RESEARCH IS STILL THE KEY
This session will deal with what other expenses you MIGHT incur while on your trip.
First let’s look at what IS included in the price of your cruise:
- Accommodations
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Supervised Youth Programs
Accommodations simply mean the cabin (room and bath) you are assigned for the duration of the cruise. Both will be small …. with the bathroom being very small….bigger than 20 years ago, but still small by American standards. However, both the room and the bath are serviceable. In the room you will have closet space for hanging clothes, some shelves and a safe as well as a combination dressing table/storage cabinet/television stand/dresser – also relatively small.
Dining are your meals while on board, but only in the Main dining room or at the indoor/outdoor buffet. This does not include ANY of the alternative dining areas or the coffee/dessert bars scattered around the ship. A good rule of thumb is if they ask for your ship card, it isn’t included.
Entertainment is nearly non-stop … and the majority of it is included. There are a few things considered entertainment that do have a fee … like wine tasting. All the shows in the theater are free as well as the lounges, BUT be prepared to be asked over and over if you care to have a drink. Don’t get angry; just politely say, “no, thank you.” The cocktail servers are assigned to an area and are required to ask continually.
Supervised Youth Programs are included and are usually very good; however, I would ask a lot of questions before booking. Some lines don’t accept children still in diapers and some lines only have one group – mixing all ages together. Also check on evening babysitting services. Some ships offer this service ... but it's for an extra charge. Learn the rules before you book so you’re not disappointed.
Now let’s look at what IS NOT included in the cost of the cruise:
- NOT INCLUDED - The items in the stocked refrigerator in your combination dressing table, etc. Your cabin steward/stewardess is required to check it daily. If anything is missing, your cabin number will be charged … and all items are overpriced.
- NOT INCLUDED - The bottles of water conveniently left in the dressing area … very pricy. Again, the cabin steward has to keep count and bill accordingly. If items are missing from inventory and not charged to a room, the cost is charged to the steward.
Note: I bring a bottle of water on-board and then refill it as needed from the buffet area (free). I also bring a Koozie with a harbinger so I can hook it on my belt loop. This keeps me from having to spend $3.50 for a bottle of water when leaving the ship for my day excursions in port.
- NOT INCLUDED - The alternative dining areas – ALL of them are extra … $15 - $30 EACH - plus tip! I don’t go on a cruise to get a steakhouse meal so I totally avoid the alternatives. Are the meals in the dining room as extravagant as they used to be? No! However, they still serve a generous amount of good quality food.
- NOT INCLUDED - The coffee and dessert bars look and smell heavenly; however, they are also over-priced. Check the menu posted daily outside the dining room and the buffet. You will find a choice of 5 or 6 desserts on the dining room menu every day in addition to always being able to get ice cream. Plus the buffet always has more desserts than any one person could possible eat.
NOTE: I have a suggestion for saving some money if you are a snacker. In the morning go to the buffet – have your breakfast and then pick up some fruit, milk, boxed cereal, yoghurt or whatever you like and bring it back to your cabin. I have been known to bring back a donut or two and so they don’t go stale I put them in a zip-lock bag – stashing them out of sight so the cabin steward doesn’t throw them out while cleaning up. Yes, I carry zip-lock bags – in a couple of sizes (sandwich and quart) – just for such emergencies.
- NOT INCLUDED - Items of a personal nature …. such as deodorant, panty hose, hair spray, etc. All ships have a “sundry” shop but items are limited and (sorry for repeating myself) expensive.
- NOT INCLUDED - Beauty shop, spa sessions, manicures, pedicures, etc. are VERY EXPENSIVE and NEVER included. Ships offer top of the line services that you might want to make use of, but be prepared to have a large charge on your card.
- NOT INCLUDED – Sports, gambling, video gaming, Internet use – even with your own PC.
- NOT INCLUDED – Alcohol and Soft Drinks. I’ll offer more on this subject the next time.
Also not included .... Gratuities (tips). This is a big issue - and can be costly - so I'll cover this is a session by itself.
Remember, the rule for knowing if there is an extra charge is – “If they ask for the Ship Card, its extra!”
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