First time - so worried!

[Djaesmom]

Hi!

I am a newbie with so many questions; this is overwhelming! I am considering Royal Caribbean - Oasis of the Seas.

Is this a good choice for ages 50, 20, and 4?

I keep hearing about the atrocious 'extra charges' on board. What extras can I expect, other than gratuities?

Is there anything to drink on board that doesn't cost money? Tap water and/or juice/coffee at breakfast?

I have heard about internet packages $$ but also heard that there is often free WiFi on land. Is this true?

Also heard that some ports offer cheaper excursions, instead of buying them from the ship in advance?

Are most shows and activities free or is it about 50/50?

We don't mind buying extras, but have heard horror stories about people booking a ship and then ending up with another couple thousand dollars in extras. I will keep reading this board - it looks awesome - but ANY advice will be great.

Thanks a million

[capriccio]

Hi!

I am a newbie with so many questions; this is overwhelming! I am considering Royal Caribbean - Oasis of the Seas.

Is this a good choice for ages 50, 20, and 4?

I keep hearing about the atrocious 'extra charges' on board. What extras can I expect, other than gratuities?

Is there anything to drink on board that doesn't cost money? Tap water and/or juice/coffee at breakfast?

I have heard about internet packages $$ but also heard that there is often free WiFi on land. Is this true?

Also heard that some ports offer cheaper excursions, instead of buying them from the ship in advance?

Are most shows and activities free or is it about 50/50?

We don't mind buying extras, but have heard horror stories about people booking a ship and then ending up with another couple thousand dollars in extras. I will keep reading this board - it looks awesome - but ANY advice will be great.

Thanks a million

 

Welcome to cruise critic! Don't be overwhelmed by cruising or by the wealth of information here on cruise critic. In fact, you may end up being addicted to both cruising and cruise critic as many of us are!

 

I am sure you will get responses to your questions here but you can also look at the Forum dedicated to Royal Caribbean cruises: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83 where you can start a similar thread. Take a look at the recent threads too. You might find answers to questions you didn't even know you had. Each forum also has a search function on the top right corner of the page that can be useful when researching.

[Clarea]

Beverages including in your basic cruise fare: tap water, regular coffee, hot tea, iced tea, lemonade, milk, juices at breakfast.

 

There are some free WiFi areas in the ports. Crew members are a good source for this info.

 

All shows are no extra charge. Activities such as the Flowrider, climbing wall, ice skaing, mini golf are also no extra charge.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Items that cost extra -- cocktails, sodas, specialty restaurants, Bingo, anything you buy in the ships shops.

You will need to take your own laptop or iPhone to use the hot spots on shore.

There are lots of excursions that can you take not through the cruise line -- there will be vendors on shore.

[SuiteTraveler]

Oasis of the Seas is one of the greatest ships operating at this time. There is a ton to do onboard - so much that you won't have time to do everything on this cruise.

 

Free drinks: water, tea, coffee (from the buffet or a restaurant but not from Starbucks), fruit juice and milk (in the morning). Alcohol, virgin non-alcohol drinks and soda pop is extra. Specialty dining costs extra, but the sushi restaurant Izumi, Johnny Rocket's and Seafood Shack are very inexpensive - as in less than $10 per person if you order normal amounts of food.

 

You can prepay your tips (very convenient because then you don't have to worry about it at all.) As to extra costs there is an extra charge for the spa and for Bingo and for playing in the casino. There are some specialty restaurants that cost more.

Flowrider lessons are $60 per person per hour. Private lessons are $300+ per hour. Otherwise, use of the flowrider is free, I just wouldn't advise doing it unless you have had lessons as it can be dangerous. Your 4 year old will love the H2O zone and you will love the adults only conservatory.

 

Rock wall, mini golf, ice skating (including skates) and zip line are all free.

 

For my husband and I, we typically spend an extra $1200 and that is on eating in specialty restaurants every night and buying bottles of wine. Other than that, we really don't run up a lot of extra costs on Oasis class ships.

 

Yes, you do pay for internet onboard.

http://www.******************.com/questions/how-much-does-it-cost-wifi-the-oasis-of-the-seas

 

If you choose to wait until you are on land, many places have free WIFI such as Starbucks or many of the all-inclusive beach clubs and port buildings.

[Roz]

If someone ends up with a couple of thousands of dollars in "extras" that's their choice, not a requirement. That is not typical for the average cruiser. You will be able to monitor your charges along the way and can adjust your spending so you don't end up with a big surprise bill at the end. Alcohol and casino charges can add up quickly so watch out for those.

 

Please don't worry. Set a budget for yourself and enjoy your first cruise.

 

Roz

[taglovestocruise]

We spent 14 days on Allure last year. Gratuities and $100.00 OBC provided by TA. We prepaid for a package of 10 specialty dinners. All alcohol was free. Paid about $20.00 total for all room service tips. Room service runners volunteer to work for the extra tip money . Our total bill outstanding at the end of the 14 days was $129.00. You don't have to pay for anything extra if you don't want to. Plenty to eat and drink all day long, pizza shop open until 3am, you can also order a full pizza to take back to your cabin. Promenade Café open 24 hours, free ice cream all day by the pool. Make sure to book all your shows well in advance of your cruise date. Johnny Rockets has free breakfast up to 10:30 am every day. There are a lot of breakfast choice's in Central Park Café. Also a great salad bar and small buffet as well as ordering of the menu for lunch on deck 3 MDR. Your kid well love the kids club. Back to your original concern, you can spend a fortune on extras or spend nothing and miss out on nothing. happy cruising

[JTBCruiser]

On shore excursions, you can purchase on the ship but in my experience, you find they cost more and tend to be over crowded. The safety net is if they are late getting back to the ship, the ship will wait for you. I book my cruises on my own directly with the vendor. I use Trip Advisor as one of my search tools and look for reviews from seasoned travelers, do they have a website, detailed pricing, cancellation policies and times excursions are offered. With the exception of 1 excursion, I've found much better prices, smaller groups and more personalized tours. Some people will say the biggest Con is if the tour gets back late and you miss the ship. My counter to that is I pay attention to time, ensure I'm on ship time vs local time and schedule the tour to end well before the ship leaves. Never been a problem.

[cb at sea]

Just to let you know...most 1st timers DO spend a lot of extra money on things....it's all so tempting! Excursions are a huge expense, so research your ports (a guidebook is a must) and you will find tons of things that are easy (and cheap) to do on your own.

 

All of the shows are included in the fare....as are most of the activities (mentioned a couple of posts back)....

Don't forget that tips will be added to your account...and any drink you buy will have 18% added to it...you are under NO obligation to tip additionally. If you decide to buy a drink package, then the tip is added to the cost of the package. There is little reason to do the "specialty" restaurants, but if you do, the tip is included in the per person price.

[trish1c]

I think most people covered it.

 

I disagree about a guidebook. It's probably out of date by the time it goes to print.

 

Do review the ports of call boards on here. Check out your Roll Call to see if somebody sailing with you booked anything you want to join.

 

If you are a seasoned traveler, DIY is fine. If you are not, stick to the more expensive ship's excursions the 1st time to be on the safe side. Booking ahead of time guarantees you will get what you want; some tours sell out.

[LA_CA_GAL]

Relax. You really do not have to spend a lot of money, especially on a ship like the Oasis. We sailed on her, and she is magnificent. Just so much to do and see. You will absolutely love the Oasis.

[Sequim88]

I have heard about internet packages $$ but also heard that there is often free WiFi on land. Is this true?

 

 

On shore comes with the usual caveat for any public location... don't do anything involving anything you want to remain secure - like credit cards and even logging in to sites like Cruise Critic with a password. Try to limit to https addresses but even that is not real secure from sniffers. But you might get good enough service to do Skype voice calls. If using a phone turn off the phone service and use just the wireless data unless you want to risk huge roaming and analog charges.

 

 

One gotcha extra cost to beware of are the photographs upon boarding and at various ports. Usually you view them near the end of the cruise and decide which to buy, or not, but there is great temptation to get them all. Pictures never taken in the first place present no temptation - take your own pictures.

[boscobeans]

BTW. Milk is ALWAYS available in the buffet or main dining room and room service, as well as chocolate milk. Just ask.

 

Fruit punch, lemonade, ice water coffee tea all included.

 

My father-in-law on the two cruises we have been with him has spent 0 (ZERO) dollars on the ship.

 

Excursions, alcoholic beverages, carbonated beverages and specialty coffees are extra.

 

You will find so much to do, eat and drink on the ship that you will be amazed..

 

Have a great cruise.

 

bosco

[OCruisers]

Welcome to cruise critic! Don't be overwhelmed by cruising or by the wealth of information here on cruise critic. In fact, you may end up being addicted to both cruising and cruise critic as many of us are!

 

I am sure you will get responses to your questions here but you can also look at the Forum dedicated to Royal Caribbean cruises: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83 where you can start a similar thread. Take a look at the recent threads too. You might find answers to questions you didn't even know you had. Each forum also has a search function on the top right corner of the page that can be useful when researching.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

Checking out the Royal Caribbean board would also be something you would enjoy doing. :D

[OzKiwiJJ]

We spent 14 days on Allure last year. Gratuities and $100.00 OBC provided by TA. We prepaid for a package of 10 specialty dinners. All alcohol was free. Paid about $20.00 total for all room service tips. Room service runners volunteer to work for the extra tip money . Our total bill outstanding at the end of the 14 days was $129.00. You don't have to pay for anything extra if you don't want to. Plenty to eat and drink all day long, pizza shop open until 3am, you can also order a full pizza to take back to your cabin. Promenade Café open 24 hours, free ice cream all day by the pool. Make sure to book all your shows well in advance of your cruise date. Johnny Rockets has free breakfast up to 10:30 am every day. There are a lot of breakfast choice's in Central Park Café. Also a great salad bar and small buffet as well as ordering of the menu for lunch on deck 3 MDR. Your kid well love the kids club. Back to your original concern, you can spend a fortune on extras or spend nothing and miss out on nothing. happy cruising

 

Alcohol is not free on Royal Caribbean. You either pay for it as you go, or purchase a drinks package. Does Royal Caribbean include drinks packages as perks like Celebrity does? That would be the only way you would get "free" alcohol and those perks don't apply to all cabin types.

[taglovestocruise]

Yes, it is a Diamond perk. Unlimited cocktails and hors d'oeuvres served in the Diamond lounge 5:30 to 8:30 nightly. In addition 3 no charge cocktails are added to your sea pass card good at any bar on the ship during the same hours nightly. Plus they never have a problem letting you walk into the lounge, get a wine or cocktail and heading off to dinner. Royal has the best perks and your diamond status is good on Celebrity for the same perks. happy cruising

[easyboy]

Join your cruise Roll Call. The Forum is a good source of cheaper and more choices of private shore excursions. Your expense may be further lowered when sharing the excursion with other Roll Call members. You will learn more tips in making your cruise more enjoyable, avoiding unnecessary expenses and some transportation tips.

[taglovestocruise]

Diamond perks are given for days sailed and are applied to any cabin category the diamond member is in. happy cruising

[SPacificbound]

You only buy what you want to buy. No one will twist your arm to get you to buy the photos, pay restaurants, internet, drinks etc.. If you don't want something just say "no thank you".

[OzKiwiJJ]

Yes, it is a Diamond perk. Unlimited cocktails and hors d'oeuvres served in the Diamond lounge 5:30 to 8:30 nightly. In addition 3 no charge cocktails are added to your sea pass card good at any bar on the ship during the same hours nightly. Plus they never have a problem letting you walk into the lounge, get a wine or cocktail and heading off to dinner. Royal has the best perks and your diamond status is good on Celebrity for the same perks. happy cruising

 

It's a bit misleading posting that information when the OP clearly identified themself as a newbie. :rolleyes:

[moqui_girl]

A vacation should be relaxing and not causing you stress!

 

As others have said is no need to buy anything if you don't want to. You will have plenty to do and eat. You can just drink the free drinks but I think most people would buy some additional drinks.

 

On our last cruise our bill at the end was £4.00. We had a small amount of onboard credit which covered our drinks (we aren't big drinkers) and we prepaid tips and an excursion in one port.

 

If you went on any other holiday you would usually expect to have to spend money on items that were not included. This is no different. You are in control of your own budget and can spend what you feel is appropriate for you.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[taglovestocruise]

It's a bit misleading posting that information when the OP clearly identified themself as a newbie.

 

Unintentionally misleading, sorry for the confusion. Kind of like your sign in name, you're not really a kiwi, or were you transplanted to become an Aussie. Kind of misleading, but unintentional for sure:confused: Put a shrimp on the Barbie and have a Fosters. Oh sorry, you don't have shrimp or drink Fosters. An unintentional American image of Aussies. So much fun.. happy cruising