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osugrad21

osugrad21

Capo Regime
Staff member
Taking a cruise next month...got a few questions:

--I know the food is free, but how bad are the drink prices?

--What onboard activities are worth looking into...daytime and evening?

--Are there any "surprise" costs that you did not expect?
 
osugrad21;865578; said:
Taking a cruise next month...got a few questions:

--I know the food is free, but how bad are the drink prices?

--What onboard activities are worth looking into...daytime and evening?

--Are there any "surprise" costs that you did not expect?
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I spent about a grand on booze and shore excursions. Gratuity is already included when you purchase a drink, but at the end of the cruise, you're suggested to give an additional gratuity...I gave $50. What cruise line are you sailing on? And where are you going?

I recommend doing karaoke one night when you're completely hammered. Catch a show. The Tokens did a concert on one of the cruises I was on and I caught them later in the piano bar and I sat there and jammed with them for about an hour. That was pretty slick. I also recommend taking in a nice cigar after dinner. Play BINGO too.
 
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--I know the food is free, but how bad are the drink prices?

Better than what you'd get at a ballpark/stadium, but still high.

--What onboard activities are worth looking into...daytime and evening?

Nothing really. I can't stand cruises, but the wife likes them and if I go at least she'll come with me on my national park trips. I don't think any of the on-board activities are worth it. The excursions are pretty good usually. The casino is worth it for at least 1 night

--Are there any "surprise" costs that you did not expect?

Can't think of any
 
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Beers were about $5 depending on what you get. I usually went with Bud or Heineken.

I also sailed on Royal Caribbean so it's probably a little different than Carnival. We had a stop in the Bahamas and I went scuba diving. It was at a really small island owned by Royal Caribbean too, so there wasn't much do to. Are you also going to Key West? If so, you gotta hit up Irish Kevin's and Sloppy Joes. Places kick ass. When I was there, the DJ at Irish Kevin's was from Columbus. As far as other shore excursions at different islands, I've been on a kon tiki booze cruise which was amazing to say the least, went snorkeling, got to know the locals. It was a great time.
 
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Tripadvisor.com is excellent for this sort of thing, especially the searchable forums.

Some of the less organized outings can be the most fun.

As for the generic tourist trips: I enjoyed the sting-ray reef myself... quite overcrowded and orchestrated, but it still was out of the ordinary enough to be enjoyable. Translation: they train the stingrays to collect at a shallow reef in the ocean (probably by feeding them), and everyone hops out and walks around with dozens of stingrays swimming around).
 
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tibor75;865588; said:
The casino is worth it for at least 1 night
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yeah, definitely hit up the casino. The cruises that I've been on have usually held a black jack tournament and slot tournaments. Minimum bets were usually $5, had Three Card Poker, Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud, Craps, Black Jack, Roulette and probably something else. They didn't have Hold 'Em when I was on the boats, and that may have changed. You'll have a good time though. I don't recommend the the midnight buffet. It's a clusterfuck and everybody just kind of flocks to it like vultures and it winds up always a big mess.
 
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When I booked my cruise last year I used this website to read actual experiences people had on the specific boat and journey I was planning.

Cruise reviews, port and shore excursion reviews and discussion boards

I was on Carnival and had a decent time, except for the last day. I do recall beer to cost around 5 dollars - including tip. Which is one thing I did not like because you can not run a tab, they swipe your card after each drink. If you are going to do any shore excursions I highly recommend you book them locally without using Carnival, it will save you tons of money.

If you go having an open mind not expecting anything you will enjoy yourself.
 
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THEWOOD;865598; said:
If you are going to do any shore excursions I highly recommend you book them locally without using Carnival, it will save you tons of money..
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True, but just be sure they will get you back in time, If not, you're out of luck as the ship won't wait for you. That's the main advantage of going with a cruise-sponsored exercsion. Not worth it in my opinion.
 
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ive been on one cruise. honestly disliked it. granted i went saying i was going to dislike it. just not my type of thing. granted i dont like the beach, i cant stand sitting around or lounging out for a couple of hours.

lots of people i know love them. hope you have a great time.
 
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Went on an inter-island cruise on NCL a few years back. The beer was about $5.00 a bottle and for draft, but if you bought a "drink pass" you got beers cheaper. The off-boat "tours" were mainly for folks how had never been to Hawaii, so I didn't go on them but I didn't hear any complaints from the folks who took them.

I had a pretty decent time but I've heard Carnival is much better than NCL so you should have a blast...

EDIT: If they have "duty free" shopping once they get outside US waters, keep an eye out for some good deals, especially on liquor (JWB, etc.). Some stuff you can get dirt cheap while other stuff is cheap but no better than many internet deals...if you know your liquor prices you should be set.
 
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I love cruises... been on three... enjoyed them immensely...

I loved meeting an assortment of folks from all over the world... probably less than 20% were ever from the States, per se... not sure if that will hold true for you... Makes for a very entertaining and educational experience... Still email with Australians we met... A British couple sends exotic coins from all over the world to my youngest...

You can do excursions two ways.. thru the cruise operation or by yourself via online... save some money doing it yourself.. but you need to handle ALL the details... sounds like JWins gave you the advice...

If you can sneak on alcohol you could save yourself a goodly amount.. when you buy bottles during offshore trips, they usually confiscate it upon re-entering the ship... until your final deporting...

There's no need to waste time sleeping... party on Grad... there's always things to do on the ship... the clubs... the gambling... the pools... events... The rooms are SMALL... but you won't be in them much... and they'll add to the humor of the trip as you try to shower and get dressed in a phone booth...

A British couple gave me great advice... order two full entrees at every meal.. chances are, you will end up liking ONE... but if you order ONE and don't like it... you lose... same for deserts...

Another interesting experience was the sun decks... once you leave USA waters.. Intl Law applies... and Europeans get naked... or at least topless... sounds great but the spouse will catch your ass... and then there's some 'splainin to do

They will warn you like crazy about the penalties of being caught with Cuban cigars etc.. I always believed them... and I'm an idiot because they barely checked to see if I was breathing when I came back into port when done... I could have a suitcase of great cigars !!! dammit

This will not be your last... Only people that ever say they hate cruises are those that have never been on one...
 
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In addition to the drinks being expensive, they'll likely be weak. If you grease the palm--or at least chat up--your server, you could get in good for the rest of the cruise.

As for duty-free liquor, they won't deliver it to your room until the last night or morning of debarkation.
 
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