Extra's

[Macwoman]

What is "extra" on the Princess? I have read about people paying for ice cream. I know we have also sailed on Carnival and know that we payed extra for some extra pastries, etc. but it sounds like on Princess that there is more to pay for that is not included.

 

 

Thanks

Barbara

[Spikesgirl]

treatments. You can get ice cream free at any dinner and I have found it at the buffet at lunch. That may have changed by now. You have to pay for well drinks, including anything that comes in a can. If you get the soda card, which is good if you drink a lot of pop or tonic, like my DH. Then there are the classes, certain facilities, like the golf simulator. Is there something in particular that you are curious about? I'd like to help if I can.

 

Charlie

[Macwoman]

It sounded like someone was talking about an extra fee at one of the pools. The adult only one......maybe it was just if you wanted some service. '

 

Thanks for your help

 

Barbara

[SingerEsq]

You have to pay for ice cream if you go to the ice cream bar, which serves speciality items, much like Cold Stone Creamery (mix-ins, sundaes, shakes, etc), if you one of those. I'm told the Horizon has free ice cream every afternoon, but am not that much of an ice cream eater.

 

You have to pay for all drinks, including sodas and bottled water, and I believe special coffees (like espressos, etc.). But like the soft drink card, I think they have a card for coffee drinks too.

 

Of course, you have to pay for spa treatments and such. And there are usually at least a couple specialty restaurants aboard that charge a cover charge ($15-$20 per person). I have found them to be worth it.

 

Pizza (mmmmm :p ) and grilled hamburgers, franks and fries are free by the pool.

 

Can't think of much else ...

[Pam in CA]

What is "extra" on the Princess? I have read about people paying for ice cream. I know we have also sailed on Carnival and know that we payed extra for some extra pastries, etc. but it sounds like on Princess that there is more to pay for that is not included.

You would pay extra for ice cream ONLY if you go to the specialty ice cream bar near the pool. Otherwise, there is free ice cream pretty much from Noon onwards: during lunch, the afternoon (where there is a sundae bar set up in the buffet) and dinner. I really don't get it when people keep on saying they have to pay for ice cream. You can get pastries in the buffet, dining room and the Patisserie.

 

Not included are sodas and liquor, specialty coffee, bottled water, shore excursions, spa treatments, scholarship@sea classes, photos, bingo, and the specialty restaurants. You can easily take an entire cruise without paying an extra fee.

[tequilasunrise]

A recent addition...coffee is only free if it's the reconstitued syrup and apparently then only in the dining rooms and buffet :( Otherwise it's $1-2 for cheap brewed, and more for specialty stuff.

 

Other fee things I didn't see below include flowers, casino, internet unless you are platinum or elite, phone calls ship to shore, some room service on Crown will cost, food at the Crown's sanctuary (and they said they may introduce a use fee), steam rooms and saunas on grand class, juice except some at breakfast only. There's no free punch or lemonade.

 

It's true you can take a cruise without an extra fee, but it's getting really hard to do that.

 

I like Princess but it's not really all inclusive anymore. It's kinda akin to most land based resorts I've been too.

[Pam in CA]

I like Princess but it's not really all inclusive anymore. It's kinda akin to most land based resorts I've been too.

I'm trying to think of what was included before that isn't now. The only thing I can think of is cafe latte. Perhaps you can refresh my memory.

[DEL67]

I do not know if its true, but I was told that you have to pay for hot chocolate.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Here's what included: in your cabin: a mini frig and basic amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion. Also a TV (doesn't get regular network channels but does get CNN, ESPN, movie channels, a few programmed channels (AFI Specials, sitcoms such as Simpsons, Friends) and some ship channels (bridge cam, ship info, shore excursion info/plugs, etc). Some cabins (higher categories) have mini setups, and other niceties.

 

Ice tea, regular coffee, milk, water are available for free in the dining rooms and Horizon Court. Also food is available 24/7 (if you get room service, you just pay the tip). Ice cream is available in the dining rooms during meals and the Horizon Court around 3-5 (exact hours depends on the ship). Usually homemade, high quality ice cream. During the day, you can pay for ice cream sundaes by the pool. Also by the pool for free during the day: grilled items such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and pizza.

 

An exception to paying for drinks. If you're a Gold or higher (returning on a Princess cruise), you'll get an invite to the Captain Circle's party: free drinks. Also you may be able to get a free drink at Captain's receptions (usually held on a formal night). I was surprised that the champagne wasn't free on New Years Eve on our holiday cruise. But a couple of days later, champagne was passed out after the Champagne Waterfall.

 

As for hot chocolate, I'm not sure if it's available during breakfast. It was in 2004 on our Alaskan cruise. OJ from concentrate is available during breakfast in the Horizon court (and I'm guessing the dining rooms) but there's a charge for OJ straight from the fruit.

 

There are specialty restaurants (Sabatini's, Bayou Cafe, etc) that have a cover charge. We have never eaten in any of these but many people have.

 

Most activities and shows are free. Exceptions include bingo, gambling, wine tasting, a few crafts (such as lei making, but most arts and crafts are absolutely free), Scholarship @Sea classes, pottery classes, some fitness classes (use of the gym and some classes are free), golf simulator (you can use the miniature course for free),spa treatment, use of the Internet (unless Platinum or Elite).

 

Also, expect to pay for self-service laundry (about $2-3 dollars to wash and dry), ship's laundry service (Elite gets this service free), photos and videos taken by the ship's photogs (no sitting fee or obligation to buy, however), gratuities.

 

Did I forget anything????

No charge for the kids' program, including kidsitting during port days. Group kidsitting after 10pm carries a fee.

[SCEPFAM]

I was wondering about sushi...Is it only available in the Wine and Seafood specialty restaurant, and if so, what do they charge.

We got spoiled last year on the Horizon..Sushi Bar set up every day for about 4 hours FREE

[dean8844]

i've only sailed NCL and i don't understand why the complains it's the same charges as other ships at least it is on NCL, to me Princess offers more, NCL didn't have the specialty ice cream bar :D

 

Dean

[jff50]

It sounded like someone was talking about an extra fee at one of the pools. The adult only one......maybe it was just if you wanted some service. '

 

Thanks for your help

 

Barbara

 

I have never experienced any additional charge for use of any of the pools.

[jff50]

I was wondering about sushi...Is it only available in the Wine and Seafood specialty restaurant, and if so, what do they charge.

We got spoiled last year on the Horizon..Sushi Bar set up every day for about 4 hours FREE

 

They do have sushi free in the Horizon Court some days, but not every day.

[Pam in CA]

I've seen sushi on the Caribbean Princess in the Cafe Caribe during lunch but can't remember seeing it on other Princess ships.

[Tom O.]

They had a sushi bar set up out on one of the patios of the Sapphire once or twice on a recent 7 day voyage. No charge.