Been on a cruise?

[Jiu Jitsu Jon]

Uncle Sam owes me some money. Going to take the wife on a cruise, probably down into Mexico and the Bahamas. Anybody been on a cruise before?

[Dayze]

australia had the most beautiful women I've ever seen. they were everywhere.
it was glorious. and, they were super Nice. I couldn't believe it.

from Dumb and Dumber:
"...I mean. She actually TALKED to me man"

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by Dayze

australia had the most beautiful women I've ever seen. they were everywhere.
it was glorious. and, they were super Nice. I couldn't believe it.

from Dumb and Dumber:
"...I mean. She actually TALKED to me man"

I've heard this..

I've also heard they love American men?

[Jiu Jitsu Jon]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

would cruising with a 1 yr old be worth it?

Are you asking for you of for me? My boy is almost 2 and would be staying with his grandparents during our cruise.

[Jiu Jitsu Jon]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

A floating prison, fitting.

Wrong, I don't have to hide the prune wine I make. Also they don't force me to make license plates. Oh and I can have all the food I want. I'm not stabbing anybody in the eye for another piece of cake (not that I've done that).

[Jiu Jitsu Jon]

LOL, someone actually neg repped me for this thread. Of all my posts, this one somehow drew his ire. I guess my Rich Gannon avatar was just the last straw.

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by Jiu Jitsu Jon

LOL, someone actually neg repped me for this thread. Of all my posts, this one somehow drew his ire. I guess my Rich Gannon avatar was just the last straw.

I actually appreciate the thread. I am looking to do the same and have learned quite a bit. They actually charge you for a god damn soda on these things!?

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by mdchiefsfan

I actually appreciate the thread. I am looking to do the same and have learned quite a bit. They actually charge you for a god damn soda on these things!?

If you go to one of the bars yeah...it's ridiculous.

I took a couple giant clear plastic "smartwater" bottles and dumped them out, filled them up w/ vodka I bought off shore and snuck it back on the boat. Vodka offshore was extremely cheap.

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

If you go to one of the bars yeah...it's ridiculous.

I took a couple giant clear plastic "smartwater" bottles and dumped them out, filled them up w/ vodka I bought off shore and snuck it back on the boat. Vodka offshore was extremely cheap.

So if I were to smuggle in some whiskey and ordered some soda with the 24 hour room service I would have to pay for a coke? Or if your out at the bar and choosing not to drink so you have a soda, then you're charged? I just want that clarified.

Any other hidden fees I should be aware of? I am seeing something about tipping. I guess that isn't included if you want to have room service or what not.

[Old Dog]

Originally Posted by mdchiefsfan

So if I were to smuggle in some whiskey and ordered some soda with the 24 hour room service I would have to pay for a coke? Or if your out at the bar and choosing not to drink so you have a soda, then you're charged? I just want that clarified.

Any other hidden fees I should be aware of? I am seeing something about tipping. I guess that isn't included if you want to have room service or what not.

Only speaking for Carnival again, since that's the only one I know.
Yeah, you would pay for the coke. Of course you could carry it on with you (Up to a 12 pack of 20oz bottles).

Tipping....you're charged $11.50 per person per day for tips.....of this amount $3.70 per day goes to stateroom services, $5.80 to dining room services, and $2.00 to "other" (kitchen staff, entertainment, guest services, etc). For us, we just prepay the things and don't worry about them later, but many post them to their sign and sail account, so that would add up pretty quick. You can adjust or remove them as well at the guest services desk.

Other fees...
Alcohol isn't any more expensive than normal bar prices, but I've heard of peole running up a hell of a charge in just a few days. It's easy to lose track of how much you've spent when you just hand them your sign and sail card/room key.

Specialty restraunts (steakhouses etc) are up to $30 plus drinks each, but most folks never go to them. The Mrs and I did for our 25th anniversary, but we didn't this past cruise.

Excursions are often overpriced if you buy them from Carnival and you may be better off if you book on your own but I'm gonna add a caveat here.....if you're planning something that's going to cut you short getting back to the boat and you booked a private excursion, you're likely to be left. If you booked through the ship, they'll wait on you. The excursion the Mrs and I were on was over 90 minutes late in Cozumel last year and they held the boat. Just do your homnework.

Sorry for the book sized post, but I've got plenty more info if anyone wants it.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by mdchiefsfan

So if I were to smuggle in some whiskey and ordered some soda with the 24 hour room service I would have to pay for a coke? Or if your out at the bar and choosing not to drink so you have a soda, then you're charged? I just want that clarified.

Any other hidden fees I should be aware of? I am seeing something about tipping. I guess that isn't included if you want to have room service or what not.

Correct, soda is not included. Why people want to drink that garbage is a different discussion, but you can purchase a pass/card/sticker/whatever that gives you unlimited soda for the length of your cruise.

Tips for bar drinks, pool drinks, etc. are already built into the cost of the beverage (Carnival adds 15%).

Tips for your cabin steward, waiter, assistant waiter, etc. are charged to you at a per-day rate (something like $11.50 per person per day). If you want to give additional tip you can.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by Old Dog

Alcohol isn't any more expensive than normal bar prices,

Yep, they don't really gouge you.


Domestic:
Blue Moon 12oz - $4.95
Bud/Bud Light 16oz - $5.75
Bud Light Lime 16oz - $6.25
Coors Light 16oz - $5.75
Michelob Ultra 16oz - $5.75
Miller Lite 16oz - $5.75
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale ?oz - $? (new offering)
ThirstyFrog Red: 20oz - $5.75 (draught)
60oz pitcher - $15.75 (draught)
101oz beer tube - $25.75 (draught)

Non Alcoholic:
Buckler 12oz - $3.95

Malt Beverage:
Smirnoff Ice 12oz - $5.75
Import:
Amstel Reg/Lite 12oz - $4.95
Bass Ale 12oz - $4.95
Beck's 12oz - $4.95
Boddingtons 16oz - $5.95
Corona/Corona Light 12oz - $4.95
Dos Equis 12oz - $4.95
Fosters 25oz - $6.75
Grolsch 16oz - $5.95
Guinness Pub Draught 16oz - $5.95
Heineken 11oz - $4.95
Molson 12oz - $4.95
Pilsner Urquell 12oz - $4.95
Stella Artois 12oz - $4.95


Rum:
Appleton Estate VX, Appleton White, Bacardi, Bacardi Limon,
Captain Morgan's Spiced, Gosling's Black Seal, Malibu - $60

Brandy:
Hiram Walker Apricot, Hiram Walker Blackberry,
Hiram Walker Cherry - $40
Rémy Martin - $85
Vodka:
Skyy - $50
Absolut, Absolut Citron, Finlandia, Smirnoff, Stolichnaya,
Three Olives - $60
Kettle One - $75
Grey Goose - $80
Whiskey / Bourbon:
Cutty Sark - $50
Canadian Club, Jim Beam, Seagram's 7 - $55
Jameson - $60
Crown Royal, Jack Daniel's - $65
Maker's Mark - $70
Gin:
Sloe Gin - $40
Beefeater - $50
Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray - $65
Scotch:
Dewar's 12, Glenmorangie (Single Malt), Johnny
Walker Black - $75
Chivas Regal - $80
Liqueurs:
Hiram Walker Peach Schnapps - $40
Di Saronno Ameretto, Frangelico, Galliano, Kahlua,
Southern Comfort - $55
Bailey's Irish Cream - $60
Chambord, Grand Marnier, Jägermeister, Limóncello - $65
Tequila:
Margaritaville Gold - $55
1800 Reposado - $65
Sauza Hornitos Reposado - $75
Patron Silver - $85
Patron Reposado - $95

[Old Dog]

One other one that bites us in the ass pretty well is the photos. Most evenings on the Promenade deck they have photographers taking pictures. They also take them when you board and disembark in every port. The 8x10's run something like $22 each and the Mrs seems to think I need a couple of reminders as to how damn old I look or just wants to be able to prove I do own a suit so she HAS TO HAVE a handful of the flipping things. I think she bought five on the one a year ago and three this time....oh well, if mamma ain't happy, I sure as hell won't be either.

[Old Dog]

Unless I'm mistaken those are the "Bon Voyage" prices that DaKC posted. Those are the bottles you can preorder OR order from room service if the stuff in your luggage didn't make it in. They're 1L bottles if anyone cares.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by Old Dog

Unless I'm mistaken those are the "Bon Voyage" prices that DaKC posted. Those are the bottles you can preorder OR order from room service if the stuff in your luggage didn't make it in. They're 1L bottles if anyone cares.

Correct. You can see per-glass prices here: http://www.shipcruise.org/carnival-c...alcohol-prices

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

I've heard this..

I've also heard they love American men?

this is true also 90% of the time.

I was talking to a gal at a bar (which I never do); she was behind me in line for beer etc, and we started talking. she followed me back to our table and just talked/hung out for a bit. then got up nd says "well, I'll look for you later, it was nice meeting you". about an hour later, a bikini contest was on ; chicks are walking out looking amazing. I'm naturally in the 1 stor 2nd row, then the chick i was talking with for a good 1.5 hrs (her name was Petra by the way) comes out on stage. happens to see me, has a Huge smile on her face and waves) etc.

about an hour later she sits back down with us. then asks if I want to go out and maybe get a drink somehwere else. I leave my buddies (obviously. they were like ). We go have a drink or two. Then she asks if I have to go back to the ship tonight, and if not did I have a place to stay. I say no. Then offers up "Well, if you don't want to pay for a hotel, you can stay at my place"

The entire time on our way to her house, in my mind I had an internal monologue of "Please let me get laid, please let me get laid......". We get there. Watch TV for a while. She gets up get a bottle of water, returns, sets it on the table then sits/straddles my lap -.....and IT"S ON bitches. The sexs was unreal and 'fun'. In that she wasn't all shy, but smiling and sort of a "ooh..Let's do it this way!".

Upon 'completion', we were talking and I said somethin to the effect of she was very nice and I had a great time etc and that I usually don't hit it off so well.

She said "well you were SO nice to me, and weren't asshole. You're way better than most of the Aussie (the used a term for them I can't remember) men I've met; nice and consideate.


It's literally the only time I've met a chick and ended up gettig naked time the same night; not to mention this chick was 15 out of 10 - smokin hot - Brunette, Green Eyes, about 6' tall. . Hottest gal I've ever got dirty with. Got it the next day/night too, but had to leave back to the ship/leave port. Best port EVAH. I almost thought about just staying there and letting the ship leave without me lol.