How much have you SPENT on a cruise?

[needalatte74]

Onboard expenses.

 

I've spent close to $1000 in one shot. (spa packages, bar tab, souveniers, etc..)

[lrayno]

We spent WAY TOO MUCH - mostly at the spa - they love to sell you stuff afterwards - I wish I could say no - our tab was over $1300:rolleyes: Oh well, we had a great time!

[cb at sea]

I don't do "spas" at home, so no way would I pay those rates on a ship!

Our 1st, 4-day cruise was actually our most expensive--excursions, drinks, souveniers, etc.... After that we learned that we didn't NEED all those excursions (although the drinking remained about the same!!!!) and I don't do the souvenier thing anymore.

I figure, if I need an object to remember the trip by, then the trip probably wasn't worth doing!

[sparky134]

my first cruise i took about $4000 but could not bring myself to pay those crazy prices for the services offered. i ended up spending about $650 in the 7 days . now i budget about $1000 and usually come home with some pocket money. to save money we use to bring our own soda pop (pepsi) and put it in the champagne bucket or in the fridge. now we buy a soda card and share. (i don't think the multi billion dollar cruise line will go broke because we share a card) also dont be afraid to haggle with store sales people when at a port of call. i refuse to pay "asking" price.

[Senoj84]

$270. I did have some spa treatments, drank some and bought some pics.

[heart286]

We try to watch what we spend; we bring a few small bottles of water and soda with us. My DH gets a soda card as he drinks more soda than I do. I just need it sometimes to settle my stomach, and refuse to pay $2.00 per can. My DH brings some gatorade with him for after his diving excursions. It is just so funny how fast everything adds up. Just a drink or two by the pool each day! I usually splurge to get my hair done for formal night. I think our last cruise, including excursions, we spent about $550 between the 2 of us. Partially because I was so cold inside the ship that I had to buy a $50 sweat Jacket! It was worth it! We try to keep in mind that we already paid for the food and regular drinks and try to take advantage of them. :)

 

If the Casino was smoke free it would have been more!:rolleyes:

[cathi]

Depends on the length of the cruise - last one was 35 days and our "bill" at the end was only $770. Mind you I had paid for most of our ship's excursions before we went and did a bunch of private ones with CC friends. Never even made to the casino and can't stomach the prices the spa wants so that helps!

[rccruiser06]

Well... first cruise we spent about 2400.00 (between drinks,lots of pictures, shore excursions and casino - OUCH) - luckily, we didn't pay for the cruise (my mother paid since it was our wedding/honeymoon cruise). We have since learned how to budget a little better!! LOL I will never forget that last night. We were walking through the halls and saw all the papers on everyone's doors (mostly one pagers) and then got to our room and it looked more like a short story. Pool bar, pool bar, pool bar - 4 pages!!! Had a great time though. You never forget that first cruise. :)

[cathi]

Well... first cruise we spent about 2400.00 (between drinks,lots of pictures, shore excursions and casino - OUCH) - luckily, we didn't pay for the cruise (my mother paid since it was our wedding/honeymoon cruise). We have since learned how to budget a little better!! LOL I will never forget that last night. We were walking through the halls and saw all the papers on everyone's doors (mostly one pagers) and then got to our room and it looked more like a short story. Pool bar, pool bar, pool bar - 4 pages!!! Had a great time though. You never forget that first cruise. :)

 

Oh yes you did!! And once you're hooked on cruising your spend even more!!! My better half works now to pay for the next cruise!!!

[rccruiser06]

Yes... we are totally hooked now! :)

[gillianrose]

I won't state a dollar amount, but we spend more when there is value to the purchase.

 

We used to buy many photographs, for example, as keepsakes—and we were happy to do it—but that was when they were 5 x 7 size and didn't cost $20 per 8 x 10. I don't like 8 x 10's, in general.

 

Now we purchase one picture per cruise. We are each superior photographers to the majority of ships' photographers, anyway.

[seychellesdream]

I'll be going on my first cruise in a couple of weeks. I hope to God the amounts listed on here do not include excursions because if they do I'm already over most of what you all have spent and I have not even set foot on the ship ! :eek: I'll remember to keep the souveniers to a minimum and forgo the ship photos. I can enlarge my own photos if need be.

[fredman]

Yikes, our first cruise this January on Carnival Liberty. I am budgeting about $1,500 but would not like to worry or have to budget so maybe $2,500? We will see after paying for the cost of the cruise...it might be only $1000.00. :D

 

We aren't big drinkers, I would like at least one or two drinks a day at the most. I would like to treat my sweetie DH to a Spa treatment as it is her birthday on the cruise...but have no idea of cost? I bet it is around $250.00 right? If so, maybe have to forego that...my DH won't mind as she doesn't like to spend too much even on her hair. Anything over $65.00, she gets upset! Even if I tell her she's worth it :)

[rccruiser06]

All - I would not worry about it. We spent so much because we were on our honeymoon and bought just about every picture, did tons of excursions and drank A LOT. We also had several friends with us and since we didn't pay for the cruise, we were very generous with buying drinks for others!!! LOL :) We are much better with the budget now. 1000.00 - 1500.00 should be more than enough. Just have fun and relax.

[fredman]

:D Much obliged! I see you folks are veterans at cruising so that sets me at ease. Having most of the trip costs included in a cruise is the attractive thing for me. Other than gratuities, excursions, alcohol, souvenirs - it's all been paid...yes!:D

[GrandMed091808]

So far I've spent $4300 and haven't set foot on board yet!! YIKES!! I'm budgeting $6000, but hope not to spend it all!! 12 days in Europe can't be THAT expensive! :D

[tipsy88]

So far I've spent $4300 and haven't set foot on board yet!! YIKES!! I'm budgeting $6000, but hope not to spend it all!! 12 days in Europe can't be THAT expensive! :D

 

ha you must not be paying attention to the euro and pound exchange rate.

 

Although if you just consider onboard purchases, our 12 day med cruise last year, we spent probably $700-$800 not including shore excursions which if added in pushed us over a G. We did our 12 day med cruise + 3 day land tour for about $5500 total (cruise + air + hotel + food/wine/etc..), but we had a better exchange rate and got a good deal on the cruise itself.

[reeran]

my first cruise i took about $4000 but could not bring myself to pay those crazy prices for the services offered. i ended up spending about $650 in the 7 days . now i budget about $1000 and usually come home with some pocket money. to save money we use to bring our own soda pop (pepsi) and put it in the champagne bucket or in the fridge. now we buy a soda card and share. (i don't think the multi billion dollar cruise line will go broke because we share a card) also dont be afraid to haggle with store sales people when at a port of call. i refuse to pay "asking" price.

 

 

 

Would you walk into a store pick up an item and walk out without paying for it? Same thing...you are stealing. The store is a big company too...do you feel they owe you a free ride too???

 

If it was meant to be shared soda cards would be a family plan.

 

FYI one of the "billion dollar cruise line's" stock is at a real low thanks in part to people like you...RC stock is $20.56 today so thanks for taking money out of my pocket!

 

You go on board with $4000 and can't buy separate cards...then you brag about it here like stealing is something to be proud of...how pathetic you are! I hope the powers that be at the cruiselines are reading this and keep a watchful eye on you on your next cruise.

 

People like you deserve to be caught and dropped off at the next port...no refund!

[redbaroness]

I'm in the casino every day playing blackjack or craps. Buy in on my shipboard account; cash out and pay my account with a 0% interest credit card and stick the cash in a CD that matures before the interest rate changes when I get home. No cash advance fees! Actually pay the cost of the cruise from interest earned on those short trips. Of course interest isn't what it used to be, and you need to be sure not to get carried away on a losing streak. :)

[Teetype]

Onboard expenses.

 

I've spent close to $1000 in one shot. (spa packages, bar tab, souveniers, etc..)

 

Uhmmm... is that counting the casino? :)

 

Tee

[Woobstr112G]

I usually take enough where I don't worry about what I spend. I normally don't go on cruises less than 12 days so I usually spend b/t 1200 and 1500. Of course when my DW goes into the shops, it goes up....:D

 

Bob

 

Future: Diamond Princess Aus/Nz 01/09

Future: Emerald Princess Med/Trans Atlantic 10/08

Constellation Europe 07/06

Summit Alaska Repositioning 05/05

Summit Panama Canal 10/02

Rhapsody Of The Seas Alaska 09/01

Spledour Of The Seas Baltic 09/99

Veendam Eastern Caribbean 07/96

Holiday Western Carribean 07/93

[G'ma]

I am a solo cruiser. The average onboard account billing rarely goes over $200.00 for a 7-nighter.

 

I don't buy those high-priced photos, would never pay outrageous spa prices, don't shop onboard (might buy a paperback if I've run out - or a bag of pretzels or something), don't play bingo....it's waaaay too expensive. I usually order a nice bottle of wine in the dining room first night...and it usually lasts until the end.

 

I don't find it necessary to drink myself senseless. A drink before dinner is fine sometimes or a nice after-dinner drink but, that's it.

 

As for the casino, I do love to play Caribbean Stud. However, I would never use my onboard account for that. My gambling money is just for that and nothing else. It is budgeted. When it's gone, it's gone and that's it. If I double the money, I quit and cash out.

 

I don't buy ships excursions. If there is something I want to do in port, I'll get a taxi or rent a car or take public transportation....or walk if it's close enough. For souveniers, I look ashore for small original watercolors by local artists...no more than 6 x 6 inches....have rarely paid more than 10.00-12.00 for one. One of my walls is simply covered in them. Everytime I walk by, I stop and look and remember where I bought it and recall the good time on the ship.

 

I cruise for the experience....for the sea, not to buy, buy buy.

[pmfan]

My seapass bills have always been under $1000. (so far) :)

[Steviewonder1]

The excursions are already paid for. I budget $100 a day for everything. That includes casino. Drinks and extras go on the Cruise Card. I usually make money in the casino (blackjack), and have a few hundred more than when I started, yes read that as Profit. First cruise I started with 700 and came home with $2100. That paid for what went on the Cruise Card and left lots to bank for the next cruise. Last cruise I came back with 300 more, as it only lasted 4 days out of 7. My wife budgets the same and she has a different Cruise Card than me, so she pays for what she wants. That is the best way we do it.

 

Good Luck

[jagergirl55]

Yikes! Our last 7 day cruise we spent like $5,000! Yikes. between excursions, drinks, a lot of Louis XIII cognac and the casino it was a pricey trip! This next trip we're bringing some friends and staying out of the casino!