What is better for the cruise?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

First, for the most part all cruises are all inclusive and "CASHLESS". Let me explain.

Regardless of which cruise line you select, the things that are included are pretty much the same. The price of your cruise includes your cabin, all meals (including breakfast, lunch dinner, snacks and free room service), all shows and entertainment, and free use of all facilities on ship.

When you check in at the pier they will set up an on-board charge account for you (using your credit card) and everyone in your party/cabin to cover any and everything you may buy on ship. You can have everyone on one card or split the bill among those in your party on separate credit cards). They will then issue each of 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 at that time (usually the evening before the ship returns to port) you can pay with a credit card or cash, your choice. BUT, while you are on ship you will not need any cash except for the casino; its cashless

The things that you will have to pay for at the END OF THE CRUISE are:

GRATUITIES: They will amount to about $10 per person in your cabin per day; about $70 each for a 7 day cruise.

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% gratuity to each drink and soft drink order.

PHOTOGRAPHS: Cruise lines 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, like $15 to $20 for most.

TOURS/EXCURSIONS: You are not required to book any tours and 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 expensive.

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.

SPECIALTY RESTAURANTS: Most cruise lines have what they call "specialty" restaurants where there is a gratuity/service charge. 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.

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. You can use the gym free but the spa stuff cost big bucks.

INTERNET: 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 to $60 an hour).

On some cruise lines you can book and pay for tours in advance and you can also arrange for the gratuities to be billed to you before the cruise. In my opinion it does not matter whether you pay these two ahead of time or at the end of the cruise. Its the same amount and all of it will be charged to your credit card(s).

CRUISE TIPS:

Always pack your passport and cruise documents in your carry on bag ONLY. If you plan to get into the pools or hot tub as soon as you get on ship (they will be open), bring those clothes in your carry on bag; you other luggage may not get to your cabin until much later in the afternoon.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM, so take:
-swim wear (at least 2),
-shorts, tank tops and "T's"
-sandals,
-beach shoes,
-your snorkel equipment if you have it,
-sun glasses and sun screen,
-lotions,
-a cap or big hat for the sun,
-a book if you are a reader,
-your music player,
-sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym,
-good walking shoes,
-your camera, and
-other personal toiletries including tooth paste, mouth wash or lotions.

Your cabin will have towels and soap provided, including pool and beach towels, and a hair dryer. It will also have a generic hair shampoo so you do not need to bring that unless you like a specific brand.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports or resort casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, (like a bank employee), shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc. Don't over pack , take clothes that you can mix and match tops and bottoms and plan to wear each piece twice. If you are going to the Caribbean you will likely be in shorts and/or swim wear most of every day so evening clothes don't usually get much wear.

Your cruise will have a formal night or two when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the shipâ€™s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. You will not be denied entry to the main dining room if you decide not to dress up, as long as you are at least sports casual. But most people do dress up. A gown or party dress for women and a suit or tux for men. Some people dress up both formal nights, some don't.

- Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage.

- Pack using the vacuum clothing bags (about $20 for 3 at Target) so that you can get more in your bag AND so that if the TSA at the airport opens your bag they can see what's inside without rummaging through your things.

-Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and your clothes that you sleep in.

- If you can take a six-pack of bottled water and soft drinks in your carry-on for your cabin. You will have to pay for both on the ship and its nice to have those handy in the cabin.

- If you are taking your cell phone, MP3 player or other item that needs to be plugged in take an extension cord as the plugs in the cabin are generally not in the best places and there are usually only one or two.

- Take a small bottle of hand sanitizer and/or hand-wipes. There are generally sanitizer dispensers at the entrances of restaurants, the buffets and dining room, but some times the are not there or not working. The sanitizer helps prevent the spread of the Norwalk Virus that sometimes occur on cruise ships.

- Take a can of air freshener for your cabin bathroom. The bathrooms do not have exhaust fans.

- Take a few zip lock bags of various sizes; they always come in handy.

- Take some one dollar bills (also maybe a few $5's) for tipping the porters in the airport, at the pier (they do not work for the ship), and they will come in handy in port stops for buying small items in the markets and at vendor stands; especially bartering places.

shhhhhhhhhhhimhiding

You can put cash on your account when you check in at the purser;s desk if you dont want to use a credit/debit card. You can also prepay your gratuties and shore excursions before you ever leave home whcih does help with budgeting. Usually the gratuties come off your account automatically and there is no need for cash, although tipping room service is expected, and of course all the porters and tour people, so make sure to have some cash

Italian Guy

You'll never pay cash,just only in casinos, slot machines ,Alcoholic beverages and gratuities for waiters

There is very little need for cash on the ship as you are issued an onboard "credit card cruise" and everything you do/buy is charged to your plastic money.

Milk, juice, iced tea, hot tea, coffee are all free ice cream.Alcoholic beverages range from $4 for beer to $7 for exotic drinks.Money in cash in envelopes at the end of the cruise for service room.

Time travler

Paying cash or on a credit is no difference especially when it comes to tips. You pay the same weather it is cash or credit. I just like using a credit card and paying it when the bill comes. That way, I can save my cash for using while in a port. Princess does cash free cruising and that is what I like. The thing to watch is your alcohol consumption, your photo buying, your gambling, and your shopping on the ship. Those are the things that can make your bill go sky high. I keep my receipts in my cabin so I know what to expect when the final bill comes. i don't want any surprises.

Dan

On most cruise lines, you can only get charged on your account, and tips will be automatically included. You will not need cash. The documents for your cruise will explain all of this.

Regards,
Dan

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