What exactly is not included in cruise price?

[Daffyd]

I'm planning my second cruise ever (first was many years ago as a teen with my family) aboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas this fall. I've been told everything is included in the cruise cost except for alcohol, tips, excursions, spa and shopping. However, I'm picking up more and more that this is not correct.

(1.) I've heard that some of the onboard restaurants charge extra (Portofino, Chops, and Johnny Rockets). Do you pay for your meal, or pay an additional set fee??

(2.) Sodas and juice I've also heard are not included. This surprises me.

(3.) The rock-climbing wall as well as other onboard activities (inline skating, etc.)

One of the main advantages to cruising is that all is included in one price, but I'm beginning to think I will be nickeled and dimed to death onboard.

Any advice? What costs extra and how much has everyone spent extra while cruising with Royal?

[Sue L]

I'm planning my second cruise ever (first was many years ago as a teen with my family) aboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas this fall. I've been told everything is included in the cruise cost except for alcohol, tips, excursions, spa and shopping. However, I'm picking up more and more that this is not correct.

(1.) I've heard that some of the onboard restaurants charge extra (Portofino, Chops, and Johnny Rockets). Do you pay for your meal, or pay an additional set fee?? These are specialty restaurants and it is your choice to eat in them and pay the extra 20$pp or not. The main dining room and the buffet are all included. Johnny Rockets is a burger type place and there is a 3.95$ cover charge, but you don't have to go there

(2.) Sodas and juice I've also heard are not included. This surprises me. Lemonade, iced tea are available all day free. Soda isn't included in the fare but you can buy a soda card for around 6$ a day. Or you can be like me and have the free lemonade. None of the lines have free soda until you get into the real expensive lines where some even include alcholic drinks.

(3.) The rock-climbing wall as well as other onboard activities (inline skating, etc.) All free.

 

Pictures there is also a charge for but again your choice whether you want to buy any or not.

 

One of the main advantages to cruising is that all is included in one price, but I'm beginning to think I will be nickeled and dimed to death onboard.

Any advice? What costs extra and how much has everyone spent extra while cruising with Royal?

 

We book all our excursions ahead of time and we are not big drinkers. I usually like to buy some things from the shops and of course what we buy at the ports. We usually spend about 500-600$ for a 7 day cruise.

 

 

[Shelli]

(1.) I've heard that some of the onboard restaurants charge extra (Portofino, Chops, and Johnny Rockets). Do you pay for your meal, or pay an additional set fee??

 

These OPTIONAL restaurants have set fees-- I believe that the max is $20 pp for the high-end ones. But keep in mind that you don't have to eat there-- all your meals are included if you eat in the dining room or at the buffet.

 

(2.) Sodas and juice I've also heard are not included. This surprises me.

 

At breakfast, juices are included. Milk is generally included at mealtimes. You can generally get juice or milk from room service on most cruiselines at any time... and room service is free (but don't forget to tip $1-$2). Soda is always an extra-cost item (although it used to be included at dinner on Royal Caribbean many moons ago). They sell soda cards that allow unlimited sodas (by the glass from any bar) for a set fee-- do a search and you'll find lots of info on this.

 

Sorry, can't help with the last one-- the last time I cruised on RCCL, none of those things existed. :)

[mommabean]

Rock climbing and skating is included in the fare. Some ships have other activities also included. Mini golf, bungy jumping, surfing etc...

 

Some classes in the fitness center cost more - they'd be too overcrowded if there was no fee - or so I've heard. I wouldn't go if they were free. :)

 

You pay for any photos you want to purchase.

 

Tea, coffee, tap water, lemonade are all free. You can pay a one time fee if you drink a lot of soda which gives you unlimited soda by the glass - no cans or room service.

 

Specialty restaurants are $20 - a flat fee for all you want to eat. Johnny rockets is much less - is it $2.95 or $3.95? it's at the RCI web site - for all you want except the milk shakes which are extra. I've never eaten there so maybe someone else can tell you the price.

 

You can spend a lot extra, but you sure don't have to.

 

There is fun to be had in port without paying for an excursions. Just check out the excursion forums for some cheap or free ideas.

 

Drink the free stuff unless you can't do without soda. Some people actually can do without alcohol if you can believe it. :)

 

There's plenty of food on board without eating at the specialty places.

 

Don't go to the casino or play bingo. There's still plenty of other things to do.

 

Don't buy art.

 

Of course they offer plenty of spending opportunities and they highly encourage it. But no one will make you spend anything other than your cruise fare. You should just figure in the recommended tip amount and then be as frugal as you want to be.

[sea-cruise]

Soda is a bar item, just as it is on land. You won't be pushed to buy the photos, nor play bingo or gamble. You won't be pushed to buy the "art" at those auctions. The rock climbing is free. We've taken the family and only spent $ in the casino, and on the "soda card" for the teens.

We did go to the specialty restaurants, but you don't have to do that...the food is good in the dining room.

With all the DEALS that are out there....Where else will you find a vacation that is so cheap other than a cruise??? It's the most thrifty vacation I can find where you get all your meals, transportation between ports (not airfare), your entertainment/shows, and your hotel for one very LOW price. If you shop around or can wait until last minute sailings, you will be amazed at how cheap a cruise is.

[madforcruising]

Cruising is definitaly not all inclusive !!!

 

 

 

 

What does the price of my cruise include?

The price of your cruise vacation includes ship accommodations, ocean transportation, most meals, some beverages, and most entertainment aboard the ship. All prices are per-person, based on a double occupancy of the stateroom and are quoted in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise noted. The cruise vacation does not include specialty restaurants, air transportation and transfers (except as noted), or items of a personal nature, such as shore excursions, beverages, and telephone calls. These items may be purchased separately. The cruise fares quoted also do not include any applicable government taxes, fees, or surcharges that may be assessed by any governmental agencies. Such assessment is subject to change without notice at any time whether or not you have a confirmed reservation under deposit or if you have made a final payment.

[RoofingPrincess]

I had a SeaPass bill of under $200 at the end of my last (9-day) cruise - and that included my tips! So if you don't over-indulge on spa treatments, alcoholic beverages, sodas, etc, the fare can be pretty darn close to all-inclusive.

[cb at sea]

Canned soda is $1.50--same as at most hotels, so it's affordable for the occassional soft drink!

You certainly don't HAVE to spend a dime extra, if you don't want to! Our seapass charges are mostly for beer or cocktails--we seldom do any excursions now--been there-done that!-- we don't buy many of the pictures they take, since my eyes always seem to be closed!, and only once in a while will be eat in a specialty restaurant!

Cruising can be done without busting the bank!

[Langley Cruisers]

Tea, coffee, tap water, lemonade are all free.

 

Yes, allow me to add that coffee and tea are only included in the Dining Room, Windjammer, and Room Service (and Promenade Café on Voyager class and larger ships). Coffee and tea are not included in a bar or lounge - found this out the hard way when we were asked for our SeaPass card and charged $1.50 for a cup of coffee after dinner in a lounge. No biggie, but wanted to mention it.

[mommabean]

Yes, allow me to add that coffee and tea are only included in the Dining Room, Windjammer, and Room Service (and Promenade Café on Voyager class and larger ships). Coffee and tea are not included in a bar or lounge - found this out the hard way when we were asked for our SeaPass card and charged $1.50 for a cup of coffee after dinner in a lounge. No biggie, but wanted to mention it.

You are right. I should have been more clear.

 

And of course I hope they realize the Seattle's Best is not free at the Latté-tudes counter either. And Ben and Jerry's ice cream is also not free.

[cruisePRN]

Budget for $10 per person per day for tipping.

[Jay Bee]

 

And of course I hope they realize the Seattle's Best is not free at the Latté-tudes counter either. And Ben and Jerry's ice cream is also not free.

 

And here's some advice I learned too late. When you DO decide to spend extra, know what you are getting. My DD asked if she could have one or two specialty nonalcoholic drinks during the week since she was not buying a soda card and her sister was. This seemed like a great deal to me so when the drink guy came around at dinner and her eyes lit up, she went for it. Little did I know at the time that this drink that would have been - what? - $3-$4 turned out to be $11 just because it was in a souvenir glass!! The glass had the RCCL logo on the side and this detachable flashing light doohickey on the bottom. It was so annoying that she unscrewed it immediately and put it under a napkin. Only later (SeaPass card, please) did we realize how much it set us back. Even the kid was offended. Lesson learned: ask for the drink without the gimmick.

 

Jan

[Langley Cruisers]

You are right. I should have been more clear.

 

No, not a problem whatsoever. Sorry if I sounded like I was annoyed - I certainly wasn't. Just adding to your informative comments. :)

[mommabean]

No, not a problem whatsoever. Sorry if I sounded like I was annoyed - I certainly wasn't. Just adding to your informative comments. :)

No, you didn't sound at all annoyed. :) I realized after you mentioned it, that I should have given all the details so that no one would come back from their cruise all mad because there was also coffee for sale on the ship. I was glad you pointed it out to me.

 

It's actually hard to make a "what is" and "what isn't" included list for cruising. Since so much is and then again, so much isn't, it's one of those things most people figure out as they are cruising.

 

But we all know it IS possible to cruise without spending anything extra (other than the standard tip which can be paid before departure). It's just that most of us aren't willing to do it that way. :)

[amapola]

On AOS, the Windjammer drink dispensers included lemonade, iced tea and fruit punch, as well as water.

 

We spent $389 on this cruise: 2 dinners at Portofino (including the dining fee, 2 bottles of San Pellegrino, 1 espresso & extra tip each time), laundry (sent DH's dress shirts to be pressed, and the suitcase with his suit got wet so we had his suit cleaned also), 3 photos, a bit of Internet time, gratuities for 2 people... I think that was it. Obviously, except for the gratuities everything else was optional.

 

Although cruises are not all-inclusive, they come pretty close to it if you choose! Of course, you can go to the other extreme too. We overheard a woman and her three teenagers talking about their account, which was up to $1,050 on the 5th day of the cruise! The daughter asked the mom "And that's just for on board purchases, right?" -- which tells me they must have dropped a bundle on the islands too. To each his/her own!

 

We priced resorts in St. Martin for the same week of our cruise, and just hotel and airfare for 4 days/3 nights would have cost the same as our balcony cabins, and that was before any meals, local transportation or anything else! IMO cruises give an excellent value for the money. No one will nickel and dime you. I never felt any pressure to spend a penny more than I had already paid.

[mommabean]

Amapola,

 

I agree, I've not felt pressured at most times, but I would say it is encouraged by all the flyers left in the stateroom offering all the specials and spending opportunities. :) I'm not offended by this as I think it's the job of RCI to generate additional revenue.

 

The only exception I've ever felt to the no pressure in general rule is in the spa. I have no trouble resisting the pressure to by all the de-tox products by Elemis. But some people might not be so good at resisting.

 

So to all who don't know - they WILL come on with a hard sell in most cases right after the massage or treatment. Unless you are a teen traveling on someone elses account - they didn't mention it to my daughter. The next massage I get on board - I will tell them at the time of the appt. and again right before my massage - "Please, no offer of products for sale. It ruins the mood after the massage."

[Daffyd]

Thank you to everyone for your informative responses! That clears up my question!

[erin_cruisers]

Daffyd:

Any advice? What costs extra and how much has everyone spent extra while cruising with Royal?

I have a tip for you, (especially if this is your first cruise).

Save all those little receipts you get when you "buy" drinks, pictures, etc, etc, on your seapass card, so that you can match it with the bill at the end.

Our first cruise was a bit of a shocker

$1100.00 on seapass!!! :eek:

Upon matching up receipts, it was 100% correct. Of course, we chocked just chocked it up to our first/honeymoon cruise - we were buying pictures and rounds of drinks, flowers, and so forth.

Our second cruise it was less than half that.

Oh, also that is $CAD, not $uS.

[French_Fry]

THe booze is free at the captain's cocktail hour the first formal night ususally.

 

Also free booze at the frequent/returning cruisers party.

[SarafinaSarafina]

The only exception I've ever felt to the no pressure in general rule is in the spa. I have no trouble resisting the pressure to by all the de-tox products by Elemis. But some people might not be so good at resisting.

 

So to all who don't know - they WILL come on with a hard sell in most cases right after the massage or treatment. Unless you are a teen traveling on someone elses account - they didn't mention it to my daughter. The next massage I get on board - I will tell them at the time of the appt. and again right before my massage - "Please, no offer of products for sale. It ruins the mood after the massage."

 

Sometimes they do try to sell to a teen. My first cruise I was 18 and traveling with my mom. After my massage they gave me the hard sell on some products and I wasn't too happy about that, as it wasn't even my bill to charge it too. I almost said yes as I was told that it was something I needed asap, until I got to the desk and found out how much it is. They never tell you that in the pitch! Thank god I was able to quickly cancel it, as I'm sure my mom wouldn't be too happy for the $150 charge.:rolleyes:

[zotzer]

Not sure if anyone mentioned it here or not, but juices ARE included...at breakfast. Orange, tomato, pineapple, etc....

 

BTW, grapefruit juice has returned to RCI ships!!! For a long stretch there, they were not carrying it, but they've brought it back! Great news for people like me, who like not-so-sweet stuff. :)

 

T