furbacchione

Thinking of taking the wife on a cruise in early December... Never have done one before and don't know much about them. They say they're all inclusive but what are the extra costs like. Any do's and don'ts you can suggest.

DeadVim

Based on a couple of cruises in the Med and The Nile:

Don't -

Get ripped off with any optional paid-for 'excursions', check the ports of call and research local trips instead (the top tip)

Leave the curtains open and expect no-one to walk past when you are stark bollock naked

Be one of the idiots that HAS to be first in at the buffet

Piss anyone off, because you are stuck with them for the duration

Forget that sunburn happens even on a ship

Expect a smooth sailing, even if it looks flat 'on the map'

Expect a stellar performance at the caberet

Do -

Make sure all tipping is included

Take some anti-seasickness pills even if you don't think you are prone

Make sure that all booze is included

Again make sure all booze is included

Is all that booze included?

Enjoy

tinaj

All meals/ snacks food are included.
Alcohol is not, neither are soft drinks, they usually try to sell you a card or cup you can buy which gives you unlimited refills for the whole trip, this will be extra and around $5-$7 per day of the cruise. Water and iced tea is free, you can just buy soft drinks for about $3 from the bars.
Tea and coffee is usually free and there is often juice at breakfast time. But fancy cappucinos are charged for.

All entertainment on board is free, including the gym, shows, singers, quizzes etc there will be charges is you want to do classes like yoga or a tour of the kitchens etc.
Kids clubs are free for around 4-18 yr olds

You can go on board and spend very little, but you can also spend a lot! It depends how good you are at restraining yourself!
Extras include: photo portraits (taken everywhere especially on formal nights)
casino - which is very addictive,
excursions at each port,
alcohol/cocktails, wine packages,
bingo, raffles,
jewellery/gifts/ perfume/ cosmetics etc in the on board shops
Tipping, not compulsory but as a guide they like you to give $10 per day of the cruise per person so if there are 2 of you for 7 days then $140 tips! You don't have to tip though.

A cruise is a fantastic holiday and they are highly addictive!! We are off on our next one in November and I can't wait.

eddie007

DONT MENTION THE CRUISE

Was heading off on an all inclusive girls only 18 day cruise out of freo to NZ... But now I will be staying at home becoming a grandmother...

BUGGERIT

Oi MODS close this tasteless and offensive thread will you???

Talk about Trolls

furbacchione

Ya looks like it's off the table now as we have now had some bad news and need to return home asap

Turban Explorer

Good luck with whatever has happened Furbacchione...

Wol

Some include gratuities, tours, wine and beers all day and some don't - obviously reflected in the prices. The tour prices are often exceptionally high - you do far better organising your own on arrival.

We did a cruise out of Tahiti in June on the Paul Gauguin and it was 110% perfect: I'm in Singapore at the moment on the way back from a European cruise on a Silversea ship which was good if pretentious. Both included gratuities and booze - we don't drink much so helped to pay for the alcoholics, although on the upmarket boats you don't see them much if at all.