Costs once on board

[Mydnite]

Ok, I know we are going to pay for drinks and alcohol, as well as the specialty restaurants. We will probably get a couple of photos and pay for a couple of excursions. I don't really gamble, so what else do you spend money one and how much are things on board?

 

I am getting a little worried seeing the poll where some people are spending more than $1500 on 5 days! We have 14 days and want to have a great time, but that is a LOT of money to spend in 5 days (and I am good at spending!).

 

I know there is a spa, but can anyone tell me what sort of prices the treatments are (I am a total spa virgin!)

 

Do other activities on board have a cost?

[Sue L]

there is shopping, but everything else you seem to have pretty covered. Not sure where you are going but some excursions can be $$. A lot of the high tabs are lots of spa treatments which are around 80$ per treatment from what I remember don't quote my on the price though. Big drinkers will also have big tabs.

[early 30's couple]

The Spa is very expensive compared to nice facilities on the outside. A couples massage runs around $225 + tip. Port days tend to be a little cheaper, but chances are you can find a nice spa in whatever port you go to.

 

I spent about $1000 on a 5 night cruise, $300 for alcohol (I buy drinks for people I don't know once I start drinking), $300 for the casino, $250 for spa, and around $150 for crap like pictures and asprin (asprin was $7!- See bar tab)

 

Really, you can spend as much or as little as you want. I recomend setting a budget about 20% below what you feel you can spend. then if you go over a little...

 

Enjoy!

[Inshape]

We do not gamble, nor drink much. If we have 2 to 3 drinks total that is a lot.(there are free drinks at the art auctions, the captains party, the welcome back party)... We get a picture or two, and do some excursions on our own, except on Labadee where one of our kids like to do the wave runner with us. If we spend 200 the entire time that would be a lot. Oh this cruise we are also doing Lord SHefield ship when we are in st maarten so that was a bit more for the 4 of us...but counting ship expenses...not much. Do not need to pay double for spa treatments when i can do that in my own town. I work out each day at home and will not pay extra for a class while vacationing. If it is free then i go. If not, then i walk more and use the machines. There is free icecream so no need to buy ben and jerrys. I feel the same for the coffee. It is free so why do the specialty stuff. My older daugher works for Starbucks and we get enough of those specialty drinks without having to pay for them on a cruise. On a 14 night cruise i would be happy just relaxing, doing the ship board stuff and not running up a bar bill or any other tab. Too many fun things to do beside drink and then have hang overs.

[Inshape]

oops duplicate post sorry, i deleted it.

[ckrobyn]

Ultimately it will be you that decides what and how you will spend your money once onboard. Techincally, you don't have to spend a cent if you don't want to! The reality is, you will ;)

 

My advice is to check your sea pass balance each evening before you go to bed (you can see it on the TV in your stateroom) so you can know exactly where and (how fast!) your money is leaving your pocket. The sea pass is like a credit card, and sometimes it doesn't feel like you are actually spending (much like a credit card). For me, I tend to get sucked in by just about everything :p but I check my sea pass account daily and can pull in the reigns when needed.....

[FL_Cruiser64]

Ultimately it will be you that decides what and how you will spend your money once onboard. Techincally, you don't have to spend a cent if you don't want to! The reality is, you will ;)

 

My advice is to check your sea pass balance each evening before you go to bed (you can see it on the TV in your stateroom) so you can know exactly where and (how fast!) your money is leaving your pocket. The sea pass is like a credit card, and sometimes it doesn't feel like you are actually spending (much like a credit card). For me, I tend to get sucked in by just about everything :p but I check my sea pass account daily and can pull in the reigns when needed.....

 

 

But have you ever done it?

:D

[Sugar*Magnolia]

You can spend as much or as little as you like. DH said we spend about $150 a day. Sounds crazy, but we really enjoy ourselves when we are on vacation. :eek: :D If you drink, it adds up...if you buy jewelry, play BINGO, it adds up....a little in the casino here and there.....only you know your budget. The SPA is great but overpriced as mentioned- but an enjoyable time if you dont go to the Spa every month at home. (they do try and talk you into buying stuff so beware of the sell)

 

There is a cover for Johnny Rockets ($3.95). There is a $20 (or $25 I heard?? a possible increase or just on my upcoming holiday sail?) for the Specialty restaurants on board if you chose to go, Portofino (on Voyager and Explorer) and other ships have Chops and Jade...

[tomko2]

We budget $10.00 per day each for tips; $20.00 pd for drinks; $40.00 for shore excursions per port (includes taxi to and from beach plus loungers and umbrella); and then money for the casino which we keep in a separate envelope and keep a daily tab of our wins/losses.

 

We don't buy any pictures, don't play bingo, already bought all the artwork we need and don't buy souvenirs (ok maybe some hot sauce).

 

If the ports are new to us, then we budget for excursions based on what RCCL offers then we research to determine whether or not to try and do it on our own.

 

If my DH goes horse-riding, then I take the time and have a spa treatment (on Port days there are deals around $100.00).

 

We also budget for parking the car at the Port (very expensive these days).

 

Having an unpleasant surprise at the end of the cruise would not make for a good memory.

 

Kathy

[Majesty Fan]

Prior to the cruise I add up all the expenses actually that is waht our travel savings account is for. I put so much money away every week and then time to go I know what money I have to sepnd, our last cruise was on the Radiance Hawaii and we were gone for 19 days. I book all of our cruises on the ship for Hawaii this gave us $200 plus we are stock holders $250. Then I estimate the tips before hand and leave that money in the bank and do the prepay tips. We found out on the cruise you can only do exact amt so we added an extra $100 and divided it. We give min of $5 per day for the cabin steward. Then we give some to our favorite bar guy too at the end. We also did the wine package on this trip but we ordered this prior to getting on the ship. We do not do RCI shore excursions. For Hawaii we did rental cars and saved a lot of money. We did a Luau in Hawaii but we did it via the net and saved $50 per ticket compared to RCI. We are diamond so we get free drinks prior to diner in the diamond lounge, capt's party,plus we use the free drink coupon and free photo credit our bill after 2 weeks was just $550 thanks ot our OBC and we do the coke card and we still have drinks at the bar too. I have a loose change bottle and I cash that in prior to the cruise. This cruise was $60. We have not gone to chops or Portofino's but I think next year for Hawaii we may do that as it will be our aniv. We rebooked for next year again for Hawaii on the Radiance.

Lexi

[pcur]

Internet is around 55 cents a minute; buy the package, because it's cheaper.

 

Alcohol is expensive, so the drinks of the day are the lower priced drinks, and beer. I only drink a few glasses of champagne, but I keep track of the prices, anyway.

 

Spa is about DOUBLE what you'd pay on land.

 

Tips: $10 per person, per day

 

Ways to keep the cost down while on the cruise or when the credit card bill comes afterward:

 

Prepay your tips before the cruise

 

Free drinks at the Captain's Welcome Aboard party

 

Internet package pricing

 

Go to the spa as soon as you get on board and "volunteer" for a treatment while they are taking people on tours the first day or so. It's either free or discounted. They also have spa specials every day: 2-fers, etc.

 

Pay for shore excursions in advance. The cheaper ones that give you a tour of the local area are very nice. You can pick up tours online or at the port that will be cheaper, but if they aren't ship sponsored, there's always the dreaded "will we get back in time; will they leave without us?"

 

Sign up for Crown and Anchor membership so you can get the coupon booklet next time around with casino, drink, photo, and spa discounts.

[Tranquil Waters]

The Spa is very expensive compared to nice facilities on the outside. A couples massage runs around $225 + tip. Port days tend to be a little cheaper' date=' but chances are you can find a nice spa in whatever port you go to.

 

I spent about $1000 on a 5 night cruise, $300 for alcohol (I buy drinks for people I don't know once I start drinking), $300 for the casino, $250 for spa, and around $150 for crap like pictures and asprin (asprin was $7!- See bar tab)

 

Really, you can spend as much or as little as you want. I recomend setting a budget about 20% below what you feel you can spend. then if you go over a little...

 

Enjoy![/quote']

 

Vision of the Seas 4-20-08, huh? And just which bar is it you think you might be visiting....... ;) I think I am seeing a way to really cut down on my seapass bill! :D

[early 30's couple]

We tend to hang out in the panio bar quite a bit...I don't drink very often, but when I do I tend to get tanked. There is nothing better then singing along to good music while tanked.

 

Come hang out with us, sing a song, and I'll be glad to buy you a drink or two!

[amybear912]

Ok, I know we are going to pay for drinks and alcohol, as well as the specialty restaurants. We will probably get a couple of photos and pay for a couple of excursions. I don't really gamble, so what else do you spend money one and how much are things on board?

 

I am getting a little worried seeing the poll where some people are spending more than $1500 on 5 days! We have 14 days and want to have a great time, but that is a LOT of money to spend in 5 days (and I am good at spending!).

 

I know there is a spa, but can anyone tell me what sort of prices the treatments are (I am a total spa virgin!)

 

Do other activities on board have a cost?

 

There are ways you can save money...

 

*Book your spa treatments for days in port - they are usually cheaper then ... the prices onboard start at about $80 (like Sue said) and up and quite frankly, that is about what they cost here where I live... I had a really nice treatment that included a facial and massage - with tip it cost me about $120 and the entire treatment took an hour... Just don't let them talk you into buying product - which they will try to do.

 

*If you order foo-foo drinks (frozen coladas or daiquiris for example), request it in a regular glass... If you get the souvenir glass, the drink is more expensive... Again, personally, I have found the bar drinks to be about as much as I pay at a club here in town.

 

*Do splurge and eat in one or both of the specialty restaurants... they are definitely worth it and you'll never get a meal that good for that price on land... period. Surcharge is $20pp.

 

*If you are wine drinkers, consider purchasing a wine package... A set number of bottles (which you choose from their menu) and they hold them for you to enjoy at each meal...

 

*Pictures... they take them throughout the cruise... my advice is to wait until the end to make your purchase rather than buying them as you see them... this way you can pick your favorite couple of photos... I believe the 8x10's are about $20, less for the 5x7...

 

*If you drink a lot of soda, get the soda card.

 

*Take a case of bottled water...some do, some don't... we do and have never regretted it.

 

*Bingo costs money, so do some of the fitness classes... choose carefully.

 

Activities that do cost extra money will be listed (with price) in your daily Cruise Compass, which you receive the night before... If you would like to check out some examples of these, head over to cruisedailies.com, find your ship and then you can see what some of the extras cost...

[Tranquil Waters]

We tend to hang out in the panio bar quite a bit...I don't drink very often' date=' but when I do I tend to get tanked. There is nothing better then singing along to good music while tanked.

 

Come hang out with us, sing a song, and I'll be glad to buy you a drink or two![/quote']

 

Trust me, if I see a song, you'll be buying me drinks just to get me to stop! :eek:

[amybear912]

duplicate post

[amapola]

Our on board expenses were $389 on our last cruise (AOS last New Year's): 2 dinners at Portofino (including the dining fee, 2 bottles of San Pellegrino, espresso & tip each time), laundry (sent DH's dress shirts to be pressed, and the suitcase with his suit got wet so we had his suit cleaned also), 3 photos, a bit of Internet time, gratuities for 2 people... I think that was it. Obviously, except for the gratuities everything else was optional. We don't drink, so that automatically eliminates what can be a major expense, and we don't care for bingo or the casino either.

 

We didn't take any excursions this time, as we really wanted to do as little as possible :) , so our on-shore expenses were really low -- a taxi in St Martin to go to Marigot, the water taxi in P'burg, taxis in St. Thomas. We are not frugal people in the least, but we just didn't find anything that caught our eye in any of the islands this time :cool: .

[bubbadog]

on an average 10 day cruise we spend about 270, but that includes tips taxi's and anything else,but you can spend quite a bit if you are not paying attention, it is a good idea to check your bill about half way thru or sooner to see where you are at in spending,hope this helps you,and have a great cruise:))):p

[Bobal]

The only extras you really need to pay for are drinks. You can always get soft drinks/tea/coffee from the Windjammer during meal times (which is acutally most of the day). If you like wine it works out more economical to buy a wine package. If you drink lots of soft drinks, buy a soda package. Drinks are not hugely expensive - depends where you live in the UK but less than a bar in London, more than a WMC up north ;)

 

Don't even bother with the spa - it's cheaper to buy treatments anywhere else I've been in the UK and they can be pushy to buy their products. If you're a spa virgin I would 'lose your virginity' elsewhere other than a cruise ship.:D

 

Ship excursions are notoriously expensive - you can do them much cheaper yourselves, just do some research on the various ports of call forums.

 

Gambling is something people in the UK wouldn't generally factor into the holiday anyway, but a lot of US travellers seem to do. So unless you're desparate for a flutter you won't need to spend money in the casino. Having said that my other half spent most nights enjoying a spell at the blackjack table - something he'd never do at home but is part of the cruising experience :rolleyes:

 

The speciality restaurants are another 'option', food is generally good so you won't need to pay extra unless you really want to.

 

In summary I think those with the big bills tend to be people who spend a lot on drink/excursions/gambling - all of which you can easily avoid - unless you're us :eek:

[petesweet]

Collect "shipshape dollars" by participating in various activities. On the last full day of the cruise, you can "spend" these at the designated place. You can pick up little souvenirs free that way. If you take a longer cruise, thus having more opportunity to collect your shipshape dollars, then the prices are higher. If you take a shorter cruise, I understand the prices are lower. Here's the pricelist for our recent nine-night cruise on Explorer:

 

Key chain 1 buck

Neck lanyard 4 bucks

Carobiner 7 bucks

Sport bottle 12 bucks

Sport towel 14 bucks

Viser 15 bucks

T-shirt 18 bucks

Backpack 20 bucks

[cruiseguy1016]

If you plan on doing shore excursions, book and pay for them ahead of time. This way the expense will be out of the way ahead of time (you can budget accordingly) so you'll know how much those are going to cost you. Then you won't have to worry about those expenses on your sea pass.

[skipsu14]

DH and I spent about $800 combined for the 2 of us on an 11-night cruise last year. That included tips, a few drinks a day, shore excursions for both of us, a few pictures, margarita tastings, etc. (and that included some expensive excursions) It was our honeymoon, so we didn't hold back too much - and even then, we didn't approach $1000. Generally, we keep an eye on what we spend but we still have a great time. We have fun with all of the different free activities and food, without spending extra. Then again, we don't bother with bingo, specialty restaurants, espresso, or getting drunk every night. You can spend as much or as little as you want - depending on your interests. DH and I have a blast with shuffleboard, the hottub, mini golf, and the shows.

 

Also, as our upcoming cruise will be celebrating my graduating from nursing school, my DH is wanting to splurge on me. :rolleyes: Does anyone have a price list for the spa? Thanks!