We all have different views on how we want to spend our retirement time. A very popular option is taking a world cruise but it requires planning to get the most out of your trip. Firstly, you need to decide how much you would like to spend on a cruise. The Oceania offers 200 day cruises with fares starting at £38,819 per person. Alternatively, you can bag a short four night cruise for under £400 per person.
Cruise fares can sound very appealing but the advertised prices do not necessarily represent the total cost of the cruise. To make sure you budget the right amount, check out these top tips to help you get it right.
1. Cruise fare
The major differences in total costs are influenced by the cruise firm, the cabin you book and where you want to travel to. Unlike hotel prices, cruise fares are listed per person, not per cabin however, a single traveller will have to pay a single supplement which is often one and a half times the list price for one person. Also your choice of cabin will make a big difference to costs as an outside balcony cabin is often four times more expensive than an inside cabin.
2. Additional travel costs
When planning your trip, you will need to add in the cost of flights and also port taxes as if they’re not included you will have to pay for these on top and they can cost as much as £150. On top of these will be any transfer fees between the airport and ship. Lastly, government fees and taxes are rarely included in the list rate and can add another £500 per person to the total cost.
3. Food and drink
Your cruise fare always includes food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, not all restaurants onboard will be free. The main dining room and cruise ship buffet will always be included in your cruise fare, although some speciality items might cost more.
However, if you’re a drinker, beer, cocktails, and wine can quickly increase the cost of your cruise. You can expect to pay a minimum of £15 per person per day but you can buy shared alcohol packages from around £40 per person per day. Some cruise lines allow you to bring your own alcohol onboard but others may confiscate this so check before you travel.
4. Onboard entertainment
You will find many activities onboard including a spa, exercise classes and other sea day activities all of which will cost extra. However, when it comes to cruising, gambling in the ship’s casino is one of the most popular activities. In fact, in the late evening it can be the busiest spot on the cruise ship.
In many ways the casinos on a cruise are very similar to what you’ll find on land — just on a smaller scale.
If you are a bit short of money or the onboard casino is too busy, you can always place your bets at one of the best USA online casino sites.
Depending on your cruise company and location, you will also be able to place bets on your favourite sporting events. Or you can check out one of these sports betting websites.
5. Shore excursions
If you’re planning to explore or do some sightseeing on shore then signing up for the ship’s group tours can cost anything from £25 to £70. Active excursions tend to be the longest excursions to go on, because they are so full of activities. From zip-lining, to wine tasting and even sledging, active excursions guarantee fun on your holiday. Because they are so packed full of fun, they tend to be the most expensive excursions, costing around £100.
Think carefully about whether to book in advance or wait until you get onboard. It’s always best to book in advance for limited-availability excursions and must-do tours. You don’t want to arrive to find that the one excursion you really wanted to do is fully booked.
6. Tips
Unless your fare includes everything, tipping on a cruise ship is usually expected and will cost you around £10 per person per day. On some cruise ships, the tip is required rather than optional. Make sure you check the fine print.
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