Cruise Inc.: Big Money on the High Seas

The Money Boat

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The Money Boat

Big ships cost big money, and cruise lines need you to spend and spend A LOT to try and turn a profit...  Cruise Inc. follows the money trail, onboard and off.Visit the "" website.
Posted 13 Mar 2009

Big ships cost big money, and cruise lines need you to spend and spend A LOT to try and turn a profit...  Cruise Inc. follows the money trail, onboard and off.

Visit the "Cruise Inc.  Big Money on the High Seas" website.

Casino

Since the birth of modern day cruising, the casino has been one of the top two revenue generators onboard ship, and NCL is hoping its tables may turn in their favor.

Since the birth of modern day cruising, the casino has been one of the top two revenue generators onboard ship, and NCL is hoping its tables may turn in their favor.

Bar

The second top moneymaker since the 1960s is the bar.  On our cruise, the bar needs every passenger to buy $7.25 worth of drinks per day just to hit their target.

The second top moneymaker since the 1960s is the bar.  On our cruise, the bar needs every passenger to buy $7.25 worth of drinks per day just to hit their target.

Shopping

This floating shopping mall offers everything from $8 ornaments to this $80,500 emerald!

This floating shopping mall offers everything from $8 ornaments to this $80,500 emerald!

Spa

At the spa, peace of mind comes with a price tag...  A week's pass just to sit quietly is $68.

At the spa, peace of mind comes with a price tag...  A week's pass just to sit quietly is $68.

Specialty Restaurants

Norwegian's hallmark is Freestyle Dining, a choice to pay to dine at a small, specialty venue.  But make no mistake, there's little "free" about Freestyle.  Eating at Sake sushi bar is $15 per person, per meal.

Norwegian's hallmark is Freestyle Dining, a choice to pay to dine at a small, specialty venue.  But make no mistake, there's little "free" about Freestyle.  Eating at Sake sushi bar is $15 per person, per meal.

Photos

Want your vacation memories captured on film, but forgot your camera?  Don't worry - the Pearl's photographers are ever present - and are happy to sell you their snapshots.

Want your vacation memories captured on film, but forgot your camera?  Don't worry - the Pearl's photographers are ever present - and are happy to sell you their snapshots.

Head Tax: Destination

When a ship docks at a destination, the cruise line pays a per-passenger-fee to the local government.  It's called a "head tax", and in the port of Roatan, Honduras, it is $3.50.

When a ship docks at a destination, the cruise line pays a per-passenger-fee to the local government.  It's called a "head tax", and in the port of Roatan, Honduras, it is $3.50.

Head Tax: Activities

Once on land, there are additional fees for activities.   If you want to see the monkeys in Gumbalimba Park, it'll cost you $82.

Once on land, there are additional fees for activities.   If you want to see the monkeys in Gumbalimba Park, it'll cost you $82.

Shore Excursions

"Shore Excursions" are pre-arranged land tours sold on ship at a mark-up.  Snorkel the coral reef at Shark Ray Alley, Belize for $104 per adult - and the tour guide takes home half.

"Shore Excursions" are pre-arranged land tours sold on ship at a mark-up.  Snorkel the coral reef at Shark Ray Alley, Belize for $104 per adult - and the tour guide takes home half.

Great Stirrup Cay

Every penny spent on the island of Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas, goes into Norwegian's pockets.  Why?  NCL owns the island entirely.

Every penny spent on the island of Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas, goes into Norwegian's pockets.  Why?  NCL owns the island entirely.

The Ultimate Getaway

An exclusive look inside the multi-billion dollar cruise industry. CNBC takes you onboard a city at sea where passengers are motivated to spend big money.   Correspondent Peter Greenberg takes you cruising for profits.

An exclusive look inside the multi-billion dollar cruise industry. CNBC takes you onboard a city at sea where passengers are motivated to spend big money.   Correspondent Peter Greenberg takes you cruising for profits.

Find out more...