How much should we budget to spend?

[Magiwill]

We are going on a 7 day Carnival Cruise at the end of July. I am trying to budget a total amount we will spend (CC and cash).

We do not buy art

Do not do spa treatments

Will buy only one excursion through the ship

We do like to drink on vacation.

We will not be buying jewlery, watches ect...maybe a few T-shirts.

DH will gamble but not a high roller.

Maybe buy one or two pics.

 

What would you suggest...I can't seem to wrap my mind around a budget.

 

Aslo we had planed on taking $300 in cash and then using our Debit Card for our S&S account, is this a good idea or not?

 

Thanks in Advance

[dforeigner]

We are going on a 7 day Carnival Cruise at the end of July. I am trying to budget a total amount we will spend (CC and cash).

We do not buy art

Do not do spa treatments

Will buy only one excursion through the ship

We do like to drink on vacation.

We will not be buying jewlery, watches ect...maybe a few T-shirts.

DH will gamble but not a high roller.

Maybe buy one or two pics.

 

What would you suggest...I can't seem to wrap my mind around a budget.

 

Aslo we had planed on taking $300 in cash and then using our Debit Card for our S&S account, is this a good idea or not?

 

Thanks in Advance

 

It would help if you tell us where you are going. The Caribbean is much cheaper than Alaska or Europe.

[Magiwill]

Sorry about that. It is on the Carnival Glory going to the Carribean, with stops in St. Thomas and St. Maarteen/Martin.

 

Thanks

[dforeigner]

Sorry about that. It is on the Carnival Glory going to the Carribean, with stops in St. Thomas and St. Maarteen/Martin.

 

Thanks

 

 

Well, you need to take into consideration tips onboard the ship. Tips for the excursions, soda is not free. Any meals you eat off the ship. Specialty dinning if you plan to do any. Cab fare. Excursions off the ship. Other things that you may end up needing or wanting to buy. I cannot give you a ball park figure per say. Some people budget themselves for $50.00 per person per day while other go higher or lower.

[seadancer]

We usaully average around 800-1500 in a week. Thats if the wife gets a piece of jewelry or me a watch. We do some spa services but the prices seem to be creeping up to high. Our big expenditure is art pieces we find either local or on the ship and we dont drink. I would say 1-200 a day per person is reasonable and comfortable (for the parents;) )

 

Remember to have fun above all else

[krystalkruzer]

I would estimate about $100 per day.

[Tarheelbelle]

I would suggest that if possible you consider using a credit card not a debit card for your onboard account. I am not sure how the cruiseline will do a debit---put a hold on a certain amount in your account, perhaps? You might want to go to the Carnival board and check that out.

To me it sounds like you are planning a fairly low key/economical cruise. You do not say how many drinks per day, but given the cost of mixed drinks on ships now, I would say to consider $8-10/drink including the 15% added gratuity. Do not forget your ~$10/day gratuities.

Costs in the port where you are not planning the ship's excursion should also be considered.

Have fun!

[Magiwill]

Thanks for all the replies...

 

We "think" we will budget around 1300 for the trip. We plan on renting a jeep on St. John and tooling the day around there, so that is why we only have one excursion planned through Carnival. Happy cruising everyone!!!

[IslandDreamers]

As much as you can, try to use cash on the Islands. The less you can use your credit cards, better. Fraud is only one of the things you should be concerned about. The other thing is that when buying something in a foreign currency on your credit card you will get a better exchange rate but you will also be charged a "conversion fee" from your bank. These are not cheap.

As far as budgeting, sounds like you are pretty "cheap" cruisers. It's hard to say how much soda/juice/coffee etc you will have a day but we as "drinkers and spenders" budget $120-$130 a day and are just fine. So you might want to think about $40 a day.....

Have FUN!!!

[EmpressofPurple]

Here's my list of extra costs on cruises, to help friends new to cruising plan what they want to spend (and to remind myself what to budget for).

 

Hope it helps in your planning process:

 

LIST OF EXTRA CHARGES ON CRUISES:

FOOD/DRINK:

· Fountain Soda at bars and in dining rooms (Soda card available for $3.95 per day for length of cruise plus tax/tip; 7 days = $27.65). Also Canned Soda / Bottled Water ($1.50/ea plus tax/tip; can bring onboard at embarkation and port stops)

· Drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), anywhere on the ship (buffet, dining room, pizza place, trident grill, café, bars, shows, pool deck, room service, etc.) I gather there is a “wine package” for wine drinkers.

· Specialty ice cream near the pool and in International Café (available for free in Horizon Court Buffet from 3:30-4:30 pm and at dinner)

· A few items at International Café (chocolate covered strawberries, fondue, caramel apples, truffles); a few Room Service items (tray of canapés, soda package, etc.); Sushi at Vines

· Specialty coffee at meals, in International café (coffee card for $24.95 covers 15 drinks plus unlimited brewed coffee at Café).

· Specialty Dining Rooms ($20 pp Sabatinis; $25 pp Crown Grill) and Special Dining Experiences (ultimate balcony dining, Brooklyn lunch, Chef’s Table, Wine Flights/Tastings, etc., etc.)

· Any meals in port (duh)… except where included at “private island” stops (Princess Cays cookout).

ACTIVITIES/PURCHASES:

· Port Tours / Shore Excursions ($25-$150 per outing, whether private or thru cruiseline).

· Gambling - Casino (as you will… be sure to bring on cash or be charged a service fee for taking out cash on your ship card) + Bingo ($10-20 per game)

· Art Auctions (never even attended one of these; I’ve heard they often offer free champagne)

· Shopping onboard or in port (“Sale” books onboard = $25)

· Spa treatments / Salon Services ($60-$180 per treatment – massages, wraps, facials, tooth whitening, ionithermie, manicure/pedicure, haircuts, etc.)

· Sanctuary ($15/half-day – quiet, shaded area with deluxe loungers and drink/food service, outdoor massages and sunset Yoga classes available)

· Thermal Suite ($130/couple for the cruise – indoor heated stone loungers, aromatherapy steam rooms, sauna, etc.)

· Some exercise classes ($10/ea. 55-min. Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, plus personal training and fitness/ metabolism testing, and they ask for tips on top of fees. The shorter, 25 mins. stretching and aerobics classes are usually free, as are the machines and jogging track, plus sales presentations)

SERVICES/GRATUITIES:

· Some classes including Computers@sea, digital photography instruction, materials for some scholarship@sea programs (ceramics, etc.)

· Photographs taken by the ship’s photographers ($10-25 per photo); developing disposable cameras/film; having prints/CDs made from your digital camera.

· Internet time (.75/min. unless you buy a package, then it can drop to .50/min – much cheaper in port) and Telephone (Yikes! Look at those costs… and if you can use your cellphone, beware of international roaming charges)

· Laundry / dry cleaning / pressing through the ship; Self-serve laundry (I think it's $1 for washer, $1 for dryer, $1 for soap; there’s an iron there, too); tux/formalwear rental, floral purchases

· Golf simulator and Scuba Training

· Gratuities ($10pp/pd automatically added to your bill or can handle separately)

· Tips on drinks at bars or for room service orders

· Any needed medical services (doctor visits charged to your account).

· Cruise Insurance (to cover medical services rendered, emergency evacuation, repatriation, lost/stolen/damaged baggage, camera, cellphone, laptop, etc.)

· Babysitting and certain special children’s activities.

· Transfers to and from ship before and after cruise; Tips for baggage handlers, drivers, etc.

What’s Included:

· Cabin, TV movies, cabin service, toiletries, fruit delivery, safe, refrigerator (can fill with own drinks) and of course transportation to all ports of call

· Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner in dining rooms, at 24-hr buffet, pizza place, trident grill, most items at the International Café, room service (except for tips)

· All entertainment (production shows, singers/musicians in bars, show lounges, nightclub, movies, trivia, dance classes, poolside games, Princess Pop Star, port tour/shopping lectures).

· Special events such as champagne waterfall, pool buffet, captain’s party; several presentations such as culinary arts, galley tour, bridge tour, spa wellness (i.e. sales) presentations.

· Use of library, pools/hot tubs, gym (including some classes such as stretch and aerobics), ping-pong, shuffle­board, sports court (bball/vball), putting green, kids program (babysitting extra).

[kimmimom]

I used my credit card in Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Grand Cayman and had no "additional" fees. We are going to Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten in Sept.

[TravlGrl]

We budget $100/day per person. Sometimes we spend less though. On our Feb anniversary cruise, we came in under budget by ~$250. :) On land-based vacations we are usually right at budget. :o

[royd1968]

i just came off an alaska cruise...i gambled a bit...drank alot, visited the spa twice and maxed out on bingo and pull tabs..or crack-its...ate at every specialty restaurant and my final tab was $1200.00.. i could have got away much cheaper, but it was all worth it...

[Payd]

Thanks for all the replies...

 

We "think" we will budget around 1300 for the trip. We plan on renting a jeep on St. John and tooling the day around there, so that is why we only have one excursion planned through Carnival. Happy cruising everyone!!!

 

So was it the right amount??

 

Payd:)

[KC_fn]

Too late to help Magiwill, but FYI for others:

 

We have the same spending habits as Magiwill (original post), and I budgeted $25 per person per day. We had money left over.

[psychboss]

We are going on a 7 day Carnival Cruise at the end of July. I am trying to budget a total amount we will spend (CC and cash).

We do not buy art

Do not do spa treatments

Will buy only one excursion through the ship

We do like to drink on vacation.

We will not be buying jewelry, watches ect...maybe a few T-shirts.

DH will gamble but not a high roller.

Maybe buy one or two pics.

 

What would you suggest...I can't seem to wrap my mind around a budget.

 

Also we had planed on taking $300 in cash and then using our Debit Card for our S&S account, is this a good idea or not?

 

Thanks in Advance

 

On "average" people spend another 15-20% the cost of their cruise cost. So if your cruise cost you $3,000 you could count on spending $450 - $600. With what you say you are planning on spending the $300 and the debit card will be fine. You will need to pay the gratuities on the ship and often my DH and I have given extra tips due to exceptional service.

Also, you never know, we never do this on other vacations but on cruises my DH and I love to find a lounge where he can have a fine cigar (he does not normally smoke) and we will both have a cognac or a Baileys, these little treats can add up. But we take enough money that we do not have to count or pinch pennies (thank goodness). We go on cruises to relax, enjoy each others company in peace and quiet, enjoy the days and the beautiful, balmy Caribbean nights - wow I am ready to go now!

 

I agree with you about the jewelry, there are no 'bargains' to be found there. You can buy what they are selling there at any 'cheap' jeweler or 'fine' jeweler depending on your budget. If they could send it to the US and get twice as much do you think they would be "giving it away" to cruise ship customers? And do NOT believe that just because the cruise line get a kick back that they will take "your" side in a dispute. I have had too many clients get stuck.

[yaletownboy]

Triple post

[yaletownboy]

Triple post

[yaletownboy]

Here's my list of extra costs on cruises, to help friends new to cruising plan what they want to spend (and to remind myself what to budget for).

 

Hope it helps in your planning process:

 

 

LIST OF EXTRA CHARGES ON CRUISES:

 

FOOD/DRINK:

· Fountain Soda at bars and in dining rooms (Soda card available for $3.95 per day for length of cruise plus tax/tip; 7 days = $27.65). Also Canned Soda / Bottled Water ($1.50/ea plus tax/tip; can bring onboard at embarkation and port stops)

· Drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), anywhere on the ship (buffet, dining room, pizza place, trident grill, café, bars, shows, pool deck, room service, etc.) I gather there is a “wine package” for wine drinkers.

 

extracharge for non-alc drinks? I hope you just mean pop. Usually lemonade, ice tea, coffee, tea are free

[yaletownboy]

bump

[tigress3000]

I'm going to cruise with three children (ages 7, 11, 13). Is it possible for more than 1 person to share a soda card?

[cb at sea]

Take more money than you think you'll need--you can always bring it home and stick it back in the bank!

[sodsmom]

On our first Caribbean cruise we went light on excursions except for a snorkeling excursion. My husband liked it so much we HAD to book as many as we could after that (lol) Now that was expensive! (but so worth it). T shirts are the same in all the islands (but with different island name) so pick the island (and price) you like

We don't drink much, didn't donate much to the casino and still managed to spend about $100/day but that did include tips

[laurspag]

I'm going on my first cruise this summer, and one of the things I've doing is reading threads here and asking questions. How much are pictures? How much are drinks? Then I planned excursions very carefully. We are only going on a 5 day Bermuda cruise, so I think that will help us too. A friend told me that if you like wine with your dinner, buy a bottle and ask them to hold it for you. It's cheaper by the bottle, and they will pour just re-cork it for you for so that is available the next night.

 

I guess there are lots of ways to save!