Sharing

Most cabins are designed to accommodate two people. When more than two share a cabin, such as when parents cruise with their children, the third and fourth passengers are usually offered a discount, thereby lowering the per-person price for the room for the entire group.

Single Travelers

If traveling alone, be aware that there are few single cabins on most ships; taking a double cabin for yourself can cost as much as twice the advertised per-person rates (which are based on two people sharing a room). The best way to avoid this is to bring a friend or get a group of friends to cruise together. Some cruise lines will find roommates of the same sex for singles so that each can travel at the regular per-person, double-occupancy rate.

That said, cruise ships are generally a great place to meet people, and many single travelers have found cruise vacations well suited to their lifestyle. Most cruise lines offer a number of singles activities, among them dance classes, lectures, bingo, afternoon teas, and singles get-together nights. Windjammer, a small ship line, offers six to eight singles cruises a year. There are also travel agencies that specialize in singles travel and sponsor singles cruises on many mainstream cruise lines.

Single Travelers

If traveling alone, be aware that there are few single cabins on most ships; taking a double cabin for yourself can cost as much as twice the advertised per-person rates (which are based on two people sharing a room). The best way to avoid this is to bring a friend or get a group of friends to cruise together. Some cruise lines will find roommates of the same sex for singles so that each can travel at the regular per-person, double-occupancy rate.

That said, cruise ships are generally a great place to meet people, and many single travelers have found cruise vacations well suited to their lifestyle. Most cruise lines offer a number of singles activities, among them dance classes, lectures, bingo, afternoon teas, and singles get-together nights. Windjammer, a small ship line, offers six to eight singles cruises a year. There are also travel agencies that specialize in singles travel and sponsor singles cruises on many mainstream cruise lines.

Tipping

At the end of the cruise, it's customary to tip your room steward, server, and the person who buses your table. Expect to pay an average of $10 per day in tips. Some cruise lines will automaticall charge daily gratuities to your shipboard account. Tips for bartenders and others who have helped you along the way may vary. A 15% gratuity is often included in bar tabs. Some cruise lines include tipping within the fare, so day-to-day tipping is not required. Whatever the policy, each ship offers guidelines.

Amuse

Video games, bingo, and gambling can set you back a bundle. If you plan to bet, budget for your losses---you'll almost certainly have them. You must be at least 21 to play the slots or tables on a cruise ship. Also, include what you expect to spend for both inexpensive souvenirs and pricey duty-free purchases.

Excursions

Costs for ship-organized shore excursions range from $20 for the least expensive city tours, to $1500 for the most exotic packages on high-end luxury lines. The cost varies depending on the activity, length, meals, and mode of transportation, as well as the cruise line. Shore excursions generally cost between $30 and $75 per person, and are bought aboard the ship.

Choosing - Cost - Pre-Trip Incidentals

These may include trip or flight insurance, the cost of boarding your pets, airport or port parking, departure tax, visas, long-distance calls home, clothing, film or videotape, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Airfare

Be sure to check whether the price of your cruise includes air transportation to and from the ship. If it does not, you can purchase your airline tickets and transfers from the cruise line. This is known as an air-sea package. Air-sea packages generally are convenient and reasonably priced, and include ground transportation and luggage handling to the ship. However, the cruise line controls which airline and flight you will be on. For an additional fee, many lines will allow passengers to customize their own airline and flight itineraries (sometimes called an "air deviation" or "custom air" program).

Lines also offer cruise-only fares, which allow passengers to purchase air transportation on their own. By arranging your own airfare, you may get a lower fare and a more convenient routing, and if you have frequent-flier miles, you may be able to get a free ticket. You will also be responsible for ground transportation and luggage handling to the ship. In this case, you can purchase an "air supplement" (usually a nominal fee) from the cruise line, which will provide transfers to the ship and baggage handling. In some cases, though not often, cruise lines will offer an international air credit for customers who book their own international air transportation.

Airline competition is fierce within the United States, and if your flights involve major U.S. hub cities -- say in and out of Miami and your home city -- you may be able to beat the cruise line's price, especially if you book far enough in advance.

Arrangements

If you plan to arrive a day or two early at the port of embarkation, or linger a few days for sightseeing after debarkation, estimate the cost of your hotel, meals, car rental, sightseeing, and other expenditures. Cruise lines sell packages for pre- and post-cruise stays that may or may not cost less than arrangements you make independently, so shop around.

Cost

For one price, a cruise gives you all your meals, accommodations, and onboard entertainment. The only extras are tips, shore excursions, shopping, bar bills, and other incidentals. However, the axiom "the more you pay, the more you get" doesn't always hold true: While higher fares do prevail for better ships, which have more comfortable cabins, more attractive decor, and better service, the passenger in the least-expensive inside cabin eats the same food, sees the same shows, and shares the same amenities as one paying more than $1,000 per day for the top suite on any given ship. (A notable exception is aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2, where your dining-room assignment is based on your cabin category.)

A handy way to compare costs of different cruises is to look at the per diem -- the price of a cruise on a daily basis per passenger, based on double occupancy. (For instance, the per diem is $100 for a seven-day cruise that costs $700 per person when two people share the same cabin.)

Of course, there will be additional expenses beyond your basic cruise fare. When you go to book a cruise, don't forget to consider airfare, transportation to the ship, tips, shore excursions, and other incidentals.