Top 4 Questions about Cruise Quotes
So you've taken the plunge and asked a travel advisor to help you find a cruise. Then the quote arrives.
And suddenly you're looking at cabin categories, gratuities, insurance, taxes, port fees, refundable deposits, non-refundable deposits and a whole bunch of choices you weren't expecting.
Don't panic.
A cruise quote is really more like going through a cafeteria line. There may be several things on the tray, but we can usually pick and choose what works for you. Don't want that? Take it off. Want to change this? We can look at another option.
At this stage, nothing is necessarily set in stone. That's why communication is so important. Tell me what you like, what you don't like, what's important to you and where you'd rather spend your money.
That's part of good service.
And before we even get into the quote, let me answer one of the questions I hear all the time: “But doesn't it cost me more to use a travel advisor?”
No. When you book your cruise through me, the cruise line pays me a commission from the cruise fare. The price isn't increased simply because you used me as your travel advisor. That commission is built into the cruise line's pricing whether you book directly with them or through an advisor.
That's usually followed by: “But then how do YOU get paid?”
The cruise line pays me on the back end.
So now that we've cleared that up, let's look at that quote.
1. What Can I Change?
Quite a bit, actually. Maybe I quoted prepaid gratuities and you'd rather pay those later. Maybe you want travel insurance included. Maybe you don't. Maybe I quoted a balcony and you've decided you'd rather save the money and take an oceanview. Or maybe you looked at that oceanview and thought, Nope. I want to sit outside in my pajamas and watch the ocean go by.
Fair enough.
There may also be choices involving dining, beverage packages, Wi-Fi, refundable versus non-refundable deposits, and other options depending on the cruise line and sailing.
Think of that first quote as a starting point for the conversation, not an ultimatum.
And please tell me if something isn't what you had in mind. I'm pretty good, but my crystal ball has been in the shop for years.
2. What Kind of Cabin Do I Need?
This is where cruise quotes can get really confusing because two cabins that sound almost identical can have two very different prices.
An inside cabin is usually the most budget-friendly. If you're one of those people who says, “I don't care. I'm only going to sleep in there,” an inside cabin may be exactly what you need. They're generally dark and cozy, which can also make it surprisingly easy to sleep until 10:00 in the morning and have absolutely no idea you've done it.
An oceanview cabin gives you a window or porthole. You can't walk outside, but you can see the ocean, check the weather and, perhaps most importantly, determine whether it's actually morning.
A balcony cabin gives you your own outdoor space. For some people, that isn't important at all. For others, morning coffee on the balcony while the ship pulls into port is part of the whole reason they're cruising.
And then there are suites, which can offer more room and, depending on the cruise line and category, additional amenities and perks.
But cabin type is only part of the equation.
Location matters too.
Cabins on different decks can be priced differently, and it's common to see higher decks priced above lower ones. Midship, forward and aft locations can also fall into different categories. Cabins designed for three, four or more guests are more limited.
Connecting cabins, accessible cabins and certain suites can be limited as well.
And here's something else I look at: What's above you? What's below you? What's around you?
A cabin under a nightclub, beside a busy crew area or directly underneath a pool deck may not be your idea of a relaxing vacation.
That's why I don't just look for the word BALCONY and grab the cheapest one. Sometimes a cabin is cheaper for a reason. Ask me how I learned that.
3. What Are All These Extra Charges?
You may look at a cruise advertisement and see one price, then look at your actual quote and think:
Wait a minute. Where did THAT number come from?
Welcome to cruise pricing.
The advertised cruise fare isn't necessarily the total amount you'll pay.
Your quote may include required taxes, fees and port expenses. Depending on how I've prepared your quote, you may also see things such as prepaid gratuities, travel insurance or other options listed separately.
This is one reason I want you to look at the whole quote, not just the number that first caught your eye in an advertisement.
I also like to make it clear what I've included in the quote so you aren't surprised later.
If you're comparing two cruises, make sure you're comparing apples to apples. One quote may look less expensive simply because something included on the other quote hasn't been added yet.
A $100 difference isn't much of a bargain if you discover later that the things you wanted weren't included.
4. So What IS Included in My Cruise?
This is probably the number-one question I get. And my short answer has always been something along the lines of: A whole lot.
While every cruise line is a little different, your cruise fare generally includes things like:
Your own private stateroom — complete with your own private bathroom. No shared facilities down the hall! It's your home away from home for the week, with someone else making the bed. That's a vacation right there.
Food... and plenty of it! — breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, buffets, main dining rooms and usually several casual dining choices. You will NOT go hungry.
Shows and entertainment — production shows, comedians, live music, trivia, game shows and all kinds of things happening around the ship.
Pools, hot tubs and activities — depending on the ship, you might find waterslides, sports courts, miniature golf and things I personally prefer to watch other people do.
Fitness center — for those ambitious people who actually pack gym clothes and use them. Walking to the buffet counts too, right?
Kids' and teen programs — many cruise lines offer supervised programs and activities for younger cruisers.
Basic drinks — you'll generally find things like water, regular coffee, tea and some other non-specialty beverages included.
And don't forget the transportation! — while you're eating dinner, watching a show or sleeping, your floating hotel is taking you to your next destination. Unpack once and wake up somewhere new. That's one of my favorite parts of cruising.
Want a Little Something Extra?
There are plenty of ways to add a little something extra to your cruise. For an additional charge, you can choose from options like:
Cocktails, wine, specialty coffees and sodas — unless they're covered by a beverage package or included in your particular fare.
Specialty restaurants — steakhouse dinner? Sushi? A special chef's experience? You can absolutely upgrade your dining if that's your thing.
Shore excursions — snorkeling, sightseeing, ziplining, beach days...or you can do what I sometimes do and stay on the ship!
Wi-Fi — because apparently some people insist on knowing what's happening back home while they're on vacation. And “work from home” takes on a whole new meaning when your office is somewhere in the Caribbean!
Spa and salon treatments — massages, facials and all those lovely ways the spa can convince you that you deserve to treat yourself.
Photos, shopping and souvenirs — including that picture they took while you were boarding after you'd been traveling since 4:00 a.m. Naturally, that's the one they'll put on display.
Casino, bingo and other optional activities — entirely dependent on how much entertainment you're willing to purchase in the name of “I almost won!”
Gratuities — unless they're prepaid or included in your fare.
Travel insurance — optional, but something I strongly recommend to help protect your vacation investment.
The key word here is OPTIONAL. You don't have to buy all the extras to have a great cruise. Pick the things that matter to you, skip the things that don't, and spend your vacation dollars where they'll make the biggest difference to your trip.
Exactly what's included varies by cruise line, ship and the fare or package you've purchased. That's why I look at more than the big number in the advertisement when I'm comparing cruises. Some cruise lines or fare packages bundle more of these things together. Others are more à la carte.
That's another reason the lowest advertised cruise fare doesn't necessarily tell you which cruise is the best value for you.
And This Is Why I Cruise
When you start looking at everything that's wrapped into one vacation—the cabin, meals, entertainment, activities and the fact that the ship is carrying you from place to place while you're off having fun—cruising can be a pretty remarkable value.
Try pricing a hotel, meals, entertainment and transportation separately for several days and you'll begin to see why cruising has become so popular.
But a cruise quote can look confusing until you know what you're looking at.
That's where we go back to my cafeteria line.
Keep what you want. Change what you don't. Ask questions.
The goal isn't simply to find the lowest number on the page. It's to put together the cruise that fits your budget, your priorities and the way YOU like to travel.
And hopefully, once we've done that, the only really difficult decision left will be...
Do I order one dessert or two?
