What does complimentary mean on a cruise?

What does complimentary really mean? It means that the base fare for this cruise will be zero, but that extra charges still apply. Extra charges are port taxes and all government fees but also gratuities, drink packages and wifi fees if one wishes to purchase such incidentals.



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  6. Attend an Art Auction for Free Bubbles.


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Most of the food and dining on board is included on a cruise. This includes the Main Dining-room, the buffet, as well as some other casual venues such as cafes and poolside grills or pizza. It's also pretty much unlimited. So if you love an appetizer in the Main Dining Room, feel free to order 2.

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(1). You have the right to refuse this automatic gratuity charge and may compensate cruise staff on your own terms. However, you will need to notify the front desk of this desire. Otherwise it will appear on your bill when your cruise ends and it will be charged to your credit card on file.

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Similarly, if you're on a higher-end ship that lists gratuities as being included in the fare, that means just what it says. You don't have to tip on these cruises because the line is already paying gratuities to the staff on your behalf. Additional cash gifts are not expected.

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Much of the food is included in your cruise fare, with the exception of the steakhouse, Cucina del Capitano, and chef's table that cost a little extra. You can eat as much as you want!

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This outline features some of the must-know nuances of cruise fare inclusions as well as cruise fare extras.
  • Food on Cruise Ships. ...
  • Drinks on Cruise Ships. ...
  • Room Service on Cruise Ships. ...
  • Shows and Entertainment on Cruise Ships. ...
  • Activities on Cruise Ships. ...
  • Spa Services on Cruise Ships. ...
  • Fitness on Cruise Ships.


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Given that most people sail with two people to a room, that means you can bring 24 cans/cartons of anything you want as long as it's non-alcoholic. Just be sure that it is not in a bottle. With the prices of beverages on the cruise (around $2-4 per non-alcoholic drink), that can save you a lot of money.

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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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Norwegian's Free at Sea offer entitles guests to free perks like drink packages, specialty dining, WiFi, kids sail free (or 3rd & 4th guests sail free), and more. The number of perks that cruisers receive does vary based on the current sale and the stateroom category booked.

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You can find nominal savings on a wifi package if purchasing it before your cruise. Typically most cruise lines give a 10%-15% discount if you book a wifi package before you get on the ship.

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After breakfast service ends in the late morning, all major cruise lines offer an all-day room service menu of salads, sandwiches, snacks and desserts.

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Food and drink Yes, the food options differ between Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line. Both cruise lines offer a wide selection of dining options. While Royal Caribbean is known for its upscale feel and gourmet cuisine, Carnival Cruise Line offers a more casual dining experience.

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Much like any hotel on land, room service tends to be operational 24/7 and that means passengers can have breakfast in bed at 2 p.m. if they so please or enjoy a hot pepperoni pizza at 3 a.m. by the sea.

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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. Here are some guidelines to help you decide how much money to bring on a cruise.

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You will most likely need cash while you're off the ship, especially in foreign ports. Not only can it save you money in foreign transaction fees that most credit card companies charge, but if you're traveling to certain parts of the world, you may encounter places where credit cards aren't accepted.

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Is food included on a cruise? You do not have to pay for food on a cruise – but you might want to. Unless you're sailing on an all-inclusive luxury cruise ship, you'll find two types of restaurants on board a cruise ship: free venues and extra-charge, specialty restaurants.

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Here's the list of foods she recommends skipping on your next cruise.
  • Sushi. Although cruise lines take safe food handling extremely seriously, nothing is foolproof. ...
  • Soft Serve Ice Cream Cones. ...
  • Scrambled Eggs. ...
  • Old Pizza. ...
  • Communal Condiments. ...
  • Compromised Food. ...
  • More Than One Plate at a Time. ...
  • Dessert During the Day.


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Your cruise fare always includes food for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a cruise ship. However, not all venues that offer food will be free.

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Tipping on a Cruise Begins Before Sailaway Savvy cruisers know that gratuities begin before you board your ship. Why? If you plan to drop off your larger pieces of luggage, be prepared to give the portside luggage handler a $2- $5 tip per bag. The amount can depend upon size, weight and amount of luggage.

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In general, plan on giving $16–$23 in gratuities per day for each passenger. Note that the amount should be tabulated for each individual in your party—don't try to tip once per couple or group. So if you're planning to go on a 7-day cruise, expect to give a total of between $112 and $161 per person in gratuities.

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Your auto-gratuities will cover all waitstaff in the main dining room, buffet restaurants and specialty dining venues alike. If you dine at the same table and enjoy regular service from one or two particularly excellent waiters, consider leaving an additional $10 to $20 at the cruise's end.

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