First time cruisers- SOOO many questions

[wvusmith84]

Hi all!

 

My Boyfriend and I are first time cruisers and i am hoping for your help! I have so many questions and would love any extra advice from experienced cruisers!

 

We are on a tight budget as far as on board spending goes- Any money saving tips for on board and at ports of call?

 

I hear it can be done but does any one know if you can sneek alcohol onto NCL crusies? Can you drink the bottles you buy at the ports?

 

What do an average couple spend on board? It is just my boyfriend and myself but I have heard stories of 2 people spening 700 and more!!! we don't plan on doing shore excursions, and might only do the fine dining one night- So what does it cost to drink and have a cheap time :)

 

I keep seeing that there is business dress after 6 pm? Are we talking actual business attire or will a sundress with heels work? Are dressy jeans ok?

 

Do they play movies? are they free? I hear on board entertainment isn't the best?

 

And I would just love some of those really good tips your guys have!!

[Carolin]

Hi all!

 

My Boyfriend and I are first time cruisers and i am hoping for your help! I have so many questions and would love any extra advice from experienced cruisers!

 

We are on a tight budget as far as on board spending goes- Any money saving tips for on board and at ports of call?

 

I hear it can be done but does any one know if you can sneek alcohol onto NCL crusies? Can you drink the bottles you buy at the ports?

 

What do an average couple spend on board? It is just my boyfriend and myself but I have heard stories of 2 people spening 700 and more!!! we don't plan on doing shore excursions, and might only do the fine dining one night- So what does it cost to drink and have a cheap time :)

 

I keep seeing that there is business dress after 6 pm? Are we talking actual business attire or will a sundress with heels work? Are dressy jeans ok?

 

Do they play movies? are they free? I hear on board entertainment isn't the best?

 

And I would just love some of those really good tips your guys have!!

 

You mentioned NCL. Freestyle cruising. You don't have to dress up at all. There is no formal night but if you want, you can wear a sundress or nice jeans.

 

You do not have to take excursions through the cruise line. You can do your own thing at the ports of call that don't have to cost you a dime.

 

drinks cost so you might want to drink on shore rather then on the ship. Don't buy the photos (adds up quickly)

 

I'm sure others will answer to help you out. Have a great cruise.

[firefly333]

Lots of smuggling threads. If you are caught, and its in another container, it will be thrown away, so I wouldnt smuggle very much.

 

Other than tips, there really isnt anything else you need to spend. If your budget is tight, just plan on doing the free things.

 

Most people like the entertainment .. if you meet someone who didnt, oh well, there is always one person who doesnt like the shows .. so then do something else?

 

Bring a couple of books to relax.

 

You can walk into most ports and window shop, buy a $5 tee shirt. Get back onboard for lunch which is included in your cruise fare and not even do excursions.

[paul929207]

The average spending is meaningless, as there is such a wide range of spending.

 

You may be able to sneak alcohol on board, but NCL is good a finding it and they discard it. No compensation.

 

If you buy alcohol in port, they hold it until the last night.

 

You don't indicate how much you want to spend. Figure about $10 per person per day for tips. Beyond that it will be up to you. If money is tight, drink water, coffee, tea - they are free. Sodas and alcohol will cost and add up quickly. Consider skipping the specialty restaurants. We have been on 21 cruises and eaten twice in the specialty restaurants.

 

Stay out of the casino.

 

Check your onboard account regularly. If you are spending too much cut things out.

[cb at sea]

Go to a library and check-out a guidebook on your ports...that way, you'll know what do do and how to do it in each place! Very cheap that way!

 

Don't do spa stuff, don't buy photos, limit alcohol (many folks do manage to bring illicit liquor aboard!), don't do the "specialty restaurants"...don't gamble or play Bingo! That will save you a bundle!

[Toyz711]

make sure you go over to the NCL boards, get recent information on your ship. also, check out the port-of-call boards for doing things in the ports you stop at.

ncl's dress code is resort casual.

sneaking booze is a touchy subject..your luggage will be scanned, if they don't like what they see, you are called down to that area to open the luggage. if alcohol is found, you leave with the luggage...the keep the booze. your carry on is scanned as you board and as you come back from the ports.

the ship will have specials on beer. if you search web search, you can find some menu photos and price list.

[trish1c]

As others have said, NCL is resort causal; you never have to dress up. Bear in mind you still can't wear shorts to dinner in the MDR.

NCL is one of the toughest lines for smuggling. If you like wine, you can save by BYO & paying corkage. No you can't drink the bottles you buy in port b/c they confiscate them when you board. Drinks aren't cheap on board ship but you can get good value at the various tastings. If you drink beer buy the buckets to save a few dollars. Drinks are cheaper in port so have a few before you reboard.

You can DIY excursions especially taking a taxi to the beach or just walking around.

The on board entertainment is fine & it's free. There are movies on your TV in the cabin & sometimes in the theaters but show times vary. You can use the library or take out board games. Sporting equipment is available -- ping pong, golf nets / cages, big chess pieces, etc. Some ships have water slides, rock climbing walls, & bowling.

[suezyq50]

might only do the fine dining one night:)

I would save your money, especially first time cruising.

[Twelvevman]

As others have said, NCL is resort causal; you never have to dress up. Bear in mind you still can't wear shorts to dinner in the MDR.

 

 

This is not true. This is directly from the Dailies from the 12/4/10 Epic Cruise

 

"Dress Code: Stay relaxed throughout the evening. Resort casual is allowed in all our dining venues. Shorts are allowed in all outlets except The Manhatten Room, Cagney's and The Le Bistro after 5:00. Shoes and shirt must be worn, no tank tops, flip flops or baseball caps! "

[kelly11]

Im not sure if NCL does it, but check their gift section and if you have enough time before your cruise buy a couple of drink coupons as you have the extra money and then you will have a few drinks pre paid before you board, or add money little by little to your on board acct if they allow this before you board then you have some extra money to spend and accumulated it over time :)

[Tera2003]

My husband and I just got back from our first cruise. We cruised with Carnival. Alcohol is very expensive. They add a 15% gratuity tax on everything on the ship. A bottle of beer was $5.75 and with the tax it was a total of $6.61. Mixed drinks are even more. We were on a small budget and still managed to rack up a slightly high bill but we gambled too. We only did 2 excursions and didn't buy anything but alcohol in the ports because it was cheap but they took it until the last night but we didn't even buy it until our last stop so we received it the next night.

[Peery5]

Never been on NCL, but on RCCL there are usually a few freebie drinks. Art auctions=free champagne, captains gala=free cocktails. Specials on beer by the bucket saves a little. Most cruise lines allow a couple bottles of wine for consumption in your cabin without a cork fee. I have been successful with clear alcohol in water bottles, carefully placed back in the original package, not all the bottles with booze, but mixed up with bottles of water. Have never done it, but have heard of people cleaning out shampoo bottle and replacing the contents. The entertainment is generally pretty good and free. The casino will eat you alive as will the bingo.

[paul929207]

My husband and I just got back from our first cruise. We cruised with Carnival. Alcohol is very expensive. They add a 15% gratuity tax on everything on the ship. A bottle of beer was $5.75 and with the tax it was a total of $6.61. Mixed drinks are even more. We were on a small budget and still managed to rack up a slightly high bill but we gambled too. We only did 2 excursions and didn't buy anything but alcohol in the ports because it was cheap but they took it until the last night but we didn't even buy it until our last stop so we received it the next night.

Most mainstream cruise lines catering to the North American market will at 15% to all beverage orders as a gratuity. Note that it is not a tax, but a tip.

[Tera2003]

Most mainstream cruise lines catering to the North American market will at 15% to all beverage orders as a gratuity. Note that it is not a tax, but a tip.

 

 

yeah I meant a tip, not tax!

[paul929207]

yeah I meant a tip, not tax!

I figured that was what you meant, but I didn't want to confuse OP.

[Colorado Kat]

It is very possible to enjoy a wonderful cruise without spending a lot of extra money. We book private excursions. Gets us away from "cattle-boat" mentality, as well as being less expensive.

 

I drink moderately, but take advantage of bringing a bottle of wine on board Carnival. I gamble a bit in the casino, but just $10-$20 per day or so.

 

I enjoy the shows, and spend time in the Piano Bar. (I bring lots of $1 bills from home for tip money). We don't usually do the photos, but I tell my kids they can spend $50 each for the week on whatever they choose. It shows up on my sign and sail account. Sometimes they choose photos with friends, or specialty coffees, gift shop items, or never spend the money.

 

I try my best to use the gym and walk a lot of laps around the deck. I do love those desserts!

 

Have fun! Kathy

[wvusmith84]

thanks for all the helpful advice!

 

I really appreciated the price of beer.$6.60 wooww!

We did figure it was more expensive then most bars so we guess about7-10 per drink.

 

Is there anyway i can get an actual price list before we go? I called the hotline but she was either dumb, or reluctant to give me any prices... I'm sure they have policies about not giving out info if it isn't an absolute demand. Are there websites like this one that post prices or pictures of menu?

 

Also--- What are some crucial things to pack that we might forget? We are sailing bahamas the first week of march... should i bring jackets and pants? or will dresses and shorts be warm enough?

[trish1c]

The weather should be warm enough but you never know. I'd bring at least 1 pair of pants. I always bring a sweater or a wrap b/c the AC is too cold for me in most places.

I don't remember ever seeing a "price list" per se for drinks. Sometimes if you ask on the NCL board or do a search you can find a wine list.