Sail & Sign..What Was Your Balance?

[cruisinpaige]

[quote name='Sablerose']I think that's a fabbo way to look at it! To be perfectly honest, my best friend put it a way that finally made some sense to me, and here it is: I'm so used to doing basically nothing for myself, you know, budgeting and working and saving, that if I look at it as if it's for ME, I'm gonna freak out. But if I look at it as if it's for hubby, or for the two of us together, significantly less freaking out!

If we spend $3,000 for the whole shebang, which is possible, then that's $8.21 a day. It's like Save The Children, except it's Save My Sanity. "For just $8.21 a day, you can have your dream vacation!" :eek:

But that's true, that's how I'm going to look at it. Our cruise is paid for (and not on credit, but truly paid for) and we have enough money in savings to cover anything we could possibly spend for on this cruise. So we'll just have fun.

Whee! Right? Right?[/quote]

Sablerose you rock, love your attitude. Glad you got your man back and thank him for me for his service please--big big hug!!! My buddy and I saved all year for a 16 transatlantic cruise with 3 days of Rome at the beginning. He is a bartender and I have an office job-we are not rich but we scrimped and saved and cut corners (laid off the housekeeper, no more manicures, lots of campbells soup, very little shopping for clothes, etc., selling everthing not nailed down on ebay...) and we have paid for everything ahead and have 2000 bucks to spend apeice. No credit used. Its so worth it for sanity. Even though at times I was pretty much broke til next payday, it will be worth it! I hope you guys have the best time imaginable sounds like you certainly deserve it.

[cruisecastle]

[quote name='DollyCruise']What was your balance? What did you spend most of your money on?

(this oughta be good) LOL

Dolly :)[/QUOTE]

$4,996.81 On the Liberty this summer.

[cruisinpaige]

Some of these are against the rules so...it's your choice, but...

Sneak alcohol on board in large evian bottles and mix some of your own drinks--we do not bring them to the dining room that would be rude but we drink it in our room and carry some around.

Don't drink those cans of soda in the room they cost a bundle and you can always get a fresh one from room service.

Cruise the first two weeks of December or the week beopre Thanksgiving-prices are GREAT at those times!

Be flexible in which cruises you choose. The more flexibleyou are the cheaper it will be.

Don't buy the photos, or just buy one or two. Digital cameras help ustake such good pictures these days you dont need the pros.

Go to the salon when they have a sale and don't buy the stuff in there. You can get it on ebay or online cheaper the moment you get home.

Take advantage of every free activity on board like the free gym classes v. the fee ones, the free cocktail parties (you can order from the open bar you dont have to have those yukky pre-mixed drinks), free dance classes.

Don't gamble!!! Too much smoke in there anyway. Maybe an exception for "free cruise bingo."

Choose inexpensive but long duration excursions--they usually involve walking which is a good thing too.

Don't buy souveniers--they have not changed in my 10 years of cruising the Caribbean and they are probably all made in China anyway.

Don't buy stuff for ppl back home unless they are house-sitting or something. It's overpriced and usually crappy anyway. You can always get a nicer thank you gift for the same money at home before you go.

Bring a ton of over the counter meds (tummy stuff, sore throat stuff, etc) in case you need them--they cost a fortune at the infirmiry. If you don't use em there is always the next cruise.

Stay out of the gift shop.

With the $ you save you can book another cruise!

[DaytonCruiser]

$750 on 8 day Legend last year.

[BND]

For DH and I, $250 on 4 day Fantasy. One excursion, a few photos and few drinks.

$1600 on 7 day Glory, which included a tanzanite ring so that boosted it a bit, plus we did two excursions, each had a spa treatment, bought a lot of pictures and had at most 3 drinks each per day, and oh yeah, lattes from Creams just about everyday:D

I plan on keeping it under $1,000 for our Pride cruise in Oct.

Our tips were all prepaid.

[Guest CRUZIN' SUZIN]

I cruise solo and my tab is generally $400 - $500 per cruise. Foo-foo's take up the bulk but then there is tip, duty free liquor, a t-shirt or mug, maybe a picture and one or two ship excursions.

Oh yeah, on the Destiny in October, I discovered how you can put your sail and sign card in the slot machine and keep playing. That lesson cost me $250:eek: and that was the penny slot machines!!:eek: Never again!!!!!!

I enjoy my foo-foo's!!!:p

[airlink diva]

On my last cruise (Miracle 4/30/06-05/07/06). My Bill was $214. This included my tips, drinks, Nick & Nora's, rum cakes, one game of bingo and my foo-foo drinks.
My smallest sail & sign bill was on the Oosterdam when it was only $143.
It seems that the more I sail, the smaller my bill seems to be. I allow myself daily foo foo drinks and other minor items. But I drink alot of punch and ice tea, bring my own water and drink mixtures and unless my parents request rum cakes or something, I don't buy anything out the gift shop (I do go for all the free yummy samples and drinks :D :D :D )
I admit that one time my bill was about $450 and this was only because I wanted to do the spa seaweed wrap treatment. It was $219 and the girl was so great (no hard selling either!) that I tipped her $40 bucks.

[connerzgram]

just got off the fantasy and am currently in denial about my s & s balance! not because it was wrong but because i can't believe i spent so much!

it's just so easy to use that doggone card! i had $49 in an excursion, $150 in gifts, $40 in pictures and a whole bunch in liquor/gambling. i even smuggled liquor on board! but i would get involved in a blackjack game and couldn't leave to go to my cabin, so just ordered from the barmaid.

all told......(this is gonna hurt).......$711 (ouch)

cruised with mom and sis and hubby not really happy, but i sure had a blast!!!!!!

[Will_Travel_4_food]

But I do remember that for 7 days on Glory we spent well over $1500. Maybe as much as $1700 for 2 people.

Approximately we spent $300-$400 in the spa, lots of photo's as it was our real first chance to have family photos of the 3 of us (maybe close to $200). Plus I did do some shopping on the ship for misc items (about another $300+). That might have been higher but it wouldn't have been that high if the ships photo lab had their cd burner working. I filled all my memory cards up and needed to buy another. I still couldn't believe I paid about $70 for a 512 MB CF card on the ship. Right before the cruise I bought a 1 GB for about $30. After that I can't remember where I spent the rest, but we don't gamble so it wasn't in the casino. I'd think it was in the drinks. My wife won't start her day with out her foo foo coffee drink(s).

[wisefamily4]

On our 8 day cruises - the balance seems to always be around $1100 to $1200 for our family of four.
We prepay tips and don't use the casino. I guess $175 to $250 could be for drinks (both adult and kids). We do spend a lot on pictures and in the stores though.
We're on vacation - so penny pinching isn't allowed.

[Nightwind]

HAH! Our last cruise, it was close to $1800 for a 7-day! NOT including excursions, which we booked and paid for in advance. And neither of us drink, so alcohol did not figure into that total, either. But we had decided going in that we were going to splurge on spa treatments, pictures, and other stuff that we don't usually indulge in, because I had gotten a tidy bonus from my boss. And boy did we indulge in style! :D

Usually, though, for a 7-day, we've charged about $200 - $500 per person. That's about what I expect to pay for our upcoming 5-day, as well. The kids have to pay their own expenses! :) Kid 1 has $300 saved, kid 2 has almost $600 because he never spends money. We'll see how well they do. :)

[Guest CRUZIN' SUZIN]

[quote name='Nightwind']HAH! Our last cruise, it was close to $1800 for a 7-day! NOT including excursions, which we booked and paid for in advance. And neither of us drink, so alcohol did not figure into that total, either. But we had decided going in that we were going to splurge on spa treatments, pictures, and other stuff that we don't usually indulge in, because I had gotten a tidy bonus from my boss. And boy did we indulge in style! :D

Usually, though, for a 7-day, we've charged about $200 - $500 per person. That's about what I expect to pay for our upcoming 5-day, as well. The kids have to pay their own expenses! :) Kid 1 has $300 saved, kid 2 has almost $600 because he never spends money. We'll see how well they do. :)[/quote]

Great idea with the kids. How old are they? I found that your children spend their own money a lot wiser than they spend mom or dad's:eek:

[ladycaveat]

On my last cruise, my S&S bill was close to $700 . . . and I was alone. Foo Foo drinks, pictures, one excursion and some gift shop purchases. This time I did not play Bingo or spend time in the Casino . . . Heaven help me what my bill could have been . . . :eek:

[cruisinbuddy]

On Disney, $1000.00 for just booze for two people. Plus a bunch more for souvies, excursions, etc. Our usual is @ $800.00-$1000.00 for two people for a week.

[FriedPickle]

I was solo but I like to drink

4 night cruise $470.00 (out of this only 3 foo-foo drinks)
( -$40 that was automaticly added for tips)
Vodka & Water & Red Bull adds up fast!

Yep, just in alcohol- no pictures, no excursions

It was either drink or become seasick....Never got seasick:)

[Nightwind]

[quote=CRUZIN' SUZIN]Great idea with the kids. How old are they? I found that your children spend their own money a lot wiser than they spend mom or dad's:eek:[/quote]

Kid #1 is 11, kid #2 is 13. I expect that Kid #1 will have his $300 spent by day two, particularly if there are lots of cute stuffed animals in the shops. He's a sucker for those. Look up "spendthrift" in the dictionary, and you'll find a pic of him. :) That extra money he's put aside from a whole year of mowing lawns, walking dogs, watering plants for people on vacation, washing cars, and clearing snow (his own "business" he and his brother set up) will, I predict, be gone in about...36 hours, would be my guess. Kid #2...I'd be surprised if he spends $150 the whole time, including a soda card and his tips, and he has $600 to spend. Look up "tightwad" in the dictionary, and you'll see a pic of him. :rolleyes:

But yes, we see this as a lesson in budgeting for them. We believe in giving them responsibility and letting them sink or swim on their own in a sort-of protected environment. It's the only way that kids learn, really. Once their money's gone, it's gone. We won't bend on that. We are paying for excursions for them, though. Other than that, if they want sodas or to play games in the arcade or buy souvenirs or whatever, it's up to them. They already know $50 goes to tips, too.

[Guest CRUZIN' SUZIN]

[quote name='Nightwind']Kid #1 is 11, kid #2 is 13. I expect that Kid #1 will have his $300 spent by day two, particularly if there are lots of cute stuffed animals in the shops. He's a sucker for those. Look up "spendthrift" in the dictionary, and you'll find a pic of him. :) That extra money he's put aside from a whole year of mowing lawns, walking dogs, watering plants for people on vacation, washing cars, and clearing snow (his own "business" he and his brother set up) will, I predict, be gone in about...36 hours, would be my guess. Kid #2...I'd be surprised if he spends $150 the whole time, including a soda card and his tips, and he has $600 to spend. Look up "tightwad" in the dictionary, and you'll see a pic of him. :rolleyes:

But yes, we see this as a lesson in budgeting for them. We believe in giving them responsibility and letting them sink or swim on their own in a sort-of protected environment. It's the only way that kids learn, really. Once their money's gone, it's gone. We won't bend on that. We are paying for excursions for them, though. Other than that, if they want sodas or to play games in the arcade or buy souvenirs or whatever, it's up to them. They already know $50 goes to tips, too.[/quote]

But once the 11 year old is broke won't you help him out, just a little. :confused: You are not going to make him just be the poor church mouse on the ship are you?:( He is still just a baby. Are you mom or dad? Dad may stand firm while Mom will sneak a few $20's onto his S&S account (for more stuffed animals).;)

does his older tightwad brother share with the younger spendthrift one?

[Chucksta63]

Ours was a grand for the 3 of us......$10 ea per day...$210 in tips....
Kid went thru $20 a day at the arcade...$140... wife found the spa & massage table...lol
Several pictures...& we won't go into my bar bill....lol:D

[poptart]

Just returned from the Glory and for my dh and me our
S&S was 696.00 that was tips, excursions, a watch, 2 pictures with one made into Christmas cards, some t-shirts and several drinks--bar tab was aprox $160--love those foo foo drinks out by the pool.
So yes we averaged about $100 per day.
I expect it to be much less on the 4 day coming up. Probably only tips and drinks. No excursions and no souveniers. Just sun and foo foo drinks.

I don't have a clue what dh's casino bill was. He had cash for that and brought 0 home. The casino didn't like him that week. He usually wins.

[Tigeress297]

Our first cruise $1100 for 5 of us on a 4 day cruise. Excursions was $ 650 and photos were $120. Oh and soda cards for all were $100. The rest was little misc from the gift shop, build a bear workshop for the kids, and lots and lots of Foo-Foo drinks!

Hoping to do the next cruise in July for a lot less! Well maybe not less Foo-Foo's, but less everything else!

[Nightwind]

[quote=CRUZIN' SUZIN]But once the 11 year old is broke won't you help him out, just a little. You are not going to make him just be the poor church mouse on the ship are you?[/quote]
Nope, 'fraid not. We set rules and stick to them. He needs to learn this lesson, and he won't if he knows he can just come to us and get more money. He knows that he has $300 to spend, and we will show him how to go about checking his balance at the purser's desk if he loses track of it himself. [I]We[/I] will not make him the poor church mouse, but he might (or might not) choose to make [I]himself [/I]a church mouse. He knows this, and he knows what will happen if he spends all of his money too quickly.

[B]Are you mom or dad? Dad may stand firm while Mom will sneak a few $20's onto his S&S account (for more stuffed animals).;) [/B]

I'm neither, actually. Both boys are my housemate's kids, but we've all lived together for almost 10 years, after our divorces. Neither of us wanted to face the world alone, so we moved in together as a "temporary" measure til we each got on our feet. Well, 10 years later, here we are. :) It just works better for both of us. I pay the bills, she stays home and does all the housework, cooks all the meals (Which I HATE to do!), and now does most of the homeschooling. It's almost like being a 50s husband! :D

Anyway, I don't have any kids of my own. I can't have them, physically. But I've been living with and raising these two since they were 1.5 and 3.5, so they might as well be mine. So I guess I'm sort of a "stepmother." An evil one. ;) Between my housemate and myself...Well, like I said we set rules and stick to them pretty rigorously, but if push came to shove, it'd probably be my housemate who'd break, since she [I]is[/I] the mommy and all.

[B]...does his older tightwad brother share with the younger spendthrift one?[/B]

Well, he [I]wishes [/I]his brother would share... Actually, he [I]does [/I]share sometimes, on rare occasions. He does give generous gifts and he also regularly donates to various charities through our church, which is a virtue we've taught him, but he doesn't really spend money on himself. So if 11-year-old runs out of money, 13-year-old will likely break before mom does. :)

~Kathleen

[Fun~N~Sun]

Our final tab was about $1300...no pix, no spa, no excursion. We bought a few souveniors maybe $120 for that; $280 for tips; and $900 was all liquor.

[FamilyMiracle]

Liberty Cruise, 8 days to Panama, Sign and Sail bill was $2800 for 6 people. About $200 in camp carnival babysitting. $200 in pictures. I found the Spa (again). Dh found the piano bar. I found the casino.

Enough Said :)

[Catmomma]

On one trip we had almost $1700 in charges after a week. Great thing is they forgot to charge my credit card for it.

Our usual average is around $800-1000 for excursions and bar tab. I have never bought anything at the auctions.

[Guest CRUZIN' SUZIN]

[quote name='Catmomma']On one trip we had almost $1700 in charges after a week. Great thing is they forgot to charge my credit card for it.

Our usual average is around $800-1000 for excursions and bar tab. I have never bought anything at the auctions.[/quote]

They probably charged someone else for your $1,700 :eek: and then either could not or have not yet tracked it back to you. Keep a low profile and your head down. Why doesn't things like that happen to me.:(