Dock fees for cruises?

Question

my dad said that their are dock fees you have to pay and that it's not included in your cruise package he said his friends claim it's a hidden fee is this true or did this use to be the case thanks for any info

Answer 1

You are talking about port taxes and they apply to every person on every cruise.  It is not a "hidden" cost.

Cruise lines quote their prices for the cruise only, per person.  When they add the total, they put in the port taxes to cover the costs of the ship you are sailing on.

Anytime you are shopping with an agent, online or on a cruise website, just ask them what the port taxes are for the cruise you are interested in.  There is nothing sneaky in these fees.

Answer 2

The easy answer to this is, ask if the docks fees are included in the quoted price.  Typically they are.  I have taken seven cruises and I have not had any dock fees show up beyond what was included in the original price of the cruise.

Answer 3

I just took a Royal Carribean cruise and there were no hidden "dock fees".  They do expect you to tip your cabin attendant and wait-staff, about $10 total, per day per person.

We went to the Bahamas, it could possibly different on different cruise lines or different destinations. Just call them and find out.

Answer 4

yes you have to pay "port charges" and "taxes"

that is usually not advertised by the cruise lines. You have to ask how much that is .

Answer 5

Years ago cruise lines use to advertise their fares with the "port charges" for each port stop and the taxes separate.  But now most cruise lines just give you a fare for the entire cruise and some include the total of port charges and taxes in what they advertise and other just give you the whole fare and do not break down the port charge part.

You do still have to look carefully at an advertised cruise fare to see if it includes all taxes and charges but you will no longer find it broken down by port

Answer 6

I can't give a better answer the Julie T gave above other then to add that using your Cell Phone at sea will also run you $2.95-$5.00 per minute.

Answer 7

The teaser rates you see on the web usually don't include the port fees and taxes. They can run about $75-150 per person.  Be sure that your travel agent includes these fees when quoting you the cruise price.

Other fees that are not included in the cruise package.

Tips....$10 per day per person

Sodas - $1.75 per can or $35-45 for unlimited soda by the glass.

Bar drinks - $4-12 each plus 15% gratutity

Photos...$20-22 each

Bingo cards - $5-10 each

Spa services - $50-200 each

Shore excursions - $50-200 each

Casino - ????

Taxis while in port.  $5-10

Using on-board ship to call home...$7.00 per minute

Video game arcade...$1 per game