Planning for your cruise can be exciting and at first it may seem like a very cheap option for a vacation. In fact, taking a cruise can be cheaper than taking a self catering land vacation or getting a vacation rental but there are some things to be aware of when budgeting for your trip.
Ads for cruises are intended to get you hooked on taking a cruise so the lowest price is in bold, large print numbers. This price typically covers only the most basic accommodation which may or may not be available when you try to book it. The advertised price also usually does not include the price of taxes and port charges which can add up to a few hundred dollars extra.
The accommodations on a cruise vary greatly. If youve never stayed on a cruise ship youd be surprised to find that the accommodations are quite small, even for the more luxurious rooms. This means that basic rooms will be very small and you should only go with the cheapest option if you know what to expect. Many seasoned cruise vacationers spend most of their time out of the room and use it simply to sleep and shower. If its your first time or if its for a special occasion, e.g. honeymoon or anniversary, it is...