Onboard spending

[Craxe77]

Hey all! I read through a few related posts and still had questions. This will be our first Carnival cruise. The only other cruise we've done was on Celebrity and everything like drinks and room service was included. Except of course casino and specialty restaurants.

 

I do not plan on any specialty dining, have prepaid my cheers package and have accounted separately for my blackjack time : ) . I even prepaid my gratuities. 

 

How much do you all find you are spending onboard and have you found surprise expenditures?

 

 

[wemjam]

Not sure anyone can answer this for you, only you will know what you may or may not do.  Here is a list of some things you may find you want extra money for - not including the casino you already budgeted for -  if it helps:

 

Shopping on Board - Could be something small like their TShirt Deal - or could be big in the jewelry store

Cherry on Top - Candy Shop

Bingo Games and/or Deal or No Deal if your ship has it

Excursions (figure min of $50 per person up to as much as $225+pp depending on port and what you do)

Not included food items (NOT specialty dinning, other miscellaneous) - Like Sushi, Seafood Shack, snacks in the sports bar, specialty dessert type items in the coffee bar

Art Auction on Board

 

I have come off ships spending $200 for my entire cruise, and I have come off spending several thousand just depends

 

Edited August 29, 2022 by wemjam

[DramaQueen22]

You may want to shop while onboard.  That of course is strictly up to you, but your account would cover that as well.  You may decide to take an excursion.  

 

In your case, I'd think s $300 buffer would cover anything unrelated to what you've already paid, and if it's a cash account you can always add additional funds if you find you need them.

[mz-s]

If you don't buy anything extra then you won't owe anything. There aren't any surprise charges.

 

Well the only thing is while you are still in US waters, you will be charged tax on your Cheers drinks. So maybe 50 cents or so per drink.

[Craxe77]

Great feedback. I should have stated that I understand shopping / excursions would be an expense. I was thinking of things I didn't realize would be an expense like in "port drink tax". Something that surprised you or you didn't realize was adding to your room charge. 

[wemjam]

1 hour ago, Craxe77 said:

Great feedback. I should have stated that I understand shopping / excursions would be an expense. I was thinking of things I didn't realize would be an expense like in "port drink tax". Something that surprised you or you didn't realize was adding to your room charge. 

Nope, I think you have it covered with your original post.  The biggest thing that will get most people is the gratuities being added.  A small (literally pennies) tax on drinks in port the first day usually isn't that big of a deal.

 

The only other one I have seen people complain about is in the dinning room, but it was their mistake.  There is a "from the steakhouse" section and they will order from it and not read the print that says there is an extra free for those items.  So when they get the bill they start complaining.  Same thing with specialty coffee after dinner, but you have cheers so that is covered.

[Colorado Cruzer]

I usually budget and buy cruise cash for about an extra $100 in tips, things here and there in the shops, etc and it's about $300. If you are interested in the duty free liquor, add more for that.  We got the Hennessey Pue White for $225 for 3 liters last March and that isn't available in the US and if you see it, they sell it for $200 per bottle. 

 

Good Luck with your cruise! 

[Essiesmom]

Late night room service, photos.  Both are optional.  EM

[deliver42]

Don't forget the automatic gratuities.

[sgttami]

No surprises for me. LOL

 

I know exactly what I'm PI$$ing away.

 

All good!

[Essiesmom]

1 hour ago, deliver42 said:

Don't forget the automatic gratuities.

See original post…he prepaid.  EM

[asalligo]

We spend almost nothing once we board a cruise ship. Sometimes I order a drink, but I seldom drink, I never hit the casino anymore due to smoke. I do give money to St Jude on each cruise. We have taken all the excursions that interest us over the years and no longer do any of those. Sometimes we get off and walk around a port, but I really cruise for the ships, not the ports. 

 

Now Carnival is going to try to talk you into spending that money. Casino, Bingo, Liquor, Specialty Restaurants, Souvenirs, pretty drinks in light up glasses carried through the dining room while you eat, Pictures taken of you all over the ship, Groove for St Jude charity event, Excursions, Spa Treatments, Purse and watch sales events, fake art. 

 

Edited August 30, 2022 by asalligo

[Craxe77]

On 8/29/2022 at 6:00 PM, Essiesmom said:

Late night room service, photos.  Both are optional.  EM

Lol, I read that as "Late night room service photos" and thought, that's a thing?  Had to re-read it and started laughing. 

[simplelife]

On 8/29/2022 at 10:21 AM, wemjam said:

Not sure anyone can answer this for you, only you will know what you may or may not do.  Here is a list of some things you may find you want extra money for - not including the casino you already budgeted for -  if it helps:

 

Shopping on Board - Could be something small like their TShirt Deal - or could be big in the jewelry store

Cherry on Top - Candy Shop

Bingo Games and/or Deal or No Deal if your ship has it

Excursions (figure min of $50 per person up to as much as $225+pp depending on port and what you do)

Not included food items (NOT specialty dinning, other miscellaneous) - Like Sushi, Seafood Shack, snacks in the sports bar, specialty dessert type items in the coffee bar

Art Auction on Board

 

I have come off ships spending $200 for my entire cruise, and I have come off spending several thousand just depends

 

Add: Internet package or the Chat feature (last time I cruised Carnival it was $5 per device for the duration of the cruise). Photographs, Spa treatments/ products. Room service charges/tip. Laundry ( full- or self-service).