Cruises in the Greek islands range from 3 nights to 2 weeks, with starting prices per day ranging from around 87€ to more than 580€ ($120-$800) per person, double occupancy, and going up from there. These days, you're still almost always going to get a rate that's substantially less than brochure prices. Like new-car sticker prices, brochure rates are notoriously inflated. You can get a good price, as well a shot at the best cabins on the ship, if you book early; alternatively, you might be able to get a good price if you wait until the last minute, when the lines are trying to top-up their sailings (unlike a hotel, cruise ships almost always sail full). We've asked the cruise lines to supply introductory or "early booking" rates, which are the rates quoted in most brochures for guests who book early. These rates are sometimes based on a booking window, say, reserving your tickets 6 months in advance; other times they're capacity controlled, which means if the voyage is really popular the early-booking rates will sell out quickly.
Travel agencies and Web-based agencies offer the best and "real" prices. Depending on demand, you may snag a two-for-one deal or free airfare or hotel stays. No matter what price you end up paying, rates include three meals a day (with a couple of exceptions, which we've noted in the ship reviews below), accommodations, most of the onboard activities and entertainment, and if you book your airfare through the cruise line, a transfer from the airport to the ship. Some rates even include airfare (the inclusion of airfare is more common on European cruises than Caribbean cruises), and in rare cases the fare may include tips, shore excursions, and/or pre- and/or post-cruise hotel stays. Some cruises are packaged as cruise tours, meaning the price includes both hotel stays and land tours. Rarely included in the price are alcoholic beverages; almost never included are charges for spa and beauty treatments, Internet access, shore excursions, and tips for the crew.
Port charges can run anywhere from around $60 to upwards of $500 per person, depending on the length of your cruise and which ports you visit. These charges will be part of your cruise fare, but be aware when you're pricing your cruise that although some lines include these charges in the initial base price, some do not. Government taxes and fees are usually excluded from the base rate but will be assessed when your final payment is due.
Cruise prices are based on two people sharing a cabin. Most lines have special single supplement prices for solo passengers wishing to have a cabin to themselves. The "supplement," in this case, goes to the cruise line as their compensation for not getting two passenger fares for the cabin. At the opposite end, most lines offer highly discounted rates for a third or fourth person sharing a cabin with two full-fare passengers.
Seniors may be able to get extra savings on their cruise. Some lines will take 5% off the top for those 55 and over, and the senior rate applies even if the second person in the cabin is younger. Membership in groups such as AARP is not required, but such membership may bring additional savings.
If your package does not include airfare, you might want to consider booking air transportation through the cruise line. While the rates offered by the lines may or may not be as low as you can find on your own, booking through the line allows the cruise company to keep track of you if, for instance, your flight is delayed. In this case, the ship may be able to wait for you, and if it can't wait, it will arrange transportation for you to the next port of call. The cruise lines also negotiate special deals with hotels at port cities if you want to come in a few days before your cruise or stay after it.
Several lines have also added a fuel surcharge to 2008 cruises, which typically ranges from 3.40€ to 6.80€ ($5-$10) per person, per day.
