IMPORTANT: This is information you should read before making any decision regarding a purchase of travel services.
Cruise lines require that guests under the age of 21 years must stay in the same stateroom and be accompanied by a parent,
relative, or guardian 25 years or older. Some cruise lines age restrictions may vary.
Passengers are responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents including passports, visas or other kinds of
documentation required. These must be presented at the pier at check-in prior to sailing.
Failure to do so will result in denied boarding and no refund.
BASIC CRUISE COSTS
The "base" cost of your cruise will include your accommodations as chosen for the length of the cruise, onboard entertainment, some but not all activities, main dining room meals, but not in upscale restuarants onboard, and use of most but not all the facilities aboard the ship.
PORT TAXES AND FEES ( also known as a non-commissionable amount or similar language )
These are the taxes and fees charged by the various government and port authorities at the ports where your ship calls, the cruise line passes these fees along to the passengers. These typically cover the cost of docking and use of the port facilities; "parking fees" for your ship if you will. And certain government authorities impose a "head tax" on cruise passengers, which is used to maintain and improve the ports infrastructure. Some of this amount may include additional profit for the cruise line.
ADDING IN THE AIR COSTS
Airfares are an option that you may or may not choose to book and pay for from the cruise line. This is the cost of your airfare from your home city to the port where you will join the ship and your return airfare home. In some cases, when using the cruise lines' Air/Sea program, this will also include baggage handling and transportation from the airport to the ship on the day you embark and transportation back to the airport on the day you disembark your cruise.
CANCELLATION INSURANCE
An optional cost of your cruise. For example, your medical insurance probably will not cover you on the cruise ship because the ship is registered in a foreign country or some other port of convenience. But cancellation insurance may cover most penalties incurred for canceling due to illness or death before the cruise. But, please note that all cruise insurance policies are different, and you must read them to assure you are covered for every contingency. For more information go here.
WHAT ABOUT PRICES SHOWN IN A CRUISE AD, OR AT A WEB SITE ONLINE, OR IN THE PAPER
"LEAD-IN" PRICING
You may be looking for a stateroom with a verandah but the price in the ad or web site is most likely for the lowest category of inside cabin. This is what is called "lead-in" pricing. It's intended to show you where prices begin, not end. The price may also be for the first sailing of the season, such as for Alaska in the early part of May. The Alaska sailing season is May-Sept. Typically, but not always, the prices you see online and in the ads are for "minimum inside" or the lowest grade of accommodation unless it specifically states otherwise. The number of cabins available at these prices are usually extremely limited. The price may also only be available to residents of certain states or may be a senior citizen fare.
Note: all prices and accommodations are subject to availability at time of booking. So your actual price may vary from what you see advertised, as cruise lines change prices often based on the inventory available at the actual time of your reservation.
Oceanview, Balcony, Mini-Suites and Suites are higher priced. Where the cabin is located on the ship also determines price. Upper decks are priced higher than lower decks. Fore and aft are less expensive then mid-ship located cabins.
READING THE FINE PRINT
Read the fine print. Check to see if the price includes port charges and taxes as this can easily add significant extra cost to the cruise if they are not included. Some cruise lines include the taxes in the advertised prices, or else make it clear that they are not included and display the additional costs plainly. However, regulations for travel agencies are different, and many do not include additional costs in the pricing and bury them in the fine print. In all cases, unless specifically stated otherwise, the price will not include airfare but will be "cruise only".
ONBOARD SPENDING
You will find lots of extra costs once you board the ship. Cruise lines charge for drinks (soft and alcoholic), and then there are tips (about $75.00 per person for a one week cruise), shopping, gambling, shore excursions (touring in port), and meals while off the ship. And then even some other extras aboard ship such as upscale restuarants, photos, spa treatments, laundry or dry cleaning, use of the internet for sending and receiving e-mail, gourmet coffee and treats and more.
Most people will spend an average of $200-300 per person in spending money for a one week cruise, more so if you like to take expensive all day sightseeing tours, spa treatments and gambling.
Have a soft or alcoholic drink and most cruise lines automatically add a 15% gratuity to the cost.
ABOUT THE PRICES ON OUR WEB SITES
The Cruise Lines own online reservation systems, Online Agency (OLA), Google, Cruise Report. com and others are third-party cruise information, reservation and/or sightseeing resources provided as a convenience to our guests. Cruise Direct Online is not responsible for third-party content and does not control the prices, stateroom or space availability, reservations process, deposit and payment policies, customer service or the MERCHANTABILITY of product shown on these systems. Ships registry Norway, Liberia, Great Britain, Netherlands, Panama, Bahamas, Gibraltar, Italy, or France and other countries.
Prices shown are based on double occupancy for the lowest inside stateroom category.
Prices shown are samples only for reference purposes. Sample prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and do not include taxes, fuel surcharges, gratuities, or airfare unless otherwise noted. Prices and fees are subject to cruise line and vendor policies and subject to change at anytime without notice. Prices shown are for the lowest category of inside cabin unless otherwise specified. This is what is called "lead-in" pricing. It's intended to show you where prices begin, not end. The price may also be for the first sailing of the season, such as for Alaska in the early part of May. The Alaska sailing season as an example is May-Sept. It may be for the lowest priced sailing of the year, such as during hurricane season in the Caribbean. High season rates and any other dates may be substantially higher. The number of cabins available at these prices are usually extremely limited. The price may also only be available to residents of certain states or may be a senior citizen fare. Other inside, ocean view, balcony, mini-suite or suite accommodations are priced higher. All promotions/pricing and cabin space is subject to availability at the time of booking and the prices shown or quoted at this web site are for REFERENCE purposes only. These rates are for new, individual bookings only, subject to availability at time of booking. The actual price of your cruise may vary depending upon your departure date, choose of accommodations and available cabin inventory at the actual time of booking. Prices quoted and availability are NOT GUARANTEED until confirmed by the cruise line AND a deposit or full payment if required is made.
'From" means the rates are where prices begin, not end. In most cases they are for the lowest inside staterooms, when available. Other inside, ocean view, balcony, mini-suite and suite accommodations are priced higher. The price you pay depends upon the space available and the price set by the cruise line at the actual time of booking. Please keep in mind that rates and availability fluctuate daily for last-minute sailings and may not be available for desired dates of travel. So, the prices shown on this web page are only a representation of what you might pay, based on prior research, but not what you will actually pay. The phrase 'Up to 80% off" refers to the cruise line's published brochure price as compared to the current cruise line offer price. This will vary, depending upon how well a particular cruise departure is selling. For cruises that go to the same destination each week, seasonally or all year-round, their best rate, and therefore offering the best discount, may be for just one sailing. Usually offered during the off season and not peak season of travel. As these offers are capacity-controlled, the special last minute rate may be sold out by the time you decide you want to go. Capacity-controlled means, that there are a very limited number of cabins available at that rate and when they are gone, they are gone. So, we strongly suggest booking your desired sailings as early as possible to avoid any disappointment.
IMPORTANT: Offers shown are limited, time-sensitive and capacity controlled. Port charges (NCF), government fees and taxes, airfare, air taxes, ground transfers or other charges associated with the booking are at additional cost. All prices are in US Dollars unless otherwise stated. Prices listed are per person, cruise-only, and are based on double occupancy. Government fees and taxes are additional for all guests. Some specials link to "live" online pricing posted by the cruise line or shown by other vendors, such as Travelocity, Priceline, Expedia ( and others ) on our web sites for a particular ship and sailing date. As "live" price changes are made daily, the pricing you see today may differ from the prices shown on previous visits to our web sites. Cruise lines require that guests under the age of 21 years must stay in the same stateroom and be accompanied by a parent, relative, or guardian 25 years or older. Some cruise lines age restrictions may vary. Passengers are responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents including birth certificates, passports, visas or other kinds of documentation required to take a cruise.
Discounts if offered are limited to select cruises and may not include holiday sailings. Not every ship, not every sailing is discounted. Call us to find out about your cruise selection. We are not responsible for last minute changes of price or itinerary by cruise line, or any errors or omissions in the content of this web site. Some restrictions and cancellation penalties may apply.
Bonus amenities, prices, offers, and upgrades are based on select dates, ships, sailings, stateroom categories, and select fare codes. All prices, bonus offers, upgrades, and amenities are subject to availability, are capacity-controlled, and are subject to change without notice. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates, and other restrictions may apply.
Sample savings shown are based on cruise lines published brochure rates. Additional restrictions may apply. All prices and dates may not be available at time of booking. Offers may be withdrawn at any time and information is subject to change without notice. Select prices, upgrades, offers, and bonus amenities may not be combined with other offers, group rates, or group amenities. Offers are applicable on new bookings only. Cancelled and / or rebooked cruise vacations do not qualify.
Cruise travelers receiving special rates based on residency or age will be required to show a government-issued form of identification (passport, birth certificate, or driver's license) at the pier to validate state of residency or age prior to boarding the cruise ship. If a traveler does not provide proper identification they will either be denied boarding or will be charged the current standard price for that stateroom.
As prices are changed by the cruise lines and vendors so frequently, often daily, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions resulting in inventory, content, or pricing discrepancies. The details shown, including pricing, accommodations, and any pictures, are for informational purposes only.
Some pages have one or more page "sponsors" who provide editorial and/or pricing content to support their products. This is Paid or Affiliate Advertising. The links lead to sites where vendors, such as Travelocity, Priceline, Expedia ( and others ) offer cruise travel services that may be related to the content on the page. The advertising label "Ads by Google" is intended to distinguish some paid links from Google, from other content. Other outside services such as Travelocity, Priceline, Expedia ( and others ) have graphic buttons or a text only link to their web sites.
The third-party web sites you go to are not part of Travel Direct. Their prices, availability, booking, deposit or cancellation conditions, terms of use and privacy policy will differ. Be sure to check these web sites for information on how they collect and use your personal information gathered at their site. By proceeding to any third-party web sites you agree and understand that Cruise Direct Online/Travel Direct Corporation is not responsible for the site or sites you are about to access, your relationship with them, any travel arrangements you may make with them, or for their content. A purchase of a travel-related service from any third-party vendor is a business relationship strictly between you and them. Govern yourself accordingly.
Note: Rates do change at the discretion of the cruise line, sometimes daily, so please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with us or the cruise line before planning your cruise vacation.
If you already booked and placed a deposit for your cruise, a new policy could affect your plans to hold out for the posting of a lower rate and requesting a price change. As it has always been, cruise lines have the sole discretion to lower the price or not at the time you request a price-reduction. On occasion, more often than not, in the past, they have done so. Perhaps no more.
Royal Caribbean recently changed the price guarantee for its three brands, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara, giving guests just 48 hours to find a lower price after they book. Royal Caribbean will no longer offer price reductions up until 72 hours before departure.
Under the new rules, guests who find a lower price will receive 110% of the difference as onboard credit. (The lower rate must be publicly advertised by a Royal Caribbean brand cruise line.)
The new policy is similar to those of Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Lines, ( Carnival owns Princess, Holland America, Seabourn, Cunard and other brands ) which also give guests 48 hours to find a lower fare and offer 110% of the difference in onboard credit if they do find a lower price.
What does this mean for passengers? Cruise lines often adjust prices based on consumer demand and cabin availability. So, if you book a cruise month's in advance you will most likely see prices change as you get closer to the sailing date. However, with this policy, past 48hours after you book, you will not get a rate adjustment to the prevailing rate at the time the cruise line lowers the price. The price you paid is the price you paid. Period. The new lower price is for new bookings only, put in place to sell the unused space.
However, you do have some options. If you have not paid in full for the cruise and you have not entered into a penalty phase for cancellation, you could just cancel your cruise and rebook under the lower rate. The upside. you save money. The downside. you may not get to keep your cabin assignment and the choice of cabin category and availability may be limited. Some cruise line's rules may prohibited this tactic. If you are a past passenger and have cruised with the line a number of times, you could contact the cruise line and make an issue of the lower price. In the interest of good business, they may lower your rate. If your Travel Agent does a significant amount of business with the cruise line, they may have the necessary clout to affect the price-reduction for you. All of these options, come with a certain degree of risk and may or may not work for you.
You could also wait until the last minute, usually within 60 days of sailing to book your cruise at a reduced rate. Many of these last minute deals include shipboard credits or other incentives to book. Your choice of accommodations may be very limited. The cabins available may be inside, or next to the laundry, stairs, elevators ( lifts ) or below or above the disco. Or, a great balcony or mini-suite cabin becomes available in the last minute when someone cancelled their cruise.
With this new policy, you will likely find just like with airline seats, that the people next to you on the ship either paid more or less than you did for the exact same accommodations.
In the end its up to you. To get a good price, book early for the best choice of accommodations, perhaps take advantage of early-booking savings and other amenities, or wait to the last minute, get a better price and take you chances on getting just the accommodation you want.
ABOUT DEPOSITS, CANCELLATIONS: Every supplier (airline, cruise line, tour operator, etc.) has its own cancellation and refund policy. Most cruise lines will refund your deposit if you cancel prior to the day final payment is due. However some cruise lines, airlines, tour operators and other vendors, may assess a penalty If you cancel your vacation after you have made a deposit. You should contact the vendor for detailed information on cancellation and refund policies for their particular company before making any travel-related purchase. Cruise Direct Online highly recommends that you consider travel insurance with your cruise or tour vacation purchase. Travel insurance may further protect you in the event of cancellation due to covered medical reasons or other occurrences depending upon the policy plan.
Cruise Direct Online/Travel Direct Corporation is not responsible for unforeseen, last-minute cancellations or itinerary changes made by individual suppliers; technical, hardware, software, or telephone failures of any kind; lost or unavailable Internet connections; or failed, incomplete, garbled, or delayed computer transmissions that may limit a participant's ability to take part in any of the offers.
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