Goldmoon

Just for fun :)

 

What is the most or least you have spent on your hol (spending money I mean, not price of holiday)

 

We dont use the casino so our biggest expense on board is photos and drinks.

 

We have our drinks packages in place for our b2b on Freedom next week so even that will be gone.

 

I enjoy the shops on board, always buy perfume for myself and rci t-shirts for the kids and hubby buys a mug from whatever ship we are on.

 

So anything you must splurge on when on board?? Casino? Spa? Choppes??

 

:)

189 dollars which included a carton of cigarettes for son, a bottle of liquer, and gratuities for a 7 day cruise.

Thank you all for your thoughts and advice! It has been up and down trying to plan this anniversary trip - lol! We have looked into a all-inclusive land vacay vs a cruise. We decided we would stick to cruise b/c we know what to expect. Then just as we were getting ready to book the Dream, this offer for Princess came up and I have always wanted to sail on Princess too! So.... looks like we will be sailing the Caribbean Princess in March! Just got to finish that booking with my travel agent.

I think you will like it. It is a little dressier in the evenings, making it more romantic. There was a swimming pool in the serenity area for the adults which I wish carnival had. When I went room service was not 24 hr, but the buffet was, a more limited selection but all night. Loved going for fresh fruit and coffee. Happy Anniversary and have fun.

Hi all--

 

I've been on a few cruises before, but now DH and I have twins! YAY!

 

Our next cruise is a year, or two away.

 

So my question is, how do you all of you out there with small children, afford cruising? What rooms do you book? Which cruise lines? What do you do with little kids? Any tips?

 

Thanks!

On most cruise lines 3rd and 4th passenger is cheaper, even without promos. But like they said if you watch many have 99 dollars for 3rd and 4th or kids cruise free. I have heard Disney is absolutley great for people with kids. Most cruise lines have children programs of some kind, but to particpate without Mom and Dad they need to be potty trained, and they cannot go into the pools without being potty trained (no swimmers allowed). Almost all ships offer a late night babysitting service, in case you want a evening out by yourself a time or 2. I know some children love the kids programs some would rather stay with mom and dad... but they do a lot of fun things and all age appropiate. Even though the group is for 2-11 year olds... the 11 yr olds wont be with the 2-3 yr old group... both will have thier own things to do.

I'm going on my first cruise in a month as a solo traveler - VERY excited about the trip. I just read through the entire thread (!) and have a bunch of questions:

 

1. What do you use highlighters for? I saw someone mention using them to circle things, but can't you just use a pen or make a list in a notebook? Am I missing something?

 

You get a daily newsletter (each shipline calls it something different) and it lists all the things to do on the ship for the day.. music shows, the shows, art, cooking classes, teas, you name it it's on there for the days activities... and people high light what they don't want to miss and fold it and carry it with them.

 

2. When people are talking about baggage vs carryon, can your carryon be a small rollerboard (like a carryon for a plane)? I never check bags when I travel and would prefer to keep all of my things with me.

 

Just depends on how much you pack... dh has a sleep apnia machine we put in our carry on and with that along with our clothes.. everything just won't fit in a small carry on. But there are some that even use a large back pack....

 

3. Is there anything different about a cruise ship room than a typical hotel room, other than size? I stay in hotels 3-4 nights/week for business, so I'm pretty used to how to pack and not duplicate what they will provide for me, but all this about duct tape and binder clips and highlighters and extra hairdryers is making me wonder if this is going to be very different than my usual travels...

 

On the Carnival.. the space in the bathroom is ample to put away all your bathroom needs for 2. The hairdryer works just isnt a very high powered one or very hot one. Many bring a highlighter to mark on the daily paper what they don't want to miss doing for the day... the duct tape to tape hems.. broken items torn suitcase etc... binder clips.. i have no idea... The room size is smaller than a hotel room unless you get a suite. But the storage is actually much greater than a hotel room... closet space has more and the desk is nice size with drawer space. The suitcases will slide under the bed to free up floor space. Now on the Princess the room and the bathroom was much smaller. Each ship line varies slightly.

 

4. My cruise line (Celebrity) says that that the earliest I can book my flight home is 12pm. Is that true? I am heading back to work for a half day so if it's possible to take an earlier flight, I'd love to do that. I have security clearance at the airport thanks to my job, so it only takes me 5 mins or so to go through, and I typically don't arrive more than 35 minutes before takeoff for domestic flights.

 

Thing is you might be late getting off the ship.... and you dont want to miss your flight.. It takes time getting all the 2600 people off and you don't know where you are going to be on that list... you might only take 5 minutes at the airport but not through Carnival...

 

5. Everyone keeps saying to bring tons of money. I'm looking at the cruise as a quick long weekend getaway and am NOT looking to spend a ton of money, as I'm not really considering it a big vacation. I just want to relax, read, work out, and eat whatever food is provided at the buffet. Probably won't be drinking much and I definitely don't intend to shop. Is the cost really going to be that much more than just the price of the cruise? I was picking a cruise just as an alternative to booking an all inclusive resort, but was planning to just use it as a traveling hotel...

 

That is what I love about a cruise.. you can actually go on a cruise and not spend a dime except for the gratuities... and (tips for room service if you use it). I would bring a little just in case you change your mind or decide you want a beer.... And you might meet some people and want to go off board ship and do some stuff.

 

6. Is water onboard not potable? I keep reading to bring as much water as you can carry... is that just if you are fussy about your bottled water?

 

Most people are fussy about thier water... my son and daughter will not drink anything but bottled water. To save though check and see if Celebrity will allow you to bring a 12 pk of soft drinks on board...

 

7. I'm in my mid-20s and would love to meet some people around my age... any suggestions on how to do that? I'm pretty friendly/sociable :)

 

Check the forums Celebrity roll calls and the date you are leaving.. you will get preaquainted with ppl before you even leave.... and sometimes they even have meet and greet set up onboard ship... Eat in the dining room at night.. they will set you up at a big table hopefully with people your own age and should meet ppl that way too....

 

VERY excited - thank you all for the great advice so far!

have fun congrads on first cruise

Wow, thanks so much to the posters of this thread who provided so many great suggestions. I also love hearing about what people splurge on and what they pass on. I think one thing that a lot of posters have referenced that's the bottom line is, make sure you're getting utility for your money. It shouldn't be about stressing about spending, because if you pick the things you really or that give you a lot of convenience then you know you're making good choices.

 

That having been said, I do think planning ahead can help people make those decisions more effectively and easily. That's why the Cruise Critic forums are so great.:D

 

I've only been working for a few years, and haven't saved much money, so it'll be at least 6 months before I take my first cruise. Still, the wheels of my mind have already started turning on what I'd get. A soda card sounds worth the money, since I love carbonated beverages (diet coke and seltzer or club soda, mmm).

 

if You drink a lot of soda a unlimited soda card will be your best buy, even better than bringing your own 12 pk on board, as if you are a heavy drinker it probably wouldn't be enough. And it includes soft drinks and juices (at least on the Carnival.. can call and ck what it includes on each ship class)

 

I like the suggestions about conserving on alcohol. Still, I'll probably get some "fancy" drinks. I run warm, so I really like "frozen" drinks. I'd be happy to give the cruise company some of my money if they provide me with said drinks. Maybe I could bring a little rum or something on board to make sure the drinks are sufficiently stiff.

 

On Carnival you can call the boy voyage dept and order liquor to be delivered to your room and use the soda card for mixers. Or order the $21.25 coupons for 4 drinks., sometimes you end up paying a dollar or 2 more for the fancy drinks but it saves you on the gratuity as you only pay the gratuity on that 1 or 2 dollars.

 

The biggest change in my mind after reading these boards for a while is whether or not to go to specialty restaurants. I love good food, and I like eating out, so I was planning on budgeting in a decent amount of restaurant-going for a cruise. After looking at some of the food pics from the main dining room (including some that are fairly comprehensive), what I've seen looks so good that I'm starting to question whether or not to bother with the specialty restos. Maybe if there's something on the menu one night that I don't like.

 

They have a large variety, on all ships. Carnival has what they call Carnival Classics that they have every night which includes a steak, salmon, and a few other dishes, it also incudes a set appetizers, deserts and salads, others they have you will never see again on the menu. some times I have ordered off the classic menu, as I have not cared for what they were having... I am not a big fish person... and I don't like cheese.. But their food is fantastic, the service is outstanding, and the entertainment is very good. I always eat in the mdr room for dinner the lido deck for lunch ( the buffet and so many different stations to try and sample), and vary between the mdr and the lido for breakfast for a change of pace. The food and service has been so good, I have not yet eaten at a specialty resteraunt.

 

Two questions related to planning for optimal value: are the menus for all meals available from the beginning of the cruise? If not, how long in advance are they available?

That day... and if you see something in the dining room (2 appetizers or 2 entrees or 2 desserts) order them both... you will not see them again on the menu... unless they are Carnival Classics.... Lobsters are quite small if you like them, be sure and order more than one.... on steak and lobster night (which is usually the first elegant/formal night). Usually the menu is posted on the televison (we have got the wrong menu before on it tho), and on the wall in front of the resteraunt.

Has anyone pre-paid for drinks with the bon-voyage gifts, basically giving a gift to yourself? In the end would this be cheaper for drinking?

 

Comes out to $ 5.315 per drink. Doesn't say that coupon includes tip, I would imagine it wouldn't?

 

Although your friends are going on a fabulous cruise "Without You!" you can still treat them to a drink. They'll definitely thank you for it! (This item is non-refundable)

 

Bar Credit (4 Drink Cpns) $21.25

 

 

Item # BAR

It doesn't save you much except (tax if in port) and gratuity, which is 15%, to me 15% is 15%. If you order a drink that cost more, they just charge you the difference so you can drink for just a dollar or 2 if you have say a pina colada or margarita, and only pay the gratuity on that. It keeps you bar tab down, and I had more of an idea of what I was spending. If you don't use them all, you can take them on your next cruise. So some people love it and some don't think it worth it. I use it more for a budgeting tool, and it does save me 15%.

Thank you!!! I, too, never dreamed in a million years that I would ever be counting down the days to my first cruise. I met my husband almost 5 years ago and we have been married almost 2 years. We are both in our 50s. If anyone had told me that I would meet the man of my dreams and walk down the aisle in a white wedding gown at the age of 50, I would have thought they were totally nuts. But that and then some has happened to me. My wonderful husband has taken me to places that were only a far off dream to me and now, a CRUISE!!!!

We plan to enjoy every minute of it... sunrises, sunsets, meeting new people, seeing new things and most of all, just being together.

My wish for everyone awaiting an upcoming cruise or anticipating a future one, may you have the very best time of your lives:D:D:D:D

I just happend to read this Congrad to you both.. and congrads on your first cruise... Caution.. It is very addictive...

I don't think this has been asked yet.....

We will be leaving our 5 year old at home for our first cruise (Carnival) and are worried if something happens to her we won't be reachable. We will have our Iphones on airplane mode and check them a few times a day for messages just in case there is an emergency. We use AT&T and will be going to Cozumel and back. So the question is does anyone know if the cruise ships have emergency contact info for people to call if something happens, or is there a type of prepaid phone we could bring that would work in Cozumel and on the waters?

 

I hope that made sense!

Thanks!!:D

Me again, although it was a few yrs ago, it only cost like 4 dollars to add Mexico for the month, and then 29 cents a minute or something like that. Carnival has gone down on thier price per minute to use the cell phone.. now too, I believe it about 2.99 a minute, for cell phone use.. not texting that is unreal.. And your mom can call the emergency number and get you for 10 dollars a minute.. but an emergency situation.. who does really cares as long as you get notified.

I don't think this has been asked yet.....

We will be leaving our 5 year old at home for our first cruise (Carnival) and are worried if something happens to her we won't be reachable. We will have our Iphones on airplane mode and check them a few times a day for messages just in case there is an emergency. We use AT&T and will be going to Cozumel and back. So the question is does anyone know if the cruise ships have emergency contact info for people to call if something happens, or is there a type of prepaid phone we could bring that would work in Cozumel and on the waters?

 

I hope that made sense!

Thanks!!:D

Contact At&t and see if you can add Mexico onto your plan for the month let them know you are going out of the country... that's what I did.., but that was a while back, then I cancelled when just before the month was over. I could call home from Mexico and they could call, was still more than home but not an arm and a leg to check home.

Does Carnival allow you to take Wine?

One bottle per adult... can open with in room for free (don't forget corkscrew) or in dining room for a fee.

How much cash do we really need to bring? Just curious since we are pretty strapped right now and although we have paid for our cruise and have our S&S accounts set up we are wondering how much spending$ we'll need to bring. Family of 4 - dont' gamble, don't do sodas and only minimal drinks (we'll probably buy the drinks card) we've already paid our onboard gratuities pre-paid.

 

I am thinking cab rides on excursions - tips for bag porters - tips for other people that we don't realize they require a tip until they are standing there with their hand out and we don't have anything to give them.

 

If anybody could give me a ballpark figure on what they have spent on tips, cabs, or anything else that was an incidental unthought of expense... that would be most helpful.

 

Thanks a lot!

The porter that take your bag is normally a dollar a bag. Room service is 1-2 dollars, all others are taken care of on board ship. If you feel your room steward or dining room host deserves extra you may leave them extra but you do not have to.. Most times I have left my room steward extra, as I have felt they have gone above and beyond, but not the one that did not even introduce themselves to us.. or ever be seen.. ever... you can prebuy drink coupons through Carnivial gift services which will save you the gratuity and tax. I bring a few soft drinks on myself, as I don't drink many, and it saves me that way. You can also bring one bottle of wine per adult (bring your own corkscrew-they charge in the dining room to uncork). They often put t-shirts for souvenirs on sale on the ship and a few other little items.. Ciggerettes and alcohol are also very inexpensive to buy to take one home. The excursions is where your money might be.. check those out online.. Taxis and buses could run between 5 and 20 apiece depending on where you are and how far you are going... that is hard to tell not knowing.... You can even return to the ship for lunch and then go back out to the islands to continue on your sightseeing if convenient to do so. You can figure between 500 and 1200 just depending on you... My girlfriend and I went and I spent 210 dollars and I bought a ring, and souvenirs, a bottle of liqour and a carton of cigerettes, and that included my 70 dollars tips for the week.

Cruising with Princess for my very first cruise... tell me more about the pre-purchased drink cards! (alcohol - I'll probably take soda with me). Where/how do you purchase the drink cards and are they cheaper to purchase in advance?

In the gift section you can "gift yourself" gift coupon(s) to be delivered at dinner on the first night of the cruise. You will save tax and gratuity. You can also order a bottle of Liqour for the bonvoyage department number directly and they will have a bottle waiting in your room.

You can either bring a few cokes, as a 12 pk or 2, or buy an unlimited soda card for 6 dollars a day per adult.

SonShine1 Quote: I'm new to the boards and our first cruise is scheduled for Nov 15th on Carnival. I'm interested in how you "shop" rates? I've read a lot about this and how you can get your rate lowered if you find a cheaper price but I have no idea how to do it! Can anyone offer a simple explanation of the best way to do this?

If you have booked an Early Saver rate... you can "shop for lower prices". You can find the lower rates on either Carnival itself, or other sites that are opened to the public (don't have to belong to a club in order to buy through them), then you fill out a form and send it into Carnival.. your pvp can help you on filling it out. I have reduced my cruise in October twice now, and both early saver rates. If you have already paid for your cruise in full, you can either take an upgrade or onboard credit. I check out the rates all the time as they go up and down a lot.

Be sure and check out seauonboard.com lots of good information for first time cruisers.. including what rooms to and not to book, if noise is a concern.

Evil Scotsman.....

One hint you can save left over drink coupons for your next cruise..........

We stayed in an inside, OV, and balcony suites, it's just the 2 of us, our children our grown, and they are all roomy just for us. We spend such little time in our cabins and my husband likes to sleep late, so I don't get to use the balcony for early morning.. it was a waste for us.. So I would rather put the money for a balcony suite onto something else. But that is just personal preference... They are just a little larger than the other cabins I thought. We aren't big soda drinkers so I bring a 8 pk of 12 oz bottled coke and a 12 pk of sodas for hubby and a 12 pk of bottled water for the room, some bring a little more or buy the drink cards if they are heavy soda drinkers. I also bring the travel size laundry soap, ( Tide has a 4 load travel size) and the fabric softner sheets in a baggy, they are a dollar a sheet on board the ship. And it's not that I wouldnt splurge for the specialty resturaunt, but so far the dining room has been very good with very good service on both the Princess and the Carnival, I just havn't tried it yet.. but I haven't cruised that much yet. We don't drink much but do enjoy a few, so either prebuy the drink gift cards or buy the dod cards, which both save money. We don't do the bingo, the art, few of the pictures, and very little gambling. We do a lot of the shows and we enjoy the music. I do like it that it is that ... it is your vacation and you can spend as much or as little as you want.. doing as much that costs or as much that doesnt cost all up to you.. it is so versatile and so much to do on and off the ship.

As most of the rest of you I don't do art shows, spas, bingo, or very little at the malls, unless they have a cute t-shirt or little something on sale I might like to bring home. I buy a drink card or 2 depending on the length of the cruise, before I leave as it includes the gratuity and tax.... They bring it to your table your first night at the dining room. I don't eat at the specialty dining room, not because of the money, just because I haven't had any problems with the food in the main dining room. It is so good and varied I can't see paying extra when I enjoy the dining room.

Laundry, I do myself, and working toward that magic cruise #10.... I bring bottled water and soda on board ship rather than paying for it. We don't drink enough soda to pay for buying a card, but I like having one once in a while but refuse to pay ship prices. The water is for our room and we usually do buy a large one to take with us if we are walking.

In port, it just depends on how we feel... it's our vacation... and one thing we don't skimp completely on... But still new enough on cruising I am trying to learn the best places to book. I enjoy doing lunch out and enjoying the local cuisine. And we do tip extra for good service.