What are the "extra" costs on Princess?

[BlewWater]

What are the extras that Princess charges you for?

 

The reason I ask is that I recently heard a Princess spokesperson who was proud of the fact that they are now no longer charging for ice cream. And that many ships are installing waffle stations...and they will also be...free!

 

Since I have never sailed on Princess, it really got me wondering what is included, and what costs extra. It's not that I don't like paying for things; I just don't like to feel like I am being nickel-and-dimed for everything.

 

I'll start the list with the usual:

 

alcohol

soda

dining in specialty restaurant

spa services

minibar

better coffee (I read about the coffee card; this was new to me)

internet use/wireless access

laundry service

 

 

What about fitness center; spa pool; sauna, steam room; self-service washer/dryers?

 

What other extras am I missing?

[kooljamming]

What other extras am I missing?

 

The most important one of all....PICTURES:D;)

[ugen512]

Self serv laundrys are just like your local coin op. I never seen any cruise charge for waffle station. They were charging for ice cream when we sailed BUT the had a free ice cream cart in the buffett area. Other than that same as any other cruise line.

[mr green]

Well, there is $10.50, per person per day for tips, and wine tasting is extra, not too bad a deal if you like that sort of thing.

 

john

[TJM001]

Excursions at ports of call, of course.

[Princess Cruiser27]

Casino, shopping, Chef's Table, Ultimate Ship's Tour.

[Toto2Kansas]

There is actually no mini bar in your stateroom (unless you are in a full suite or an Elite member of the captain's circle, for which there actually is a one time mini bar set up that is complimentary), although you can order liquor delivered. So, you can cross that one off your list. ;)

[Pia1913]

There is no charge to use the fitness center equipment, but there are some classes that have fees.

 

As for ice cream, at one time there was an "ice cream station" that charged a fee. This has been eliminated and you now get soft serve free. The 3:30 ice cream at the buffet has also been eliminated.

 

And yes, the washers/dryers cost to use. Can't tell you how much, since I don't use them.

[rcacace]

What are the extras that Princess charges you for?

 

 

 

What other extras am I missing?

 

Lets not forget;

 

Cappuccino

Cell Phone Service

Special luggage handling

Bingo

Sanctuary

Gelato

Candy apples

Art gallery

Bungalows

Wine tasting

 

 

[makua]

Am I the only one who doesn't get the waffle station? It wasn't set up for breakfast but at "snack time" in the afternoon. I asked for ice cream there and was told to go to the ice cream stand, so the waffles and sprinkles are at Horizon court but no ice cream. By the time you get the waffle, walk to the stand and get ice cream, walk back for your toppings you have melted ice cream. (it's soft serve) Shouldn't the waffles had been at the ice cream stand? Rant over. Don't forget you pay for soda and of course BINGO!

[EmpressofPurple]

This might help -- it's a list I devised for friends who are new to cruising so they are not surprised by all the available "extras" (i.e., it's not like an all-inclusive resort where you don't pay for drinks, water sports, etc. -- there are charges for many activities). It also helps me plan my budget on upcoming cruises! I have shared this before on Cruise Critic. Enjoy!

 

LIST OF EXTRA CHARGES ON CRUISES:

FOOD/DRINK:

· Fountain Soda at bars and in dining rooms (Soda card available for $3.95 per day for length of cruise plus tax/tip; 7 days = $27.65 – THIS HAS GONE UP!!). Also Canned Soda / Bottled Water ($1.50/ea plus tax/tip; can bring onboard at embarkation and port stops) – have your cabin fridge emptied out by steward; better to buy a package.

· Drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), anywhere on the ship (buffet, dining room, pizza place, trident grill, café, bars, shows, pool deck, room service, etc.) I gather there is a “wine package” for wine drinkers.

· Specialty ice cream near the pool and in International Café (available for free in Horizon Court Buffet from 3:30-4:30 pm and at dinner) (Ben & Jerry’s on RC)

· A few items at International Café (chocolate covered strawberries, fondue, caramel apples, truffles); a few Room Service items (tray of canapés, soda package, etc.); Sushi at Vines

· Specialty coffee at meals, in International café (coffee card for $24.95 covers 15 drinks plus unlimited brewed coffee at Café on Princess; RCI gives you one free after purchase/punch card of 10 drinks).

· Specialty Dining Rooms ($20 pp Sabatinis/Portofino; $25 pp Crown Grill/Chops; $4.95 Johnny Rockets – food only, no drinks) and Special Dining Experiences (balcony dining, Chef’s Table, Wine Flights, etc., etc.)

· Any meals in port (duh)… except where included at “private island” stops (Princess Cays/Labadee/Cococay cookout)… plus rental of beach chairs, loungers, cabanas, umbrellas, kayaks, etc; any drinks, taxis, tips, etc.

ACTIVITIES/PURCHASES:

· Port Tours / Shore Excursions ($20-$200+ per outing, privately arranged or thru cruiseline).

· Gambling / Casino (as you will… be sure to bring on cash or be charged a service fee for taking out cash on your ship card) + Bingo ($10-20 per game… and now $1.50 for a bingo marker!... now ELECTRONIC!!!)

· Art Auctions (can be very pricey if you buy; they often offer free champagne at preview and sale)

· Shopping / souvenirs / gifts / necessities (cosmetics/perfume/jewelry/clothes/trinkets/etc.) onboard or in port (Port “Discount” shopping books sold onboard, w/coupons for free/discounted items in port = $25)

· Spa treatments / Salon Services ($60-$180 per treatment – massages, wraps, facials, tooth whitening, ionithermie, manicure/pedicure, haircuts, etc.) + any Salon Products (Steiner/Lotus Spa/etc.) – expensive!

· Sanctuary ($15/half-day – quiet, shaded area with deluxe loungers and drink/food service, outdoor massages and sunset Yoga classes available)

· Thermal Suite ($130/couple for the cruise – indoor heated stone loungers, aromatherapy steam rooms)

· Some exercise classes ($12/ea. 55-min Yoga, Pilates, Spinning -- $30 for 3 -- plus $75+ personal training and $35 fitness/metabolism testing, and they ask for tips on top of fees. The shorter, 25 mins. stretching and aerobics classes are usually free, as are the machines and jogging track, plus sales presentations)

SERVICES/GRATUITIES:

· Some classes including Computers@sea, digital photography instruction, materials for some scholarship@sea programs (ceramics, etc.); port lectures and other programs often have no fee.

· Photographs taken by the ship’s photographers ($10-25 per photo); developing disposable cameras/film; having prints/CDs made from your digital camera.

· Internet time (.75/min. unless you buy a package, then it can drop to .50/min – much cheaper in port) and Telephone (Yikes! Look at those costs… if you can use your cel, beware of international roaming charges)

· Laundry / dry cleaning / pressing through the ship; Self-serve laundry (I think it's $1 for washer, $1 for dryer, $1 for soap; there’s an iron there, too); tux/formalwear rental, floral purchases

· Golf simulator and Scuba Training (no idea about these, just know they cost extra)

· Gratuities ($10pp/pd automatically added to your bill or can handle separately)

· Tips on drinks at bars or for room service orders

· Any needed medical services (doctor visits charged to your account).

· Cruise Insurance (to cover medical services rendered, emergency evacuation, repatriation, lost/stolen/damaged baggage, camera, cellphone, laptop, etc.)

· Future Cruise Credit (FCC)/Nextcruise – deposit for future cruise, usually results in OBC (onboard credit).

· Babysitting and certain special children’s activities (dinner at Johnny Rockets).

· Transfers/parking/taxis to and from ship before and after cruise; Tips for baggage handlers, drivers, etc.

What’s Included:

· Cabin, TV movies, cabin service, toiletries, fruit delivery (Princess), safe, refrigerator (can fill with own drinks), towel animals (RCI), pillow chocolates (Princess), and of course transportation to all ports of call

· Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner in dining rooms, at 24-hr buffet, pizza place, trident grill, most items at the Inter­national Café/Promenade Cafe, room service (except for tips) (RCI $3.95 room service charge midnite-5am)

· All entertainment (production shows, singers/musicians in bars, show lounges, nightclub, movies, trivia, dance classes, poolside games, Princess Pop Star/Karaoke, port tour/shopping/some educational lectures).

· Special events such as champagne waterfall, pool buffet, captain’s party; several presentations such as culinary arts, galley tour, bridge tour, spa wellness (i.e. sales) presentations.

· Use of library, pools/hot tubs, gym (including some classes such as stretch and aerobics), ping-pong, shuffle­board, sports court (bball/vball), putting green, kids program (babysitting extra).

[Pia1913]

Am I the only one who doesn't get the waffle station? It wasn't set up for breakfast but at "snack time" in the afternoon. I asked for ice cream there and was told to go to the ice cream stand, so the waffles and sprinkles are at Horizon court but no ice cream. By the time you get the waffle, walk to the stand and get ice cream, walk back for your toppings you have melted ice cream. (it's soft serve) Shouldn't the waffles had been at the ice cream stand? Rant over. Don't forget you pay for soda and of course BINGO!

 

Are you talking about something current when you refer to waffles in the afternoon instead of morning? AFAIK, waffles are made in the morning only.

[cruisewiththekids]

Are there any beverages that are free? Iced tea, lemonade, milk?

[rcacace]

Are you talking about something current when you refer to waffles in the afternoon instead of morning? AFAIK, waffles are made in the morning only.

 

They've had them in the afternoon in the Horizon as well for a while now.

[WeBeGone]

Are there any beverages that are free? Iced tea, lemonade, milk?

 

Yes, regular coffee, tea (iced or hot), lemonade, milk, tap water (as opposed to bottled), fruit juice at breakfast.

[coiran]

A few items at International Café (chocolate covered strawberries, fondue, caramel apples, truffles);

No longer available at the Cafe(at least not on the Ruby), however, the Gelato is excellent - three large scoops for $1.50 served on a chilled plate.

They are also charging for fresh squeezed OJ at breakfast in the MDR.

Ron

[R&MTHETRAVELERS]

I have found no matter what kind of company, Cruise Line or Men's Clothing; either you charge extra or you build the cost into the price, one way or the other you pay for it. I have had a cruise line tell me that they were giving me free wine & free shore excursions & the price was only slightly more than the one the other cruise lines that charged extra for these things charged for the same cruise. The only problem is that we don't drink that much & we might not want to go on some of the shore excursions & so we are paying for someone else to do these things. One such cruise was not just a slight more charge but several thousand $ more & for less days on the water. I also have found that if I want to do some laundry I can do so for a few $ and a little of my time all I have to do is listen to some fellow cruisers bellyache about how bad they have it. Yeh, real bad, they are on a cruise & having people feed them & making the bed & cleaning up after them. Tuff life, but then someone has to do it, hey let's get over this stuff & have some fun, it's cruising not working.:confused:

[Pia1913]

They've had them in the afternoon in the Horizon as well for a while now.

 

Do you mean between lunch and dinner? I have no reason to go up there after lunch, so I guess I wouldn't have seen it.

[regnig]

What about fitness center - no charge to use the equipment;

spa pool - no charge;

 

sauna, steam room - Princess ships have FREE sauna & steam rooms in addition to the Thermal Suite for which there is a charge;

 

self-service washer/dryers - similar costs as those on dry land?

 

 

Think that covers your ????s.

[HJH]

Soft Ice Cream (cones/cups) is now free all day at the stand on the pool deck. If you want a milk shake or anything made with scoops of hard ice cream, you still have to pay for it.

 

Sodas, specialty coffees may be purchases singly or in bulk by getting a card when you board the ship. The soda card is unlimited, the coffee card is good for a fixed number.

 

There is a minibar in every stateroom, but unless you are Elite level, you pay for what you drink. Elites get one setup free.

 

All alcoholic drinks (beer, wine, cocktails) are sold at prices consistent with what you would pay in a big city bar. A 15% gratuity is added to everything liquid purchased, alcoholic or not.

[Toto2Kansas]

There is a minibar in every stateroom, but unless you are Elite level, you pay for what you drink. Elites get one setup free.

 

.

 

When did Princess start putting mini bars in all staterooms. Did I miss this one, if I did, I must be slipping?:confused:

[rugbypopsie]

Pretty much everything that is an extra cost is purely optional...don't have to pay for it or do it.

 

Many people can cruise quite inexpensively by cutting out what they really don't need.

 

I still think dollar for dollar cruising is the best value vacation you can have and the absolute easiest one to stick to your budget.

[Pia1913]

Soft Ice Cream (cones/cups) is now free all day at the stand on the pool deck. If you want a milk shake or anything made with scoops of hard ice cream, you still have to pay for it.

 

There is no hard ice cream.

 

Sodas, specialty coffees may be purchases singly or in bulk by getting a card when you board the ship. The soda card is unlimited, the coffee card is good for a fixed number.

 

Canned soda not included

 

There is a minibar in every stateroom, but unless you are Elite level, you pay for what you drink. Elites get one setup free.

 

What minibar? There is no minibar.

 

.

...

[rcacace]

Do you mean between lunch and dinner? I have no reason to go up there after lunch, so I guess I wouldn't have seen it.

 

Sometime around 3:30 in the Horizon but since we eat early I've only had one to try out. It's much to close to dinner to have waffles & ice cream.

[Pia1913]

Sometime around 3:30 in the Horizon but since we eat early I've only had one to try out. It's much to close to dinner to have waffles & ice cream.

 

Instead of 1/2 english muffin or 1/2 bagel, I sometimes have 1/4 of a waffle for breakfast. I call it bread. :)