What is free, what is not?

[momrox1]

Have been sailing Princess lately and not familiar with RC although I've sailed in the past. On Princess I spend my week at the Sanctuary and pay to do so. Is there a similar place for adults only and does it cost money? Also do you pay for the thermal suite use? Going on the Jewel and want a very relaxing two weeks. Have some RC points on my cc and can use them for an onboard credit but want to make sure I will have something to spend it on...I have roughly $250. Thanks all :)

[Clarea]

Have been sailing Princess lately and not familiar with RC although I've sailed in the past. On Princess I spend my week at the Sanctuary and pay to do so. Is there a similar place for adults only and does it cost money? Also do you pay for the thermal suite use? Going on the Jewel and want a very relaxing two weeks. Have some RC points on my cc and can use them for an onboard credit but want to make sure I will have something to spend it on...I have roughly $250. Thanks all :)

The Solarium (adults only pool) on Jewel is no extra cost. Don't know if there's an equivalent to a thermal suite, but any spa services would be extra cost on Royal.

[Cheryl H]

Are you doing the New England cruise on the Jewel? If so, if the weather is chilly, they do sometimes have a couple hours of family time in the solarium area, but other than that it is age 16 and up I believe. We love the solarium. So relaxing and usually heated up to tropical air temp. Feels so good to go sit in there. My husband likes to get hot tea in there.

 

I know the spa does have some sort of heated tiled loungers but they charge per day or per week I believe. I've never taken advantage of those.

 

Have fun on the Jewel!! We'll be on her again in 8 weeks. Yippee!!

[Cheryl H]

We have points we're cashing for shipboard credit also. I'm planning to pay our tips with it. And if there's anything left, we'll use it towards dinner in Chops. I always said I'd never pay extra for a meal since the main dining room is free. But last cruise we tried Chops and fell in love with it. So we are going to Chops for both formal nights. Also we splurged for the soft drink package. Brought home the souvenior coke cups and it makes me happy to drink from them here at home and think of my cruise.

[momrox1]

Hi..We are doing the Oct 28 repositioning out of Boston. Can't wait...we are three women who travel together on a cruise every year.I don't know if I can bring myself to spend my onboard credit on so expensive a facial or massage when I can get them here at home so inexpensively.

Can I use my credit toward the cost of tipping?

Also, as I understand it I cannot bring wine onboard ?

Thank you !

 

Cheryl-Just saw your response..thank you. I too have tall souvenir glasses and my chambord tastes so much better when drinking from them :)

[Vacationgirl101]

Cheryl,

 

I also plan on eating in the specialty restaurants both formal nights on the Jewel during a 7 day cruise. I made the reservations for day 2 and day 6 but I'm not positive if I chose the right days. How do you know when the formal nights will be scheduled?

 

Thanks!

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Cheryl,

 

I also plan on eating in the specialty restaurants both formal nights on the Jewel during a 7 day cruise. I made the reservations for day 2 and day 6 but I'm not positive if I chose the right days. How do you know when the formal nights will be scheduled?

 

Thanks!

 

Reading member reviews for your ship/itinerary is a good way to get this kind of information.

 

Or--If I want the answer to a specific ship/itinerary I go to the roll call for a similar sailing before mine and ask for someone to answer my question. Usually cruisers are so excitied to talk about their cruise when they get back they will remember to reply.

[Vacationgirl101]

Reading member reviews for your ship/itinerary is a good way to get this kind of information.

 

Or--If I want the answer to a specific ship/itinerary I go to the roll call for a similar sailing before mine and ask for someone to answer my question. Usually cruisers are so excitied to talk about their cruise when they get back they will remember to reply.

 

Great suggestions, thank you!

[39august]

Yes, you can use your on board credit for tipping. You have to fil out a form from to add tips to your Seapass account. These forms are usually distributed by cabin stewards about the second or third day of your cruise. Or you can get the form at Guest Servies.

[Cheryl H]

Cheryl,

 

I also plan on eating in the specialty restaurants both formal nights on the Jewel during a 7 day cruise. I made the reservations for day 2 and day 6 but I'm not positive if I chose the right days. How do you know when the formal nights will be scheduled?

 

Thanks!

 

That was our plan as well, but I could never remember if formal was nights 2 & 6 or 2 & 5 so we waited until we were onboard and went to guest relations and asked. The man was so nice, he dialed Chops up and put us down for our requested dates and times in a jiffy.

 

We chose formal nights to avoid packing formal wear last time. It worked nicely. We still wore nice clothes to Chops, just not formalwear. We fit in just fine. I think we ate at 6:00 pm both nights and we were the first to arrive and got to select our table. We picked tables by the windows. Great views! Enjoy!! I highly recommend the crab cake, filet, roasted potatoes, and the mudpie! Delicious! And try the bernaise sauce to dip your steak in. Fantastic!

[Cheryl H]

Hi..We are doing the Oct 28 repositioning out of Boston. Can't wait...we are three women who travel together on a cruise every year.I don't know if I can bring myself to spend my onboard credit on so expensive a facial or massage when I can get them here at home so inexpensively.

Can I use my credit toward the cost of tipping?

Also, as I understand it I cannot bring wine onboard ?

Thank you !

 

Cheryl-Just saw your response..thank you. I too have tall souvenir glasses and my chambord tastes so much better when drinking from them :)

 

Oh sounds like fun!!! Girl cruises are the best. Now that I'm married, my husband thinks he should come along! Ha!

 

I feel the same way. Once I did schedule one of the specials in the spa for a mini facial. It was very nice, but the gal put the hard sales tactics on at the end and that sort of spoiled it for me. Watch the cruise compass for spa specials. I think the specials are mostly offered on port days. Here at home we get a 1 hour massage for 70 and tipping is not allowed so it makes it difficult to swallow the pricing for the massages onboard. I've even been known to schedule a pedicure here at home before the cruise just to get a little spa treatment before leaving home and avoid the temptation on board.

[negc]

As long as you don't prepay your gratuities or select MTD before you board the ship, you can apply your OBC towards the cost of the gratuities. There will be more than enough other opportunities to spend on the cruise (spa services, specialty restaurants, beverage service (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), photos,and purchases in the various onboard shops,etc. that you should have no problem using your onboard credit. Since you are paying for the OBC with credit card points, I believe you are eligible for a refund should you not use all of the OBC, but you might want to check on that to be certain.

 

Have you checked out our thread on the Meet & Mingle? If you do, you will find a large number of folks who will be sailing with you on this very popular cruise out of Boston, many of whom are veterans of this particular annual cruise. Please join us and introduce yourselves to a great group of folks who have also booked the Jewel out of Boston.

[Vacationgirl101]

That was our plan as well, but I could never remember if formal was nights 2 & 6 or 2 & 5 so we waited until we were onboard and went to guest relations and asked. The man was so nice, he dialed Chops up and put us down for our requested dates and times in a jiffy.

 

We chose formal nights to avoid packing formal wear last time. It worked nicely. We still wore nice clothes to Chops, just not formalwear. We fit in just fine. I think we ate at 6:00 pm both nights and we were the first to arrive and got to select our table. We picked tables by the windows. Great views! Enjoy!! I highly recommend the crab cake, filet, roasted potatoes, and the mudpie! Delicious! And try the bernaise sauce to dip your steak in. Fantastic!

 

That is exactly what we have planned. Thanks for the information!

[EmpressofPurple]

This list might help... I wrote it up when I cruised Princess more (lately I've been on RCI most)... it is pre-Oasis, so it doesn't include a lot of their new offerings (cupcakes, etc.) -- but should cover nearly everyone available on the Jewel. Prices may be a bit outdated...

 

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Some of you may find this useful; I created this chart for friends who are new to cruising, or unaware of all the extra things one can spend money on while cruising, and to prepare a budget for both charged items and cash outlay. People unfamiliar with it tend to think of cruising as "all-inclusive" -- which it is, to a certain extent -- but there certainly is a lot to plan for in advance.

 

I do my own chart, writing down what I plan to spend in each area, what will be billed in advance, what goes on an outside credit card or cash (private port tours, port shopping; room service tips, laundry, etc.)

 

Hope it's helpful!

 

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). 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.

· 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 (Princess); Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (RCI)

· Specialty coffee at meals, in International café (coffee card for $24.95 covers 15 drinks plus unlimited brewed coffee at Int’l Café on Princess).

· Specialty Dining Rooms ($15 Sterlings; $20 pp Sabatinis; $25 pp Crown Grill) (RCI: $20 Portofinos, $25 Chops Grill) and Special Dining Experiences (ultimate balcony dining, Brooklyn lunch, Chef’s Table, etc., etc.) (RCCL - $4.95 Johnny Rockets upcharge) (Disney $20 charge at Palo) (Many new venues on Oasis, Allure!! Will add prices soon.)

· Any meals / drinks in port (duh)… except where included at “private island” stops (Princess Cays/CocoCay/Labadee/Castaway Cay cookout)… (CASH unless you want to pay fees for international use of credit card).

ACTIVITIES/PURCHASES:

· Port Tours / Shore Excursions / Port Hotel Day Pass ($20-$200+ per outing, privately arranged or thru cruiseline). (POSSIBLY CASH ITEM/TIPS CASH)

· Rental of beach chairs, loungers, cabanas, umbrellas, kayaks, snorkel gear, floaties, water bicycles, sea-doos, etc., at beach breaks and beachfront hotels, including cruiseline “private island” stops (CASH ITEM except on private island)

· 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!; $35+ on RCI)

· 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 = $20-25) (again, CASH for shore purchases unless you want to pay fees for credit card use).

· Spa treatments / Salon Services ($60-$200+ 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) (Princess).

· Thermal Suite ($130/couple for the cruise – indoor heated stone loungers, aromatherapy steam rooms; not available on all ships).

· Some exercise classes ($10-12/ea. 45 or 55-min. Yoga, Pilates, Spinning; more expensive Boot Camp Classes, personal trainingand fitness/ metabolism testing. Be aware they now put AUTOMATIC tips on top of fees. The shorter, 25 mins. stretching, abs and aerobics classes are usually free, as is use of the machines, free weights and jogging track, plus sales presentations)

· Renting movies on TV (about $10/movie)

SERVICES/GRATUITIES:

· Some classes including Computers@sea, digital photography instruction, materials fee for some scholarship@sea programs (ceramics, etc.); port lectures and other programs such as scrapbooking 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… and if you can use your cel, beware of international roaming charges, especially data fees, which may be incurred even if you don’t call but just passively receive voicemail, texts, etc. – check with your carrier, usually safer to just shut it off)

· Casino/Guest Services cash withdrawal fee (usually 3% of amount withdrawn)

· Laundry / dry cleaning / pressing through the ship; Self-serve laundry (Princess) (CASH - 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; may want to bring CASH for this on RCI, but not necessary)

· Additional tips on drinks at bars or for room service orders (CASH or may bill to seapass account)

· Any needed medical services (doctor visits charged to your account; you may be reimbursed later if you purchased travel insurance timely).

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

· Future Cruise Credit (FCC) (Nextcruise on RCCL) – deposit to be used on future cruise, usually results in OBC (onboard credit) and sometimes reduced deposit. Can be charged to same credit card for onboard charges or another card.

· Babysitting and certain special children’s activities.

· Transfers / parking at pier (if you drive to port) / taxis to and from ship before (during) and after cruise; Tips for baggage handlers, drivers, etc. (CASH); baggage valet/transport services.

· Fuel surcharge (if added to your cruise price).

 

What’s Included:

· Cabin, TV movies (except pay-per-view), movie theatre (RCI)/movies under the stars (Princess); cabin service, toiletries, fruit delivery (Princess), safe, refrigerator (can fill with own drinks) and of course transportation to all ports of call.

· Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner in dining rooms, at 24-hr buffet, pizza place, poolside grill, most food items at the International Café/Lattetudes (drinks extra), room service (except for tips; $3.95 charge after midnight on RCI; $3.00 for delivery of pizza on Princess, though it’s free if you pick it up yourself).

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

· Special events such as champagne waterfall (Princess), pool buffet, captain’s party; several presentations such as culinary arts, ice carving, towel folding, 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, rock wall, ice/in-line skating, zipline, flowrider (RCI), kids program (babysitting extra).