Been on a cruise?

[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 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

[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.