What Are Port Expenses On A Cruise?

Port fees are charges imposed by the ports of call to cruise lines, which are passed on to passengers during a cruise voyage. These fees include docking tolls, ship inspection costs, harbor pilot payments, security services, and baggage handling costs. They may be assessed per passenger, per berth, per ton, or per vessel. The total costs for government fees and port charges are typically less than 20% of the base cruise fare.

Port fees and taxes are based on the ports you travel to and are typically a direct charge that the country assesses the cruise. The total cost depends on what line you are sailing with and what is associated with passengers using local infrastructure. Head tax is a per-passenger fee covering costs associated with passengers using the local infrastructure. Port labor rates are per hour.

These fees and taxes cover a wide range of services at the port, including fees from the ship’s home port. All cruise ships are charged port expenses associated with navigation (pilotage), berthing, stevedoring, baggage handling, storage, and security services. Port fees are charged to the cruise ship based on factors such as per-person occupancy and gross tonnage. Understanding these fees and their calculation is crucial for budgeting and making informed decisions during a cruise.