Hidden cruise costs?

[Disney Ontario]

Hi. This is for any Cruise, We took one in 2004 and inlaws paid for it so I don't quite remember. DH and I and another couple are taking a cruise in a year, well my friend thought the quoted cost was the whole deal. I said nope, I know you pay crew members tips at the end but how much? Then what other costs?

 

[MickeySP]

Some cruise lines include the gratuity in the cruise cost, some give you envelopes for each person who will serve you.

I know what the cruise line suggests is usually pretty small. Our steward & server were stellar so we made sure to leave a extra bonus for them.

The cruise line should have all that info on their website. As well as any excursions, some have a fee or card for tonic or bottle water and of course alcohol. Also there are smaller more intimate restaraunts on most lines they are an extra.

 

[NewCrew42]

On most cruises, soda and alcohol cost extra. If you order a drink, you tip that server seperately of course.

If you plan any excursions, those cost extra, but of course you can just get off the ship at port at no additional charge.

Tips were included in our last package. We did tip our room steward more as he was wonderful. We did not tip our dining room staff extra as they were terrible.

My kids went to the arcade which cost extra. We played Bingo, which was additional cost.

If you go to the casino, additional cost.

Hmmm.... that's all I can think of for now.

 

[mjkacmom]

Most cruise line either have a (stongly) suggested amount you should tip out certain people, or have a daily service charge ($10 - $12 per person, per day) added on at the end of the cruise (not included in the initial price). Some lines charge for soda, and add an 18% charge on all beverages. Specialty restaurants also have fees. Of course, spa services, alcohol, specialty coffee, martini tastings, excursions, etc., cost extra.

 

[clarabelle]

Shore excursions!
Some are really pricy and add up for a family
You can check out the prices on the website for your cruiseline

 

[SydSim]

Don't forget those wonderful pictures that the cruiseline takes during the entire cruise. They are lovely, but costly.

 

[MIGrandma]

Room service tips, tips for guides on excursions (if you take them), souvenirs from the gift shops. Some ships have coffee/pastry shops where they charge for the items.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Soft drinks, alcohol, shore excursions, spa treatments, specialty restaurants, gratuities (though every cruise line will allow you to pay them in advance rather than having to bring cash on board), bingo, casino. Your onboard account can add up pretty fast.

 

[Darcy03231]

Here's what we've paid extra for:

Tips (usually $10/pp per day)
Soft Drinks
Alcoholic Drinks
Specialty Drinks/Coffees
Shore excursions
Photographs
Casino

Some cruise ships also have specialty dining which there is an extra fee for, as well as ice cream/coffee shops which there is a fee for too.

 

[bumbershoot]

Be sure to spend some serious time on cruisecritic dot com's message boards before your cruise! You can find out everything you need to know over there, it's a great place.

You can even get info on your destinations, to see if there are tours you can self-book, instead of going through the cruise ship. For instance, we did a tea at a garden while in Skagway directly through the cruiseship, but when we went to the glacier in Juneau, we just hopped on a local bus to get up there which cost a LOT less. We just had to manage our time really really well.

Tips, photos (some cruiselines are doing a CD now, like photopass), alcohol, soda when not in the fancy dining room (and some cruiselines might charge in the dining room as well), excursions. That's what I remember from our cruise!

 

[tvguy]

My mom is a frequent cruiser, and other than tips, doesn't spend a penny more than her fare.
Most cruise lines include coffee, tea and iced tea for free around the clock.
That's all she needs to drink, she doesn't do photos, or excursions or bingo. She takes part in all the free programing on the ships.

 

[Acklander]

Usually my bar bill is bigger than my cruise bill.
Then the tips, bingo, casino, a few photos. I usually just book the excursions myself so that's not added on to my cruise bill.