Cruise Pricing
Cruise pricing can depend on many factors, including:
- Cruise line
- Ship
- Sailing
- Cabin category
- Cabin location
- Occupancy
- Passenger ages
- Destination
- Season
- Promotion
- Taxes and fees
- Included services
Prices can change as cabin inventory changes.
Classic Fares Cruise Pricing
Classic Fares determines its customer-facing retail price for travel services offered through Classic Fares.
Pricing can reflect:
- Available supplier inventory
- Supplier pricing
- Contracted travel sources
- Cabin availability
- Sailing date
- Occupancy
- Commercial considerations
- Applicable taxes and mandatory charges
Accordingly, pricing through Classic Fares can differ from pricing available directly through a cruise line, another travel agency, another OTA or another distribution channel.
What Is Included in a Cruise Fare?
Inclusions vary by cruise operator and fare.
Depending on the selected cruise, the price can include certain:
- Cabin accommodation
- Meals at designated dining venues
- Entertainment
- Activities
- Ship facilities
- Transportation between scheduled cruise ports
Never assume that every onboard product or service is included.
Review the actual cruise terms.
What May Cost Extra on a Cruise?
Depending on the cruise line and fare, additional charges can apply to services such as:
- Specialty restaurants
- Alcoholic beverages
- Certain non-alcoholic beverages
- Internet/Wi-Fi
- Shore excursions
- Spa services
- Casino activity
- Photographs
- Laundry
- Premium entertainment
- Certain activities
- Transfers
- Parking
- Optional packages
- Gratuities
- Other onboard purchases
Actual inclusions and charges depend on the selected cruise.
Cruise Taxes, Port Charges & Fees
Cruise pricing can involve government taxes, port-related charges and other mandatory components.
The applicable customer-facing price and material mandatory charges should be presented before authorization.
Optional services can be priced separately.
Cruise Gratuities
Gratuity practices vary by cruise operator.
Depending on the cruise, gratuities can be:
- Included
- Prepaid
- Added to the onboard account
- Handled under another cruise-line arrangement
Review the selected cruise's gratuity policy before travel.
Cruise Deposits
Many cruise reservations require an initial deposit.
The amount can depend on:
- Cruise operator
- Sailing
- Cabin
- Fare
- Promotion
- Reservation date
A deposit may be refundable, partially refundable or non-refundable depending on the applicable booking conditions.
Do not assume every cruise deposit is refundable.
Cruise Final Payment
Many cruise bookings require the remaining balance to be paid by a specified deadline.
Failure to make required payment by the applicable deadline can affect the reservation and can potentially result in cancellation under the cruise operator's terms.
Review all payment deadlines carefully.
Cruise Cancellation Policy
Cruise cancellation conditions can become progressively more restrictive as the sailing date approaches.
Depending on the booking, cancellation can result in:
- Refund
- Partial refund
- Future cruise credit
- Cancellation penalty
- Loss of deposit
- Loss of some or all amounts paid
The actual cruise operator, supplier and booking conditions govern.
Cruise Changes
Changes to a cruise reservation can involve:
- Sailing date
- Ship
- Cabin
- Passenger
- Cabin category
- Dining
- Other booking details
Whether a change is permitted depends on:
- Cruise operator
- Fare
- Booking conditions
- Availability
- Timing
A price difference or other charge can apply.
Cruise Refund Assistance
Refund eligibility depends on the applicable booking terms and circumstances.
Classic Fares can assist with eligible requests associated with reservations made through its service.
Classic Fares cannot guarantee that a cruise operator or supplier will approve a refund outside the applicable terms.
Cruise Schedule & Itinerary Changes
Cruise itineraries can change.
A cruise operator may change:
- Port
- Port order
- Arrival time
- Departure time
- Route
- Sailing schedule
Changes can occur for reasons including:
- Weather
- Safety
- Port restrictions
- Operational requirements
- Government requirements
- Other circumstances
The cruise operator controls vessel navigation and operational decisions.
Missed Cruise Departure
Missing cruise embarkation can create significant complications.
Travelers should arrive at the departure port with sufficient time to satisfy:
- Check-in
- Documentation
- Security
- Baggage procedures
- Boarding deadlines
Do not treat a cruise departure time as the time you should arrive at the port.
Flying to Your Cruise?
If air travel is required before embarkation, allow sufficient time between your flight arrival and cruise departure.
A delayed flight can potentially cause a traveler to miss embarkation.
For some itineraries, travelers may prefer arriving in the cruise departure city before the day of sailing.
The appropriate timing depends on the trip.
Cruise + Flight Planning
Classic Fares can also assist with eligible flight reservations associated with cruise travel.
Examples include:
- Flight to embarkation city
- Return flight from disembarkation city
- Open-jaw flights
- International flights
- Multi-city travel
- Pre-cruise travel
- Post-cruise travel
Cruise-Related Flight Assistance
Classic Fares — Independent Travel Platform | Flight Reservation Assistance: 1-877-658-0203
Pre-Cruise Hotel Planning
Travelers arriving before embarkation may choose to stay near:
- Cruise port
- Airport
- City center
- Transportation hub
Hotel arrangements should be coordinated carefully with cruise embarkation requirements.
Shore Excursions
Cruise destinations can offer shore excursions involving:
- Sightseeing
- Beaches
- Cultural attractions
- Adventure activities
- Food experiences
- Wildlife
- Historic sites
- Transportation
Excursion terms, availability, physical requirements and cancellation policies vary.
Travelers should understand whether an excursion is provided by the cruise operator or another independent provider.
Cruise Dining
Dining options vary by ship.
Depending on the cruise, travelers can have access to:
- Main dining rooms
- Buffet
- Casual dining
- Specialty restaurants
- Cafés
- Room service
- Premium dining experiences
Some venues may be included while others require additional payment.
Beverage Packages
Some cruise operators offer optional beverage packages.
Packages can differ in:
- Included beverages
- Daily limits
- Age restrictions
- Cabin requirements
- Pricing
- Gratuities
- Purchase conditions
Review the actual terms before purchasing.
Cruise Wi-Fi & Internet
Internet access is not automatically included with every cruise fare.
Depending on the ship, travelers may be able to purchase:
- Basic messaging access
- Browsing package
- Streaming-capable package
- Multi-device package
Speed and availability can differ from land-based internet service.
Cruise Entertainment
Depending on the ship, entertainment can include:
- Theater shows
- Live music
- Comedy
- Movies
- Nightlife
- Children's entertainment
- Games
- Sports
- Other onboard activities
Entertainment varies significantly by cruise operator and ship.
Cruises with Children
Families should review:
- Minimum passenger age
- Children's clubs
- Pool rules
- Cabin occupancy
- Childcare
- Dining
- Shore excursions
- Documentation
- Passport requirements
Age restrictions can apply to particular facilities or activities.
Traveling with an Infant on a Cruise
Cruise operators can impose minimum-age requirements for infants.
Different requirements can apply to:
- Standard cruises
- Longer cruises
- Ocean crossings
- Itineraries with multiple consecutive sea days
Confirm eligibility before purchasing flights or other non-refundable travel arrangements.
Pregnancy & Cruising
Cruise operators can impose pregnancy-related travel restrictions.
Travelers who are pregnant should review:
- Cruise-line requirements
- Gestational limits
- Documentation requirements
- Medical guidance
Classic Fares does not provide medical advice.
Accessibility on Cruise Ships
Travelers requiring accessibility accommodations should discuss their needs before reserving.
Depending on the ship, eligible accommodations can include:
- Accessible cabins
- Wheelchair-accessible routes
- Accessible bathrooms
- Mobility-related facilities
- Other assistance
Availability can be limited.
Accessibility can also vary significantly at individual ports and on shore excursions.
Mobility Devices on Cruises
Travelers using:
- Wheelchairs
- Scooters
- Walkers
- Other mobility devices
should verify applicable cruise-operator requirements before sailing.
Some ships or ports can have operational limitations affecting certain devices or shore access.
Medical Facilities at Sea
Cruise ships may provide onboard medical facilities, but these are not equivalent to a full land-based hospital.
Medical services can involve additional charges.
Travelers with significant health considerations should seek appropriate professional medical advice before travel.
Classic Fares does not provide medical advice.
Travel Insurance for Cruises
Travel insurance can be worth considering because cruise trips can involve multiple prepaid components.
Depending on the policy, coverage may address certain:
- Trip cancellation
- Trip interruption
- Medical situations
- Travel delays
- Baggage
- Other covered events
Insurance coverage, exclusions and eligibility vary by policy.
Review the policy terms carefully.
Passport Requirements for Cruises
Passport requirements depend on:
- Nationality
- Departure country
- Cruise itinerary
- Ports of call
- Type of cruise
- Applicable government requirements
Do not assume a passport is unnecessary merely because a cruise departs and returns to the same country.
Visa Requirements for Cruises
A traveler can require a visa for one or more cruise destinations.
Requirements can depend on:
- Nationality
- Passport
- Country visited
- Length of stay
- Whether the traveler disembarks
- Cruise itinerary
Government authorities determine visa requirements.
Classic Fares does not issue visas.
Cruise Travel Documents
Before sailing, travelers should verify all required documentation.
Depending on the itinerary, this can include:
- Passport
- Visa
- Government identification
- Cruise confirmation
- Boarding documents
- Health-related documentation where lawfully required
- Other destination-specific documents
Travelers remain responsible for satisfying applicable requirements.
Cruise Check-In
Cruise operators can require passengers to complete online or other pre-departure check-in.
This can involve:
- Passenger information
- Passport details
- Emergency contact
- Arrival information
- Payment method for onboard account
- Boarding time
- Travel documents
Complete required check-in within the applicable deadline.
Embarkation Day
On embarkation day:
- Arrive according to assigned or permitted check-in timing.
- Carry required identification and travel documents.
- Follow baggage instructions.
- Keep essential medication and important documents accessible.
- Observe boarding deadlines.
The cruise operator controls embarkation procedures.
Disembarkation
At the end of a cruise, passengers can be required to follow:
- Baggage procedures
- Customs
- Immigration
- Assigned departure timing
Allow sufficient time before booking onward transportation.
One-Way Cruises
Some cruises begin and end in different cities.
These can require more complex travel planning.
Consider:
- Flight into embarkation city
- Flight home from disembarkation city
- Passport
- Visa
- Ground transportation
- Hotel
Classic Fares can assist with eligible related flight arrangements.