Crusing on Royal Caribbean’s Surprise of the Seas is a trip on one of many largest cruise ship’s on the earth, however it additionally comes with an enormous price ticket for every part it gives.
I went on a 7-night crusing that price me greater than $4,500 for the cruise fare, lodge, airfare, and loads of onboard purchases.
Since Oasis Class ships are amongst my favorites at sea, I couldn’t resist crusing aboard Surprise for every week to the western Caribbean.
I made essentially the most of my time on the ship with out utterly breaking the financial institution by using some money-saving methods, reminiscent of reserving an inside stateroom and cruising throughout the shoulder season.
In complete, I spent $4,698.16 on my weeklong Western Caribbean & Good Day cruise on Surprise of the Seas, together with airfare to Florida and miscellaneous onboard spending. It wasn’t the most affordable trip, however it was value each penny!
My assure inside cabin was $2,292.10
In a dream world, I’d all the time cruise in a balcony stateroom. Nonetheless, they’re dearer than inside cabins, and given how often I sail, this isn’t real looking.
As such, I booked a assure inside stateroom for my 7-night cruise on Surprise of the Seas. The overall was $2,292.10, together with taxes, port charges, and gratuities for 2 individuals.
As a result of I booked a assure cabin, we couldn’t select our stateroom’s location and had been assigned cabin 9116.
The usual inside stateroom was all the way in which ahead on Deck 9. I sometimes favor midship staterooms, particularly when crusing with my associate, as she will get seasick extra simply than I do. Nonetheless, we obtained fortunate on our specific crusing.
There have been only a few instances we felt extreme motion in our stateroom. One night, my associate mentioned the rocking stored her awake later than she would have favored, however slightly Dramamine helped her fall asleep earlier than midnight.
That mentioned, the stateroom was well-appointed. Touring as a pair, we stored the mattress configured collectively, slightly than separating the mattresses and having two smaller twin-sized beds.
Learn extra: I obtained seasick on two cruises. Here is what I will do in another way subsequent time
In addition to the situation, my solely different quarrels with the cabin had been the dearth of a loveseat or couch and hooks. Whereas we had a chair, I’d have most popular a bigger sofa as a catch-all place for our miscellaneous objects. At instances, we had a number of baggage piled on the tiny chair.
Our cabin’s partitions had been additionally noticeably naked apart from a small gallery wall association on the left aspect. As such, there wasn’t an incredible spot to hold lanyards or day baggage. Although bigger staterooms onboard sometimes have hooks beneath the tv, this space was occupied by the dresser.
If I had been to cruise on Surprise once more, I would prioritize bringing magnetic hooks to assist make the most of the wall area extra effectively and higher manage our belongings.
My onboard bills, together with a specialty meal at The Mason Jar and some souvenirs, got here out to $403.91
Everybody’s onboard spending seems totally different. Some could favor to splurge on a drink bundle, whereas different cruisers may spend their cash on a specialty eating bundle or shore excursions in port.
Whereas on Surprise of the Seas, I didn’t totally prohibit myself to the complimentary facilities. As such, my onboard spending got here to $403.91.
Earlier than the cruise, my associate and I made a reservation for The Mason Jar to attempt its brunch as a result of neither of us had eaten there earlier than.
After we booked our cruise with our journey agent, we had been gifted $50 in onboard credit score that we used to assist offset the associated fee. This meant we paid simply $9.20 per particular person or $18.40 altogether.
I want I had a lighter dinner the night time earlier than as a result of my abdomen positively wasn’t prepared for a multi-course meal at 11:00am on our closing day onboard! All the things from the deviled eggs to the over-the-top cinnamon roll and twice-fried Oreos was scrumptious and price the associated fee.
On embarkation day, we additionally determined to skip the Primary Eating Room and eat at Playmakers for dinner. An order of six wings, a hen sandwich, and the notorious campfire cookie was $40.72, together with an additional tip for our immediate waiter.
Along with meals, we spend cash on a number of souvenirs onboard. One among my responsible pleasures is buying new toys for my canine, Dexter. One night time, as we had been searching the outlets, we couldn’t resist shopping for a brand new collar and first-mate canine toy for him. These two objects got here out to be $22.93.
In all equity, he did want a brand new collar. We someway misplaced his and had been utilizing one which didn’t match our previous man very properly. The toy was a enjoyable bonus!
One other miscellaneous buy was my associate’s lanyard. I used to be in Florida earlier than her, so she packed on her personal. Just a few objects had been forgotten, together with a lanyard! She additionally forgot her trusty handheld fan. Fortunately, we took it straightforward, reserving a non-public driver with an air-conditioned automobile in Roatán, staying onboard in Cozumel, and spending time within the pool whereas docked in Costa Maya.
Royal Caribbean ships don’t have a scarcity of lanyards, so she picked one up on embarkation day for $10.64 within the Royal Promenade whereas we waited for the announcement that staterooms had been prepared.
We additionally purchased two new T-shirts within the Royal Promenade for $30. Normally, I keep away from these gross sales; nevertheless, I needed a brand new comfortable shirt to sleep in, and $15 for an outsized shirt is not a nasty deal.
Alcohol is one thing to think about on any cruise, no matter which line you are crusing with. We restricted our every day consumption since we determined to economize and never buy a drink bundle. For essentially the most half, we caught to our 4 included Diamond vouchers.
Learn extra: The secrets and techniques to attaining Diamond standing rapidly on Royal Caribbean
Nonetheless, there have been a number of instances we needed an additional drink when attending actions just like the adults-only silent disco within the Solarium or watching The Quest in Studio B.
Plus, we tried the Bionic Bar and invented our personal concoctions, and I could not go too lengthy with out a crisp Eating regimen Coke. My associate additionally bought a Cafe Choose Espresso Card for her iced coffees every morning. Altogether, these drinks totaled $199.14.
One night time, we bought ice cream at Sugar Seaside whereas watching Inside Out 2 on the AquaTheater. Our two scoops of Cookies & Cream ice cream got here out to $7.08. It was my first time making an attempt Sugar Seaside and although it was a pleasant deal with, the delicate serve at Sprinkles is a stable possibility and doesn’t price something additional.
Lastly, if there’s one place my associate and I’ve to go to on each cruise, it’s the arcade. Or, in my case, the grownup arcade, aka the on line casino! Between the slots and some failed claw machines, we spent $75.00.
Earlier than the cruise, we reserved The Key for $517.86
After 14 Royal Caribbean cruises, I made a decision to attempt The Key to see if it was definitely worth the comparatively excessive price ticket. It got here out to $517.86 for 2 passengers, or $36.99 per particular person, per night time, for our weeklong cruise on Surprise of the Seas.
The Key Program provides visitors sure precedence advantages, reminiscent of reserved seating in the primary theater and AquaTheater, an unique welcome lunch within the Primary Eating Room, and extra.
It additionally features a VOOM Surf & Stream bundle for one machine per particular person, so since my associate and I had been each going to buy a Wi-Fi bundle, we determined to splurge on The Key for additional perks whereas on our 7-night cruise.
The Key didn’t embody precedence or expedited boarding within the terminal at Port Canaveral; nevertheless, as soon as on the ship, we dropped off our carry-on baggage within the Primary Eating Room and loved a three-course meal.
It was a pleasant contact to start our weeklong cruise away from the crowds within the buffet. Nonetheless, the meals wasn’t actually something that particular.
All through our voyage, we additionally took benefit of the reserved seating within the AquaTheater. We had superb seats entrance and middle and had been in awe of the gifted divers and dancers as they carried out daring stunts and synchronized routines.
We additionally utilized The Key’s personal zip line time on the final day, although this wasn’t deliberate. We needed to observe the Sure or No recreation present within the karaoke lounge; nevertheless, all seats had been crammed after we arrived. As an alternative of standing within the nook, we made our technique to Deck 16 and rode the zip line with no wait!
Total, although, I do not suppose The Key was value the associated fee. Whereas having additional advantages was good, I would slightly spend the cash on a cabin with a view or a shore tour.
We didn’t even use The Key’s categorical disembarkation. After grabbing a espresso at Cafe Promenade, we joined the road within the Royal Promenade and had been off the ship in minutes.
I booked an tour by means of Viator in Roatán, Honduras, for $140
Since my associate and I visited Cozumel final 12 months, we opted to remain onboard, saving cash and making the most of fewer crowds. Nonetheless, it was my fiancée’s first time in Roatán, and he or she actually needed to go to an animal sanctuary. We booked a last-minute tour by means of Viator for $140 together with a tip, and I would extremely suggest it!
Although we booked by means of Viator, the tour firm was known as Roatán Breakaway Excursions. We simply positioned our driver, Kendall, outdoors the port, and had been whisked away on a 3.5-hour tour that visited Daniel Johnson’s Monkey & Sloth Hangout, the Roatán Rum Firm, and the Roatán Chocolate Manufacturing facility.
Kendall was a unbelievable driver, and we realized quite a bit in regards to the island as we drove to every cease. This was simply one of many highlights of our cruise! Who would not wish to maintain an cute sloth or have cute monkeys soar throughout them?
This was the one tour bought, as we deliberate an inexpensive port day in Costa Maya, venturing off the ship for a fast dip within the port’s pool earlier than returning onboard.
One factor to notice is that should you plan to remain in Costa Maya’s port space and use the lounge chairs, you could buy one thing from a close-by bar.
We ordered two overpriced and over-sugary mojitos for $38.00 and thought that since we purchased one thing from a port bar, we might transfer freely from one pool to a different. Sadly, we had been informed you could buy one thing from the closest bar. So, despite the fact that we spent almost $40.00 on the Mojito Bar, we could not sit close to the Costa Maya Seaside pool.
Whereas ashore, I spent $52 on souvenirs
Although I say I am not going to buy something in port, I all the time come again with one thing new.
This time, it was a home made shot glass made in Honduras, in addition to a magnet for my associate’s desk at work and a rum cake.
We additionally purchased native sizzling sauce for our household, and my associate could not resist making an attempt a cookies and cream popsicle from the Roatán Chocolate Manufacturing facility. Altogether, this stuff got here to $52.
I spent $1,254.29 on airfare and transportation
Earlier than my cruise on Surprise, I took a 4-night cruise aboard Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander out of Tampa. As such, I started my two-week journey by flying into Tampa and out of Orlando. My airfare with American Airways was $402.97.
Fortunately, I gave myself time and flew into Tampa the day earlier than my first cruise, as I needed to cope with two canceled flights earlier than lastly departing Charlotte about 4 hours later than scheduled.
After my cruise on Islander, I took an Uber from Tampa to my lodge in Orlando, the place I stayed for 2 nights between sailings utilizing Hyatt factors transferred from Chase Final Rewards. This was the costliest rideshare of the journey, costing $133.95.
Fairly than spend a full Saturday within the lodge, my associate and I bought a one-day multi-park ticket to Common Studios. This was utterly non-compulsory, although, and got here out to $466.48 for each of us.
My associate’s flights had been extra reasonably priced. As a result of she would not have loyalty standing with a particular airline, she booked a one-way flight to Orlando on Spirit, and I used American miles for her return flight. She paid simply $82.19 for the flight from Charlotte to Orlando, which included a checked bag.
On the morning of our cruise, we took a Lyft from our lodge throughout Common Studios to the Orlando airport to catch our bus to Port Canaveral for $23.75. We booked our shuttle by means of Go Port and paid $59.98 every or $119.96 altogether.
It was my first time utilizing Go Port, and it was such a simple expertise. After checking in round 9:45am, we waited till our boarding group quantity was known as. It took lower than fifteen minutes from after we lined as much as board the bus to after we had been en path to Port Canaveral.
Utilizing Go Port to return to the Orlando airport was simply as clean and environment friendly. We simply positioned Go Port’s check-in counter after leaving the terminal and had been off in minutes because of an nearly full bus. The shuttle obtained us to the airport by 8:30am, and we had been by means of safety and passing time within the lounge by 9:10am, hours forward of our 1:00pm flight.
The final expense of my 7-night cruise aboard Surprise of the Seas was a Lyft experience from the Charlotte airport again house, which got here to $24.99.
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