Spending when onboard a cruise ship
For the purpose of this entry, I will be writing about the mass market cruise lines. There are several truly all inclusive luxury lines where just about everything on the cruise is included in the price of the cruise fare. If you happen to be one of those types of client, let’s talk today. 
Just what does the price you pay for your cruise include in the first place? You get a stateroom (Suite to a balcony to an inside); transportation to two, three, four and more ports depending on the length of your cruise; plain coffee, ice tea, water and juices to drink; and plenty of food to eat from morning to midnight (and if you insist even beyond that). That being said, you have the ability to spend about 15-25% of your total cruise fare on extras. In no particular order, they include:
Casino
Shore Excursions
Shopping onboard
Alcoholic drinks
Sodas (just about all cruise lines serve Coke Products)
Chocolate Shakes
Specialty Coffee
Specialty Ice Cream
Duty Free Liquor, Cigars and Cigarettes
Photography
There are more, but one of the big ones is the Specialty Dining Venues onboard just about every cruise ship sailing today. This is a dining experience that costs about $25-$35 per person depending on the venue for food that is cooked À la minute. Instead of being rushed through a banquet style meal, you get to savor dinner with your partner or even another couple in a relaxed environment. This is not to say that the food in the main dining room is not delicious, but food is subjective. I happen to prefer my food very hot when it arrives which is hard to do in a banquet environment.
On the last night of the cruise, you will get a bill showing all of your onboard spending. Some people get one page and others get a phone book. What you and your family chooses to spend is totally up to you…we will talk more about that next time.
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