First time cruise what's it like?

Never been on a cruise before and was wondering about the expenses on the boat. Do we pay for extra activities like mini golf, movies, and other stuff. What about dining?
Mainly royal Carrabian cruises.
Thanks

Comments

  • Never been on one before, but these stories crop up too often for me to consider it.

    http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/worse-than-a-onestar-motel-po-paciā€¦

    • I was on the previous sailing of this vessel!

      We too had a gastro outbreak… they handled it really well but ours never made it to the news!

      EDIT: Just read through that article and its pretty accurate of the Pacific Eden, we had a pipe that leaked in our roof and water came pouring out of our light. We were lucky to have turned it off before it shorted.
      We too did not have any hot food until the last couple of days, AND all staff (with the exception of our room steward) were extremely rude and would literally go out of their way to find an excuse as to why you were wrong and why it wasnt their fault.

      But as I said, the actual outbreak was handled well as people were everywhere sanitizing everything, pools were closed, everyone was forced to sanitize etc.

  • Depending on who you go with will depend on what is included.

    Essentially it is possible to go on a cruise and not spend a cent more than you already have. Your fare will cover all food at a number of restaurants/buffets and a whole bunch of entertainment/trivia.

    I recently returned from a cruise and spent just under $300 on cocktails, wine, bingo and snack food from the onboard shop.

    You will most likely need to pay for mini golf but movies are generally free.

    This has been my experience on P&O (Pacific Eden to the south pacific a couple of weeks ago) and Royal Caribbean (about 8 years ago).

    If you were able to advise the vessel/voyage details then somebody might be able to provide you with more info.

    • +2

      I was on a Royal Caribbean one earlier this year, the mini golf was free as were movies and shows, other things like rock climbing were also free. Dining was also free from the Buffet and a few other places (including room service), there are specialty restaurants that you need to pay for. The onshore activities cost a fair bit if you are looking at doing any of those, I never bothered with those and just did my own things.

      Drinks you need to pay for, but you can buy different packages for unlimited drinks, for some people it's worth it but if you don't drink too much or if there's a lot of days in ports it may not be worth it.

  • Went on the Carnival legend early this year, loved everything about it

  • I was on a P&O cruise earlier this month, my first ever. You choose what you want to pay extra for. There are many inclusions and you don't have to buy anything if you don't want to. However, you will have to pay extra for alcohol if you want any. There are onboard dining facilities that are included, and ones that aren't. Same with activities, there may be some that are included, and some that aren't. I struggled with the motion sickness but I'm hoping to get a chance to try it again one day. I only had a very short cruise to try it all out.

  • Princess through the Panama Canal = floating retirement home at sea!

    However, it is an easy way to holiday - everything is done for you and as long as you can turn off then you might find it enjoyable. But despite what some cruisers make it out to be (and the marketing of some of the cruise lines!), it is hardly elegant and refined - it might have been once, in the days of ocean liners. These days it is a package holiday and is squarely marketed at this demographic.

    Royal Caribbean and Carnival have a reputation for a slightly younger demographic which also means more (screaming) children. They also have a reputation as party ships, but i think that depends on the destination/cruise length.

    All ships are susceptible to ill health/outbreaks of norovirus etc, and depending on the time of year may also have altered itineraries if they encounter cyclones (Australian departures). I suggest that you investigate www.cruisecritic.com and in particular lurk around the Australia and New Zealand forum as there is a lot of info to be gained from previous cruisers.

    • There is no comparison between RC and Carnival! RC is of a much higher standard while Carnival is totally low end, and hence has a much lower age demographic. I cruise regularly out of Florida, USA, and please, madam, there is absolutely no comparison!

      I do agree with your comment on Princess though. LOTS of oldies on their cruise liners.

      Footnote: Stay away from P&O Australia. They will likely ruin your opinion of cruises, permanently!

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