Fees & Taxes

Cruise Farefinder acts as a booking agent for major cruise lines, airlines, and other Travel Product Providers. This page explains, in plain terms, what is and isn't included in the price you're quoted, and the government taxes, port charges, gratuities, and agency fees that may apply. Exact figures are always confirmed line-by-line on your written quote and final booking confirmation before payment is taken.

💰 What's Included in Your Cruise Fare

A standard cruise fare quoted by Cruise Farefinder typically covers:

• Your stateroom accommodation for the sailing duration
• Main dining room and buffet meals onboard
• Standard onboard entertainment (shows, pools, most public areas)
• Access to fitness centers and most ship facilities

📌 Inclusions vary by cruise line and fare type (e.g., "all-inclusive" or premium fares may already bundle gratuities, drinks, or WiFi). Your quote will state exactly what's bundled.

🧾 Government Taxes & Port Fees

Every cruise fare is subject to Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses (often shown as "TFP" or "Gov Taxes/Fees" on cruise line invoices). These are set and collected by ports of call, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and foreign governments — not by Cruise Farefinder — and are non-negotiable and non-discountable.

📌 These figures move with itinerary changes, fuel costs, and government policy, and are set by the cruise line and port authorities — Cruise Farefinder passes them through at cost, with zero markup.

🙏 Gratuities & Service Charges

Most cruise lines apply an automatic daily gratuity (also called a "service charge" or "crew appreciation" fee) to your onboard account, covering stateroom attendants, dining staff, and other crew.

• Typical Range: $16 – $23 per person, per day, depending on cruise line and stateroom category (suites are often charged at a higher daily rate).
• Prepaid vs. Onboard: Gratuities can usually be prepaid at the time of booking or charged automatically to your onboard folio during the cruise.
• Specialty Services: Spa treatments, salon services, and specialty dining typically carry their own separate gratuity (commonly 15–20%), added automatically to that bill.

🛎️ Cruise Farefinder Agency & Service Fees

As an independent agency, Cruise Farefinder may apply the following service charges, which are always disclosed to you in writing before you pay:

• Booking Service Fee: A flat, itemized fee for sourcing, quoting, and processing your reservation directly with the cruise line or airline.
• Post-Booking Change Fee: Applies when a confirmed reservation requires a name correction, date change, or cabin change after ticketing, in addition to any fee the supplier itself charges.
• Payment Processing Fee: A small percentage-based fee may apply to certain card networks or international payment methods; wire transfers typically avoid this fee.

Cruise Farefinder never adds a markup to government taxes, port fees, or canal tolls — our service fees are itemized separately from supplier-mandated charges.

✈️ Airfare, Baggage & Ancillary Fees

For flight bookings arranged through Cruise Farefinder or its FlightsBuz brand, additional supplier-set fees may apply and are not included in the base fare shown:

• Checked & Carry-On Baggage: Set entirely by the operating airline's fare class and route; disclosed prior to ticketing.
• Seat Selection: Optional on most fare types; basic economy fares often assign seats automatically at no charge.
• Airline Change/Cancellation Fees: Governed by the fare rules of the ticket purchased, separate from any Cruise Farefinder service fee for processing the change.

💱 Currency, Surcharges & Price Changes

All quoted prices are in US Dollars (USD) unless stated otherwise. Advertised or quoted rates can move before your deposit is applied, due to:

• Fuel Surcharges: Cruise lines reserve the right to add a fuel surcharge if oil prices rise sharply after your booking; this is disclosed by the supplier, not set by Cruise Farefinder.
• Government Fee Fluctuation: Port and tax amounts can be adjusted by port authorities or foreign governments between quote and sail date.
• Exchange Rate Movement: For itineraries priced or paid in a non-USD currency, exchange rate shifts may affect the final charged amount.

Once your deposit is paid and confirmed, your cruise fare is locked at the rate on your booking confirmation — only optional add-ons purchased afterward, or supplier-mandated surcharges disclosed at time of final payment, can change your total.

🧮 How Your Final Price Is Itemized

Every Cruise Farefinder quote and booking confirmation breaks your total price into distinct, clearly labeled lines so nothing is bundled into a single opaque figure:

📞 Questions About a Quote

If any charge on your quote or invoice isn't clear, ask before you pay — our team will walk through every line item with you.