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Worried about extra charges


zoryana
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My husband and I are planning a cruise.

Besides excursions, tips for staff, room service, drinks. Is there any other fees I should be worried about. The reason I’m asking is because I hear so many people complain that after their cruise they get charged an extra $1000 or so. I’m scared for the hidden charges. Is it possible to pay for the cruise and tips and excursions and not have any extra charges?

 

 

Zoryana ❤️

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Gambling, purchases in the gift shop, and photos usually add up unless you watch yourself. If you plan to drink a lot purchase the beverage package that is offered. If you don’t drink much then just pay as you go. In my personal experience, if you consume more than six to eight alcoholic drinks a day then the beverage package is worth the money.

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You have to present your room card and/or sign for extra charge items, so it's impossible to end up with $1,000 in extra charges and not know about it. There are no "hidden" charges.

 

Roz

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We had a recent cruise where our last statement showed an accrued amount of $45. for our last bill.

 

I cannot remember what that was for, but it was legitimate. I think she had bought some trinket in one of the shops.

 

That was it.

 

Oh...we actually had a different cruise where the ship gave us a $39. credit that we never did find out what it was for. My best guess was for a change in port fees/taxes or in the exchange rate of the local currency.

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I don't think that anyone has mentioned specialty dining yet. Your fare includes the main dining room(s) and the buffet. It may include some other restaurants, but that is specific to the cruise line and ship. Most specialty restaurants cost extra. In some everything is à la carte (you order from a menu with prices showing), but there might also be some with a fixed additional charge. There is no need to eat in any specialty restaurants.

 

I agree that you should consider your likely consumption when choosing to buy a drinks package or not. Alcoholic beverages are fairly expensive, but you would need to have eight to ten a day to make the drinks package a good value. However, carbonated soft drinks are also extra on many ships and if you drink many of those you may want a drinks package--there are some that cover only the extra-charge non-alcoholic beverages. Typically you'll find water plus lemonade, iced tea, or both available free all the time.

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My husband and I are planning a cruise.

Besides excursions, tips for staff, room service, drinks. Is there any other fees I should be worried about. The reason I’m asking is because I hear so many people complain that after their cruise they get charged an extra $1000 or so. I’m scared for the hidden charges. Is it possible to pay for the cruise and tips and excursions and not have any extra charges?

 

 

Zoryana ❤️

 

There are no hidden charges. If one pays attention there should be no surprise charges. As with other good hotels, one can check portfolio charges using the cabin's tv or through a visit to guest services.

 

It is possible to prepay pretty much anything one might want.

 

There are of course many opportunities and enticements to spend more while cruising. But in all cases one should be made aware ahead of time that there is a charge.

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That's right. There are daily gratuities...clearly stated, so no surprise. ANYTHING you purchase carries an 18% tip....added to your bill...again, no surprise.

 

Of course it's possible to pre=pay everything you want, and have no additional charges.

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People end up with a $1000 bill not because the charges were hidden, but because they got caught up in the cruise experience and weren't paying attention to their spending. When you are sitting by the pool, attending a show, listening to a musical group, and a server asks if you want some fruity, colorful drink with an umbrella in it, it is so easy to say yes. After all, you are on vacation. You just hand them your room card to pay for it and it doesn't feel like you are spending real money. Until you get that bill! Yikes! So check your account several times throughout the cruise to see how you are doing. (Plus you should keep an eye open for billing mistakes.)

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Yes it is.

 

I think I spent under $200 for two people last fall. I actually boarded with $650 in gift cards (all bought at a discount - mostly I paid $90 for each $100 GC) and I know I got almost $400 back on the last night - depending upon what cruise line getting cash back can be a little tricky so be careful - but it can be done.

 

My internet package was prepaid. I don't drink much so I am a pay-as-you-go type (maybe a couple of drinks a day max).

 

I book excursions privately as opposed to ship excursions (prebooked for the Western Caribbean but not for the Eastern side) and get better value for my money. I spend a teeny bit in the casino but I set aside cash for that all year long.

 

I don't play bingo. I certainly don't shop in the ships shops for anything other than maybe a five hour energy drink but no way jose am I buying clothes or watches or jewelry or ship trinkets or gold by the inch or scarves or rum cakes. :D

 

I bring my own soda. I bring a Yeti or Corkcicle and either bring a soft sided cooler or buy one in the fun shop (prepaid) and have it waiting in the cabin.

 

I don't buy pictures. Maybe one but never more than that and I'd be OK if it was just a digital pic instead of a printed one. Max budget for pics is one. No more and I've done cruises where I didn't purchase any. I don't even slow down anymore for the ones taken at embarkation or at any of the ports.

 

I don't drink coffee but DH does and he's fine with Lido or room service coffee. No expense for us at the coffee shop. Same for the fancy deserts. He's fine with the Lido ice cream and I don't much care for the sweets onboard. It clashes with all the salt in the air! :D

 

I usually do at least one specialty restaurant once.

 

I put my phone on Airplane mode and don't take it off one single time. Not even in ports. Not even in ports that are US (like St Thomas or San Juan). But interestingly last cruise I was able to make a phone call from Roatan and began to get texts (from my freaking work of all places) and that lasted all cruise from about mid week - it was all happening via WiFi - I did have a premium package but man was I surprised. No extra charges on my phone bill - I kept double and triple checking to be sure it was still on Airplane Mode! :)

 

My tips are prepaid. I do tip extra to my steward and on all bar drinks.

 

Most of my expenses are in the ports. I research, research, research and then research some more. I have a good idea of what I'd like to do and in a lot of cases, my excursions are paid in full before the cruise. But we like to eat off the ship (we cruise the Caribbean so seafood is usually - ok, always - on my to do list when in port and we almost always have to try a local beer). I almost always know exactly what to expect for costs in any given port. I have researched the taxi costs, I have researched the restaurants and menus, I have researched the time differences and I have researched the maps around the port area.

 

You can do it. You just have to be aware of the costs before you go. I pretty know almost the penny what I'm going to spend and what I'm going to spend it on. I have a spreadsheet that I use for each cruise down to planning my cost for a meal in the airport. Maybe I'm a bit anal about that - but I've never overspent on a cruise and I've never had one of those final bill surprises either!

 

Happy cruising! You'll have a blast on your first cruise!

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On our last cruise to Alaska, we received OBC from our TA as well as the cruise line. Gratuities paid for, ate dinner at a specialty restaurant, bought pictures and souvenirs on board as well as tickets for the tram in one port and actually disembarked getting owed money! All of our other excursions were third party and pre-paid so yes, it is very possible to do

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OP: One of the biggest "hidden charges" is when you get home and find you have a $1000 phone bill. After boarding turn off your phone(s) and put them in the safe. Or at least put them in "airplane mode" and turn back on the WiFi and sign up for one of the ships WiFi plans. Check with your phone carrier about cruise ship plans and international plans if you want to use your phone while in port.

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My husband and I are planning a cruise.

Besides excursions, tips for staff, room service, drinks. Is there any other fees I should be worried about. The reason I’m asking is because I hear so many people complain that after their cruise they get charged an extra $1000 or so. I’m scared for the hidden charges. Is it possible to pay for the cruise and tips and excursions and not have any extra charges?

 

 

Zoryana ❤️

 

OP, feeling any comfort yet after all these responses? The upshot seems to be: 1) you'll know about the charges before you incur them, unless you literally aren't paying any attention. Like picking out a piece of jewelry and buying it without looking at the price tag. But assuming you successfully shop on land, it's no different at sea (just pricier). 2) You CAN easily cruise without paying anything additional. It feels like most folks (my wife and I included) usually run up a modest bill for incidentals. So be realistic and realize that you probably will find things you want to do that cost extra. A specialty dining experience, an excursion, a spa treatment, a t-shirt from the gift shops, etc. Just like you would on any landbased trip, there are always those "extras" that you CAN live without, but just don't want to because it is, afterall, a vacation. And if these kinds of things sound interesting, many can be reserved and pre-paid before you sail. Hence, you end up with an on-board bill of almost nothing.

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OP: One of the biggest "hidden charges" is when you get home and find you have a $1000 phone bill. After boarding turn off your phone(s) and put them in the safe. Or at least put them in "airplane mode" and turn back on the WiFi and sign up for one of the ships WiFi plans. Check with your phone carrier about cruise ship plans and international plans if you want to use your phone while in port.

 

Excellent point. Extra charges aren't limited to your onboard accounts.

 

Roz

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Be advised, refrigerator / mini bar will have sodas, water, some other goodies.

 

You will be charged.

 

Not on Carnival. All mini-bars are not empty at embarkation and there are no other goodies available for purchase in the cabin with the exception of a clearly labeled 1lt bottle of water. EDIT: It look as though OP is sailing on NCL. Not sure what they have in the cabin. Sorry.

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There really aren't 'hidden' charges, just a lot of things that you can buy or do which can add up since you are not handing over 'real' money. Anything extra you buy, order or do on board you will have to use your ship card for so it shouldn't be a surprise. What can be a surprise if how much this can all add up to.

 

Most ships let you keep track of your spending on the tv.

 

Some people aren't aware of or understand the daily service charge/tip. It's not a hidden charge, but a few people don't know about it.

 

The cell phone issue is something to really pay attention to; you can rack up huge bills if it's not turned off/airplane mode

 

If you have kids be aware of how quickly they can spend a lot on things like video games.

 

We have actually had money refunded to us several times from OBC because we just don't spend much on board. Hardly ever drink--actually never on a cruise--hate the casino--the art auctions--the junk in the shops--etc. Might buy a picture or two. Don't do ship tours, etc. Seldom do specialty restaurants unless included, etc.

 

We are probably a cruise line's nightmare. We only cruise if it is a great deal and spend little on board.

 

So really, there aren't hidden charges, but you can be surprised how fast it all adds up if you don't use some discretion.

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My husband and I are planning a cruise.

Besides excursions, tips for staff, room service, drinks. Is there any other fees I should be worried about. The reason I’m asking is because I hear so many people complain that after their cruise they get charged an extra $1000 or so. I’m scared for the hidden charges. Is it possible to pay for the cruise and tips and excursions and not have any extra charges?

 

 

Zoryana ❤️

 

Where did you get the idea of "hidden charges".

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Yes you can pay for the cruise, tips and excursions ahead of time and not have any other charges--that is unless you buy things like drinks, spa treatments, tees, etc. These other charges will not be hidden; you will use your cruise card to pay for them and will be billed the extra at the end of the cruise. Ships are cashless.

 

You can spend thousands of extra dollars on board on absolutely nothing. Up to you.

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Where did you get the idea of "hidden charges".

 

When you're offered a drink during sail away by waiters welcoming you with full platters, who after you accept the drink, ask for your card. That resembles a hidden charge. Actually it resembles a trick you'd expect from gypsies in tourist traps in Amsterdam who haven't been locked up by the police yet.

 

Can't think of other charges, though. Apart from the welcome drink, in my experience, the ships are very honest. Some things are very expensive, like when you suddenly need a painting in the middle of the ocean, but there are no surprises.

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