Part Three: All Inclusive...What Does That Mean?

 You’re going on an all-inclusive cruise…now, what does that really mean?  What are you really getting and what will you have to pay a little more for….Let’s find out!

The most obvious inclusion:  Your Stateroom

            You already know when you purchased your cruise you were purchasing a stateroom onboard the ship.  But did you also know that Carnival boasts the largest staterooms of any cruise in the industry, across the board?  Each stateroom features one of Carnival’s Comfort beds.  These beds are a far cry from the cot-like beds onboard other ships.  You’ll have no trouble resting peacefully onboard these boats!  The only problem we’ve ever found was in deciding when to go to bed!  We always feel like we’re missing something because there is no end to the fun on board these ships!  You could literally find something to do 24 hours a day! 

So, what else is included?  How about food? 

This is one of our favorite topics!  In fact, we enjoy talking about it so much our next post will be devoted entirely to food!  We’ll save the specifics about menus and the benefits of certain dining times and options for tomorrow.  But, we couldn’t resist a brief preview, today!

Part of your all-inclusive cruise is the amazing dining options found on board:  24-hour room service, 24-hour pizza and ice cream, the Lido Restaurant, and the main dining rooms.  You will be amazed at the culinary artistry of the chefs at work in the main dining room!  The best part, they are open for all three meals each day.  World-class food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?  That’s right, and at no charge!  If that weren’t enough…the Lido Restaurant is also available to you.  Here you will find more casual dining fare but that certainly doesn’t mean that the food is any less amazing!  Like we mentioned earlier, you will find pizza, calzones, Caesar salad, and breadsticks, plus endless ice cream available on deck 24/7!  Unless your will power is iron-clad, you can expect to leave the cruise a little heavier than when you came onboard!

Remember to check back in with us tomorrow for a full list of dining options, some sample menus, kids menus, a full study on desserts, and all of the other dining options that Carnival offers!

Not only will you be eating world-class food but you will be enjoying world-class entertainment!  Carnival offers nightly revues, magic shows, comedy shows, and much more in the theatre.  We love that there is a different show every day of the cruise.  Another feature we enjoy…there are multiple shows each night.  This way, no matter what dining time you have or what you have planned for the evening, you’ll be able to take advantage of the night’s entertainment.  The theatre is used at other times throughout the day and early evening for more entertainment options.  These are usually game-show like contests for passengers.  We have found them to be some of the most entertaining offerings on board because guests get to participate and compete against one another.  It’s a great way to interact with fellow guests!

            The entertainment doesn’t stop there!  You’ll also enjoy the pools, whirlpools, hot tubs, and water slides.  We find there is something extraordinary about being in a pool in the middle of the ocean.  It’s an experience you aren’t likely to forget!  These areas tend to be the center of excitement onboard the ship.  They offer the perfect place to relax or have a little fun (ok, a lot of fun!) with events like belly flop contests, dance offs, and live music.  Some boats also offer mini golf courses, basketball, ping pong, and shuffle board. 

Onboard Carnival’s newest ships you will find something that no other cruise ship has, a laser show!  This exhilarating laser show, set to contemporary and up-tempo music is unlike anything you’ve ever seen on land, much less at sea! 

As if that weren’t enough to keep you busy, just head inside!  During the day you can take part in dance classes that teach several different types of dance.  Go back to the club later that night to test out your new moves or sing a little karaoke! 

If you’re looking for something a little quieter, you can always stop in the library and check out the latest best-seller or head to the art gallery! 

Don’t forget!  Not only will you be having a great time but your kids will be having a blast in Camp Carnival!  That’s right, it’s included, too!

Carnival offers so many amazing complimentary programs and amenities.  It’s easy to see the value built into your cruise!  Basically everything that you could possibly need on your cruise is included in the price of your cruise. 

Of course, there are a few extras that might interest you.  For these, you’ll have to pay a little more.

We’ll start with the most obvious:  Souvenirs

            Your souvenirs are not complimentary (we know you didn’t really think they were, but we had to say it!).  You will have to purchase any souvenir that you would like at an additional charge.  Shopping onboard though is great because it’s duty-free!  You’ll find some great deals on unique products that you’ll love taking home with you.  We love that many alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served in glasses or cups that you may keep!  They make a great souvenir and they’re included in the price of your drink!

Of course, any play in the ship’s casino is not complimentary. 

            Winning wouldn’t be nearly as much fun if you weren’t actually winning money.  So it makes sense that you would be responsible for using your own money in the casino.  There is no cover charge for the casino or a minimum playing amount.  The casino accepts U.S. currency, travelers checks, or you may use your Sail & Sign account to purchase credits or chips.  The casino does close while in port!  The only exception would be if you are visiting Half Moon Cay, Carnival’s private island.  While in port at Half Moon Cay, it is at the discretion of the directors as to whether the casino will be open. 

 

We wish this weren’t true, but some beverages aren’t complimentary!

Alcohol is not included.  You will have to purchase any alcoholic beverages for an additional charge.  You are allowed to bring one bottle (750 mL) of champagne or wine, per guest over the age of 21, onboard with you when you embark.  Any alcohol that is purchased in port will be stored during the cruise and given to you upon debarkation at the end of your cruise.  Some excursions will provide complimentary alcoholic beverages but others do not.  If you have questions about whether or not alcohol will be complimentary on your excursions of choice, be sure to ask Guest Services.

Another beverage that is not complimentary on your cruise is soda.  This may have no affect on some of you, while others, like us, find this to be a source of much grief.  Beverages are very reasonably priced, but if you drink them at the rate we do, you’ll want to look into the Bottomless Bubbles option that Carnival extends to its guests.  This feature will allow you to enjoy unlimited soft drinks and juices for a small fee that you pay up front ($6 per day, per adult and $4.50 per day, per child plus 15% gratuity).  We find this to be well worth the small fee and we highly recommend this service! 

The next service you might be interested in is Internet.  Internet is available in the Internet Café or ship-wide via Wi-Fi.  To enjoy internet, via computer, you will have to pay a nominal activation fee.  Then you are left to either pay-as-you-go or purchase a Time Plan.  Internet can also be accessed via your smart phone.  You may use your phone carriers wireless data services (which will be subject to your carrier’s international service rates) or you can apply your Time Plan to your mobile device. 

If you’re interested in spa and fitness options on board, you will have to pay additional fees for those services.  Any spa or salon service that you want to sign up for will cost you a little bit extra (The only exceptions are for Deluxe Spa Suites on board Carnival’s newest ships.  These include some, but not all, spa services).  Spa services can be paid for ahead of time and booked online.  Salon services like manicures or pedicures may also be booked and paid for ahead of time.  Other salon services, like waxing, haircuts, hair colorings, or stylings must be booked onboard using your Sail & Sign card.  If you’re more interested in fitness, you will find several classes you can sign up for like yoga, pilates, and spin classes offered at a nominal charge.  There are many free fitness programs offered, though, and access to the ship’s gym is complimentary!

            Just like any other product or service you choose to purchase while you are ashore, you will have to pay additionally for shore excursions or tours.  These may be purchased ahead of time online or onboard at Guest Services.  We highly recommend that you take advantage of shore excursions and tours!  They are the safest and best way to experience the ports of call that you visit.  We say they are safe because if you go on an excursion coordinated through Carnival you will definitely be back in plenty of time before the boat departs the port.  Also, if your excursion is cancelled then Carnival will credit the amount to your Sign & Sail account and help you find another excursion.  Not to mention the fact that the shore excursions and tours offer once-in-a-lifetime adventures!

            The moral of this post:  all-inclusive is NOT too good to be true!  Everything that you could possibly need on your cruise is complimentary.  You’ll only have to pay for a few of the thing that you might want!  You won’t find value like that in any other kind of vacation!