About cruises, is it true that you have to pay for spa treatment and fitness?

Question

If this is the case, truly a cruise is a money eating plan. I mean after paying so much for a flight and then the cruise. Also, another question, do you have to give a tip and if so how much?

Answer 1

YES

Answer 2

Spa treatments do cost extra - a LOT extra.  And you are expected to tip.  Use of the fitness facilities is free, but some classes [Yoga, Pilates] have a minimal charge.

Cruise ships have many, many ways of getting "extra" money from you - that's how the base price can be so low.  Casinos, shops, premium restaurants, art auctions, bingo, alcoholic drinks and sodas, excursions, etc., etc.  But you can go on a cruise and not spend that much beyond the basic fees and tips, if you care to cruise more frugally.  Tips are expected all around, because the employees are not paid that much [why you rarely see Americans as staff on a ship] - another way the basic price can be kept relatively low.

A cruise is not any more expensive than an all-inclusive or any other land vacation, really - unless you have a cheap place to stay [friends, relatives] and want to eat only at fast food places or cook it yourself.  You'll have the same expenses at a beach resort, say, that you have on a cruise.

To get a good overview of cruising, go to your library and get some books about cruising.  CruiseCritic.com [especially the "Boards" section] is also a good source of info.

Be warned, however - once you cruise, you are very likely to be "addicted".  I was very skeptical before our first cruise, but now that's my #1 choice for vacation.

Answer 3

Yes, you do pay for spa treatments and many of the fitness options. Yes, a cruise is a money eating plan. Yes, you do tip.  

For a spa treatment, I suggest tipping 15%; leave $5 for the maid that cleans your room; if  you get your hair done, give 20%.

Answer 4

Spa is extra on most cruises and tips are normally automatically added to your stateroom account you can adjust the rate for the tips or even eliminate them by visiting the pursers desk on the ship (normally located in the atrium area), fitness center is often included but not always check with your travel agent. Keep in mind that a cruise (7 days at least) is usually cheaper than a stay in a hotel as it includes all the meals and there is plenty of entertainment on board included and off on the different places it goes. Also you can get better offers if you book early or during low season.

Answer 5

Yes, those are considered extras. I won a massage, and I was thrilled with the results, I felt relaxed for the rest of the cruise. At least a $5.00 tip on top of the price of the service. There are lots of free things to do though. Go for a walk around the railing of the ship...be sure to check out the sunset!

Answer 6

Yes, the spa and massages are extras. The use of fitness equipment was included on our last cruise, though.

Answer 7

well it is true that you do have to pay for spa and fitness but we so shouldn't have to .....

  :( :( :( :( :) lindz

Answer 8

A cruise is the best vacation bargain there is.  You don't have to spent a dine unless you want to.  Except for tips.  That usually runs about ten dollars a day.  The fitness room is open to everyone.  You do pay for spa treatments, alcohol, professional pictures, and soft drinks.

You unpack and pack once.  Gourmet food is included and available twenty-four hours a day.  The entertainment is topnotch and included.  There are clubs with dance music every night.  Your room attendant keeps your room in beautiful condition.  You can have room service when ever you  like.  Just tip who ever brings it a couple of dollars.

Answer 9

who are you crusining with?  If it's carnival (the most popular) or one of its subsidaries, than it can be a good bargain if you are reasonable about it.  My husband and I did a 5 day cruise and total (cruise, tips, extra bill) was about 1100.  Cruise in the off season, you get the same experience for much less.  Also a lot of cruise lines automatically add tips of 10 per cruiser per day.  (so you and your partner would pay 20 per day of cruising), so you don't deal with tips for every staff you come in contact with.  All food and meals are included (for carnival, others may be different), so you only pay for alcohol.  If you are a casual drinker you probably won't rack up much there.  The most that we paid on our trip was for photos, but thats in individual expense that you may or may not want to spend on.  The spas and such do cost, but they are competitve to the regular market cost.  Most on board transactions will be put on a card assigned to you and your room and then you can pay your bill before deboarding, so cash never exchanges hands on the boat.  I hope I answered everything but this is mostly for carnival, so be sure to check with the cruise line.

Answer 10

A cruise is not ALL inclusive.  Spa treatments are extra.  Use of the fitness center is free.  Tips are typically $10 per day per person and yes, the tips are extra.

Answer 11

It's the hidden extras that get you on a cruise.  The gym for fitness workouts is usually free.  Spa treatments and hair salons are billed to you.  Depending on the cruise line, the tip may or may not be included on your bill.

Answer 12

Yes, spa services are extra per service and some of the classes have a fee.

My sister uses a cash account on-board so she does not overspend her vacation budget.  There are so many things you can buy while on board and it is so easy to do by just swiping your account card.

However, cruising is a good vacation value.  Compared to an on-land vacation...your cruise fee includes your hotel room, unlimited food and entertainment.

Consider the bill if you have to pull out your wallet 3 times a day to eat, see a show and pay for 7 days of hotel room.

You don't have to do shore excursions...just take a taxi to the free beach or go shopping in the port.

We cruise often with our extended family.  It usually costs us less than $140 per day per person.  

Book the smallest cabin...they often upgrade you to continue to book the smaller cabins...plus you only shower, change and sleep in the room.  

Also, get a group of 4 to go and share the cabin costs...3rd and 4th get lower rates and then split it by 4.

Search for departure ports near home or less trendy places for lower airfare if driving it the port is not an option.

Check out www.vacationstogo.com  they have a great search engine with departure port options as well as bargins and a 90-day ticker if you travel dates are flexible.

Answer 13

Yes you have to pay for spa treatments but if you are doing a general workout in the fitness center there is no charge that I am aware of.  Yes tipping is proper.  

In terms of a cruise being a money eating plan.  Yes your cruise can cost more than the upfront costs you incur when booking but so does any other vacation.  All Inclusive resorts charge for Spa treatments as well and there too a tip is consider to be proper unless otherwise stated.  Other all inclusive resorts charge extra for using permium brand alcohol and while tips may not be neccessary a dollar or two at every meal and to the bartenders can get you that little extra service.  There are some super all inclusive resorts that tipping is not allowed and everything is included but it is reflected in the price you pay.  Cruises are a great value and if you stay away from the bar, the casino and the extras that cost then its not any more a money eater than any other vacation.  A great resource about the value of cruising is www.cruising.org.

Travel Nut @ BC Travel Company

Answer 14

Yes. On cruises. You do have to pay for the spa treatment and use of fitness centers. This doesn't apply to all cruise ships though. There might be some exceptions.

When I was onboard the Royal Caribbean, I had vouchers that gave me a free spa treat with a facial as well!

Oh yeah, and about tips... You don't really need to give tips. If you want to, you can. Generally USD$5 is generous on most western, atlantic, european cruise ships.

If you are travelling on a cruise ship in asia, then probably a dollar is fine. Tipping is not generally practiced on asian cruise boats.

Enjoy your trip!

Answer 15

Yes, sometimes a gym is on the ship but any service that uses a employee cost. remember they have to pay for the extra service employees

Answer 16

Yes for spa treatment, but most likely free for fitness unless you need a personal trainer.