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Family Cruise Vacations Eight Hidden Costs
eware! Cruises are not with a two child maximum. Also,
“all-inclusive”! While there are only a limited amount
family cruise vacations can of babysitters, so it is
be the perfect family vacation, important that you make
most of the cruise lines have reservations for these sitters as
policies that, if you are not soon as possible.
aware of them, will shatter your
vacation budget. Programs for Kids Under 3
As a general rule, most all of Generally speaking, there are no
theses policies regard charges or formal kid’s activities for kids
prices for merchandise and under 3 years of age and they
services. You need to be generally are prohibited from
conscious of them to keep your entering the Kid's Program areas.
family cruise vacations budget Much of this has to do with
from blowing up. health rules and hygiene, but be
aware that you will have to pay
Here are eight that I bring to for sitters.
your attention:
Sodas
In-Cabin Child Care
Almost all of the cruise
You want to go out as a couple companies charge for sodas. Most
and leave your kids in the room? have an "unlimited sodas" card or
Nearly all of the cruise program available for purchase
companies do offer in-cabin for those under 18. The cost is
babysitting, but generally on a generally somewhere around $4.50
restricted basis and for a to $5.00 per day plus a 15
charge, usually in the percent tip. By itself, this
neighborhood around $8 per hour alone could blow family cruise
vacations budget if you do not 3-12 years old to participate in
know about it. their Afternoon Party from 12:00
P.M. - 2:00 P.M. on days in port.
Children’s Activities While the
Ship Is In Port Excursion Tours and Trips
Most of the family cruise For the parents and adults on
vacations companies make you pay board, it is important to know
for any children’s activities that excursion trips generally
services when they are in port. have large extra fees to pay if
And in many cases, the kids you want to participate.
prefer the activities on ship Understand also that most of
more than what is planned in the these tours or trips are very
ports of call. Yes, the cruise good and worth the price. But use
lines know you will get out your this rule for your family cruise
wallet to make your kids happy, vacations budget: If you get off
but it is an added expense that the ship, be prepared to pay. In
you need to budget for. some cases, there is a
possibility that you could save
Slumber Parties and Afternoon money if you plan your own tour
Socials through a travel agent or a third
party tour company while in a
Many of the cruise lines ask you port rather than the ones the
to pay for afternoon parties and cruise companies have arranged.
such. For instance, Celebrity
charges $6.00 per hour per child Port Fees and Additional Fees
for the evening Slumber Party
from 10:00 P.M. - 1:00 A.M. Also, when booking family cruise
daily. The same company charges vacations, make sure that the
the same rate for children ages total that you are quoted
includes all port fees and any
additional taxes or fees. Many of While these nine items are not
these could run as much as the terrible, good vacationers need
cost of the cruise itself. to be aware of these costs
associated with a cruise so that
Tips they can be managed.
Be prepared to add a 15% tip to The bottom line is this: If you
just about everything that you know about the costs ahead of
eat, drink, or do. Remember that time, you can budget for them
many employees of the cruise early. You want the memories of
lines work for tips, so reward your trip to last a lifetime, not
good service with god tips. And the bills paying for it.
budget for that, too.
About the Author:
Terry Timmons is a family man and an avid leisure traveler. Visit http://www.perfect-family-vacation.com/ for his tips on creating lifelong vacation memories for your family.
Read more articles by: Terry Timmons
Article Source: www.iSnare.com |
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