How exactly do cruises work?

Show all answers

Julie T

Your fare includes your cabin, basic food & drink and entertainment. Your fare does not include the tips which are expected. $10 per day per guest.

You could pay your fare and not spend another dime and still have a great time.

However, there are a ton of "extras" that you can purchase to enhance your cruise experience.

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
- Gourmet 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

You get a daily newsletter outlining the daily activites and specials. Don't try to do everything...there is more going on than you can possibly do.

For at sea days, we like to sit at the back of the ship, enjoy the music and just relax. While my kids run around like crazy and do tons of activities.

Xabier

It is like a fully inclusive hotel, except you don't have to wear a wrist band.

Some things you'll have to pay extra for, and they will come off of your credit card at the end. but they will use your national money so you know what you will be paying for

how crowded depends on the boat, but some swimming pools will be more popular than other ect.

I've only been on the Gran Vogayer... it is a 2/3 day cruise from AlmerÃa to the Canary Islands the boat was quite small. but I know there are HUGE boats ect.

read some reviews about the exact cruise you want before you go. search for trip advisor

Paul in San Diego

Your cruise fare gets you a room on the ship, access to all common areas (pools, dining rooms, showrooms, casino, libraries, bars, etc.). There is a deck near the top that has a buffet style dining facility, as well as a pool or two. There's also a lot of decks for sunning. Out by the main pools, they usually have live music (like a steel drum band), and they put on various contests and activities (like the hairiest chest contest, for example) while at sea.

When the food deck is open (usually a couple hours each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), you can go through the buffet lines and eat what you want. There is also coffee, tea, juices, etc., available throughout the day. At specific times in the evening, you can also eat in the main dining room at a certain table. There they serve whatever you choose off the menu. And, you can have as much as you want, as long as you leave in time for the next dinner seating.

Alcoholic beverages are available throughout the ship. They charge prices similar to a bar on shore, plus a mandatory 15% gratuity added. When making these purchases, you use your "sail & sign" card, which charges purchases to your credit card on deposit. You can also purchase things in the gift shops and the duty-free shops with your sail and sign card. And, you use this to purchase shore excursions.

When the ship pulls into a port, you can choose to purchase a side trip called an excursion while in port using your sail & sign card. Or, you can just leave the ship and explore the port on your own.

The cruise staff has all kinds of free activities going on onboard the ship throughout the cruise. This may include games (like a Not So Newly Wed Game) or various shows in the main theater. There are also comedians, Broadway-style shows, and even hypnotist shows (these are a must see). Some times, the captain will host a party in the main louge, where you can get a couple of free cocktails.

Depending on the time of year and the destination, cruise ships can be very crowded. Carnival tends to have the most kids and young people, because they are generally cheaper across the board to all destinations. But, many people don't think the cruise experience is that good with Carnival (ships are run down, the food isn't that good, etc.).

NiTSiRK_81

I went on a Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas check out some pictures and video from it to give you an idea of what goes on...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54619901@N00/sets/72157605765798815/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrUjz9WEIkQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXuwBSi1kMs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWMDEuwXl2w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4JoAxqKpOc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa-BDSdt4k8

Feel free to message me with ?'s

LadyBug

Kudos to Julie T for the most informative answer. I will add to that...

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) has a wide range of activities for all ages.

Passports: You WILL need these so get them now if you haven't yet Changes in US travel policies are going into effect in June or July 2009 and you will need passports (not the pass card or driver's license + birth certificate...THE PASSPORT)

After the trip is fully paid for, sign in on the cruise lines web site and get your spending account started (aka Fun Pass and Sign & Sail card on Carnival Cruise Lines). This will require you to enter credit card information. You will also need other information such as passenger names, dates of birth, mailing address...all kinds of stuff. This will make going through the embarkation process a LOT faster because they will have all your information and need only to print your Sign & Sail card. This Sign & Sail (called something different on other cruise lines???) card is to be used on board like a credit card. Everything you buy on board, including shore excursions, will be transferred to your credit card the last day of the trip.

You need cash only for spending on shore.

Grand Cayman Islands and Cozumel Mexico: They do not hesitate to do business in US Dollars

For a wealth of information already out there from other travelers, go to cruisecritic.com and click on REVIEWS/Member Reviews.

Have Fun!

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: