What kind of charges should I expect on my cruise?

Question

I am taking my first cruise in December and want to know what kind of charges besides the cost of the cruise that I will encounter? I am aware of the excursions, but do they add tax or are there other charges the web sites do not tell me about.

Answer 1

Be prepared to have to pay for pretty much all of your alcoholic drinks.. and they can add up.. lol. Also, if you want any spa type experiences that will cost you. If you need to access the internet while on the cruise, that will cost you too! I'm not sure about the taxes on the excursions. Also, you have to pay if you buy a certain amount of alcohol, off ship to take back into the states. There is a sheet where you have to declare what you  bought upon return to the U.S. Thats what I can remember off hand, I went on a cruise last summer.

Answer 2

Hello. I'm a travel agent, and I can give you a fantastic deal. Yes, I offer cruise too and i can get cruise in Celebrity Cruises. Go to ww.greatonlinedeals.com or www.ytb.com/cesliriotravel

Answer 3

What is Not Included in a Cruise Price

Of course, no vacation is perfect, and cruises are not all-inclusive. Several types of activities require additional fees, but most of them are optional and budget-conscious cruisers can easily moderate the added costs. Items requiring extra fees include…

Shore excursions: Though tours and island activities may seem expensive, shore excursions are a good deal and frequently include knowledgeable guides, transportation to and from the ship to the excursion site, and necessary equipment.

Gambling costs: Nearly all ships offer state-of-the-art casinos with slot machines, video poker, and table games. Events such as tournaments and bingo games are also frequent cruise activities and prices vary.

Exclusive dining options: Most ships, particularly larger vessels, offer reservations-only dining venues for more intimate meals and exotic tastes. Fees may be per person or based on the food ordered. Exclusive snack options, such as gourmet ice cream, may also have extra charges.

Carbonated and alcoholic beverages: While water and juice are free and unlimited on most vessels, carbonated sodas and alcoholic drinks are not. Several cruise lines offer prepaid cards for carbonated drinks that allow the bearer to order as many as they wish, and alcoholic drinks range in price from $3 to $10 or more depending on the type of drink. Wine can be purchased by the bottle or by the glass. Specialty coffees may also incur an extra fee.

Photographs: Professional photographers are available on to capture every moment of your vacation, and while you can always preview your photos, there is no obligation to buy. Prices average $6-15 per photo depending on the size and are usually available throughout your cruise so you do not have to make your decision immediately.

Souvenirs: Every cruise ship offers onboard, duty-free shopping at a variety of stores, including jewelry boutiques, clothing stores, and standard souvenir ships with magnets, shot glasses, hats, toys, and other merchandise to commemorate your vacation. Prices are similar to land-based stores.

Spa treatments: Massages, facials, and manicures are available in every ship’s spa. Fees vary depending on the length of treatment, but specials are available throughout the cruise, such as in-port discounts and package deals.

Specialized fitness classes: Certain fitness classes may require a minimal charge, typically if the class involves specialized equipment or a reserved area.

Gratuities: Most cruise ships do not include tips in their fares, and the typical charge is $10 per passenger per day. You do have the option to adjust tips based on your experiences, however. Depending on the length of the cruise, the tips may be prepaid or automatically placed on your shipboard account, though you can still exercise your discretion.

Different cruise lines include different items in their fares that other lines may not. Typically, the more exclusive and luxurious the cruise line, the more likely they are to include incidental items such as tips and beverages in their fares.

Payment Methods On Board

Most cruise ships do not accept cash for onboard purchases. Instead, every passenger is issued an identification card that serves as the key to their onboard charge account for gift shops, photographs, and other purchases. Whenever you make a purchase, crew members charge it to your account, which you can pay at the end of your cruise in cash or via a major credit card. Most cruises require a deposit to activate your shipboard account, and any unspent funds (if you use a cash deposit) will be refunded at the end of the voyage. Credit cards are not charged until the end of the trip, so passengers are advised to be aware of their spending limits.

Answer 4

Gratuities for the houskeeper and dining staff is automatically added to your bill. Also,drinks are not included. Entertainment within the casino is also an additional cost but obviously this is optional.

Answer 5

You will have to pay for any purchases that you make in the ship stores and on land.   There is no tax added to the shore excursions (at least with Carnival).   Once you reach international waters there is no tax.

You will have to pay for alcholic or coke products on your trip.  Tips for the waiters and cabin staff.

Otherwise all your food and stuff is paid for.  

You will have a wonderful time.  What ship are you going on??  

Our family is taking a cruise in December as well.  I am sooooo excited.

Answer 6

You will pay for:

Alcohol.  $5 a drink give or take

Souvenirs.

Fountain beverages.  Get the soda coupon, its like $6/day and if you are at sea a lot it would help keep your bill down.  NOTE!:  soda cans in your stateroom do not count towards the soda coupon and you WILL be charged if you drink those sodas/waters.

Excursions not already paid for.

Tips/gratuities, unless you prepaid them while checking in.

Answer 7

the drinks are hella expensive so pack a few bottles of vodka or something that mixes well.  bring more than u think u need cuz you will drink it all.  pack them in your checked luggage.  they'll throw it away if its in your carry-on.  definitely take advantage of the food.  u already paid for it so u might as well try everything u want to.  at dinner, the food is usually marvelous and u can order more than one entree ie.  i had a salad, an appetizer, the filet mignon, the lobster, the pork chops, chocolate cake, and apple pie.  its almost like a 5 star buffet.  u don't have to finish everything you get...just enjoy it.  The excursions may charge tax depending on the country.  free fun is great too.  just sightseeing and stopping for a cheap bite to eat somewhere were some of the funnest parts of my cruises.  check out the shows as well.  u paid for them, and they are the same styles usually as vegas shows.  and make friends.  you will see your tablemates a lot and it can make ur trip very fun if you get along well together.  hope u have fun!!!

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Answer 8

They charge gratuities for the staff onto your card, but you do have the option at check-in to decline. A lot of times they wont tell you this so its good to mention it when you are embarking. Most ships operate on a cashless system, meaning you use your room card for purchases. Any purchase made onboard whether its a drink, or pics, or an excursion, is charged to the credit card you have on file. They wont tell you, but you do have the option of using cash for your account instead of a credit card. That way you set your maximum for your account, that's an option if you think you may overspend. Also don't forget sodas are not free, but you can buy an unlimited beverage card, and sometimes taxes are charged to both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks.