Carnival Cruise Lines On Board Expense Account?

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Julie T

Yes, all for a fee drinks (including soda and goument coffee) include a 15% gratuity.

You will pay the 15% on the drink card or if you buy sodas by the can 9$1.75 plus 15% = $2.02 per can. We are big soda drinkers so the fountain drink card pays for itself.

You are required to open an on-board account. Your only choice is whether to use a cash deposit or link your account to a credit card.

If you use a cash deposit, you are allowed to charge items to your account until you reach your cash deposit amount. The purser will send a note to your cabin when you reach your spending limit. Or, you can link your account to a credit card and you just get a statement of your expenses at the end of the cruise.

Notable...Carnival charges your on-board account for the tips the moment you step on board so if you are using a cash deposit, make sure you deposit your spending money and the tips up front.

To help you budget...here are a few of the "extra costs"-
- Bar drinks - $4-12 each plus 15% gratuity
- Soda - by the can - $1.75 plus 15% gratuity
- Soda fountain card - $38.50 plus 15% gratuity
- Photos - $7.99 to $21.99 (depending on size and style)
- Shore excursions - $50-200 per person per excursion.
- Spa treatments - $50-200 per treatment (but there were many specials on this last trip as many people were skipping the spa...)
- Casino. Use cash in the casino to avoid 3% fee for using card.
- Bingo cards - $5-20...depending on day and games
- Goument coffee - $3.75 and up
- Internet - 75 cents per minute
- Ship to shore phone - $7.99 per minute
- Parking at the port
- Tips for luggage porters - $1 per bag
- Tips - $10 per day per guest

With the exception of tips and parking at the cruise terminal, all of the above is optional. My sister spent less than $400 for her family of three but I spent about $2K on my family of four. We love shore excursions and I am a sucker for the on board photos.

If you want to limit your spending, go with the cash account so you have to make an conscience effort to add more money to spend.

ocvandy

You do need to set up an on-board account in order to make any purchases - including drinks, souvenirs and gifts, spa services, shore excursions, etc. No actual money changes hands on a cruise. The 15% automatic gratuity on beverage purchases negates the need to tip your server. Just remember not to add a tip when you sign for your beverage.

shhhhhhhhhhhimhiding

you really dont have a choice with your onboard account, only what you put on it. When you purchase a beverage card they will add the 15% gratutity but only once, all the pop you drink after that comes under the card. If you purchase any other beverages (alcohol, smoothies) you will pay the gratutity on that. The $70 you pay is for your room stewards and dining staff and trust me, its a bargin for the service you receive from them. have fun

Wanderer

You require an expense account, since one cannot pay cash, as you go. It is VERY easy to spend lots of money on a cruise, as you do not see the actual money transfer hands. When on a cruise, such as this, it's easy to splurge, but you surely awake, upon arrival home. Drinks add up quickly; Buy alcohol at your first port of call, if you drink, then mix in your room.....,Save lot's....Don't forget the empty envelope you receive, at your last dinner. Keep cash for that, as they expect...........

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