Help A Lazy College Kid Please :-)

[anil099]

Hey, I'm a 19 year old college kid and I've never been on a crusie. I thought I would try it this spring break so I have a few questions, and who better to ask than other cruisers I suppose...

 

1) Do cruise lines like carnival and royal caribbean include everything in their "fare"...if not what is included?

 

2) Are there cruises for young lazy kids like me who just want to get away and not do much but relax and enjoy the view? I don't care for formal nights and all that

 

3) Do they charge extra to see the comedian or magician or whatever is on the ship

 

4) Do you HAVE to get off the ship when it arrives at the destination? If so can you just hang around and check out the beach or do you have to spend money?

 

5) What can I expect to pay above my "fare" that is advertised

 

6) I live in Georgia, so I will probably drive down to Florida...do they offer parking? if so do they charge? and how safe is it?

 

7) Give me an estimate of what you think I need to carry on board as far as cash goes...I'm not old enough to drink...and I don't drink much anyways...but just the neccessities...again I'm a lazy college kid who works part time....

 

thanks and I really like this site

 

and sorry I know my questions have been asked a million times before I do apologize...thanks

[megabill]

1) Not everything is included. There's so much thats included and so much thats not included. Basically Drinks (outside of water/juice/coffee) are NOT included, the some cruiselines offer soda cards. Tips are definitely not included. Spa services not included... Most food is included (doesn't include specialty restuarant though). thats not the complete list, but if you have something specific in mind, ask and we'll tell ya.

 

2) Its your cruise, make of it what you want.. If you only want to sit out on deck and tan... go for it. Formal nights are a touchy subject around these parts. Do you have to dress up for formal night? technically no. But to respect others, you probably want to stay away from the main dining room those nights (usually 2 on a 7 day cruise). Hit the buffet, or order in room service (they can deliver whatever's on the main dining room menu to your cabin if you really want dining room food)

 

3) nah.. no charge for extra shows. (at least not that i've ever seen).

 

4) again - your cruise, make of it what you want. If you want to stay on the ship... go for it. There is generally less activity on the ship when its in port. So if you want to stay on deck and tan, its all yours. They certainly dont force you off the ship. If you want to, depending on where you're going, you can probably just hop a cab to a beach and chill there.

 

5) if you're talking "hidden costs"... most dont include your port charges and insurance if you take it. dont remember how much they are off hand. If you're talking about stuff thats not included... again, things like tips, spa services, most drinks.

 

6) Can't help you with the parking. Maybe another poster can offer advice here (i would normally fly in and hop a cab from the airport).

 

7) Hard to put a number to it. If you have a credit card, you probably dont need a ton of cash. All your onboard purchases will be put on your onboard card. Many lines now also automatically (or at your request) add the tips to that as well. If you've linked the onboard card to a credit card then the line just charges your card at the end of the voyage. If you'd rather, you can also do a cash-advance type deal. Load up your account with money first, then work your balance down. In that case, you'll probably want to bring more cash with you. If you're not going to do that much or any drinking, you can spring for the Soda card. Its probalby something like $40 for the week and you get all your soda "free". I've heard of people tipping bar staff a buck or two each time they order if they get the soda card. (tip is automatcially added to each purchase if you dont get the soda card, so addtional tipping is up to you).

 

You'll see other people recommend bringing lots of small bills (1's and 5's) for tipping for things like baggage handlers, room service, etc. And some bigger bills for cab rides.

 

hope that helps.

[mamamo65]

http://home.comcast.net/~dr.crash/HomePage.html

 

The above link will help with a lot of questions, but here I go.

 

Most food is included, stay away from dinner clubs and coffee shops. Soda cost, but tea, punch, juice is available 24/7, so is pizza on Carnival. Most room service is included, but they should get a tip. Tipping is added on Carnival $10 a day per person. This is for cabin steward, wait staff. Do what you want when you want. That is the fun thing about cruising. No one makes you do anything, except leave when your time is up.:( No extra charge for shows, charge for spa treatment and some fitness classes and of course, the casino and bingo. Cruise lines have a daily newsletters for waht activities are scheduled for the day and if there is any cost. Parking in Florida- Port Canaveral and Tampa charge $12-15 a day, looked pretty secure to me, of course the usual rules apply, lock vehicle, keep stuff out of sight. I would say $150 to $200 extra. Tipping and parking for a 3 to 5 day with be $75 to 125, add on a T-shirt and a soda for that cute person by the pool.:D Tipping is included in the price of soda card. If you pack light and carry your own luggage on and off, that will save that tip. Anything else just look around the site or ask.

[Aidansmommy2]

Sorry, but you probably won't be able to cruise by your self . I know on Carnival that you have to be 21 to travel alone and if your younger than that you need to have a parent or guardian at least 25 yrs old traveling with you. I am only guessing, but I would think that most of the other cruise lines have this same age restriction.

Barb

[Nightwind]

 

1) Do cruise lines like carnival and royal caribbean include everything in their "fare"...if not what is included?

 

Sorry to disappoint you, but on Carnival, you must be 21 to travel on the ship unless you're traveling in the same stateroom with someone 25 or older. Don't know about any other cruise lines's policy about this. I'm guessing this is to prevent gangs of spring breakers from taking over the ship. :)

 

2) Are there cruises for young lazy kids like me who just want to get away and not do much but relax and enjoy the view? I don't care for formal nights and all that

 

Cruises can be as active as you like or as lazy as you like. It's up to you.

 

3) Do they charge extra to see the comedian or magician or whatever is on the ship

 

No. That's included.

 

4) Do you HAVE to get off the ship when it arrives at the destination? If so can you just hang around and check out the beach or do you have to spend money?

 

No, you don't HAVE to get off the ship. You can do whatever you like. If you stay on, you might find some specials on, say, spa treatments if you're into that kind of thing.

 

5) What can I expect to pay above my "fare" that is advertised

 

That's up to you. Depends on how much soda you drink (Soda isn't included in your fare), whether or not you use the casino, whether or not you buy anything from the stores on the ship, whether or not you get massages or such from the spa, whether you do shore excursions, etc., etc, etc. I've spent $1000 on a ship before. I've spent $20 on a ship before. It's really up to you.

 

6) I live in Georgia, so I will probably drive down to Florida...do they offer parking? if so do they charge? and how safe is it?

 

Yes, you can park at the pier. It's generally about $12 a day. And, so far as I've heard, it's safe.

 

7) Give me an estimate of what you think I need to carry on board as far as cash goes...I'm not old enough to drink...and I don't drink much anyways...but just the neccessities...again I'm a lazy college kid who works part time....

 

You don't really need any cash on the ship, though you'll need it if you plan to spend anything ashore. (Many beaches, for instance, aren't free, and you'll need money for a taxi to get you to that beach and you'll need food/drink while ashore, etc.) When you go on board, they give you a card that you use for any purchases you make. This is secured with a credit card or with a cash deposit. I believe if you put down cash, you're required to put down between $100 and $350, depending on the length of your cruise. Whatever you don't use is returned to you at the end of your cruise or, if you spend more than that, you'll be called to the purser's desk and you'll have to plunk down more money. Easier all around to use a credit card, if you have one.

 

thanks and I really like this site.

 

Welcome. :) If you decide to cruise...beware! It's addictive. :) Particularly if you like "lazy" vacations. ;)

 

.....

[cherylandtk]

The age requirements on Princess are 18; so that would be your best cruise option unless you have an over 25 travelling partner. RCCL and Carnival both have the minimum 21 age limits mentioned above.

 

You should be aware that most pricing is based upon double occupancy; and that rates for single occupancy travelers is nearly double the cost. SO you will need to find a reliable travel partner that won't back out on you at the last minute.

 

You should also plan on spending $10 per day for tips (charged automatically to your onboard account). If you are under 21, you will not be able to purchase alcoholic drinks onboard.

[Tmeister]

If you're looking for a really laid back cruise where you won't have to dress formally but can still make use of all that the ship has to offer, let me suggest Norwegian Cruise Line. From your description of what you want and expect out of a cruise, I think NCL would be ideal for you and very likely to fit your budget. I don't think you'd be disappointed.

[anil099]

wow ive been on busy message boards before but you guys beat everyone...thanks so much for the quick replies...I totally forgot about the double occupancy thing...ouch...I just wanted to get outta town for a few days by myself....by the way...how are the rooms and stuff on most cruises? do they feel like cheap motels? or can u get by?

[tomc]

Rooms are nice, compared to motels.

 

btw: Avoid $10 bills, as they are the most counterfeited. If you buy things onshore, or want to give money as an extra tip, use fives. I've seen places that won't take USA $10's.

 

I totally forgot about the double occupancy thing...ouch.

Some lines, like HAL, have a single-share thing. You pay single fare and share the cabin with whoever they stick in there. It's not bad; I do it all the time. Only bad thing is if you're a guy, you get a guy. :(

[vmom]

The cruise lines I would recommend for a 19 year old won't let you book due to your age. I've read that Princess might, but after 2 Princess cruises, I wouldn't recommend it for a 19 year old. I enjoyed it, but its been a long time since I was 19. Think you would find Princess a bit too dull for you.

[kitty9]

anil099, you're underage to book a cruise by yourself on any line except Disney or Princess. I don't think you'd care for either line at your age as Disney is all kids (and very expensive even for their smallest rooms plus you pay double with their single supplement) and Princess has a demographic that caters to older passengers (and you have to pay double on Princess as a single passenger). You might want to consider going to a resort by yourself as a nice getaway. There are any number of US resorts that you can book yourself that would have a nice pool and beach area, or you might want to consider going off on an island resort. No age limits for that.

[Amanda & Roger]

I know you said you wanted to get away by yourself, but your at a college with alot of other guys and I as sure some older single grad students that would like to get a way for a week. You might want to ask around a little. On our last cruise we meet to guys that have been friends since college that take a cruise together every two years, probably to get away from their wives and children.

 

Although I am 33, I am still a grad student (2 MA's and now a PhD) and if I were not married I would seriously think about sharing a cruise with a room mate. Going to the different ports and the interesting people that you will meet (on and off the ship) is a must. It will give you a new perspective on life!

 

We have sailed on Princess twice. They would probably be a good choice for you. (not as party oriented as Carnival) Princess also goes out of Fort Laud., not Miami. That would save you another 30 to 45 min. on the drive. When we drive from upstate SC, it normally takes us 11 hrs to get to the port. Having a buddy drive with you would be great as well.

 

By the way, for my spring break we are taking a 10 day cruise from San Juan on the Celebrity Galaxy.

 

Good Luck,

Roger