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Fare Disclosure

How We Calculate & Display Prices

Last updated: July 13, 2026

Our Pricing Philosophy

TripTide exists to bring transparency to cruise pricing. We believe every traveler deserves to see the true, out-the-door cost of a cruise — not just a teaser "from" price that excludes mandatory fees. This page explains exactly what's included in our prices, where our data comes from, and what you should know before booking.

What's Included in Every Price

Every price displayed on TripTide includes these three mandatory components:

1. Base Fare

The cruise line's published fare for the stateroom category, before taxes and fees. This varies by cabin type (Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, Suite), sailing date, and availability.

2. Port Fees & Taxes

Government-imposed charges, port taxes, and non-commissionable fees (NCFs) collected by the cruise line on behalf of ports and governments. These are mandatory and non-negotiable.

3. Mandatory Gratuities

Daily service charges automatically added per guest, per night (typically $16–$25/night depending on cruise line and cabin category). These are charged to your onboard account and are not optional.

What's NOT Included

The following are not included in our displayed out-the-door price and will be additional charges if you choose them:

  • Alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, spa services
  • Shore excursions, Wi-Fi packages, laundry services
  • Travel insurance, airfare, pre/post-cruise hotel stays
  • Transfers to/from the port (unless a package includes them)
  • Anything purchased onboard via your shipboard account

Per-Person, Double-Occupancy Basis

All prices on TripTide are shown per person, based on double occupancy (two people sharing a stateroom). This is the industry standard for cruise pricing.

Solo Traveler Supplement

Solo travelers typically pay a "single supplement" — often 150–200% of the per-person fare — because cruise lines price cabins for two. We flag sailings with waived or reduced supplements in our Solo Hub.

Currency & Rounding

  • All prices shown in US Dollars (USD)
  • Prices rounded to the nearest dollar for display
  • Actual charges on booking sites may differ by a few dollars due to rounding or real-time exchange rates

Data Sources & Freshness

Our pricing data comes from live polling of cruise line booking engines and public fare APIs. We do not use synthetic or estimated data.

  • Prices updated every 4 hours via automated sync
  • Each price snapshot timestamped with exact capture time
  • Historical data retained for trend analysis and forecasting
  • Data sourced directly from cruise line public booking interfaces

Price Accuracy & Limitations

While we strive for accuracy, please be aware:

  • Prices change rapidly — a price shown may differ from what you see at booking time
  • Promotional codes, resident rates, military/senior discounts not always reflected
  • Group rates, travel agent exclusives, and past-guest offers not included
  • Dynamic pricing means the same sailing can show different prices minutes apart
  • Always verify the final price on the booking site before purchasing

Booking Links

Our "View Deal" and "Book This Cruise" buttons link to VacationsToGo.com, our affiliate booking partner. We earn a small referral commission if you book through these links — this supports our free service and does not affect the price you pay.

You are free to book directly with the cruise line or your preferred travel agent. Our job is to show you the true price so you can compare.

Solo Supplement Waivers

We track sailings where cruise lines offer reduced or waived single supplements. These are flagged with a "Solo Friendly" badge. Availability is limited and subject to change — always confirm the supplement status at booking.

Promotional Pricing

"Sale" or "Drop" badges reflect a price decrease from our previously recorded price for that sailing/cabin. The percentage shown is the drop from our last recorded price, not necessarily from the cruise line's original "brochure" rate.

AI-Generated Content

Deal analyses, price forecasts, and deal scores are generated by AI (NVIDIA Nemotron 3 Ultra via NVIDIA NIM). While we train and validate extensively, AI can make errors. We clearly label AI-generated content. Always use your own judgment and verify critical details before booking.

No Travel Agency Relationship

TripTide is not a travel agency, tour operator, or cruise line. We do not sell travel, issue tickets, or assume liability for travel arrangements. We are a pricing intelligence platform. All bookings are governed by the terms of the booking site and cruise line.

Contact

Questions about our pricing methodology or this disclosure? Contact us: