How much money for "Extras"

[great08]

My husband and I are taking our first cruise the end of November. I am very excited. How much money should we plan to bring for extras such as pictures, dvds of excersions etc. We are on RCCL Mariner of the Seas. I don't want to go nuts but would like a couple of professional pictures to remember this trip. But do need to keep somewhat of a budget. Thanks in advance for all the advice for the newbie!

[LostAgain]

I did not plan on buying any photos at all, but we ended up buying many because they came out so nicely. We put them all on our credit card. So, as far as our shipboard fund, we went way over budget. However, we are not gamblers or drinkers, so photos was really our only expense.

[GORDONCHICK]

Everyone is different. We don't drink or gamble so we don't have that expense. We don't even drink pop. The cost of excursions run the gamut, and it really depends on what you want to do where. Photos are usually around $25 for a formal night photo (8X10) and $7 for the port and boarding photos (5X7). There are specialty restaurants on Mariner, and there will be surcharges per person if you choose to eat there. There are lots of other things that cost extra: bingo, martini tastings, etc. You can actually spend more while on the ship than what it cost to get there. I've heard that some people set a per person/per day budget, which includes excursions.

[great08]

Everyone is different. We don't drink or gamble so we don't have that expense. We don't even drink pop. The cost of excursions run the gamut, and it really depends on what you want to do where. Photos are usually around $25 for a formal night photo (8X10) and $7 for the port and boarding photos (5X7). There are specialty restaurants on Mariner, and there will be surcharges per person if you choose to eat there. There are lots of other things that cost extra: bingo, martini tastings, etc. You can actually spend more while on the ship than what it cost to get there. I've heard that some people set a per person/per day budget, which includes excursions.

 

Thanks so much for the info. We don't drink or gamble either. And after seeing how much it will cost for my sodas/drink card I think I may turn into a water or lemonade drinker! :) I am quickly learning that you can spend as much on the cruise as it is to take the cruise. But I do want some great memories, so I guess it will be pictures instead of the spa.:(

[Flyingifr]

Let's see....

 

Sailing on the Pride June 1st, soda card for the wife. I can't drink anything carbonated so it's iced tea, lemonade and water for me. Neither of us drinks and we don't gamble and have no need for the photographer.

 

The on-shore excursions are already bought and paid for.

 

After the $70 fuel surcharge refund, Carnival should still owe us money.

 

How much you spend on the extras is up to you, but remember this - as long as you are a captive audience and Carnival is the monopoly, you will pay dearly for any extras.

[LostAgain]

Also, I just thought to mention that you don't have to buy the sizes that are displayed -- they can print whatever size you want. So that could save you some money, perhaps, so you wouldn't have to buy 8x10's.

[LostAgain]

Oh, and one more thing, wait until the last day to buy your photos. It will take some hunting around to find all yours because by then there are a lot of them, and they get somewhat mixed up, but then you can line them all up, and pick and choose which are the nicest, instead of having to pick based only on one or two day's choices and then deciding that perhaps you liked a later photo better.

[GORDONCHICK]

Also, I just thought to mention that you don't have to buy the sizes that are displayed -- they can print whatever size you want. So that could save you some money, perhaps, so you wouldn't have to buy 8x10's.

 

I asked about that on Celebrity Mercury last September and they said they only printed more in other sizes after you bought the 8X10.

 

On a side note, don't buy the packages of photos, just buy one of the pose (s) you like. When you get back, you can get a copyright release form that will allow you to reprint the photos legally if you take them someplace to have done. If you do it at home, you don't need the release. One of ours turned out so nice, we ended up using it in Christmas cards.

[sk8teacher]

Photo's on board are very expensive. We take along our camera and simply have someone else take a picture of us. You can always find someone who is knowledgable about cameras, and that way we get our photo taken where we want it and when we want it. For example, we like to have a formal picture while on an outside deck. Can't do that with ship photographers. To be honest, we have not seen a photo taken by a ships photographer yet that we would pay the money they ask for.

 

Cheers,

[ladycaveat]

Also, I just thought to mention that you don't have to buy the sizes that are displayed -- they can print whatever size you want. So that could save you some money, perhaps, so you wouldn't have to buy 8x10's.

 

You have to first buy the photo displayed and only then can you order additional prints of various sizes and also packages including 5X7 and wallet size photos.

[ladycaveat]

I was traveling solo and I spent around $650 in onboard charges on Valor cruise to the Western Carribbean (April 27th to May 4th of this year). I bought two 8X10 photos (and a "package" of one 5X7 and several wallet photos of each 8X10) and two additional 5X7 casual photos. I also spent about $150 on those darn "drinks of the day" (couldn't resist the glass that looked like the funnel on the ship). There was also two shore excursions. Spent nothing in the casino but did buy a few things in the gift shop (four stuffed Fun Ship Freddies and four Fun Ship Freddy books for friend's kids).

[blindrid]

You have to first buy the photo displayed and only then can you order additional prints of various sizes and also packages including 5X7 and wallet size photos.

 

Maybe on some lines but last cruise we were on we ordered a 5x7 and they delivered it to our cabin. We did not buy the 8x10. Moral of story check with each photo shop to see what their policy is.

 

I don't think they're that expensive to have an opportunity to have a somewhat "professional" photo done. We typically have a tough time finding one that everyone is looking good in anyway so the decision becomes easier.

[GORDONCHICK]

I don't think they're that expensive to have an opportunity to have a somewhat "professional" photo done. We typically have a tough time finding one that everyone is looking good in anyway so the decision becomes easier.

 

Plus, since everyone is already dressed up, why not? It costs nothing to pose at as many photo stations as you want and they all have different back drops, though the poses can be a little cheesy.

[Dona March]

Oh, and one more thing, wait until the last day to buy your photos. It will take some hunting around to find all yours because by then there are a lot of them, and they get somewhat mixed up, but then you can line them all up, and pick and choose which are the nicest, instead of having to pick based only on one or two day's choices and then deciding that perhaps you liked a later photo better.

This is great advice, as a first cruiser thank you

[mojo60]

Let's see....

 

Sailing on the Pride June 1st, soda card for the wife. I can't drink anything carbonated so it's iced tea, lemonade and water for me. Neither of us drinks and we don't gamble and have no need for the photographer.

 

The on-shore excursions are already bought and paid for.

 

After the $70 fuel surcharge refund, Carnival should still owe us money.

 

How much you spend on the extras is up to you, but remember this - as long as you are a captive audience and Carnival is the monopoly, you will pay dearly for any extras.

 

I am a first time cruiser. My husband and I are leaving June 7th on Glory. What do you mean when you say $70. fuel surcharge refund? If I book an excursion through the ship, is it already on my credit card, or do they charge you when you actualy go on the excursion?