Nervous!!!

[emt9898]

i am nervous about my 1st cruise!!

 

Can any one tell me about how much money a couple will spend onboard??

 

The cruise booked i was wondering how much more we will spend on board??

 

If someone can give an idea of what one spends on a 10 cruise and how much tipping is PLEASE let me know!!!!

 

Any other helpful tip would be great also!!!!!

[NoName]

Hello,

 

You are going to have a GREAT time on your cruise. As far as tipping goes, they will charge it to you onboard account. I think it is about 10 dollars a day per person. So, if 2 people are traveling, you should plan about $200.00 for a ten day trip. (Anything above and beyond that is up to you!)

 

Otherwise, how much you will spend onboard depends on you. You decide how much alcohol you are going to drink $8-9 dollars a drink. How much money you are going to gamble and what type of port excursions you are going to do. For example, you can decide to get off at an island and walk around (free) or and take a taxi to a beach ( estimate 20 dollars) versus a submarine tour for $100.00 a person. You can save ALOT of money by doing your own thing on the islands as opposed to booking tours with the cruiseline. (This site is invaluable for this. go to the ports of call.)

 

You don't have to pay anything for food on-board, all meals are included. However, you can decide to go to a specialty dining room and then pay a modest fee per person...from $15-25.00 per person. Go to all of the shows you want, there is no additional charge.

 

Hope this makes sense.

 

Kim

[SailAways]

Welcome to Cruising. Relax, and enjoy all of the preparations. You are in for a wonderful time.

 

Perhaps if you could reveal where you are going, when, on which ship, and what is important to you, in the way of excursions, entertainment, drinking likes, or dislikes, it would be easier to help. :)

 

Many here will be happy to assist.

[emt9898]

We are going on the Dawn April 6th.

 

the only things that i really want to do is::

 

the dolphine swim

and go to St.john

 

Other than that i just want to relax have a good time and enjoy it!!

 

I am just on a somewhat limited budget!!

 

I do not want o come off the boat with a credit card bill more that like.... $1000.00!!!

 

So i am looking to make the most of it!!

[judyf]

As another poster said you DECIDE how much extra you what to spend. I have read here where many go and spend hardly nothing extra except tips. Tips you always just need to ass $10.00 per day per person. I always include that when I figure the cost of booking the cruise.

 

I also read where other have had a balance at the end of the cruise that would put me in the hospital. LOL

 

Things that really add on to the price:

 

Spa treatments big add on. tip do them in port instead if you really want one to save or if this expense is important to you then splurge a little on that.

 

Alcohol drinks can add up. I enjoy a few while on a cruise cause there's no driving involved. Put no where's near what others do. read the boards for tips.

 

Pay extra restaurants, some are $25 per person per day. That can add up. I myself don't do the pay extra except the tappanki. sp? that's only; $10-15 and we do it once a cruise if available. I don't eat much meat so the french Le Bistro and Cagney's are out of the question for me but if you like what's on the menu they splurge on one night in one or both. This being your first cruise I'm sure you might be like us and just love the places to eat that you already paid for.

 

Excursion: Research at the port of call board find out what you really want to do at each port and you will find tons of great info and tips on how to do it at a better price. Again if thee's a tour you really want to do splurge on that one excursion.

 

Gamble: I don't really gamble much but have read where some limit themselves to $100 per day now to me that's high but others spend double or triple that to them that's where they splurge. I spend about $50 total cruise in the casino.

 

 

Okay, I gave away that I'm cheap or should I say thrifty or I like to get a lot and spend as little as possible. LOL We like to cruise once or twice a year and to do that we don't waste our money. I also do at least 2-3 land vacations per year. So for me it's important to get away a lot in one year then spend it all on one week vacation.

 

But only you can decide what is important to you.

 

Don't be afriad to ask questions here on the board it helps in the planning and the excitment of going on a cruise. You will have a great time no matter how much you spend.

[redzz7062]

I was just as nervous last year about how much "extra" we would be spending on board. Our final bill made me sick.

Some tips that I should have asked about or researched more-

the shore excursions thur the cruise line are really expensive- there were 4 of us and we did stuff thru the ship at each port, this time around we are only doing one excursion thru the cruiseline and then doing stuff on our own at the ports.

drinking was a big expense and can add up really fast if you don't watch out. On the Crown the drinks were cheaper if you had the refill cup thing so we did do that.

casino- at sea there was really no age restriction and our 18 yr old ran up a nice bill for himself

bingo was another expense as my 17 year daughter played it everyday and at 30 bucks a game and then 50 bucks a game-hhmmm.

the tipping is included at 10 a day per person but we did tip our cabin steward and favorite dinner waiter and the bartender.

I think cruising is a great way to vacation as food and such is included and if your careful you won't end up with a 2300 bill like we did.

Live and learn but we had a blast...

Linda

[newmexicoNita]

This all depends on how much you are planning on drinking, if you will be eating some of your meals in the alternative dining restaurants, do you plan on putting shore excursions on your sign and sail card and will you be hitting the casino, going to the martini tasting sessions, etc? Of course it has already been stated the tips are $10 per person per day. We usually will give at least one person more, but that is up to you. We drink but not alot, we don't put excrusions on our card, we do buy some things in the gift shop and maybe the duty free liquor store and the casino calls my name everytime I walk by. This doesn't mean I spend hundreds of dollars there, but I do like to keep my friends, the slot machines company for a few hours a night. We always figure our bill at the end will be about 1/3 to 1/2 what our cruise cost. On the Jewel last Sept the cruise including insurance was about $3000 and our on board bill at the end of 7 days was about $1000. Hope this helps you some.

 

NMNita

[tinkerbelldee]

Last year on the Sun we had an onboard bill about $1000.00.

 

We ate at all speciality restaurants, I had my hair done for formal night, we bought a few things onboard,and we are drinkers. Add that to the $140 for tips for the 2 of us.

 

We booked our own excursions also.

 

Hope that will give you an idea of how things add up.

[emt9898]

The more i read the more nervous i get!!

I am spending 2500 for a gty room on the dawn leaving april 6th. i have all but 500 of that paid for but i am concerned that we will run up a very large bill on the boat and then have a large credit card bill to pay after the cruise is over!!!!

 

I dont know maybe this is not the right vacation to take for us!!

 

we can be drinkers!! I want to see the sights and make most of trip!!

 

I dont know what to do!!!!!:confused:

[Tobi'smom&dad]

:o

We are going on the Dawn April 6th.

 

the only things that i really want to do is::

 

the dolphine swim

and go to St.john

 

Other than that i just want to relax have a good time and enjoy it!!

 

I am just on a somewhat limited budget!!

 

I do not want o come off the boat with a credit card bill more that like.... $1000.00!!!

 

So i am looking to make the most of it!!

 

hi emt- Enjoy every minute and don't be nervous. My wife and I were nervous on our first cruise in Nov. 2001. I was more nervous about getting sea sick but these newer ships are beautiful. We leave on 3/16 on the Dawn and can't wait. This will be our second cruise on the Dawn. You picked 2 of our favorites. One thing I always wanted to do was swim with the Dolphins , and we did in Cozumel . We will never forget that day . Also when we did our Cruise on Princess we went to St. Johns, an excursion thru the ship. We both fell in love with this beautiful place and the pictures are on our walls to look at each day. On our trip to St Johns we were glad we went thru the ship because we were the last to get back with our tour, apx. 15 min before the ship was to take off. At least they wait for the ships excursions. We both try to save also to TRY to put aside for our next one. I am very lucky that my wife has always enjoyed researching excursions and putting many of our own together to save $$. We are not drinkers other than a few beers during the week. We love to set and listen to the music . We also love to take the time to talk with those workers on the ship who try so hard to please others. We have made many friends from many countries who stay in touch with us. Many love when you ask them about their families and where they are from. Please feel free to ask any questions- Cruise Critic is a great help :o

[NoName]

I have cruised more than once on a limited budget and had a WONDERFUL time. Here are a few hints to save money:

 

1) Drink on the islands instead of on the ship. This will be a considerable cost savings, and besides, then you pay as you go instead of a bill sneaking up on you. Set your alcohol budget and then stick to it.

 

2) Do St. John's on your own instead of as a ship tour. The cost on your own works out to about $45.00 per person ( and it could be even cheaper if you can figure the bus out!)

 

3) Book the Dolphin Swin on your own: price per person independent $129.00. Cost of booking with ship $165.00 per person. This is a very expensive excursion. If the price is too much consider a very nice, but less expensive alternative. Have you ever been to the Baths on Virgin Gorda?

 

3) Minimum tips: $200.00, nothing you can do about that.

 

4) Eat at the regular restaurants-no charge and very nice

 

5) Set your casino budget and stick to it!

 

6) Consider inexpensive but very nice options on the other islands, such as beach days. In St. Maarten for example you can walk to a wonderful beach / bar area, rent a chair and umbrella and enjoy a few drinks for very little money.

 

Here is a sample budget including what you have said you wanted to do for $1000.00:

 

Tips: $200.00

Dolphin Swim (Tortola): $260.00

St. Johns(St. Thomas): $90.00

St. Maartens: $50.00 (Beach chair, umbrella and a couple of drinks)

San Juan: (Walking tour of Fort): $20.00

Casino: $100.00

Alcohol: $150.00

Misc expenses: $130. 00

 

So, you see you could spend quite a bit less if you wanted....or certainly more.

 

Kim

[judyf]

Great job noname I like the way you put that together.

 

emt9898 don't get nrrvous relax. I find a cruise the least expensive of vacations. Our land vacations always cost me more and we seem to do and see less. Cruising is the best deal for the money. The shows you see at night if you were to do that in NYC, Branson or Smokey Mts just a few places we have gone, it would cost an extra $50-$100 easily then the restaurant bill. This is all included in your criuse price. Look at it that way and keep an eye on the onboard account if not on the TV, which I don't think NCL does that, ask for it every day or so just to see where you are.

 

I can do a cruise on a very limited budget and have a great time. As for being a drinker do a search of booze or alcohol and it should come up with some coast savings in that dept. for you.

 

Hope this helps.

 

No name gave you a very good plan, take away and add where you would rather have the monry spent. I never come home with a charge bill if I can't pay it off I don't do it. That's just me, but I live that way I never carry a cc balance.

 

Go have fun and let us all know have great you did when you return!!

[d man]

We usually spend around $100.00 pp/pd, but you can have a great time spending quite a bit less.

 

d man

[Nickymjw1]

I ordered a bar setup for our room. I think we will save about 50% on drinks that way. I ordered Amaretto @ $55/bottle and Bacardi Gold @ $40/bottle. We will still get us some drinks at the bar, and my husband will still drink beer, but I think this will save us quite a bit.

 

We are not big drinkers though. 2 drinks max for me per day :p, and not back to back!

[Cosmopolitan]

Also, remember that you can check your bill every day.

 

If you have "over-extended" your budget...cut back.

 

Bar set-up will save you $$$$

 

Only DEFINITE charge on your bill will be the auto gratuity! The rest is up to you.

 

Have a wonderful cruise:)

[intrepid_guy]

Just my experience:

5 7 day cruises approx 1000.00 for 2 people for the whole week

11 day cruise approx 1600.00 for 2 people for the trip...

 

Intreresting that both figures end up being about 72.00 per day.

 

This includes specialty restaurants, drinks, a very few excursions, drinks, tips, drinks, onboard purchases and photos, drinks, souveniers, drinks and soda program for 2. A whole lot of fun for only 36.00 each person each day.

 

~Intrepid

[SailAways]

The more i read the more nervous i get!!

I am spending 2500 for a gty room on the dawn leaving april 6th. i have all but 500 of that paid for but i am concerned that we will run up a very large bill on the boat and then have a large credit card bill to pay after the cruise is over!!!!

I dont know maybe this is not the right vacation to take for us!!

we can be drinkers!! I want to see the sights and make most of trip!!

I dont know what to do!!!!!:confused:

 

It is difficult to know exactly what you are nervous about.

You are booked on a cruise, and well past a cancellation date without loosing most, if not all of your money for the cruise.

So, what is the nervousness and confusion about?

Cruising is just another vacation, except you are on a ship. All of your meals are provided, your cabin will be tended to, and you don't need to fret about a thing onboard.

If you are worried that you will spend too much money, set limits, and stick with them. Other than this, there really isn't a lot else to suggest.

As for the figures quoted by other posters, these are their personal expenditures, and only reflect "their" vacation.

We are on the very low end of spending for extras. No drinking, no gambling, but a glorious, fun filled active vacation.

You can spend days exploring the ship. Then, at each port, you can do the same thing without spending much.

Do relax, and have a wonderful cruise. There truly is nothing to fret about, unless you are having self doubts about your ability to refrain from spending what you cannot afford.

This could cause you to have a lot of catch up financially after the cruise, but for now, chill out, and start packing!

 

You have a cruise in about 5 weeks!!!

[trish1c]

Conventional wisdom says budget about $100 per day extra for your cruise. (I never figured out of that was per person or per couple). On a 10 day cruise that's $1,000. Of that $10 per day per person will be added to your bill as tips automatically. That's $200 for the cruise. On that budget you now have $800 between you for extras. Do excursions on your own. That will save because they can be pricey. Be careful with the booze; budget around $5 per drink & do your own math. This is wear most peopel get in trouble, especially if you like top shelf. If you like to gamble figure out how much you can afford to lose; don't plan on winning.

 

Enjoy.

[brooklynphil]

Also, if only two of you are going, book an inside room. Much cheaper and you spend sooooo little time in the room. If you need to see the ocean just bring a big picture of the ocean and hang it up. Ha!

 

I've only stayed in an inner all 4 of my cruises and wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Phil:)

[newmexicoNita]

Also, if only two of you are going, book an inside room. Much cheaper and you spend sooooo little time in the room. If you need to see the ocean just bring a big picture of the ocean and hang it up. Ha!

 

I've only stayed in an inner all 4 of my cruises and wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Phil:)

Great idea but it might be a little late for that; they are leaving in less than a month. Now, emt: you can keep the price down if you watch it. I think several of us have given you suggestions on ways to cut corners and still have a good time. The cabin bar set up is a great idea. We always do this; saves money, gives you a change to relax in your cabin and it's waiting for you when you arrive on the ship. Just use some self control, you will still have a great time, but I do think you will need to think in terms of close to $1000.00 including tips. Remember, vacations are not something you do every day. If you spend a little more than you originally thought you would you can just set a certain amount out each month and pay the bill off in a few months. There really are not too many vacations that are much less than cruising, even all inclusives: everything is included in all inclusives but the daily rate is higher. NMnita

[www]

Drinks – if you choose not to drink Alcohol, you will save tons of money. If you choose a soda card there would be that expense. But if you stick to water, ice tea, lemonade, fruit punch, coffee, tea, they are include in the price you paid.

 

If you choose not to gamble in the Casino, you won’t spend any money there.

 

If you choose not to go on any ship offered shore excursions, you won’t have to pay for them. You can go to the beach practically free, sometime you need to pay for cabs and such. You could stay on the ship and enjoy the pools for free. Or you could walk around and sight see at each port and not spend any money at all.

 

If you like to lay in the sun, or read a book, or swim in the pool, or take part in the ship board activities, these are all included. The shows are all included. The food is all included.

 

If you take your own pictures, and don’t buy any on board, you’ll save money.

 

The ship is very entertaining; there are tons of things to do that do not cost extra. The ports are very interesting and/or relaxing, which ever you like.

 

I’m not saying that I don’t have a bill at the end of a cruise. I do enjoy many of these activities that cost more $$$, but the choice is up to you. You can watch your shipboard account daily to make sure your not spending more than you want to spend. You can indulge in your chosen activity to your own price level.

 

I’ve gone on a few cruises, and I’ve played it both ways and enjoyed myself each time.

 

This is just my opinion; hope it helps to think about all there is to do. You can watch what you spend. Just be aware, and make sure that you really want to do what you are doing, and it is worth the money to YOU.

 

P.S. Tips are not a choice. They are part of the expense of the cruise and well earned by the people that work hard to make your cruise pleasurable. Alway plan for the minimum amount suggested by the cruiseline. Add more if you are so inclined to do so.