Hawaiian cruise???

Question

On Princess Cruises...The 15day Diamond ship one!!!...Any fees I have to pay for on the ship...I need the 411 on that...and did you enjoy it???...

Answer 1

Cruise is kind of a waste.  You should go to the islands itself by flying.  You can spend much more time there and is well worth it.

Answer 2

I have been on three Princess cruises but not on the Diamond Princess ship.  Princess has some of the best ships of any cruise line.

When you arrive at the port to check in you (each passenger) will have an on board charge account set up and receive a key card which will serve as your room key, charge card for anything you buy on ship (i.e.,drinks, souvenir, tour, photos) and its also your pass to get on and off ship in each port. When you first board the ship the security personnel will have you insert your key card into a scanner and then will take a photo of you that is included in the magnetic strip on the card.  Each time you get off ship you will need this key card and many times also a photo ID (passport or driver's license). This card allows them to keep an accurate track of all passengers entering and/or leaving the ship

Your cruise includes your cabin, all entertainment on ship, and  all meals. That includes all meals in the main dining restaurant, the buffet, and various other places that may have pizza and snacks, room service (24/7 free service) and food in specialty restaurants.

HOWEVER, there is always a gratuity/ service charge for meal in the specialty restaurants. The gratuity/service charge can range from $5.00 to $20.00 per person each time you go to one of these specialty eating places. In these places you can usually order what you want and that can be anything on the menu and a "seconds" if you want it is also free.

Some drinks are free.  Coffee, tea, milk, juices, and punches are free (except they may charge for Starbucks coffee if there is a coffee shop for Starbucks).  You will have to pay for all alcoholic beverages AND soft drinks. These will add a bunch to your bill also.

You can have free ice cream at meals and if there is an ice cream stations near the pool, but if they have a Ben and Jerry's you have to pay for it.

If you take tours from the ship you must pay for them.  Review the listing of tours offered on your cruise and decide whether you want to pay for a tour or go on your own. On most islands you can get a taxi or tour in port for much less than the cruise ship tours. HOWEVER, the one big advantage of going on ship sponsored tours is THE SHIP WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU if your ship sponsored tour is late getting back to the ship. If you will be in a port for 12 to 16 hours you are probably safe to go on your own for most anything. But if you are only there for six to eight hours you may want to stay close to the ship or go on the ship tours.

If you want the many photos that will be taken by the ship's staff on and as you depart the ship in ports you must pay for them.  Cruise lines charge a lot for the photos they take so take your own photos around the ship when you get the chance, especially on the formal nights. Ask other passengers to take photos for you, they generally are very willing.

The ship will have shops/stores for souvenirs and other things.  Anything you buy on ship goes on your cruise card account.

WHAT YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY:  The hidden costs on a cruise are your tab after the cruise for drinks (alcoholic and sodas), tours, and gratuities.  Many ships now add the recommended gratuity to your on board tab. The gratuity is about $10 to $12 per day per person. You can give more if you want. Tours can add hundreds to your final bill, depending upon how many stop the ship makes and what you want to do. Study the tours carefully; some places you may want to just go on your own.  

Your 15 day cruise means that you will have to pay $150 per person gratuities at the end of the cruise ($300.00), plus whatever you spend on drinks and sodas, photos, tours, and souvenirs on ship.

I think this covers it.