Since drinks and tips are paid for, will I spend anything?

[Mississippian]

As the OP, I'm feeling good about my ability to control costs. I'm going to pay to upgrade my drink package, probably buy internet, and pay a little extra for a few glasses of wine. I've cruised Princess quite a bit, and I never shop the gift shop, buy excursions, or buy photos. Just trying to know what to expect.

[Wine-O]

They are extremely good friends and were doing only corporate travel for the company DH works for. They did personal travel for anyone at the company as a favor. They are not a large business and we refuse to ask them to give up their commission (how they make a living) . I think your comment is very rude. They are not a large online company and you do realize that when you get a large obc from a TA, it's because they give up all or part of their commission, right? Wow. Friendship comes first, period.

 

A lot of times, TA's who book a lot of cruises will bundle their reservations and once they book a certain number of cabins on a cruise (8 or so), they get a free cabin which they usually sell, which is where they make a profit. Educate yourself.

 

I don't think my comment was very rude at all -- it was very factual. To quote Jack Nicholson, "You can't handle the truth." :D

 

I have a friend who has a travel agency, and I don't book my cruises with her because she gives crapola in OBC. She's still my friend, but not worth the $300-400 that goes into my pocket.

 

If you're happy with just a bottle of wine, then go for it. I'm sure other folks reading this thread who get crapola from their TA might be interested in putting a few $$ in OBC in their pocket. :rolleyes:

[BND]

I don't think my comment was very rude at all -- it was very factual. To quote Jack Nicholson, "You can't handle the truth." :D

 

I have a friend who has a travel agency, and I don't book my cruises with her because she gives crapola in OBC. She's still my friend, but not worth the $300-400 that goes into my pocket.

 

If you're happy with just a bottle of wine, then go for it. I'm sure other folks reading this thread who get crapola from their TA might be interested in putting a few $$ in OBC in their pocket. :rolleyes:

 

If I took it as rude, then to me it is rude. You don't get a vote in how we book our cruises or with whom. So, you do realize a lot of people book through the cruiseline and get nothing except non-refundable, right?

 

So as not to derail this any further with unnecessary comments from some, let's get back on topic. OP, as others have said, there are lots of ways to spend money onboard. So, just go on a shopping spree :-)

Edited May 28, 2016 by BND

[jagoffee]

OP, you have received a lot of good advice. Enjoy your cruise and Aqua Class.

 

If I was in your situation these are the areas that I would likely spend extra money:

 

1. As you said an upgrade to premium and a few over the limit. Better wines and beers for us.

2. One unlimited Internet package that can be used on multiple devices one at a time.

3. A few speciality restaurant reservations. Look for deals. I do not agree that Blu makes this not necessary.

4. Extra tips for some of the staff.

5. Perhaps some logo items.

6. Some budgeted money for the Casino, but with a strict daily limit.

7. Money for private excursions and shore activities.

 

The good thing is everything is optional.

[Wine-O]

If I took it as rude, then to me it is rude. You don't get a vote in how we book our cruises or with whom. So, you do realize a lot of people book through the cruiseline and get nothing except non-refundable, right?

 

If you find my comment rude, maybe you need to grow some thicker skin. I just love today's PC society :rolleyes: I'm just providing information as others also read these boards who might be interested in getting some refundable OBC from their travel agent. If you book direct with the cruise line, you get zilch, zip, nadda.

[DrivesLikeMario]

Things you might spend money on:

 

Shore excursions booked onboard

Gambling

Onboard shop purchases (while onboard, I ran out of eye liner and found a hat I liked)

Internet (if you don't get it free)

Dry cleaning

Laundry (we get a free bag but I will never send it out again!! White things ended up light blue and even after bleaching them at home, I can't get rid of the blue!)

Spa treatments

Salon appts. (nails, blow outs, etc.)

Pictures by the Celebrity photographers

Bistro On Five

Other specialty dining

Drinks over and above what your package covers

Extra tips to servers and cabin steward (in cash)

[DrivesLikeMario]

They are extremely good friends and were doing only corporate travel for the company DH works for. They did personal travel for anyone at the company as a favor. They are not a large business and we refuse to ask them to give up their commission (how they make a living) . I think your comment is very rude. They are not a large online company and you do realize that when you get a large obc from a TA, it's because they give up all or part of their commission, right? Wow. Friendship comes first, period.

 

A lot of times, TA's who book a lot of cruises will bundle their reservations and once they book a certain number of cabins on a cruise (8 or so), they get a free cabin which they usually sell, which is where they make a profit. Educate yourself.

 

Just to clarify for Groups - it's the 16th person's cruise fare that is free. Not an entire cabin. Not their port charges, gov. taxes, transfers, insurance, etc. - just the cruise fare itself for 1 person in a double cabin after there are 15 paid passengers.

Edited May 28, 2016 by DrivesLikeMario

[cruisestitch]

Here is a list of things you might spend money on. But none of these will be charged to your stateroom account without your knowledge or permission:

 

Acupuncture

Airport transfers

Apple products and Ilounge classes

Art Auctions

Beverages -- Alcoholic, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas, bottled water

Bingo

Bottles of wine

Casino

Duty free liquor and cigarettes

Fitness classes

Flowers

Gelato

Gift shop

Gratuities

Hair and nail salon

Internet

Laundry/pressing/drycleaning

Luggage Valet

Medical Center

Mini bar

Shore Excursions

Pay-per-view movies

Photos & cameras

Room service up charge items

Shore Excursions

Shuttle to town (some ports)

Spa -- massages and treatments

Specialty restaurants

Teeth Whitening

Voyage in Review DVD

Wine and liquor tastings

Zumba

[MicCanberra]

I've got an upcoming 12-night Adriatic cruise. I originally booked an inside cabin, but decided to upgrade to Aqua class, which in total cost an additional $1,850 for the two of us. It included the drink package for my daughter and me, plus prepaid tips, which I valued at just over $1,200. So I essentially paid $650 extra for a balcony and the right to eat at Blu, and I think that's a good deal, even though it turned my super-bargain cruise into not such a bargain.

 

With these things paid for, are there any other expenses that I can expect? I do plan to pay the $120 to upgrade to the premium drink package, and my guess is I might have four or five glasses that go over the limit and for which I have to pay the difference. I don't take ship's tours, but I assume there might be some $5 or $10 shuttle rides. Obviously I might charge something in the gift shop. But are there any other hidden charges that I might expect?

 

I'm just trying to figure how much I'm going to be spending. My daughter and I are spending a month in Europe, and I'd like to think that my 12 cruise days are pretty well paid for.

 

Just off the Connie where we did the Adriatic, Dalmatian Coast. Zadar and Dubrovnik have a shuttle to take you to the old town $12 each for each port. Don't think of walking it as it is a 20 minute shuttle ride. Also perhaps consider a transfer from or to the airport using the ships transfer, they may be a bit pricier but they do have their advantages.

Otherwise just enjoy and see how you go.:D

[BND]

If you find my comment rude, maybe you need to grow some thicker skin. I just love today's PC society :rolleyes: I'm just providing information as others also read these boards who might be interested in getting some refundable OBC from their travel agent. If you book direct with the cruise line, you get zilch, zip, nadda.

 

You did not hurt my feelings lol, which is where the PC crap comes in. I just said you were rude and that is hardly a "new" thing. It's called manners and it's all in the delivery and your delivery was condescending, and rude. You don't get to decide what I think is rude.

 

And, I, was just providing information to the OP and not about TA's, but about the fact that we always spend our OBC. You took this off track. The OP asked if they would spend anything, not whether to use a TA or not.

Edited May 29, 2016 by BND

[Pavovsky]

If I were you I would budget something for lunches out. We had delicious wish and wines while at some of the places in Greece notably Rhodes and Mykonos. For me that is part of the trip. Also you will find it cheaper to have a coffee in a local bar and use the free Internet there rather than pay on board.

 

Also if you are in Europe for a month and primarily the eu it could be an idea to get a pre paid SIM card. Internet roaming costs are now much cheaper.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited May 29, 2016 by Pavovsky

[knittinggirl]

We've never done the free drink package. Up to this point, we've managed to get a lower fare w/o it. But we do pack a lot of singles for tips. We found we get better service if we tip them cash for our drinks.

 

If you've pre-booked your shore excursions, it's good to include some tip money there too.

 

Also, purchase a bottle of water or two for shore excursions. Once you empty it, keep and refill on the ship.

 

We've managed to finish the cruise w/ a few dollars credit back on our card a few times. We pre-purchase our shore excursions and sometimes cancel them onboard. If we miss a port, we'll get the port charges refunded for that particular port.

[grandgeezer]

We've cruised before when everything has been included, such as our specialty dining and Blu, gratuities, beverage package, etc and had absolutely no charges on our folio.[/quote

 

We had a $9 charge to our card last month when we did the 15 day transatlantic on the Silhouette. That's the first time we didn't get money back in our last eight cruises. We have a B2B scheduled in October and fully expect to bring home $300. We'll start spending it when we find some value in the product they offer on the ship.

[MicCanberra]

As room may be very restricted in your luggage, perhaps bring an extra bag to take all your souvenirs and such back home either by post or paying the extra baggage fees.

[north29]

get by without spending extra money on the cruise ship. You are a far more thrifty people than we are.

[iSailor]

We've cruised before when everything has been included, such as our specialty dining and Blu, gratuities, beverage package, etc and had absolutely no charges on our folio.[/quote

 

We had a $9 charge to our card last month when we did the 15 day transatlantic on the Silhouette. That's the first time we didn't get money back in our last eight cruises. We have a B2B scheduled in October and fully expect to bring home $300. We'll start spending it when we find some value in the product they offer on the ship.

 

I bet you must be having the non refundable OBC.

Next time you go on board,go to the guest relation desk ask & clarify your OBC.

Btw,last month transatlantic was 13 nights.

I was there doing B2B2B.:D

It's just an advise,I am not rude.LOL

Edited May 30, 2016 by iSailor

[grandgeezer]

 

I bet you must be having the non refundable OBC.

Next time you go on board,go to the guest relation desk ask & clarify your OBC.

Btw,last month transatlantic was 13 nights.

I was there doing B2B2B.:D

It's just an advise,I am not rude.LOL

 

You are right it was 13 days. What I meant to say was my account balance was $9 more than my obc so it was charged to my credit card. You normally don't get much because the pricing on tas is so low. All the other times we have a credit returned to our card because the refundable obc is more tha my account balance.

Thanks for watching out for me.