Cruise Questions

[Gretchen]

My FI and I are planning to take a vacation in May. He is not big on flying, and would like to try a cruise. However, I am worried about getting sea sick. ALSO I am worried about charges. We like to stay AI when we travel. I have heard that some cruises charge for drinks - not just alcohol but sodas too. Anyone know about this? Are there any cruise lines that drinks are included? Or that you can pre-pay a certain amount to have them included? Any tips would be great!

Thanks!

[lucy106]

I would definitely recommend you find the biggest and newest ship possible to avoid the sea sickness. I was on a tiny ship and it was awful but my FI went on a trip on a large boat and said you could barley feel it. The last day sticker shock of the drinks does suck. On the cruise lines I have experience with (Carnival and Royal Caribbean) the pop is included but the alcohol is not and no pre-pay options. Some people smuggled hard liquor on and then used the free pop to make their own mix drinks.

[Gretchen]

I had heard that smuggling was the way to go. But with my luck I would get caught... I am really leaning towards something else, but he SO wants to do a cruise... And - I did remind him that we would still have to fly. No ships cruise out of Indiana! LOL

[lucy106]

Ha! No I am afraid us mid-west gals are SOL when it comes to that. But they do cruise out of New Orleans or Miami or Ft Lauderdale which is a manageable drive for some (personally I hate long drives like that). and I hear ya about smuggling I'd start crying if I got caught and I always do!

[Yari]

I have been on over six cruises. Either on Royal Caribbean or Carnival. The bigger ships are great for preventing sea sickness, they have stabilizers.

 

As for the alcohol, it is not included, but you can smuggle. It is pretty easy. I've done it lots of times. We also poured vodka in water bottles and packed them, they went through no problem.

 

I recommend cruises, they are so much fun and you get to see numerous islands.

 

I think the most I spent on alchohol during a cruise is $300 and that was drinking a lot.

[IrieBride08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gretchen My FI and I are planning to take a vacation in May. He is not big on flying, and would like to try a cruise. However, I am worried about getting sea sick. ALSO I am worried about charges. We like to stay AI when we travel. I have heard that some cruises charge for drinks - not just alcohol but sodas too. Anyone know about this? Are there any cruise lines that drinks are included? Or that you can pre-pay a certain amount to have them included? Any tips would be great! Thanks!

I've been on two Carnival cruises and while the alcohol is not free, you can "pre-pay" by purchasing bar coupons in advance. I took a "girlfriend's getaway" cruise and purchased several coupons for my friends as a gift. Check the Gift page on the website. We used them throughout our cruise.
Carnival Cruise Lines - Gifts & Services

[lucy106]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrieBride08 I've been on two Carnival cruises and while the alcohol is not free, you can "pre-pay" by purchasing bar coupons in advance. I took a "girlfriend's getaway" cruise and purchased several coupons for my friends as a gift. Check the Gift page on the website. We used them throughout our cruise. Carnival Cruise Lines - Gifts & Services

Oh sweet I had no idea there was the pre-pay coupons. Thanks for sharing that!

[becks]

There are a couple of cruise lines where the booze is included - but they are the really high end lines, like SilverSea and Regent Seven Seas (formerly Radisson). Both are great, but if you're looking for budget, this isn't the way to go.

 

So do the prepay coupons, and buy the soda option (you pay $2 per day but get all the sodas you want) if you go with one of the lines that doesn't include sodas (Princess, etc.)

 

And smuggle away.

[ajncooter]

pm me.. I was a Cruise Director on cruise ships for almost 7 years.. I would be happy to help!

[dayisun]

Cruise ships are like floating resorts. You can find as much or as little to do as your heart desires. Most cruise ships will charge per drink, but the prices are reasonable ($4 to $5 per drink) Those cruises that include beverages are usually much more expensive, and when you figure the difference in price, paying per drink may not be so bad .