On board Expense on the Oosterdam!

[Cruising77]

What kind of on board expense will we encounter on the Oosterdam? This is my first cruise and am getting worried that I am not taking enough money with me. I know if you want pop or basically any drinks you have to pay, but what else. We leave on Saturday for an Alaska cruise, I am worried I will have to find a money tree before we leave.

 

Any tips are appreciated also.

 

Thanks for any help or tips for this first time cruiser.

 

Esther

[Jade13]

What kind of on board expense will we encounter on the Oosterdam? This is my first cruise and am getting worried that I am not taking enough money with me. I know if you want pop or basically any drinks you have to pay, but what else. We leave on Saturday for an Alaska cruise, I am worried I will have to find a money tree before we leave.

 

Any tips are appreciated also.

 

Thanks for any help or tips for this first time cruiser.

 

Esther

 

You can purchase a Cola punch card for 20 drinks for $20.70. Ice Tea and hot tea and coffee is always available.

 

Where are you going? Did you pre-pay for any excursions?

[Cruising77]

We are going to Alaska and excursions are all paid for. Basically $21 for 20 soda drinks isn't bad.

 

This is what we are doing.

 

JUNEAU - June 30, 2008

Mt. Roberts Tramway (Available)

Rain Forest & Sea Coast Nature Walk (Departs 12:15PM)

 

SITKA - July 02, 2008

Sea Life Discovery by Semi-Sub (Departs 10:00AM)

 

KETCHIKAN - July 03, 2008

Rain Forest Sanctuary & Eagle Center (Departs 9:00AM)

 

VICTORIA,CANADA - July 04, 2008

Victoria Highlights & Craigdarroch Castle (Departs 6:30PM)

[Northshorecruisers]

Once on the ship, anything you purchase there will go on your card that's given to you when you check in. It is also your room key. This is one of the reasons we like cruising. At the end of your cruise, anything put on your card will be charged to the credit card on file when you check in.

If you would like to give additional tips at the end of your cruise, you can put money in an envelope for those you wish to tip extra. We always find that our room steward takes care of us very well, so we take extra care with him. The room steward assigned to my 16 y/o son & his 18 y/o friend in their cabin received a rather large tip.

You will want money while you're ashore. How much depends on what you'll be doing. Do you like to shop a lot? Are you planning to eat lunch in one of your ports? Do you want to stop and enjoy a cocktail while ashore?

HAL makes it very easy to pre-order pop cards, wine cards, liquor/beer/wine, Pinnacle Grill reservations. You can even give your self on board credit to offset your account at the end of the cruise.

I hope this helps. Have a wonderful cruise!!

[cf_chuck]

What kind of on board expense will we encounter on the Oosterdam?

 

In most cases, your ship board account is secured by credit card. Whatever you incur on the trip will be charged to the card. On my last trip HAL put a hold on my credit card limit to the tune of $60/p/day. The hold went into effect when I boarded and whatever was not used was released at the end of the trip.

 

You will get a charge for the service charge which is currently $10/p/day. Other than that, anything you buy in the shops, any special coffees, beverages such as drinks or sodas, etc. will be charged to your ship account.

[kryos]

What kind of on board expense will we encounter on the Oosterdam? This is my first cruise and am getting worried that I am not taking enough money with me.

If you've already paid for your excursions, and buy a Coke card for 20 sodas, the only other thing you will need to worry about as far as expense is concerned is anything you wish to purchase onboard (in the various onboard shops, including the photo concession). Also, I don't know if you are a gambler, but if so, you'll need to allot money for the casino and/or BINGO. You will also pay for wine and cocktails, but can buy punch cards in advance for these as well.

 

Also be aware that you'll be charged $10 per day/per person for gratuities, and that amount will appear on your onboard statement at the end of the week.

 

It is entirely possible to almost eliminate your onboard bill by paying for all excursions in advance, and paying for wine and drink cards also in advance. You can even "purchase" onboard credit ahead of time, sufficient to cover your tips and any other incidentals you may wish to purchase on your cruise.

 

I have heard of people getting off the ship at the end of the week with an onboard bill of next to nothing, so I know it can easily be done.

 

Personally, I prefer to pay for as much as possible in advance of my cruise ... so that when I get home I don't have to deal with a large credit card bill, on top of the depression inherent in facing the fact that my long-anticipated cruise is over.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[talltexan]

Other than the $10 per person/per day tip charge, it's possible accrue no other charges while on board and still have a great time. There are plenty of activities offered that are complimentary.

 

Take a look at the Daily Programs that Krazy Kruizers has posted today from the Westerdam http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=780034, the Oosterdam is quite similar. On the actual program, if there is a cost associated with the activity it will often be listed alongside the title (Mixology Class $15) An exception to that is Bingo, I guess you're supposed to realize it's gambling ;)

[Cruising77]

Thank You Everyone! Sounds like I should be fine. :)