What does a cruise involve?

Cruise ships are designed to keep passengers entertained, so fun abounds. Virtually every cruise ship, large or small, will have bars as well as a theater or lounge with live music, dancing, and magic or comedy shows. Most offer spas and exercise rooms, even some small ships.



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In addition to multiple pools and hot tubs and fully equipped fitness centers, all of these activities are included (availability varies by ship): waterslides (The Perfect Storm?, Tidal Wave?, Riptide?, The Blaster®), Ultimate Abyss? dry slide, Splashaway Bay kids aqua park, FlowRider® surf simulator, rock-climbing ...

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Your fare will typically include complimentary soft drinks, specialty coffees, most wines and spirits, Wi-Fi, crew gratuities and often specialty dining. Sometimes airfare, pre-cruise stays and shore excursions are included, as well.

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While all cruises provide complimentary food, many also offer passengers the opportunity to dine at specialty restaurants. These can include steakhouses, Italian, Mexican and Mediterranean venues, hibachi grills and specialty ice cream shops.

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Many cruise lines offer free room service, which can be a great way to get free food and drinks. While the menu is typically limited, you can still enjoy a free breakfast or snack in your cabin. Some cruise lines also offer free late-night snacks, which can be a great way to satisfy a midnight craving.

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Free Activities on Cruises: Trivia, pool games, big-screen movies, dance classes and sports deck activities (basketball, rock climbing, mini-golf, shuffleboard and more) are all normally free on a cruise ship. Ships that offer enrichment classes do not typically charge extra for them.

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The answer to this question varies a lot by person, their travel habits, spending preferences, length of the cruise and destination. Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences, but there are a lot of variables to consider.

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Policy – Guests are allowed to take spirits, wine, and champagne onboard, though most alcohol is included in the price of the cruise. Policy – Two bottles (750ml each or smaller) of wine or champagne per cabin are allowed. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption.

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Activities on Cruise Ships Activities That Cost Extra on Cruises: Bingo, casino play, arcade games, escape rooms and golf simulators will all cost you extra on most ships. Additionally, hands-on cooking classes, wine and liquor tastings, and a few other courses require an extra charge outside your fare.

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Most cruise lines charge between $400 and $4,000 for a 7-night Caribbean trip in a balcony stateroom. Remember that these cruise costs are only estimates, and that prices can vary greatly based on the cabin style, time of year, number of individuals in the room, as well as cabin placement.

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Disembarking at the end of a cruise is a bit more complicated, this can take a few hours, depending on the cruise size. At the end of your trip, you will need to take care of paying the bill for purchases made on board, checking out your room and, in some cases, passing through customs and immigration.

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All baggage is x-rayed before it is allowed onto the ship, and you will be asked to empty your pockets (and place any metallic objects such as belts) onto the x-ray conveyor. You will then walk through a metal detector and then collect your belongings.

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In other words, even if you aren't a big cocktail drinker, there's likely to be something that you'll want to sip. The downside? You definitely have to pay for it. Prices for cocktails on cruise ships usually run about $10-14 per drink, before gratuity.

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So how much money do you need? The answer to this question varies a lot by person, their travel habits, spending preferences, length of the cruise and destination. Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences.

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A few cruise lines feature a limited number of cabins designated for single occupancy sparing the solo cruiser from having to pay double. While cruise lines advertise these single cabins as having no supplement, the single rate is usually slightly higher than the per-person rate of comparable double occupancy cabins.

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So which food is included and which cost extra? While not all the food on Royal Caribbean is included, there is enough food and drink for you to enjoy that is included so you will not need to pay extra for food. However, you may feel inclined to pay for drinks or meals anyway as a way to enhance your cruise.

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Most cruise lines these days have options for onboard internet, but you'll need to pay for access, and not all types of internet service are equal. When you book a cruise, you'll generally be given the opportunity to purchase Wi-Fi before boarding. Doing so can save you money versus buying on board.

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There is no need for cash. The same goes for most gratuities. Cruise lines now offer prepaid options for gratuities to your room steward and dining room waiters. So you can pay them before you even get on the ship.

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Water is always free of charge on most cruise ships. You may be asked to pay a fee for some versions of bottled water. However, you can likely ask for a jug of iced water in any restaurant or bar for no added cost. There are several water dispensers present on a cruise ship so that you can help yourself.

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