Help in figuring out likely additional costs

[BermudaMom]

I'd appreciate some advice re additional costs that may be expected on a cruise.

 

We have two family members joining us in the fall on a 14 night sailing on the Eclipse. We purchased the cabin for them whilst on board a cruise a few months ago and that booking shows the room gratuities (at $12 per day per person) included in the total cost and also shows taxes and fees. We're paying for these. They will need to pay for any extras like beverage packages, tours etc.

 

They're trying to calculate how much additional expense they'll have in order to save toward extra things but one thing we're unclear of are gratuities for Select Dining. We chose that on the booking for them as we've had it in the past and like the convenience and have it in our booking. But, I'm a bit embarassed to say I haven't paid much attention to gratuities for this. Would I be correct in thinking they'd only have to pay gratuities for any nights they/we actually dined in the main dining room? So, if they/we chose some evening to eat in the cafe, they'd avoid some of these additional gratuities costs? Is there a set gratuity for Select Dining per person?

 

There is an OBC on the booking of $250 which we're fine with them using toward additional costs but without a clear understanding of the Select Dining, we're a bit puzzled on what additional they may need to cover.

 

As always, I'd appreciate advice from my fellow Cruise Critic members! Thanks in advance.

[Lois R]

I'd appreciate some advice re additional costs that may be expected on a cruise.

 

We have two family members joining us in the fall on a 14 night sailing on the Eclipse. We purchased the cabin for them whilst on board a cruise a few months ago and that booking shows the room gratuities (at $12 per day per person) included in the total cost and also shows taxes and fees. We're paying for these. They will need to pay for any extras like beverage packages, tours etc.

 

They're trying to calculate how much additional expense they'll have in order to save toward extra things but one thing we're unclear of are gratuities for Select Dining. We chose that on the booking for them as we've had it in the past and like the convenience and have it in our booking. But, I'm a bit embarassed to say I haven't paid much attention to gratuities for this. Would I be correct in thinking they'd only have to pay gratuities for any nights they/we actually dined in the main dining room? So, if they/we chose some evening to eat in the cafe, they'd avoid some of these additional gratuities costs? Is there a set gratuity for Select Dining per person?

 

There is an OBC on the booking of $250 which we're fine with them using toward additional costs but without a clear understanding of the Select Dining, we're a bit puzzled on what additional they may need to cover.

 

As always, I'd appreciate advice from my fellow Cruise Critic members! Thanks in advance.

 

Hi:) if they have SELECT DINING? Those gratuties are paid up front,

before you take the cruise..in other words when the cruise is paid for

so are the gratuties......nothing extra is needed after boarding

the ship gratuitiy wise. (Unless they want to of course;)).

[CathyCruises]

Your 'room gratuities' includes the dining room, so they are already covered.

 

One way to keep expenses down is to bring sodas/water with you on board as well as your allowed two bottles of wine per stateroom; research your ports of call thoroughly and avoid expensive cruise line excursions (very easy to DIY in most ports); don't visit the casino (!); and stay away from the spa!

 

Since you have already paid your gratuities, you will be able to use your $250 OBC toward anything you enjoy, such as a delicious pina colada by the pool!!;)

[20pluscruises]

I'd appreciate some advice re additional costs that may be expected on a cruise.

 

We have two family members joining us in the fall on a 14 night sailing on the Eclipse. We purchased the cabin for them whilst on board a cruise a few months ago and that booking shows the room gratuities (at $12 per day per person) included in the total cost and also shows taxes and fees. We're paying for these. They will need to pay for any extras like beverage packages, tours etc.

 

They're trying to calculate how much additional expense they'll have in order to save toward extra things but one thing we're unclear of are gratuities for Select Dining. We chose that on the booking for them as we've had it in the past and like the convenience and have it in our booking. But, I'm a bit embarassed to say I haven't paid much attention to gratuities for this. Would I be correct in thinking they'd only have to pay gratuities for any nights they/we actually dined in the main dining room? So, if they/we chose some evening to eat in the cafe, they'd avoid some of these additional gratuities costs? Is there a set gratuity for Select Dining per person?

 

There is an OBC on the booking of $250 which we're fine with them using toward additional costs but without a clear understanding of the Select Dining, we're a bit puzzled on what additional they may need to cover.

 

As always, I'd appreciate advice from my fellow Cruise Critic members! Thanks in advance.

 

If you booked aqua class...gratuities may still be owed for the dining only. This is aqua class only. However, if you "booked" select dining these should be already paid for /included in the cost at time of booking.

 

Pictures, spa, casino, specialty dining, fruit smoothies in aqua cafe, soda/pop if no beverage package, water if no beverage package or in aqua class, gelato, (ice cream is free) bottled wine, bingo and some art/craft classes all have an additional charge.

[KKB]

Whether they eat in the Main Dining Room or not, the gratuities are paid--so enjoy the MDR!

Honestly, one could board a cruise & beyond gratuities pay NOTHING more...

Things one COULD pay for:

--drinks (alcoholic & non--tho tea, coffee, water, etc. are free)

--photos

--gambling/bingo

--spa

--on ship shopping

--excursions

--specialty dining (including gelato)

--port expenses (cabs, food & drinks, shopping)

 

We are thrilled we got drinks & gratuities paid for on our next cruise. Beyond a photo (we can't get a sitting fee for $20!), there will likley be nothing on our account. We bring cash for gambling & ports.

Edited January 4, 2014 by KKB

[stratixman]

Avoid the over priced but heavily promoted photos.

 

Skip bingo.

 

Excursions are tough to peg prices due to the ports and the nature of the excursions (if any) that would be of interest. But with even cheap excursions, on a 14 night itinerary you could rack up some serious extra expenses. Go the Celebrity website and look at the costs of cruise line sponsored excursions for your sailing. Excursion costs can be reduced by booking local tours, i.e. not through the cruise line, but they will still add not inconsiderable expense.

 

There is no extra tipping for main the dining room - just the suggested daily tip amounts. There is no extra tipping for Select dining, just the same gratuities you would be expected to pay at the end of the cruise for normal dining, only prepaid at the start of the cruise. Technically speaking. specialty dining charges include consideration of tips in the charges, though many cruisers do tip additional amounts.

[stratixman]

Oops! Forgot to mention. Stay away from the casino. Stay away from the casino.

[CathyCruises]

One other thought. Check out your roll call! You may be able to team up with fellow cruisers on excursions, sharing expenses on group tours, which will cut your costs considerably. (I assume you're on a Caribbean cruise though the principle is the same.) So in St. Kitts, for example, we did a shared van tour of the island, 8 of us in total, and the cost was totally affordable. Plus we get to tailor the tour to our own liking, and none of those pesky 'shopping stops' where the cruiseline gets a kickback on overpriced merch!

[20pluscruises]

I'd appreciate some advice re additional costs that may be expected on a cruise.

 

We have two family members joining us in the fall on a 14 night sailing on the Eclipse. We purchased the cabin for them whilst on board a cruise a few months ago and that booking shows the room gratuities (at $12 per day per person) included in the total cost and also shows taxes and fees. We're paying for these. They will need to pay for any extras like beverage packages, tours etc.

 

They're trying to calculate how much additional expense they'll have in order to save toward extra things but one thing we're unclear of are gratuities for Select Dining. We chose that on the booking for them as we've had it in the past and like the convenience and have it in our booking. But, I'm a bit embarassed to say I haven't paid much attention to gratuities for this. Would I be correct in thinking they'd only have to pay gratuities for any nights they/we actually dined in the main dining room? So, if they/we chose some evening to eat in the cafe, they'd avoid some of these additional gratuities costs? Is there a set gratuity for Select Dining per person?

 

There is an OBC on the booking of $250 which we're fine with them using toward additional costs but without a clear understanding of the Select Dining, we're a bit puzzled on what additional they may need to cover.

 

As always, I'd appreciate advice from my fellow Cruise Critic members! Thanks in advance.

 

What ports will the ship be docking at/in?

 

p.s. You're a very generous relative! Any thoughts on possibly adopting two very much older children? :)

Edited January 4, 2014 by 20pluscruises

[spookwife]

We purchased the cabin for them whilst on board a cruise a few months ago and that booking shows the room gratuities (at $12 per day per person) included in the total cost and also shows taxes and fees. We're paying for these. They will need to pay for any extras like beverage packages, tours etc.

 

[...] Would I be correct in thinking they'd only have to pay gratuities for any nights they/we actually dined in the main dining room? So, if they/we chose some evening to eat in the cafe, they'd avoid some of these additional gratuities costs? Is there a set gratuity for Select Dining per person?

 

.

 

you prepaid grats. that means they are covered for all meals in all venues that do not incur an additional fee. keep in mind that grats are NOT solely for MDR meals.. they cover ANYWHERE you eat.. buffet and poolside and wherever.

 

other things:

room service should be tipped a dollar or so each delivery.

specialty drinks: alcoholic and otherwise( including soda)

ice cream that doesn't come from the buffet self serve machine or in the MDR.

spa services

specialty dining venues

any for fee item on the MDR menu

souvenirs

spa and salon services

Bingo

fitness classes

tours

transportation off the ship otherwise not included in a tour price.

[upwarduk]

Hi,

I paid just $88 recently for a 14 night cruise:

Pre paid gratuities

Classic beverage package included with booking( no OBC as package being added later negated the OBC)

I had pre booked 2 excursions, the others were DIY.

 

So my $88 were purchases from the shops on board. We didn't take any wine on board with us as we had the package. By using the package for purchasing water, we saved $150 for the cruise( 1 bottle of water p.p p day)

[BermudaMom]

Thank you all very much for the excellent advice. I'd thought the $12pp for their cabin was just for that itself and hadn't realized in would include the select dining and other grats for some of the quick food places. They will be happy to hear this.

 

We've cruised a number of times and have learned to avoid the photos and other "gotcha" items! We usually only take a few tours but otherwise normally enjoy just walking around the ports where we dock.

 

Sorry 20 Plus Cruises....no adoptions in our future although a few of our daughter's friends have suggested in the past that we adopt them!

 

We had these two relatives join another vacation we had just over a year ago and enjoyed it so very much with them along that we decided it would be more fun to bring them on a cruise with us than us trying to figure out what to buy each other for the recent Christmas and this year's birthdays - sort of a special gift to ourselves really. They live over 3,000 miles from us and we normally only see them every year or two and settle for regular Skype chats. It's nice for us to know we'll see them in the fall and have two weeks to spend time together.

 

Thanks again everyone!

[keithm]

I'd appreciate some advice re additional costs that may be expected on a cruise.

 

We have two family members joining us in the fall on a 14 night sailing on the Eclipse. We purchased the cabin for them whilst on board a cruise a few months ago and that booking shows the room gratuities (at $12 per day per person) included in the total cost and also shows taxes and fees. We're paying for these. They will need to pay for any extras like beverage packages, tours etc.

 

They're trying to calculate how much additional expense they'll have in order to save toward extra things but one thing we're unclear of are gratuities for Select Dining. We chose that on the booking for them as we've had it in the past and like the convenience and have it in our booking. But, I'm a bit embarassed to say I haven't paid much attention to gratuities for this. Would I be correct in thinking they'd only have to pay gratuities for any nights they/we actually dined in the main dining room? So, if they/we chose some evening to eat in the cafe, they'd avoid some of these additional gratuities costs? Is there a set gratuity for Select Dining per person?

 

There is an OBC on the booking of $250 which we're fine with them using toward additional costs but without a clear understanding of the Select Dining, we're a bit puzzled on what additional they may need to cover.

 

As always, I'd appreciate advice from my fellow Cruise Critic members! Thanks in advance.

Though we always cruised cunard up to now, I guess here's some conclusions..Since we're doing select dining our prepaid grat. covers that. Should we get(currently waitlisted)early seating we tip over the gratuity to our waiter & his asst.(usually about $50 from each of us)Same for our attendant. Obviously, the service quality will dictate, but we've always had great service on Cunard & expect the same here. there's the costs of the casino, specialty rest. shre excursions, etc. There's been time' where I spent up to $2k over and above the cruise. This time we've booked a fair amount of excursions & specialty dining. So far, I'm close to $1k above the cruise cost. I do plan on holding it there(I hope!)

[CathyCruises]

Though we always cruised cunard up to now, I guess here's some conclusions..Since we're doing select dining our prepaid grat. covers that. Should we get(currently waitlisted)early seating we tip over the gratuity to our waiter & his asst.(usually about $50 from each of us)Same for our attendant. Obviously, the service quality will dictate, but we've always had great service on Cunard & expect the same here. there's the costs of the casino, specialty rest. shre excursions, etc. There's been time' where I spent up to $2k over and above the cruise. This time we've booked a fair amount of excursions & specialty dining. So far, I'm close to $1k above the cruise cost. I do plan on holding it there(I hope!)

 

Wow. We left a 15 day TA with a $250 bill which included wo nights in a specialty restaurant (at a 50% discount). We spend our money on pre-or post cruise adventures, cannot imagine spending that much onboard!!:eek:

[upwarduk]

..Since we're doing select dining our prepaid grat. covers that. Should we get(currently waitlisted)early seating we tip over the gratuity to our waiter & his asst.(usually about $50 from each of us)Same for our attendant. Obviously, the service quality will dictate, but we've always had great service on Cunard & expect the same here.

 

If you have Select dining your gratuities are pre - paid.

If you move to Set dining, your gratuities are already done. No need for you to do anything. We usually confirm that with the servers and are treated to a beaming smile. They at least know they will collect.

 

The MDR was missing some guests on the last night of our recent TA.

We have noticed this on our last few cruises, as guests dine at the Ocean view to avoid paying gratuities!!!

Edited January 5, 2014 by upwarduk

[Gig103]

There is an OBC on the booking of $250 which we're fine with them using toward additional costs but without a clear understanding of the Select Dining, we're a bit puzzled on what additional they may need to cover.

 

As always, I'd appreciate advice from my fellow Cruise Critic members! Thanks in advance.

 

Here are a few "off the top of my head" way to use enjoy that money:

- Shore excursions

- Drinks (or drink packages if they book on board instead of preordering)

- Photo gallery

- Shops

- Specialty dining (although even with OBC I wouldn't pay full price!)

 

A few days into the cruise the OBC will show up on the in-cabin TV menu. If it shows "OBC-R" they won't need to spend it, they will get it back. If it shows "OBC-N" and they don't spend it, they can go to the casino and charge their gambling to the room for a 5% surcharge (and then pocket the cash).

[Chicago Boy]

I'd appreciate some advice re additional costs that may be expected on a cruise.

 

We have two family members joining us in the fall on a 14 night sailing on the Eclipse. We purchased the cabin for them whilst on board a cruise a few months ago and that booking shows the room gratuities (at $12 per day per person) included in the total cost and also shows taxes and fees. We're paying for these. They will need to pay for any extras like beverage packages, tours etc.

 

They're trying to calculate how much additional expense they'll have in order to save toward extra things but one thing we're unclear of are gratuities for Select Dining. We chose that on the booking for them as we've had it in the past and like the convenience and have it in our booking. But, I'm a bit embarassed to say I haven't paid much attention to gratuities for this. Would I be correct in thinking they'd only have to pay gratuities for any nights they/we actually dined in the main dining room? So, if they/we chose some evening to eat in the cafe, they'd avoid some of these additional gratuities costs? Is there a set gratuity for Select Dining per person?

 

There is an OBC on the booking of $250 which we're fine with them using toward additional costs but without a clear understanding of the Select Dining, we're a bit puzzled on what additional they may need to cover.

 

As always, I'd appreciate advice from my fellow Cruise Critic members! Thanks in advance.

 

While on board we figure an additional $1000.00 per week for the two of us. That covers drinks, laundry additional tips etc. Of course this is within your control so what you decided to spend is up to you.

[varoo]

For most cruise passengers there are additional costs just for getting to the embarkation port before the cruise begins and returning home afterwards, such as charges for taxi or shuttle or train rides, pre or post cruise hotel and restaurant bills, parking or rental car fees, and the usual tips along the way to an assortment of drivers, porters, hotel maids, bellmen or parking attendants.