whats not included in the price?????

[littlemissk]

hi all,

i am a 1st time cruiser and a single parent of a 13 yr old son .. so prob not ur average cruiser?? i am wondering wot exactly needs 2 be paid 4 aboard the ship, i not on the bread line but dont ave an unlimited budget :eek::eek:

i take my son abroad every yr and book independently so i am not fazed by 2 much just wanna bit of clarity as 2 what needs paying 4 ....and maybe anything 2 avoid, or tips on not being stung by unnecessary costs??

cheers every 1 xxxx

[janina]

Specialty restaurants, pictures, sodas, specialty coffee, pizza's through room service, internet, laundry, alcohol all cost extra. Also do not forget the gratuities that will be added to your room bill.

[Toto2Kansas]

I will start out with the list of the optional (extra $$$) items onboard. Keep in mind, these are things that you decide whether you want or not, so it is up to you if they are within the budget.

 

Soda (not included) You can get a soda sticker for your son for unlimited fountain soda onboard at a cost of $4.25 per day plus 15% automatic grauity tacked on when purchased.

Brewed coffee (although regular made from syrup coffee is complimentary 24/7 at many different venues). If you are a coffee snob, you might be interested. The cost (last I checked) was $27.00 for 15 specialty coffees plus unlimited regular brewed coffee as long as there is one punch left on your coffee card).

Video games (if your ship offers a game room) for your son. Not sure of the cost, but they are not complimentary.

Specialty restaurants (Italian or Steakhouse) $20-$25 per person

Bingo/gambling(the amount depends on what you play)

 

Automatic grautities will be added to your shipboard account in the amount of $10.50 pp per day for balcony cabins and below, $11 pp per day for mini suites and full suites.

 

 

Hopefully others will add on to this.

[BobT172]

Pretty much all your food is included unless you decide to dine at a specialty restuarant for which there is a surcharge. Pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers,etc at the poolside grills are included also. Soft ice cream on the pool deck is included. International Cafe goodies are included. Coffee. lattes, etc are extra. Coffee at in the dining room and buffet are included.

 

Ice tea in the dining rooms would aqlso be oncluded but soda is not. For your son you might want to consider a soda card which gets unlimited soda for about $30.

 

Tips are not included but a graturity is added to your stateroom charge ($10.50 per person per day) for you room steward, etc. This can be changed by you at the passenger services desk if you so wish. All alcohol, wine, etc is extra and tips are added at time of service.

 

Some entertainment activities such as bingo are not free. Many activiites listed in the daily Princess Patter are free.

[bjcanady]

hi all,

i am a 1st time cruiser and a single parent of a 13 yr old son .. so prob not ur average cruiser?? i am wondering wot exactly needs 2 be paid 4 aboard the ship, i not on the bread line but dont ave an unlimited budget :eek::eek:

i take my son abroad every yr and book independently so i am not fazed by 2 much just wanna bit of clarity as 2 what needs paying 4 ....and maybe anything 2 avoid, or tips on not being stung by unnecessary costs??

cheers every 1 xxxx

 

You can actually go for the entire week and spend nothing extra with the exception of the gratuities....which would be $21 per day for the 2 of u....

the food is very good in all areas and i see no reason to pay for anything extra unless of course it is something important to you.

[Loonbeam]

Any excursions booked via the ship will also be added to your room bill.

 

Other optionals include any money taken for gambling in the casino, purchases of photos from the ship's print shop, some classes (like pottery). There is no charge for most kids activities (if there is a specialized craft activity there may be a small one).

 

Spa services are extra. If you choose to book yourself a chair in the adults only area while he is at kids activity, there is a charge for that as well.

[littlemissk]

Video games (if your ship offers a game room) for your son. Not sure of the cost, but they are not complimentary.

Specialty restaurants (Italian or Steakhouse) $20-$25 per person

Bingo/gambling(the amount depends on what you play)

 

Automatic grautities will be added to your shipboard account in the amount of $10.50 pp per day for balcony cabins and below, $11 pp per day for mini suites and full suites.

 

 

thank you its pretty much what i thought, except in uk our gratuities are added 2 the price of our cruise when we book , so will remember 2 take that off. so glad 2 know about the games room b4 hand as i prob wouldn't of thought of that. i normally allow far 2 much money 4 spends cus no one wants 2 feel like the poor kid, but we went 2 greece about 4 yrs ago for 2 wks during a heat wave self catering and ended up spending about $450 cash on non alcoholic slush puppies!!

any more tips or info are glady received thanks again xx

[Arlened236]

your laundry...all princess ships have a laundramat on several decks. It cost $1.00 per load to wash and $1.00 per load to dry the clothes...soap and dryer sheets are extra. This is US cost. If you do not want to do your own laundry you can send it out to be done (we find this expensive) so we do our own. There is ususally a clothes line in the shower so you can wash out small items in your cabin and hang them to dry.

We find we can bring less clothing with Princess having a laundramat.

Have a great cruise.

[littlemissk]

your laundry...all princess ships have a laundramat on several decks. It cost $1.00 per load to wash and $1.00 per load to dry the clothes...soap and dryer sheets are extra. This is US cost. If you do not want to do your own laundry you can send it out to be done (we find this expensive) so we do our own. There is ususally a clothes line in the shower so you can wash out small items in your cabin and hang them to dry.

We find we can bring less clothing with Princess having a laundramat.

Have a great cruise.

i meant 2 say i am travelling on the sea princess for 15 nights dept from barbados .... i am not 2 posh 2 wash so the laundramat is a bonus. ;) xx

[Tatka]

Spa services are extra. If you choose to book yourself a chair in the adults only area while he is at kids activity, there is a charge for that as well.

 

Only in Sanctuary you have to reserve and pay, loungers around Lotus spa pool and Terrace Pool (both Adult only areas) are free. :)

[Coral]

If you son drinks soda, feel free to bring it on the ship yourself. It may be cheaper that way. Otherwise, there is usually lemonade at the buffet if your son likes that.

 

I cruised several times when I didn't have a lot of money. I booked inside cabins and didn't buy much and still had a blast!

 

I suggest checking your shipboard account (go to Passengers Services Desk) about midway through the cruise to get an idea of how much you have spent so you know where you stand.

 

BTW - I don't think there is any one stereotype about the typical/average cruiser. Ships are made up of all types of passengers.

 

Have a great time!

[Cruisin' Chick]

Video games (if your ship offers a game room) for your son. Not sure of the cost, but they are not complimentary.

Specialty restaurants (Italian or Steakhouse) $20-$25 per person

Bingo/gambling(the amount depends on what you play)

 

Automatic grautities will be added to your shipboard account in the amount of $10.50 pp per day for balcony cabins and below, $11 pp per day for mini suites and full suites.

 

 

thank you its pretty much what i thought, except in uk our gratuities are added 2 the price of our cruise when we book , so will remember 2 take that off. so glad 2 know about the games room b4 hand as i prob wouldn't of thought of that. i normally allow far 2 much money 4 spends cus no one wants 2 feel like the poor kid, but we went 2 greece about 4 yrs ago for 2 wks during a heat wave self catering and ended up spending about $450 cash on non alcoholic slush puppies!!

any more tips or info are glady received thanks again xx

 

I hope I'm not reading that paragraph to mean that you plan to remove your gratuities.

[wberthin]

If you son drinks soda, feel free to bring it on the ship yourself. It may be cheaper that way. Otherwise, there is usually lemonade at the buffet if your son likes that.

 

I cruised several times when I didn't have a lot of money. I booked inside cabins and didn't buy much and still had a blast!

 

I suggest checking your shipboard account (go to Passengers Services Desk) about midway through the cruise to get an idea of how much you have spent so you know where you stand.

 

BTW - I don't think there is any one stereotype about the typical/average cruiser. Ships are made up of all types of passengers.

 

Have a great time!

 

i agree about bringing on your own soda. Other items to consider bringing on are beer, wine and bottled water. You can save a lot of money by bringing your own on and Princess allows it.

[littlemissk]

I hope I'm not reading that paragraph to mean that you plan to remove your gratuities.

 

yeah i am ... we pay our gratuities in with the cost of the cruise its actually listed in my price plan. i will glady tip any staff who i come in concact with but i'm not paying a nominated amount twice ...no matter how good they are!!:eek:

[milamber]

yeah i am ... we pay our gratuities in with the cost of the cruise its actually listed in my price plan.

 

I'm pretty certain that's not the case. I've booked from the UK and gratuities certainly aren't included in my price or in any other price quoted I've ever seen for Princess.

 

It's quite clear in the T & C's that they will be added to the shipboard account at $10.50 a day. You can remove these if you wish, but that's another can of worms and not part of this discussion.

 

Certain companies, such as Thomson, include them in the price, but not Princess.

 

Did you book through a travel agent? I'd certainly double check your price breakdown just in case you have been double charged, but it won't be down to Princess.

[jamesboat]

The only forced extra cost is gratuities, and it's well worth the expense. Tipping is a part of life in the western world, and hasn't been truly optional in decades (ie, if you dont tip your pizza boy, next time you order, enjoy a very long wait).

 

Besides that, you can have an excellent week and not spend a dime.

 

I'm perfectly fine with water all week, for example, but of course you may want to treat yourself to a specialty drink or two.

 

As for the kid, consider it a healthy soda vacation.

 

Of course theres a small cost for the laundermat, but it isnt free at home either if you add up electric + water + soap.

 

Now, Princess, and all other cruise lines make their money selling you the extra stuff, so you will be surrounded by offers to spend money....shops, drinks, casino, photos, tours etc. Feel free to say no, or of course, buy what you think is worthwhile.

[LORRAINE45]

Video games (if your ship offers a game room) for your son. Not sure of the cost, but they are not complimentary.

Specialty restaurants (Italian or Steakhouse) $20-$25 per person

Bingo/gambling(the amount depends on what you play)

 

Automatic grautities will be added to your shipboard account in the amount of $10.50 pp per day for balcony cabins and below, $11 pp per day for mini suites and full suites.

 

 

thank you its pretty much what i thought, except in uk our gratuities are added 2 the price of our cruise when we book , so will remember 2 take that off. so glad 2 know about the games room b4 hand as i prob wouldn't of thought of that. i normally allow far 2 much money 4 spends cus no one wants 2 feel like the poor kid, but we went 2 greece about 4 yrs ago for 2 wks during a heat wave self catering and ended up spending about $450 cash on non alcoholic slush puppies!!

any more tips or info are glady received thanks again xx

 

 

Hi,sorry to go off subject,but you say you booked in the uk and your gratuities are added at time of booking,is this stated on you ta booking?

we are going barbados to barbados on the 01/11/10 and our gratuitie is add to our on board account,I THINK!! could you let me know were on you booking its included so i can check ours. Thanks Lorr

[hansi]

Specialty restaurants, pictures, sodas, specialty coffee, pizza's through room service, internet, laundry, alcohol all cost extra. Also do not forget the gratuities that will be added to your room bill.

 

Please note, and no doubt I will be shot down in flames for this, but you can "opt-out" of the auto gratuities, and tip as and whom you wish. Bear in mind that the auto gratuities can add considerably to the cost of your cruise.

[hansi]

Any excursions booked via the ship will also be added to your room bill.

 

Other optionals include any money taken for gambling in the casino, purchases of photos from the ship's print shop, some classes (like pottery). There is no charge for most kids activities (if there is a specialized craft activity there may be a small one).

 

Spa services are extra. If you choose to book yourself a chair in the adults only area while he is at kids activity, there is a charge for that as well.

 

There is no charge for sitting alongside the Lotus Spa Pool. Only in the Sanctuary.

[hansi]

Hi,sorry to go off subject,but you say you booked in the uk and your gratuities are added at time of booking,is this stated on you ta booking?

we are going barbados to barbados on the 01/11/10 and our gratuitie is add to our on board account,I THINK!! could you let me know were on you booking its included so i can check ours. Thanks Lorr

 

I don't think you can prepay gratuities in the UK or elsewhere.

[BoPippy]

Just add another $1-2 thousand to the cost of the trip and u have it!!:eek:

[shoreham01]

We booked in the UK and the automatic tips were definately not included in the cost of the cruise. It clearly states that the automatic tips will be added to your onboard account unless you choose to get them removed at the pursers desk. The cost of your cruise does not include any tips. I suggest you have a word with your travel agent as it would seem that they may have given you incorrect information.

[maryhill1]

hi .

 

We are also on the Sea princess 15 night from barbados and when I booked I asked about paying grats. upfront along with the travel costs and was told it was not possible. I asked our TA to check and he called Princess will we in the shop and they also said not possible and the grads. would be added to our OB account.

We were given $450 obc by out TA and this will obviously cover our grats. I wonder if this is what has happened with OP.

 

FYI:- we sailed on the NCL Jade in jan. and on that cruise we were able to pay grats. as part of our total costs and so they weren't added to our ship account.

 

It might be worth checking with your travel agent if OBC is the reason why it seems that you might not have to "pay" on board.

 

Elaine

[Cruisin' Chick]

I would definitely check on this. Does it state on your invoice that the gratuities have been paid. If you've been given a OBC, and want that to count toward your gratuities, you should make sure with Princess that it will be apply that way.

[GracefulOceanWaves]

I hope I'm not reading that paragraph to mean that you plan to remove your gratuities.

And if that's precisely what the OP meant, that's the OP's business.

 

littlemissk, enjoy your cruise.