Unexpected Expenses? Even small ones...

[nanseev]

My first cruise for our family is coming get up...Thanksgiving week on the Miracle, and I'm trying to budget and plan for expenses that I may not be aware of (or even optional, but decide I want when I'm on the ship). I've prepaid tips already. Here are some of the items I'm thinking...what am I missing?

 

Hotel w/cruise park n stay for the night before

Porter tip/luggage $10- $20

Case of water for room $5

Steakhouse for 1 night - $100

Room service if we ever want to order

Drinks (still deciding whether to Cheers or not)

Bubbles package for the kids

Off shore excursions (if we decide)

Casino...thinking $100 per day at most...we go to Vegas frequently so casino not a priority

Bingo - how much is bingo usually? Do I bring my own dauber?

Arcade for kids - is the arcade free, or cost typical to a usual arcade?

Any unexpected expenses with the kids programs?

Souvenir for kids - $20 each

 

What other potential expenses? I'm expecting a few "little" expenses, which I know will add up, but I have no idea what they would be...so I'm trying to plan for those. Depending on the added expenses, I may be at the point of choosing between Cheers and an excursion - La Caletas or Rhythm of the Night...not sure if I can swing both.

 

What other items were you charged for or spent money on...and how much were they?

[bahama_mama2015]

Pretty good list!

 

Food and drinks in port?

 

Spa?

 

 

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[bahama_mama2015]

Oh and taxi or shuttle to airport/port?

 

 

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[ForSharonB]

Photos - I think

-- 8x10s are $22ish

-- 5x7s are $12ish

 

 

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[janiejake]

1. Photos from Pixels. Those can add up.

2. Bottomless Bubbles can also really add up. How old are the kids, and how much soda/pop do they really drink? Remember that beverages are served with meals (other than soda/pop), and non-soda beverages.are available on the Lido all day long. You can also bring on board a 12 pack of pop per traveler. I enjoy having cold pop in the cabin fridge. Each adult can also bring a 750 ml bottle of wine/champagne. If that water you mentioned is coming on board with you,it needs to be in cans. (Unless you are ordering it from the cruise line?). Bring a few bungie cords, and strap your 12 packs to your rolling carry-on bags.

3. I think an earlier poster mentioned off-ship food and beverage expenses.

4. Internet expenses, if you decide to communicate with the outside world during your cruise.

[TravelLots]

Sweet Spot (?) snacks like milkshakes, cakes, cookies

 

 

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[RWolver672]

You don't need a dauber for bingo. The last time I saw the cards, you just kind of punched out the numbers as they were called.

[UtterCaro]

If you find the free coffee is not to your liking, you may decide to cough up the bucks for the good stuff at the coffee bar.

[KCpumkin]

My first cruise for our family is coming get up...Thanksgiving week on the Miracle, and I'm trying to budget and plan for expenses that I may not be aware of (or even optional, but decide I want when I'm on the ship). I've prepaid tips already. Here are some of the items I'm thinking...what am I missing?

 

Hotel w/cruise park n stay for the night before

Porter tip/luggage $10- $20

Case of water for room $5

Steakhouse for 1 night - $100

Room service if we ever want to order

Drinks (still deciding whether to Cheers or not)

Bubbles package for the kids

Off shore excursions (if we decide)

Casino...thinking $100 per day at most...we go to Vegas frequently so casino not a priority

Bingo - how much is bingo usually? Do I bring my own dauber?

Arcade for kids - is the arcade free, or cost typical to a usual arcade?

Any unexpected expenses with the kids programs?

Souvenir for kids - $20 each

 

What other potential expenses? I'm expecting a few "little" expenses, which I know will add up, but I have no idea what they would be...so I'm trying to plan for those. Depending on the added expenses, I may be at the point of choosing between Cheers and an excursion - La Caletas or Rhythm of the Night...not sure if I can swing both.

 

What other items were you charged for or spent money on...and how much were they?

 

Arcade is NOT free :( Just put a limit on the kids sail and sign card each day.

Bingo is not cheap but fun :)

I always get $100 in singles and $200 in fives before a cruise for the unexpected tips and things... Have FUN! :D

Edited October 30, 2016 by KCpumkin

[seattleny]

..research independent tours rather than carnival's excursions on CC

..24 hr ice tea/lemonade available on ship - no soda card needed

...tips for favorite bartender

....extra tip for your cabin stewart?

...drinks/snacks in different ports

...u get get free laynard frm casino for your s/s card-cashier

...don't need beach towels; beach towels are in your cabin

[sparks1093]

Laundry? I believe it's $6 to do your own but we've always done the laundry bag special. There should be a flyer with the first Funtimes about it and the bag should be in a drawer in the cabin. $15 for as much as you can get into the bag and you can get a lot in there if you roll the clothes tightly. You can get extra bags from your steward. This is wash and fold service and not recommended for delicates. You can pre-order the water through Bon Voyage on the web site if you want to have it in your cabin waiting for you.

Edited October 30, 2016 by sparks1093

[riffatsea]

Hi,

I would expect that you'd already have a hotel set for your stay over Thanksgiving as that is a busy time!

Lots of choices in Long Beach but no idea of availability at this late date. That could be one of your larger expenses!

 

The other things on your list are not "musts" but just what you may wish. You can easily just spend $20 in the casino each day instead of $100.

 

You can take your own pictures instead of paying for the professional ones.

 

You can plan activities on land that are not expensive.

The other things on board like drinks(alcoholic) coffee, milkshakes etc. you can decide as you go along and see how your money is holding up.

Last time I was on board playing bingo was $25

Arcades are not free and kiddos can add up their expenses if not given a budget!!

Some folks spend tons on board and others like us spend only a little so really all up to you.

[CeleBrat]

If you have younger (non-teen) children, then you may want to plan for a few nights of them attending the "Night Owl" program, which is a late-night for fee camp program.

 

CeleBrat

[lazydayz]

Don't forget tips for the Kids Club staff.

 

Kids club also has Nite Owls parties, which are a good deal. Kid gets a goodie bag and parents can go to comedy club, etc.

 

There is also a Build a Bear workshop, which can be pricy but worth it for the family fun.

 

most ships arcades are mini casinos. I avoid ship arcades and spent that money on fun things to do with the kids. There is a candy store on most ships.

 

In addition to photos, gift shop purchases can add up.

 

You can have a great family cruise without spending much on the ship. Enjoy.

[amydresh]

Here is my list of extras that I am planning for:

 

soda

alcohol (we are not doing Cheers)

milkshakes, specialty coffees

cake for my son's birthday

water

arcade

candy store

tips (room service, kid's club, etc)

steakhouse

internet

kid's/teen clubs on first night (it's extra money only that night, I have heard)

pictures

laundry

taxis/shuttle/bus at ports if you don't do excursions

hotel the night before cruise and food on the way to port

gas

parking at Machu Picchu

uber/taxi to get around NOLA the day before cruise

souvenirs

[crusinpsychRN]

OP, you have $100 budgeted for Steakhouse. That's 2.8 people or are you including an extra tip?

 

Room service, porter, excursion tips.

[nanseev]

Thanks everyone! Thankfully, we already have the hotel booked and it includes parking for the week. I will definitely add pictures and possibly a spa visit into my budget, and give the kids a certain amount for arcade/candy shop, plus budget for some extra tips where we've already prepaid. I forgot about tipping kids program...what would be a good amount? My kids are 11 and 13 - right now they are split between the two programs, but hoping I can have one or the other move up/down so they can be together.

 

My $100 is loosely budgeted for 2 adults and 2 kids for the first night....I could see the kids ordering off of the adult menu, or even deciding to stay with the kids activities, so I know I may need to be flexible with that amount.

 

Are their extra potential up charges in the MDR...Except for alcohol if I decide against Cheers?

Edited October 30, 2016 by nanseev

[candycaramel]

I like to spend money in the salon and spa. Often they have "specials" on massages and facials.:D

Oh... and they offer you products to buy at the end of the service which you may want to include in your budget if you like that sort of thing.

Edited October 30, 2016 by candycaramel

[amydresh]

Thanks everyone! Thankfully, we already have the hotel booked and it includes parking for the week. I will definitely add pictures and possibly a spa visit into my budget, and give the kids a certain amount for arcade/candy shop, plus budget for some extra tips where we've already prepaid. I forgot about tipping kids program...what would be a good amount? My kids are 11 and 13 - right now they are split between the two programs, but hoping I can have one or the other move up/down so they can be together.

 

My $100 is loosely budgeted for 2 adults and 2 kids for the first night....I could see the kids ordering off of the adult menu, or even deciding to stay with the kids activities, so I know I may need to be flexible with that amount.

 

Are their extra potential up charges in the MDR...Except for alcohol if I decide against Cheers?

 

If you order a steak, etc from the steakhouse in MDR you can pay for it.

 

My boys are also 13 and turning 11 on the cruise. I too am hoping that they can be together.

[coevan]

"I always get $100 in singles and $200 in fives before a cruise for the unexpected tips and things"

 

This is completely unnecessary. I just go to guest services or the casino and change a twenty.

[alias47]

I didn't see it mentioned but since you said you'd play at the Casino - if you don't bring cash - there is a small fee (don't remember the exact amount) but it's some percent of what you want in chips from the cruise card account. If you bring cash - you'll avoid the fee though so may be N/A.

[lazydayz]

Tips really depend on how much your kids interact with the staff. Maybe $10 for each child, since they are older. I don't think they will let the younger one move up since the 13 y/o group is mostly unsupervised.

[amydresh]

Tips really depend on how much your kids interact with the staff. Maybe $10 for each child, since they are older. I don't think they will let the younger one move up since the 13 y/o group is mostly unsupervised.

 

Would they let a 13 year old move down? I don't think my son would mind moving down if it meant he could be with his brother. He is not social at all and I think he would be bored and possibly miserable alone. But we want the kids to go to the clubs so we can have alone time. :p

[rjrpar]

My first cruise for our family is coming get up...Thanksgiving week on the Miracle, and I'm trying to budget and plan for expenses that I may not be aware of (or even optional, but decide I want when I'm on the ship). I've prepaid tips already. Here are some of the items I'm thinking...what am I missing?

 

 

 

Hotel w/cruise park n stay for the night before

 

Porter tip/luggage $10- $20

 

Case of water for room $5

 

Steakhouse for 1 night - $100

 

Room service if we ever want to order

 

Drinks (still deciding whether to Cheers or not)

 

Bubbles package for the kids

 

Off shore excursions (if we decide)

 

Casino...thinking $100 per day at most...we go to Vegas frequently so casino not a priority

 

Bingo - how much is bingo usually? Do I bring my own dauber?

 

Arcade for kids - is the arcade free, or cost typical to a usual arcade?

 

Any unexpected expenses with the kids programs?

 

Souvenir for kids - $20 each

 

 

 

What other potential expenses? I'm expecting a few "little" expenses, which I know will add up, but I have no idea what they would be...so I'm trying to plan for those. Depending on the added expenses, I may be at the point of choosing between Cheers and an excursion - La Caletas or Rhythm of the Night...not sure if I can swing both.

 

 

 

What other items were you charged for or spent money on...and how much were they?

 

 

We don't budget to that detail. We estimate what we think we need in 5 minutes and bring an extra $500.

 

 

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[lazydayz]

Would they let a 13 year old move down? I don't think my son would mind moving down if it meant he could be with his brother. He is not social at all and I think he would be bored and possibly miserable alone. But we want the kids to go to the clubs so we can have alone time. :p

 

They might. Depends how many children are on board. Go on the first day and talk to them. Good luck.