Average $ Per Day

[albean99]

This was our most frugal cruise and wasn't really the plan. We didn't drink much but it was mostly because we were full from eating. Be careful to order off the menu so you know what you're getting. When we were leaving I ordered white wine at the Lido bar and was given their most expensive type for $7.25. When I looked at the menu later I noticed that they had some for less than $4 a glass, lol. You also have to watch you don't get souvenir glasses with your drink unless you want one. We got a Pina Colada and a Hurricane for $4.75 each and they were nicely presented.

 

We gave our kids money at the start of the cruise rather than letting them charge. One of them wanted a soda card which was $28 plus tip. We didn't buy anything on board other than one of the formal pics for $20. Many of the pics only come in 8 X 10. We chose not to do an excursion although wish we had done one in Grand Cayman. This is our 4th cruise so were a little more laid back than usual.

 

It can be done reasonably if you want. Our tab was just over $400 but wasn't because we were trying to. I fully expected to spend closer to $1000 including tips. We didn't do the casino this time and have never done bingo which adds up. I would have done if if I enjoyed it, though. They spend a lot of time trying to get you to spend.

 

I did tip our Maitre D. He moved us to a different time when we requested it and he did make an appearance every night so he wasn't "faceless".

[bethinks]

Ditto on the faceless Maitre D! My husband and I did not even know there was a Maitre D until we read that it was custormary to tip this person-we laughed because we did not know there was even such a person, though he suddenly turned up on the last night-"tip" night!! You can guess for yourself if we tipped him.

[perkyblue]

Okay, I've been playing around with a budget, and I think I've come up with a good balance of lots of fun and not going bankrupt!;)

 

My budget averages out to about $132 / day for my 8-day cruise. But I really enjoy gambling, so I budgeted $120 for bingo, $300 for the casino, and $20 each for the blackjack and slot tournaments. I also budgeted $240 for drinks. Oh, and my total doesn't include excursions, because I've already paid for those--$229. I'm a very frugal person in normal life, rarely drink (I'm always dieting!) and gamble only once a year, so I don't feel guilty at all about splurging on vacation! But if you can have a great time without gambling, soda, or alcohol, you'll save a lot more money than I do!

[perkyblue]

And I should add that the budget I made is the absolute maximum that I will spend. I hope to spend less, but definitely won't spend a penny more than what I budgeted for.

[redhead1]

I have to laugh about the "faceless maitre D" bit!

 

The last cruise I was on was a once in a lifetime! 17 nights from Venice to Ft. Lauderdale on the Star Princess. The cruise critic bunch was large and very active, and we were able to move our dinner seating to a table with three of them. One in particular cruises several times a year, often in a suite, so she got very good service!

 

The maitre D made a point to greet us every evening, and even recognized and greeted us during the day. He brought us special appetizers several times. He even prepared a number of special pasta dishes (the crew and head chef are italian on this ship, so it was really FABULOUS pasta) at our table! That maitre D got a great tip from us.

 

I don't know if we will ever do such a long extravagent cruise again, but I gotta say, it was WONDERFUL, and so was the cruise critic group!

[rawley2]

For a week we will do at least $1,200 on drinks.

 

Then you have to add in all the little things you need.. Pictures, watches, jewelry. LOL You can figure that will be at least another $1,500.

 

Then you need money to spend at the ports. At least another $1,000..

 

I think you get the point.

 

My mother has done a week long cruise and only spent $475 on the ship and about $300 in the ports. I still don't know how she gets by that cheap!!

[tdcruiselover]

Well my wife and I on the last 7 dayer, the S&S card was $1400.00, cheap compared to the bill at Diamonds International.

[yogimax]

For a week we will do at least $1,200 on drinks.

 

Then you have to add in all the little things you need.. Pictures, watches, jewelry. LOL You can figure that will be at least another $1,500.

 

Then you need money to spend at the ports. At least another $1,000..

 

I think you get the point.

 

My mother has done a week long cruise and only spent $475 on the ship and about $300 in the ports. I still don't know how she gets by that cheap!!

 

Hmm... it's all individual isn't it? If we don't consider tips for a moment, we have actually walked off the ship with money, due to the shareholder credit we received!

[newmexicoNita]

This was our most frugal cruise and wasn't really the plan. We didn't drink much but it was mostly because we were full from eating. Be careful to order off the menu so you know what you're getting. When we were leaving I ordered white wine at the Lido bar and was given their most expensive type for $7.25. When I looked at the menu later I noticed that they had some for less than $4 a glass, lol. You also have to watch you don't get souvenir glasses with your drink unless you want one. We got a Pina Colada and a Hurricane for $4.75 each and they were nicely presented.

 

We gave our kids money at the start of the cruise rather than letting them charge. One of them wanted a soda card which was $28 plus tip. We didn't buy anything on board other than one of the formal pics for $20. Many of the pics only come in 8 X 10. We chose not to do an excursion although wish we had done one in Grand Cayman. This is our 4th cruise so were a little more laid back than usual.

 

It can be done reasonably if you want. Our tab was just over $400 but wasn't because we were trying to. I fully expected to spend closer to $1000 including tips. We didn't do the casino this time and have never done bingo which adds up. I would have done if if I enjoyed it, though. They spend a lot of time trying to get you to spend.

 

I did tip our Maitre D. He moved us to a different time when we requested it and he did make an appearance every night so he wasn't "faceless".

wow, $4 a glass for wine. How long ago was that cruie? Most of the lines are up to $5.50 at min and not many at that. I would say the average glass runs about $7.00. You are right about checking ahead of time. I did just what you did on Celebrity last December. I just ordered a glass of white wine for lunch. I rarely get wine at lunch so this was a real treat: Should have been, including tip it was a little over $9.00. I no longer feel the need to drink at lunch. LOl

[rawley2]

Hmm... it's all individual isn't it? If we don't consider tips for a moment, we have actually walked off the ship with money, due to the shareholder credit we received!

 

Yea, I forgot to add tips and gambling to my figures. Well the last 3 cruises we have walked of the boat with money from the casino. Not much mind you but we did not loose.

 

We also walk around and tip all the good bar tenders and give others cash tips as well on the last night.