Redbarnphotog Posted February 3, 2012 #1 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I am thrifty but not cheap. I like to splurge on vacations, but I will also stay within my budget. I've been reading here for two weeks and I"m currently on page 35 of the "I wish I knew before...." thread of tips for first time travelers. I am taking a 7 day Eastern Med Cruise with 3 extra days in Venice. I have budgeted for $1000 cash per person for incendentals and shopping - is that enough? This is after all transfers/excursions/hotel/cruise/gratutuies/etc. are paid. But every other person on here talks about how you should bring extra money, bring lots of money. What in the world are you spending it on? We're not heavy drinkers - maybe 5 beers on night on the ship. I might pick up a few trinkets here and there, but my memories will come in the form of photographs as I am a professional photographer. Am I missing something? Where is all this money going when coffee/tea/water is provided on the ship as well as meals. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted February 3, 2012 #2 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Some folks go "all out" when on vacationing....perhaps some of their funds are for gambling....or perhaps they are going to pay off their shipboard account in cash.....we usually bring between $1000 -$1500 for a weeks trip....and that includes the cash we may gamble. (We don't gamble nearly the amount on a ship that we would in Vegas....ship casinos are TIGHT!) We do not use that cash to pay off our account. If you are a moderate drinker and don't plan on using the cash for any of the excursions/tips/gambling...you should be ok! Just stay within the budget you've planned! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted February 3, 2012 #3 Share Posted February 3, 2012 We spent about $50 per person per day for: Tips Wine Tours (all private) Misc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbarnphotog Posted February 3, 2012 Author #4 Share Posted February 3, 2012 ok. I'm feeling much better. I do like to hit the casino, but I am actually reserving a different "saving-up account" for that. Not a wine drinker and we are prepaying gratututies and I'll also have ready made envelopes for additional cash tips. Excursions/Taxis/Transfers/Buses will also be prepaid, so it sounds like cash will just be for shopping and the occasional drink. I just thought I was missing something obvious when so many people were saying bring 2x as much as you think you need! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sassy's Mom Posted February 3, 2012 #5 Share Posted February 3, 2012 On our first cruise last year, we had read the same warnings...bring tons of cash in all denominations....singles to fifties. We took 90% of it back home! We don't gamble and everything on the ship went on our account, except for extra tips for the steward and waiters. If I did any shopping in a port, I put it on a major credit card so if I got home and had an issue, I could dispute the charge. PS - If you plan on using a credit card on the trip, be sure to call the company before you leave with the dates of your trip and the ports you will be in so they don't freeze your account on a fraud concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trumpet56 Posted February 3, 2012 #6 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Watch where you sit in St Marks square , as you often get charged just for sitting in the Cafe before you order ,but most advise you before you order. Although you will enjoy the experience.:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aohkay Posted February 3, 2012 #7 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I think people who say they spend $100 per day, per person are budgeting everything; excursions, casino, beverage/ alcoholic drinks, trinkets etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted February 3, 2012 #8 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Our last cruise was a three day. This was what we spent onboard... Bottle of Champagne $187.85 (tip included) Spa Services $228.00 (tip included) Room Service tips $10.00 (two breakfasts) Laundry $4.75 (pressing) Gratuities for three $180.00 (servers, cabin steward, concierge) Wine tasting for two $40.00 Specialty dining #1 $162.20 (upcharge for three plus corkage fee and tips) Specialty dining #2 $598.00 (upcharge for two plus corkage fee, bottle of Champagne, and tips) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerryl12 Posted February 3, 2012 #9 Share Posted February 3, 2012 We usually budget less than $1,000 per week for the two of us. This includes gratuities, wine, tours and incidentals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARcruisin2 Posted February 3, 2012 #10 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I think you have planned it just fine. Chances are you will not need that much money, but it should be plenty in case you find something you want to buy...or in case of emergency. Outside all the things that you said are pre-paid...you really don't have to spend another dime, except for porter or taxi tips. It sounds like you are right on the money so to speak...between budget conscious and taking enough to have a good time and not worry about running out of money. Have fun! From another thrifty but not cheap Amy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbarnphotog Posted February 3, 2012 Author #11 Share Posted February 3, 2012 awesome. I wish I was a wine drinker, sounds like it's the thing to do on a cruise. Maybe I will do a tasting just to see. Thanks for all the suggestions and reassurance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted February 3, 2012 #12 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Most cruise lines allow passengers to carry on some wine. NCL has no limit, but they charge $15 per bottle corkage fee for carrying it on. Most lines only charge the corkage fee for bottles taken to the dining room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted February 4, 2012 #13 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Oh..that "bring lots of small bills" is crap...bring larger bills...easier to carry! The ship can break them down as needed. Some folks bring wads of ones....silly and unnecessary! Bring a few smaller bills to get you to the ship...that's all you need. Bring the rest in $100's! MUCH easier to carry around! 10 slivers of paper....hardly noticable! You can get change at the casino or purser's desk (customer service!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted February 4, 2012 #14 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Oh..that "bring lots of small bills" is crap...bring larger bills...easier to carry! The ship can break them down as needed. Some folks bring wads of ones....silly and unnecessary! Bring a few smaller bills to get you to the ship...that's all you need. Bring the rest in $100's! MUCH easier to carry around! 10 slivers of paper....hardly noticable! You can get change at the casino or purser's desk (customer service!) We generally start with $100 between us in 1's, 5's, and 10's for tips. Depending on how long we'll be gone and where we'll be going, we might have another $100-500 between us in cash, usually 20's and 50's. A lot of places won't take anything larger than a 20 these days, and I don't want to spend my vacation breaking bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Kat Posted February 4, 2012 #15 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Your budget sounds great. We don't spend a lot of money once we're on the cruise. (Aside from excursions). I do bring lots of ones and fives, but that also includes tips at hotels and airports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayhold Posted February 4, 2012 #16 Share Posted February 4, 2012 We don't gamble, we don't drink, and I hate clutter so we don't buy souvenirs and like you, prefer pictures. We explore on our own so excursions aren't really a big deal either. I pre-paid our tips and except coffee and a few extra tips and spending money, I plan to spend about $100 a person for our 5 day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayenu Posted February 4, 2012 #17 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Some people buy Murano glass and clothes in Venice. Some buy ship tours every day for a family. Some drink every day, or gamble a lot. Just make sure, in case of emergency, your credit card is not maxed out, and your ATM card will work in Europe. You will spend as much or as little as you wish! Don't bring US currency to Italy, use ATM for better conversion rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted February 4, 2012 #18 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Tours ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seago2 Posted February 4, 2012 #19 Share Posted February 4, 2012 I like to cruise often and I have kids and am not independently wealthy. So... If I am bringing the kids I spend almost nothing on the ship. I have cruised and had an onboard account that had the gratuities only on it- not a single other charge. I have also gone hog wild and bought tons of pictures, sweatshirts, specialty coffees and eaten in the specialty restaurants, but it wasn't when I had the kids. I DO bring a ton of $1's, however. I use them for taxis in port, to buy bottles water or souvenirs in port, and to tip extra here and there. Believe me, you do not want to buy a bottle of water from a street vendor and get a handful of mysterious change back. It is also easier to haggle with a straw market vendor when you are not standing there holding a $20 for an $8 item. We almost always take the bus while in port. You see a lot- the bus ride itself is always fun. Good to have a $1 then, believe me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipmaster Posted February 5, 2012 #20 Share Posted February 5, 2012 For the Med splurges in order 1) Best private tours 2) Gondola in Venice Wouldn't bring my own digital camera and not spend any money on wasteful things like drinks and photos :D I am thrifty but not cheap. I like to splurge on vacations, but I will also stay within my budget. I've been reading here for two weeks and I"m currently on page 35 of the "I wish I knew before...." thread of tips for first time travelers. I am taking a 7 day Eastern Med Cruise with 3 extra days in Venice. I have budgeted for $1000 cash per person for incendentals and shopping - is that enough? This is after all transfers/excursions/hotel/cruise/gratutuies/etc. are paid. But every other person on here talks about how you should bring extra money, bring lots of money. What in the world are you spending it on? We're not heavy drinkers - maybe 5 beers on night on the ship. I might pick up a few trinkets here and there, but my memories will come in the form of photographs as I am a professional photographer. Am I missing something? Where is all this money going when coffee/tea/water is provided on the ship as well as meals. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waihekean Posted February 6, 2012 #21 Share Posted February 6, 2012 In my case most on board spending went on coffee, juices and a few cocktails. Got tempted by some of the onboard sales. Did buy some lovely clothes that were worthwile, but custom jewellery was bad. Also bought souvenirs, several photo's and gifts. One good deal was duty free Armani aftershave for hubby, checked price on Sydney airport (OZ) duty free, where price on board was cheaper by $28. A lot of people will spend money on bingo (think that is $20 a pop) and the casin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedInLove Posted February 6, 2012 #22 Share Posted February 6, 2012 PS - If you plan on using a credit card on the trip' date=' be sure to call the company before you leave with the dates of your trip and the ports you will be in so they don't freeze your account on a fraud concern.[/quote'] That's a great suggestion, I've written this one down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinnancy Posted February 6, 2012 #23 Share Posted February 6, 2012 We usually book 2/3 excursions, we go to the art auction, we drink, I like to do the spa. I also buy jewelry sometimes on the islands. We are no means rich but I don't like budgeting on vacation, We only go away once in a blue moon (our last vacation was in 07) so I spend what I want. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinnancy Posted February 6, 2012 #24 Share Posted February 6, 2012 That's a great suggestion, I've written this one down. Yes, it happened to us. Lol. Our American express got blocked when we were in the Turks. Mama didn't get the watch she wanted.. booo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiana123 Posted February 6, 2012 #25 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I'm a bit bemused by this. Recently disembarked from one of P and O's finest. 17 nights Western Med. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to go, it was a present. As I can be a bit thrifty I was warned that I must have whatever I wanted and he wouldn't be happy if he thought I was not. We were amazed that bar prices were similar to at home, and the boutique and shops were very reasonable. We had a good bottle of wine every night, plus drinks afterwards and whenever we fancied, I had some costume jewellery, and make up and everything I could wish for. Our bill, including tours, was about £900 plus tips we paid in cash of about £150. That was for two of us. I forgot professional photographs, we have five or six of them.. and I had my hair cut. There wasn't anything else to spend money on. I can't imagine what people bought for thousands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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