It's possible but not necessary
Talking with a friend about an upcoming 6 day cruise to Bermuda. The list price was $798. There were some taxes added. He and his wife are going. He said he ended up paying between 3-4k. He hasn’t even gone yet! How is this possible
If anything, I thought that list price would go down with senior discounts and for being a resident from where the ship departs. So are the list prices just come-ons? I have never taken a cruise, so I am doing my homework.
You WILL have to pay port taxes which can vary depending on port & length.
You WILL have to pay tips, about $15pp/day.
You MAY have to pay for transportation to the city you sail from.
You MAY need a hotel room the night before the cruise (HIGHLY recommend)
You MAY need to pay for transfer to the port from your hotel (as well as airport to hotel).
OPTIONAL expenses:
(NCL, Princess & Celebrity offer packages including drinks, internet and possibly tips that are generally good values if you have a few drinks/day)
Internet
Drinks
Specialty dining
Spa
Shopping
Casino (including Bingo, etc)
Photos
Shore excursions
It appears your friend added alot of extras to the cruise before sailing--perhaps tips, internet, drinks, dining, excursions. Plus air & hotel. That total is not out of the realm of possible AT ALL. $1500-2K pp?
Example: (prices may vary by line)
$798 fare
$160 port taxes & fees
$90 tips
$1050pp MINIMUM
MAYBE ALSO:
$60 internet
$400 drink package
$100 Shore excursion or 2 (prices vary widely depending on the excursion)
$1610
See how this is already over $3K/2 with just a few things?
Even the fare, port fees & tips plus air/hotel & you could easily hit $3K without extras.
(no idea if he is including air or not)