Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas Drinks/Prices?

Question

Can anyone tell me the price range for drinks on Freedom of the Seas? I like vodka and hubby likes most beers, Crown, and Seagram's 7. I'm a little hesitant to book the cruise because it's $3,000 for two, plus tips and drinks!! Has anyone taken alcohol on the ship in their luggage. I get mixed messages on this as to whether it's allowed or not. And finally - WHAT food is not included on the ship and how much extra should we take for this?

Thanks! =)

Answer 1

I have cruised on the Freedom and many other Royal Caribbean ships.  Your cruise price includes your cabin, all food including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.  The ships has a couple what they call specialty restaurants, "Chops" and "Portofino" that serve special meals and have a gratuity fee of about $20 per person per visit.  BUT, you really don't need to go there unless you want an extra special occasion.  Otherwise ALL of the food on board the ship is free (there is a diner called Johnny Rockets that serves hot dogs, hamburgers and fries and has a gratuity fee of $3.95).

Drinks on the ship are about $5.50 for beer and wine, and $6.50 to $8.50 for mixed drinks, depending upon what you order.  But they will always automatically add a gratuity (tip) or 15 per cent to each check.  So then a $5.50 beer is about $7.00.  Also, whenever you order a drink that comes in one of the fancy glasses that adds about $1.50 to $2.00 to the price of the drink. So to save on drinks ALWAYS specify when you order that you don't want the fancy glass.

No the cruise line DOES NOT allow you to bring any liquor on board at the departure port or in port stops.  But that does not stop people from doing it; they get creative in their packing and some are caught and some are not.

Here's a rundown on the fees/charges after you pay for your cruise:

For the most part all cruises are all inclusive.  The things that you will have to pay for are:

GRATUITIES: They will amount to about $10 per person in your cabin per day; about $70 each for a 7 day cruise. When you check in at the pier they will set up an on-board charge account for you to cover any and everything you may buy on ship. They will issue you a "cruise card" which will also serve as your room key and pass to get on and off the ship. At the end of the cruise they will add the gratuity to your tab and you can pay with a credit card or cash, your choice. So everything on ship except the casino is cashless; everything you buy goes on your account.

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND SOFT DRINKS: Coffee, tea, milk, juice, and lemonade and punch will be provided free but you must pay for soft drinks and alcoholic beverages and they will add a 15 percent gratuity to each drink and soft drink order.

PHOTOGRAPHS: Cruise lines will take plenty of photographs of you all over the ship, in the dining room, and as you exit the ship in ports. These will cost a lot, like $15 to $20 for most.

TOURS/EXCURSIONS: You are not required to book any tours and can get off and on in the ports as much as you want. But the cruise line will offer a lot of tours and these are expensive.

SOUVENIRS: Anything you buy on ship from a gift shop or duty free shop goes on your on board account. Things that you buy on shore you pay cash or credit card for.

CASINO: If you plan to gamble on ship you will need cash for that.

OTHER: The "specialty" restaurants have a gratuity/service charge. All other food on board is free and its not really necessary to budget for food; you cannot eat all of the FREE FOOD that will be available.

SPA SERVICES: If you want/need to have your hair done, get a massage or wrap, or any services from the spa, you will have to pay for them. You can use the gym free but the spa stuff cost big bucks.

INTERNET SVCS: Ships now have internet cafe and some have WiFi but the there is a fee for internet access and it is very expensive (like about $50 to $60 an hour).

Answer 2

check out this site, www.vacationstogo.com it will tell you all the things you need to know about cruising, prices of on board costs etc. their prices seem to be far cheaper than through other agents. ive used their site before and found them great

Answer 3

$3,000?  are you in a suite?  maybe opt for a cheaper cabin so you have more money to spend on other things.  You wont be in your room much.

Answer 4

DEF YES TAKE SOME ALCOHOL IN UR BAGS!!

drinks are like 10-15 each!!

if you going on a cruise you should get some  florida flasks!

its the easiest way to smuggle alcohol on the cruise!

cruises like to over charge on drinks!!  which i think it soo not fair! your stuck buying their pricy drinks!!!

100% plastic passes through Xrays!

www.floridaflasks.com

Answer 5

We just did our first cruise, used Royal too, it was awesome, well worth it for us.

Mixed drinks are around 6.95 - 7.95 each, some more, but every day they have a drink special so look on your compass for that, it is $5.95. Beer is a little cheaper, they sell buckets of it for a little less too. I would want to say around $5-7. We drank a lot the first few days and than just relaxed by the pool and just bought bottles of wine for dinner, it was a nice vacation either way!

You two will love it!

I forgot to answer the questions about bringing alcohol on board, you are not supposed to, if you pack it in your luggage and they deliver to you and catch you with it, they can cut you off for drinking on the cruise, if you purchase it on the ship they will keep it and deliver on the last night of the cruise, and if you purchase it on port, all your bags go through xray machines and you have to check it. Don't forgot if you do get it in the ship and have it, your room attendant cleans your room twice a day, they are sure to find it!

Answer 6

cruisecritic.com

also has alot of information about costs.