so confusing....help?

I am so confused by cruise pricing. If a cruise is advertised at say, 700pp, why does the final tally say something like 950 pp then add taxes and port fees? what is that? I would think it should be the 700,then add the fees for the total...what am I missing? every cruise I'm looking at is the same-

Also so confused by things like a room upgrade...how do they upgrade a room I'm choosing right there on the site?

Buying a cruise is like buying a plane ticket...there is no rhyme or reason to it. No 2 people will pay the same thing.....

It would be easier to answer your question with specific examples to specific cruises, but what I can guess is that you're looking at a cruise, see it advertised as, "From $700 pp", and then you try to book it and either due to some selections you've made or due to lack of availability, the fare shows higher than that.

Room upgrades are another matter. The cruise line reserves the right (and generally will ask you, though they may not be obligated to do so) to upgrade you to a higher category cabin, without changing the price you pay, at their discretion. They may do this for a number of reasons. Perhaps they overbooked the category you're in and underbooked the category above it. This does mean that you could lose your carefully chosen cabin, though again I suspect the cruise line will ask you before they do this (and some even allow you to specify that you don't want to be upgraded).

It would be easier to answer your question with specific examples to specific cruises, but what I can guess is that you're looking at a cruise, see it advertised as, "From $700 pp", and then you try to book it and either due to some selections you've made or due to lack of availability, the fare shows higher than that.

 

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well for example I'm looking at a fare of $700 per person...etc. Input all info, it gives an overall cost based on that fare, but the breakdown shows its much more tha advertised.... when I'm clicking on the advertised fare...they can still show that even tho it's sold out at that price? I get price changes,airfare,etc but when I'm booking air, it shows my exact dates and prices I need to pay,this is just different

I have found that most "advertised" fares do NOT include port fees & taxes. Depending on the destinations this charge can vary and is usually listed in small print at the bottom of the ad

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What specific cruise are you looking at?

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I would bet the actual wording says "FROM" $700/person. That price is for the cheapest cabin on the bottom deck.

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when I'm clicking on the advertised fare...they can still show that even tho it's sold out at that price?

I get price changes,airfare,etc but when I'm booking air, it shows my exact dates and prices I need to pay,this is just different

Advertised rates are posted as "from" xxx.xx. That is for the bottom of the line cabin. When you go onto the site and select anything other than the lowest class and category of cabin, it increases the fare. It is also possible that they are sold out of the lowest price cabins, which would require you to select a higher priced cabin.

Cabins are in categories (inside, oceanview, balcony, etc) and sub-categories (sub-sections within the category). Upgrades are provided, but are usually within the same category of cabin. for example, a cabin on deck 7 could cost more than the equivalent cabin on deck 3.

I would bet the actual wording says "FROM" $700/person. That price is for the cheapest cabin on the bottom deck.

 

 

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Yes , beware of the word "from" . And the tax's are always additional .

If it is an "advertised " price , you have to contact the TA to get their

additional discount/OBC/amenity .

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I am so confused by cruise pricing. If a cruise is advertised at say, 700pp, why does the final tally say something like 950 pp then add taxes and port fees? what is that? I would think it should be the 700,then add the fees for the total...what am I missing? every cruise I'm looking at is the same-

Also so confused by things like a room upgrade...how do they upgrade a room I'm choosing right there on the site?

What I would recommend to you is to find a cruise specialist. That's a travel agent who is knowledgeable about cruises. Go into the agency with an idea of which cruises (dates, itineraries, cruise lines, budget) you want to look at. The TA will be able to help you narrow down what's available and even advise you of which ships and cruise lines might be a good fit for you. He/she can even book the cruise without charging you for the service. Just make sure that this agency doesn't charge for changing or cancelling your booking (some do but it's considered ethical not to). You'll get a good accounting of what costs are involved (the fare, the port fees, the government taxes).

this is a good idea for any one new to cruising. A good cruise specialist will want to please you so that he'll get future business from you and any friends you might send his way. Some people will become happy with a TA and keep using them. Others may become familiar with the ins and outs of booking and go on their own with online companies or booking through a cruise line. But for you, an online company is not a good choice for your first cruise (especially if you have questions or need help).

You can also have the TA book your flights, but whether you go through the TA or do it yourself, make sure to book your travel to your embarkation port at least a day early and stay the night not too far from the port.

I am so confused by cruise pricing. If a cruise is advertised at say, 700pp, why does the final tally say something like 950 pp then add taxes and port fees? what is that? I would think it should be the 700,then add the fees for the total...what am I missing? every cruise I'm looking at is the same-

Also so confused by things like a room upgrade...how do they upgrade a room I'm choosing right there on the site?

Pricing structure can also vary by where in the world you book, which line you book with etc.

Not sure what your confusion is about upgrades.

I don't know if this is what you are doing but...if you look at a cruise itinerary and it says, "from $799 pp" then you select the date you want to cruise, it might be that the $799 applies to a different date than the one you are choosing. Happens to us all the time. We will see a great price, but when we select the date we can go, the price is a lot more. If you go and look the place where it shows ALL dates for a particular itinerary, you'll see the price for the same cruise can run SEVERAL hundred dollars higher for some dates than others. Our date always ends up being one of the weeks it runs higher (peak week).:eek:

Yes , beware of the word "from" . And the tax's are always additional .

If it is an "advertised " price , you have to contact the TA to get their

additional discount/OBC/amenity .

 

 

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Some lines' website prices do include all taxes/port fees in the posted cabin price.

I am so confused by cruise pricing. If a cruise is advertised at say, 700pp, why does the final tally say something like 950 pp then add taxes and port fees? what is that? I would think it should be the 700,then add the fees for the total...what am I missing? every cruise I'm looking at is the same-

Also so confused by things like a room upgrade...how do they upgrade a room I'm choosing right there on the site?

This means, the cheapest cabins $700 are gone already, and only $950 are left.

If you mark "no upgrade" you will stay in your cabin. If you say yes to upgrade, they have the right to move you to any cabin in the same class or higher, even if it's in a bad location.

oooohhhhh...... so the cabin I see adv. at $700, which appears on the 'choose your cabin' screen at $700,is actually not availabke,so when I click on it, the total reflects $900 plus taxes/fees pp....? that seems much more complicated than airfare...when I input a date,and choose a flight I can see right upfront,either a seat at my desired price is available,or not. hmmm thanks for the explanation!

It is best to talk to a travel agent and find one you like. We are not allowed to recommend them on CC. We always use one, not the Cruise lines TA either.

well for example I'm looking at a fare of $700 per person...etc. Input all info, it gives an overall cost based on that fare, but the breakdown shows its much more tha advertised.... when I'm clicking on the advertised fare...they can still show that even tho it's sold out at that price? I get price changes,airfare,etc but when I'm booking air, it shows my exact dates and prices I need to pay,this is just different

Travel agents are permitted to back out what are misleading called "port charges" from the initial advertised price. What they are actually doing is subtracting the non-commissionable portion of the cruise fare and then adding in back in by falsely claiming that those funds fall under the category of "taxes and additional port expenses". It is illegal for the cruise lines to do this when you book direct with them, but TAs--especially online ones that don't have to look you in the eye when pulling this fast one--can still get away with it.

You should always compare bottom line to bottom line when deciding where to book. Unfortunately it is harder to do so with cruises than with airlines as those consolidators/resellers are obliged to quote the final price from the beginning.

One more charge you are probably not aware of, depending on what cruse line you are booking with, you will most likely be asked to prepay tips (per person in your stateroom), or they will be added for your folio at the end of your cruise, so watch out for that as well.

well for example I'm looking at a fare of $700 per person...etc. Input all info, it gives an overall cost based on that fare, but the breakdown shows its much more tha advertised.... when I'm clicking on the advertised fare...they can still show that even tho it's sold out at that price? I get price changes,airfare,etc but when I'm booking air, it shows my exact dates and prices I need to pay,this is just different

The advertised cruise fare does not include government fees or taxes. That is why a $700 fare totals out significantly higher. The fees and tax have been added on. Those include what we often refer to as port fees, the costs that ports charge the ship that are carried on to the passenger.

The advertised cruise fare does not include government fees or taxes. That is why a $700 fare totals out significantly higher. The fees and tax have been added on. Those include what we often refer to as port fees, the costs that ports charge the ship that are carried on to the passenger.

Several have mentioned taxes and port fees. Which usually get listed on your invoice, so not too big a surprise. But another hidden one to look for is insurance. At least some lines will assume that you of course want travel insurance (which may or may not be a good idea but that is a whole other discussion.) The cost of the trip insurance is then added into your total unless you explicitly opt out.

Another thing on cabin categories and upgrades... As mentioned, on a given line, a given balcony or oceanview category likely has subcategories. Lets say OV3 is the least expensive, OV2 is higher, OV1 is highest. If the OV price is "from" $799 but all OV3 cabins are booked, then you'll see a price for OV2. Or even OV1. Typically these will all be identical in size and layout, but the OV3 may be further from the elevators, the OV2 may be a bit too close to bow or stern, and OV1 may be in a more stable part of the ship, less susceptible to movement induced by the waves. In general, unless there is some higher-category cabin feature you must have, go for the lowest price in a category. You won't spend that much time in the cabin anyway, and you'll be on a cruise surrounded by beautiful people having a grand time visiting wonderful new places. Don't let details like minor differences among cabins get you down.

Advertised rates are posted as "from" xxx.xx. That is for the bottom of the line cabin. When you go onto the site and select anything other than the lowest class and category of cabin, it increases the fare. It is also possible that they are sold out of the lowest price cabins, which would require you to select a higher priced cabin.

 

Cabins are in categories (inside, oceanview, balcony, etc) and sub-categories (sub-sections within the category). Upgrades are provided, but are usually within the same category of cabin. for example, a cabin on deck 7 could cost more than the equivalent cabin on deck 3.

And to add to the confusion, cabins are priced by where they are located on the deck you are looking at. A balcony on deck six cost different depending on if it is forward, midships, or aft. And a balcony cabin on one deck might be more if it is on a higher deck. I see a correlation: middle of the ship + higher deck equals higher price.

I just wanted to add (which is not helpful to the OP at all, but....) that you are all so kind to respond and explain in a polite, helpful, informative manner. Too many of the posts on CC are hateful, condescending and just plain mean. Nice to see the GREAT part of CC [emoji16]

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well for example I'm looking at a fare of $700 per person...etc. Input all info, it gives an overall cost based on that fare, but the breakdown shows its much more tha advertised.... when I'm clicking on the advertised fare...they can still show that even tho it's sold out at that price? I get price changes,airfare,etc but when I'm booking air, it shows my exact dates and prices I need to pay,this is just different

Their ads can still show the lowest fare for the cheapest cabin oven if it might not be available at the instant you cal, because there is always the chance that whoever booked it might decide to buy an upgrade and thereby release that cheapest cabin back to inventory.

Are you really surprised to learn that the wording in an ad might be just a little bit misleading - in an effort to attract possible customers?

Are you really surprised to learn that the wording in an ad might be just a little bit misleading - in an effort to attract possible customers?

not surprised,no....more just tryng to figure out the pricing scheme for crusies. I' really familiar with airfare or hotels,and price changes,etc. But I thought maybe I was missing something about how cruises are actually priced- what ya'll said makes perfect sense,now that I know! thanks for all the advice.... this forum is great! I can't believe we're on our way to our very first cruise!