Louisiana Cruise Lovers – You’ll Pay More for This in 2024

December has arrived and for many Louisiana vacationers, it's the perfect time to take a cruise. While the weather might be a little on the chilly side in cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or Lafayette, you can bet it's a little warmer on the "southside" of the Gulf of Mexico than it currently is on the northern side.

And while travelers with embarkations planned for December already have their itineraries in hand, those looking to book a seafaring adventure in 2024 should expect to pay a little more for what I consider to be less of a luxury and more of a necessity while on board.

If you've never cruised before then you know your "ticket" takes care of a lot of the items you'll need for a great vacation. Your booked passage includes your stateroom and you'll be fed well while onboard. Your booking includes coffee, water, soda pops, and of course free admission to almost all of the ship's onboard activities.

We should note that there are extra charges for alcohol or specialty coffee drinks. You are also assessed a daily gratuity fee that goes to your cabin steward and other members of the ship's crew. So, don't think your "ticket" pays for everything, it doesn't by a long shot.

But that amenity that's considered a luxury that I think of as a necessity is something you are using right now. It's the Internet. And yes, you can go online while in the middle of the ocean but there is a cost. Fortunately, oceangoing Internet has improved as many cruise lines have embraced Elon Musk's Starlink Internet. 

While the service is more reliable it has been the reason many cruise lines have dropped their multi-tiered Internet plans and now only offer one plan.

Carnival Cruise Lines is the exception. They still are offering three different Internet packages while onboard their ships. But, the price is going up. The Biloxi Sun Herald Newspaper chronicled the price changes in a story on their website.

Value (pre-cruise): $19.55 (up from $17)

Value (onboard): $20 (up from $23)

Premium (pre-cruise): $21.25 (up from $18.70)

Premium (onboard): $25 (up from $22)

We should note that the Sun Herald story reflects prices on a per-day basis. So, if you were going on a 10-day cruise, you can do the math and see that the Internet "ain't cheap" over the ocean, but for some of us, it's worth it. Hey, I like to keep up with the world while I am on vacation and they only show soccer, cricket, and Australian Rules Football in the bars.

It's also worth mentioning that several other cruise lines have also raised their prices for onboard Internet. If you check your dossier you'll find out where those extra charges appear on your bill. Or, consult a travel agent or travel professional. They know what to look for and how to save you money in the process. After all, it's your vacation.