Carnival Cruise, activites, food, drink, how much?

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shhhhhhhhhhhimhiding

Good news is all your food is included. You will have to pay for all your alcohol, and depending on your drinking ability that can add up. I found the prices for drinks comparable with that of most bars and they do run specials. They have free juices and iced teas and water (not bottled) There is a charge for soda but if you're a big soda drinker I would suggest getting a drink card which allows you unlimited soda for the cruise.

Shipboard activities are free but you will have to pay for any excursions or off ship activities. Occasionally there is a charge for some fitness activities and all spa services. Also, you pay for all your own casino play.

Don't forget the $10 a day for gratuities. They will add that to your sail and sign account when you check in, and frankly for the service you get $10 is a great deal.

Any shopping you do on board.

I have been on this particular cruise twice and love the Fascination. I was on it in October this year and last August. The first time my account was about $200 for a 3/4 day cruise and the last one was a little more so budget accordingly. Also you can check out what you've spent at the purser's desk. You will have a great time.

Julie T

Here are some of the products & services and costs on board Carnival:

- tips. $10 per day per guest.
- photos. $22-25 per sheet.
- bar drinks. $4-12 each plus 15% gratuity
- sodas. $1.75 per can or $35-45 for unlimited by glass program card.
- bingo - $5-10 per card.
- spa services - $50-200 per service.
- shore excursions - $50-200 per excursion.
- tips for shore excursion guides - $10-20
- casino - $$$
- temp tattoos - $7-12
- shopping in port and on board- $$$$. Good deals on smokes and liquor on board.
- taxis while in port. $5-20
- parking at port (contact local port but ours is $10 per day)
- porters for luggage. $1 per bag.

With the exception of the tips to the cruise staff, the above are optional services. My sister opens a cash account when she boards and after she reaches her limit, the purser sends her a note, she can add more cash or stop spending. I use a credit card and usually get sticker shock at the end of the trip because it is so easy just to swipe your card for on-board purchases.

All ports take US dollars. Take small bills $1, 5 and 10s.

Notable...be aware of the new fuel surcharge for any cruises departing after Feb 1, 2008. $5 per day per guest...

luvsLA

you pay for shore excursions, bar, specialty coffee, some activities, spa treatments, some exercise classes, wine, all bar drink even the juices, sodas, even bottled water. Watch out for the extras.

Diva

All Carnival cruises are basically the same as far as the questions you've asked. Meals are included in the total you pay before you cruise. Not included are sodas, alcohol, bottled water and premium cuisine. The buffet meals (included) are delicious so, you should be fine. Stay away from the sodas and bottled water you will find in your cabin, they're expensive. There will be juice and purified water which you will have unlimited access to in the Bar and Grill, the alternative to the formal dining room. The Bar and Grill offers the buffet style meals. You can also ask the cooks to prepare specialties, such as omelettes for breakfast or a rare burger at lunch. Beware of the poolside drink offers, they are relentless and not free! Take your cup over to the included juice kiosk and have a nice day! Well, one or two poolside drinks should be ok, afterall, you're on vacation!

You will be given a sail and sign card, which you can prepay at the purser's desk when on board with a credit, debit or cash. If you choose a debit card, they will put a $250 hold on the card at check in and it will be removed about a week later, so don't include that money as available or you'll be in big trouble. I preferred cash because my boyfriend is a little on the cheap side and cash enabled him to make adjustments as he saw fit.

You will be charged $10 per day, per person for gratuities, which is adjustable as you see fit. The service is absolutely wonderful so I agree with the other poster that it's a great deal. Again, your choice.

Shore excursions are not included, you can book them in advance or anytime during the cruise. Any duty-free shopping is also extra, so budget well! I did not budget enough for shopping and fell in love with these hand-made straw bags in Nassau. But hey, I was on vacation!

The Fascination ship to the Bahamas only ports at Nassau I believe, so be sure to visit Atlantis! Take a taxi from the port station for $8 and they will drop you off right outside the front door. Coming back is the same and don't be late back to the boat, it will leave without you! The beach at Atlantis is private and can only be visited by hotel guests but there are plenty of stores for shopping, this is off the boat so no sail and sign card is necessary.

BTW, next trip, try the Imagination out of Miami to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, Nassau. Half Moon Cay's water is like nothing else on Earth!!

Hope this helps! Enjoy!!

â™¥Graciela â™¥

Your food is included on your price. but everything else you do have to pay for water if you want it delivered in your cabin, soda, alcohol, oohh and your shore excursions. you also get this card (like credit cards) that's the only way you pay on the ship with that card~!

Christine H

Alcoholic drinks are not included in the cost. Non-alcoholic drinks (except water and drinks at the buffet) are also not included, but you can buy a pop card that gets you unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. Food is all included, except for a surcharge if you go to a specialty restaurant on board or get something from the ice cream shop. Most activities on the boat are included. You pay extra to play Bingo or to use the casino. Off the boat, you must pay for things yourself or you can pay to go on a shore excursion that the ship has organized. The other things you pay for are souvenirs, massages, hair appt, pedicure, etc.

xanaduloot

you will pay extrafor ALL drinks (alcohol, soda, water etc) and off boat activities...spa...and some "premium" food

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