New to cruising -- What is not included???

[Roxie2008]

Hi!

I am planning on taking my first cruise on the Epic but I'm so confused as to what is and is not included. I understand that some restaurants have a surcharge but what about drinks throughout the day and other things like that. Please help me figure out some of this stuff....

thanks!

[Beanie01]

Soda and alcohol are not included. It gets charged to your sea pass (which doubles as your cabin key), and it's linked to your credit card. (Coffee, ice tea, and lemonade should be included.)

Specialty restaurants are not included, however, two nice restaurants are included (Manhattan Room, Taste) as well as the buffet/stations place, so there is no need to go to a specialty restaurant if you choose not to.

Cirque Dreams two-hour dinner show is not included. There is a $15 charge, which will include the dinner and the show.

The Ice Bar is not included. There is a fee, but includes a drink or two.

Spa services are not included, but the fitness should be free.

Room service requires a cash tip, as well as cash for any taxis you may take in port.

Hope this helps!

[micheleg]

Hi Roxie!

Wow...your first cruise...and what a ship to take it on! You'll have a blast! Here's what's not included in what you've already paid for (i.e., Cabin Price, Taxes, Port Feeds, and airfare if applicable):

1. Daily Gratuities (Cabin, Suite, Restaurant, Room Service or any additional you deem)
2. Soft Drinks & Liquor (Gratuities are added to check)
3. Photos
4. Excursions
5. Any additional shipboard purchases from stores onboard
6. Any surcharge restaurants/bars/shows (we're still waiting for that info)
7. Spa/Salon
8. Dry Cleaning
9. All offship purchases

These are the standard additional charges. Because we don't know about all of the offerings yet for the Epic, there may be more.

Water, tea, coffee, some juices are available at different venues throughout the day at no additional charge. If you drink a lot of soda, a fountain soda card can be purchased (1 per person) to be used throughout the cruise so you can get refills at any restaurant or bar for no additional charge over what you paid for the card.

Hope this info helps and have fun!
Michele :)

[FLAHAM]

Also...

Taxes and port fees (generally between $100 and $150)

Service charge of $12/person/day ($168 for two passengers for one week) - These are most of the "daily gratuities" noted above

Activity fees (bingo, ship's tour, towel-folding and cocktail-tasting seminars, etc.)

Laundry (not just dry cleaning)

Getting to and from the Port of Miami

Casino expenses

Also, while it is certainly possible to avoid the restaurants with a charge, do you really want to spend a week on vacation on a ship with twenty restaurants and only try the main dining room and buffet? I suggest budgeting $100 to $200 total for the restaurants.

[oLEEander]

I've never run across lemonade after 7 ncl cruises, but perhaps its just the ships I've sailed on. Usually there are 2 types of juice available for free during breakfast hours, and at least one juice can be found in the kids buffet section through out the day. Milk is available at all times for free in all venues.

Cappuccino and Espresso are also free in all the dining rooms, as well as the buffets on the newer ships and at numerous bars.

Rock climbing walls have been free, while the bowling alleys charge a nominal fee.

While the gym is free, there will be certain fitness classes offered which will incur a charge.

In the past tapas has been available for free in the Mexican restaurant at least when you order a drink. I've never done one without the other so don't know if the drink is required.

Behind the scene tours incur a charge, but the on board tours offered on embarktion days are free.

The gaming classes offered by the casino are free, but the slot tournaments have a fee.

Hope this helps.

[oLEEander]

Activity fees (bingo, ship's tour, towel-folding and cocktail-tasting seminars, etc.)



This might be just a bit misleading. Yes there is a charge for bingo and the behind the scenes tour, as well as the tasting seminars. Other activities such as towel-folding, dance classes, digital photography seminars, travel seminars have always been free. All activities will be noted in the daily freestyle and will indicate if there is a charge.

The library is also free, you'll find free daily word play puzzles there as well.

[snorklin'barb]

Soda and alcohol are not included. It gets charged to your sea pass (which doubles as your cabin key), and it's linked to your credit card. (Coffee, ice tea, and lemonade should be included.)

Specialty restaurants are not included, however, two nice restaurants are included (Manhattan Room, Taste) as well as the buffet/stations place, so there is no need to go to a specialty restaurant if you choose not to.

Cirque Dreams two-hour dinner show is not included. There is a $15 charge, which will include the dinner and the show.

The Ice Bar is not included. There is a fee, but includes a drink or two.

Spa services are not included, but the fitness should be free.

Room service requires a cash tip, as well as cash for any taxis you may take in port.

Hope this helps!

Good tips. But I agree with OLEEander - in dozens of NCL cruises, no lemonade offered anywhere free of charge.

I love that espressos & cappuccinos are complimentary at all meals. You only pay if you go to the Java Cafe in between dining hours and order one.

Also, room service does not "require" a cash tip. Certainly is nice (and customary) to offer a couple of $ but it's absolutely not required. I've had the guy/gal run out so quickly I just about had to chase them to stick a dollar or two in their hands.;):D

[calmac]

If you are in a suite you would be expected to give your concierge and butler a cash tip at the end of the cruise (they are not part of the pool which receives a share of the $12 per person per day which is charged to your onboard account).

Also, if you have children who attend the Kids Club the counsellors do not receive a share of the $12 so would expect a tip too.

[sandancer]

Good tips. But I agree with OLEEander - in dozens of NCL cruises, no lemonade offered anywhere free of charge.

I love that espressos & cappuccinos are complimentary at all meals. You only pay if you go to the Java Cafe in between dining hours and order one.

Also, room service does not "require" a cash tip. Certainly is nice (and customary) to offer a couple of $ but it's absolutely not required. I've had the guy/gal run out so quickly I just about had to chase them to stick a dollar or two in their hands.;):DHello Barb, I was hoping you would be joining us on the Epic TA, some of the others from the Pearl TA are also going to be there. Best regards, Elaine

[Roxie2008]

WOW! Thanks for all the great replies. I feel so overwhelmed right now. I don't have a problem drinking tea all day but I think my daughter might have a problem with it. Do we just have to pay for each soda as she wants it??? Do they have an upfront fee we can pay???

Thanks Again!

[oLEEander]

WOW! Thanks for all the great replies. I feel so overwhelmed right now. I don't have a problem drinking tea all day but I think my daughter might have a problem with it. Do we just have to pay for each soda as she wants it??? Do they have an upfront fee we can pay???

Thanks Again!

Soda cards are available for under 12 yrs old @ $4 per day x's length of cruise. Adult soda cards are $6.25 per day x's length of cruise. There is also a teen passport which is a book of tickets which can be redeemed for 20 smoothies or sodas. I'm not sure what the current cost is of this option is. The soda cards can be pre-purchased under the cruise gift area on ncl.com, or purchase on ship. All the above options are only available for purchase on board for the first day and 1/2. I learned this lesson when I waited too long to decide if the kids would really need the soda card.

1st cruises are so exciting!

[livetheatre]

Having just experienced this 'first cruise' thing back in September I can totally relate on how you are feeling...I was overwhelmed as well. The people here on the boards were terrific and helped me be much more at ease for the surprise cruise for my pregnant wife.

I will say that we did not do soda cards, did not do a specialty restaurant, only had a few drinks (me not Preg Wife!!!) and had a very small on board balance at the end. You could...in reality...step on board, drink tea, eat at the free places (EPIC will have many) and not spend an extra penny! Although I would at least be tempted to do the Cirque show...I wish I could remember what we spent but it was so little...less that $125 and that included the $50 for transfer to Ft. Lauderdale airport.

Best of luck on the cruise and please come back and share your review...there are many of us here who will be going on EPIC much later!

[mitsugirly]

I'm trying to do a spread sheet to figure out how much I will need. I noticed Bingo on this thread. Anyone know how much they charge?

[PorgynBess]

Depending on the cruise line and crude oil price at the time, it's possible you'll be charged with a fuel supplement.