T.Swift Posted March 18, 2018 #1 Share Posted March 18, 2018 I want to plan well and don't like a lot of surprise bills. Cruise is now paid for as well as gratuity and Cheers package. So now besides a bottle of wine or excursions what is NOT included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italianfemmy Posted March 18, 2018 #2 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Spa Services Specialty restaurants Shore Excursions Gambling Shopping onboard Behind the scenes ship tours Bingo Souveniers Lunch/taxis when you are in ports of call Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted March 18, 2018 #3 Share Posted March 18, 2018 We tip our bartenders and bar servers by the pool or Serenity area. Knick knacks at the Fun Shops. Casino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joepeka Posted March 18, 2018 #4 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Gambling, all the for-fee food venues (e.g. steak house, other fee-based food venues like specialty coffee, sushi, etc.), on-board shops (jewelry, Carnival gear) are all additional expenses to consider but they're all discretionary and under your control Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Saint Greg Posted March 18, 2018 #5 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Internet access or texting on the hub app if you want that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookDragon Posted March 18, 2018 #6 Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) Room service after 10pm, photos, Seuss at Sea Breakfast, premium teas at the afternoon tea event Edited March 18, 2018 by BookDragon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torcruise Posted March 18, 2018 #7 Share Posted March 18, 2018 We tip our bartenders and bar servers by the pool or Serenity area. Knick knacks at the Fun Shops. Casino But tips are already included, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookDragon Posted March 18, 2018 #8 Share Posted March 18, 2018 I think coevan is suggesting that the OP bring extra cash if he/she wants to tip above & beyond. Not an unusual suggestion as I’ve read/heard it often. But obviously completely optional. OP, please keep in mind for budgeting purposes that there is an additional 15 % charge on bar drinks that will be added to your S&S account. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmang Posted March 18, 2018 #9 Share Posted March 18, 2018 And you want to make song requests in the piano bar, tips are customary. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Saint Greg Posted March 18, 2018 #10 Share Posted March 18, 2018 I think coevan is suggesting that the OP bring extra cash if he/she wants to tip above & beyond. Not an unusual suggestion as I’ve read/heard it often. But obviously completely optional. OP, please keep in mind for budgeting purposes that there is an additional 15 % charge on bar drinks that will be added to your S&S account. OP is on cheers. So there won’t be 15% added to each drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watermelonqueen99 Posted March 18, 2018 #11 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Bring lots and lots of ones for tips. Porters, servers, bartenders, taxi drivers in port, etc. Yes, you pre-pay gratuities, but we tip above and beyond even though we have Cheers. Makes a difference. ;) We also tip extra to our room steward at the end of the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookDragon Posted March 18, 2018 #12 Share Posted March 18, 2018 OP is on cheers. So there won’t be 15% added to each drink. True because they already paid the 15%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted March 19, 2018 #13 Share Posted March 19, 2018 plus, we still tip a dollar a drink with Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.Swift Posted March 19, 2018 Author #14 Share Posted March 19, 2018 Gambling, all the for-fee food venues (e.g. steak house, other fee-based food venues like specialty coffee, sushi, etc.), on-board shops (jewelry, Carnival gear) are all additional expenses to consider but they're all discretionary and under your control Specialty coffees are included with Cheers the way I read it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNcruising02 Posted March 19, 2018 #15 Share Posted March 19, 2018 I think the only necessary cash you need to bring is for tipping the porters and tour guides for shore excursions. It's a good idea to have a lot of small bills. On board, if you have prepaid your tips, it is not necessary at all to tip additional amounts. Some people do and some people don't. If you feel like tipping more than the prepaid tips, that is up to you. I have occasionally tipped a small additional amount for drinks and I always leave a $20 bill at the end of the cruise for the person who cleans my room. There are many additional things available on the ship for purchase, but they are are optional and you can have a great cruise without spending any additional money. I think the total bill on my last cruise was $130, and this was with only the soda package. If you like to gamble, use the internet, play bingo, buy souvenirs, have spa treatments, or eat at specialty restaurants, then those will be added expenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgttami Posted March 19, 2018 #16 Share Posted March 19, 2018 I want to plan well and don't like a lot of surprise bills. Cruise is now paid for as well as gratuity and Cheers package. So now besides a bottle of wine or excursions what is NOT included. Pretty much, everything else is NOT included:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italianfemmy Posted March 19, 2018 #17 Share Posted March 19, 2018 Room service costs extra after 10pm now? It didn't when I sailed in 2012. How much extra? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookDragon Posted March 19, 2018 #18 Share Posted March 19, 2018 Room service costs extra after 10pm now? It didn't when I sailed in 2012. How much extra? It changed a couple of months ago. The for fee items cost between $2-$6 or so. Here is a link: https://www.carnival.com/~/media/images/explore/dining/menus/room-service-menu.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italianfemmy Posted March 19, 2018 #19 Share Posted March 19, 2018 It changed a couple of months ago. The for fee items cost between $2-$6 or so. Here is a link:https://www.carnival.com/~/media/images/explore/dining/menus/room-service-menu.pdf Well dang... that is sad. Late night room service was always one of my favorite things to count on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katstoy Posted March 19, 2018 #20 Share Posted March 19, 2018 Even though you have Cheers, you will get charged sales tax on your drinks from the time you board until you are out in international waters. In California it appeared to be about 9%, varying between $0.50 and $1.00 per drink depending on its price. This will automatically go on you on board account and will show up on the receipt that you will sign. Unless it was just getting a bottled water we always tipped the bar tender, in cash, about $1.00 per drink. Also tipped, in cash, any cocktail server as well. Ensured that the server frequented our location on deck. Our favorite bar tender also knew our drinks and pretty much started making them as soon as she saw us walk up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.Swift Posted May 19, 2018 Author #21 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Even though you have Cheers, you will get charged sales tax on your drinks from the time you board until you are out in international waters. In California it appeared to be about 9%, varying between $0.50 and $1.00 per drink depending on its price. Not that this is a big deal but more of a curiosity . How do you know when you are out in international waters? How long from Long Beach? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaded Lady Posted May 19, 2018 #22 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but it's usually 2-4 hours after you sail from most ports til you reach international waters... except for the port of New Orleans, which takes 8 hours or so just to navigate the Mississippi River to get to the gulf. You'll be able to tell when the casino opens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hpugirl27 Posted May 19, 2018 #23 Share Posted May 19, 2018 If you'd like to purchase any of the pictures they take of you, that will be additional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrelaine Posted May 19, 2018 #24 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Even though you have Cheers, you will get charged sales tax on your drinks from the time you board until you are out in international waters. In California it appeared to be about 9%, varying between $0.50 and $1.00 per drink depending on its price. This will automatically go on you on board account and will show up on the receipt that you will sign. Unless it was just getting a bottled water we always tipped the bar tender, in cash, about $1.00 per drink. Also tipped, in cash, any cocktail server as well. Ensured that the server frequented our location on deck. Our favorite bar tender also knew our drinks and pretty much started making them as soon as she saw us walk up! I'm so glad you mentioned the tax thing. People always forget that! Not that it adds up to too much, but it's still a surprise when you look at your bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbtbear Posted May 19, 2018 #25 Share Posted May 19, 2018 I'd suggest travel insurance if you haven't purchased that yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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