around will be much cheaper than this cruise company offers.
2. Meals on board and restaurants
Buffet meals offered by the ship are included in the price as standard, but there are many optional options for you to pay extra.. Prices range from a few dollar ice creams to $35-40 special meals.. They can even offer a very special $75 meal in the form of the chef’s special meal.
Not all drinks are within the scope of unlimited food and beverage.. Some luxury companies such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line invite carbonated and alcoholic beverages to this unlimited menu.
Most cruise companies automatically reflect this 15% deduction on your bill.. It costs between $9.75 and $12.50 per person per day on average.. This fee means the wages of the ship’s employees.. It is completely at your discretion and you can decide how much you want to give at the reception.
However, most of the companies offer the opportunity to pay this fee in bulk from the beginning.. Thus, while you are on your holiday, you get rid of such a thought.. You can see this service under the name of “Service Fee” on your invoice, and the tip you give when you use room service is not included in this.. If you want to eat them, there is a separate fee for each person.. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line has French dishes and a Steakhouse, especially Asian cuisine.. Prices vary between companies, usually between $10 and $35.
You can eat many kinds of food for free 24/7 anyway.. Several servings plus dessert, plus room service is always available. If you want to eat, do not forget that you should narrow your budget accordingly.. Having a nice dinner may mean you need to cut back on cocktails in the afternoon for 2-3 days.
3. Alcohol and other beverages
Alcohol and wine are never included in the price, except for very luxurious tours. In addition, not only alcoholic beverages, carbonated drinks, bottled water, some fruit juices and specialty coffees are also excluded from this fee.. You can drink your water from the faucet and fill your bottle from there.
Many ships have discounted ‘daily specials’ hours and you can wait for these hours or take advantage of promotions like two martinis for one.. That way you can keep a few extra dollars in your pocket.. Tea with milk, milk, coffee and fruit juices served with meals are free of charge.
Also, if you are going to drink wine, you can order by bottle and ask them to save the amount for the next day.. This way it will be cheaper than drinking one glass of water.. Some companies sell beer or wine packages, but you have to make sure you drink them all to really save money.
If you can’t do without carbonated drinks, there are also unlimited soda options that you can use throughout your trip.. Or you can bring your own drinks.. But remember, it is strictly forbidden to bring alcohol from outside.
4. SPA and massage centers
This is a service that we can say not to avoid spending and will make your holiday even more enjoyable.. Most of the cruise companies have this service and there are also acupuncture, facial care and many different types of massage.
The prices of spa and massage centers you will go to on cruise travels may be exactly the same as the most expensive places you will normally go to, and you may be shocked when you see the prices.. A standard massage costs around $110 – $150.
More exotic ones range from $200 to $500.. Thermal spas and pools are around $15 to $30 per day.. You can also purchase packages to benefit from these centers throughout your entire trip.
Take advantage of discount days to save. There are usually discounts on the first and last days and on the days when everyone goes to the port.. Find out in advance when the SPA is open because sometimes they only work at a certain time of the day.. Try to say no to those who want to sell you products, or state from the very beginning that you do not want to face such insistence.
5. Activities on board
Although most of the activities on board are free, there may be situations that require extra fees.. Among them, there is an extra fee of 10-15$ per day for activities such as fitness, pilates and yoga classes.. Babysitters also charge $6 per hour.
Spend your time with activities that are free to save.. You can attend shows, go to live music concerts, take part in cooking classes, participate in group games or free conferences.
You can simply read your book by the pool and talk to your friends.. If you absolutely want to participate, set your budget and get involved with the one that interests you the most.
6. Laundry
They charge incomparably higher prices than off-ship prices. $2.50 to $3.50 for a single t-shirt is really a bit high. Find out if there is a laundromat you can wash yourself. You can wash all your clothes in those machines, usually for $2.. Or alternate your clothes for a few days.
A good way to travel light, although the company charges you for it.. You don’t need to buy a lot of things as you will have items that you can wash all the time.
7. Tip
On the other hand, tipping the onboard service and cabin crew is important as it constitutes a large part of their income.. Tips are usually reflected on your cabin statement and you can pay with your credit card.. It is also possible to buy alcoholic beverages with the Cruise Card, as it is forbidden to bring alcohol on board.. You can learn all your expenses from the televisions in your rooms.
Although it is different for each company, a tip is applied on a fixed fee determined every day on cruises.. This fee is around $10 per day on average. The collected amount is shared among everyone such as room service, waiter, assistant.
There is not much savings in this regard. You can go to the reception to determine the amount of these tips, which will be automatically deducted from your account.. However, since the salaries of these employees are paid entirely through these tips, if you have not received a very, very bad service, it is necessary to make the employees happy that you do not make any savings.
8. Shopping for souvenirs on board and at the port
There are many beautiful boutiques inside the ship for shopping, which is one of the most popular activities on cruises, and the products are sold tax-free.. For example, rum, whiskey and gin, which are high alcoholic beverages, are very affordable.. Likewise, jewellery, clothes, perfumes and items that can be souvenirs of the cruise are also at affordable prices.
Most people want to buy an item to remind them of their days on the ship, but beautiful and expensive perfumes, brand clothes and leather goods can often exceed the budget.. Even very poor quality key chains or t-shirts can strain your budget when you try to buy them for family and friends.. Prices can start from $5 and go up to hundreds of dollars.
If you have a limited budget to save money, stay away from places where there are many such tourists, both on the ship and at the port.. It is possible to find much more original and beautiful items at much cheaper prices after walking around the streets for a while.
9. Photograph and camera equipment
People who participate in cruises can often pay $20 for a small photo print.. Before you travel, be sure to check other camera equipment such as extra batteries and memory cards, this type of equipment is sold at a very expensive price on board.
To save money, you can just say no thanks to the ship photographer.. Even if you probably don’t buy it, it will show you the printed photo by saying take a look and then you may want to buy it by saying it is a souvenir.. Just take your own photos. As for equipment, take plenty of batteries and other items you will need with you before you leave the house.
10. Internet
Even if you bring your own laptop and use the ship’s WiFi, you’ll probably get very low speed internet at very high fees. Most of the companies charge an exorbitant fee of 75 cents per minute.
While pricing per minute used at Costa Cruises company, you have to pay 30€ for 1 hour of internet use and 48€ for 3 hours of internet use.. If you buy a package, it drops to 55 cents per minute.. Nowadays, companies have gradually started to switch to unlimited internet applications.
To save money, if you don’t mind checking your e-mails for a few minutes when you leave the port, it will save you a lot of money.. Or you can take your laptop and go to a cafe with WiFi and use the internet there.
11. Casinos
Not all but most have their ships. Remember, gambling is not allowed on any ship if it is in American waters.
12. Travel Insurance
A situation that you must have and almost mandatory. Traveling without insurance is really risky.. What many people do not know is that insurance companies do not include many standard health services in their policies while in international waters or abroad.
In addition, some of the money is burned when you want to cancel it later.. Travel insurance only comes into play when there is a situation covered by the policy. You can get it done directly from a travel agency or through banks or other insurance companies.
13. Flight fee
Usually not included in the cost of travel. However, some companies can provide low-cost flight tickets for the days and times they determine.. If you buy the flight ticket from them, they usually provide free transportation between the airport and the pier.
Minimizing extra services on cruises is one of the most important steps to avoid a budget deficit.. Therefore, it is necessary to take precautions against extra expenses and make preparations before going on a cruise.