what to expect

Ok, so I have never been on a cruise of any sort before. We don't quite know what to expect, so I have a few questions for you cruise repeaters. What exactly do we have to pay for on board the ship? I would assume if we buy stuff in the shops or the photos that they take of us but other than that I am clueless! Do we pay for massages if we get them or anything like that? Is all the food inclusive no matter where we eat and at no matter for what meal of the day? I just want to make sure we bring enough money and know what to expect and not be shocked at anything. I understand the whole tipping thing too, but I just have no idea what exactly I will and won't have to pay for. Thanks for "cluing" me in. Amy

Food - INCLUSIVE -- all paid for, even the 24 hour room service (but it is nice to tip them when they deliver it). You can order as much as you want or as little... doesn't matter. The Lido deck has a soda fountain for drinks, juice, coffee, tea, water, etc. There is food in the front cafeteria that features cuisine from different countries every day; there is the grill on the lido deck; and then there is the restaurant open for breakfast or dinner.

Pictures -- they take them ALL the time all over the ship. They cost extra, but be choosy cause they will take at least a dozen of them.

Alcohol -- extra $$

Casino -- extra $$

Shops/store -- extra $$

Shows -- inclusive - free

Games -- inclusive, BUT some of them have an extra charge, like buying bingo cards for $1 etc.

Spa -- extra $$; BUT the use of the gym is free.

I don't know for sure but I think that the putt putt golf is free too.

Excursions -- extra $$; BUT you don't have to sign up for these, they are optional. I did them last year, but I didn't get to shop around town because they took all day... so this year I'm not signing up for them and I'll just shop and walk on the beach for myself.

Tipping -- $50 flat fee added to your bill on the last night. IF YOU CHOOSE to tip anymore, that will be up to you. We tipped for baggage handlers, room service, & a special tip for our waiters, but that was our choice.

OH... and the coffee bar -- The "Starbucks" type place -- THOSE are extra; but regular coffee on the lido or delivered to your room isn't.

AND LAST THING -- the water in your room is $3 a bottle. We opened ONE bottle and then just kept refilling it.

I'm pretty sure that soda - like coke, sprite, etc. are an extra cost. We bring our own soda and soft sided collapsible ice chest and get the steward to keep it filled with ice.

The cups of soda on the Lido deck are free. They are fountain drinks. Canned or bottled drinks would probably cost extra.

That's good news! The last cruise I was on we had to pay for our sodas! Yeah Carnival!

yes on royal carribean you had to buy a special cup for soda and also the bingo was $35 a session

Hi all,

I just wanted to clear the soda question up. Soda is NOT free on Carnival. Typically, the only drinks that are free are juices in the morning (orange, quava) and iced tea and lemonade the rest of the day. (Water, coffee, hot chocolate and hot tea are also free). Soda is going to cost you extra. They have an unlimited soda card that you can buy, or you can just but it by the can.

hahaha... well I guess I just go to the wrong place then. Also, it might be set up differently on different ships. ALSO, in my defense, I drink a lot of tea so I don't notice the soft drinks much.

Either way, they have a lot of choices! woohoo

... now bottled water is a different issue! Be sure and be prepared with it when we go on shore.

Am I reading correctly, we can bring our own sodas? Can we bring our own bottled water? Not that I mind buying, but that could get quite expensive.