What all costs extra?

[cgsample]

Sailing the Sun Princess next month on my 1st cruise.

 

I know alcohol costs extra. Read that sodas do too. Now I'm reading ice cream and coffee is an extra charge? Also heard there's a steakhouse that charges?

 

What else should I expect to pay extra for after the thousands I've already paid?

[DKMDE]

Sailing the Sun Princess next month on my 1st cruise.

 

I know alcohol costs extra. Read that sodas do too. Now I'm reading ice cream and coffee is an extra charge? Also heard there's a steakhouse that charges?

 

What else should I expect to pay extra for after the thousands I've already paid?

You forgot shopping and gambling (If you please).

[mrdood]

Here is a thread you might want to look at, you don't have to spend a dime on board if you choose not to, hopefully you are clear on tipping, here is the food answer:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=539839

[cynbar]

Relax -- you can have a great time on your cruise while sepnding very little extra!! Tips of $10/day pp will be added to your shipboard account, and cover all the waiters and busboys and your room steward. Beyond that, you will pay for your alcoholic drinks, and you can either buy a soda card or pay by the soda. Coffee, tea , ice tea, and milk are free -- juices are free at breakfast. You only pay for specialty coffees like espresso. There is an ice cream stand for a fee, but ice cream is also free in the DRs and for an hour each afternoon (around 3:30 ) in the Horizon Court.There is a surcharge for the steakhouse, but the food is just fine and included in the DRs, at the buffet and the pizzeria and grill. Some passengers run up quite a bill with miscellaneous charges for drinks, photos, excursions, art, and store purchases -- but it's really not necessary.

[sept10dsm]

Relax -- you can have a great time on your cruise while sepnding very little extra!! Tips of $10/day pp will be added to your shipboard account, and cover all the waiters and busboys and your room steward. Beyond that, you will pay for your alcoholic drinks, and you can either buy a soda card or pay by the soda. Coffee, tea , ice tea, and milk are free -- juices are free at breakfast. You only pay for specialty coffees like espresso. There is an ice cream stand for a fee, but ice cream is also free in the DRs and for an hour each afternoon (around 3:30 ) in the Horizon Court.There is a surcharge for the steakhouse, but the food is just fine and included in the DRs, at the buffet and the pizzeria and grill. Some passengers run up quite a bill with miscellaneous charges for drinks, photos, excursions, art, and store purchases -- but it's really not necessary.

I think that sums it up very well!! Have a great cruise.

[surfklutz]

I do believe that Princess has mastered that art of charging extra for whatever they can. Others do the same - but not to the extent that Princess does it.

[Pam in CA]

Essentially, other than the tipping, you would pay extra only for specialty items. Coffee and ice cream are free and plentiful but if you want specialty coffee, or specialty ice cream that's available only at the ice cream bar near the pool, you'll pay extra. Steak is available every night in the dining room(s) (I love the tournedos and order it with hollandaise sauce and a baked potato) but you can go to the "specialty" steakhouse and get a filet. Tours and excursions are extra. (I had a business partner who came back from a cruise livid that his helicopter and other tours weren't included so some people don't do their research and expect that.)

 

You can have a great time without spending or paying for anything extra.

[MercedMike]

I do believe that Princess has mastered that art of charging extra for whatever they can. Others do the same - but not to the extent that Princess does it.

 

When we started cruising 35 years ago, essentially everything aboard the ship except alcoholic beverages was included. Guess what -- all the same things are still included!! The things that are charged extra for are all new ideas that weren't even aboard the Song of Norway years ago.

 

All the cruise lines have become experts at finding ADDITIONAL things to charge for. Most of the time, we can do very well without them! We pick out the few things we do like from among the new ideas, and are very happy without the rest.

 

This actually results in a lowered cost of cruising for us, because if ALL these new ideas were included in the cruise fare it would have to be considerably higher than it is now.

 

How much do you manage to spend at Disneyland, over and above the cost of your admission ticket??

;)

[RenoMom5]

Please do not take this wrong AAAAmerican. I do not watch TV so that I do not have listen to people going on and on about politics. I come hear to escape all that other life stuff. I understand your point of view, which are really good points. Just don't want to be reminded all the time about politics. I want to read about cruising on the Dawn Princess in Oct. with my wonderful husband. Leslie:)

[NEW 2 CRUISIN]

No Worries, CGSAMPLE!

The only things that cost "extra" on our cruise last week were:

 

* Tips (which we had them add automatically)

* Shore Excursions (optional)

* Soda Cards (optional, as hot tea, iced tea, coffee, and ice water are available free all the time)

* Gift Shop purchases (optional)

* Bar Drinks (optional)

 

That's it!

 

Of course, if you desire, you can pay for "specialty dining", gambling, photos, and spa services. ALL ARE OPTIONAL - if you want them, you gotta buy them!

 

HAVE FUN!

 

:)

[southbayer]

My biggest expenses are in this order

1. The Casino

2. Drinks

3. Shore Excursions and all shopping.

4. Pre Paid Tips, and all the extra tip$ I hand out.

5. Rollaids:D

[Cruisin' Chick]

Just think that if you spent a week at a nice hotel, you would still be paying for your meals, alcohol drinks and sodas, excursions/theme parks, tips, gambling (if you go to Vegas or other places with casinos)...

 

There are many things you don't need to buy. It's up to you. My family is the type that doesn't spend much: we're not into gambling, not heavy drinkers (my hubby may have some wine here and there), not into excursions most of the time (I bring a guide book and a map and we wing it sometimes), we don't do bingo or art auctions, occasionally buy a ship's photo (that can run into money, but if you have a good camera and have people with you who can compose a photo decently, you'll save). We do buy tees to remember our trip (the ship has a logo sale near the very end of the cruise) and buy a few things here and there (usually tee-shirts, though).

[travelcrazy006]

does anyone know if you are allowed to take your own wine or other alcohol on the ship? i'm going on the island princess.

[Fuzzzy]

When we started cruising 35 years ago, essentially everything aboard the ship except alcoholic beverages was included. Guess what -- all the same things are still included!! The things that are charged extra for are all new ideas that weren't even aboard the Song of Norway years ago.

 

All the cruise lines have become experts at finding ADDITIONAL things to charge for. Most of the time, we can do very well without them! We pick out the few things we do like from among the new ideas, and are very happy without the rest.

 

This actually results in a lowered cost of cruising for us, because if ALL these new ideas were included in the cruise fare it would have to be considerably higher than it is now.

 

How much do you manage to spend at Disneyland, over and above the cost of your admission ticket??

;)

Thanks Mike. It is good to get a reality check. Special coffees, alocohol and internet access are all options to me. If I choose them than I am prepared to pay.

[AAAAmerican]

Just think that if you spent a week at a nice hotel' date=' you would still be paying for your meals, alcohol drinks and sodas, excursions/theme parks, tips, gambling (if you go to Vegas or other places with casinos)...

 

There are many things you don't need to buy. It's up to you. My family is the type that doesn't spend much: we're not into gambling, not heavy drinkers (my hubby may have some wine here and there), not into excursions most of the time (I bring a guide book and a map and we wing it sometimes), we don't do bingo or art auctions, occasionally buy a ship's photo (that can run into money, but if you have a good camera and have people with you who can compose a photo decently, you'll save). We do buy tees to remember our trip (the ship has a logo sale near the very end of the cruise) and buy a few things here and there (usually tee-shirts, though).[/quote']

 

:rolleyes:

[English Tim]

If you're a Brit, you don't even have to tip (nice rhyme)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just kidding folks!:D

[Clutterlady]

We just got home yesterday after a week for two in Disney. You don't really want to know how much we spent:eek: Could have gone on a nice cruise....... Cruising is still the best value as far as vacations go!!

[sonomaphil]

Well another one hit wonder has started another argument!

[nomars_girl]

does anyone know if you are allowed to take your own wine or other alcohol on the ship? i'm going on the island princess.

 

Wine - yes.

Other alcohol - no.

 

If you wish to bring your own wine to the dining room, they will charge a $15 "corkage" fee. Of course, there is no charge if you drink it in your stateroom or on your balcony.