Cruise sales can be a superb way to see the world on a budget, as long as you understand the true total cost.David NikelA cruise vacation can offer excellent value. Accommodation, transportation between ports, meals, entertainment and access to resort-style facilities are often bundled into one fare.Compared with the cost of hotels, restaurants, trains, taxis and evening entertainment on a land-based vacation, cruising can still be one of the most cost-effective ways to travel.That is why cruise sales are so tempting. A seven-night sailing advertised at a dramatic discount can look like an easy decision, especially when the headline price appears lower than a week in a city hotel. But comparing cruise sales and special offers is a tricky game to play.Sale Fares Are Often The Most Basic OptionOne of the biggest sources of confusion in cruise pricing is that the same sailing can be sold at several different fare levels. The lowest fare in a sale may be a stripped-back option designed to show the most attractive possible price.In some cases, passengers may not be assigned a cabin until check-in rather than being able to choose a specific room at the time of booking.That can be fine for travelers who are flexible, but less ideal for anyone sensitive to noise or motion, or with a preference to be close to an elevator, for example.Dining can also vary by fare type or booking conditions. On some ships, being able to choose an early or late dining time, or having more flexibility around premium reservations, can make a big difference to the onboard experience.At a higher fare level, some cruise lines bundle in extras such as drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, gratuities or onboard credit. Those perks can make a more expensive fare better value, but only if travelers would have paid for them anyway.That makes cruise sale fares harder to judge than it first appears. A heavily discounted base fare is not automatically better than a higher fare that includes cabin choice, more flexible dining or benefits that match a family’s plans.Some cruise ship sales will offer inside cabins with no choice of cabin location.David NikelBefore booking, passengers should look beyond the headline discount and ask a more useful question: what am I giving up to get this price?On A Cheap Cruise, Service Charges Add UpDaily gratuities or service charges are one of the most common surprises for new cruisers. On many mainstream lines, these charges are added automatically to the onboard account unless prepaid before sailing.Individually, the daily amount may not seem dramatic. Across a seven-night cruise for two people, however, it can add several hundred dollars to the final bill.The important thing to understand is that these charges are not optional extras in the same way as indulging in a spa treatment. They are part of how many cruise lines compensate crew members. Cruisers can usually prepay them before sailing, which helps to avoid a surprise at the end of the trip.Shore Excursions Are A Big VariableThe biggest swing factor in the total cost of a cruise is often what happens off the ship.In some ports, exploring independently is easy. The ship docks close to town, public transport is nearby, and the main sights can be reached on foot. In others, the place advertised on the itinerary may be a long way from the port.Rome usually means Civitavecchia. Florence usually means Livorno or La Spezia. Paris cruises generally use Le Havre. In those cases, cruisers need to factor in the cost of trains, buses, taxis, private tours or ship-organized excursions.Other Extras On A Cheap CruiseCruise ships offer plenty of included food and drink, but alcohol, specialty coffees, soda, bottled water and fresh juices often cost extra unless covered by a package or promotion.Drink packages can be convenient, but they are not automatically good value. A package priced per person, per day needs to be judged across the full length of the cruise, not just on a single sea day when the bar bill might be higher.For cruisers who drink little alcohol, an included package may be less valuable than it sounds. For others, especially on warm-weather itineraries with several sea days, paying more upfront may make sense.Internet access on cruise ships has improved significantly in recent years, but it can still be expensive when bought separately. Package details vary by line and ship, and some plans are suitable only for messaging or browsing, while others allow streaming or video calls.This is where a higher fare grade can make sense. A slightly more expensive cruise fare that includes Wi-Fi may be better value than buying an internet package once on board.The Cruise Starts Before EmbarkationA cheap cruise fare can also distract from the wider cost of the trip. Flights, hotels, airport transfers, meals before embarkation, luggage storage and post-cruise transport all belong in the same budget.This is especially true for one-way cruises, sailings from remote ports or itineraries that begin and end in different cities.For many cruisers, flying in the day before embarkation is a wise precaution. That hotel night is not part of the cruise fare, but it is part of the total cost of the cruise vacation.None of this means travelers should avoid cheap cruise sale fares. Quite the opposite. A cheap cruise can be a terrific way to travel, especially for those who are happy with included dining, modest drinking, independent port days and limited connectivity.The key is to price the trip honestly. Cruise sales can offer genuine bargains, but a cheap cruise is not necessarily the best value unless you understand the true cost before you step on board.MORE FROM FORBESForbesShould You Book Cruise Excursions Or Go Independent?By David NikelForbesWhy Norwegian Epic Is One Of Cruising’s Most Divisive ShipsBy David Nikel