Expert: Colleen Robinson - 11/25/2000

Question
What exactly is a port charge and how is the amount determined and who determines it. Is it usually included in the price of a cruise. If not, at what point does one pay it?

Answer
Dear Horace,
    Port charges are taxes that are charged to the cruise lines for using the port to be docked in. They are determined by the government of each country that the ship is visiting. Port charges range in price according to how long the cruise is as well as how many ports are being visited. The more ports visited, the higher the cost of port charges. There are also other government fees that are added to these charges. This is included in the price of the cruise, however sometimes a price is quoted or advertised without the port charges and they must be added. It is payed for at the time you pay your final payment on your cruise. I hope this helps answer your question. Thanks.

Colleen