| Years ago when someone talked about going on a | | | | want in between meals. Also, alcoholic drinks and |
| cruise they were in one of two categories - the very | | | | sodas are usually not included. And, you will have to |
| rich or the poor. The limited number of rich | | | | pay extra for any special tours that you want to |
| passengers would be staying in lavish, resort | | | | take while at your various destinations. |
| accommodations on the top levels of the ship, while | | | | Other fees that you will need to budget for are |
| the rest of those who wanted to secure cruise | | | | those that are added by the government from the |
| travel would be stuffed like rats in steerage. In | | | | country you left and those you will visit along the |
| recent decades cruising has become more and more | | | | way. There may be port charges and taxes that will |
| affordable, and luckily those on almost any budget | | | | be added to your total. Sometimes these fees sneak |
| can take this style of tour today. | | | | up in your total as you are finalizing the payment for |
| If a budget is very important to you when you are | | | | your trip. |
| securing your cruise accommodation, you will need to | | | | While you may say you always have a couple of |
| think ahead, know exactly how much you have to | | | | extra bucks on hand, these fees are a bit more than |
| spend on your trip, as well as souvenirs you may | | | | that and it's possible that in some cases your port |
| want to buy, and plan ahead to make sure you get | | | | charges, taxes and government fees could be $100 |
| the best return on your money. | | | | or more a person. |
| When you are initially looking at cruise prices, don't go | | | | In addition, not everyone lives right beside a port |
| right to the top of your budget when picking which | | | | where cruise ships are based. If you will have to get |
| travel package. In general spending your vacation | | | | to a port city, you must take into account your |
| with a cruise tour is a good way to conserve your | | | | travel expenses to that city. If you are flying, make |
| money. Keep in mind you are getting | | | | sure to do the math to know what the cost of the |
| accommodations, meals, entertainment and the ship's | | | | flight is as well as any transportation costs to get |
| facilities for one set price. But, often there are a | | | | you from the airport to your cruise ship terminal. If |
| number of 'extra' charges that are going to be added | | | | the base port is close enough that you can drive |
| on to that low price you are seeing, so you need a | | | | there from your home, remember you are going to |
| little wiggle room in your budget. | | | | likely have to pay to leave your car in a parking lot at |
| Remember while your cost includes resort living, and | | | | the cruise terminal, so take those costs into account |
| meals, it does not include things like snacks you may | | | | as you prepare your trip budget. |