Please help w/ hidden cruise costs

[Jerseymel]

Hi-- I've been looking into taking a princess cruise in December, but in order to get a more accurate estimate of the total cost, can anyone tell me how much money in tips I'll be charged per day? (couln't find it on their web site).

 

I also calculated in taxes, transfers, and hotel the night before--am I missing anything else? (the big one I missed until yesterday is that they would charge me to bring my 13 month old--big surprise for this first time maybe cruiser!)

 

Thanks!

 

Melissa

[ssbeagle]

Hi-- I've been looking into taking a princess cruise in December, but in order to get a more accurate estimate of the total cost, can anyone tell me how much money in tips I'll be charged per day? (couln't find it on their web site).

 

I also calculated in taxes, transfers, and hotel the night before--am I missing anything else? (the big one I missed until yesterday is that they would charge me to bring my 13 month old--big surprise for this first time maybe cruiser!)

 

Thanks!

 

Melissa

 

You will get charged $10 per day per person in your cabin for tips. We usually factor in more for our table waiters and cabin steward if they do an excellent job and something extra. If you are taking a cruise from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, I would recommend using a taxi to the port from the airport. It's cheaper than the Princess transfers (around $15 per cab vs $15/$20 per person transfers). Some hotels will provide a shuttle to take you to the pier. Other charges will be for soft drinks, liquor, purchases in the shops on board, bingo, gambling in the casino if you do any, laundry if required and fancy coffee drinks. If you eat in Sabatini or Sterling Steakhouse it will cost $25/$20 per person (no charge for the baby). Tours will also cost off the ship.

 

Those are most of the hidden costs that I can think of. The cruise fare you are quoted should include taxes and fees. You will also have to get a passport for everyone if you don't have them yet.

 

Hope you have a great time on your cruise. :)

[spongerob]

You also need to factor in things like shore excursions - whether on your own or with a ship's tour, almost all beverages with the exception of water, tiny glasses of juice in the morning, coffee, and tea. Then there are things like photos, alternate dining, casino...but these are ALL optional and you can live without any of them and probably not notice the difference. Tips are charged at $10 pp per day including the 13-month old, though you can remove or adjust them at will - that's a dangerous subject to discuss, generally, we think the crew deserves more but it is a personal decision what you want to do.

 

As a rough guide for us, I budget the equivalent cost of one cruise fare for our on-board expenses, and that usually works out very close to what we actually spend.

[smeyer418]

Hi-- I've been looking into taking a princess cruise in December, but in order to get a more accurate estimate of the total cost, can anyone tell me how much money in tips I'll be charged per day? (couln't find it on their web site).

 

I also calculated in taxes, transfers, and hotel the night before--am I missing anything else? (the big one I missed until yesterday is that they would charge me to bring my 13 month old--big surprise for this first time maybe cruiser!)

 

Thanks!

 

Melissa

 

Tips are $10.00 per day. The only cruise line that charges taxes only under two I believe is NCL...The taxes will be included in the total charge from either the TA or the Cruise line. Transfers hotels airfare etc depend on where you are going from....other than personal items like spa, drinks(soda and alcohol)...these are not really "hidden"....it just means you should know them...

[TJM001]

Treatments in the spa can add to your expenses too if you choose to try any of them.

[wizard-of-roz]

When it comes to the ships photos; I happen to love them. But, you can get caught up in the moment. Have the cashier save them all for you until the end of the cruise. Then, the night before ask to see them all. Pick the ones you really must have. This way you won't spend more than you should!

On our first cruise I spent over $200.00 on photos. I just had to have them all! Big mistake!

Enjoy your cruise......you're going to love it!

[Tina G]

Jerseymel, I admire your planning! :) Some cruisers moan and groan about the extras when they get their final bill, or complain about extra charges. There are lots of ways to save money on a Princess cruise, and all you need to know is what is covered and what isn't. One of the nice things is that, if you use a charge card, your shipboard bill won't come due until about a month after you've finished your cruise, so it isn't payable all in one chunk. By then, you'll be so happy about your vacation, you won't regret it, and you will be planning your next cruise! Buy some sodas in port and put them in the mini-fridge in your cabin. Bring a baggie with laundry detergent if you will do laundry. The food in the dining room is wonderful, and you really don't need to go to the alternative retaurants to have a great time. I happen to like the free Princess coffee! Take your own pictures! (Especially of that darling baby!) The cheap inside cabins are more spacious on Princess than on many other lines, and you can get your sun on the top deck by the pool. Don't buy souveniers on board - you will find things cheaper and more unusual in ports. Above all- have a wonderful time!!!!:D

[barbarah33]

It seems as though you have most of the 'extras' covered but you should I would also account for some additional funds for things that none of us may be considering. Like tipping for room service, or that t-shirt you see and have to have, the cruise ship souvenir that you need because this is your first one, one of the romantic meals served on your verandah, horse racing, a meal on shore with some friends that you meet on board, etc.

 

The extra costs to a cruise are totally controllable as long as you keep in mind everything that you are doing. It is easy to just hand that cruise card over to pay for things.

[yarlenna]

Don't for forget about bringing things for the baby: (diapers, formula, wipes, etc.) Bring extra of the stuff you need. Everything on the ship is expensive. If you want some time without the baby, you need to budget for baby-sitting.

[MilliesMom]

Don't for forget about bringing things for the baby: (diapers, formula, wipes, etc.) Bring extra of the stuff you need. Everything on the ship is expensive. If you want some time without the baby, you need to budget for baby-sitting.

 

The baby may be too young for the babysitting offered on board. Here's what I found:

 

Kid-Sitting & Port Day Activities

http://www.princess.com/onboard/activities/youthandteens/kid_sitting.html

 

Kid-Sitting

For your convenience, group kid sitting for children ages 3 to 12 years is offered on all vessels except Royal, Tahitian and Pacific Princess, from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. for a charge of $5.00 per hour per child.

 

Port Day Activities

Our Youth and Teen Centers are open while in port from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A supervised complimentary lunch service is available with parental consent.

[vickie_bernie]

little extras I've encountered some I can't do without some I could of you figure them out:

 

ice cream from the ice cream parlor

lattes from the coffee shop

pastries to go with the latte

bingo

horseracing

art auctions

shore excursions

souvenirs

gift shop purchases -- including cold medicine when I got sick

flowers from florist on board

next cruise purchase

casino

wine tasting

 

I am sure there was more, but I've blocked them out of my mind, can anyone add

[Pam in CA]

(the big one I missed until yesterday is that they would charge me to bring my 13 month old--big surprise for this first time maybe cruiser!)

I assume you're referring to the charge for the 3rd passenger in the cabin, right? Don't forget that as a passenger, your baby will be charged the $10/day auto-tip. You can remove it but be aware that your cabin steward is cleaning a cabin with three children and your waitstaff is probably providing you extra service for the baby, even in the buffet.

[Sandytoes]

Babysitting services are offered during certain evening hours when the children's program is not in operation. The fee is usually $5 per child per hour. You might want to include an extra tip for this service.

 

Also extra, bottled water.

[Cruisin' Chick]

This couple will be on their own when it comes to babysitting. The child needs to be at least 3 to get into the group kidsitting.

 

You may want to check with your TA to make sure your child is being charged the 3rd person rate (many of the cruises have a reduced rate for the 3rd and 4th person in each cabin).

 

I would suggest making sure you have enough child supplies; you can't depend on the ship having the right size diapers or the formula your baby wants if he's still on that. I suggest bringing Cheerios (Princess stocks Kelloggs cereal) and juice boxes. Also bring some dishwashing liquid so you can clean the sippy cups, etc. If flying to your embarkation port, why not come in the day before and get the extra supplies at a local store.

 

Also, bring a car seat just in case you decide to check out any ports that you would need a taxi for. Personally, I would just stay onboard and relax. Many people do that anyway, especially if they've been to those places before.

[rtsmith]

And if you have children...bring your first aid kit too...thermometer included...shipboard medications in the shops are super expensive...even if you don't have kids...always bring a small kit with you.

 

Bring your own bottled water (I packed ours in a rolling carryon) and replenish on port days...we kept costs down by not getting a soda card (you can even bring your own drink mixes if you don't like water) and not going to specialty restaurants, plus we took one excursion which we found on our own (and not thru Princess....just make sure it's a morning tour just so there is no risk of missing the ship)...obviously snacks for the baby and plenty of diapers...those things are limited on board!

 

We did buy some souveniers on the ship (a few shirts and jewelry), plenty of Pina Coladas and a few other drinks...four photos, one excursion (Rhinoriders in St Maarten) and including our tips for four people, we spent about $700 extra...not too bad.

[GeekyMom]

Remember and pack Baby Tylenol! When we were in St. Maartin years ago and took along our then 6 mo old Gabby, she developed an inner ear infection.:eek:

 

The only thing standing between staying through out our vacation and total chaos (i.e. pain in an infant) was having the med to hold us over until we were able to get to a Dr. back home.

 

You don't want to be in a situation where you have to try and find something simple to get here (like Baby Tylenol) on a Carribean island in the mist of your babies cries.

 

The whole point is to have a great time and relax and you are being smart to plan and think ahead. :)

[chrysalis]

Remember and pack Baby Tylenol! When we were in St. Maartin years ago and took along our then 6 mo old Gabby, she developed an inner ear infection.:eek:

 

The only thing standing between staying through out our vacation and total chaos (i.e. pain in an infant) was having the med to hold us over until we were able to get to a Dr. back home.

 

why would you not take the child to the Doctor on board?

[GeekyMom]

why would you not take the child to the Doctor on board?

LOL, we were on a land package. But for expense reasons I would always opt for over the counter treatment before resorting to a physician. :)

[smeyer418]

LOL, we were on a land package. But for expense reasons I would always opt for over the counter treatment before resorting to a physician. :)

 

I am glad your child is ok but you should gone to see a doctor for two reasons. One such infections can be deadly or two lead to permanent hearing loss. Most of the time a simple antibiotic would prevent both. But any doctor would be able to tell very quickly. Most doctors even in the Carribean are US trained or speak English since most of the texts are in English. I would go to the doctor even it cost many dollars. I would have at least called my child's doctor back in the US. They could have told you what anti-biotic to get from the pharmacy(which in most countries you can get without a prescription)

[jff50]

Babysitting services are offered during certain evening hours when the children's program is not in operation. The fee is usually $5 per child per hour. You might want to include an extra tip for this service.

 

Also extra, bottled water.

Princess does not have babysitting services for children below 3 years old

[elsje]

Hi-- I've been looking into taking a princess cruise in December, but in order to get a more accurate estimate of the total cost, can anyone tell me how much money in tips I'll be charged per day? (couln't find it on their web site).

 

I also calculated in taxes, transfers, and hotel the night before--am I missing anything else? (the big one I missed until yesterday is that they would charge me to bring my 13 month old--big surprise for this first time maybe cruiser!)

 

Thanks!

 

Melissa

 

Do NOT forget to buy travel insurance!! ~ Els

[Sandytoes]

Oh, I didn't realize Princess doesn't have babysitting service for for children below 3 years old...That's a shame.... It would be nice for couples to have a little time to themselves...;)

Thanks for the info....