Looking for a a list of "extras" and costs on multiple cruise lines??

[DeirdreTours]

Does anyone know where I can locate a difinitive list of the chargeable extras for each cruise line?

For example-- I have read about "surf" pools and "rock walls" on some cruise lines, are there extra charges for the use of these items? I know everyone charges for alchohol, but what other things are not free and how do I find out how much they cost?

[sparky-elpaso]

Easiest way is go to each cruise lines website and check if there's an FAQ section. That will probably have the most information in one place.

[cb at sea]

RCI has the flowrider and rock walls...there's no charge for those things. Nor, for mini-golf on lines that have them.

 

On most lines, you will be charged for soda. Most lines, nowadays, have some sort of "specialty dining" where there is an additional charge...but you are in no way forced to use that option...all lines have at least 2 dining venues included...a buffet and a dining room...some have more than 2.

[Gonzo70]

All the major mass market cruise lines (i.e. Carnival. Royal Caribbean, Pricness, Holland America & Celebrity) have very similar structures in terms of what is free and what costs extra. The following is a rough break down:

 

Extra Costs:

*Tipping (about the only required extra cost - the crew earns almost no salary, so all their money pretty much comes from tipping; think of it as more a service charge than a tip). The average recommended amount is about $10 per person/per day (a bit more for suites). Many people add extra to crew who they felt went above and beyond.

 

*Casino + Bingo (you can spend as little or as much as you want).

*Spa (same as above). Spa prices on cruise ships tend to be high, but during the cruise they tend to offer discounts.

*Alcohol (priced about what you would find in a nice urban bar or the hotel bar of a good hotel on land).

*Soft Drinks (roughly $2 a can, or you can pay a set fee on most lines for unlimitted soda).

*Coffee (basic coffee is free, but specialty coffees such as espresso, lattes etc. cost a few bucks).

*Ice Cream (most ships have some free ice cream or soft serve or frozen yogurt availabel, but many also have a Ben & Jerry's or gelato or what not available for a fee).

*Juice (most ships have free lemonade and sometimes some other options, but things like fresh squeezed juice or smoothies generally cost extra).

*Water (tap water on cruise ships is free and most find it tasty), bottled water and sparkling costs you.

*Shore Excursions (you usually can save money booking these through private vendors rather than the cruise line, but that takes a bit of research).

*Travel Inusrance (pretty much essential unless you have health inusurance coverage that covers emegency care out of the country as well as emegency medical evacuations - very few policies cover the latter). Go to insuremytrip.com to research different policies.

*Gifts/Souvenairs

*Fee Based Activities: Manny activities on the ship are free (i.e. mini golf on ships that have it, evening shows, trivia, dance lesson etc.). Some cost $10 To $20 or more such as wine tasting, martini mixing, cooking class with one of the chefs etc.

*Internet: Rather pricey - typically somewhere around 65 cents per minute (and connection is slow); you can buy packages that bring the per-minute cost down some.

*Specialty Restauraunts: Most cruise ships have at least one higher end restaurant - you pay a cover charge rather than per item. The food is higher quality and a nicer ambiance than the main dining room or buffet. Most people find it well worth it to do at least once per cruise, but others are perfectly happy just eating in the free dining venues.

 

These are the main things I can think of that cost extra. The amount people spend varies greatly - some people do not spend a dime other than tips, others spend thousands.

[DeirdreTours]

Thanks for the replies. I am still a little confused-- I have been on five HAL cruises, often I have heard or read in a review that a given line "nickels and dimes", but your replies seem to imply that other lines charge for the same things (although I don't recall HAL charging for ice cream or juice). I thought I read that one line actually charges for access to an adult only deck.

[kitty9]

Thanks for the replies. I am still a little confused-- I have been on five HAL cruises, often I have heard or read in a review that a given line "nickels and dimes", but your replies seem to imply that other lines charge for the same things (although I don't recall HAL charging for ice cream or juice). I thought I read that one line actually charges for access to an adult only deck.

 

What they mean by that is the mass market cruises are not all inclusive. But it's impossible to tell you what every single ship charges for different things because they're all different---even ships from the same cruise line. Some ships have specialty restaurants, others do not. Some have pay extra for ice cream, such as Royal Caribbean, and others have free ice cream, even the premium brands. Some charge for specialty coffees, like lattes and espresso, but the luxury lines don't charge for that.

 

But there's no way on earth to tell you what every single ship charges for as there are too many variables. Just go into it knowing that unless you don't drink anything but tap water, regular coffee and tea, juice from the buffet, there will be a charge for it. If you walk up to an ice cream bar and see a price list, you'll pay for it.

[DeirdreTours]

Odd that it would vary by ship rather than cruise line, isn't it? I understand all the things that have extra costs on HAL. But, when someone says, for example "I sail HAL rather than RC because RC nickels and dimes you to death", I am trying to figure out what that means (wish I had asked more at the time!).

[PennyAgain]

Don't pay attention when someone complains about being 'nickeled and dimed to death' on a cruise.

 

Across the boards all mass market cruise lines are charging for basically the same things and making the things that are included in the cruise fare less desirable, such as the food and service in the Main Dining Room.

 

Some lines are now charging for room service for specific foods and certain hours of the day/night. Others (RCI) now charges for a better steak in the Main Dining Room.

 

Expect more of this, not less.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Better not to go crazy worrying about this. The items that have an extra charge may change from time to time. For example, many Princess ships had an ice cream bar by the pool, featuring ice cream treats that you pay for. But you could get homemade ice cream for free in the buffet for an hour in the afternoon. Recently, the latter was discontinued, but you can get free ice cream all afternoon at the ice cream bar.

 

Generally if there's an item that has a charge, it's usually across the whole cruiseline, not ship by ship (unless not offered on every ship).

 

If it's important to you not to pay for something, just go on the various cruiseline websites as suggested above. Then, if you still want to go on that cruiseline, decide whether this is a dealbreaker, or if you will still go -- then decide if it's an item to get along with or pay for.

 

For us, a major dealbreaker is a self-service laundry. Many cruiselines don't have this. Other do (Princess and Carnival, for example). We don't mind paying to use the machines.

[travelntreats]

Don't pay attention when someone complains about being 'nickeled and dimed to death' on a cruise.

 

Across the boards all mass market cruise lines are charging for basically the same things and making the things that are included in the cruise fare less desirable, such as the food and service in the Main Dining Room.

 

Some lines are now charging for room service for specific foods and certain hours of the day/night. Others (RCI) now charges for a better steak in the Main Dining Room.

 

Expect more of this, not less.

Exactly.... and for those who think it is "nickel and diming"... the beauty of it is that IT IS YOUR CHOICE to purchase or not ! Within your cruise vacation package, there is enough of everything to eat, drink or do and not have to pay a penny more in additional fee's if you do not want to !

[DeirdreTours]

Thanks all for the replies-- unfortunately I wasn't able to really get the answers I was looking for. I will try searching the sites again- so far I have not found any list of chargeables.

 

For me, I strongly prefer NOT to pay for each item individually, but I also want a great deal! So, traveling with three children, a fee based ice cream shop that was right by the pool would be a major turn off.

[okbowler]

I have been guilty of using this phrase. But remember nickle & diming can be in the eye of the beholder. If the items that are charged extra for are not items that you normally buy or use , you would not be aware of the charges. We have some friends who just returned from a cruise on a line that is accused of nickle & diming. When I asked them about their expierences with this, their comment was coffee outside of meal times was not free, other than that they had no opinion. I would suggest that if there is something(s) that are important enough to be a deal breaker, check on those and forget the rest. Bill

[MissRabbit]

I would suggest that if there is something(s) that are important enough to be a deal breaker, check on those and forget the rest. Bill

 

Best advice ever! Sure, i'm curious to know whether the pastries in the specialty coffee shop are included in my cruise price or if they're extra, but it's not a make or break thing for me. However it was important for me to know if the bowling and rock wall was included in my cruise price on my upcoming cruise as that was important to know.

 

Focus on what extras you're interested in and find out about those specific items/activities on the cruises you're looking at. That's the best way to do it.

 

 

As for nickel & diming... there is plenty of food/drink/activities included in the price that (with the exception of tips) you don't have to pay a single penny (or nickel or dime for that matter) extra. I think those that complain about it appear to think that every last thing on their vacation should be included. Even All-inclusive resorts have extra fees for some things!

[fann1sh]

DeidreTours - I know the sort of list you're looking for, but you won't find it anywhere on the web.

 

Cruise lines want people to make impulse purchases in a cashless society. They don't want passengers to know too much about avoiding those impulses. A few years ago, one of the big scams was souvenir glasses (especially at sailaway). Cruise lines didn't want you to know you could get the same drink for much less without that silly glass. Things have gotten much more sophisticated than that.

 

Also, you'll find a lot of resistance on cruise line specific boards to discussing certain extra charges. I was looking hard at....hmmm, maybe I better not name the line....to find out more, because people either love it or hate it. I was appalled to discover there was a charge for the daily newspaper digest. I *posted* I was appalled. Last time I got dumped on that much was in the middle of a Caribbean hurricane. The gist of the replies was "But you don't have to buy the newspaper."

[hulamoon]

"Cruise lines want people to make impulse purchases in a cashless society. They don't want passengers to know too much about avoiding those impulses."

 

Fann1sh you are sooo right. I often find myself compulsively searching and filling out my EXCEL spreadsheet, only by the time I get it filled out the air changed, the room sold out or a deal goes poof before my eyes.

 

There must be a better way. Compusively trying to know the cost of several cruises or impusively buying.

[hulamoon]

"Cruise lines want people to make impulse purchases in a cashless society. They don't want passengers to know too much about avoiding those impulses."

 

Fann1sh you are sooo right. I often find myself compulsively searching and filling out my EXCEL spreadsheet, only by the time I get it filled out the air changed, the room sold out or a deal goes poof before my eyes.

 

There must be a better way. Compusively trying to know the cost of several cruises or impusively buying.

[hulamoon]

"Cruise lines want people to make impulse purchases in a cashless society. They don't want passengers to know too much about avoiding those impulses."

 

Fann1sh you are sooo right. I often find myself compulsively searching and filling out my EXCEL spreadsheet, only by the time I get it filled out the air changed, the room sold out or a deal goes poof before my eyes.

 

There must be a better way than compulsively trying to know the cost of several cruises or impusively buying. I haven't found that balance but each time I book I swear I will figure it out.

[okbowler]

I got to thinking, many, maybe most of the people who come to CC for info did not cruise when the things that we call nickle and diming were not a charge item. My grandkids have no problem paying big bucks for food items on a regular basis, that if I have at all, would be considered a treat. So we sound petty and picky and they see no problem. Its hell getting old but it beats the alternatiBve.:D

[Soloist]

I have been on RCI and Carnival and for the most part they are the same. For both lines there is a "recommended" gratuity of $10 per person per day. On carnival this is automatically added to your Ship account. On RCI it is not unless you opt for the "my time dining option.

RCI has the $4.00 late night room service delivery charge that does not exist on carnival.

 

Both lines charge for internet/phone access 50-60 cents a minute based on usage. I choose not to.

 

Both lines have soda packages, all you can drink soda for approximately $4 per child $6 per adult per day based on the length of cruise.

 

If you do use a speciality dining resturaunt expect to pay $25 per person but you have the main dining room and buffet.

 

RCI on 6 ships has Johnny Rockets resturaunt which has a $5.00 per person charge

 

You have a "mini bar" in the room, sodas and snacks just like a hotel $2-$3 per item. Both lines will remove these from your room on request.

 

All of the other posters are correct you do not have to partake of any extra (services).

 

You pay for "pay per view tv" you get about 20 channels ant no charge

 

There is no way to get a spa services list from each line as these are operated under contracts. But expect to pay 20-30% higher than ashore.

 

Ben and Jerry's you will pay just like ashore. but you can get icecream in the dining rooms and buffets.

 

You will pay for anything from a bar- smoothies, sodas, alcohol, Freshly squeezed OJ $2-$10

But you get juices/ tea/ coffee in the buffet at no charge.

 

Your cruise includes, Passage, accomaditions, entertainment shows, room service, food, juice, milk.

 

Both RCI and carnival charge for the same things the prices are very similar so there is no need to compare.

 

Like I said the main difference is that Carnival's gratuity is automatically added to your ship account, you have to go to the front desk to "adjust them" Royal caribbean provides envelopes for you to tip accordingly. Although the tipping guidelines are the same. RCI has the 12mid-5AM room service delivery charge of $4.00

 

Water slides on carnival are free/ dont exist on RCI

 

Rock climbing-inline skating-Ice skating- flowriding are free on RCI (doesnt exist on carnival)

 

Childrens programs are free on both ships.

 

Arcades you pay for on both ships.

 

Libraries are free on both ships. ( not much of selection)

[hulamoon]

Childrens programs probably have added value, that is more or less depending on what ship you sail and what activites they offer.

 

I would consider activities value more that ice cream costs. YMMV

 

I track air, cruise fare, tips and activites in port and that is all my brain can handle. I like to believe that the MDR's have food good enough that extra resturants are just a bonus for different scenery.