Enchantment of the Seas, ROYAL CARIBBEAN_Cruise to Southern Caribbean (35)
Check out these royal caribbean southern cruise images:
Enchantment of the Seas, ROYAL CARIBBEAN_Cruise to Southern Caribbean (35)
Image by JorgeBRAZIL
Enchantment of the Seas, ROYAL CARIBBEAN_Cruise to Southern Caribbean (38)
Image by JorgeBRAZIL
Enchantment of the Seas, ROYAL CARIBBEAN_Cruise to Southern Caribbean (34)
Image by JorgeBRAZIL
Question by Siobhan: Royal Caribbean southen Caribbean cruise spending money?
Hi, my husband and I have booked a southern Caribbean cruise with royal Caribbean and I’m wondering how much spends to bring? Were hoping to do about 3 excursions. Were not massive drinkers but don’t want to feel like we have to count our pennies all holiday. The holiday in total is nine days this includes 7 days cruising to Antigua, Barbados, st. Maartin, st. Lucia and virgin islands plus flying to and from puerto rico. Has any one been who can help me out on this one? Thanks in advance
BQ; has anyone got any useful info or tips they can share about cruises. It’s our first one. Any recommended excursions would be appreciated also can we bring alcohol in our cases to drink in our room.
Hi everyone, Can anyone tell me roughly how much to expect my bill to be by the end of the cruise and if I pay using a debit/ credit card when will they take the money is it the last day of the cruise or do they take it X amount of days later, thanks 
)
Best answer:
Answer by Barkley Hound
All expenses on the ship will be paid with your cruise card. This includes excursions booked on the ship. This will be settled at the end of the cruise by a charge to your credit card. Very little cash is needed. About the only thing you may need it for on the ship is for the casino and tips to other than the room steward, waiters, and bartenders. These are all added to your account.
On shore most shops will take credit cards. The only cash would be for purchases at small booths. I can’t imagine needing more that 0-0 per person and probably much less.
The answer to alcohol is NO. You can bring a limited amount of wine but that is all.
❄ ❄ ❄
The basic cruise fare includes your room, meals in the regular dining rooms and buffets, room service, shows, and most ship facilities. Many ships also have free pizza, ice cream at various times, sushi, and hot dogs and hamburgers.
There are usually 3 choices for free dining. There is traditional dining where you are assigned a time and table for dining. They range from 2 to 10 seats and you have the same diners each time. There is anytime dining which allows you to go dine any time and you are seated with others dining at the same time. Both are held in large dining rooms with waiters. Then there is the buffet which is usually on the top deck. It is open to all and many people always use it for breakfast and lunch.
The extras are first tips. Figure about per day per person for the tips to the room steward and wait staff. This is optional and some cruise lines automatically charge you. It can be adjusted or reversed at the end of the cruise. You should also tip a few dollars if you use room service. All bar drinks will have 15% added for a tip.
Many ships have alternate dining facilities that have a service charge of on up. It may be a steak house or an Italian restaurant for example. There are also specialty coffee bars that have a charge. All bar drinks including sodas have a charge. The only free bar drinks are at the Captains Reception and the Repeat Cruiser Reception. Do not assume that the drinks being offered when you board are free. They are not. Bar drinks are and up. Some ships are even charging for juice at any meal other than breakfast.
Megaships are now including “name” restaurants such as Starbucks or one of the hamburger chains. You will pay for any meal there. There are even full scale production shows that charge huge prices for dinner and a show.
Some cruise lines sell a soda card for about a day. It is only for fountain soda. Unless you have 3 sodas a day it is not worth it. You can also buy a specialty coffee card which gives you 15 for about the price of 12.
There is a charge for any personal service such as laundry, salons, private trainers, etc. Spa treatments are very expensive, -0. There is also gambling which includes the casino, bingo (- per session), and sometime deck games such as horse racing. A ship photographer will be taking pictures all over the ship and at special occasions. They cost over each. Phone calls in the room are about a minute. Some ships have cell phone service. You are charged for international roaming by your phone service at about .50 per minute. Internet will cost about an hour for a package. It is higher by the minute.
Sundries are very expensive. Figure at least double the normal price. Many ships also sell works of art for lower prices than you will find in a gallery.
Off ship excursions are expensive. They start at about and can be in the hundreds. You can book them on the ship or go on your own. The ship will not leave without you if a cruise excursion is late. With one you did on your own they will not wait.
In addition to these costs be sure to plan a bag for porter service and over a day for pier parking.
₪ ʎəɿʞɹɐq ₪
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
March 1st, 2011 at 5:03 pm
took a cruise like the one you plan. flew to PR and cruised to same places.
some info- SHIP EXCURSIONS are expensive- book online before you leave. they guarantee you’ll be back to the ship before it sails- important if you plan long times to scuba, party cruises, jeep tours, etc. taxis cost a fraction of ship excursions to go sightseeing, to shopping, or to nearby attractions. if you just want the beach or to wander around, try taxis. but use caution. a small wallet w/long strap attached to your belt loop/ bra strap can be tucked into a pocket. can’t drop or lose it. carry ID, small bills, ship card and a credit card. traveling as a couple should be fine.
ALCOHOL costs $4-$8 per drink. ships have rules against bringing your own liquor. however, they don’t search your bags. we packed a bottle of rum, sealed in plastic, inside a shoe in our checked bag when flying. keep it out of sight. if they see it, they take it. pour in a cup before leaving room. bacardi is made in PR. spectacular deals on booze at the cruise port, on ship, and on every island, can’t take the bottles to your cabin. they store it and give it back at the end. if you take home, have them specially packed for air travel in plastic bubble containers. be aware of added airline baggage fees. also, soda cards are about $7 per day/per person. unless you drink 6-8 glasses per day it is cheaper to buy singles. it was about $2.50 per bottle last cruise. i took my own 12 pack of soda some bottled water in my bag before. flying is more complicated, but i used a vacuum sealer and 8oz cans without problem. water is offered when you leave the ship @ $3 bottle. i took a refillable bottle and filled it from the tap or free beverage area. i like to spend my money on fun, not beverages.snacks are really expensive. you won’t find a lot of popcorn, chips, pretzels, cookies, nuts, or candy. grab some bananas, apples, boxed cereal, or other snacks at the buffet to take ashore if you will be on long excursions. most don’t include food. granola bars or trail mix are good to pack at home. the room service menu has things like cookies or chips if you want them.
MONEY- most ships are cash free. everything is charged to your ship card, including tips- which are about $10 per person/per day. so you shouldn’t need any cash on the ship. if you want to buy photos, a drink, gamble, shop in the gift shop, or purchase excursions and spa treatments they charge it to your ship card. you won’t be able to leave or enter the ship without that card. you will need a credit card to set up your ship card account before you get on the ship. when in port you will need money to tip luggage handlers, pay for taxis, shop, etc. i carry lots of one dollar bills so i don’t get caught with no change. also, take some quarters for coin laundry. the ship will charge your credit card for what you buy on the last day of the cruise. they will usually slip a charge receipt under the door.MY BEST ADVICE** pack less. you can wash clothes if you need to. hair dryer, shampoo, and soap are provided.** take an extra suitcase or bag for that stuff you buy. i put my small suitcase into the large one and then pack around it. later i have 2 bags.**use luggage locks. ships deliver your bags to the hallway outside your room. they sit there until you take them into your cabin. later you leave your bags in the hall for pick up. **never put medications, jewelry, money, credit cards, ID, passports(you must have one), or valuables in checked bags. carry it on your person!! **tie bright ugly ribbon on your bag handles. thousands leave the ship at the same time. yours will be easier to spot in the terminal.**pack the names and dosage info for all meds, and pack prilosec, tylenol,and diarrhea med.**get your shots updated. water/food safety and health quality may not be what you are used to. better to have flu, tetanus, or hepatitis shots than get sick.
**make sure you have batteries, chargers, SD cards, and cords for your camera or devices.
**take a flashlight or nightlight. the cabins are dark. bathroom visits in the dark…**take big & small ziplock bags for packing wet swimwear, souvenirs, collecting receipts, carrying snacks, or leaky bottles.**take lots of sunscreen, an extra swim suit, and a beach towel. if ship towels are lost, you pay for them.**use the room safe for your jewelry, wallet, camera, meds, cell phone, etc. lock the safe every time you leave your room. when you’re gone the room steward comes in. sometimes the door may be left open as they clean.**ports have internet cafes for cheap- $8/30 minutes on antigua in 2007-cheaper than onboard. islands have cell phone service – i called from st thomas to home for the same for no extra cost with AT&T. ask your cell provider.**notify your credit card co that you will be out of the country before you leave to avoid problems. most credit cards will freeze your account if they see unusual spending- like when you are away from home.