Extra onboard costs?

[Desert star]

After reading several different cruise line boards I thought it might be interesting to see some across the board prices for the stuff that costs extra onboard the various lines. Just to get a little comparison.

1. Onboard photos

2. BINGO

3. Soda card (per day)

4. Coffee cards

5. Internet fees (initial charges and per minute)

6. specialty/premium restaurants

7. Cost of beer & average alcoholic drink

8. Ice cream

9. Daily gratuity per person

If you can think of anything else please feel free to add on. Don’t forget to post the name of the cruise line and ship.

[Go-Bucks!]

I can hardly remember prices, but I didn't use any of your listed services except one specialty restaurant and tips.

 

The Sterling Steakhouse on Princess cost $15. The filet mignon was excellent - the best I've ever had. On Princess, I think I paid $10/day for the auto tip, then I left the room steward an extra $10.

 

One other service you could include is the spa. I did use their services (manicure, pedicure, facial, and massage) on Princess - don't remember what I paid but it was through the nose! ;)

[chasetf]

After reading several different cruise line boards I thought it might be interesting to see some across the board prices for the stuff that costs extra onboard the various lines. Just to get a little comparison.

 

1. Onboard photos

2. BINGO

3. Soda card (per day)

4. Coffee cards

5. Internet fees (initial charges and per minute)

6. specialty/premium restaurants

7. Cost of beer & average alcoholic drink

8. Ice cream

9. Daily gratuity per person

 

 

If you can think of anything else please feel free to add on. Don’t forget to post the name of the cruise line and ship.

"Extra Costs" :confused: Except for #9, I think a better phrase is "Discretionary Costs". ;)

 

I do not need these.... and can still have a great time without them if I so choose.

[RetireeWannabee]

"Extra Costs" :confused: Except for #9, I think a better phrase is "Discretionary Costs". ;)

 

I do not need these.... and can still have a great time without them if I so choose.

 

Ditto. once I've paid for the cruise, I'm pretty much done except for what we'll do in port and a souvenir (we collect shot glasses).

[acc82]

So, I only cruise royal caribbean, so, I'll try to remember the prices for some of this.

 

After reading several different cruise line boards I thought it might be interesting to see some across the board prices for the stuff that costs extra onboard the various lines. Just to get a little comparison.

 

1. Onboard photos I think the photos are about 14-15 dollars a piece - this is why I only buy one or two

2. BINGO they want you to buy the 100 dollar value pack. :-) Each card is 10-15 dollars. the value pack has 10 cards, i believe. i played bingo once, didn't win a penny!

3. Soda card (per day) 6 dollars per day per person plus 15% gratutity. about 50 bucks per person for a week.

4. Coffee cards no coffee cards on royal. regular coffee is part of cruise fee and specialty coffees are charged per current prices.

5. Internet fees (initial charges and per minute) 2.50 per minute, as i remember.

6. specialty/premium restaurants 20 dollars per head, plus gratutity

7. Cost of beer & average alcoholic drink 2.50 for a bottle of beer. cocktail around 5 bucks

8. Ice cream only charge for ben and jerrys. around 2.50 for small ice cream, then up

9. Daily gratuity per person i we do the standard gratutities and it's usually 50 dollars per person for the cruise.

 

 

If you can think of anything else please feel free to add on. Don’t forget to post the name of the cruise line and ship.

 

other stuff you have to pay for.....spa. i can't think of much else.

[GORDONCHICK]

There are some exercise classes that are extra, and there may be other classes available that are at an additional cost as well (computer, digital photography, etc) on some ships. On board shopping and excursions, too. On some ships, they have a special spa pool area that is an extra cost if you aren't in a particular class of room or have many sailings with that line. Carnival has free soft-serve ice cream and yogurt. Celebrity has fantastic hand-made ice creams and sorbets which are free as well. But I remember Princess has an ice cream shop that costs, and so does Royal Caribbean. Ice cream is free at dinner in the dining room though.

[owl61]

If you intended this thread to result in a chorus of complaints about being "nickel and dimed" by the cruise lines, it appears the first few replies have been more reasoned.

Cruise lines can maintain low base cruise fares only if they earn revenue from related sources e.g. the bar, souvenir and jewelry shops, art auctions, excursions, photos, casino, etc. Rather than complain about the high prices for drinks, photos, excursions, or other extras savvy cruisers should appreciate that this revenue structure allows them to cruise at amazingly low prices provided that they cruise wisely. Take your own photos, organize your own excursions, drink responsibly (or bring your own for in cabin consumption) and be discrete about purchases in general. Those who opt to purchase numerous add on items from the ship in large part underwrite the cost of the cruise for others. As far as I am concerned that is a good thing because it gives everyone more options while keeping the base cruise price amazingly low.

[UK.Girl]

Thank you for this thread - I have never been on a cruise and do not know what the additional costs are going to be - It is very important to know these things because once I have paid fot the cruise every penny counts ! and I certainly cant run up a huge tab on board as I dont have the funds to pay it off!

What I would like to know is..............do people tend to do an excursion in every port or just a couple during the cruise? (we are on a 2 week cruise)

Thanks

anj

[acc82]

Thank you for this thread - I have never been on a cruise and do not know what the additional costs are going to be - It is very important to know these things because once I have paid fot the cruise every penny counts ! and I certainly cant run up a huge tab on board as I dont have the funds to pay it off!

What I would like to know is..............do people tend to do an excursion in every port or just a couple during the cruise? (we are on a 2 week cruise)

Thanks

anj

 

I do tend to do an excursion for every day in port, but I don't to 2 week long cruises - i usually only do 5-7 day long and prefer the 7 days. But, on a 7 day cruise, I'll do an excursion for everyday in port unless i know I'm going to a place with a nice beach, and in that case, I'll have one place where I'll make it a "beach day." So, i guess it depends on how many sea days you have vs. port days.

[RetireeWannabee]

Thank you for this thread - I have never been on a cruise and do not know what the additional costs are going to be - It is very important to know these things because once I have paid fot the cruise every penny counts ! and I certainly cant run up a huge tab on board as I dont have the funds to pay it off!

What I would like to know is..............do people tend to do an excursion in every port or just a couple during the cruise? (we are on a 2 week cruise)

Thanks

anj

Yes, this will help you budget so you don't have any surprises. You can check your account daily, also. It's easy (for me) to bypass a lot of the extras and will be for you too if you know in advance how you want to spend your funds.

 

I strongly suggest you research your ports and maybe check some guides out of the library (Fodor's, Lonely Planet, whatever) to find out what is there that interests you and approx costs. Also check the ports of call section of this board.

 

For our first cruise we didn't do any paid excursions, just explored on foot the port cities. Second cruise was Alaska, where we *excursed* our little hearts out. You should be able to enjoy the ports on a budget by doing your research.

[Desert star]

Ditto. once I've paid for the cruise, I'm pretty much done except for what we'll do in port and a souvenir (we collect shot glasses).

 

"Extra Costs" :confused: Except for #9, I think a better phrase is "Discretionary Costs". ;)

 

I do not need these.... and can still have a great time without them if I so choose.

 

I Guess I really didn't make it clear enough. I didn't want to know what you paid, or if they are optional charges.

I just wanted to compare charge from one ship to another like you would compare the prices of different cruises.

[Desert star]

If you intended this thread to result in a chorus of complaints about being "nickel and dimed" by the cruise lines, it appears the first few replies have been more reasoned.

Cruise lines can maintain low base cruise fares only if they earn revenue from related sources e.g. the bar, souvenir and jewelry shops, art auctions, excursions, photos, casino, etc. Rather than complain about the high prices for drinks, photos, excursions, or other extras savvy cruisers should appreciate that this revenue structure allows them to cruise at amazingly low prices provided that they cruise wisely. Take your own photos, organize your own excursions, drink responsibly (or bring your own for in cabin consumption) and be discrete about purchases in general. Those who opt to purchase numerous add on items from the ship in large part underwrite the cost of the cruise for others. As far as I am concerned that is a good thing because it gives everyone more options while keeping the base cruise price amazingly low.

 

WHAT!:eek: I simply asked what everyone paid on the various lines to do a little comparision. I do not have NOT problem with cruise lines charging for these things. Check the post by ACC82 that exactly what I was looking for . Sorry that so many people didn't get it. I guess I didn't post it very well.

[Desert star]

Thank you to acc82 that was exactly what I was looking for. :)

[Desert star]

I will do the Caribbean Princess

 

1. Onboard photos - $25.00 each

2. BINGO - Sorry didn't do bingo

3. Soda card (per day) - $4.25 per day + 15% gratuity.

4. Coffee cards - I think it was $15.00

5. Internet fees (initial charges and per minute) -$3.95 initial fee .70 per min. But you can get it cheaper if you buy a package.

6. specialty/premium restaurants - $15.00 -$20.00

7. Cost of beer & average alcoholic drink - Martini was $6.25-$6.75

8. Ice cream - free in the buffet, but ice cream shop was average $3.75

9. Daily gratuity per person - $10.50 per person per day. Suites $11.00 per day per person.

 

[GORDONCHICK]

I Guess I really didn't make it clear enough. I didn't want to know what you paid, or if they are optional charges.

I just wanted to compare charge from one ship to another like you would compare the prices of different cruises.

 

The problem is, these are subject to change. I could tell you what things cost on my last cruise, which was in September. But it may have changed. Just like on NCL, they've rolled out Freestyle 2.0, which ahs increased some charges. But it's recent and if cruisers haven't been on an NCL ship within the last couple of months, the charges have changed.

[acc82]

Thank you to acc82 that was exactly what I was looking for. :)

 

you're welcome. i thought your post was quite clear. :o i don't have a problem with paying for extras on a cruise. I ALWAYS buy soda cards....i never buy bingo cards, i limit pictures to 1 or 2, i stay out of the casino, but i buy lots of the ships alcohol and never "sneak" my own. I think it's an interesting concept, even though prices change because i've never been exposed to another cuise ship's price list except royal's. and, in my 4 years of cruising with royal, the prices may have changed by less than a dollar on each item - maybe.

[wrp96]

So, I only cruise royal caribbean, so, I'll try to remember the prices for some of this.

 

Some of your numbers were wrong for RCCL. I've corrected them below (my corrections are in black):

 

1. Onboard photos I think the photos are about 14-15 dollars a piece - this is why I only buy one or two

2. BINGO they want you to buy the 100 dollar value pack. :-) Each card is 10-15 dollars. the value pack has 10 cards, i believe. i played bingo once, didn't win a penny! Correction - Bingo Card packs start at $35 for a 6 card pack on RCCL.

5. Internet fees (initial charges and per minute) 2.50 per minute, as i remember. This one is WAAYYY off. The cost of internet is $.55 per minute on RCCL, but you can buy packages of minutes that drop the price to around $.35 per minute.

6. specialty/premium restaurants 20 dollars per head, plus gratutity Chops is $25 per person, Portofino is $20 per person

7. Cost of beer & average alcoholic drink 2.50 for a bottle of beer. cocktail around 5 bucks Some specialty cocktails are as expensive as $10 (plus gratuity) it really depends on the drink.

9. Daily gratuity per person i we do the standard gratutities and it's usually 50 dollars per person for the cruise. For a regular stateroom, the suggested tips on RCCL come to $9.75 per day per person (for a 7 night cruise that comes to $68.75 per person). $12 per person per day if you are staying in a suite (Grand Suite or higher). If you need to calculate your tips, a good site to use is http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/ which is a site created by a fellow CCer. All you have to do is input your cruiseline, length of cruise, and number of persons in your stateroom and it calculates the correct tips for you.

[acc82]

[/size]

 

Some of your numbers were wrong for RCCL. I've corrected them below (my corrections are in black):

 

okay, so i see you've been on a few royal cruises too...:-) but, i do have a few questions for you. i agree with the bingo and the internet. even though i remember getting hit up for the 100 dollar ten card pack at one point. i use my c&a coupons for the internet. it's slow as sin anyway.

 

but, the one thing i have a problem with is chops and portofino. as i remember, they are the same price. if the price has gone up since sept, then that's fine. but, i know i didn't pay more for one than the other. we hit both up back to back on freedom and paid the same at each.

 

other than that, i agree - i don't stay in the suites, so i don't have to pay the uppe'd tip amount. it's usually only 100 bucks for both my husband and i for a week long cruise in a "regular folks" room :D

 

And, when i referred to cocktail, i want to clarify, i simply meant a one shot, simple drink. i.e. bacardi and coke, etc.... the martinis, fruity blended stuff and all that costs more and even more if in a souvenier glass.

[wrp96]

but, the one thing i have a problem with is chops and portofino. as i remember, they are the same price. if the price has gone up since sept, then that's fine. but, i know i didn't pay more for one than the other. we hit both up back to back on freedom and paid the same at each.

 

Unfortunately, yes they did raise the price for Chops in the last few months (although it has always been the higher amount on a few ships like Navigator - and on a few ships it was even lower before this).

[acc82]

so, chops is more expensive than portofinos? that will up the business for portofinos......

[NYCFOD]

If you do an internet search you may find some wikis like this one for Carnival. The Carnival one has most of the information you would be seeking.

 

http://www.unofficialcarnivalwiki.com/wiki/Main_Page

[lady_cruiser]

If you intended this thread to result in a chorus of complaints about being "nickel and dimed" by the cruise lines, it appears the first few replies have been more reasoned.

Cruise lines can maintain low base cruise fares only if they earn revenue from related sources e.g. the bar, souvenir and jewelry shops, art auctions, excursions, photos, casino, etc. Rather than complain about the high prices for drinks, photos, excursions, or other extras savvy cruisers should appreciate that this revenue structure allows them to cruise at amazingly low prices provided that they cruise wisely. Take your own photos, organize your own excursions, drink responsibly (or bring your own for in cabin consumption) and be discrete about purchases in general. Those who opt to purchase numerous add on items from the ship in large part underwrite the cost of the cruise for others. As far as I am concerned that is a good thing because it gives everyone more options while keeping the base cruise price amazingly low.

 

I think you misread the OP intent. I think he is trying to give newbies an idea of what extra costs they might have so they can budget ahead of time.

[Dorset Cruiser]

Thank you for this thread - I have never been on a cruise and do not know what the additional costs are going to be - It is very important to know these things because once I have paid fot the cruise every penny counts ! and I certainly cant run up a huge tab on board as I dont have the funds to pay it off!

What I would like to know is..............do people tend to do an excursion in every port or just a couple during the cruise? (we are on a 2 week cruise)

Thanks

anj

 

 

We don't do many ship excursions but we have been cruising for 11 years now. I think that in some ports it is best to do a ship excursion. We are going to Jamaica in January on Ruby and I don't think I would feel confident in making my own way. Will probably do Dunns River Falls that day with the ship, or maybe, with a taxi tour.

 

If you are doing a Med cruise then you can usually make your own way. Lots of the ports have HOPO buses and for Rome, the train is very good. It depends on how confident you are. You will also find that you can pick up an equivalent tour to that offered by the ship for less money. There are usually dozens of taxis touting for business and you can join up with other passengers to share one.

[Desert star]

I think you misread the OP intent. I think he is trying to give newbies an idea of what extra costs they might have so they can budget ahead of time.

 

 

Thank You, at least a couple of people got it.

[G'ma]

The only thing on your list that relates to my cruise experience is the alcohol. I usually have 2 drinks a day - one before dinner and maybe one after. I buy a fine bottle of wine on the first night in the dining room and it usually lasts me for most of the cruise.

 

I don't buy souveniers... I take pictures; those are my rememberances. I don't buy ships pictures or ships excursions. Don't play bingo. Don't shop ashore unless I come upon a piece of original art made by a local; small carving or (preferred) a nice water color.

 

I always buy my cologne ashore somewhere because it saves many $$$$ over buying it at home. The ships I cruise on don't carry what I like but most islands do.

 

Neither do I buy specialty coffee's, eat at specialty restaurants, buy pastry onboard - or cake or cookies. If I get the munchies...I'll order from room service..which is free except for a small tip.

 

I drink lots and lots of water and get it from the setup on an outdoor deck or in the lido eating area...don't buy bottled water..it's a waste of money. If I request a pitcher of ice water be kept in my cabin, it's always there.

 

I generally tip more than the recommended amount to the wait staff and room stewards. They are terrific!!

 

For me personally, a cruise is not a shopping, eating experience. Neither is it filled with activities. I go to relax, to enjoy the sea, to read a coupla good books, maybe revisit a few favorite places ashore.

 

That's my own experience, of course. My account at the end of a 7-day rarely exceeds $120.00 - not including gratuities.