How does a cruise vacation work?
Me and my girlfriend want to go on a cruise vacation. On cruise webpages I see the price. Is it for 1 person? What happens If I get a suite or a double bed? Do I just have to purchase 1 cruise ticket? How would this work?
Price per person, multiply by 2, will have price for two (one room). Room with balcony will cost more, inside room – cheapest. Good price – if you pay about 70-80 dollars per day per person (airfare, tours, etc not included).
It is the best vacation. You will do it once, you will do it again and again. I did it 14 times
almost all cruise prices are based on double occupancy
so the price is basically double also watch the fuel surcharges
Robin
The prices you see are for one person, but double occupancy, which means two people share the room. Inside rooms are the least expensive because they don’t have any windows . A suite are the most expensive. Usually they have a separate relaxing area and a separate sleeping area, kind of like a hotel room. The most popular are the balcony;s which means the have a sliding door with a balcony to go outside on. You can have a double bed or two separate beds. You just tell them what you want when you book a cabin. So each of you will get a ticket when you book together. Each of you will get a cruise card when you board the ship. This is something you keep with you for the whole cruise. It’s for buying anything on the ship such as drinks, or gifts. You also must have this when you go ashore. Whomever you book with will send you all the info you need to know. I hope this helps.
Since you have never been on a cruise before I will give you a brief summary of the world of cruising that you would or could get from a travel agent. Travel agents are paid by the cruise line on commission and so you can go to one and ask all of the questions you want and the agent will help you with no charge. Even after I explain things you may still want to use a travel agent to double check what I tell you and to book your cruise. If not you can book everything right on line. I have been on about 20 cruises and have booked several of them right on line.
Most cruises are done by cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, and Disney. Most of the ships for these lines are now 1500 to 2500 passenger ships. The ships are big but things are so well managed that you really don’t feel crowded on them. Prices on these ship can be as low as $800 for a 7 day inside cabin and about $1200 for a balcony cabin. Sometimes people get confused by the categories on ship that agents or the web sites refer to. Categories are simply a listing of the different types of cabins on the ship by size, location and amenities. Categories are the price structure. All cabins on all cruise lines are sold double occupancy, which means at least two people per cabin. The prices shown are per person, two to a cabin. Yes you must buy at least two tickets, or they will charge you a single supplement which is about equal to two.
If/when you go to a cruise line web site you will see the various cabins listed by type, i.e., SUITE, VERANDA or BALCONY, OUTSIDE, and INSIDE, the category, and generally the square footage of each cabin type. The category will generally be listed next to the cabin type. The most expensive cabins are the penthouses and owners’ suites. . Next are the jr and full suites. The next are the VERANDA or BALCONY cabins (you have your own private patio). The next lowest priced are OUTSIDE cabins (they have either a window or porthole). The cheapest cabins offered are always the inside cabins; those without a window or porthole. The inside, outside and balcony cabins are generally about the same size on each ship, but may vary by ship and cruise line.
The standard cabin that most people get is generally between 175 and 200 sq feet, about the size of a 9 by 12 ft home bedroom . Each cabin has a two beds which can be made into a queen, a bathroom with a shower stall, a closet and some drawer space, a TV and telephone, a safe for valuables, a mini-refrigerator, and a life jacket for each passenger.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
The price of your cruise includes your cabin, all meals (except the specialty restaurants), all shows and entertainment, and use of all facilities on ship. The things that you will have to pay for are:
GRATUITIES: They will amount to about $10 per person in your cabin per day; about $70 each for a 7 day cruise. When you check in at the pier they will set up an on-board charge account for you to cover any and everything you may buy on ship. They will issue you a “cruise card” which will also serve as your room key and pass to get on and off the ship. At the end of the cruise they will add the gratuity to your tab and you can pay with a credit card or cash, your choice.
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND SOFT DRINKS: Coffee, tea, milk, juice, and lemonade and punch will be provided free but you must pay for drinks (alcoholic beverages) and they will add a 15% gratuity to each drink of soft drink order.
PHOTOGRAPHS: Cruise lines will take plenty of photographs of you all over the ship, in the dining room, and as you exit the ship in ports. These will cost a lot, like $15 to $20 for most.
TOURS/EXCURSIONS: These are listed on your cruise line web site and you can reserve them well before the cruise and pay for them also. If you wait until you are on ship to book tours they will be charged to your on board account (then you can pay cash to settle your account on the last day). Once you book your cruise the cruise line will send you a booklet listing all of the tours.
SOUVENIRS: Anything you buy on ship from a gift shop or duty free shop goes on your on board account. Things that you buy on shore you pay cash or credit card for.
CASINO: If you plan to gamble on ship you will need cash for that.
OTHER: most cruise lines have what they call “specialty” restaurants where there is a gratuity/service charge. All other food on board is free and its not really necessary to budget for food; you cannot eat all that will be available.
If you want/need to have your hair done, get a massage or wrap, or any services from the spa, you will have to pay for them. You can use the gym free but the spa stuff cost big bucks.
Ships now have internet cafe and some have WiFi but the there is a fee for internet access and it is very expensive (like about $50 to $60 an hour).
You cabin will likely have a minibar with soft drinks and munchies; you have to pay for them (but there is free room service 24/7).
BEST DEALS
I have found that the best deals can be had by going directly to the cruise line web sites and looking for their specials. Most will have their specials prominently displayed on their home page but I have found that Royal Caribbean and Carnival have the best web sites for this.
You will always get the best price if you book very early and early means 9 to 12 months or more in advance. You can book on most any cruise line web site by paying a deposit of $250 to $350 per person, depending upon the length of the cruise, and then pay the balance no later than 60 to 75 days before the cruise (depending upon the cruise line).
Another factor to consider is to be flexible on your date of travel. Also consider going when there is a special. Many times identical cruise itineraries can very in price by hundreds depending upon the date.
Yoy board the ship, you eat for seven days. When you can no longer eat, it is over and you go home again until next year.