Cruise Fare Types Explained

Diving into cruise fares isn’t just about the price—it’s also about picking your cabin, deciding dining times, and understanding deposits. But don’t worry, we’ve made it easy to grasp. With our clear guide to the various cruise fare options from our cruise line partners, you’ll find the perfect choice for your next vacation in no time.

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Select the cruise line whose fares you wish to find out more about:

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A

Ambassador Cruise Line

With Ambassador Cruise Line, your fare delivers an all-encompassing experience that transcends the mere comfort of your selected cabin. Savour an array of culinary delights with our full board offering, featuring sumptuous meals at various times of the day including traditional afternoon teas - the perfect complement to a relaxing day at sea. Dive into a wide range of daytime activities designed to entertain, engage, and enlighten, regardless of your interests or age. As evening falls, the ship buzzes with excitement, hosting an array of entertainment options to ensure your night is as thrilling as your day. Moreover, embrace the full suite of onboard leisure facilities available at your disposal, from serene spa visits to energetic gym sessions. With Ambassador Cruise Line, your fare encompasses a comprehensive cruise experience, ensuring every moment onboard is nothing short of spectacular.

Fare Name

Saver Fare

What does this fare offer?

Saver Fare offers full board cuisine, afternoon teas, daytime activities, evening entertainment and full use of the onboard leisure facilities are all included in the fare.

What else should I know about this fare?
  • Flexible cancellation policies
  • Comfortable accommodation in chosen cabin category
  • Exceptional full board cuisine (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner)
  • Captain’s cocktail party
  • Captain’s Gala Dinner and Baked Alaska Parade
  • Informative guest speakers
  • A wide range of entertainment, including evening shows, plays, cabarets, live music.
  • Theatre@Sea - An exclusive on board selection of short plays, vignettes and more
  • Daytime activities, quizzes, dance classes and deck games
  • Range of fitness, dance and wellness classes
  • Use of gym, swimming pool and hot tubs
  • Spa access
  • Porterage of luggage between the port and cabin.
  • All port taxes, fees and charges
  • Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
  • Cabins may be on a guaranteed basis.
  • Cabin numbers are automatically allocated prior to sailing and no cabin upgrades will be offered.
  • The evening dinner sitting and table size (if applicable) will be assigned and confirmed once on board.
  • Please note that you may be allocated a cabin in a higher grade at no extra cost, but this may be located on a lower deck, or have an obstructed view.
Fare Name

Ambassador Fare

What does this fare offer?

Push the boat out with an upgrade to the Ambassador Fare, which include all the benefits of the standard fare, plus the following:

What else should I know about this fare?
  • Gratuities & service charges Included
  • Premium wines
  • Premium drinks from the bar
  • Premium teas & speciality coffees
  • House wines
  • House brands from the bar
  • Choice of 1st or 2nd dining sitting for dinner

Found the fare for you?

Book an Ambassador holiday today
C

Cunard

Cunard Line presents three distinct pricing options: The Cunard Fare, Early Saver, and Saver. Each fare type includes your accommodation, dining in the Main Dining Restaurants, buffet areas, and poolside spots; round-the-clock entertainment; access to swimming pools; as well as flights and transfers for fly-cruise holidays, among many other features.

Fare Name

The Cunard Fare

What does this fare offer?

This price gives you the most choice and flexibility.

What else should I know about this fare?
  • Your choice of stateroom number and highest priority for upgrades.
  • A low 15% deposit, with the balance payable online.
  • Amend your booking up to the day your balance is due.
  • Complimentary shuttle buses between the ship and local transport hubs (where provided by Cunard)
  • Priority dining for Britannia guests
  • Complimentary on-board credit, parking or return coach travel for voyages over 7 nights.
Fare Name

Early Saver

What does this fare offer?

Early Saver offers a great price but without the all of the benefits of The Cunard Fare.

What else should I know about this fare?
  • A low 15% deposit, with the balance payable online.
  • Britannia guests can choose their preferred dining time, which will be confirmed on board, subject to availability.
  • Available on selected cruises and stateroom grades only.
Fare Name

Late Saver

What does this fare offer?

Experience Cunard’s exquisite White Star Service® combined with the lowest possible fare.

What else should I know about this fare?
  • Only available on selected cruises, at selected times.
  • Your stateroom will be allocated by Cunard.
  • Payment is required in full upon booking.
  • Cancelled bookings are subject to a 100% cancellation fee, and booking cannot be amended without this fee being applied.

Found the fare for you?

Book a Cunard holiday today
F

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Fare Name

Freedom Fare

What does this fare offer?

This price gives you the most choice and flexibility.

What else should I know about this fare?
  • Your choice of cabin grade and cabin number and priority for cabin upgrades.
  • A low 15% deposit on bookings before 90 days of departure.
  • Booking transferable to another cruise (once per booking only).
  • Your choice of restaurant and dining time, confirmed at the time of booking.
  • Complimentary shuttle service to the local centre, if berthed more than one mile away (unless local restrictions prevent this service and is subject to availability).
  • Priority booking for pre-booked shore excursions (subject to availability).
Fare Name

Saver Fare

What does this fare offer?

Saver Fares offer a great price but without the benefits of Freedom Fares.

What else should I know about this fare?
  • Full payment is required at the time of booking.
  • 100% cancellation charges apply, and no refunds are permitted.
  • No cabin number and/or grade will be assigned at the time of booking. Cabin number will be assigned on the cruise ticket.
  • Dining sitting will be allocated for you and will be advised within your cruise ticket. Saver Fare guests can choose to book a specific dining sitting at the time of booking for a supplement of £2.00 per person, per night.
Fare Name

Saver Fare Plus

What does this fare offer?

An additonal benefit compared to booking a Saver Fare

What else should I know about this fare?
  • All of the above Saver Fare terms and conditions apply.
  • Your cabin grade will be provided to you at the time of booking.

Found the fare for you?

Book a Fred. Olsen holiday today
P

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises presents three distinct pricing options: Select Price, Early Saver, and Saver. Each fare type includes your accommodation, dining in the Main Dining Restaurants, buffet areas, and poolside spots; round-the-clock entertainment; access to swimming pools; as well as flights and transfers for fly-cruise holidays, among many other features.

Fare Name

Select Price

What does this fare offer?

This price gives you the most choice and flexibility.

What else should I know about this fare?
  • Choice of cabin location and first priority for upgrades (subject to availability)
  • First priority for dining style on ships offering both freedom and Club Dining, and first priority for seating time and table size for Club Dining
  • A choice of on-board spending money, car parking in Southampton or return coach travel to Southampton. Please note that free on-board spending money applies to passengers occupying the first two standard beds in a cabin. Free car parking is limited to one space at the port per booking. Car parking must be booked at least 10 days prior to departure. Free coach travel is applicable to transfers to/from Southampton. To guarantee coach places, you must book no less than 35 days prior to cruise departure.
  • Shuttle buses in port (where they are provided by P&O Cruises)
  • Flexibility to change your booking
Fare Name

Early Saver

What does this fare offer?

Early Saver offers a great price but without the benefits of Select Price.

What else should I know about this fare?
  • Available on selected grades of cabin (P&O Cruises will assign your cabin number)
  • Possible upgrades (where and if available, after non-Saver bookings)
  • Flexibility required for your desired dining style, dining time and table size in the main restaurant
Fare Name

Saver

What does this fare offer?

Saver is a last chance for deal-seekers to get a last-minute holiday with P&O Cruises.

What else should I know about this fare?
  • Only available on selected cruises, at selected times
  • Only available on selected cabin grades (P&O Cruises will assign your cabin number, which once allocated cannot be changed)
  • Dining allocated upon boarding
  • Full balance to be paid at the time of booking
  • 100% cancellation fee if cancelled at any time before sail date

Found the fare for you?

Book a P&O Cruises holiday today

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises have three options for you to consider when choosing which fare to book: Princess Standard, Princess Plus, and Princess Premier. Each fare type includes your accommodations, complimentary dining, entertainment, access to swimming pools; as well as flights and transfers for fly-cruise vacations, among many other features. You can also upgrade your booking to Princess Plus or Premier before departing.

Fare Name

Princess Standard

What does this fare offer?

The "no frills" fare that offers the core Princess experience

What else should I know about this fare?
  • Comfortable accommodations for a restful stay.
  • A variety of dining options to suit all tastes
  • A wide range of entertainment to enjoy throughout your holiday.
  • Medallion wearable technology for an effortless and personalised holiday experience.
Fare Name

Princess Plus

What does this fare offer?

This fare includes great perks like drinks, Wi-Fi, and premium desserts. This package costs £50 per person per day, and offers savings of 57% compared to paying-as-you-go on board.

What else should I know about this fare?
  • Single device Wi-Fi: Stay connected with the best Wi-Fi at sea.
  • Crew appreciation: Pre-paid gratuities to recognise the crew's exceptional service.
  • Plus Beverage Package: Includes a wide variety of drinks up to $15 each.
  • Unlimited Juice Bar
  • Premium Desserts: Enjoy two Princess Premium desserts daily from selected outlets.
  • Fitness Classes: Access two fitness classes during your cruise.
  • Casual Dining: Two meals at Casual Dining venues, offering a variety of cuisines.
  • OceanNow Delivery: On-demand delivery service for food, drinks and more, anywhere on board at no extra cost.
  • Room Service Delivery: Order food and drinks to your cabin at no extra charge.
Fare Name

Princess Premier

What does this fare offer?

This fare includes everything Princess Plus offers, plus speciality dining meals, unlimited fitness classes and reserved theatre seating. This package costs £65 per person per day, and offers savings of 69% compared to paying-as-you-go onboard.

What else should I know about this fare?
  • Wi-Fi with up to 4 devices per guest: Stay connected with the best Wi-Fi at sea.
  • Crew appreciation: Pre-paid gratuities to recognise the crew's exceptional service.
  • Premier Beverage Package: Includes a wide variety of drinks up to $20 each.
  • Unlimited Juice Bar
  • Unlimited Premium Desserts: Enjoy unlimited Princess Premium desserts daily from selected outlets.
  • Unlimited Fitness Classes: Access fitness classes during your cruise.
  • Unlimited Casual Dining: Unlimited meals at Casual Dining venues, offering a variety of cuisines.
  • Speciality Dining: Two meals at Speciality Dining venues per guest.
  • Photo Package: Capture the memories you're making with unlimited digital photos and three prints.
  • Princess Prizes: Your chance to win big prizes on your cruise, like wine tasting, Chef's Table and much more.
  • Reserved Theatre Seating: For production shows
  • OceanNow Delivery: On-demand delivery service for food, drinks and more, anywhere on board at no extra cost.
  • Room Service Delivery: Order food and drinks to your cabin at no extra charge.

Found the fare for you?

Book a Princess Cruises holiday today