When you go on a cruise, what is generally included?

Question

I have never been on a cruise without my parents, i'm planning on one and looking but is food/drinks etc. included or how does it work?

what should i budget for, besides the shore excursions there must be other things correct?

Answer 1

All of the shipboard entertainment is included,all meals are included unless you go to a specialty restaurant. They will let you know which ones on board(or check the ship's website). Tipping,drinks,spa services and laundry are not included.Tips are usually added to your shipboard acct. The drinks you just sign for and are added to your bill.Go to a travel agent and get a brochure or look on the cruiseline website for more info. I have been on 13 cruises. My husband and I love. They wait on you hand and foot.

Answer 2

check out cruisecritic.com I love that site. The people there will answer all your questions and even tell you things that most cruisers don't know.

Answer 3

Regardless of which cruise line you select, the things that are included are pretty much the same. The price of your cruise includes your cabin, all meals (including breakfast, lunch dinner, snacks and free room service)(you do pay to eat in the specialty restaurants), all shows and entertainment, and free use of all facilities on ship like the gym, pools and hot tubs, disco, etc.. 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.

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% 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: most cruise lines have what they call "specialty" restaurants where there is 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 Access: 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).

You cabin will likely have a minibar with soft drinks and munchies; you have to pay for them (but there is free room service 24/7).

Once you are on the ship it's essentially cashless.  Everything that you buy on ship goes on the account set up when you check in.  On a 7 day cruise about $100 - $200 cash is about all you will need to cover souvenirs you may buy in/at a port stop or catching a taxi if you decide to go on your own to a beach, and other incidentals.  Everything else goes on your charge card.  So once you pay for your cruise you'll need about a couple hundred for pocket money; that's assuming you have a credit card to take care of your on-board expenses.

Answer 4

Generally (check on your cls web page) included is:

The cabin you choice.

Food, included some none alcoholic beverages such as lemonade.

Entertainment.

Excluded is:

Most beverages (such as beers and drinks)

Tip (even thou it could be pre paid, check your ticket). A 15% bar tip will be aded to every bar note.

Extras such as casino play and spa threatment and art actions.

Howewer I spent much less than I excpected. But if you like to drink alot then your costs will skyrocks since most drinks is around $5 or so. The best way to do a budget is to make up how much you can afford and then split it in 7 for a seven night cruise. Then you want run out of money at the end of it.

Another tip is to be sure to check if a thing that you take is included or not. Some time they will just serve you drinks and then expect you to give them your card for payment... And its also even more thru for the cabin bar. Its filled with things but theyre will charge you for everything that you take... Johan