Do extra stops raise the cost?

[GaylaLittle]

I talked with a travel agent about taking a cruise to the western Carribean in October. The trip he recommends includes an extra stop for a day on the beach which we are not interested in. How much extra cost is there for port charges, etc if the trip includes a place we are not interested in going? Should we keep looking to find exactly what we want?:confused::confused: :confused:

[Hlitner]

There are normally some extra fees (bundled into the Port Charges part of a fare) associated with most ports. You would have to ask the cruise line for the specifics related to a single port (they may or may not give you that info).

 

Hank

[fishywood]

Should we keep looking to find exactly what we want?:confused::confused: :confused:

 

Isn't this always the best advice? If you feel this agent is pressuring you too strongly to pick their choice of an extra port call over your preference for an extra sea day, time to talk to a different TA.

 

But to answer your question, yes the Government Taxes and Fees will inevitably be higher on a cruise of the same length with more days in port than one with fewer. TAs are skilled at concealing the actual amount of the Taxes & Fees until you have committed to booking with them; if you are as hesitiant with doing so through this agent as you appear, once you find an itinerary more to your liking I suggest researching it through the cruise line website first before deciding on who to give the booking to.

[sail7seas]

Any person trying to sell me something who become s deaf to what I am saying and what I want, sells me Nothing.

 

I go elswhere.

[Extra Kim]

Well it give you an extra vaccation day with included food. On almost every cruise we have done we have had ports of call that we don't vare that much about. But on the other hand the other ports make up for it and we wouldn't be able to cruise to them on other cruises.

[paul929207]

There are port charges associated with most if not all ports. These are passed on to the passengers.

[cb at sea]

Most folks LOVE the private beach day. If you don't, just stay on the ship...it will be virtually empty for most of the day!

[Aquahound]

The port charges for that 1 stop might be $10. Is it really worth it to change cruises over such an insignificant amount?

 

On the other hand, if it actually is the itinerary worrying you and not the port charge, yes, it's worth it to look at other options.

[Underwatr]

If it's a private island the port fees will probably be lower than for a public port - especially if the ship tenders in (such as at Half Moon Cay).

[navybankerteacher]

As a practical matter, more stops may very well translate to lower cost. While the line might have to pay port fees (which of course would be built into your fare) they would also use less fuel. Of course, while in port, their liquor sales might be less, as would their casino profits—it would take a lot of figuring about the impact on fares more or fewer port stops would have.

[zqvol]

I talked with a travel agent about taking a cruise to the western Carribean in October. The trip he recommends includes an extra stop for a day on the beach which we are not interested in. How much extra cost is there for port charges, etc if the trip includes a place we are not interested in going? Should we keep looking to find exactly what we want?:confused::confused: :confused:

 

What no one has asaked is what line? The luxury lines often have stops like this and there is almost no extra charge. The mass market lines are different.

[Hlitner]

What no one has asaked is what line? The luxury lines often have stops like this and there is almost no extra charge. The mass market lines are different.

 

The "private island" stops are the least expensive....in terms of taxes and port charges. But what to us, is not a big deal (cost wise) might mean a lot to the OP. Personally, when we don't have an interest in getting off at a port we have a very enjoyable "sea day" and enjoy the near empty ship. Two years ago, while on a 14 day Celebrity cruise that stopped at 9 Caribbean ports, we stayed onboard for the first 8 ports :). Only got off at the last port (St Maarten) so I could buy some Cognac. It was a wonderful cruise :).

 

Hank

[Nic6318]

I talked with a travel agent about taking a cruise to the western Carribean in October. The trip he recommends includes an extra stop for a day on the beach which we are not interested in. How much extra cost is there for port charges, etc if the trip includes a place we are not interested in going? Should we keep looking to find exactly what we want?:confused::confused: :confused:

 

 

Hi

 

You don't say what it is that you are looking for.

 

You might find that "exactly what you want" doesn't exist.

[Underwatr]

Presumably the OP is looking for an itinerary without ports (such as private island/beach ports) that he/she has no desire to visit.

[paul929207]

Whether the extra port adds to your cost will depend on you to a large extent. How much will you spend on the private island vs. what you will spend on the ship on a sea day

[thinfool]

I talked with a travel agent about taking a cruise to the western Carribean in October. The trip he recommends includes an extra stop for a day on the beach which we are not interested in. How much extra cost is there for port charges, etc if the trip includes a place we are not interested in going? Should we keep looking to find exactly what we want?:confused::confused: :confused:

 

Finding "exactly" what you want may prove elusive if not non-existent.

 

Port charges are neglible in the Caribbean. In my experience, no itinerary has ever had just the ports I found interesting.

 

Still, you should keep looking. You never know!

[marco]

There's probably no cruise that anyone has taken that there's not at least one port they were not interested in visiting and there's probably no cruise that goes ONLY to ports that one absolutely positively wants to stop at. For what you're paying for a cruise, the few bucks you're paying in port taxes for one port you don't particularly care for is minimal. There's a few ports we now have no desire to get off of the ship at anymore, but consider the port tax a good investment to enjoy the ship when most everyone else is not on it.

[LA_CA_GAL]

..... The trip he recommends includes an extra stop for a day on the beach which we are not interested in. How much extra cost is there for port charges :confused:.......:confused: :confused:

 

I would be more concerned with the size of the pepper shakers and napkins in the MDR.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: