What is NOT included in the price of my cruise?
 

I realize that I will have to pay for any spa treatments that I want and port activities, but what else? Any hidden charges? I am cruising on Carnival in December.

You will have to pay:

Tips, generally $10 per person per day.

Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, speciality coffees.

Photo's taken by the ship photographer if you choose to purchase them.

Internet and telephone access.

Casino.

Gift Shop.

Speciality Restaurant supplement on most of the newer ships, if you choose to dine in those restaurants.

I'm sure I've missed a few, but that will cover most of the additional charges.

Thanks Frank. I didn't realize that my Cokes and Cafe Latte would not be included. I appreciated the response.

If you drink a lot of Cokes you can probably save a few dollars by purchasing a "Coke Card" at the beginning of the cruise which will allow you unlimited Cokes all week. Enjoy your cruise.

On Some of the more luxury smaller ships, the cokes, lattes, wine are included but then you are paying a lot for these cruises. Some of those ships also include tips but it is always nice to have something for those who really give you excellent service like your cabin steward. For instance on the Windsurf, we wern't charged for the alternate Bistro for dinner but I noticed when I checked some other smaller luxury cruises, you were charged. However Windstar charged for everything but Paul Gaugin in Tahiti just about everythign was included in the price you paid for the cruise including wine, soft drinks,etc. Carnival will charge you for everythin. I like the "Coke card" idea. Too bad they don't have a "Latte card" or maybe they do!

Or you can easily bring on a case if so desired. Also, consider tipping for room service and tours.

Here is my recent experience as a first time cruiser on Carnival Destiny:
suit jacket $120
backpack $50
airfare that doesn't leave too early on the last day: a few hundred
tips automatically added to coffees and drinks
aloe gel bought on the ship: 10
sunscreen (because the spray on didn't last long enough) 15

taxis to and from ship
ride to airport (or parking)

BTW: I drink a lot of sodas. I don't reccommend the soda card. Just buy them. When you buy them, they give you a refrigerated can to pour over ice. With a soda card, they pour warm soda over ice. It doesn't taste as good. Sodas are 1.80 after tip.

On Seabourn, the only things that are extra are photos, spa treatments, purchases from the gift shop, and excursions (although one is included). To offset these expenses, it is relatively easy to get a $500 shopboard credit through their referral system. luded - drinks, tips, room service

I hated being nickelled and dimed on Princess and having to sign a chit every time I turned around. It was just tacky.

We're cruising on Holland America next week. Coffee, tea, cappucino, water are included. Charges are for soda & wine/beer/liquor only. Soda card is $27 for a week. I suppose they add a gratuity to each one.

Hi all!
I have cruised on Carnival and found that the staff have a huge coordinated effort to ensure they got tips during the past three days. This ranged from the Cruise Director announcing it before each live performance, before each shore excursion, and during the check-out information briefing. So, they WILL tell you what is appropriate for your servers, maitre'd, cabin steward, etc.
On Holland America, they make sure that you know that tips are not expected, not required, and not necessary. You can leave what you like, but I did appreciate having my cruise without the tip pitch at the end.
Have a great time!

How tacky to be reminded of tips on a cruise! I think I'd find a different line. I can't stand to cruise on a line that makes PA announcements (Bingo in 10 minutes, Art Gallery is open, etc.) and I would really be insulted with the crew reminding me of tips! That is tacky beyond belief!

Holland America "tipping is not required" policy is history. On every mass market cruise line, tips are the only or main income for the wait and cleaning staff, and they work very hard for it. Carnival now automatically adds tips to the account so there is no need to remaind of it. The only reminder I heard is to tip maitre d' who for some reason is not included in total $10 p.p. per day. You may or may not tip them.

thanks for the update! My last cruise was a couple of years ago, so your info is much appreciated.
Cheers!

Don't forget ICE CREAM!!! Princess started charging for it, and now Royal Caribbean has started!!! It might be free if served as a dessert in the dining room, but if you want some int he afternoon, it's going to cost you $4.25 a scoop!!!

My last cruise was on the Disney Magic, which has unlimited free soda and ice cream throughout the day.

Woody

BudgetQueen wrote: Or you can easily bring on a case if so desired.

Can you bring a case? I am on Norwegian Crown. I've heard no beverages allowed...

Nope, not on NCL, they check, however, what you can do is buy some rum and ginger beer (for dark and stormy's)when you are in Bermuda and bring them back on board with you...they probably won't be as strict when you are docked in Hamilton about searching for booze.

Most cruiselines offer a low ball fare to get you on board. Then they nickel and dime you every way that they can. On Princess you can not enjoy the sun for 5 minutes without some drink hawker pestering the daylights out of you to buy a drink. Then on the main passageway they even have a "flea market" type event and try to sell you everything from t shirts to gold chains.
Tacky tacky tacky.

HAHAHA
I have to learn to say :
YOU, drink hawker pestering the daylights out of me!!! I am not buying a drink from you!!! I smuged enough to be independent drinker!

I had posted a similar question just before my first ever cruise (QE2 holiday cruise), but asked for a percentage figure of what I'd spend above the cost for the privilege of boarding the ship. The posters were almost universal in their responses: 25-30%. That turned out to be correct. I traveled with my parents are we each had a bill at the end of between $800-900 (Mauretania class). We did not consume a lot of alcohol as we thought the mixed drinks were awful and the wine horribly overpriced. But we did use the spa (haircuts and styling for my mom and me), the internet, purchased shore excursions, and had an occassional drink. That included the mandatory $11 per person/per day tip, too.