Cruise Expense List

[NinaCO]

I worked up my budget for Conquest this week. I know there are some folks planning their first cruises, so I thought it might be helpful to see the types of expenses someone's budgeted for. I always go through this exercise several months prior to a cruise: http://www.ninaco.com/temp/cruise_expenses.htm

 

FYI, I'm not really looking for feedback.:D This is my 9th cruise, and the numbers are a fairly accurate reflection of how I'll spend money. Everyone has different interests & priorities. I'm only putting out an example for folks who are new to cruising or maybe someone's curious about what others are spending. ;) I know that the tips I've allocated may be high, or maybe I haven't set aside quite enough money for dinner in New Orleans. My goal is to get a good estimate of how much I'll be spending in total on a cruise. If I go over budget by $100 or $200, it's not a big deal. (It would surprise me though, because it's never happened.)

 

It still surprises me that the actual cost of the cruise is only about 1/3 of the total amount I'll spend.

[babywewe]

thanks !

[OhioJeff]

Thanks

I need to get in the kitty boarding business if they are getting $330. Have a wonderful cruise!

[NinaCO]

Thanks

I need to get in the kitty boarding business if they are getting $330. Have a wonderful cruise!

Not only is the kitty boarder getting $330, but I take all my own food! My cats vacation at lovely wooded location at the foothills of the Rockies. They have a fairly small indoor area and their own fully-enclosed outdoor area which is about three times the size of the average walk-in closet. They spend most of the time outside watching the birds and squirrels, and they get two play times each day. They'll be spending 11 nights there, so I don't think $330 is outrageously expensive.

[mathgal]

I too am one of these people who make a detailed list of expenses prior to my cruise. I make a spreadsheet more as a guideline for what we will spend, not as a "budget" that we must stick to. We just got back from a week long cruise on the Paradise a couple of weeks ago and my actual expenses came within $3 of what I had estimated!! How's that for planning!!

 

Since we booked all of our tours online ahead of time, I knew what those costs would be. Also had an exact amount for airline and hotel costs prior to cruise so no surprises there. When it came to price of cabs and other expenses, I had a really good idea of what it would cost from spending hours and hours on Cruise Critic!! (Husband thinks I'm obsessed but admitted the whole week was stress-free because of my planning!) As for the other stuff...I went a little over and a little under in those categories so it all evened out!! :)

[CruiseCATnMACK]

We also use Excel, it's nice to have a breakdown of what it cost per person per day.

[nrgo]

cool, thanks!

[palmtre2]

Could you e-mail me the spreadsheet - I'd appreciate it!!! palmtre2@aol.com

[Dee88]

I should make an expense list but that would depress me before the cruise. :(

I have a general idea on how much it's going to cost so I make sure I have the cash available to pay that charge card off when it comes in. :D

[GoinCruisin]

We used the one that Chris (CruisingisLife) had on his website and it really opened our eyes before our first cruise... it pays to prepare.... he has alot of very helpful info there... http://www.lifeiscruising.com/get_organized

[RinaAlston612]

Just got back from the Conquest don't forget to allow for the pictures. That will take the cost right up. 8 x10's $19.99 & 5 x7 's are $7.99....Also keep in mind all drinks in the main dinning room cost even lemon aid and punch. Have fun!!

[kwokpot]

Just got back from the Conquest don't forget to allow for the pictures. That will take the cost right up. 8 x10's $19.99 & 5 x7 's are $7.99....Also keep in mind all drinks in the main dinning room cost even lemon aid and punch. Have fun!!

 

It seems that Carnival has different polices on all their ships. I was on the Spirit this past March, and non-carbonated soft drinks, AND Espresso & Cappucino were FREE in the main dining room.

 

Additionally, the non-carbonated soft drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocholate AND soft serve ice cream and frozen yogurt were FREE & AVAILABLE 24/7!!!

[NinaCO]

Just got back from the Conquest don't forget to allow for the pictures. That will take the cost right up. 8 x10's $19.99 & 5 x7 's are $7.99....Also keep in mind all drinks in the main dinning room cost even lemon aid and punch. Have fun!!

Unfortunately, I've never found more than one picture of myself worth buying on a cruise. Sometimes I don't buy even one. I stick to wine & water in the dining room, so whether the punch is free or not doesn't matter to me. As long as they're not charging extra for lobster! :D

 

Others might want to add money for photos, bingo, art auctions, shopping on the ship, horse races, the casino, internet access, facials & spa, hair salon, formal attire rental, shore excursions, soda cards, film developing, the ship's high end restaurant, dry cleaning, laundry, and many other things. I've got a small misc. amount set aside for additional spending on the ship. So, if I decide to buy a photo, it's covered. There's usually less than $150 on my S&S at the end of hte cruise, excluding tips. Poor Carnival doesn't make much on me.:o

[serene56]

For people who cruise often--buying those pictures is not a big deal but I remember my first cruise and the pictures we bought could have went into a small muesum. I dont buy pictures like that anymore. Only the embarkation one--if it turned out good and one formal picture.

[mariad]

Hello Ninaco, I've found your expense list very helpful as I now have an idea of how much things cost in America. I am going to spend a week in Orlando before going on my first cruise on the Triumph ,so if there's someone who can tell me how much food, drinks and cigarrettes cost I'd be very grateful.

[kemper1974]

Mariad.....Orlando can be pricey depending on what you do or where you stay. Cigarettes cost about $3 US, food varies from a fast food meal at McDonald's etc ($5) to about $10 at a theme park to much more at a sit down restaurant.

If you email me maybe I can give you more specifics (I live in Orlando)

kemper1974@aol.com

[mariad]

Kemper1974,

Laurie, I emailed you this morning, but I just noticed that I've got a problem with sending emails or receiving them.Don't know yet,so I do not think you got my email. I will try to fix it and email you again. I think it will be difficult to catch each other online as there is a 9 hour time difference between Orlando and Malta, where I live. Cruisecritic is the first msg boards I have ever used I hope I am doing things right.

[willybegolfer]

WOW Nina, you must think a lot of your cat. I'm leaving Saturday morning for the 7/11 COnquest cruise. 10 days in an air conditioned kennel including food is $140 for my dog. Glad I'm not a cat person.

 

Thanks for the advice, but you should really get a dog.

[NinaCO]

WOW Nina, you must think a lot of your cat. I'm leaving Saturday morning for the 7/11 COnquest cruise. 10 days in an air conditioned kennel including food is $140 for my dog. Glad I'm not a cat person.

 

Thanks for the advice, but you should really get a dog.

I have two dogs!:D Pembroke Welsh Corgis extraordinare. They stay with friends where they have the 5 fenced-in acres to explore and a doggie door into the house. Thankfully, I've never had to board them.

 

By the way,the $330 for cat boarding is for four cats. And, it's more than worth it considering the accommodations.

[willybegolfer]

I have two dogs!:D Pembroke Welsh Corgis extraordinare. They stay with friends where they have the 5 fenced-in acres to explore and a doggie door into the house. Thankfully, I've never had to board them.

 

By the way,the $330 for cat boarding is for four cats. And, it's more than worth it considering the accommodations.

WELL THEN, that explains it. We've had people house and dog sit our Wheaten Terrier in the past, but decided to place him at Doggie Daycare this time around.

[imlulu]

Did you include tips?? Maybe I missed it.

 

We are a family of 4. Eating at the airport alone for us is $30-40 and that is a bagel/muffin, milk/coffee..... :eek:

[halos]

It seems that Carnival has different polices on all their ships. I was on the Spirit this past March, and non-carbonated soft drinks, AND Espresso & Cappucino were FREE in the main dining room.

 

Additionally, the non-carbonated soft drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocholate AND soft serve ice cream and frozen yogurt were FREE & AVAILABLE 24/7!!!

 

 

Our bar server never charged us for sodas in the dining room either. Maybe it has to do with how much alcohol you are purchasing while eating. Our friends had a bottle of wine every night...my DH had Rum and Cokes with dinner every night ( I was drinking water at dinner because I would always drink too many foo foos on deck during the day and liked to have martini's after dinner during shows!!!)...so the kids sodas were never charged.

[Babyblue]

NinaCo I just saw your pics (and stories under each pic) of your little furbaby's.

They are great -the pics and the furbaby's.

I giggled out loud as I read each caption.You are talented in your picture taking and the written words.

Wish I was that good.

Love photography but have a long way to go.

Just wanted to let you know I truly enjoyed them

Thanks

Karen