Someone who has been on a carnival cruise..READ!?

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Italian Momma

yes , yes and yes.. my mom just went and she brought back the credit card bill she had when she went just to show me how expensive it was besides what you pay for your trip.. i was amazed.. about 1,000.00 dollars extra she went for a week.. she doesn't drink .. so it was just extra stuff she and dad wanted while they were on the ship.. excursions are extra,, spa is extra.. if you want something beside coffee , tea.. you have to pay.. including room service... just make sure you budget about 500.00 a person extra.. its very expensive..and sometimes you dont realize it till the end of the cruise and you get your bill.. cause you sign for everything and give them your credit card ahead of the cruise

Here's what's NOT included:
# Tipping / Gratuities. Carnival adds $10 per person, per day for gratuities for your waiters, cabin stewards, etc. You won't need to leave this on the dinner table each night; it's usually handled on the last night of the cruise. However, you should have some singles to tip the room service guy a couple of bucks (the food itself is free, though).
# Bar drinks. Alcohol, soda and specialty coffees (lattes, frappes, etc.) are not included. Prices are comparable to those on land. (If you're used to New York or Los Angeles prices, you may be pleasantly surprised.)
# Excursions. You can always get off at the ports and look around on your own. However, many people like to join organized excursions for tours or outdoor activities like snorkeling or parasailing. These can be booked through the cruise line or through third-party vendors.
# The Spa / Beauty Salon. Prices are similar to high-end spas in major cities.
# "Specialty" Dining. While food in the main dining room and the casual restaurant is included, some Carnival ships also have a fancy steak place, the "Supper Club" which costs $30 per person extra. But it's really good.

More info on what's included and what's not here:
http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/introduction_to_cruises/how_much_does_it_cost

Julie T

To concur with most of the answers already posted, you can spend as much or as little as you want when cruising.

My sister opens a cash account when she boards so she does not over spend. The pursers office sends her a note when she has reached her credit limit. She can add more cash if she wants to spend more money. I use a credit card and like your Mom, get sticker shock at the end of the cruise. My sister never spends more than $300 for her family of three while I spend about $500 per member of my family of four...we like shore excursions and shopping!

Here is a list of typical expenses not included in the cruise fare:
- Tips. $10 per day per guest.
- Bar drinks. $5-12 each plus 15% gratuity.
- Photos. $20-25 per sheet.
- Sodas. $1.75 per can or about $42 for a soda fountain card for a 7-day cruise. Note..soda fountain card does not work with room service.
- Shore excursions. $50-200 per excursion.
- Spa services. $50-200 per service.
- Bingo. $5-10 per card.
- Casino. $$$$
- Shopping on board and in port.
- Taxis in port.
- Parking at the pier
- Tips for luggage porters, taxis and shore excursion personnel.
- Internet while on board. $$ per minute.
- Ship to shore calls. Don't use the ship phone to check your voicemail. One of my sister racked up $150 in charges the first night by checking her voicemail!

You can enjoy the trip with minimal extra expenses...go to the shows, enjoy the pool, skip the shore excursions and grab a taxi at the port and ask to go to the free beach or just shop in the markets.

Just keep in mind...except when you are re-boarding the ship from port, anytime they ask for your Sail and Sign card, you are getting charged for something. The newer Carnival ships allow you to view your on-board account via the TV.

Jeffrey C

The easy answer is NO. If you board prepared to stiff everybody on the tip, drink nothing but water or free coffee, juices, or tea, buy nothing from the gift shop, internet cafe, auctions, or bars; take no shore excursions, don't gamble, only use the free spa gym equipment, and all that, you don't have to spend a dime other than your fare and transportation costs.

Personally, I can't do that. I've been on over 10 cruises, and while on some I spent next-to-nothing (no alcohol or shore trips), I've always tipped $10 / day to the staff, and since sobriety I've bought a soda card.

Please, don't get me wrong; I love cruise travel, and I'm a budget traveller. I go in off-seaons, and book in advance. I always go for the cheapest cabins I can get as it's another dollar I can spend on shore or on board. Sometimes I've ended up with a FAR better cabin than I dreamed of, such as a trip on the Carnival Triumph (my stateroom, which I paid for a inside lower cabin, was outside, wrapped around an emergency stairwell, and had a single bed... but a couch and two portholes. I loved it).

In any case, you are asking the right questions. Carnival has an excellent web site with prices for extras, like spa treatments and shore excursions. If you keep those costs in mind, you can budget a trip that is affordable and wonderful.

Best.

boguegirls

I use to work for Carnival and what PJ said is exactly how it is. When you go on the cruise you need to have at least enough money to cover your tips. From experience I found that it is always best you bring cash. You will have a better idea of how much you are spending.

bgager1

have been on two carnival cruise and one norwign,priness and celerbery The exta cost is for soda,alcohal, pictures, spa services and specialty resternants. each ship has one or teo of that type, and port of call toures. All the food you want from room serives to main dinning room is free. floor shows pool, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, pools free and are just great. Cruise are well wouth the money. I am going on another one next month 7 days my longest was 15 to hawiia

jjdriskel

Spa, alchol, excursions, sodas, coffee from the bistro, gambling and bingo cost extra. Room service is included in the price of the cruise.

You'll have a really good time, so stop stressing out!

Stacey W

I have been on 2 cruises with Carnival and I did not spend much once I got on the ship at all. At the ports I went shopping and bought things but on board I bought a couple of photos and a couple of drinks. On board I think I spent around $30 for the week not including tips. It is like anything else, you can make it expensive or you can enjoy the aspects of it that are not an extra cost. Both times I went there was not a charge for room service which was so great. If you are worried about it create a budget for yourself and stick to it. Have fun!!

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