What do you actually pay for on a cruise?

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Dusie

The price stated for cruise ships is stated per person, for the first two people in each cabin. IF there are fold-down bunks available in the cabin you have reserved, AND IF the whole ship has not gotten to the maximum number of passengers then you can add them to your cabin. The good news is that 3rd and 4th in a cabin pay a reduced rate. The bad news is that there is only one bathroom and no extra space for people or luggage. My husband and I once sailed with my 16 year old daughter and it was very tight with just 3 of us. We put the luggage under the bed and my husband went to the fitness center to shower before dinner every night.

TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

First, all cruise cabins on all cruise lines are sold based on double occupancy; meaning at least two people and the price you see is per person, not per cabin. Most cruise line also give a discount for the 3rd and 4th person staying in one cabin. So if you pay $1,000 for the first two people ( that would be $500 each) then the fare for the next two would be about $250 for each person. Occasionally a cruise line will run a special and offer a rate like $100 or $200 per person for the 3rd and 4th person in the same cabin.

When you pay your cruise fare all taxes and port charges are included in that total fare. Regardless of the cruise line the price of your cruise includes your cabin, all meals (including breakfast, lunch dinner, snacks and free room service), free admissions to all shows and entertainment, and free use of all facilities on ship like the pools, hot tubs, gym, rock climbing wall, ice skating, roller blade, mini-golf, water slide and other recreation activities, except spa services. The things that you will have to pay for are:

GRATUITIES: They will amount to about $10 to $11.50 per person in your cabin per day ( depending upon the cruise line); about $70 to $80 each for a 7 day cruise. When you check in at the pier they will set up an on-board charge account for you to cover any and everything you may buy on ship. They will issue you a "cruise card" which will also serve as your room key and pass to get on and off the ship. At the end of the cruise they will add the gratuity to your tab and you can pay with a credit card or cash, your choice. So everything on ship except the casino is cashless; everything you buy goes on your account.

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND SOFT DRINKS: Coffee, tea, milk, juice, and lemonade and punch will be provided FREE but you must pay for soft drinks and alcoholic beverages and they will add a 15 percent gratuity to each alcoholic drink and soft drink order. Drinks of cruise ships are generally in the range of $7 to $9 including the 15 percent gratuity that is included in each tab. Beer and wine are slightly less, maybe $6 to $7. The cruise lines do sell unlimited alcoholic drink cards or plans, but they do sell a soft drink card that allow you unlimited soft drinks for the duration of your cruise. These you must buy the first day of the cruise and they generally cost about $6.00 a day for adults; $4.00 a day for kids. The cost of the soft drink card also goes on your on-board tab.

PHOTOGRAPHS: Cruise ship employees will take plenty of photographs of you all over the ship, in the dining room, and as you exit the ship in ports. These will cost a lot, about $15 to $25 for most and the cost of them goes on your on-board tab.

TOURS/EXCURSIONS: You are not required to book any tours and you can get off and on in the ports as much as you want. But the cruise line will offer a lot of tours and these are NOT included and are expensive. If you book tours through the ship before the cruise the charges will go on a credit card. If you book tours after you are on the ship the charges will go on your on-board tab.

SOUVENIRS: Anything you buy on ship from a gift shop or duty free shop goes on your on board account. Things that you buy on shore you pay cash or credit card for.

CASINO: If you plan to gamble on ship you will need cash for that.

OTHER: All ships have what they call "specialty" restaurants where there IS a gratuity/service charge of between $10 and $20. All other food on board is free and its not really necessary to budget for food; you cannot eat all of the FREE FOOD that will be available (so why pay to go eat).

SPA SERVICES: If you want/need to have your hair done, get a massage or wrap, or any services from the spa, you will have to pay for them. Spa fees start at about $70 to $80 and they go on your on-board tab if you use the spa services. You can use the gym free but the spa stuff cost big bucks.

INTERNET SVCS: Ships now have internet cafe and some have WiFi but the there is a fee for internet access and it is very expensive (like about $50 an hour).

ROOM SERVICE/MINI-BAR: You cabin will likely have a minibar with soft drinks and munchies; you have to pay for anything you take out of the mini-bar. But the room service (24/7) is always free. However, you should tip the person who brings your order at least a couple dollars, more if you order a full meal for several people.

olivia y

You have to tip people such as maids and waiters plus alcohol costs extra.

I think there is a surcharge for doubling up. Check with the cruise line.

Also, be ready to pay for alcoholic beverages and sodas -- you get water, lemonade and iced tea free. Also, there is a usually a mandatory top for your cabin person.

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