Extra Expenses

[mef_57]

I looked at the cost of my all inclusive drinks package for my upcoming 9 day cruise. It was almost $1300 Cdn!! that is the same cost of my cruise fare.....or a flight and 5 nights accommodation in Paris, or a trip on the Orient Express.....well, you see where my priorities are. The exchange rate can be a real hit for those not earning US$.

I think the suggestion of putting an amount on your account ahead of time is a good one.

[Expat Cruise]

I looked at the cost of my all inclusive drinks package for my upcoming 9 day cruise. It was almost $1300 Cdn!! that is the same cost of my cruise fare.....or a flight and 5 nights accommodation in Paris, or a trip on the Orient Express.....well, you see where my priorities are. The exchange rate can be a real hit for those not earning US$.

I think the suggestion of putting an amount on your account ahead of time is a good one.

 

Yes NCL puts the daily cost of their package much higher than Royal or Carnival group, and then charges the highest percent tip on the package again of the big three. The package is not free it comes with a very high costs. Welcome to NCL, Mr Del Rio believes in making very dollar he can. It may cost you far less if you do not select the "free" drink package.

[Tatka]

Yes NCL puts the daily cost of their package much higher than Royal or Carnival group, and then charges the highest percent tip on the package again of the big three. The package is not free it comes with a very high costs. Welcome to NCL, Mr Del Rio believes in making very dollar he can. It may cost you far less if you do not select the "free" drink package.

Majority of NCL cruises have package as a promo and only pay 20% of $89 per day.

[mef_57]

Majority of NCL cruises have package as a promo and only pay 20% of $89 per day.

Sure, that is often the case, but solo traveler here. I only managed to get this cruise due to a SailAWay price last minute - so promo was Cdn at Par and reduced solo fee....not quite the promo you had in mind. SailAWay prices don't offer the perks....and to be honest, I can live without the perks. I splurged for the balcony in stead...much more my idea of a 'perk'.:D

[Tatka]

Sure, that is often the case, but solo traveler here. I only managed to get this cruise due to a SailAWay price last minute - so promo was Cdn at Par and reduced solo fee....not quite the promo you had in mind. SailAWay prices don't offer the perks....and to be honest, I can live without the perks. I splurged for the balcony in stead...much more my idea of a 'perk'.:D

Agree.. We book insides, last time our cabin which allows promos was priced the same as sailaway, so we took it and a package not even thinking twice. If this was not a case we would just buy drinks as we go.

[Lbrussel]

Prices and packages vary from line to line, but I generally find for light to moderate drinkers that the drink package doesn't make financial sense. I do understand paying for the convenience though if you think you'll be close, or the concern that you won't purchase the drinks if you have to pay "full" price.

 

 

 

On our last cruise my husband and I drank as much as we wanted, including trying some drinks that sounded good (one was, one wasn't). We drank significantly more than at home, but still only in the moderate drinking category. Combined we didn't even spend as much as a drink package for one of us would have been.

 

 

 

My advice if you want the "freedom" of a package but not the price tag is to load cash (or check) to your sailing account - if your line allows - in the amount you are willing to spend on drinks. You won't have a bill at the end since you pre-paid, but if you don't drink as much as you think (tired, sea sick, just don't feel like it) then you would get the money back or have it applied to other on board expenses.

 

 

 

Have a great cruise:cool:

 

 

 

Great idea about a sailing account. I just figured since I have a dedicated bank acct for this trip that I’ll make sure there’s extra money in it.

 

 

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[Lbrussel]

Just a thought about buying the drink package on board. When I bought mine I went ahead and bought early when I saw it on sale. Then it went on sale even lower so cancelled and bought at new price. Eventually price went back up to onboard prices. I saved a couple hundred dollars buying it before the cruise. My experience.

For us it was difficult to hit the break even point, but we did it. The convenience of having it was awesome though.

 

 

 

I’ll start looking at the pricing now. Especially since I found out they can change at any time. Thanks

 

 

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[pacruise804]

Great idea about a sailing account. I just figured since I have a dedicated bank acct for this trip that I’ll make sure there’s extra money in it.

 

 

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Sounds good:)

[cb at sea]

You will still want cash for ashore....it's quicker and easier if you're making a small purchase than dealing with a credit card.  There is a safe in your cabin to store you cash and valuables  If you plan on gambling, cash is the way to go!

[SRF]

Drink packages will typically be cheaper before the cruise. 

For RCI, anything (drinks, dining packages, excursions) booked before sailing is paid for at the time of sailing.  Anything booked on board it charged to your on board account.

If you pre-pay your gratuities, they will be paid at time of final payment.  If not, they are added daily to your on board account.

 

 

[Lbrussel]

On ‎10‎/‎17‎/‎2018 at 4:31 PM, cb at sea said:

You will still want cash for ashore....it's quicker and easier if you're making a small purchase than dealing with a credit card.  There is a safe in your cabin to store you cash and valuables  If you plan on gambling, cash is the way to go!

 

Thanks so much for the info. I saw from other posts that it's safer to use cash on shore then taking a credit card. So I definitely plan on taking an amount of cash with me for purchases on shore. Plus have a certain amount set aside for gambling, that keeps me from going crazy when I play. Its the same habit I have when I go to casinos at home.  

[Lbrussel]

18 hours ago, SRF said:

Drink packages will typically be cheaper before the cruise. 

For RCI, anything (drinks, dining packages, excursions) booked before sailing is paid for at the time of sailing.  Anything booked on board it charged to your on board account.

If you pre-pay your gratuities, they will be paid at time of final payment.  If not, they are added daily to your on board account.

 

 

I saw from other threads to keep an eye out for sales. I've been checking once a week to see if they're on sale yet.

 

Glad to know what will be paid when. It helps budget what I need by the time of final payment in May.

[SRF]

Some people are terrified of credit card issues.

 

It is no big deal if it happens.  Credit cards are easy to use in most places, and provide protection if the card is lost or stolen.  Cash has NO protection.

 

I have had cards compromised a number of times.  If you have the card (hint, make sure you have the card numbers and phone number somewhere else), you call, tell them, and they go over recent transactions.  Those you say are not yours are removed.  They cancel the card.  And send you a new one.

 

With some cards, they can offer, if you are traveling, to only allow transactions where the card is physically present and swiped or inserted.  With this, you can continue to travel and use that card.