Planning a cruise, I'm confused as to what exactly is included in the cost?

Question

So, I've cruised before a looong time ago w. my family when I was in hs. i don't remember much but i DO remember all the wonderful "free" food. Now that I'm planning my next cruise I'm hearing about all these extra charges for food...what's the deal here?

Answer 1

THERE IS NOT EXTRA CHARGE FOR FOOD IT IS JUST THAT SOME SHIPS HAVE SPECIAL RESTUARANTS THAT HAVE DIFFERENT TYPE OF SERVICES IF YOU WANT TO GO TO ONE YOU WILL NEED TO PAY THE TIP AND ABOUT A 20.00 CHARGE.  ALSO THE WHAT EVER YOU DRINK EXCEPT FOR COFFEE IS NOT INCLUDED. ON SOME SHIPS YOU CAN BUY ICE CREAM LIKE BEN AND JERRY OR ON RCCL THEY ALSO HAVE JOHNNY ROCKETS THEY CHARGE 4.00 PER PERSON BUT YOU CAN GET ANYTHING THEY HAVE ON THE MENU FOR NOTHING ELSE.

Answer 2

Okay, so on most cruise ships, food is all included. These extra charges your hearing are just extra specialty foods. Most cruises have specialty restaurants or dining packages that are extra. These are optional. If you want, stick to the free food. The cruises I've been on have had 24-hour buffets, pizza, and hamburger places that are all included. Room-service, dining packages, Coco-cola deals, the ice cream parlor, and the specialty restaurants are extra and cost about the same is your local ice cream parlor or restaurant would. Don't worry though, the free food is just as good.

Answer 3

Food has been included on all of the cruises I have been on. I know some ships have special restaurants where they may charge extra.

All I have ever had to pay for was drinks, tips, and excursions.

Answer 4

The extra food charges are for the specialty restaurants that a lot of the ships have these days.  Personally, I'd stick with the regular dining room for dinner because the food there was actually better than in the special restaurant.  You'll pay for alcohol if you want it - and if I remember correctly, we also got charged for pop when we went so we would buy some while in port and bring it back with us (like a 20 oz bottle each).  You'll also pay for shore excursions, which can be really expensive - definitely look at those before you get on the ship to see if you can get an idea of what the cost for that will be.  You'll need to pay for gratuities - maybe somewhere in the $10 - $20/ day range.  And then there are things like pictures and videos that the cruiseline will try to get you to buy.  Oh - and we almost never used cash unless we were off the boat - our room key doubled as our on-board credit card of sorts.  Good luck!

Answer 5

Since you cruised last almost every line has opened up specialty restaraunts, most with an additional charge.  There are usually at least 2 options, one sit down, one buffet, that are free and depending on the ship there may be many more.

go here

http://www.cruisecritic.com/

for more info

Answer 6

I never hear of paying for food on a cruise....all meals, snacks and room service should be included.

Included:

Night club shows,

music and dancing (drinks not included)

They give lectures, about the ports, and always demonstrations, carving in ice, etc

exercises, gyms (massages & beauty salons  are not included)

They will take your photos on board you have to pay for the ones you buy.

Slot machines and bingo not included..you pay

You tip according to how much you want..not what the ship says you have to.

Answer 7

Yes unfortunately it is true...be careful of these charges.  My  mom went on a cruise and did not do anything extraordinary..she owed almost 1,000 dollars for five days.  Ask questions about what is included.  Be careful of the small print!  Good Luck!

Answer 8

usally $500.00

Answer 9

I was just on a Carnival Cruise in March. The only thing you had to pay for was alcohol and soda (but for soda you can buy a card that is like $20 for all the soda you can drink the entire cruise... its a pretty good deal). Otherwise it was all included even room service is free.

Answer 10

Most food is included, there is a charge for speciality resturants , supper clubs, coffee bar , but the main dinign room and the buffett are free

You will pay approx $10 a day per person for gratuties

You pay for any alcohol you drink, sodas and premium juices. at the buffett and the dining room water, teas, coffee, some juices are complimentary. you can purchase a soda card for approx $7 a day for unlimited pop

You pay additional for any excursions you choose when at the islands, but you can also prepay/reserve them so you dont have that cost on the cruise.

All things considered cruising is very cost effective and fantastic. I have been on 8 (in the last 2 years) and what Ive spent on board ranges from $1000 for 4 people/7 days to $200 for 1 person/4 days. alot depends on how much you drink and what you buy on the ship. I alwasy try to prepay my excursions. My last 7 day crusie was $600 for myself but that included almost $400 in artwork i purchased. Have fun. cruising is great