What's free and what isn't?

[mill4023]

I see there a lot of threads asking about whether different things are free or not free on board Princess ships.

Is there any kind of comprehensive list available anywhere?

 

If not, maybe we could start one here.

[Pam in CA]

Not free are: specialty coffee, beverages (soda, drinks, beer, wine), specialty restaurants and "Ultimate" balcony breakfast or dinner, spa, Sanctuary, gelatto at the International Cafe, laundry, pizza delivery, Internet (one the Cafe or WiFi), mini-bar drinks, tips and tours. The only thing I pay for on a cruise is a drink at night, incidentals, and tip.

[paul929207]

Cell phone usage and anything else that connects either thru a cell tower on the ship or thru wifi on the ship.

[Shogun]

Hi There

 

Ships tour, photos, visit to ships doctor

 

the casino

 

 

yours Shogun

[DevilinaBluDress]

Bingo is free to watch. You gotta pay to play!

[paul929207]

Bingo is free to watch. You gotta pay to play!

Same for the art auctions

[sstrong]

Speaking as someone who recently took his first cruise, but is quickly learning thanks to CC, the question isn't whether something is free or not, but how much it costs. Basically the *only* things included are food, shows, the gym, and outdoor facilities like the pool and running track (although some ships charge for certain food and even for access to certain pools). Virtually any other product or service available on a cruise ship comes at a cost, and it is usually inflated compared to what you would pay in a non-captive environment. Just like food and beverages at a movie theater. From the moment you set foot on board you'll be barraged with invitations to purchase soda, alcohol, spa services, art work, clothes and merchandise, and, of course, constant photographs of every public event on the ship. We were quickly disabused of the notion that cruises are "all inclusive." Quite the contrary, prepare to be nickled and dimed. That said, we still had fun and will be better prepared next time.

[stoneharborlady]

Not free are spa sessions, hair salon, ships excursions in port.

[Pam in CA]

Speaking as someone who recently took his first cruise, but is quickly learning thanks to CC, the question isn't whether something is free or not, but how much it costs. Basically the *only* things included are food, shows, the gym, and outdoor facilities like the pool and running track (although some ships charge for certain food and even for access to certain pools). Virtually any other product or service available on a cruise ship comes at a cost, and it is usually inflated compared to what you would pay in a non-captive environment. Just like food and beverages at a movie theater. From the moment you set foot on board you'll be barraged with invitations to purchase soda, alcohol, spa services, art work, clothes and merchandise, and, of course, constant photographs of every public event on the ship. We were quickly disabused of the notion that cruises are "all inclusive." Quite the contrary, prepare to be nickled and dimed. That said, we still had fun and will be better prepared next time.

Oh, my. Perhaps that's one way to look at it but when you consider getting your cabin, unlimited good-to-excellent food, cabin service twice a day, and day and night entertainment, it's very easy to avoid spending anything extra. I've never felt barraged to spend anything extra. It's a choice.

[paul929207]

Oh, my. Perhaps that's one way to look at it but when you consider getting your cabin, unlimited good-to-excellent food, cabin service twice a day, and day and night entertainment, it's very easy to avoid spending anything extra. I've never felt barraged to spend anything extra. It's a choice.

Pam,

I agree. While I have never had any doubt that there were people willing to sell m eextras if I wanted them, I have never felt harrassed or pestered by them.

[traveling1969]

Oh, my. Perhaps that's one way to look at it but when you consider getting your cabin, unlimited good-to-excellent food, cabin service twice a day, and day and night entertainment, it's very easy to avoid spending anything extra. I've never felt barraged to spend anything extra. It's a choice.

I have to agree 100%. All the food in the buffet, Main Dining Room and room service is free except for whole pizzas delivered to one's stateroom. Coffee, tea, milk are always free as well. Juices (orange, tomato and grapefruit) are free at breakfast. Yes there are a lot of opportunities

to purchase extras but that is at your discretion. I prefer to think of those as options. As for your opinion that the prices are inflated, I think they are comparable with land based hotel/resort prices. Yeah, Charlies bar down the street is cheaper but hey, it's Charlies bar. It probably didn't cost him 800 million to build the joint. Bon Voyage!

[welshcorgie]

Pam, I second that!!

[lovevacadays]

Oh, my. Perhaps that's one way to look at it but when you consider getting your cabin, unlimited good-to-excellent food, cabin service twice a day, and day and night entertainment, it's very easy to avoid spending anything extra. I've never felt barraged to spend anything extra. It's a choice.

 

I feel the same way and haven't ever really felt nickeled and dimed. I've done cruises where I spent very little and I've done ones where I've spent quite a bit extra because I wanted to do Specialty Restaurants, Spa, etc.

 

I think cruising is pretty economical compared to some land vacations I've taken. Plus, Princess drink prices are better than what I get in most restaurants or bars in Southern California

[debjo]

Also in the "free" pile (although you paid for the cruise, so it technically isn't "free") are:

...Warm greetings and smiles from nearly every staff & crew member you encounter, which is something you rarely get on land these days.

...Motion sickness medicine from the Passenger Service Desk

...and my favorite of all---the picture perfect views of the sea, morning sunrise, and evening sunsets from the ship (and your balcony if you are lucky to have one)!

 

Debjo (who is sure there are more "freebies" to add to the list!)

[Pam in CA]

I think cruising is pretty economical compared to some land vacations I've taken. Plus, Princess drink prices are better than what I get in most restaurants or bars in Southern California

I agree. We took an "all-inclusive" vacation a few years ago and not everything was included. If you wanted to do anything other than swim, i.e., any water sports or snorkling, there were extra fees. Towels? Extra fee. You didn't have a choice as to which restaurant to eat in (they advertised that they had four different ones), you were assigned a different one for each night, including the buffet a couple of nights. Ugh. The "entertainment" was a few pool games and a show every night for an hour. That was it. But the drinks were free and people who liked to drink a lot were in "smashed" heaven. It was no cheaper than a cruise.

 

We go to Javier's in Newport Beach every Saturday for lunch and they recently increased their price for a soda or iced tea to $4. <gasp>

[aussie57]

The time I have felt pressured to purchase was when having a specific spa treatment (say, a massage for relaxation). There is a definite pushy sales pich to purchase expensive product to "fix" certain skin related problems eg cellulite which you didn't ask to be identified in the first place. I'll stick to my masseuse at home from now on.

 

Do you have to pay extra on Princess to use the pool inside the Spa area?

[cruzsnooze]

The time I have felt pressured to purchase was when having a specific spa treatment (say, a massage for relaxation). There is a definite pushy sales pich to purchase expensive product

 

I also find the spa very pushy. Also the photographer is always in your face especially at dinner time or at disembarkation at ports. .Every place you go they are hawking something. Of course you can say no but they are rather pushy. Cruises do try to nickel and dime you. Years ago they didn't do this but we did pay a bit more for cruising. Years ago it was unthinkable to have a paid venue to dine in and soda was served in the dining room as an included item. But the positive still out weights those annoyances and I'll keep on cruising.

[PescadoAmarillo]

When we consider that we generally spend almost as much for the 1 night pre-cruise hotel as we spend for 1 night on the cruise, we remember what a value a cruise is. And the more you cruise, the less you tend to spend on the cruise (excursions excluded). We each buy a soda sticker and coffee card and possibly one drink every 2nd or 3rd day and we're good to go. Our OBCs usually cover our spending, or we have shipboard statements well under $100 combined. Comparing that to the pre-cruise night in a hotel room with no dinner, no transportation, no entertainment and no service, we don't mind most of the onboard sales attempts at all. (MOST...we avoid the spa and try to avoid the photographers).

[sstrong]

Oh, my. Perhaps that's one way to look at it but when you consider getting your cabin, unlimited good-to-excellent food, cabin service twice a day, and day and night entertainment, it's very easy to avoid spending anything extra. I've never felt barraged to spend anything extra. It's a choice.

 

Oh, I completely agree. Like choosing to buy drinks and snacks at the movie theater rather than packing your own. I was just pointing out that they *try* to nickle and dime you every which way. Like I said, we still had a good time on our last cruise and are looking forward to our next one

[caribill]

The time I have felt pressured to purchase was when having a specific spa treatment (say, a massage for relaxation). There is a definite pushy sales pich to purchase expensive product to "fix" certain skin related problems eg cellulite which you didn't ask to be identified in the first place. I'll stick to my masseuse at home from now on.

 

Do you have to pay extra on Princess to use the pool inside the Spa area?

 

On all of the Grand Class ships, this pool is an adult only, no-charge pool.

[Pam in CA]

Oh, I completely agree. Like choosing to buy drinks and snacks at the movie theater rather than packing your own. I was just pointing out that they *try* to nickle and dime you every which way. Like I said, we still had a good time on our last cruise and are looking forward to our next one

I think I'm so practiced at giving them "the look" that they immediately stop and go elsewhere. :) I blow past the photographers at embarkation and at the gangway when disembarking in port. They even start to approach our table at dinner and we all shake our heads. I know they have a job to do but harassing me isn't one of them. They are far less pushy than they used to be. If I'm not giving them "the look" or shaking my head, a firm "No, thank you" works.

[t60]

Also in the "free" pile (although you paid for the cruise, so it technically isn't "free") are:.

snip...

 

...Motion sickness medicine from the Passenger Service Desk

 

snip,,,,

 

Is this correct for ALL Princess ships?

 

What and how much medication is given out for motion sickness?

 

I´m asking as we´re going round the Horn next next year so might need some

 

Sandy in Spain

[keagle]

So, is a pizza that you pick up free? Everyone says that if it is delivered it costs, but what if it isn't delivered?

[paul929207]

So, is a pizza that you pick up free? Everyone says that if it is delivered it costs, but what if it isn't delivered?

No charge if you pick it up. There is only the $3 charge if you have them deliver it to your cabin

[WeBeGone]

LIST OF EXTRA CHARGES ON CRUISES (some prices may have changed):

FOOD/DRINK:

· Fountain Soda at bars and in dining rooms (Soda card available for $3.95 per day for length of cruise plus tax/tip; 7 days = $27.65 – Also Canned Soda / Bottled Water ($1.50/ea plus tax/tip; can bring onboard at embarkation and port stops) – have your cabin fridge emptied out by steward; better to buy a package.

· Drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), anywhere on the ship (buffet, dining room, pizza place, trident grill, café, bars, shows, pool deck, room service, etc.)

· Specialty ice cream near the pool and in International Café (available for free in Horizon Court Buffet from 3:30-4:30 pm and at dinner) (Ben & Jerry’s on RC)

· A few items at International Café (chocolate covered strawberries, fondue, caramel apples, truffles); a few Room Service items (tray of canapés, soda package, etc.)

· Specialty coffee at meals, in International café (coffee card for $24.95 covers 15 drinks plus unlimited brewed coffee at Café on Princess; RCI gives you one free after purchase/punch card of 10 drinks).

· Specialty Dining Rooms ($20 pp Sabatinis/Portofino; $25 pp Crown Grill/Chops; $4.95 Johnny Rockets – food only, no drinks) and Special Dining Experiences (balcony dining, Chef’s Table, Wine Flights, etc., etc.)

· Any meals in port (duh)… except where included at “private island” stops (Princess Cays/Labadee/Cococay cookout)… plus rental of beach chairs, loungers, cabanas, umbrellas, kayaks, etc; any drinks, taxis, tips, etc.

ACTIVITIES/PURCHASES:

· Port Tours / Shore Excursions ($20-$200+ per outing, privately arranged or thru cruiseline).

· Gambling / Casino (as you will… be sure to bring on cash or be charged a service fee for taking out cash on your ship card) + Bingo ($10-20 per game… and now $1.50 for a bingo marker!... now ELECTRONIC!!!)

· Art Auctions (can be very pricey if you buy; they often offer free champagne at preview and sale)

· Shopping / souvenirs / gifts / necessities (cosmetics/perfume/jewelry/clothes/trinkets/etc.) onboard or in port (Port “Discount” shopping books sold onboard, w/coupons for free/discounted items in port = $25)

· Spa treatments / Salon Services ($60-$180 per treatment – massages, wraps, facials, tooth whitening, ionithermie, manicure/pedicure, haircuts, etc.) + any Salon Products (Steiner/Lotus Spa/etc.) – expensive!

· Sanctuary ($15/half-day – quiet, shaded area with deluxe loungers and drink/food service, outdoor massages and sunset Yoga classes available)

· Thermal Suite ($130/couple for the cruise – indoor heated stone loungers, aromatherapy steam rooms)

· Some exercise classes ($12/ea. 55-min Yoga, Pilates, Spinning -- $30 for 3 -- plus $75+ personal training and $35 fitness/metabolism testing, and they ask for tips on top of fees. The shorter, 25 mins. stretching and aerobics classes are usually free, as are the machines and jogging track, plus sales presentations)

SERVICES/GRATUITIES:

· Some classes including Computers@sea, digital photography instruction, materials for some scholarship@sea programs (ceramics, etc.); port lectures and other programs often have no fee.

· Photographs taken by the ship’s photographers ($10-25 per photo); developing disposable cameras/film; having prints/CDs made from your digital camera.

· Internet time (.75/min. unless you buy a package, then it can drop to .50/min – much cheaper in port) and Telephone (Yikes! Look at those costs… if you can use your cel, beware of international roaming charges)

· Laundry / dry cleaning / pressing through the ship; Self-serve laundry (I think it's $1 for washer, $1 for dryer, $1 for soap; there’s an iron there, too); tux/formalwear rental, floral purchases

· Golf simulator and Scuba Training (no idea about these, just know they cost extra)

· Gratuities ($10pp/pd automatically added to your bill or can handle separately)

· Tips on drinks at bars or for room service orders

· Any needed medical services (doctor visits charged to your account).

· Cruise Insurance (to cover medical services rendered, emergency evacuation, repatriation, lost/stolen/damaged baggage, camera, cellphone, laptop, etc.)

· Future Cruise Credit (FCC)/Nextcruise – deposit for future cruise, usually results in OBC (onboard credit).

· Babysitting and certain special children’s activities (dinner at Johnny Rockets).

· Transfers/parking/taxis to and from ship before and after cruise; Tips for baggage handlers, drivers, etc.

 

What’s Included:

· Cabin, TV movies, cabin service, toiletries, fruit delivery (Princess), safe, refrigerator (can fill with own drinks), towel animals (RCI), pillow chocolates (Princess), and of course transportation to all ports of call

· Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner in dining rooms, at 24-hr buffet, pizza place, trident grill, most items at the Inter*national Café/Promenade Cafe, room service (except for tips) (RCI $3.95 room service charge midnite-5am)

· All entertainment (production shows, singers/musicians in bars, show lounges, nightclub, movies, trivia, dance classes, poolside games, Princess Pop Star/Karaoke, port tour/shopping/some educational lectures).

· Special events such as champagne waterfall, pool buffet, captain’s party; several presentations such as culinary arts, galley tour, bridge tour, spa wellness (i.e. sales) presentations.

· Use of library, pools/hot tubs, gym (including some classes such as stretch and aerobics), ping-pong, shuffle*board, sports court (bball/vball), putting green, kids program (babysitting extra).