How much can a family of 4 expect to spend on a cruise?

[DiaDeGuadalupe]

What ports will you be going to? Prices won't be the same from port to port. You can check out the port of call boards for taxi fares, etc., and add them to your budget list.

 

I've got a little notebook that has details on every port we're going to. Having it all written down helps to give me a sort of "ballpark figure" so I know how much cash I need to bring to each place.

 

Don't forget to bring small bills to tip the room service people :)

[Fun~N~Sun]

What ports will you be going to? Prices won't be the same from port to port. You can check out the port of call boards for taxi fares, etc., and add them to your budget list.

 

I've got a little notebook that has details on every port we're going to. Having it all written down helps to give me a sort of "ballpark figure" so I know how much cash I need to bring to each place.

 

Don't forget to bring small bills to tip the room service people :)

 

Sailing from San Juan and going to St. Thomas, Barbados, Dominica, and Aruba. I just don't want to be caught short and I am really not a credit card person. I plan to use mostly debit and have a few travelers checks. Just don't want to be caught short.

[minimartha]

Last March we had 2 adults and 3 kids. We don't go to the casino but both adults bought the drink of the day every day(sometimes 2) and maybe a glass of wine at dinner. I bought a few christmas presents, t-shirts for family members at home(about 8 of them), a few peices of costume jewelry onboard, a sweatshirt and a tie for my husband. We paid for our excursions onboard(we chose the ones marked$$ mostly)but they included lunch, tips, NO spa treatments and I spent about $2000 including 6 nights parking at the dock for a family of 5. Oh and that included dinner one night in the Emerald Room at $30.00 a person. Only the two adults went but we ordered a nice bottle of wine.:)

[DiaDeGuadalupe]

Sailing from San Juan and going to St. Thomas, Barbados, Dominica, and Aruba. I just don't want to be caught short and I am really not a credit card person. I plan to use mostly debit and have a few travelers checks. Just don't want to be caught short.

 

I totally understand. It's just hard because we all cruise to different places, like different things, etc. That's why I suggested the ports of call boards for the port related stuff.

 

We're going to Jamica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. From what I've read on the port boards, Jamaica and Cozumel are less expensive than Grand Cayman (as far as what we want to do there).

 

Have you done any extensive research on what you want to do or where you want to go in your ports yet? Seriously, those boards are a great place to start. :)

 

You will find yourself staying up way past your bedtime just reading about the different excursions, tour operators, what to shop for, where not to go, etc.

 

Also, will you be attaching your debit card to your sail and sign?

[VentureMan_2000]

Not counting excursions, I think you could spend $500 per person fairly easy in a 7 day cruise...

 

 

$$ 36 - Air to: Two meals and 2 cocktails each (8+5+5 times two)

$$ 87 - Precruise Hotel stay (this was a good deal... normally $125)

$$ 52 - Taxi to and from the airport at crusie destination, with tip

$$ 10 - Taxi from Hotel to Port

$$ 50 - Food and cocktails pre-cruise evening

$$$ 4 - Porter, two bags

$ 140 - Reccomened TIPs on Sail & Sign for two

$ 160 - Bon Voyage

$ 500 - Cocktails, photo, couple of gifts (between both of us)

$ 300 - Port: purchases, taxi, cocktails, food (between both of us)

$$ 36 - Air back: Two meals and 2 cocktails each (8+5+5 times two)

====

$ 1375 - total descretionary spending for two people

[Fun~N~Sun]

I totally understand. It's just hard because we all cruise to different places, like different things, etc. That's why I suggested the ports of call boards for the port related stuff.

 

We're going to Jamica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. From what I've read on the port boards, Jamaica and Cozumel are less expensive than Grand Cayman (as far as what we want to do there).

 

Have you done any extensive research on what you want to do or where you want to go in your ports yet? Seriously, those boards are a great place to start. :)

 

You will find yourself staying up way past your bedtime just reading about the different excursions, tour operators, what to shop for, where not to go, etc.

 

Also, will you be attaching your debit card to your sail and sign?

 

I have two seperate accounts with debit cards and plan on using one for sail and sign and the other for everything else. I have only looked at the excursions through the Carnival site. I think we are only going to do excursions at two ports. Dominica and I am not sure where else. We really just want beach, bar, and shopping time.

[lmmn]

I would bring $500 cash...for spending at ports. Bring some small bills for tipping taxi/airport, etc. If you plan to eat at restaurants at port, and prefer to pay cash, I would bring more. Most charges will be on your cruise card...I would figure $2000 for on ship expenses which should cover a couple reasonably priced ship excursions....plus the $500 cash. Total $2,500.

[Jdleong]

Read the posts in the Ports of call section for the ports that you will be travelling to, and they have many suggestions for excursions, other than Carnivals that will save you money. Also they have a lot of suggestions to go to a beach or a hotel's pool/beach for fun in the sun.Free some times..

My first cruise,I don't think I spent more than 300 dollars, no alcohol, took taxis to beaches, and didn't buy many photos. The photos cost a lot, $19.99 ea.

Also read the thread, Money saving tips...they have some good ideas.

[Wennfred]

Read the posts

 

Hey Jan, meet me on the Roll Call site.

 

Fred

[Catrin]

If the cruise was $2000 and extras $800 that is $2800 not $4000. Did I misunderstand something?

 

Cruise was $2000.00

Sail and Sign with Tips $800.00

Taxi Rides $100.00

Bingo/Slots/Video Games $100.00

Airfare for Four and Limo to Port $1000.00

 

Total $4000.00 :)

 

I wish we lived in Florida!! We could take that Grand right off the top!

Catrin