Prices on board

[relate2]

Hi everyone,

 

I am looking at doing my first cruise. I will be traveling on the Pacific Sun as a break from caring full time for my elderly Dad.

 

Could someone please give me an idea of what extra expenses may be on the cruise, as being on a carers pension I do not have much spare cash to throw around. It is only because of the carers bonus from the government that I have the money to go on the cruise.

 

A friend of mine nearly 10 years ago said he spent more on alcohol on the cruise than he did for the cruise. Now I am not a drinker but I do enjoy a social drink every now and again.

 

I would like an idea of how much I would need to have for expenses like drinks, Pizza, Tours on the islands etc.

 

My idea of the cruise is to go on a holiday where I do not have to think about anything while having all my food cooked for me and for once having........"Nothing to do and all day to do it in." :)

 

Thanks

 

relate2 (Robert)

[qld cruiser]

Hi everyone,

 

I am looking at doing my first cruise. I will be traveling on the Pacific Sun as a break from caring full time for my elderly Dad.

 

Could someone please give me an idea of what extra expenses may be on the cruise, as being on a carers pension I do not have much spare cash to throw around. It is only because of the carers bonus from the government that I have the money to go on the cruise.

 

A friend of mine nearly 10 years ago said he spent more on alcohol on the cruise than he did for the cruise. Now I am not a drinker but I do enjoy a social drink every now and again.

 

I would like an idea of how much I would need to have for expenses like drinks, Pizza, Tours on the islands etc.

 

My idea of the cruise is to go on a holiday where I do not have to think about anything while having all my food cooked for me and for once having........"Nothing to do and all day to do it in." :)

 

Thanks

 

relate2 (Robert)

 

 

Hi Robert, firstly welcome to our board.

The prices of tours are expensive...depending on if it would be an all day, or a few hours. the cheapest one I think would be the petit train in Noumea. about $52.00, to a full day trip of almost $200.00.

Where are you going ???

Pizza is about $7.00.... but why buy a pizza ??? when 3 meals a day are included. plus afternoon tea...

I think someone else has put the drink prices somewhere.

a bottle of wine at dinner is around $22.00, and what you don't drink that night ,they will put your name on it and keep it until the following evening.

 

The tipping which is added to your onboard expenses,( $5.50 per day at present. )you can have removed by going to the pursers desk. then at the end of the cruise you can put some money in an envelope and hand it to whoever in person.

 

because you will be travelling on a tight budget, remember to take out insurance.... if you get sick or have an accident would cost a fortune otherwise. as it is onboard doctor's bills must be paid for, and then claim back from insurance. a needle for sea sickness is around $140.00.

 

you will have a great cruise, for you can join in everything or do nothing at all.

kind regards, Lorraine:) :)

[relate2]

Thank you very much Lorraine for your help. I tried a search before I posted this message and the search facility was not working. I will try again after I finish here.

 

Good tip about insurance, although I do not suffer from sea sickness....at least not yet. :) A friend of mine who flies hang gliders takes ginger for motion sickness, I guess I can take some along as a safeguard.

 

I love the thought of doing absolutely nothing all day, what a pleasure.

 

Cheers

 

Robert

[howsthis]

Welcome Robert, as Lorraine has said it depends on where you are going. Some of the places like Vila you really wouldn't have to do a tour as it is a cheap $2 ride in a bus or car or walk to the town area and there is plenty there to keep you occupied like markets, duty-free shopping etc. If you are going to the 'quieter' islands like Mystery Island then you can enjoy it for free if you like snorkelling or swimming or just laying around on the beach. We used to try to be on the first tender boat ride to the islands and then get back to the ship by lunchtime and in the afternoon we used the ships pool because it was a lot quieter with most still over on the island. A cruise is the best holiday if you don't want to do anything but sleep eat and watch entertainment. I'm not a drinker either but do enjoy the cocktails on the cruise and I spent roughly $50 per day, that includes bingo tickets and horse-racing etc and buying souveniers. If you want to buy the many photos the ships photographer takes, then it can get expensive. I did hear of a lady who boasted that she went on the cruise and never spent a cent!!! So really it mostly depends on your shore tours. Don't be afraid to ask anything you need to know on this message board as we are all here to help each other.

[relate2]

Thanks howsthis for the extra info. I forgot to say I am looking at a 9 night cruise to Noumea, Ouvea, Mystery island & Isle of Pines.

 

I like your hint about getting on the first tender then relaxing around the pool in the afternoon. I also like the cocktails as they are something I never drink at home and they taste sooo good. :)

 

I have a digital camera and have been taking photos for over 30 years so I don't see myself buying any photos.

 

Thanks again and I am getting excited. :D

[sayaguru]

Hi, you can spend very little if you want to.

At Mystery Island and Ilse of Pines you don't need to spend anything. Bring a book and a mask and snorkel.

On board cocktails are $7.50. You can of course spend lots of money on photos, the Casino (unlimited ) or a few $ on the 1 cent pokies, Bingo (minimum $10), sea horse racing (minimum $20). You don't need to buy extra food or go to the Steakhouse (which costs money).

You can do lots of things that don't cost anything- eat (alwas favourite especialy when soeone cooks it, serves it AND washes up. You sound like you need that. Shows, trivia, dance lessons, movies, games.

The beauty of a cruise is you can spend a lot or a little.

Hope you have a well earned break.

[relate2]

Thanks sayaguru, you are so right about eating food that you have not prepared, it always seems to taste better as well. :)

 

Yes it is time for a rest, I am starting to get a bit tired, 4 years without a proper holiday is a bit long.

[howsthis]

Robert, if you enjoy the cocktails like I do, they have a 'cocktail of the day' special. Some cocktails are $10 but most are around $7.50. They have special 'glasses' (plastic) for the first day you board, $10 I think with the cocktail for sailaway. Bright pink, blue, yellow etc. So not too bad, makes a good souvenier. On 'island night' they had big tall plastic glasses with the flashing light in the bottom filled with cocktail so of course I had to get one of them. Can't remember how much but a lot of cocktail in the glass!! Still use it at home, remeniscing!!!! It's easy to have to cruise card debt build up, like those gorgeous warm cookies when you are at the bar, go so well with the cocktail, then maybe a packet of chips while you are reading your book, then the Bingo, believe me it's addictive, when the prizes are up in the thousands you can't resist buying tickets. I have never played bingo anywhere else but on the ship!! Hardest part about cruising is coming home, if you are like the rest of us, it won't be long before you find a way to book another cruise!! Hope you have a wonderful holiday, I know how much it will mean to you to be able to just 'switch off' and relax, not having to think about what you have to do next. Happy sailing!!

[relate2]

howsthis, I was going to ask if they had a happy hour. I like the idea of having a souvenir glass as it gives you a little thrill of remembrance when you open the cupboard for a drink. Being a chocoholic with a sweet tooth those warm cookies will certainly be a temptation. :)

 

FoundLove@Sea thanks for the help. I am looking at the 11th August.................

 

Well it looks as though I have fallen for the bait and switch I was looking at this page from Cruiseaway for $995/$1045.00. I sent them an inquiry last night and rang them this morning and what do you know.

 

"Sorry sir but that deal is full we only have one cabin left for $2700. Also we don't do bunk with a stranger anymore so you would have to pay full price."

 

That really sucks, well thanks everyone for your help I appreciate it, I nearly had my holiday.

 

http://www.cruiseaway.com.au/cruiselines/p_and_o_south_pacific/ships/pacific_sun/itineraries/pacific_sun_-_pacific_pleasures_ex_sydney_return/specials.html?special_id=93950&sailingdate=2007-08-11

[aussiedisneyfan]

Bummer, relate2. Keep looking something will come up for you.

 

The souvenir cups/glasses can be bought anytime, I think. The flashing ones are $9.50 empty and the bright ones might be the same. I bought a flashing one the day after island night when they were selling them. Don't forget the shot glasses they sell at dinner. They are $7.50 each filled with a shot of your choice of about 6 drinks, amaretto, brogans (baileys), black samboucca etc. Otherwise if you don't drink they usually sell them at the end of the cruise prettied up in celephone for $24 for the six colours with no alcohol. They don't tell you this at the beginning.

[frog cruiser]

Sorry that your dream has gone .I care for 61 elders and know how much a break means and I hope you find yours.

Keep looking and good luck

[relate2]

Thanks aussiedisneyfan and frog cruiser for your encouraging words, whether something will come up in the $1,000 range is the question. :(

[sayaguru]

Keep looking. I saw one cruise that was cheap AND they had no single supplement.

Can't remember when but it was at short notice. If you can get away at short notice (I know that mightn't be possible in your situation) you might find something.

Good luck.

If I find anything (I'm ALWAYS looking) I'll post it here.

[sayaguru]

Sorry just found it and it is the one you mentioned.

Keep your fingers crossed.

[NSWP]

Relate2, why not smuggle a 4 litre wine cask in your check in suitcase ?

 

I hear P&O do not allow BYO grog on their ships, unlike Princess, but try the little smuggle, worse that can happen is you lose a $10 winecask.

[arxcards]

Relate2, why not smuggle a 4 litre wine cask in your check in suitcase ?

 

I hear P&O do not allow BYO grog on their ships, unlike Princess, but try the little smuggle, worse that can happen is you lose a $10 winecask.

Princess do not allow any BYOG (including wine) in Australia anymore either. Need to smuggle for SP & DP cruises as well!

 

Cheers

Geoff

[NSWP]

But I get on RP at San Pedro, LA..reasonable quantity of grog allowed on there. But as you say on Princess and P&O out of OZ no BYO. Last year on Pacific Princess from Sydney to Japan, I got a few 2 litre wine casks on in my carry on, no probs, times have changed.

 

Once RP turns into PD No BYO:mad:

[relate2]

sayaguru, thank you very much for your help, I will keep looking also.

 

NSWP....have to find a cruise first. :D

 

Now there was also a post from Keith which strangely has disappeared. Thanks anyway Keith, I have sent a request to Cruising Down Under as well for the 2/9/07 cruise on the Sun.

 

Something else you mentioned Keith was whether I was available in short notice. I am lucky that I can have my brother who lives 4 hours away to take Dad if I really need a break. So to answer your question I can be ready at a moments notice.

 

I actually went into a travel agency today and asked them about late minute cancellations and me turning up on the day of the departure and she said that the shipping lines do not do that anymore. :(

 

One point though it seems as though the only way around going by myself is to find a special with the single supplement waived. I cannot afford the single supplement.

 

Does anyone know if it is the normal practice one month out from a cruise for P&O to offer the extra specials?

[qld cruiser]

sayaguru, thank you very much for your help, I will keep looking also.

 

NSWP....have to find a cruise first. :D

 

Now there was also a post from Keith which strangely has disappeared. Thanks anyway Keith, I have sent a request to Cruising Down Under as well for the 2/9/07 cruise on the Sun.

 

Something else you mentioned Keith was whether I was available in short notice. I am lucky that I can have my brother who lives 4 hours away to take Dad if I really need a break. So to answer your question I can be ready at a moments notice.

 

I actually went into a travel agency today and asked them about late minute cancellations and me turning up on the day of the departure and she said that the shipping lines do not do that anymore. :(

 

One point though it seems as though the only way around going by myself is to find a special with the single supplement waived. I cannot afford the single supplement.

 

Does anyone know if it is the normal practice one month out from a cruise for P&O to offer the extra specials?

 

 

Hi relate2, if a cruise is not booked out, they may bring the price down, but I have not seen a single cabin for $1000.00.

but I have seen one for October 11th, pacific Sun an 8 nighter single cabin..the cheapest is around $1400, that is an inside t-cabin.

sorry we are not allowed to mention names of company on here, but they advertise on this board. check them all out OZ.:D

kind regards, Lorraine:) :)

[relate2]

Hi Lorraine,

 

I am glad you mentioned about not posting company names I would say that was why Keith's message got deleted.

 

I will check out the people who advertise here and look for that Oct cruise.

 

Thanks

 

Robert

 

p.s. if anyone has any special information they can email me at relate3@hotmail.com so we don't break the board rules.

[Tropicalshowers]

I did hear of a lady who boasted that she went on the cruise and never spent a cent!!! QUOTE]

 

So you've met my mother howsthis!!!!!!! She managed a 2 week Carribean cruise without passing up another 'dime'....mind you, she also travels world wide with only an overnight bag....don't ask, it's agonising just thinking about it!:)

 

P.S, welcome relate2...something will come up especially if you can just drop and go.

Cheers

[relate2]

Hi Tropicalshowers, I like the sound of your mother, bucking the system and having fun at the same time. :)

 

I am thinking of contacting one of the agency's and saying "You will have a confirmed booking for any cruise in the next 1-2 months as long as it is around $1,000." hopefully they will have quotas to meet and will be prepared to make some money rather than none. I have nothing to loose as I can't go on the cruise if it is more than around $1,000 anyway.

[kaseyoz]

if you try one of the big street chains you may get lucky as i am sure they do have a certain amount of cabins allocated to them.

being availalble outside of school holidays is a good ploy also.

the next holidays are late september

[Carlz]

Hi,

the only way I can think of getting away on a cheap cruise is if you don't mind sharing. Have you tried checking out some of the "carers" groups and tried to find a like minded local person who also needs a well deserved rest and is willing to split the costs?

 

Cruising is the most relaxing holiday I've ever had and although you will meet lots of nice people on board it's always great to start the journey with a friend!

 

I agree with what everyone has written about extra expenses- satisfying and enjoyable meals are included in your price (tremendous value really). Anything extra we purchased foodwise was strictly unecessary (they were just holiday moments!) We found drinks our greatest expense, but I have a family of four and even with a fancy pants cocktail every night and a beer or two for the hubby it still wasn't very expensive!

 

Shore tours are great but you can do whatever you want, I enjoyed checking out the foreign supermarket in Noumea, walking through the town and had a $5 taxi ride to Lemon beach!

 

Where you travel to an island that does not dock in port you get there via the tenders. I enjoyed those trips in the boats almost more than anything! Travelling that way to Heingheine was a highlight for me (and cost nothing extra!) skimming accross those crystal azure waters with amazing island scenery and rock formations on every side-stunning! What more could you ask for? Except maybe your stripey towel, sunscreen and a palm tree to relax under!

 

goodluck and all the best

C.

 

PS- I also saw a "special" rang up only to find that there were "no spots left". nevermind! by researching around you will know exactly what represents good value for you and then feel confident when you make your purchase.

[LizCruising2007]

Relate2, why not smuggle a 4 litre wine cask in your check in suitcase ?

 

I hear P&O do not allow BYO grog on their ships, unlike Princess, but try the little smuggle, worse that can happen is you lose a $10 winecask.

 

LOL I just about fell of the chair laughing..... I can't believe you of all people would suggest this! Naughty naughty tut tut tut LOL