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Cost of Cruising

Discussion in 'Travel Forum' started by Dr. Bob, Jan 19, 2004.

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  1. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Once the domain of the rich only, now it is a truly affordable family trip.

    I just returned from Carnival (low end) cruise from LA to Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. Now don't get a kick-bakc form cruise agencies, but just to let you know the cost (for real) $650 for the cruise, $50 port/taxes, $70 tips, $230 airfare to LA.

    That is it. $1000 for me (and $1000 for wife) and that covered 7 nights in a fine stateroom with blacony. Lunch Sunday through breakfast Sunday the next week. All shows, entertainment, activities, many free drinks, hors d'eurves. Room service, 24-hour pizza, 24-hour deli, midnight buffet, 3 sit-down meals, daylight hour grill (burgers, chicken), swimming, hot tub, etc.

    Compared to land? We couldn't afford to stay in a luxury hotel/resort like that. Or eat like that (it would be Denny's and McDonald's most days). And STILL pay way more!

    Obviously if you live near a cruise area (Gulf, California) you cut out air costs. And you can enjoy a cheaper room with a window, or even interior with just big curtains that make it look like you have a window. Once you walk out of the room - whether an interior cheapy or 3-room penthouse - you are all equals.
     
    #1 Dr. Bob, Jan 19, 2004
  2. David Mark

    David Mark New Member

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    How much do the sea-sickness pills cost?

    Just kidding around.

    I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise Dr. Bob.

    Dave [​IMG]
     
    #2 David Mark, Jan 19, 2004
  3. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    $12 retail from the wife's clinic for drops for motion sickness. Even with cold, rough weather on this cruise, we didn't need it.

    Ship is 200' tall and "wings" that go out from each side like airplane wings to stabilize the ship. Hardly feel any motion more than a 'rockaby baby' feeling.
     
    #3 Dr. Bob, Jan 20, 2004
  4. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    #4 Dr. Bob, Jan 21, 2004
  5. massdak

    massdak Active Member
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    i tried to access the photos and it would not let me. i may try a cruise sometime and would mostly do a cruise for the food. does lobster and steak cost extra? i heard the food on a cruise is very good. i do get sea sick so i am concerned for that. do you know how much it cost for kids or a full family?
     
    #5 massdak, Jan 21, 2004
  6. russell55

    russell55 New Member

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    Yeah, there is some sort of malfunction in the login. Take out whatever it is they have automatically written in the password, and type in your baptist board password.
     
    #6 russell55, Jan 21, 2004
  7. massdak

    massdak Active Member
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    that worked you are a genius
     
    #7 massdak, Jan 21, 2004
  8. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    All food on board is 100% paid for in your ticket. Period.

    Breakfast delivered hot to the stateroom
    Breakfast in dining room
    Breakfast buffet on the Lido Deck
    Formal lunch in dining room
    Lunch buffet on the Lido Deck
    Afternoon tea
    Afternoon burgers poolside
    Formal dinner in dining room
    Dinner buffet on the Lido Deck
    Pizza 24/7
    Room service 24/7
    Midnight buffet

    And some of the best, highest quality food - think of the BEST of Red Lobster or Olive Garden and it will pale in comparison to the POOREST on a cruise ship. No joke.

    When it comes to food, I'm a kinda sewer. :rolleyes:
     
    #8 Dr. Bob, Jan 22, 2004
  9. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    Wow! Makes me what to try it.
     
    #9 NaasPreacher (C4K), Jan 22, 2004
  10. glenn316

    glenn316 New Member

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    My wife and I just sent our reservations for a all Gospel music cruse in November.
     
    #10 glenn316, Jan 22, 2004
  11. cctez

    cctez New Member

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    Sounds like you had a great time.

    I work for a Travel Agency, who is one of the leading cruise agencies in the industry, and I can attest to the value of discount cruising. Dollar for dollar, it's hard to beat.
     
    #11 cctez, Jan 22, 2004
  12. computerjunkie

    computerjunkie New Member

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    I have been on several cruises, and it's a GREAT way to vacation!! Besides the unbelievably awesome food, you get to see many different places without having to change hotels every day or two! You unpack when you get on, and don't unpack until you're ready to leave!! [​IMG]

    I have never been seasick, but just as a precaution, I start taking Dramamine a couple of days before the cruise and take it the first day or so when the ship leaves. Never had a problem with it!!

    Funniest part, though, is when you get OFF the ship when the cruise is over, the ground seems to move under you! It's an interesting feeling, but goes away very quickly.

    Now that cruising fares have come down significantly, it really is a very economical way to take a vacation for a week! [​IMG]

    CJ
     
    #12 computerjunkie, Jan 24, 2004
  13. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    And you can go out of Galveston now so that makes it really nice for you, CJ. Don't know what ships/itineraries are available out of there (probably western Carib only) but probably pretty girl.
     
    #13 Dr. Bob, Jan 26, 2004
  14. Servent

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    Doc what about tipping, extra cash
     
    #14 Servent, Jan 26, 2004
  15. Thankful

    Thankful <img src=/BettyE.gif>

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    Dr. Bob, we totally agree...best vacation we have ever had.

    We were offered a second week at a fraction of the cost, but we couldn't take advantage of it.

    For us, it is the air fare that costs so much.

    On our ship, there is no need for cash, except for tipping at the end of the cruise. Everything that you buy is charged to your room and you pay at the end of the cruise. You don't have to buy anything, but there are always those photographers around...and we buy pictures, but each cruise, we buy fewer pictures...only three this time. They do charge for soft drinks, but tea and coffee are free.

    We do not get seasick and have never taken anything for seasickness.

    It is a great relaxing vacation.
     
    #15 Thankful, Jan 28, 2004
  16. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Great question - will try to answer (general - I'm not a travel agent!

    Cruise cost $625 for Sunday 11 am - Sunday 11 am
    Port taxes, govt fees are $50
    Tips (for waiters, assist., room steward, etc) are $8 a day ($60)

    These are all paid IN ADVANCE to the cruise line/travel agent.

    When you check in (along with 2200 other people who are checking in at the exact same time) you have to give them a credit card to run. Then, in exchange, you are given a "sail & sign" card.

    Then, anything you opt to buy on the ship - drinks, soda pop, gambling, shops (all have clothes, souvenirs, etc), photos (they take pix of you and you can choose to buy them or trash them), bingo cards, etc - you just give your card # and sign for it.

    At the end of the cruise, IF you charged anything (we did one large photo - $8.99) you view your account on the TV like a high quality motel and verify payoff of it.

    IF someone did well (or poorly) you can adjust the amount of the tip up or down. Tips for bar drinks are automatically added to the price.

    Most cruise lines hope to break even on the cost of your room and meals and entertainment. They MAKE their $$ on the drinks and gambling.
     
    #16 Dr. Bob, Jan 29, 2004
  17. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Almost forgot two important additions.

    (1) The "ship card" is your id to get on/off ship. You need a passport, but once on board you lock it in your room safe.

    But on shore you need REAL MONEY or credit cards! The merchants there don't take your card. IF you paid for a shore adventure through the ship (it's guaranteed and if it's late, the ship will wait for you) then it is charged to your sail/sign card and you pay at the end of the trip.

    IF you book your own (cheaper, but if they break down and you're late, you wave goodbye to the ship!!) then you pay on your own.

    (2) Cost of flying/transport to ship is on your own. Cruise lines WANT you to use them (they arrange flight, guarantee you/luggage and transport you to ship and back). But it is pricey. Usually you can priceline a really cheap flight, go a day early if need be and stay in a Days Inn or Super 8 and still pay a lot less.

    We get free flights for using a credit card (earn miles for money spent on card). It cost us $20 for a shuttle from LAX to the Long Beach hotel (next to cruise line) for the two of us.

    (p.s. you can also buy trip insurance to cover missed boat, sickness, air-lifeflight back to US)
     
    #17 Dr. Bob, Jan 29, 2004
  18. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    sorry, hit the "quote" button instead of
    the "edit" button
     
    #18 Ed Edwards, Jan 29, 2004
  19. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    I can't see
    them without lowering my Norton firewall.

    Well, i've seen pix of the Princess boats
    and seen some from my Holland American
    ships. [​IMG]

    And the good Dr. is right about the
    inexpensive (compared to other type
    vacations/holidays).

    BTW, despite the potential six meals
    a day, i lost 5 pounds on my cruise
    last week. Or was that loss due to the
    bumpy air where the airlines couldn't
    even serve all the passengers [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    #19 Ed Edwards, Jan 29, 2004
  20. Charlesga

    Charlesga New Member

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    Glad you enjoyed your cruise! Cruising has become our favorite vacation. We are set to sail on Holland America Line's Veendam out of Tampa in April, and can drive there to save airfare. I get motion sickness easily, but haven't been sick on a cruise.

    A side note about Holland America and tipping: The current policy is "tipping not required." While not required, it is certaninly optional, and with the service you get from these fine folks, I can't imagine not wanting to tip them. Nonetheless, there is no pressure to tip, it is not added to your bill, and no amounts are suggested nor envelopes given. For me, this policy makes giving the tips truely a pleasure, as it is more personal.

    Happy cruising!

    Charles
     
    #20 Charlesga, Jan 30, 2004
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