Money?

[walkman4]

This will be our first cruise and are wondering how much money we will need per person. We are planning on just using cash on our sea pass cards. So I guess tipping plus whatever else we do. We are not planning on doing any excursions. :o Probably no drinking, bingo or casino playing. Can someone just give me a ballpark figure? Sorry if this is a stupid question. Thank you.

[GTO-Girl]

I favorite saying around here is that you will need only half the number of clothes you pack, but will need twice the money.

 

Seriously if you aren't doing excursions, casino, drinking, etc you will only be paying for things like photos, speciality coffees, sodas, tips and when in port taxi's etc if you are going to the beach.

 

I would think a ballpark figure might be about $25 a day/per person and that might be "overkill".........

 

Happy Sailing

 

Dianne

[cb at sea]

Bring more than you think you'll need--you can always take it home with you again!

[walkman4]

Thanks!

[mwsrccl]

I guarantee you that since this is your first cruise you will spend more than you planned on. I always would take more than I needed. Your on vacation- Spend Money- Have Fun!!!!

 

Personally, I think $100 a day per couple if no gambling or bingo is fine...

[Mommytofour]

I'll give you an idea by posting our statement that we got at the end of our cruise w/RC. Just dh and I. And we don't gamble or drink alcohol.

Johnny Rockets $18.25

Health/Beauty (got my hair done for 1st formal night) $49.00

Johnny Rockets $2.00 (tip I believe)

Laundry $20.00 ( a special bag they provided and whatever you could fit in there, certain items only)

Gratuities $68.25

Gratuities $68.25

Johnny Rockets (2 milk shakes) $10.35

 

We did do excursions so we took about $300 for any "extras" when going into ports. We pretty much used about $250 or a little more.

We were not planning on getting off at Jamaica but we made new friends who convinced us to go w/them to where they were going. It was $40/person, so we used our credit card for that. In other words, since this is your first cruise, and it was ours too, you just might change your mind about excursions or getting off. So do try to make some allotments for that.

[walkman4]

Nelly: Thank you, that was very helpful!:)

[limboman54]

hello

 

We will do our first cruise in May to Alaska from Vancouver.

How much money will we need if we want a bottle of wine each evening

with dinner. We are cruising on mercury from celebrity cruises.

 

Thanks Math

[cathyz]

We usually take $1500-2000, for gambling, on shore food/purchases, pre- and post-cruise food, and lots of tips. We charge our on board account to a CC which usually ends up being $1000 or so depending on excursions and length of cruise.

[blindrid]

My magic number is about a grand in cash. S&S runs about $150-$200 a day, depending. I set an all time record low, last cruise - my account was only a little under $800. We don't do a lot of excursions.

 

The wine costs about $30-$90 for an OK bottle of wine.

[Disneygirl4ever]

We're first timers, but I'm figuring we'll need an extra $1000 for the week (4 of us). We are doing one excursion for sure, and DH and DS8 may go snorkling. We'll buy the smoothie card for the kids to share. Tips, parking at the dock, a few adult beverages, one specialty restaurant for the grown-ups only. I'm hoping $1000 will cover it!

[blindrid]

We're first timers, but I'm figuring we'll need an extra $1000 for the week (4 of us). We are doing one excursion for sure, and DH and DS8 may go snorkling. We'll buy the smoothie card for the kids to share. Tips, parking at the dock, a few adult beverages, one specialty restaurant for the grown-ups only. I'm hoping $1000 will cover it!

 

$145 a day may be a little light. As mentioned by PP's, most take a $1,000 cash plus putting the balance of their S&S card on their cc.

 

Here's a start of what's going to be charged before you do anything:

 

Auto-tips: depending on which line, guessing 7 night cruise=4x10x7= $280

Parking at pier: Guess at $15X8 = $120

Specialty dinner: 2 @ $20 = $40

4 excursion @ $50 minimum can go up from there = $200

4 alcohoic drinks a day - 4 x $6 X 6 = $144 x 15% gratuity = $165.60

Snorkel rental: 2 x $20 = $40

 

Right there it comes to $845.60 that will be charged to your S & S (of course the parking does not). That only leaves $150 and I think it's light as my guess on excursion cost is probably low, does not include any cash spent on islands when in port. No soft drinks are included either.

 

As I mentioned earlier, my last bill was a record low at $800 for two of us. Granted, we had wine with dinner, wife had spa treatment but we did not have excursions and young kids with us. Some people can do it, I'm just not sure we could........ Just my two cents, Randy

[phillyf]

This is actually a great question since its wide open for discussion and different view points.

 

One thing that is an important factor is your crusie line and whether or not the tips for your room are added automatically to your account.

 

If so and you are using a charge card for this expense you'll need less cash. If not you need to find out if you have to prepay these tips and bring more cash

 

I've always used a credit card for ship board expenses and tips

 

Another important topic; if you plan on spending any cash for soda's, beer, alcholic or non alcholic drinks and or speciality coffees.

 

I used my teen's coupon book to buy some frozen starbuck type coffees and other speciality drinks

 

 

My family of three will usually spend between 400-600 pending the amount spent on gambling, which is often little, non ships excursions, all types of drinks, speciality restaurants with surcharges, miscellaneous island cash for cabs and gifts and of course ship tips

[KC_fn]

You don't have to spend much money to have fun on a cruise. There are plenty of low-cost or no-cost things to keep you busy and entertained.

 

We budget $25 per person per day, and usually have a surprising amount left at the end.

 

One caution: That Seapass card can eat money if you don't keep an eye on it. Check your account every day or two just to make sure things are under control.

 

Have fun!

[riteonglor]

This will be our first cruise and are wondering how much money we will need per person. We are planning on just using cash on our sea pass cards. So I guess tipping plus whatever else we do. We are not planning on doing any excursions. :o Probably no drinking, bingo or casino playing. Can someone just give me a ballpark figure? Sorry if this is a stupid question. Thank you.

 

On our first cruise, as far as what we spent once on the ship was less then $500. We are not drinkers or bingo people. We lost probally $100 in the casino, bought one picture and did our own shore excursions. You do not need to spend a lot of money on the cruise ship and still have the best vacation you have ever had.

What really eats up the money is doing spa,s, drinking and gambling. Some of the shore excursions you buy on the ship can be done for a fraction of what they charge, do your own thing at ports. It's a blast just getting off and exploring a new port.

When we went to Alaska everyone talked about going on the train excursion, I think it was called White Pass Rail or something to that effect. We figured with 4 adults it would cost us close to $600. Someone on CC told us to rent a car and we would be able to see the same things and go the same route as the train. This was 3 years ago and we rented a car on line, 2 blocks from the port in that town for $69. It was great, we could see the train right above us the whole time we traveled but when we seen something we wanted to stop at,we could. We were just giddy thinking about how we saved a little over $500 just by someone educating us on CC.

The entertainment is all free on ship, the food is free, people watching is free, pools are free, well I guess its really not free, you paid for it, but its been paid for in the cost of your cruise fare.

So, do not worry about needing mega bucks when you get on the ship, go with what your budget can afford. We had our $10 per person per day gratuities paid in advance and lots of $1 bills for tipping for room service, etc. Our cabin attendant was so great at the end of the cruise I had $40 in bills left so I gave them to him in addition to what ever he would get from the prepaid gratuities. But, of course that is up to you, what you tip. I just know they all work long hard hours and appreciate anything extra they get.

This will be the best vacation of your life. Have fun!

[archie265]

It's interesting seeing the different points of view. I'm traveling with my DH, 22mo DD & 4yo DS and have budgeted $1000 total. We're most probably not going to do excursions...just putter around ports and beach on our own. The S&S will be linked to a cc with a $500 limit and then I'll have $500 in cash (with a $200 reserve in my bank acct JUST IN CASE). Do you think this is a reasonable amount?

[riteonglor]

Yes, that is a reasonable amount. You should be just fine.

[KLLund]

Where I always get in "trouble" is the shopping in ports. Some things are just too great a deal or a one of a kind that I just cannot do without. We actually don't take a lot of cash with us and what we do take is usually mostly small bills for things like tipping porters, taxi's, etc. Everywhere we have ever been has had an ATM machine if we needed more cash ... but beware there too.. you will get cash in that countries money unless you are sure you are using a ATM that dispenses dollars. Shopping always goes on credit cards just because it is usually easier. The ship card is dangerous .. but it is convenient and in a real emergency you can get cash from the casino (they charge 3% and give you chips.. which you can then cash in .. kinda silly but that is how it works)

[Tagging Along]

Where I always get in "trouble" is the shopping in ports. Some things are just too great a deal or a one of a kind that I just cannot do without.

Thank you! I wanted to mention buying some souvenirs. Depending on family size or bringing gifts back for others, this can really add up & it won't get to go on your s&s card. I also read warnings about using a credit card in some ports... check your "Port" threads on the boards for specifics, so you'll need more cash for these ports and several excursions I read about only took cash.

 

Finally a good tip someone gave me years ago. If you have the money, buy one souvenir that's kind of nice to display in your home from every trip or port you see. It will always remind you of your journey & it will last a lot longer than a trinket or a T shirt. That or holiday ornaments that you put out each year and you can remember the different trips & places you've been. I love this tip & only wish I had learned it earlier in life.

All those t shirts are long gone... I especially like some kind of cultural art work or craft even if you can only afford to buy a small one, you know?

 

 

_

[princess_mom]

you can get cash from the casino (they charge 3% and give you chips.. which you can then cash in .. kinda silly but that is how it works)

hi - i just came across this post while searching the boards to find out if the casinos charge a fee to your onboard acct when you get chips. does anyone know if the 3% is standard? i'm cruising on ncl in 10 days :) , trying to decide how much cash to bring...

tia!

[blindrid]

hi - i just came across this post while searching the boards to find out if the casinos charge a fee to your onboard acct when you get chips. does anyone know if the 3% is standard? i'm cruising on ncl in 10 days :) , trying to decide how much cash to bring...

tia!

 

Pretty much standard but there are exceptions. Check RCL's website under FAQ's to check their policy and any updates.

[princess_mom]

hmmm - i found this on ncl.com:

Casino Credit Lines

NCL's Casinos at Sea" offers casino credit lines. For your convenience, you may charge up to $2,000 per day on your onboard account for the purchase of casino chips and tokens without a service charge. If applying for additional credit, the minimum credit application amount is $3,000. Players interested in applying for a credit line must complete an NCL credit application for banking and gaming verification, and a signed, personal check is required to be deposited with the Casino Cage upon activation of the approved credit line.

I think this means I can charge chips to my onboard acct without a fee - I definitely wont go over $2000 per day ;) !

[cruiselover57]

OK - here are my comments on what I would do.

 

First off, I wouldn't bring a lot of cash - travelers' cheques for sure. However, why not consider this: Get the credit card associated with your particular cruise (i.e., Carnival M/C if you're going on Carnival or Celebrity A/E if you're going on Celebrity). Whatever you charge on board will be double points and you can use those points towards gift certificates, points that turn into $$ for the next cruise, etc. I never set a budget! Then again, we don't buy alcohol - DH likes a glass of wine here and there and he just waits for the free cocktail parties! Wine is so overpriced on a cruise. Some cruise lines will let you bring on a bottle or two but be wary of those overpriced corkage fees in the dining room. Pack a small wine opener, open the wine in your cabin and then get a couple of wine glasses from any of the bars. Don't even buy the ship's bottled water. If you're flying in, wait until your first port of call to buy your own water - you'll spend less than half of what the ship charges AND you won't have to pay a 15% gratuity on top of that!

 

Take it from a VERy experienced cruiser! Hope this helps!

 

Laurie

[wrestlemom]

does anyone know anything about the prices at the spa. I was thinking of getting a hot rock massage and was curious about the price..

[nseagirl]

I just got off of a 4 day cruise. I had 2 spa treatments so that's where most of my money went. If you don't plan to do that, and you don't plan to drink, then I don't think you'll need more than $75 per person for a 4 day unless you're putting your tips directly on your sea pass card. However, don't forget shopping for gifts on the ship. All of that will go on your card also.

 

Hope this helps. Also, don't forget to take some small bills to tip baggage handlers, etc.