Single Parent Cruises - Beware of Hidden Costs
You may be enticed by ads for cheap cruises. But, the price that you pay for the cruise is only the beginning. Many other costs may be added to your single parent cruise bill.
Port fees, taxes, and other government fees will be added to your cruise bill. Transportation can also be costly. You may be responsible for getting to the departure port which could involve airfare or auto expenses. If you drive, you will have to pay to park your car at the cruise terminal.
On board, there are many gotchas. Shore excursions can be very costly. Unless you're doing something that you probably couldn't arrange for yourself such as submarine trips, you may be better off going on your on tour when you get to shore.
Other activities may also have additional charges. Although many times classes are included, special classes such as fitness classes may have extra fees. Some kid activities may not be part of your cruise package, including activities on the ship while the ship is in port.
Childcare may not be included at all for small children. Older kids may have supervised play areas, but these probably aren't open round-the-clock.
Beverages can be very costly. Alcoholic drinks are not included in the cruise price and are usually available at higher prices than on shore. Soda and other speciality drinks also cost extra. Restaurants and speciality eateries such as ice cream parlors may not be included, although food in the regular dining rooms is part of the package.
Gratuities can be a huge expense. Check with your cruise line for the expected people to tip and tipping percentages. You may be surprised at just how many people you are expected to tip!
Photos are not included in your cruise price. You will see ship photgraphers everywhere trying to capture your special moments. Just remember those moments could be $20 or more per picture.
The idea of getting your hair done or a massage may be appealing. This, of course, will cost you extra, maybe a lot more than you are used to paying on land.
Telephone and internet access charges can be exorbitant. Make sure you know the fees involved before you use these services. Some other extras that you may wish to budget for include laundry service, souveneirs, and gambling.
A cruise can be a relatively low-cost vacation. Make sure that you plan for the costs mentioned above, and stick to your budget. Then, you can have a cheap single parent cruise vacation.
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