So what all is included (free)?

[8mpg]

First cruise coming up in May to Alaska on the Golden Princess. Hate to sound cheap but what all is free? Im reading that room service is free but you should tip. Dining except in the specialty restaurants is extra ($15steak $20italian). We are definitely on a limited budget so we can spend more on our excursions.. so what else should we expect to pay for and what is free? When you get off the boat at ports, are you on your own to find food or can you get back on the boat and eat?

[willysgrandma]

First cruise coming up in May to Alaska on the Golden Princess. Hate to sound cheap but what all is free? Im reading that room service is free but you should tip. Dining except in the specialty restaurants is extra ($15steak $20italian). We are definitely on a limited budget so we can spend more on our excursions.. so what else should we expect to pay for and what is free? When you get off the boat at ports, are you on your own to find food or can you get back on the boat and eat?

 

Drinks are extra, soda is extra, ice cream is extra, laundry is extra, golf simulators are extra if they have them on your ship. Be careful when ordering rooms service-some is free but some specialty items, like canapes are extra.

 

 

When you get off the ship, you are free to go eat at any restaurants at the port you are in. You can certainly come back on the ship for lunch and then go back out again. Many people do.

[dsfitz]

What is included:

 

Your cabin

The following beverages: Coffee, Tea, Water, Juice in the dining room/buffet for breakfast

Meals in the Dining Room and the Buffet

Room Service Food (from the designated room service menu)

Shows and Lounge Entertainment

Trivia Games

Dancing

Most sports activities including the gym, paddleball court, mini golf

Art Auctions (unless you buy something)

Lectures/Talks

Children's Program (though it is nice to tip the staff)

 

What is not included:

 

Alcoholic Beverages and Sodas (including lemonade)

Specialty Coffees

Specialty Restaurant Cover Charges

Internet Usage

Casino and Bingo

Shore Excursions

Photos (they take a zillion of them and you do not have to buy them)

Shops and Boutiques

Art Auction Purchases

Wine Tastings

Tips/Gratuities

Computer Classes

Crafts (some might be free)

Some exercise classes (Pilates, spinning, etc.)

Golf simulator

Room Service Beverages (other than coffee, water, tea)

Room Service Specialty items (canapes, ultimate balcony dining)

Spa and Salon Services

 

I think that is a pretty good list, though I am sure I forgot a few things!

[RubyLee]

Are there any juice beverages available for free at the buffet during the day, on Celebrity they had lemonade and fruit punch)?.

[paul929207]

Juice is only available at the buffet during breakfast, maybe 6am to 11am or so.

 

 

Paul

[willysgrandma]

Iced tea is available at the buffet at no charge.

[lovesun14]

From what I can remember princess had some juice and iced tea throughout the day. Not positive though

 

Does anyone know what the recent price for a pop sticker is?

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

Just a couple of adds to dsfitz's excellent list.

 

Included:

Daily beach towels (don't need to pack any)

Movies on MUTS if you have it (or any other movies for that matter)

The wine, soda, liquor and water that you smuggle on board :D

 

Extra:

Cigars

 

Anyone else got anything?

[Steven_&_Daniel]

As we have not sailed yet, experienced sailers please correct me if I'm wrong. From what I've read on CC:

 

 

Vines - extra charge

 

International Café - some things have extra charge (supposedly marked), most things are free

 

Ice Cream is served for free in the buffet (I've read this is on the side of the buffet that is currently closed, not where they are serving) from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

 

Afternoon Tea in the main dining room is free.

 

Champagne served at the Champagne Waterfall event is free.

[twnkltoz]

Tipping: there is a $10/day general tip that is charged on your shipboard account, so you do not have to tip anyone. However, it's nice to tip a little extra to those that provide really good service (steward, room service, etc).

[dsfitz]

From what I can remember princess had some juice and iced tea throughout the day. Not positive though

 

Does anyone know what the recent price for a pop sticker is?

 

Multiply the number of days of your cruise by $4 and that's about right. It's worth it if you drink more than 2 sodas a day.

[dforeigner]

Just a couple of adds to dsfitz's excellent list.

 

Included:

Daily beach towels (don't need to pack any)

Movies on MUTS if you have it (or any other movies for that matter)

The wine, soda, liquor and water that you smuggle on board :D

 

Extra:

Cigars

 

Anyone else got anything?

 

Isn't the free with the MUTS?

[lovesun14]

thanks dsfitz! I thought I saw somewhere that it was $40. I sure hope not. Im going on a 7 day cruise. I definitely drink more than one pop a day so I should get my moneys worth!

[bdjam]

ice cream is extra

There is a charge for premium ice cream. As another poster indicated, the "house" ice cream is without charge in Horizon Court in the afternoons and is available daily on the lunch and dinner menus in the dining rooms.

[Nancyquilts]

Since it's your first cruise, you might want a nice picture taken on formal night, but ignore all the others (if you can!). Photos are getting really expensive. It's always better to get a photo when you first start cruising, as you'll find that pictures taken on later cruises show a lot more wrinkles (must be the film). Nancy

[serene56]

soda stickerfor a 7 day cruise is 27.00 plus 15% gratutity.

 

Lots cheaper then the soda card on carnival which is 45.00 and they give you very small glasses.. at least on Princess we got the huge 16 oz glass which made the soda sticker very well worth the money

[Cruisin' Chick]

Watered down alcoholic drinks are free during the Captains Party on the first formal night (even though I nearly had to tackle a waiter on my last cruise to get a drink). Also watered down alcoholic drinks are available during the Captains Circle party for past passengers.

 

You won't see the free ice cream in the Horizon Court advertised anywhere (at least I never saw any mention), but it's homemade and sitting in a big bowl with toppings available. Just check both sides around 3:30 or so. Also many different flavors available in the dining rooms.

[Sandytoes]

First cruise coming up in May to Alaska on the Golden Princess. Hate to sound cheap but what all is free? Im reading that room service is free but you should tip. Dining except in the specialty restaurants is extra ($15steak $20italian). We are definitely on a limited budget so we can spend more on our excursions.. so what else should we expect to pay for and what is free? When you get off the boat at ports, are you on your own to find food or can you get back on the boat and eat?

Keeping a budget makes sense.

There are a few things that are not necessary....

Salons and shopping

Specialty Restaurants

Casino

Art auctions

 

Ask how much drinks costs before you order and remember the 15-percent automatic gratuity included with bar tabs.

Plan your own shore excursions.

 

But, most importantly, enjoy your cruise.....It's your vacation....

[shepp]

Champagne served at the Champagne Waterfall event is free.

 

And worth every penny.

[Corner Exit]

What is included:

The following beverages: Coffee, Tea, Water, Juice in the dining room/buffet for breakfast

Bottled water free? Stocked in room fridge? Available free throughout the ship?????

 

Thanks

[lovesun14]

Bottled water free? Stocked in room fridge? Available free throughout the ship?????

 

I dont think any bottled water is free. They put some in your room but will charge you for it if you drink it. I usually just leave it alone and bring my own.

 

Thanks for the info Serene!

[Toto2Kansas]

Only free bottled water onboard would be if you are an Elite member of the captain's circle, then there will be two bottles in your free bar set up. Any bottled water in your cabin will be charged for is you decide to drink it. Come prepared, you can bring it on yourself if you like without any questions asked.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Bottled water isn't free. If you open the bottle that'll be in your cabin, you're be charged (I think about 4 or 5 dollars).

[denalialaska]

Hello all.

This will be our first cruise as well. I have a question about the dining options. If we chose "anytime dining" does that mean we cannot choose to eat in the dining room as a change of pace?:confused:

[bdjam]

Hello all.

This will be our first cruise as well. I have a question about the dining options. If we chose "anytime dining" does that mean we cannot choose to eat in the dining room as a change of pace?:confused:

Anytime and Traditional Dining are equivalent - just with Anytime, you don't have a set seating time. Both the Anytime and Traditional dining rooms are equal in all other ways - including menu and dress guidelines.

Check on the Princess website and look for Personal Choice for more info...