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I read that most food and some drinks are included. Does that mean I can still eat 24 hours a day and at least get a free soda or water? What about "room service?" I don't want to plan to go on a cruise with 20 friends and family and find out there are indeed many hidden costs! I myself will be paying for 2 adults and 2 kids.
Food and some drinks are included, but I think each cruise line has different things that may be included. So I suggest you check with whatever line youre going to use.
Food is included - yes you can eat 24 hours a day. Room service is also included in that price. Some cruise lines have speciality restaurants that charge around $20 a person extra to eat there, but the food is usually far superior or speciality, like steak, fancy Italian etc. You can still get steak, italian in the dining room, but they usually have theme nights every night so it depends.
Drinks that are included are lemonade, iced tea, and coffee. Juice is usually available only at breakfast. For soda, if you are a big soda drinker, you can buy a soda card at the beginning of the cruise for $20-30 and it is then unlimited, but you can only get soda at the bars.
Some of the extra things you pay for are - Tips (when you buy drinks and at the end of the cruise, all drinks at the bar, casino, and bingo. Bingo is cash but just about everything else goes on your room card and you pay up at the end.
There is plenty of things to do without paying extra. Unless you are a really big drinker, I would say the average bill at the end of the cruise for all those extras, including gift shop stuff - would be between $100-$200 for a couple. Oh that is not including the tips at the end.
I have been on 7 cruises - Carnival and Royal Caribbean. However, every cruise line has its own personality so you have to find the best fit for your group.
Stacylee has hit it pretty much right on the head. We've been on 9 cruises, 7 with Princess. All food is free 24 hours a day except in the specialty restaurants. Water, coffee, tea, milk is free at the diners. Bottled water costs extra. All liquor, gambling, bingo, are extra. Satellite cafes, like the pizza parlor, the pizza is free, drinks are extra.
If you watch your budget, like Stacy says you'll get by on less than $200.00 for extras.
BTW, all shows are free and they are generally spectacular. The game shows in the lounges are a lot of fun that you participate in. Especially the Newlywed Game segment.
Pools, movies, miniature golf, basketball, etc etc are all free. Lot's to do to keep you entertained.
Cruise ships are mimature cities with tons of amenities to keep you occupied and having an enjoyable trip.
Side trips off the ship are extra. Pick the ones you'll think you'll enjoy the most. There will be plenty to choose from. Helicoptor flights are spectacular.
If you are indeed planning to eat 24 hrs a day taking the cruise may be a bad idea for your health
true true! I won't be eating all day and night, but wanted to make sure that there was not some "odd rule" that food was only free from 5am untill midnight...and then you only had options to eat if you paid for it. I will be planning a group event and I know some people work the night shift, so no doubt they will want to have options to eat at 2am.
THANKS everyone! Looks like Carnival will have some business!
If you are indeed planning to eat 24 hrs a day taking the cruise may be a bad idea for your health
true...I left weighing 205 and came back weighing 215...that was almost a year ago...I now weigh 215-220...it suuucks. But I haven't exactly tried to lose any...yet.
Carnival has a butt kicking pizza bar open 24/7....the calzones are made as you order and are HUGE...dont ask me how I know...lol
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true true! I won't be eating all day and night, but wanted to make sure that there was not some "odd rule" that food was only free from 5am untill midnight...and then you only had options to eat if you paid for it. I will be planning a group event and I know some people work the night shift, so no doubt they will want to have options to eat at 2am.
