What is included in the cost of a RCI cruise?

[Cruisin' Chick]

I’m currently helping -- with some other writers -- to write a guide to cruising. The chapter I’m working on currently is:

 

What is included in the price of my cruise ticket? Hidden Cruise Costs

 

Besides the general things (cabin, food, etc) that are common to most of the cruiselines, I’m researching what each of the majors charges. So I’m checking the lines’ sites and other resources, but I figure you guys will be a great source of info, too.

 

So, if you’ve cruised on Royal Caribbean lately, I would appreciate it if you can tell me free or fee. Also if you get certain items for free if you’re a "C&A" Member. You don't have to tell me how much if it's a "fee."

 

1. Beverages: sodas, lemonade, hot chocolate, cocktails (the last at Captain’s parties, etc)

 

2. Speciality Restaurant cover charges

 

3. Speciality foods, ice cream, etc.

 

4. Internet use

 

5. Laundry

 

6. Sports on board (golf, etc)

 

7. Activities (crafts, what else has a fee???) – not counting horse racing, bingo, casino

 

8. Children’s program, in port kid-sitting, equipment (cribs, strollers, etc.)

 

9. Holiday freebies

 

10. In-cabin refrigerators

 

11. Special programming on in-cabin TVs, VCR/DVD loans

 

12. Special occasions (e.g. birthday cake)

 

13. Use of the gym, exercise classes

 

14. Enrichment classes

 

Thank you so much.

[Alexis]

I can only give you this list because I do not use many of the things that you have listed. ;)

 

What is included and what is not included in the price. What does the price of my cruise include?

The price of your cruise vacation includes ship accommodations, ocean transportation, most meals, some beverages, and most entertainment aboard the ship. All prices are per-person, based on a double occupancy of the stateroom and are quoted in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise noted.

 

THE CRUISE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE;

Air transportation and transfers (except as noted), shore excursions may be purchased separately. Certain beverages, casino gambling, photographs, gratuities, telephone calls, specialty restaurants on board certain vessels, purchases from the ship stores, or items of a personal nature such as medical services, laundry, massages, spa treatments, hair styling or manicures. Some of these items may be purchased separately.

The cruise fares quoted also do not include any applicable government taxes, fees, or surcharges that may be assessed by any governmental agencies. Such assessment is subject to change without notice at any time whether or not you have a confirmed booking under deposit or if you have made a final payment.

__________________

I have only answered the ones I know of.

1. Beverages: sodas, lemonade, hot chocolate, cocktails (the last at Captain’s parties, etc)

Captains party is free. lemonade, free

2. Speciality Restaurant cover charges

$20 -25

3. Speciality foods, ice cream, etc.

Ben and Jerry's is not free

4. Internet use

Not free

5. Laundry

Not free

6. Sports on board (golf, etc)

free mini golf

7. Activities (crafts, what else has a fee???) – not counting horse racing, bingo, casino

free

8. Children’s program, in port kid-sitting, equipment (cribs, strollers, etc.)

 

9. Holiday freebies

 

10. In-cabin refrigerators

Not free for the food or drink. No charge for the refrigerator

11. Special programming on in-cabin TVs, VCR/DVD loans

 

12. Special occasions (e.g. birthday cake)

Not free

13. Use of the gym, exercise classes

 

14. Enrichment classes

[Cruzntime]

1. Beverages: sodas, lemonade, hot chocolate, cocktails (the last at Captain’s parties, etc)

 

A: Soda are extra and the Soda card cost $6pp per day for adult and $4pp per day per Child. Most others are included.

 

2. Speciality Restaurant cover charges

 

A: $20-$25 which includes tip.

 

3. Speciality foods, ice cream, etc.

 

A: Ben & Jerrys extra but ships icecream included. (may not be available at all times)

 

4. Internet use

 

A: Extra but unsure of cost - see RCI's website.

 

5. Laundry

 

A: Self Service not avail. but service avail... refer to RCI's website.

 

6. Sports on board (golf, etc)

 

A: I think there may be extra charge for Golf simulator but unsure. Diving classes extra. Other than that I believe most others are included.

 

7. Activities (crafts, what else has a fee???) – not counting horse racing, bingo, casino

 

8. Children’s program, in port kid-sitting, equipment (cribs, strollers, etc.)

 

A: Included except for after 10pm. At this time I think it's $5/hr. but unsure.

 

9. Holiday freebies

 

10. In-cabin refrigerators

 

A: Included on many if not all ships but they do come stocked with items that are extra. However, you can ask that these items be removed.

 

11. Special programming on in-cabin TVs, VCR/DVD loans

 

A: Not sure... Hopefully I am not watching TV on a cruise. :eek:

 

12. Special occasions (e.g. birthday cake)

 

A: I think extra for cake but not sure.

 

13. Use of the gym, exercise classes

 

A: Gym included but there may be some specialty classes that cost extra.

 

14. Enrichment classes

 

A: I believe they are like $5.75 each plus 15% gratuity. Oh wait, you said classes, not glasses. ;)

 

Thank you so much.

 

Most things can be found on RCI's website but perhaps this helps some.

[teajak]

No charge for gym

Charge for classes

No charge for birthdayor anniversary cake.

No charge for enrichment series, usually.

Tip is not included in charge at specialty restaraunt, we thought it was and were embarassed when we found out.

[MargaritaPlease]

9. Holiday freebies

 

No charge for freebies. ;)

[Alexis]

No charge for gym

Charge for classes

No charge for birthdayor anniversary cake.

No charge for enrichment series, usually.

Tip is not included in charge at specialty restaraunt, we thought it was and were embarassed when we found out.

 

Yes, there is a charge for cakes now.

Do you offer Special Occasion Cakes?

Royal Caribbean offers Birthday, Anniversary and Special Occasion Cakes fleet wide for a nominal fee of $7.95 USD.

 

There are two types of cakes available: Chocolate sponge cake with chocolate butter cream or Vanilla sponge cake with vanilla butter cream, both are decorated with flowers on the left side of the cake. These cakes are 6" round and serve 2-10 people. The name (or names) will be written on the cake with a candle placed on top. A minimum of 6 hours advance notice is required. All cakes that are ordered by 12 noon will be served that evening in the main dining room.

[cb at sea]

Isn't this info in the cruise brochure?

[glgolfer]

1. Beverages: sodas, lemonade, hot chocolate, cocktails (the last at Captain’s parties, etc)

 

All alcoholic drinks are charged for except at the Captains cocktail party and the repeat cruisers party. If you are a Diamond member or in a Grand Suite or better on ships with a Concierge Lounge, alcoholic drinks are free from 1700 to 2030 along with sodas, wine and beer. There is a coffee machine that makes free espresso and capuchino all day.

Iced tea and lemonade are free all day. Juice is free in the morning for breakfast, but I believe there is a charge after that. The soda card includes juice. Be advised RCI does not know what iced tea is in the morning except in the dining room when it takes a long time to get as they have to make it from scratch.

 

2. Speciality Restaurant cover charges

 

$20 - $25 includes tip, but many people tip extra because of the service.

 

3. Speciality foods, ice cream, etc.

 

There is an ice cream machine outside the Windjammer for free. The specialty ice cream and coffee is not free.

 

4. Internet use

 

Internet use is $.50 a minute in the internet cafe. Most ships have either in-cabin connections for $100 a 7 night cruise (there was a post on here a while back that it had gone up, but I'm not sure about that) The newer ships have wifi, but I have not used that and don't know the parameters.

 

5. Laundry

 

No self facilities on any RCI ship, but the charge for laundry and dry cleaning is reasonable and they do a very good job. There was a fee structure posted here in the not too distant past, but don't know the thread. A search might find it.

 

6. Sports on board (golf, etc)

 

All sports except for the golf simulator are free.

 

7. Activities (crafts, what else has a fee???) – not counting horse racing, bingo, casino

 

Don't know, never used.

 

8. Children’s program, in port kid-sitting, equipment (cribs, strollers, etc.)

 

9. Holiday freebies

 

10. In-cabin refrigerators

 

Stocked with soda at $1.50 a can. Water at $3.50 a large bottle. M&Ms and candy bars (don't remember the cost). The cabin steward will remove these if asked.

 

11. Special programming on in-cabin TVs, VCR/DVD loans

 

All TV programminf is free, there is no "special" programming. The only cabins that have DVDs are the suites and the Concierge Lounge should have DVDs for free.

 

12. Special occasions (e.g. birthday cake)

 

Since so many people faked birthdays and anniversaries, they now charge for a birthday/anniversary cake at $7.95 as the other poster stated. But they will bring one of the deserts of the days with a little birthday sign on it for free. On the Mariner in January, I got the baked alaska with a happy birthday Paul candy sign on it.

 

13. Use of the gym, exercise classes

 

The gym is free, some of the classes have a charge. Don't use them, so don't know the charges. Somebody may have the list.

 

14. Enrichment classes

 

Academy at Sea is free. Don't know of any other classes/programs they charge for.

 

Crown & Anchor members get coupon books with various freebies depending on your level: gold, platinum, diamond or diamond plus. The value of the coupons increase depending on your C&A level.

[Merion_Mom]

The gym classes that have a fee ($10) are spinning, yoga, pilates.

 

Internet charges are a basic fifty cents per minute, unless you buy a "package" of minutes: 150 minutes for $50, for instance, brings the cost down to thirty three cents a minute.

 

teajak, if someone told you that gratuity was NOT included in the $20 per person charge in Chops or Portofino's, you heard something that NO ONE ELSE on CC has reported hearing.

 

No activities, other than those already mentioned by other posters on this thread, have a charge.

 

I really really really really liked MargaritaPlease's post. :D :D :D

[jwlane]

I’m researching

Seems like you're getting everyone else to do the research.

[glgolfer]

Be great if everyone that responds gets a free cruise.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Thanks to everyone who has responded. No free cruises to anyone (I'm not getting paid to do this, just helping out others). Unfortunately, much of the info isn't on each cruiseline's website (and I've scoured Carnival, RCI, Celebrity, Disney, Cunard, Holland's sites so far; already well grounded in Princess info) so it helps to talk to fans of each cruiseline for this info.