How much have you SPENT on a cruise?

[snorkelman]

Wow. If we do ship sponsored excursions and have the tips billed to the ship account, then maybe a couple hundred bucks. Some of you are spending THOUSANDS on the ship, and that doesn’t even include buying art? I guess that most of those people don’t take a cruise or two every year.

 

I love walking past cabins the last night of the cruise and seeing bills that are 5 or 6 pages long, wondering how much their bill must be.

[jagergirl55]

Wow. If we do ship sponsored excursions and have the tips billed to the ship account, then maybe a couple hundred bucks. Some of you are spending THOUSANDS on the ship, and that doesn’t even include buying art? I guess that most of those people don’t take a cruise or two every year.

 

I love walking past cabins the last night of the cruise and seeing bills that are 5 or 6 pages long, wondering how much their bill must be.

 

 

That's not always true, we're taking our third cruise of the year next saturday (not including the 2 weeks spent in Maui, and occasional Vegas trips during the year). We may have spent a lot on our cruise, but that's just due to the simple fact that we work hard and play hard. My boyfriend is a fireman and can get kept on duty for weeks at a time, so when we go on vacation we let loose. This tab was the most, due to $100 shots of cognac and gambling which isn't the norm but all in all we had fun, and we'll do it again next week!

[chasetf]

........I love walking past cabins the last night of the cruise and seeing bills that are 5 or 6 pages long, wondering how much their bill must be.

Me too... knowing their on-board spending is supplementing our cruise fares. :D

[concour]

On our last cruise (9 nights) our final bill was $0.47. We were lucky to get OBC from stock and previously booking on board. We also placed our tips on the sea pass.

 

The DW did win about $200 in the casino which off set my $200 in losses.

 

 

Bill

 

PS We averaged a drink a day each.

[Azure Moon]

Well over $1,000.oo. Can't be more exact than that, hubby might break into tears again if he sees this post :D .

Treated family members to spa treatments, hubby and I purchased spa items, bar bill, souveniers, excursions, etc.

But we did have a wonderful time, so it was worth every penny! :cool:

[tiggerfan616]

Our 1st cruise we spent $750 but that included $250 towards a future cruise. Also did ships excursion. I've now learned and have booked my own excursions for our upcoming cruise. This time we will also have our son so I'm factoring that into the budget, he is not cheap to take anywhere

[JBert]

When my wife and I went on Freedom of The Seas for our honeymoon, i think we spent somewhere in the ballpark of 2-3000. Looking back at it now, i wouldn't do it again. Granted, it was our honeymoon. That was spending money on a big spa treatment, casino, bingo, excursions, tons of pictures, drinks, stuff from the gift shop, etc.....

 

On our next one, we're definitely doing things differently. We're booking/planning all of our own excursions on our own, not doing as many pictures (maybe port pictures, and one formal), and not drinking (we usually don't - after 2 years of wedding planning we needed a few).

 

I think that we're going to aim to keep it under 600 on the next trip - mabye less.

 

We did make back about 1700 when my wife hit a few jackpots playing slots, which was nice.

[momofmeg]

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!

 

Most soda cards have a limit of 20 sodas- (at least the lines I do) since it is limited-how is that steadling? You paid for 20 sodas and if your spouse drinks 10 of them-so what?

[SheltieLady]

Last year we took $4,000 with us came back with $1,700 we like to go to the casino, brought t-shirts and photo's plus drinks and played a ton of bingo. For our cruise next year we will take about $5,000 as tips are charged daily to are obc and shore excursions are charged the day off.

 

 

Christine

[reeran]

Most soda cards have a limit of 20 sodas- (at least the lines I do) since it is limited-how is that steadling? You paid for 20 sodas and if your spouse drinks 10 of them-so what?

 

Copied from the Royal Caribbean web site...

 

"Adults' Fountain Soda Package

This package entitles guests 18 years of age and older to unlimited consumption of fountain sodas (no cans) at all bars and lounges, the Windjammer Café, Main Dining Room and private destinations (CocoCay® and Labadee®).

 

This package is available for purchase on the day of embarkation at all bars and lounges and may be charged to your SeaPass account. After this package has been purchased, a sticker will be placed on your boarding card, allowing you to consume fountain sodas (no cans) throughout your cruise. A complimentary Coca-Cola® souvenir cup is included as part of the package.

 

The cost of the package is $6.00 USD per person, per day, and is applicable to the total days of the cruise vacation. A 15% gratuity charge will be added.

 

Please note: The fountain soda package is only available for the total amount of days of the cruise and prices are subject to change without notice."

 

Celebrity as follows...

 

 

Celebrity's soft-drink program has been established for all guests onboard to obtain soda drinks at a daily rate of $5.00 plus 15% gratuity.

 

The purchase of the package should be for the entire cruise and not on a daily basis. In the event the purchase of the package is not made on the first day of the cruise the guest will be charged for the remaining days of the cruise inclusive of the purchase day.

 

Packages are available for purchase in the Plaza Bar (Horizon) and Cova Cafe (all other vessels). After the package has been purchased, a soda sticker will be placed on the guest's signature account card.

 

Guests with the CoCa-Cola stickers can obtain sodas from all bars throughout the ship and with exception of room service or the mini-bars. The sodas will only be served when the guest is present and one drink at a time.

 

In the event a guest loses their signature account card with the soda sticker, a new folio number has to be issued together with a new card and soda sticker." Note: No mention of 20 soda limit

 

 

FYI...I have always found it to make for more enjoyable (not to mention more intelligent) reading if you get your facts straight before making a blanket statement. It may not be "stedling" but again...it sure is stealing!!!!!;)

[momofmeg]

Copied from the Royal Caribbean web site...

 

"Adults' Fountain Soda Package

This package entitles guests 18 years of age and older to unlimited consumption of fountain sodas (no cans) at all bars and lounges, the Windjammer Café, Main Dining Room and private destinations (CocoCay® and Labadee®).

 

This package is available for purchase on the day of embarkation at all bars and lounges and may be charged to your SeaPass account. After this package has been purchased, a sticker will be placed on your boarding card, allowing you to consume fountain sodas (no cans) throughout your cruise. A complimentary Coca-Cola® souvenir cup is included as part of the package.

 

The cost of the package is $6.00 USD per person, per day, and is applicable to the total days of the cruise vacation. A 15% gratuity charge will be added.

 

Please note: The fountain soda package is only available for the total amount of days of the cruise and prices are subject to change without notice."

 

Celebrity as follows...

 

 

Celebrity's soft-drink program has been established for all guests onboard to obtain soda drinks at a daily rate of $5.00 plus 15% gratuity.

 

The purchase of the package should be for the entire cruise and not on a daily basis. In the event the purchase of the package is not made on the first day of the cruise the guest will be charged for the remaining days of the cruise inclusive of the purchase day.

 

Packages are available for purchase in the Plaza Bar (Horizon) and Cova Cafe (all other vessels). After the package has been purchased, a soda sticker will be placed on the guest's signature account card.

 

Guests with the CoCa-Cola stickers can obtain sodas from all bars throughout the ship and with exception of room service or the mini-bars. The sodas will only be served when the guest is present and one drink at a time.

 

In the event a guest loses their signature account card with the soda sticker, a new folio number has to be issued together with a new card and soda sticker." Note: No mention of 20 soda limit

 

 

FYI...I have always found it to make for more enjoyable (not to mention more intelligent) reading if you get your facts straight before making a blanket statement. It may not be "stedling" but again...it sure is stealing!!!!!;)

 

Our last cruise was HAL-20 sodas. You get a card which they punch holes out of every time you get a soda. Also, the person you called a thief cruises Carnival and not RCI-at least that is what their profile says-so you need to check Carnival's policy on soda cards-not RCI and Celebrity's policies. That varies by line.

[midfiman]

My wife and are I are heading down on our 4th cruise on November 1st. We don't spend anywhere near as much as some of the people here do, but to each their own.

 

I think on average, we spend about $50ish per day. We don't drink alot and when we do, it's at home where a glass of wine costs $1, not $10 for the same one. Likewise, my wife goes to the spa, but not the overpriced one on board the ships. She just treats herself that many more times at one of our local spas which is just as nice for a fraction of the price. Likewise, we keep our purchase down to just one overpriced bad picture instead of many of them.

 

 

Don't get me wrong, we still enjoy excursions, the occassional drink, etc, but we don't go overboard. Something like a $100 shot of Cognac? I don't think so. I guess we just don't see the appeal in something like that, but to each their own...

[momofmeg]

Most soda cards have a limit of 20 sodas- (at least the lines I do) since it is limited-how is that steadling? You paid for 20 sodas and if your spouse drinks 10 of them-so what?

 

This is hardly a "blanket statement" since I said the LINES I do-and yes I made a typo, stealing came out steadling-somehow I hit an extra key. LOL!

 

I suppose some people can find little to attack me with, so they must attack my typing mistakes. LOL! Oh well, if this made this person a little happier to point out this-why should I care? I am sure if he/she looks at my other posts, he/she will find many more! I am bad not to proof read before I post. Since I have made over 7000, they can be VERY happy, going through everything I have posted here!

 

BTW, I checked Carnival's policy and the soda card is unlimited, at least that is what it says on their site, so the original poster really should not have done this, LOL!

 

Something tells me though- if HAL has caught on to this "practice"- that other lines are not far behind.

[just having fun]

I take no more notice of the wind that comes out of the mouths of critics than of the wind expelled from their backsides.

~ Leonardo Da Vinci

[CroneWynd]

On our 7-night Alaska cruise on Princess, we'd booked two excursions through the cruise line... so, I figured out what they cost, then I doubled that, and that's how much money I put down, in cash, on our onboard account.

I figured I didn't want that much hitting my VISA all at once!

 

So, with $1500 on the books to start with, we went on our excursions, we had a few drinks, we bought coffee cards, we bought a bottle of wine with dinner, I had a spa facial, DH shopped in the duty-free shop...

 

Last day, we got a refund from the Purser for $142

 

I think we did alright! :D

[itsallrelative]

I'm a relatively frequent cruiser and have had OB accounts anywhere from a couple hundred to $1,300 for a week cruise, depending on the nature of my cruise. Fun cruises = more money; relaxing cruises = less money. It all depends on your plans.

 

You can plan ahead of time based on your personality and habits and not be shocked, regardless if you plan to have a drink or two per day or twenty!

 

p.s. to the poster who drinks $1 glasses of wine at home...I recommend trying something better than a $6 bottle of wine. You might be surprised.'

 

p.s.s. to those that have won in the casino - congrats! Don't plan on that again!

[waserdog]

We have spent all different amounts onboard depending on the cruise. We recently did a weekender and lost in the casino (stupidly, $1400). They make it waaay to easy to take money out with no charge. Then on a med. cruise we had some costly excursions in St. Petersburg, Russia since it's a big hassle to try and see it on your own with visas etc. I would say that the shorter cruises to nowhere cost us more because of the casino. When we do the 14 day ones that hit a port each day, we (I) am less likely to frequent the casino as much. With that being said, I am anxiously awaiting our cruise to nowhere on the Soltice!! LOL Maybe since it a preinaugural cruise, they will want us to have a taste of loose slots. Yeah, nice pipedream.

Reeran, you need to get a life!!!! I like to smuggle my cheap wine onboard in a suitcase... so there!!! Guess that's stealing too since I only pay for a few of the ship's overpriced drinks. BIG LOL

Marianne

[jagergirl55]

This cruise on NCL's Star we spent a lot less. What we gambled with was brought in cash, so that wasn't on the bill. We did eat at the specialty restraunts everynight and paid for our friends (group of 4 plus tip, $100) and drinks, with our on board credit's from the casino we got out of there for $1,850! Not too bad for 7 nights! A lot better than last time!!!

[cruzin w chris]

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!

we share a card as well !!!!!!!!!, we do not drink enough soda to make 2 cards worth it. or we just smuggle it on.

[Alamogirl]

Just saw this board and had to jump in. In Jan we celebrated my 60. My DH planned it all, he figured I needed it. Not just turning 60 but that fact that after having my mother with us for 14 years, her Alzheimers's got worse I had to put her in a nursing home. So guilt over that and turning 60 was very DEPRESSING. I love champagne and my DH made sure I had plenty each night and the best on the ship. He planned a party at the specialty restaurant and invited some ladies we met, one of which reminded me of my mom. Well, to make a long story short, the final tab on ship was over $4000.00. Needless to say that won't happen again:(

[momofmeg]

we share a card as well !!!!!!!!!, we do not drink enough soda to make 2 cards worth it. or we just smuggle it on.

 

If a couple drinks one soda each per day or occasionailly 2 sodas, I see nothing wrong with their sharing.

 

I do think HAL's punch out card works best- 20 sodas for around $30, including the 15% tip. So, instead of paying $2 plus per soda you pay around a $1.50 per soda. Even places like Mac Donalds are charging you $2 for a 32 ounce cup of ice with maybe 6 ounces of soda. I do not think that is a bad price.

 

One person on the Carnival board recently was BRAGGING that her family got 257 sodas with one card during a 7 day cruise. I can see all the lines going to the punch out card because of people like that.

[dreadpirate3]

Duplicate of post below.

[dreadpirate3]

First Cruise October 6th. Chris and I spent $269 each for the OV 2nd deck room. 4 night RCL. We went to the casino the first day during the free drink hour. We each played $5 in the slots, and we each got the free drink. Then day two, at Coco Cay, we bought the "Island special" drink in the souvenir cup with lid for $9. That night we went to the captain's reception and each had 2 glasses of champagne. Chris had a rum punch and I had a lava lamp. Day three, we did not drink anything and day four we won a bottle of champagne by being the loudest at the art auction. The only things we bought on the ship were 2 t-shirts for $20 and two watch gift sets for $30. So total spent aside from the cruise itself and gratuities is $69. Not too shabby, huh? Oh, and we got a free order of chocolate dipped strawberries the last night!

 

Next cruise, December 12th. RCI Monarch of the Seas, 3 night cruise, $159 pp. We are bringing our son. This time I plan on spending $100 on booze to take home.

[dreadpirate3]

If a couple drinks one soda each per day or occasionailly 2 sodas, I see nothing wrong with their sharing.

 

I do think HAL's punch out card works best- 20 sodas for around $30, including the 15% tip. So, instead of paying $2 plus per soda you pay around a $1.50 per soda. Even places like Mac Donalds are charging you $2 for a 32 ounce cup of ice with maybe 6 ounces of soda. I do not think that is a bad price.

 

One person on the Carnival board recently was BRAGGING that her family got 257 sodas with one card during a 7 day cruise. I can see all the lines going to the punch out card because of people like that.

 

Some people take advantage. We do not drink much soda and are perfectly happy with the lemonade and tea offered. However, our son will be joining us this next cruise, so I will bring midget cans of soda and bottles of water for excursions.

[limbogirl]

My problem with spending on a cruise is when I'm in port. I always buy some artsy piece made by one of the local talents. I love St. Maarten and always buy myself a nice piece of jewelry and those liquer filled chocolates they sell on one of the side streets. Spices, special liquors, guavaberry...those rum cakes in Barbados.....LOve it all! On the ship my tab is usually 200 something. Thats tips, specialty coffees and a couple of drinks.