First time Carnival (Pride) cruiser in May---Need advice/info from you veterans!

[wlmfoster]

Total novice. First time cruise is in May on the Pride out of Baltimore to the Bahamas.

 

First, what actually costs money????????? I've read everything that is available. Beyond the obvious (steak house, chefs table, spa treatments, alchohol, soda), what costs out of pocket? Coffee bar etc. Am a little confused.

 

Soda card/program--worth it? (not really drinkers)

 

Tipping-does the pre-paid cover everything? Or are you tipping each and every time (like everytime you order room service). Or to they add a tip to everything you do and you get a bill at the end?

 

Dining-what is the best option? early/late seating or anytime or is not the way to ask the question.

 

I will take any real sage advice on the hidden costs of cruising that I should expect. Thanks.

 

Bill

[bigdog1958]

Total novice. First time cruise is in May on the Pride out of Baltimore to the Bahamas.

 

First, what actually costs money????????? I've read everything that is available. Beyond the obvious (steak house, chefs table, spa treatments, alchohol, soda), what costs out of pocket? Coffee bar etc. Am a little confused.

 

Soda card/program--worth it? (not really drinkers)

 

Tipping-does the pre-paid cover everything? Or are you tipping each and every time (like everytime you order room service). Or to they add a tip to everything you do and you get a bill at the end?

 

Dining-what is the best option? early/late seating or anytime or is not the way to ask the question.

 

I will take any real sage advice on the hidden costs of cruising that I should expect. Thanks...

 

Bill

 

There is free coffee and tea on the lido deck all the time, however, if you want specialty type coffees from the coffee bar you will have to pay for that. Excursions of course cost extra, if you play bingo that costs extra, most other activities are free..

Tipping is taken care of with your pre-paid amount for everything but room service... you should tip for that... when you purchase drinks or sodas they add a 15% tip on the bill.. Soda is 1.95 plus 15% for each soda, so about 2.25 a soda, so depending on how much soda you plan on drinking, you may want the soda card..

You can brink a 12 pack of soda per person on board with you, as well as 1 bottle of wine per person... you must bring them in your carry-on bag, you cannot put them in your checked suitcases

[asalligo]

First, what actually costs money????????? I've read everything that is available. Beyond the obvious (steak house, chefs table, spa treatments, alchohol, soda), what costs out of pocket? Coffee bar etc. Am a little confused.

 

You have most of it. There is the casino, drinks, the odd game of chance outside the casino like bingo. There are fees to some spa visits.

Soda card/program--worth it? (not really drinkers)

 

The break even a day mark for the soda card is your third soda of the day. If you drink less than three a day, you should just buy them.

 

Tipping-does the pre-paid cover everything? Or are you tipping each and every time (like everytime you order room service). Or to they add a tip to everything you do and you get a bill at the end?

 

Tipping does cover everything, there is also %15 added to each drink order, soda also, and the server gets that. Still, you will see many people tipping on top of that with each drink order.

 

Dining-what is the best option? early/late seating or anytime or is not the way to ask the question.

 

I prefer early seating. I find that late seating conflicts with activities of the evening and anytime dining makes me wait and changes my table mates nightly.

I will take any real sage advice on the hidden costs of cruising that I should expect. Thanks.

 

I think you covered the hidden cost I hear about the most, the tips that hit the card on day two.

[Georgiagolfer]

Total novice. First time cruise is in May on the Pride out of Baltimore to the Bahamas.

 

First, what actually costs money????????? I've read everything that is available. Beyond the obvious (steak house, chefs table, spa treatments, alchohol, soda), what costs out of pocket? Coffee bar etc. Am a little confused.Extra costs are bingo, excursions, specialty coffees and desserts, alcohol, soda.

 

Soda card/program--worth it? (not really drinkers) depends on you and how much you drink.

 

Tipping-does the pre-paid cover everything? Or are you tipping each and every time (like everytime you order room service). Or to they add a tip to everything you do and you get a bill at the end? pre paid tips cover your room steward and dining room staff. Always tip $1-$2 dollars for room service, 15% tip automatically added to alcohol and soda purchases. Tip your room steward and/or dining room staff if you feel they give exceptional service.

 

Dining-what is the best option? early/late seating or anytime or is not the way to ask the question. Again, this depends on your needs. Do you want to eat at same time, same table nightly? On Port days, you may have a late excursion and want to eat at a different time than your assigned time.

 

I will take any real sage advice on the hidden costs of cruising that I should expect. Thanks.

 

Bill

 

Answers in red.

[jwlnroe]

pictures and internet minutes, anything you buy at the shops, spa services, salon services, casino, bingo, steakhouse, excursions all cost $$. . basically dining room, lido buffet and room service are the free meals. . any drinks like water, lemonade, ice tea and coffee are free.. soda/alcohol not free -- I prefer early seating but that is all i've ever done.. I get hungry early and I am not a late night person so I like eating early, grabbing a seat at the show and then heading to bed.

[pirate4me2]

Our first cruise was on the Pride, and now we are hooked. You will love her, she is a great ship and the crew is amazing. The other posters have pretty much covered everything, so I don't have anything to add except have a great time!

[CorrieCJ]

First, what actually costs money?????????

 

Other things I haven't seen mentioned here - certain exercise classes (like yoga), though others are free. Certain kids' activities (Build a Bear, late night parties, after-hours babysitting).

 

Soda card/program--worth it? (not really drinkers)

 

One good thing about the soda program - and the reason it was nice, especially for the kids - is that if your soda gets warm, or flat, or spills, you can just get another without worrying too much about it. Kids definitely got their money's worth - however - I think they drank a lot more soda than I might have bought them normally, simply "because they could." Nothing like watching your 6 year old belly up to the bar and order himself a coke. But as someone mentioned, 3 sodas is the break-even point, so you have to figure it out based on that.

 

Dining-what is the best option? early/late seating or anytime or is not the way to ask the question.

 

I always prefer late seating. You can just enjoy the time up on deck, as the afternoon fades (and it clears out as the early diners leave to get ready)... you don't have to rush to get ready after a day in port... etc.

[pkrchkr]

Soda card.. get is after you are out to sea for 1/2 an hour so you save the taxes.. it is worth it if you drink alot of pop..and for the kiddos it is a must IMHO

Pre Paid Tips...takes care of everything and every except the Maitre D if you choose to tip him you do that separately. but I always tip a little extra to those who go that extra step for us.

Dining... depends on you. If you normally eat by say around 6 PM then early is for you however if you usually eat later in the evening then Late is the way to go..

Liquor and foo-foo coffees..are all extra and they will add an extra 15% on the bar tab automatically

Reservation only dining.. is always an extra

Behind the scenes, excursions, Chef's table are also extra..

 

The Pride is a fantastic cruise ship and you are getting a personal friend of mine as your CD. Josh Waitzman is a real down home gentleman with a twisted sense of humor that will come out every once in awhile.

Have a fabulous cruise!!

[CorrieCJ]

Josh Waitzman is a real down home gentleman with a twisted sense of humor that will come out every once in awhile.

 

I was on Josh's final cruise on the Pride (8/25/13)... he was great but he is on the Liberty now... not sure who is on the Pride.