What Extras Do You Get and Which Do You Skip?

[Sea Hag]

Skip: drinks, gambling, souvenirs, spa services, specialty restaurants, expensive cabins (basically everything on the ship that's extra, cheapskates that we are)

 

Spend: taxis, rental cars

 

Splurge: excursions such as helicopter flights

[Cruisin'Christine]

Do:

 

- usually 1-2 photos, particularly from formal night

- non-alcohol beverage package for DH, who enjoys soda

- 1-2 frozen drinks for me

- Flo Rider class on the Allure, which made me feel more confident, as I wouldn't have tried the surfing otherwise

- casino 1-2x

- shore excursions, if we want to do something adventurous (fishing, whale watching, etc) or if it is a brand new place for us

- spa pass, which we find is a sanctuary for us and we use several times each day

 

Don't:

 

- specialty restaurants

- Bingo (so expensive!)

- Diamond International or other jewelry stores

- wine or liquor tastings

- beach excursions (cheaper to do on our own)

[widallas]

Love this thread! It made me stop and think about what I really wanted to spend money on for our upcoming cruise.

 

Things we WILL do:

 

• Balcony cabin: Love the balcony and use it a LOT. No better way to do an early morning breakfast, or a late-night glass of wine with the hubby. We have 3 connecting balconies this trip!

• Drink purchases (a la carte)*: Can’t justify the drink package, or drinking that much over a week. Plus with one-day in an AI, it’s would be a waste. BUT I do have a list of drinks I am planning to try!

• Shore excursions: One of the main reasons we cruise is to experience the new ports. This is our biggest added expense.

• Limited souvenirs: We give the kids a budget for a small souvenir or t-shirt. I look for port ornaments, and unusual earrings. (Not ‘jewelry’, but $10-40 quirky and artisan made.)

• $50 in the casino/bingo: One time per cruise is MORE than enough.

• Budget to tip well: We expect to tip and tip well, so we factor it into the budget. Rarely do we not give a full tip – we’ve been luck and had excellent service.

• Flow Rider classes: So glad the poster above mentioned this!

• Port Day on Ship: A day on-board when everyone is in port to enjoy the amenities…and no port costs for the day!

 

 

Things we WON’T do:

 

• Suites: I am too poor to afford those perks!

• Character breakfasts, Art Auctions, Raffles, Port Talks: Not our thing

• Drink packages*: Too expensive, and I am too much of a lightweight.

• Bottled water, upsell coffee or juice

• Photos: Only if my in-laws want them!

• Eating ashore: With 2 excursions planned, we won’t have the time. One is AI, so I don’t think we’ll need ANY more food or drink!

 

Doing ONLY because they are/will be a “perk” or special price

 

• Specialty restaurant

• Johnny Rockets

• Soda Package

• Ice cream, Cupcake Class, Rice Krispy Treat (this one cracks me up)

These were all “perks” through our travel package. Normally wouldn’t splurge on a SR since we look forward to the MDR, but excited to try Chops!

 

• Tastings: Would might do a wine tasting, but bottles of wine are expensive. Instead, we plan to splurge on some very good wine for the 2-bottles per cabin we can bring.

• Spa days at sea: We will see if the on-board specials are worth it for a port day. At our AI we might indulge in a beach massage instead…we will see!

• Drink coupons:* If they offer the coupon book, will DEFINITELY take advantage.

• Internet: Family – internet free for a whole WEEK!

• On-Board shopping – limited: Maybe a ship ornament and shirt. But we have a budget, so when the money is gone…it’s gone!

• WILD CARD: I would love to do Chef’s Table one night with our OBC, but not sure if it is worth it!