And lastly, about the extra charges.
You need to think about the tips as just a part of the overall cruise price. I think the cruise lines and TAs really need to make the tips a more visible item when they book people on a cruise. It gives any business a bad impression when charges, that are not really optional, are added on later. JMHO.
Having cruised many times, I now tally in the cost of tips, automatically when I consider the price of a cruise. But I can remember being a newbie, and finding out about them AFTER we were on the ship. (Now that was a kick in the pants. We were lucky to be able to scrape together that much at the last minute.)
As for other extra, you have total control over whether you incur these charges. The temptation is great to spend a lot. But you don't really have to, and can have a great cruise anyway, even without spending so much.
That being said, I admitt to spending an average of $400 to $700 onboard. for the two of us on each cruise. That covers:
Alcoholic drinks & wine at dinner
Soft drinks & specialty coffees
Excursions
Playing bingo
Spa treatments - hair, nails massage etc.
Buying photos from the ship photographers
Shopping in the ships shops. (now that can cost a whole lot, if you spend a lot.)
And what you donate in the casino is totally up to you.
The bingo and the casino are the only things you can use cash for on the ship.
And maybe tips. Carnival now adds the tips to you shipboard bill, automatically now. If you would really rather tip with cash in person, you can have them removed from your bill. You can increase of decrease the amount of the tip also, should you feel your service warrants.
We used to not like the automatic tipping, but it really is easier, so kind of like it now. But we still frequently tip an additional amount in cash, when we've felt it deserved.
Tipping amounts: I've cut this from the Carnival web site.
Other places where you would likely be expected to tip:
A buck or two for each room service order.
A dollar per bag to the dock workers who take your suitcases from you as you arrive at the dock.
And the same to the porters who help take your suitcases to the taxi or bus on debarkation day.
You probably already know to tip the taxi drivers, and sky caps.
Don't forget the bus drivers/guides on the tours, and the boat crew on your snorkel excursions, etc.
And you tip for spa services just like you would at a land spa/salon.
I can't think of anymore. Except maybe the childrens services. I think people tip them too, but I don't know about that for sure, as we've never cruise with children.
