hidden/extra costs

[first2008time cruiser]

Hello, everyone! I am planning our first cruise and was wondering just what you have to pay for once you are on the ship. I know gambling, drinks (other than water and tea), the specialty restaurants (if we chose to go), excursions, tips and spa type things (such as massage). But are there any others? Do you have to pay for the pizza or food by the pool (such as burgers)? How about to use the treadmills or elipitical trainers? I will not be doing any aerobics classes, I know some of those are extra. And of course if you buy souveniers that is extra, but is there anything I may not be thinking of?

[keyguide]

Hello, everyone! I am planning our first cruise and was wondering just what you have to pay for once you are on the ship. I know gambling, drinks (other than water and tea), the specialty restaurants (if we chose to go), excursions, tips and spa type things (such as massage). But are there any others? Do you have to pay for the pizza or food by the pool (such as burgers)? How about to use the treadmills or elipitical trainers? I will not be doing any aerobics classes, I know some of those are extra. And of course if you buy souveniers that is extra, but is there anything I may not be thinking of?

Think you have it covered except for gratuities.The weight room equip. has no cost unless you take a class,hire a trainer etc.

[Philob]

If they haven't ding you it already...the fuel "surcharge":mad:

[cb at sea]

Aside from gambling and drinking, it's quite possible to cruise enjoyably without spending anything else. Excursions are not a "must", although most do at least 1! Those can be paid for in advance. You don't need to buy "gold by the inch" or purchase the photos (in mine, my eyes are usually closed!!! Why is that???) or the t-shirts that they are always hawking!

If you don't do spas at home, you probably won't miss a thing if you don't do it on the ship!

You can cruise economically. Most folks don't!--they consider this a "once in a lifetime" opportunity and spend accordingly!

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

I second CB's post, that is, you can have a wonderful time on a cruise and not spend very much. Just remember that the romance of a cruise is still the most important part of a cruise.

 

Fred

[gizmo]

Some cruise lines have specialty coffee shops where you pay. On some lines, you might be charged for a pastry at the specialty shop and others you will not.

 

I know Princess charges for ice cream, outside the dining room. When ordered for desert, no charge. Other cruise lines like Hal, does not charge for ice cream, which is available throughout the afternoon in the Lido buffet area.

 

Many cruise line charge for juice if ordered in a lounge or at a bar. It is treated like ordering a soda. On most cruise line there is no charge for juice ordered at lunch or dinner.

 

Enjoy your cruise. :)

[GORDONCHICK]

If you go to a wine tasting, there is a charge. Bingo also costs. Since I don't play, I'm not sure about this, but I think bingo is by cash. Then there are also tips for room service (usually a dollar or two depending on what all you ordered), porters at the pier, and skycaps at the airport. Some lines have specialty restaurants where there is a $20pp or so charge. There are also coffee bars on most lines, Carnival had a pastry/dessert shop, and I think someone mentioned a charge for sushi (don't recall which line). Just know that if they ask for your keycard (called different things by different lines), you will be charged for it!

[clinthi]

From my last cruise:

In the theater (before the shows and after/during Bingo) they often sell scratch type lotto tickets for a buck and raffle tickets for a free cruise.

You could use your S&S card to buy bingo cards.

Our rum tasting was free.

 

On the ship, I pretty much only added to my S&S card for drinks, photos, bingo, casino and spa. The tips were auto-added, of course. I had pre-paid my excursions.

 

I was surprised that I didn't use my credit card more in ports. Some vendors only accept cash--and those that accept credit cards will often ask you to use cash. The person who said take half the clothes and twice the $ was right on!

[first2008time cruiser]

Thank you for all your help. We don't drink much alcohol at all. We may go to the casino once or twice, but are good about limiting our spending there. No bingo at the prices I have heard on here. I know I will get a soda card for my DH. I am more of a water drinker, so don't need one. We will need to buy something for the kids, being this is our very first trip without them, so it will help ease the guilt. lol I think there is plenty of included food, that we can avoid the pay for it kind. :D

 

My goal is to keep our expenses beyond the cruise limited as much as possible.

[GORDONCHICK]

My goal is to keep our expenses beyond the cruise limited as much as possible.

It's very doable if you go into it with that plan and stick to it.

[Wylie Coyote]

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