What do you need to pay for?

[xjeddax]

Hello, my last (and only) cruise was a very small Greek Island cruise ship - all of my food was covered and all of my drinks were put on my account.

 

DH and I are booked on the Millennium this November, and while starting to plan the budget for the trip I am wondering what I need to allow for extra onboard.

 

So from my research on here, I know that we can eat in the buffet and MDR and that we can arrange to have a drinks package (we are still debating that issue). I've seen the spa menu, I know the gelato is extra and I know that there are a few shops and a casino. Aside from these and tipping, what else should we be aware of needing to pay for?

 

(the husband is mostly interested in what all day food is available and what is free and what is not :cool:)

 

Thanks

[Scrapnana]

You may want to send some clothes to be dry cleaned or washed. Might possibly want a professional photo or two.

[wallie5446]

Everything you do will be put on your sea pass card, ie: on board account. There is a venue to get food ordered from 24 hours that is part of he cruise fare. There will be a few choices for speciality dining, for an additional fee.

[dkjretired]

Aqua spa café is free, only open for breakfast and lunch but a good change of pace from the buffet. Pastries are free at Café al Bacio but you have to pay for any drinks. Bistro on five is one of the best buys on board for $5.00 PP.

u

Also, MDR meals may be delivered by Room service to your room during regular dining room hours. You may want to tip a little bit for delivery of room service.

 

Don't forget tips which will automatically be put on your account daily. Tips are also added to drink package or drinks when you purchase without a package. I have also usually found that somewhere on the cruise I find a server who is excellent and I will tip a little better.

[lucinjo]

While the Gelato costs extra, there is pretty good ice cream and soft serve for free in the buffet area. Usually 5 or 6 selections of ice cream and a couple of sorbets. They make them on the ship and rotate the favors. Yummy candy toppings as well!

[hughdm]

In short, you wouldn't HAVE to pay for anything else. Have fun!

[cadburyguinness]

Shore Excursions !

[alcpa1]

Your shore excursions will be a major expense. One way to enhance your cruise and the shore excursions is to join the Roll Call for your sailing and join others touring in smaller groups. These excursions are generally booked with tour operators you can find on the Ports of Call boards.

Don't forget too that all onboard expenses will be charged in US dollars unless you can arrange for the Aussie conversion.

Have a wonderful cruise. The Millie is one of our favorite ships.

[cruisestitch]

You'll need to pay for all of the following if you choose them:

 

Carbonated beverages, bottled waters, alcoholic beverages, fresh-squeezed orange juice, specialty coffees, high-end teas, vitamin waters, smoothies

 

Spa services, hair salon services, manicures, pedicures, facials

 

Persian Garden access

 

Some exercise classes

 

Bingo

 

Gift shop, duty free liquor shop

 

Photographs

 

Shore excursions

 

Ship to town shuttles in some ports

 

Casino gambling

 

Post-cruise airport transfers

 

Laundry/dry cleaning/pressing

 

Luggage Valet service if offered

 

Specialty dining

 

Fresh flowers, boutonnieres, corsages

 

Tuxedo rental

 

 

None of these are required -- this is all elective spending. You can do the whole cruise without any of them, and still have a wonderful time

[d4m]

So from my research on here, I know that we can eat in the buffet and MDR and that we can arrange to have a drinks package (we are still debating that issue). I've seen the spa menu, I know the gelato is extra and I know that there are a few shops and a casino. Aside from these and tipping, what else should we be aware of needing to pay for?

 

(the husband is mostly interested in what all day food is available and what is free and what is not :cool:)

 

Thanks

 

This is for your husband

 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner available in buffet nearly all day. Breakfast has nearly everything you could want. Lunch has pastas, stir-fry, sandwiches, salad bar, carved meats. Dinner not as much, but enough that nobody goes hungry. Ever;) There is also sushi sometime around 5-6p.m. Free

 

You can also eat all three meals in the MDR if you want. Dinner menu is usually posted after lunch. Free

 

In addition, most things at Aqua Spa are no cost and they serve "healthier" breakfast and lunch items. Free

 

Don't forget the outside grill for hamburgers, hot dogs, fries etc. Free.

 

Bistro is great your first day, instead of the mad-house buffet. $5 cover charge for salads, paninis, crepes, desserts.

 

Cafe serves all kinds of pastry, cookies etc. Free. Have to pay for coffee and other drinks there. Just bring your own. If you want, you can bring your own water, soda and 2 bottles of wine on the ship. Free

 

There is usually a Brunch held one or two days (depending on length of your cruise) that has all kinds of breakfast and lunch items. Bring your camera for the ice sculptures. Free

 

Free ice cream and candy toppings in buffet area. Gelato is near Cafe and is a fair price, we think.

 

Room service available all the time - free of charge (we tip!) You should be able to use search feature to see what they offer

 

Can't think of another thing other than by day 4 or 5 you won't care if you ever see food again! Enjoy every minute.

[xjeddax]

Thank you all so much - your replies are exactly what I was after.

 

We have locked in most of our shore excursions (through the roll call) - they're definitely an expense! And it was with that in mind that I was starting to worry about how many other extras might be involved.

 

I think we can probably get by spending very little extra on board, and DH is very happy with that list of included food above :)

 

Thanks again.

[luvtravel88]

Another savings... We don't mind the coffee and tea that is served in the buffet area and it's available 24/7. We bring travel mugs with us so we can carry around our drinks on board and they hold more than a ship coffee cup.

[midwestchick]

You'll need to pay for all of the following if you choose them:

 

Carbonated beverages, bottled waters, alcoholic beverages, fresh-squeezed orange juice, specialty coffees, high-end teas, vitamin waters, smoothies

 

 

 

None of these are required -- this is all elective spending. You can do the whole cruise without any of them, and still have a wonderful time

 

Not trying to hijack this thread, but aren't all those beverages covered if you have the drink package?

[cruisestitch]

The point was, you have to pay for them. They are not complimentary. So you can pay-as-you-go or buy a drink package, but one way or another, they are not the included beverages you would get for your basic cruise fare.

[nothriver]

Has anyone mentioned Internet?

 

"minutes" for internet use are quite expensive on the ship. Often you can get free internet in the port, and by that I mean in the port building right next to the ship. Look for crew and passangers sitting around with electronic devices, you'll know there is wi-fi hot spot.

[cruisestitch]

Thanks, I forgot that, and Pey-per-view movies (although there are also free movies on the tv) and also forgot the video games in the kids area

[happy cruzer]

Just to be clear the included coffee is just coffee. Cappucino or espresso is an extra charge even in the MDR and buffet.

[CathyCruises]

Be sure to do the math on the drinks package. If you're not sure it's for you, drink your desired amount for the first day or so, check your online account to see what you've spent, and then if it makes sense you can add the package (prorated) there on the ship.

 

FWIW we spend very little additional on board. We DIY in most ports, we are Elite so we get the free cocktail hour each evening, we don't gamble or shop or buy photos. We usually do one specialty resto each cruise (and got that for 50% off last time), etc.

[kitty9]

Just to correct one small thing d4m posted, lunch is served in the MDR on sea days only. On port days lunch is available in the Aqua Spa cafe, buffet, room service for no charge, and in Bistro on Five for a $5 fee.

[JLSPOOL]

Also

Sunscreen, sunhat, pier/port/luggage handling tips.

 

Medical center charges. (Don't get sick.)

 

Post cards/postage.

 

Airport miscellaneous.

 

 

jls

[ORV]

Thanks, I forgot that, and Pey-per-view movies (although there are also free movies on the tv) and also forgot the video games in the kids area

 

High Tea?

[miched]

You should read the FAQ section on X.

 

Then shop around and you can find a on line site that will offer gratuities and maybe some SBC and a discounted rate. Do a search for discount cruise or cruise.

 

There is also a promo that gives you the Classic drink package along with other options.

 

If you really put your frugal mind set to work you can take a cruise and not spend more than the price of the cruise and transportation cost to get there.

 

Don't buy anything and use your feet in port.

 

Meals, adequate beverages, cabin and entertainment are part of the cruise price.

 

 

 

.

[xjeddax]

Thank you again for all of the advice/information. Has been a big help.

[Kate45]

Okay. Now I'm confused. I've read that an advantage to drink pkg is no signing, no slips yet you say tips are added to our account?

[akowilm]

If you purchase one of the beverage packages, the gratuities are added into the final cost. They will not be added on top of what you have already paid in the purchase price of the package.

Also, back to the original question, the burgers at the pool are really good burgers! It took me 2 cruises to discover them, and then I made up for it on the following 2, lol!!!