Comments on: carnival cruises?

By: jvega624

jvega624 — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:38:59 +0000

your hidden costs would be like if you take advantage of the spa or go to the gym and take one of the exercise classes. tipping is $10 per day per person so $140.00. I would suggest giving a little more as those people work so hard to keep the ship running. your bar tab will have a 15% gratuity charge added to your tab. look up their bar menu for pricing on the website of the cruise line you choose. Excursins are 50-200 pp. just watch out for the people on the ship who try and talk you into doing something you really do not want. if you do not want to do the formal night i think you can opt out if you want. there is a $20-30 pp fee for that. hope you have a wonderful honeymoon.
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By: Dusie

Dusie — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:28:59 +0000

The breakfast, lunch and dinner in the regular dining rooms are included in your cruise. You do not need to eat at the buffet unless you want to. There are a couple of specialty restaurants that cost a little extra but the cost is clearly stated in your daily newsletter. Do not go to the "art" auction, casino or photo gallery. Those all cost extra. The only costs that you would pay then are for drinks (even soft drinks cost), excursions (if you choose to go on them), and tips. Do not skip out on the tips.This is the pay the staff relies on to support themselves and families. The cruise lines only pay them about $70 a MONTH. Its only about $10 per person per day and even that gets split amoung several people.
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By: Blue Eyes

Blue Eyes — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:56:59 +0000

if you dont drink then that’ll be a plus….the only cost for the ship per se is the tips you leave for the room steward, the matre’d, etc….that info is in your itinerary when you get your tickets…..good luck….Bon Voyage….
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By: taiflorida

taiflorida — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:31:59 +0000

What is the tipping policy onboard?

Service Gratuities

For your convenience, we automatically charge the gratuities for dining and stateroom staff to your onboard Sail & Sign account. The total amount is $10.00 per guest, per day (our recommended guideline) as follows:

$ 3.50 Per Day Stateroom Services

$ 5.50 Per Day Dining Room Services

$ 1.00 Per Day Alternative Services: distributed to other kitchen and hotel service staff

For Cruises-To-Nowhere, gratuities of $10 per guest, per day must be prepaid.

Our Staff is totally committed to exceed your expectations in every way possible. If you are not satisfied with the service you receive, we encourage you to contact the Purser’s Information desk while onboard. This will allow us to address your concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At your discretion, you may adjust the gratuities at any time.

For beverage purchases, fifteen percent of the bill is automatically added to the Sail & Sign charge. Room Service staff may be tipped as service is rendered. Tipping your Maître d’ is at your discretion, based upon the service you receive.

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/FAQLanding.aspx
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By: Smiley

Smiley — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:02:59 +0000

We just got back from our first cruise. We did a Disney Cruise. The only things I can think of that would be "hidden" is the gratuity, on board photos, drinks (soft and hard depending on cruise line), shore excursions and shopping. Gambling would also be a hidden but I would set a strict budget before going. (Disney doesn’t have casinos)

When we were done with our cruise and I went to settle up, the only charges that were on there were ones I knew in advance.

Your food is included in the price, unless they have a special restaurant for you to make reservations at, that might have a small charge.

I think when people are talking about hidden charges, they are talking about for the cruise itself. The cruise line has one price then ads all the extra fees which are in the fine print. Like fuel surcharge, taxes, port charges and other fees. This way the price seems like a deal, but those fees can quickly surprise you.

It’s worth it, just do your research ahead of time. I’d suggest going through a local travel agent, they will walk you through everything and also are great at giving you real costs.

Have fun
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By: MomSezNo

MomSezNo — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:57:59 +0000

You don’t need to eat only at the buffet – the main dining rooms do not charge for meals, only the "premium" restaurants.

"Hidden costs", or things that are not included in the cruise fare, include alcohol, soda, some activities [bingo, wine tastings], excursions, tips [$10/person/day added to your bill automatically and well worth it!], tips for room service [$1-2 each time], corking fees for wine you bring board [only if you take the bottle to the dining room], spa treatments, some gym activities [yoga, Pilates], etc.

You can save money by bringing your own wine and/or alcohol and/or soda [not necessarily "legal" but people do bring all three on board with them], arranging your own excursions in port or staying on the ship or just walking around the port, not buying anything in the ship’s stores [make sure you have pharmacy-type stuff with you or buy it in port], doing any on-line communications at an internet cafe in port rather than on the ship, etc.

For some great info on all aspects of cruising, go to CruiseCritic.com, click on "Boards" and go to whatever topic interests you. I’d suggest: "Money-Saving Tips", "First-Time Cruisers", "Carnival Cruise Lines" for starters.

Congratulations and have a great cruise!
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By: Julie T

Julie T — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:39:59 +0000

Here are some of the costs not included in your fare…

- Tips. $10 per guest per day ($140 for couple on 7-day)
- Sodas. $1.75 plus 15% gratuity per can. or buy a soda fountain card for unlimited by glass. About $42 per person.
Notable…soda card not good for sodas delivered by room service.
- Photos. $20-25 per sheet. Yes, you will buy some!
- Spa. $50-200 per service
- Shore excursions. $50-200 per. You don’t have to sign up for shore excursions. You can get a taxi at the dock and ask to go to the free beach
- Taxis while in port
- Gourment coffee & sweets. $2-12
- Internet…by the minute
- Ship to shore phone. $7.00 per minute

To manage your spending, use a cash account. When you charge the amount that you have in your cash account, the purser’s office will sent you a note and you can can add more cash or stop spending. Notable…Carnival charges your account for the tips the moment you step on board, so deposit your tips and spending money in the account up front.

Carnival does not use cash on board for individual transactions except in the casinos. You open an account when you board with cash or a credit card and use a sail and sign card for on board purchases.

My sister and her family of 3 spend about $500, including tips by using a cash account.
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