15 Things You Need to Know About Last-Minute Cruises, Revealed

14. You also have to watch out for cruise line fees

Don’t get surprised by the bill. | JackF/iStock/Getty Images

Cruise lines notoriously charge passengers a wide variety of fees. And annoyingly enough, those fees can add a significant amount of money to the cost of your trip. Cruise Critic recommends reading the fine print and looking for information on service fees, government taxes, and port charges. Those often aren’t included in the sale price, but you’ll need to account for them as you compare last-minute cruises. Also check whether the cruise line will require you to pay in full at the time of booking, or if your deposit is nonrefundable.

Next: Compare your options.