What is included in the cost of a cruise?

We are just back from a cruise onboard Dawn Princess. Just a little four day cruise from Fremantle to Albany, Margaret River, Fremantle. Although this was our fifth cruise, many onboard were first time cruisers who are not sure what is included in the cost of a cruise or were unsure if they would enjoy sea travel.

So just what is included in the price of a cruise I hear you ask?

First there is the mode of transport itself. Hassle free travel without costly airfares, train and bus schedules. Just relaxation and refreshing sea air.

  

Cruising is one stop travel, luxury accommodation and a different view each morning in a new port. You have the choice of Internal, Ocean View and Balcony staterooms or a Mini, Family or Full suites.  Whether you select an internal or a suite you will find all the little extras you get in the best hotels. 100% Egyptian cotton linen, TV, refrigerator, complimentary toiletries, evening bed turn down with chocolates on your pillow and 24 hour complimentary room service.

Included in the cost of a cruise is also all meals, beverages (excluding sodas and alcoholic beverages), entertainment and activities. From around $85.00 per day I think that is good value for money.

The casual dining options vary from the Horizon Court buffet, Balcony Grill, Patisserie or La Scala Pizzeria.  The traditional main dining rooms Florentine and Venetian are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and have a dress code of smart casual, but are included in the cost of a cruise. The Sterling Steakhouse is a speciality restaurant where you can dine on cooked to order steaks, but does require a booking and a surcharge. There is also 24 hour room service and Sundaes ice cream bar at no extra charge. Another of the Princess traditions is the aroma of freshly baked cookies with a daily serve of milk and cookies in the Atrium or poolside each afternoon.  The Wheelhouse Bar is transformed on sea days into an English pub and serves Bangers n Mash, Fish & Chips or Ploughman’s lunch, at no extra charge, and includes a selection of pub ales and Guinness for an additional fee.  A daily British style afternoon high tea of finger sandwiches, scones and cake is served by waiters in their formal attire and white gloves.  With the exception of the $25 per person surcharge in the Sterling Steakhouse and any alcohol, everything mentioned above is included in the cost of a cruise.

The Main dining rooms offer fine dining at the same table and the same attentive wait staff for the duration of the cruise. It is so nice building a rapport with the hard-working staff and meeting the smiling faces of some wait staff from our previous cruises.

 

All food in the Main dining rooms are included along with beverages (iced tea, lemonade, water, tea varieties and non specialty coffee).

Sodas and alcoholic beverages are an additional fee and there are many bars to quench our thirst and try out the cocktail of the day at the Vista Lounge, Magnums Bar, Jammers Disco, Atrium Lounge & Bar, The Wheelhouse Bar, Riviera Bar, Oasis Bar & Hot Tub and Windjammers Bar.

There was also a huge variety of activities from relaxing in our stateroom watching TV, afternoon trivia, Martini demonstration, the tranquillity of the adults only Sanctuary, fun at the Sailaway party, getting in shape at the Fitness Centre, jogging in the fresh air on the Promenade deck, free champagne at the art auction, even a court for basketball, tennis, etc.

There were many entertainment opportunities, String Quartet, pianists, a party band, Fabulous Beatle Boys tribute act, Sweet Soul Music and an impressionist act. There was an Art Gallery, Boutiques, Spa &Beauty Salon, Photography gallery, Grand Casino, Library and Internet Café onboard. We could unwind in the pools, spa or hot tubs or relax poolside on the lounges watching big screen movie on the Movie Under the Stars screen complete with freshly cooked popcorn.

 

Dawn Princess has a Medical Centre (make sure you take out travel insurance) and a Laundry Room offering self serve laundry for a nominal fee or full same day laundry service for those wanting to pay for the luxury of someone to take care of it for them.

I would recommend everyone to experience at least one breakfast, afternoon tea and evening meal in the main dining room, especially on the last night. Also treat yourself to room service, after all it’s free. On port days we always take advantage of a room service breakfast to avoid the early morning rush to in disembarking. But my biggest tip is to shop around, check out all the cruising websites for last minute specials and book yourself a deal so you can create your own cruising memories.

Depending on the style of holiday you are after, cruising is probably one of the most relaxed. Sometimes you just need a relaxing break where you don’t want to fuss with all the planning that goes into a holiday… and this was one of those breaks.

Thank you Princess, you lived up to your slogans “escape completely” and “come back new”.

We’d love to read your comments below. Is a cruise on your buckets list? Does knowing what is included in the cost of a cruise entice you to want to try cruising?  If so, contact Princess Cruises

*All opinions and photos are our own and we were not financially compensated for this post.

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