Cruising

[RachM84]

Hi. So i enter competitions as a hobby and I was contacted by a cruise company a few weeks back to tell me that I’d won a 7 night cruise. It’s all legit and above board and whilst I was initially happy to accept the prize i’ve since been stressing myself out as I’m now worrying if we can actually afford to go. I know you could say I should’ve thought about the extras before entering the competition but in no way did I expect to win it was just meant for a bit of fun. I’ve been speaking to a few people about cruising and the shock I got when I realised about all the extra costs eg gratuities, the cost of drinks packages, the fact both me and my partner will need a whole new wardrobe as we both live in jeans joggers t shirts trainers and have nothing fancy to wear. I’m seriously considering not going as I’m not only worried about the cost but also that we won’t fit in with the other people on board. AIBU?

What’s included in the package? I recently went on a cruise and there were no gratuities to be paid. I didn’t have drinks package as I rarely drink alcohol. Tea, coffee, fruit juices and water all free at buffet.

The few alcoholic drinks I did have were reasonably priced.

We only had one “dress up” night.

What cruise line is it? With most lines fancy clothes aren’t compulsory. Smart casual is fine.

Is the cruise for two or will your partner have to pay?

Firstly which cruise line? Some are very casual now, if you don’t want to dress up for formal nights you can always eat in the buffet. Or perhaps vinted for a dress and shirt and trousers for your husband.
Tea and coffee and juices and water are not paid extras so you don’t NEED a drinks package.
You have the option of removing gratuities and just tipping the staff you really want to tip and how much you want to give.

Which company is it with?

Oh come on, you've just won a free holiday! Look at the positive.
The food will be included and that's the main thing.

Also is there any onboard spend included in the package?

Sorry I should’ve said it’s with Cunard. All meals are included as well as tea, coffee, unbranded soft drinks and juice etc.

You don’t have to tip and you don’t need to take part in the formal nights. You’ll need a couple of summer dresses and that’s all. You don’t have to get sucked into the whole formality of it.

We went at Easter, we didn’t even dress up for one night!

The most expensive thing I paid for was €20 for my DC’s PJs to be sent to laundry because they were sick on them! They’re won’t over indulge on a buffet again anytime soon

As said, look at what it includes. You'll only need a couple of outfits, there's loads of sales on.

Don’t get me wrong I am absolutely amazed I even won and so so grateful, but I have autism and anxiety and tend to over think and worry unnecessarily about things.

Jeez woman! Get on to Vinted to buy a couple of nice dresses (but the type you will wear again, so nothing too fancy), or borrow from loved ones or friends.
Make this work! You'll kick yourself if not.

Oh you have to go! Cunard ships are stunning! You’ll have an amazing time!

We dressed up on the first cruise we went on but decided that wasn’t going to happen again as we felt as if we were on a film set. We’ve been on several since and the most dressed up we’ve been is smart black trousers and a nice top - just as if you were going out for a meal somewhere. We didn’t do the formal evening dress nights - on those nights we just went to the buffet instead.
we don’t drink alcohol so didn’t pay for any drinks
The only money we spent was on a couple of organised excursions in ports as we wanted to go out further into the country. But you don’t need to do that if you are visiting places for the first time.
Go and enjoy it!

Vinted for the clothes!

Definitely do not buy the drinks package- its really not worth it! Just get an occasional cocktail if you fancy it otherwise drink the included drinks. If you speak to guest services they can remove gratuities or adjust to affordable amount. We mostly lived in jeans and t-shirts on the couple of cruises we have been on- there is no dress code in the buffet. Go to a charity shop and pick up a couple of dresses if you want an alternative or to go to the main restaurant or some if the bars on formal night. Don't do shore excursions if they are too expensive- there's usually plenty you can do just getting off and wandering about. And mainly, enjoy!

This ^^
I have been on cruises including trans Atlantic on the Queen Mary which was as posh as you like.

Not everyone took part in the formal dinner nights. They just ate in one of the informal buffet restaurants. No long evening dresses in there.

Just buy yourself a couple of pretty dresses with some nice sandals. Otherwise, clean jeans and tee shirts with clean trainers for trips ashore.

For your man, chinos and polo shirts. Deck shoes. A pair of nice trousers and a decent shirt or two to change for dinner. Take a tie just in case.

Alternatively, advertise the holiday and sell it on.

We dressed up on the first cruise we went on but decided that wasn’t going to happen again as we felt as if we were on a film set. We’ve been on several since and the most dressed up we’ve been is smart black trousers and a nice top - just as if you were going out for a meal somewhere. We didn’t do the formal evening dress nights - on those nights we just went to the buffet instead.

Yes we don’t bother with dressing up any more, the line we go with doesn’t do formal nights. I just take some summer maxis that I’ve bought in sales.

And there's all sorts of people on board. Some of them will want to tell you about the 1000 other cruises they have been on but you don't have to talk to them again if this is annoying! You will fit in just fine.

We just got home from a cruise, our fourth one.

Dressing up not necessary. We lived in shorts and t shirts and stayed like this for formal nights....plenty of people do....they go to the buffet that night where dressing up is not required.

We did not have a drinks package. We took two cabin size suitcases full of cans of soft drink and bottles of water. If it's from the UK, this is allowed. We got extra water on board (free). I bought two cocktails on the whole cruise. Our total drinks bill was £21 per week. Drinks packages are not mandatory and not worth it in my opinion unless you are heavy alcohol and posh coffee drinkers.

Go, OP! YOLO!

Cunard are wonderful if it suits, though it's true they're a bit more "dressy" than some, so personally I'd get on ebay/Vinted or whatever for a few items which can easily be resold afterwards - unless like so many of us you get addicted, in which case you'll need them again

They also have free self service laundrettes, so really you only need enough decent stuff for 3 days then repeat. Granted you could stick to the buffet in ultra-casuals, but you'd miss so much for the sake of spending a few quid to access the better dining

Drink prices are extortionate as are drinks packages, so if money's tight I'd stick with soft stuff just for a week, and definitely avoid ship tours if where you're going is suitable for DIY wandering (where are you going BTW?)

Gratuities are the thorny one; personally I pay them, but if you really must there's nothing to stop you asking at the purser's desk for them to be removed. It's seen as "not the thing to do" because they help to make up staff wages, but others feel that's for the cruise line to address and you'd by no means be alone

Lastly, unless it's a Southampton departure, are flights are included in the prize? Sometimes they're not so it's worth checking

Forgot to add this is a great resource for DIY visits to ports - it even gives you maps to take along (cruise line ones are usually rubbish and last month Cunard weren't providing even those)

https://www.whatsinport.com/

BTW internet is also ££££ to buy onboard, but unless you need constant connectivity you can log on while onland by visiting a cafe for access

Cunard are wonderful if it suits, though it's true they're a bit more "dressy" than some, so personally I'd get on ebay/Vinted or whatever for a few items which can easily be resold afterwards - unless like so many of us you get addicted, in which case you'll need them again

As a fellow cruise addict, the only downside I can see with Cunard is that if OP really enjoys it and wants to do it again she will have been spoilt for other cruise lines!

You don't have to tip or take the drinks package.

I've been on a few cruises and have never paid for a drinks package, doesn't stop you buying alcohol and I'm told that unless you drink a fair bit it's not worth the price, also a lot of branded drinks aren't included in some packages so you'd have to pay extra anyway.

Tipping was only something we did on the day we came home, we left some euros in our cabin for the person that tidied our room.

Dress code is quite casual, some cruise lines have a night where you dine with the captain but its not compulsory and even if you did want to go smart clothing will do, doesn't have to be anything that you'll probably never wear again.

Just take enough spending money, which in all honesty as all foods supplied you may only need it for drinks and a souvenir for when out and about so doesn't have to be loads.

Go, and I hope you a wonderful time.