Additional Cost of Freestyle Cruising

[mikewrit]

We are very satisfied at $60 a day including daily service charge and a wifi Jones. Last cruise we were feeling a little guilty about hitting closer to $70 a day until DW overheard a woman in the customs line expressing considerable relief that she had dropped only $3,000 in the casino.

[DharmaCakes]

Hi all! We just got back today... we had a GREAT time! The shows on the NCL Jewel were the best I've ever seen on a cruise. Crazeehorse was insane! LOVED it!

 

We actually never even went to any of the restaurants that had a cover charge. We spent the week before embarking doing Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, so figured we had our fill of awesome food. We went to Tsar's Palace for most meals (it was good)... avoided the buffet at all costs. :)

 

As far as budget, we ended up not doing any excursions (just not necessary), We're not big drinkers and I did bring my own Diet Coke cans (thanks so much for that tip!). We got massages on the first night... what a great way to start a vacation! We ended up spending only $550 for all (including the daily $12)! Well worth it.

 

Very happy with our freestyle experience. Thanks so much for all your advice!

[yoyocruiser]

What increases cost the most are excursions (between $60 to $150 each), gambling, and alcohol--these are costs that are extra on any line except the most exclusive and not really related to Freestyle. Specific to Freestyle would be the extra charge at restaurants.

 

It is fairly easy to figure out what you will spend. I do not feel that there are "hidden" charges, and I had read enough on these boards to understand what the charges were likely to be. I can predict almost to a penny what we will spend. We do not eat at the specialty restaurants. We do not go shopping on board. We do drink and I can predict how much. We pick out our excursions and know well before the cruise the cost of the excursions. We don't play bingo and we don't go to the spa. We actually pay our DSC ahead of time just so it is done. Obivously if you do these extra activities you can research what they cost and then prepare. I have no idea why people come on here and talk about being nickel and dimed or having hidden charges. However, it is impossible to predict what any one person will spend--because obviously it depends on that person's preferences. :)

[Minoushka]

When I was planning a Spring Break cruise for my son and I I Wanted a BIG SHIP .Oasis and Allure were about1400 t0 1600$ per person .I usually book extra large balconies.I like FRESH AIR WEll NCL EPIC was 1250 a person I figure the difference would cover specialty restaurants

WE tried the different ones . Now I know I would not return to some but a few others as I thought they were well worth it .I loved EPIC it was a beautiful ship and I really enjoyed the show options . Service was great Note I did not spend 400$ more per person perhaps a few hundred for both of us

I play at the Casino basically do not drink so my expenses were the restaurants for 2 ,the Casino and shopping. I have been to St Thomas St Maarten and Nassau many times so my visits were inexpensive

It all depends on what is important to you My Cabin is important to me so Iwill pay the price .I do enjoy GOOD FOOD and on this ship was willing to pay for it I would not on Princess or Celebrity as the dining rooms have excellent food ...no need for extras I do not know about NCL as I did free ones once only and it was fine!!!I will be able to tell you more on my next cruises on EPIC as we will go on Med and TRANSAT and I will NOt eat at the Specialty restaurants every nicght .At that time I will see if the MDR is as good To me Celebrity and Princess are really good

Whatever you decide do enjoy .By the way I loved all the options of penny machines on Epic LOTS of variety .When we were there the place was BOOMING!!!But be prepared to spend quite a bit in the Casino I think you will like EPIC I sure did

 

Michele

[Arwenmark]

Wow! Did I read that right?? I can BYODC?? Are there rules tied to this? or can I just throw a couple of 2Liters in my suitcase? :D

 

FIrst off if you are a Coke person NCL only has Pepsi products unless that changed very recently, which I doubt.

 

you can bring a case of Coke and if you put your cabin number on it it will be delivered to your cabin with your checked luggage.

[cruisemainiac]

I'm self employed as well (attorney) and just got off the Sun from a week. Did a 100 minute $55 plan and left 24 minutes on the table when we disembarked. Now you have to understand, I'm on vacation and my out of office auto response says "sorry, I'll be back in a week - for an emergency contact . . . . " so my clients are no expecting to be able to get me, but I checked e-mails every other day, and used the internet for flight check-in and that's about it.

 

As other's have said, how much you spend will depend what you do. We've come to like the specialty restuarants (3rd time on NCL) and spent more this time on them than in the past. But even with that extra cost, given NCL's cruise pricing, we're probably at the same overall cost that we would have had on Princess or Royal Caribbean so I think it's really a horse a piece.

 

Finally, and I'll get flamed for this, but as for the food quality (you indicated you like good food) the specialty restuarants are very very good to excellent. However, in the MDR, we've never been wowed. As I stated in my review of the Sun from last week, the MDR's on NCL are a lot more like a mid level chain restaurant (Ponderosa, Denny's, Fridays, Red Lobster) - you will get a nice meal and plenty to eat, but you won't tell your friends they just have to eat there. On the other hand, Teppanyki is our favorite ($25/pp) and LeBistro ($20/pp) is a close second.

 

Bob

 

The only thing I would flame you for is putting Denny's in the same catagory as Red Lobster.

[emcelh]

The only thing I would flame you for is putting Denny's in the same catagory as Red Lobster.

 

This poster must go to a very good Denny's or to a very bad Red Lobster.

[traveler916]

HELP! I'm so confused! My hubs and I got a great price on the NCL leaving NYC next month. We are new to Freestyle and were wondering how much we need to plan to spend for the extras/beverages/restaurant upgrades. I realize the amount will vary dependent upon spending habits, but I guess my question really is: how much above and beyond have YOU paid for a week of Freestyle Cruising?

Thanks!

 

we have been on 3 cruises...I love the internet and have to confess - each cruise i have spent several hundred dollars on minutes :)

 

maybe next time i will leave the computer at home LOL

[Got2Cruise]

We would never dream of giving less than the suggested tips, service charges whatever you call them on any cruiseline. That includes when we cruised with our children. Children make a mess and need their beds made, and have their food served to them, etc etc. If one has cruised in the past on any line, this should not be an issue at all.

 

Well....almost. It seems that a lot of people are surprised by the DSC. That can add up to a pretty good chunk of "extra" cash, especially if children are involved.

[debnjoe1438]

Hi all! We just got back today... we had a GREAT time! The shows on the NCL Jewel were the best I've ever seen on a cruise. Crazeehorse was insane! LOVED it!

 

We actually never even went to any of the restaurants that had a cover charge. We spent the week before embarking doing Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, so figured we had our fill of awesome food. We went to Tsar's Palace for most meals (it was good)... avoided the buffet at all costs. :)

 

As far as budget, we ended up not doing any excursions (just not necessary), We're not big drinkers and I did bring my own Diet Coke cans (thanks so much for that tip!). We got massages on the first night... what a great way to start a vacation! We ended up spending only $550 for all (including the daily $12)! Well worth it.

 

Very happy with our freestyle experience. Thanks so much for all your advice!

 

Glad to hear you had a good time.:D