4 Myths About Cruises
Don’t believe everything you hear about cruises.
We help debunk some common misconceptions:
1. Cruising is all-inclusive. Sure, you’re buying a packaged vacation, but you’ll have plenty of occasions to open your wallet. On nonluxury liners, expect to fork over gratuities, fees for excursions, and extra dollars for entertainment and treats, such as gourmet coffees and meals in specialty restaurants. Luxury-liner fares usually include more, such as tips, cocktails, shore excursions and sometimes airfare.
2. It’s all big ships and beach ports. You might picture city-size tankers docking at teeming, overpriced Caribbean islands, but that’s only one aspect of cruising. You can choose more intimate experiences. For example, you may cruise alongside Alaskan glaciers on a 50-person vessel. Or explore Dakar, Senegal, on a Princess Cruises ship.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
3. It’s for Grandma and Grandpa . . . or partiers. There are cruises for all ages, travel styles and interests, from the intellectual to the adventurous. You’ll find hip music lovers on Coachella cruises, and the Disney Cruise Line focuses on kid-oriented activities.
4. You’ll have to sign off the Internet and toss your cell phone overboard. You might want to log off on your cruise, but you don’t have to. These days, ships have Wi-Fi hotspots and Internet cafés. Some cruise lines, including Ama Waterways, Avalon Waterways and Viking Cruises, offer free Wi-Fi, depending on the location. For other ships, prices and accessibility vary by destination. You’ll pay about 75 cents per minute for Wi-Fi, or $70 for a two-hour package. And you’ll likely pay international roaming rates to use your cell.
Lisa has been the editor of Kiplinger Personal Finance since June 2023. Previously, she spent more than a decade reporting and writing for the magazine on a variety of topics, including credit, banking and retirement. She has shared her expertise as a guest on the Today Show, CNN, Fox, NPR, Cheddar and many other media outlets around the nation. Lisa graduated from Ball State University and received the school’s “Graduate of the Last Decade” award in 2014. A military spouse, she has moved around the U.S. and currently lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and two sons.
-
Starbucks BOGO and New Sweet and Spicy Drinks
For a limited time, Starbucks is announcing four new "swicy" drinks that are both spicy and sweet.
By Kathryn Pomroy Published
-
Stock Market Today: Dow Slips After Travelers' Earnings Miss
The property and casualty insurer posted a bottom-line miss as catastrophe losses spiked.
By Karee Venema Published
-
403(b) Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans Teachers and nonprofit workers can contribute more to a 403(b) retirement plan in 2024 than they could in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up for 2024. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb
real estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
By Miriam Cross Published
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute Vacation
Travel Procrastinator? No matter. You can pull off a fun and memorable getaway on a moment's notice — without breaking the bank.
By Vaishali Varu Last updated
-
Best Places to Visit Where the Dollar Is Strong
From the Americas and Europe to Africa and Asia, we list the 10 best places to travel to where the U.S. dollar is the strongest.
By Quincy Williamson Last updated
-
24 Best Travel Websites to Find Deals and Save You Money
Travel Use Kiplinger's guide to the best travel websites and find discounts and deals so you can vacation without breaking the bank.
By Rivan V. Stinson Last updated
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
insurance Instead of relying on rules of thumb, you’re better off taking a systematic approach to figuring your life-insurance needs.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
When Is Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime In 2023 Amazon had two Prime Day events — one in July and another, called Big Deal Days, in October. We expect 2024 to follow the same schedule.
By Bob Niedt Last updated