3 Things That Might Cost You Extra On A Cruise
By Bill Harbin, Jr.
Cruising is the best vacation experience you will ever encounter. After you arrive, lock your wallet, keys, and change in the room safe and completely relax. You do
not have to worry about the price of food, entertainment, tips, or anything else while on the ship. The key to your room will not only give you a place to unwind and sleep, but serves as your “magic key” to have anything else you might desire while on board.
A cruise vacation falls into the category of all-inclusive, which means you can enjoy yourself with out paying another dime, except for the tips which will automatically be added to your bill at the end of the cruise. However, even that makes your life easy because there is no harassment from servers or decisions to make about how much to pay for the excellent service you will receive. Fine dining, endless buffets, comedy acts, dancing shows, and more entertainment than you could dream up are all
free!
One thing that will cost you extra that is available on most cruises is the optional specialty restaurant that has become popular. Available dining options on the
largest, newest ships are Japanese restaurants that will give you a show while preparing delicacies in front of you. Perhaps you would rather have a prime steakhouse or Italian cuisine for dinner. Being spoiled is allowed on a cruise, and the free fine dining venues,
which usually include 2 locations, are absolutely wonderful. Yet, as many as 20 additional extra charge dining options are on the mega
ships, usually requiring reservations. Just present your room key for entrance and you will have an extra charge on your cruise bill when departing.
A good travel agent should advise you about extra charges that can occur on a cruise, but there are really no surprises if you keep in
mind that any time you are asked for your cruise card, there is going to be an extra fee. In addition, you must sign for these charges, so there is really no
dispute. Even at some of the free restaurants specialty coffees can be extra, and if you do not want to spend more, just politely decline to give the waiter your card when asked and tell them to cancel the order.
The 2nd thing that may cost you extra money on a cruise is the purchase of alcoholic beverages. Some of the all-inclusive vacation packages on land include alcohol, but most cruises do not. The price of cruising has been reduced by not including free alcohol. Just like the optional dining, if you wish to purchase adult beverages there is an extra charge. This is one of the few areas where you may feel pressured to spend more. Some of the cruise lines will constantly approach you to buy a drink, while the specialty restaurants give you no pressure to buy as you pass them.
The price of extras vary, but the specialty restaurants usually run about $20 per person, and alcoholic beverages from $3 to $5 and updepending on what you order. If
having that special drink and enjoying more beautiful dishes and up graded food appeals to you, then pamper yourself. But the free dining options have a good variety to choose from with excellent service and this is included in the priceof your cruise. Another item not included on a cruise is usually soft drinks, but all the tea and coffee is
yours for the taking.
This should probably go without saying, but the 3rd thing that will cost you extra on a cruise are photographs. As you approach the fine dining restaurants on formal night, photographers will flag you down to take a picture. Same goes when you enter or exit the ship. They may make it look like the photo may be included, but it definitely is not. If you want to save money, find or make a friend and have them take your photo for free. But if you want a lasting memory done by a professional that you can look at for years after your hair turns grey, buy some pictures. You can pick your favorite background. There is no studio fee, and the themes are pretty creative.
There are a lot of photographers on board the ship. You can have dozens of free ones taken to look over that will be displayed in the photo center. Pick out the
best. The drinks and food will just be added to your stomach and may or may not disappear! The photographs will be remembered for a lifetime. Don’t let your life go by without some fun. Go on a cruise and create some good memories. You can even buy a great memory at the photo center for about 25 bucks.
About The Author
Bill Harbin, Jr. is the author of the book How To Save Money On Your Grocery Bill. His practical, down to earth advice can be used to find not only value, but perhaps
a better life. His experience includes sales in travel, real estate, and grocery retail. The author has visited all 50 U.S.states, plus traveled around the world and back, giving him insight into people from all walks of life. A graduate of the University Of Tennessee in Communications, Bill lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area and is a travel agent at
Low Price Cruises and Travel at the website www.LowPriceIsNice.com.
not have to worry about the price of food, entertainment, tips, or anything else while on the ship. The key to your room will not only give you a place to unwind and sleep, but serves as your “magic key” to have anything else you might desire while on board.
A cruise vacation falls into the category of all-inclusive, which means you can enjoy yourself with out paying another dime, except for the tips which will automatically be added to your bill at the end of the cruise. However, even that makes your life easy because there is no harassment from servers or decisions to make about how much to pay for the excellent service you will receive. Fine dining, endless buffets, comedy acts, dancing shows, and more entertainment than you could dream up are all
free!
One thing that will cost you extra that is available on most cruises is the optional specialty restaurant that has become popular. Available dining options on the
largest, newest ships are Japanese restaurants that will give you a show while preparing delicacies in front of you. Perhaps you would rather have a prime steakhouse or Italian cuisine for dinner. Being spoiled is allowed on a cruise, and the free fine dining venues,
which usually include 2 locations, are absolutely wonderful. Yet, as many as 20 additional extra charge dining options are on the mega
ships, usually requiring reservations. Just present your room key for entrance and you will have an extra charge on your cruise bill when departing.
A good travel agent should advise you about extra charges that can occur on a cruise, but there are really no surprises if you keep in
mind that any time you are asked for your cruise card, there is going to be an extra fee. In addition, you must sign for these charges, so there is really no
dispute. Even at some of the free restaurants specialty coffees can be extra, and if you do not want to spend more, just politely decline to give the waiter your card when asked and tell them to cancel the order.
The 2nd thing that may cost you extra money on a cruise is the purchase of alcoholic beverages. Some of the all-inclusive vacation packages on land include alcohol, but most cruises do not. The price of cruising has been reduced by not including free alcohol. Just like the optional dining, if you wish to purchase adult beverages there is an extra charge. This is one of the few areas where you may feel pressured to spend more. Some of the cruise lines will constantly approach you to buy a drink, while the specialty restaurants give you no pressure to buy as you pass them.
The price of extras vary, but the specialty restaurants usually run about $20 per person, and alcoholic beverages from $3 to $5 and updepending on what you order. If
having that special drink and enjoying more beautiful dishes and up graded food appeals to you, then pamper yourself. But the free dining options have a good variety to choose from with excellent service and this is included in the priceof your cruise. Another item not included on a cruise is usually soft drinks, but all the tea and coffee is
yours for the taking.
This should probably go without saying, but the 3rd thing that will cost you extra on a cruise are photographs. As you approach the fine dining restaurants on formal night, photographers will flag you down to take a picture. Same goes when you enter or exit the ship. They may make it look like the photo may be included, but it definitely is not. If you want to save money, find or make a friend and have them take your photo for free. But if you want a lasting memory done by a professional that you can look at for years after your hair turns grey, buy some pictures. You can pick your favorite background. There is no studio fee, and the themes are pretty creative.
There are a lot of photographers on board the ship. You can have dozens of free ones taken to look over that will be displayed in the photo center. Pick out the
best. The drinks and food will just be added to your stomach and may or may not disappear! The photographs will be remembered for a lifetime. Don’t let your life go by without some fun. Go on a cruise and create some good memories. You can even buy a great memory at the photo center for about 25 bucks.
About The Author
Bill Harbin, Jr. is the author of the book How To Save Money On Your Grocery Bill. His practical, down to earth advice can be used to find not only value, but perhaps
a better life. His experience includes sales in travel, real estate, and grocery retail. The author has visited all 50 U.S.states, plus traveled around the world and back, giving him insight into people from all walks of life. A graduate of the University Of Tennessee in Communications, Bill lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area and is a travel agent at
Low Price Cruises and Travel at the website www.LowPriceIsNice.com.