New Cruiser: What to Expect for Post-Cruise Bill?

[katiemylady]

Hi all! My boyfriend and I will be cruising the Gem in April (SO CLOSE!). We have pre-paid the daily service charge, and the gratuity charge associated with the Ultimate Drink Package we got as a Free at Sea. We've already paid for one specialty dining. I was planning on bringing some cash with me for port shopping/spending, and was wondering what a good amount would be to bring for cash and what we should expect our on-board bill should be at the end? We do not plan on leaving ship in Port Canaveral, and will spend cash in Nassau. Might do some snorkeling on GSC but want to know what to expect for our on-board bill at the end. Don't want to be surprised by sticker shock at the end of the trip!

[boopsahoy]

Since you have prepaid the service charge and the gratuities for the drink package its up to you. You could actually go home with a zero bill. Do you need more specialty dining? Are you going to do any martini tastings? Are you playing in the casino? Will you be drinking at GSC (I don't think its included in the drink package but I am not sure).

[Son of a son of a ...]

Do you gamble?

[MeHeartCruising]

Hi all! My boyfriend and I will be cruising the Gem in April (SO CLOSE!). We have pre-paid the daily service charge, and the gratuity charge associated with the Ultimate Drink Package we got as a Free at Sea. We've already paid for one specialty dining. I was planning on bringing some cash with me for port shopping/spending, and was wondering what a good amount would be to bring for cash and what we should expect our on-board bill should be at the end? We do not plan on leaving ship in Port Canaveral, and will spend cash in Nassau. Might do some snorkeling on GSC but want to know what to expect for our on-board bill at the end. Don't want to be surprised by sticker shock at the end of the trip!

 

Given what you've already pre-paid, unless you buy something in the stores on ship, gamble in the casino, go to more specialty restaurants, play bingo or any of the other for-fee activities (there's plenty to do without doing that), or buy a $1200 work of art, you're bill at the end of the cruise may very well be zero. If my cabin steward does a great job, I usually slip him/her an extra $20 per person in the cabin, but that's entirely optional. If my drinks and daily service charge is pre-paid, I rarely spend anything more on the ship other than the extra steward tip. But, you will have plenty of places to spend money if you choose to do it.

[katiemylady]

Thank you guys! I was a little scared after seeing lots of people being shocked by their on-board bill on the final day. I may play bingo, but probably not a lot, other than that we do not gamble. We are considering purchasing MAYBE one photo but I'm sure that won't be hundred of dollars. I had previously budgeted for an extra $250 (per person) on top of what we have already spent for miscellaneous spending. Does that seem reasonable?

[KarlChilders]

Things that might cost extra but are totally optional:

Gambling

Shopping

Specialty Coffee

Photo's 30-40 bucks each (yikes)

a clamshell on GSC (best $39 I ever spent)

[Kitty Witty]

My first time cruising my bill at the end was less than $20 as we only had a couple of beers each. I think this last time it was around $90. Just watch and keep track of your expenses along the way so you don't have any surprises at the end.

[CruiseGal999]

Thank you guys! I was a little scared after seeing lots of people being shocked by their on-board bill on the final day. I may play bingo, but probably not a lot, other than that we do not gamble. We are considering purchasing MAYBE one photo but I'm sure that won't be hundred of dollars. I had previously budgeted for an extra $250 (per person) on top of what we have already spent for miscellaneous spending. Does that seem reasonable?

 

You can get your account balance on a daily basis so there won't be any surprises.

 

I did a cruise in May 2017 and my total at the end was $16.50. I bought a couple of things in the store onboard. But I called Guest Relations the night before disembarking, made sure there were no surprises, and requested they just charge my credit card on file for that amount. Final bill was left on my door and I did a walk off disembarkation and was at my hotel by 10:00 a.m.

 

It is good to check your account. It does happen that charges show up on wrong accounts. Just FYI.

[rmurray847]

Thank you guys! I was a little scared after seeing lots of people being shocked by their on-board bill on the final day. I may play bingo, but probably not a lot, other than that we do not gamble. We are considering purchasing MAYBE one photo but I'm sure that won't be hundred of dollars. I had previously budgeted for an extra $250 (per person) on top of what we have already spent for miscellaneous spending. Does that seem reasonable?

 

As you've heard, you can easily spend nothing else on your cruise...or you can go crazy and spend lots! The cruise line has many opportunities for you to spend more money, and they'll certainly tout these opportunities greatly. But at no time should anything catch you by surprise. You'd have to be willfully ignorant to, for example, wander into a specialty restaurant and have a full meal, unaware that there's going to be a cost.

 

Having said that, two areas come to mind where you could be surprised:

 

1) I'm sure you already know, your drink packages cover any drink up to $15 price and doesn't cover full bottles of wine. So if, for example, you unwittingly ordered a drink that's $17...you'll be charged $2 + another 20% gratuity on that $2 ($2.40) total. You'll find out right away because they'll give you the bill, but by then, you'll also have the drink...so you're kinda stuck. HOWEVER, in my experience, few drinks go over and I've never ordered one and not had the bartender or waiter tell me it was over the limit. They don't want an unhappily surprised customer.

 

2) Unless your service is quite lackluster, you'll probably want to tip your room steward a modest amount. This will not break your bank, but is a good reason to bring some cash with you.

 

I will say, though, that we ALWAYS find something we want to spend money on. Don't kid yourself that you won't spend a dime. Don't deny yourself totally. You might find a t-shirt you love in the gift shop, or decide that you ARE in the mood for scotch tasting class. Be sensible, but don't be afraid to be a little bit spontaneous.

 

You'll have a blast!!!

[aeroo777]

You’ll most likely be charged sales tax for drinks ordered while at the embarkation port, other ports no tax charged as far as I know.

[Rsavtechcruise]

You can literally not have a bill if careful from someone who has cruised more than 20 Times my recommendation is to do a cash account once onboard first day go put 50 to 100 down on it to start with that way if you need to buy something in store or bingo you have some on account. You can add more at anytime as needed during g the cruise then the last night of the cruise before you go to bed stop by guest services and have them close out your account they will give you cash back for any remaining balance that way no holds on debt card and no oh crap bills come to credit or debit card after getting off the cruise

 

 

Picture average $20 per 8x10

Bingo average $20 per play

Other than that anything else you spend since you have prepaid for all else would entirely be up to you and optional and of course there is always the casino

[MrsTabs]

we did our first cruise this Feb and like you we were worried about a large bill at the end

 

we also pre paid our gratuities and had drink and food package

 

bottom line don't worry - we had next to nothing on our bill at the end

 

you can use the tv in your room to track any charges all through the cruise so it won't be a surprise

 

Have a great time!

[havanadaydreaming]

things that impact final bill, in my experience:

 

drinks, if not on plan.

 

shopping. booze bottles, cigs, souvenirs.

 

excursions.

 

spa.

 

casino. an option when bored or if fond of gaming.

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

[gmbhardy]

Since you have prepaid the service charge and the gratuities for the drink package its up to you. You could actually go home with a zero bill. Do you need more specialty dining? Are you going to do any martini tastings? Are you playing in the casino? Will you be drinking at GSC (I don't think its included in the drink package but I am not sure).

You can use your UBP on GSC. The food is free there too.

[zqvol]

Hi all! My boyfriend and I will be cruising the Gem in April (SO CLOSE!). We have pre-paid the daily service charge, and the gratuity charge associated with the Ultimate Drink Package we got as a Free at Sea. We've already paid for one specialty dining. I was planning on bringing some cash with me for port shopping/spending, and was wondering what a good amount would be to bring for cash and what we should expect our on-board bill should be at the end? We do not plan on leaving ship in Port Canaveral, and will spend cash in Nassau. Might do some snorkeling on GSC but want to know what to expect for our on-board bill at the end. Don't want to be surprised by sticker shock at the end of the trip!

 

Based on your descriptions it is possible that you have a zero balance on your post cruise bill.