LuvMyVette Posted January 24, 2005 #101 Share Posted January 24, 2005 [font=Georgia][color=black]:) Hi Ron:[/color][/font] [font=Georgia][color=black][/color][/font] [font=Georgia][color=black]Thanks so much for the early congratulations, it's greatly appreciated. We are very excited that we can take this cruise and have our dream come true after talking about it for almost ten years. I can't wait to see DH in a tux again since he plans on renting one. I'll be wearing my wedding gown again since it still fits so it's going to be a blast.[/color][/font] [font=Georgia][color=black][/color][/font] [font=Georgia][color=black]Seems like you really enjoyed your first cruise and renewing your vows as well. A very belated congratulations and sure hope your 50th anniversary will be as special. That is so cool that the grandchildren were able to watch from the website. [/color][/font] [font=Georgia][color=black][/color][/font] [font=Georgia][color=black]I didn't mention in my first post but we spent anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 on the cruises. All depends on the length of the cruise, what ports we stop at, excursions, misc. expenses, gifts for family/friends at home, items for us, bar bills, etc. It's all worth it since we have a great time and enjoy ourselves. Life is short and we want to enjoy it as much as possible. [/color][/font] [font=Georgia][color=black]Have a great day![/color][/font] [font=Georgia][color=black]C Ya![/color][/font] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauren0309 Posted January 24, 2005 #102 Share Posted January 24, 2005 A 7 day cruise was $600. That was including excursions pictures and drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeBeCruisin' Posted January 27, 2005 #103 Share Posted January 27, 2005 You guys are my heroes. My wife and I always vow to spend less than $2000 and that doesn't include excursions. And we always fail. I think our record was a $4400 bill on a Mediterranean cruise in 2001. But that did include excursions and cash from the casino which was converted into foreign currencies to pay for things like gondola rides in Venice, and souvenirs and clothing. It also included quite a few spa treatments for my wife, art auction purchases, and our casino and drinks bills. And we played a lot of Bingo. And I had a lot of martinis. I'm not sure I could give all that up to keep the bill down. I guess my weakness is telling myself that if we're going to be on a European cruise, we might as well splurge and pamper ourselves, even though all the extra spending could probably equal another cruise. Sigh. Allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrothead60450 Posted January 28, 2005 #104 Share Posted January 28, 2005 I usually hit no less than $2,000. Usually closer to 3 or better, but I have this thing with the art auctions that ruins my average. First cruise ever was about $600 for 7 days for the 2 of us, but that was before I was successful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaibigan Posted January 28, 2005 #105 Share Posted January 28, 2005 The most I've spent was $824 and the least I've spent is $238. And I've got to try to keep it down on this next cruise in March coz I'm goin' to Jamaica at the end of April! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Francoeur Posted January 31, 2005 #106 Share Posted January 31, 2005 My husband and I just returned from a week cruise and our final bill was around $400.00 U.S That included $80.00 for photos so I didn't think that was too bad. In my opinion the only waste of money was the 42.00 pop card. We thought that no drinks were included on the cruise so we purchased one of these cards for refillable soft drinks etc. In fact all breakfast beverages and lunch beverages are free; lemonade (which was great) ice tea, coffee, tea. I think because we drank these and then either beer or cocktails when we were on the ship we actually only had two cokes; so do the math,that was a big rip off. Its probably great for teens or kids who drink only pop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Francoeur Posted January 31, 2005 #107 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Oh I just wanted to add that our bill didn't include excursions as we booked most of those on our own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jghendrick24 Posted February 1, 2005 #108 Share Posted February 1, 2005 I went with two kids and myself on the 1/16 sailing of the Mariner. I was pretty good this time. My final bill was $377. This included an $87 phone bill because our furnace at home broke while we were on the ship. This does not include the $200 on tips, the $120 for a sitter, and our excursions. Still, not a bad price. I spent more money on the islands! My comments on the soda card. I bought one for myself and for my 15 year old. To me, who is an avid soda drinker, it was worth the price. The price for a soda on board is $1.50. The soda card costs $6 per day. That's only four sodas if you pay as you go. I drink plenty more than that per day. In fact, other than the occasional cocktails, that's all I drink. We also brought 2 cases of water on board with us. I used that for when we were off the ship. I guess the soda card worth is all up to personal preference. It depends on how much soda you normally drink. By the way, the last time I cruised, we could not use the soda card in the main dining room. I was under the impression that it was still that way. But, we didn't pay for any soda in there this time. I just showed my soda card on the first night and got soda at no extra charge the whole week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lul113 Posted February 9, 2005 #109 Share Posted February 9, 2005 Just off Brilliance (4 Feb) and we hit the Art auctions pretty badly. Our final bill was $4600+. Must stop going to Art Auctions. Taking off $2500 for art, the total is $2100+ for 2 Ad and 2 Ch. Matthew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honey's Gal Posted February 9, 2005 #110 Share Posted February 9, 2005 We did much better on the Serenade cruise in October. Our final bill for 12 nights was only $976.84 and that included a $200 ship board credit. This did not include any tips or $$$ spent in the casino (I don't want to know).... Last year for 8 nights our bill was $1100 (also no tips or casino included), but we did not have a shipboard credit on that one..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddea66 Posted February 11, 2005 #111 Share Posted February 11, 2005 [quote name='nbean98']Thanks for your responses. I may end up getting a passport for my husband and I at some point. I think it will depend on how much money I can save up.[/QUOTE] [font=Tahoma][color=Sienna]Here are my two cents...We are going on our first cruise in April and I was determined to get passports for all of us--husband, twins (4-1/2 yrs), and myself. The way I look at is, that I never have to resubmit any type of identification again for any type of clearance. Even though the girls passports are only good for 5 years, they are done and I can get them renewed via the mail from now on. So they are essentially set for life. :D This just my thought process, but it makes sense to me! Enjoy, Deanna [/color] :rolleyes: [color=Sienna]P.S. It is income tax time, so if you're getting a refund, that might be the ticket to get the passports. Again, just a thought![/color] [/font] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clyde1818 Posted February 18, 2005 #112 Share Posted February 18, 2005 Our last trip on Explorer in Aug '04 We were doing fine for the first 4 days, about 300-400, including some excersons. but on day 5 my DW went a little crazy with the pictures and all the sales on the prominade. Ended up with a bill of just under 900.00. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexter Posted February 22, 2005 #113 Share Posted February 22, 2005 On our Mariner cruise two weeks ago our bill was about $750. It would have been half that, however I had to visit the ship's doctor and that really put a halt to our spending. He charged me $373 for two shots to relieve gout pain. I thought that was a little bit high...don't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shar27 Posted February 22, 2005 #114 Share Posted February 22, 2005 [color=blue]Just got home from our first cruise with a whopping bill of $2,600 u.s. Converted that works out to about $3,400 canadian. [/color] [color=#0000ff][/color] [color=#0000ff]The best part is that probably only about $100 or so of the total was for booze. We are not big drinkers, but I did manage to have at least one fuzzy drink everyday.[/color] [color=#0000ff][/color] [color=#0000ff]The killer was the art auction on board. My DH and I are suckers for animation art and couldn't resist an animation cell of the flintstones episode with Ann Margaret (Margrock) when she is practicing in the garage with Fred & Barney with their canes and hats. Any Flintstones fans will remember that episode. The cell was hand signed by Hanna & Barbera (sp?) & Ann Margaret. Very cool. Anyways, we ended up spending over $1,200 at the auction. The rest was for the casino, bingo and shops on board. Oh...and the tips of course. It goes fast when you don't actually have to use cash.[/color] [color=#0000ff][/color] [color=#0000ff]We'll just have to start the piggy bank all over again.[/color] [color=#0000ff][/color] [color=#0000ff]We had a fabulous time and will definately cruise again.[/color] [color=#0000ff][/color] [color=#0000ff]Sharonna[/color] [color=#0000ff]The no longer newbie cruiser.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckrobyn Posted February 22, 2005 #115 Share Posted February 22, 2005 We didn't drink alcohol so that definitely helped! Nevertheless, our final bill on our sea pass was equivalent to $700 cdn dollars..... Those darn shop on board places.....gonna get ya every time! Geeeez, musta drank an awful lotta virgin drinks! YIKES! :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy ks Posted February 23, 2005 #116 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Moderate drinkers here and we usually book and pay for any shore excursions separately. We don't gamble (much, maybe $10 apiece) and I don't shop onboard (do enough of that throughout the year at home). Our onboard bill is usually around $700 for a 7 night cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perki Posted February 23, 2005 #117 Share Posted February 23, 2005 [quote name='nbean98']VickyVSN, I really enjoyed your web site for first time cruisers. I am struggling with the passport issue. I know everyone suggests that you get one but I am cruising to the western caribbean in April with my husband and our 18 yr old son and our 15 yr old daughter. The cost will be $85 a person for us. My husband and I will probably go on another cruise but Im not sure that my kids will go agian. My son especially since he will be joining the Air Force after he graduates. Could we just go with our birth certificates or do you highly recommend purchasing passports? It's just a lot of money. Any advice would be helpful. We will be on the Radiance. I'm really excited, but have a lot of questions about excursions. Thanks[/QUOTE] I am going on my 8th cruise this April and I do not have a passport, one is not required. Your birth certificates will work just fine HOWEVER they must be originals with the raised stamp seal on them and a photo id. You are just fine with those items, and once onboard we always lock ours away in the safe never to be moved til we depart! Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letshavefun Posted February 27, 2005 #118 Share Posted February 27, 2005 I found my bill from Spring 02 and it was at $1000.00 for 5 of us. Of course this was only a 5 night cruise. It did include $300 for tips. There were the usually costs for bingo/soda card/pictures and gift shop and the rest on wine and drinks. Its a vacation! Although I do hope I do better for my next cruise (no bingo, and I'm bringing my own wine and will pay the corkage fee). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistevious Posted February 28, 2005 #119 Share Posted February 28, 2005 we will be going on our third cruise this may on explorer of the seas. We've only used our birth certificates and photo ID. The birth certificates HAVE TO HAVE A RAISED SEAL! we had no problems. steve & Misty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mttk2 Posted February 28, 2005 #120 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Just back from the Serenade of the Seas - 2/19 - 2/26... Was wonderful! Final bill for the four of us - just under $1,100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HorrorFan Posted February 28, 2005 #121 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Ours was around $1200.00 Canadian for 7 days (two adults, two kids). It was a real mix of stuff though. 1 excursion - 160, all of our tips... probably 300.00 for stuff we bought on board, 1 night a Potrofino's, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schplinky Posted February 28, 2005 #122 Share Posted February 28, 2005 FYI: $1200 Canadian equals approx $1000US. In booking our cruise, we were very pleased with how much further our dollars go these days! IT was only a couple of years ago that $1200 Canadian would only be $800 US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitkat4622 Posted March 20, 2005 #123 Share Posted March 20, 2005 On our last cruise which was 7 nights our bill was about 1100.00. I don't drink,but my husband does and usually is quite generous with his family who drinks. We are doing a 10 night this October and I expect it to be around 1500 for the 10 nights:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CKM Posted March 21, 2005 #124 Share Posted March 21, 2005 I returned from a 7 night Caribbean cruise on the Grandeur on Sat. Our purchases were about $600 for 2, but that does not include excursions, which I booked online for an additional $322. Although one excursion was canceled and we got a refund credited to our Seapass for $100. We had several drinks, a wine package for dinner (5 bottles for $130), a couple of games of bingo and some onboard shopping. We had a great time and used cash for the casino. So this total does not include that. If your going on a cruise, why sweat the small stuff. Enjoy, spend, then go back to work and make more money. Life is too short to skimp on the things we love to do. Have a great cruise!!! Cyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff A Posted March 21, 2005 #125 Share Posted March 21, 2005 It has never been less than $500 total including excursions for us. We do hit Portofino's/Chop's a few times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.