What's Free and What's Not

[CycleGirl1]

We're going on our first cruise in November. Rather than spend the first couple of days asking "umm... is that, um... free?" I would rather ask here. :o

 

I've looked over the Cruise Answer Book and I understand that most of the food is included. Is ice cream an exception? I understand that there are a few premium restaurants that cost extra. Charges for wine, beer and mixed drinks are to be expected too.

 

About an hour ago I saw the thread about soft drink stickers and it had never occurred to me that soft drinks and coffee would not be included in a buffet. Do beverages always cost money even when served with a meal? I've also seen references to ice cream being a charge item. What else does Princess charge passengers for?

 

CG

[Brad1185]

ice cream extra, international cafe extra, vines extra, pizza rs extra, speciality restaruants extra, dinner in room extra, breakfast in room extra, "chefs table" extra

[fun and breezes 2]

Here are some things you will not pay additional for:

 

Your meals in the regular dining rooms and the buffets

pizza if your ship has a pizzaria

hamburgers and hotdogs from the pool grill

water, coffee, tea, and during breakfast milk and some juices

ice cream in the dining rooms

ice cream in the afternoon (for about half an hour in the buffet)

afternoon tea (very fun)

champagne from the champagne waterfall on the last formal night

entertainment on the ship

 

Things you will pay additional for:

 

drinks from the bar including juices and sodas

sodas and bottled water (even those left in your room for purchase)

brewed and specialty coffees or specialty teas

sushi from the sushi bar if your ship has this

ice cream from the pay by the scoop ice cream bar

specialty restaurants

spa treatments

shore excursions

internet access

[Cruise Gypsy]

Here are some things you will not pay additional for:

 

Your meals in the regular dining rooms and the buffets

pizza if your ship has a pizzaria

hamburgers and hotdogs from the pool grill

water, coffee, tea, and during breakfast milk and some juices

ice cream in the dining rooms

ice cream in the afternoon (for about half an hour in the buffet)

afternoon tea (very fun)

champagne from the champagne waterfall on the last formal night

entertainment on the ship

 

Things you will pay additional for:

 

drinks from the bar including juices and sodas

sodas and bottled water (even those left in your room for purchase)

brewed and specialty coffees or specialty teas

sushi from the sushi bar if your ship has this

ice cream from the pay by the scoop ice cream bar

specialty restaurants

spa treatments

shore excursions

internet access

 

 

Good summary - in general I think they are pretty open about what is included in your cruise fare and what is additional. It keeps things friendly. But, if you order something and they ask for your cruise card. You are paying for it. :)

[chasetf]

Adding to the list: (feel free to add what we forgot)

 

Things you will pay additional for:

• drinks from the bar including juices and sodas
  
• sodas and bottled water (even those left in your room for purchase)
  
• brewed and specialty coffees or specialty teas (coffee card for discounts)
  
• sushi from the sushi bar if your ship has this
  
• ice cream from the pay by the scoop ice cream bar
  
• specialty restaurants
  
• spa treatments
  
• shore excursions
  
• Internet access
  
• special dinners in your room / balcony
  
• photos
  
• souvenirs
  
• bingo
  
• casino gambling
  
• excursions / tours
  
• tips (auto and extra services as appropiate)
  
• wine tasting
  
• some craft classes / sessions
  
• long distant (ship to shore) phone calls
  
• duty free items (cigs / booze) to haul home

[paul929207]

If you drink alot of soda, consider the soda sticker. It is $4.25 per person per day plus 15% tip. It is good for unlimited fountain drinks. It is not good for cans of soda or room service.

[joanofarc]

If you drink alot of soda, consider the soda sticker. It is $4.25 per person per day plus 15% tip. It is good for unlimited fountain drinks. It is not good for cans of soda or room service.

 

 

Will the Soda Card also allow you unlimited juices during the day:confused:

[BigGuy25]

And usually, around 2pm (I think), ice cream is available with no extra charge in the buffet area.

[dforeigner]

Will the Soda Card also allow you unlimited juices during the day:confused:

 

No, the soda card is only for sodas served directly from a soda gun at a bar or restaurant. Can sodas are not included in the soda card plan.

[davidnsteph]

CG,

 

There is a great variety of ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet offered in the dining rooms at lunch and dinner for free. These are made on the ship. There are many unique flavors and all are excellent. We recommend that you try this on board.

 

DavidnSteph

[PescadoAmarillo]

I believe that they are charging $3 for pizza delivery to your cabin now.

[Woodmnky]

Room service, with the exception of the Ultimate Balcony Dinner and Breakfast, is also free (gratuity always appreciated).

The room service menu includes continental breakfast in the morning. I always ordered several extra juices then and kept in my fridge for later in the day.

For lunch and dinner it includes several sandwiches, salads, soup, and desserts. The chocolate cookies through room service are worth the price of the cruise alone.

I sailed on the Grand and there was a $2 or $3 charge for a whole pizza to be delivered. I was told that this was more about waste management than actual money as they were throwing away so many with one or two pieces eaten. However, pizza from the stand on deck was free.

While the room service menu is not extensive and you cannot order from the dining room, unless you are in a suite, it is a very nice addition for those late nights or afternoons when you want a snack, but don't want to have to get out of your robe to get.

[DonnaK]

Isn't iced tea included too?

[BigGuy25]

Iced tea is always available in the buffet area.

[fun and breezes 2]

Isn't iced tea included too?

 

Yes you can get iced tea. Being from the south I like "sweet tea" so we used the self service tea bags on the buffet, brewed tea and added sugar while hot, then ice to make a tastier version of iced tea. We took some back to the refrigerator in the room to have more later too.

[hubofhockey]

They allow you to carry on a "reasonable amount" of soda when you board. If you drink a lot, just store some in your fridge or keep some on ice in your room. Last time around, I brought some of those little 8 ounce cans at a FL supermarket for the kids (and me too) and then picked up some additional cans in San Juan when I thought we didn't have enough. My fear on the soda cards is that my kids would drink too much and I might too.

[zippyboro]

It's ok to bring on bottled water, right? I have a small carry-on filled with just that....

[DonnaK]

Iced tea is always available in the buffet area.

 

Is it available in the dining room for lunch and dinner too?

[dforeigner]

It's ok to bring on bottled water, right? I have a small carry-on filled with just that....

 

Is it available in the dining room for lunch and dinner too?

 

Yes.

[Murphey]

Just a side note on juices...they no longer serve cranberry juice for free at any time. Even at breakfast.

[buttah75]

Room service, with the exception of the Ultimate Balcony Dinner and Breakfast, is also free (gratuity always appreciated).

The room service menu includes continental breakfast in the morning. I always ordered several extra juices then and kept in my fridge for later in the day.

For lunch and dinner it includes several sandwiches, salads, soup, and desserts. The chocolate cookies through room service are worth the price of the cruise alone.

I sailed on the Grand and there was a $2 or $3 charge for a whole pizza to be delivered. I was told that this was more about waste management than actual money as they were throwing away so many with one or two pieces eaten. However, pizza from the stand on deck was free.

While the room service menu is not extensive and you cannot order from the dining room, unless you are in a suite, it is a very nice addition for those late nights or afternoons when you want a snack, but don't want to have to get out of your robe to get.

 

Wait. Are you saying we CAN order from the dining room, if we're in a mini-suite? Thanks in advance.

[dforeigner]

Wait. Are you saying we CAN order from the dining room, if we're in a mini-suite? Thanks in advance.

 

Nope. Full size suites only.

[dforeigner]

For those of you asking about room service. There is a section in the room service menu where all the items are free. Then there is another section where you will be charged a fee for ordering items from there. Make sure you read the menu carefully. The items that are not free, are clearly labeled with the price.

[CycleGirl1]

Thanks for all of the replies! These lists are great. I've taken the information you've given me and cut and pasted it together. The list of "pay for" items was long, so I split it into Food & Beverage and Everything Else. Here it is.

 

Free Stuff

• Your meals in the regular dining rooms and the buffets
  
• pizza if your ship has a pizzeria
  
• hamburgers and hotdogs from the pool grill
  
• water, coffee, tea, and during breakfast milk and some juices
  
• ice cream in the dining rooms
  
• ice cream in the afternoon (for about half an hour in the buffet)
  
• afternoon tea (very fun)
  
• champagne from the champagne waterfall on the last formal night
  
• entertainment on the ship

Food & Drink You’ll Pay Additional For

• drinks from the bar including juices and sodas
  
• sodas and bottled water (even those left in your room for purchase)
  
• brewed and specialty coffees or specialty teas (coffee card for discounts)
  
• sushi from the sushi bar if your ship has this
  
• ice cream from the pay by the scoop ice cream bar
  
• specialty restaurants
  
• special dinners in your room / balcony
  
• wine tasting

Other Items with Fees

• spa treatments
  
• shore excursions
  
• Internet access
  
• photos
  
• souvenirs
  
• bingo
  
• casino gambling
  
• excursions / tours
  
• tips (auto and extra services as appropriate)
  
• some craft classes / sessions
  
• long distant (ship to shore) phone calls
  
• duty free items (cigs / booze) to haul home
  
• laundry
  
• formal wear rental

[Pam in CA]

ice cream extra, international cafe extra, vines extra, pizza rs extra, speciality restaruants extra, dinner in room extra, breakfast in room extra, "chefs table" extra

This is incorrect information and very mis-leading. There is NO CHARGE for ice cream, which is available in the dining room for lunch and dinner and in the buffet from about 3 - 4PM. Only the specialty ice cream near the pool is extra. There is NO CHARGE for pizza; only if you have it delivered directly to your cabin. I believe all Princess ships serve pizza near the grill. There is NO CHARGE for breakfast or dinner in your cabin; however, a tip is expected. The only charge for food in your cabin is if you order the Ultimate Balcony Breakfast or the Ultimate Balcony Dinner.

 

It's ok to bring on bottled water, right? I have a small carry-on filled with just that....

Yes, you can bring on bottled water but why would you want to? The water out of the tap is distilled and purer that most bottled water.

 

Just a side note on juices...they no longer serve cranberry juice for free at any time. Even at breakfast.

Incorrect. I had cranberry juice in either the buffet or dining room for breakfast almost every single day. If you are in the buffet and don't see it, just ask.

 

Also, there is no charge for coffee or iced tea. Specialty coffee such as cappuchino has a charge.