Newbie Question regarding SEs and charges

[lilipad2]

Hey all,

 

I have a question for you. We'll be sailing on the HAL Rotterdam later this summer. I'm a newbie at this, so please forgive me. My question is, if I sign up for a shore excursion am I charged a tax or fee or anything to get off the boat in addition? If I just want to walk around the city, do I have to pay to get off? If so, do you know about how much? I'm just trying to budget in my head here. Thanks so much!

 

L

[timetravler]

No, if you book a shore excursion, the price listed is what you will be charged for, but often after you complete the excursion, you may want to tip the person who does the shore excursion. The main thing you will be charged extra for on the cruise besides the shore excursions is alcohol, fancy coffee drinks, soda, spa treatments and tips which are automatically charged to your account daily. You are not charged to walk off the boat. I often go on my own when in port as many other people do too.

[MercedMike]

There are actually some "taxes and fees" included in your trip price, but nothing extra is charged once aboard to just walk off (or tender off) at any port. All the Alaska ports have extensive shopping areas, and some interesting attractions, available by just walking off.

 

HOWEVER -- there are soooooooo many things to do in Alaska! For newbies I sincerely recommend you budget for lots of shore excursions, including at least one of the ones marked $$$$! This way you will be assured of seeing some of the major attractions in a very organized and expedited way. Then before or after your excursion you can take time to explore on your own. Check out our trip report and pictures at http://www.bully4.us/alaskaexcursions.html for some of the many possible excursions.

 

timetraveler gave a good list of other extra things you will have charged to your ship account -- but she left out the casino!! Watch that one if it is a temptation to you. We just got back from HAL and tips of $11 per day per person were charged to our account so that can mount up.

[fleckle]

Hey all,

 

I have a question for you. We'll be sailing on the HAL Rotterdam later this summer. I'm a newbie at this, so please forgive me. My question is, if I sign up for a shore excursion am I charged a tax or fee or anything to get off the boat in addition? If I just want to walk around the city, do I have to pay to get off? If so, do you know about how much? I'm just trying to budget in my head here. Thanks so much!L

It appears to me that you are concerned about the port charges. They are already included in the prepaid cost of your cruise. The port charges are paid by the cruise line for every passenger. There is no additional charge to you for getting off the ship as you have already prepaid the port taxes, regardless of whether or not you choose to get off the ship at any port.

[lilipad2]

Thanks so much for clearing this all up for me. I really appreciate it!

[MercedMike]

It appears to me that you are concerned about the port charges. They are already included in the prepaid cost of your cruise. The port charges are paid by the cruise line for every passenger. There is no additional charge to you for getting off the ship as you have already prepaid the port taxes, regardless of whether or not you choose to get off the ship at any port.

 

This is absolutely true.

 

However, note that on our just completed HAL Oosterdam cruise, we were billed $7.30 per person on our shipboard account for increases in port charges since we made our final payment. The lines reserve the right to do this.

[jeffbrig]

The other potential gotcha is a fuel surcharge that the cruise line reserves the right to charge. Essentially, when you book they say if the price of oil is above $xx/barrel at the time of sailing, you have to pay extra.

[Glaciers]

Hey all,

If I just want to walk around the city, do I have to pay to get off? If so, do you know about how much? I'm just trying to budget in my head here. Thanks so much!

 

L

 

The price you pay for disembarking the ship is being forced to have your photo taken with somebody in a whale or porpoise costume at the bottom of the ramp.