Royal Caribbean cruises prices?

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1. Suzanna
   July 15, 2009
   12:05 am

   The basic cruise fare includes your room, meals in the regular dining rooms and buffets, room service, shows, and most ship facilities. Many ships also have free pizza, ice cream at various times. sushi, and hot dogs and hamburgers.

   There are usually 3 choices for free dining. There is traditional dining where you are assigned a time and table for dining. They range from 2 to 10 seats and you have the same diners each time. There is anytime dining which allows you to go dine any time and you are seated with others dining at the same time. Both are held in large dining rooms with waiters. Then there is the buffet which is usually on the top deck. It is open to all and many people always use it for breakfast and lunch.

   The extras are first tips. Figure about $10 per day per person for the tips to the room steward and wait staff. This is optional and some cruise lines automatically charge you. It can be adjusted or reversed at the end of the cruise. You should also tip a few dollars if you use room service. All bar drinks will have 15% added for a tip.

   Many ships have alternate dining facilities that have a service charge of $15 on up. It may be a steak house or an Italian restaurant for example. There are also specialty coffee bars that have a charge. All bar drinks including sodas have a charge. The only free bar drinks are at the Captains Reception and the Repeat Cruiser Reception. Do not assume that the drinks being offered when you board are free. They are not. Bar drinks are $6 and up. Some ships are even charging for juice at any meal other than breakfast.

   Some cruise lines sell a soda card for about $4 a day. It is only for fountain soda. Unless you have 3 sodas a day it is not worth it. You can also buy a specialty coffee card which gives you 15 for about the price of 12.

   There is a charge for any personal service such as laundry, salons, private trainers, etc. Spa treatments are very expensive, $50-$100. There is also gambling which includes the casino, bingo ($10-$20 per session), and sometime deck games such as horse racing. A ship photographer will be taking pictures all over the ship and at special occasions. They cost over $10 each. Phone calls in the room are about $8 a minute. Some ships have cell phone service. You are charged for international roaming by your phone service at about $2.50 per minute. There is also a charge for using internet service on a ship but it is cheaper than phone calls.

   Sundries are very expensive. Figure at least double the normal price. If you need a watch you will find no better prices anywhere.

   Off ship excursions are expensive. They start at about $30 and can be in the hundreds. You can book them on the ship or go on your own. The ship will not leave without you if a cruise excursion is late. With one you did on your own they will not wait.

   ₪ ɦəlʞɹɐq ₪
2. Suzanna
   July 15, 2009
   12:05 am

   Pay extra for: Soda of any kind (though there is a one-time fee of like $40 available and you get unlimited in your refillable mug – even if more than one of you drink soda, don't buy more than one, they put a sticker on your seapass and you can get glasses free with that), alcohol, gambling (casino and bingo), pictures (waaay expensive), specialty coffee, specialty restaurants ( $20 PP), gratuities (for cabin steward, and three kinds of waiters), anything you buy in the ships store, shore excursions…

   Spa treatments: 90 minute hot rock massage $175
   Hair salon: wash , blow and style $65

   BUT you can get cartons of cigarettes for $24, nearly any kind of liquor for about 1/3 less and no tax (they'll bubble wrap it for your trip home), the jewelry varies, some can be 25% less but it's mainly the no tax peeps look for.