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Posted: 7 years ago | 1381 Views

What is included in your basic cruise fare? Best check the fine print!

I wanted to highlight an article from the Advice section of this site, What is included in your cruise fare? (refer to http://cruiseline.com/advice/how-to-book/before-you-book/what-is-included-in-your-cruise-fare).

The article is a start but rather than relying on secondhand information, this is a great opportunity for everyone to go to your passenger contract and READ THE FINE PRINT!

Many times we see cruise reviews containing complaints about things that would have been non-starters had the person bothered to read their passenger contract. It is never a bad time to read your contract... in fact, it is always a good time, especially prior to signing on the dotted line.

Happy

13 Answers

Posted: 7 years ago

I’ve learned the hard way more than once to read that stuff they give you.

Went through two cruises with one line, about 6 week’s total, where we received free cover at their two specialty restaurants. I wondered why they kept bugging us that we hadn’t made reservations there yet. I thought they were giving us the old come on hard sell. It wasn’t until our third cruise that I found out it was free.

Posted: 7 years ago

Uh oh, I have been found out!

Save
Posted: 7 years ago

How many times do people accept a software app update without reading the particulars? Sure, it is not the exact same thing but it goes customer trust. People are often too trusting because they believe the commercials they see and which feature activities not included in the basic fare (but they don't know that).

It's rather similar to car commercials. The barely visible print at the bottom of the screen (under the displayed base price) gives the price of the car "as shown" or "comparably equipped". The base MSRP is much lower and is the bait that raises expectations (subconsciously). Sound familiar? People don't really know which features are included in the base cruise price versus which are optional.

RC's website is fairly clear about included versus excluded. (Hopefully this pastes correctly)

Q: What does the price of my cruise include? A: The price of your cruise vacation includes: Ship accommodations Ocean transportation Most meals onboard Some beverages onboard Most entertainment onboard
The following services are not included in the cruise price: Dining in Specialty Restaurants such as Portofino Dining in Johnny Rockets (Where applicable) Spa and Salon services Gambling (Including Bingo) Art Auction Any purchases made in the gift shops onboard Shore excursions Photographs Video Arcade Medical Services Internet Access Transfers (Unless guest has purchased our air/sea package) Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services Ship to Shore Telephone calls Gratuities Alcoholic Beverages Non-Alcoholic Beverages (excluding water, lemonade and iced tea)
All prices are per-person, based on a double occupancy of the stateroom and are quoted in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise noted. The cruise fares quoted also do not include any applicable government taxes, fees, or surcharges that may be assessed by any governmental agencies. Such assessment is subject to change without notice at any time whether or not you have a confirmed booking under deposit or if you have made a final payment.

If you have difficulty viewing this, the link to the specific page is: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqType=faq&faqSubjectId=322&faqSubjectName=Before+You+Purchase+&faqId=225.

Note there are many instances of "some" and "most".... rather than "all" or "none"

Caveat emptor.
Posted: 7 years ago

Having read many forum questions, I can unequivocally state, there are dumb questions, and they do get asked.
Posted: 7 years ago

Right you are. Had a teacher that always used to say, "The only dumb question is the one that wasn't asked"
Posted: 7 years ago

When the party of the first part (hereafter referred to as "BD Rebel" or BDR") attempts to read the legally binding document executed by the party of the second part (hereafter referred to as "Cruise Line" or "Line"), and the party of the first part then realizes that 1) he doesn't speak legalese and therefore has no clue what they are talking about, and 2) realizes that there are 50 more pages, he thereunto surrenders all rights to be informed as guaranteed by the document executed by the party of the second part.
Posted: 7 years ago

No !!!!!!!!SurprisedSurprisedSurprised
Posted: 7 years ago

I didn't read my mortgage, do you really think I read my cruise contract ? But, if you are going out for the first time, I'd say yeah, these days you should read it. There are a lot more restrictions and options these days.
Posted: 7 years ago

Really?
Posted: 7 years ago

No your joking!
Showing 1 - 10 of 13 Answers

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