$$$$ Money Question $$$$

[laurenfl15]

As a young couple just starting out in the business world- money isnt exactly free flowing! We definately are still paycheck to paycheck. But this is a really special cruise for us (were getting engaged! :D ) and Ive been putting alot of preparation in planning into it.

 

Obviously the simple answer to this question is "it depends on the person." But I am looking for someone to give me some reassurance.

 

I have put aside 1,300 for this trip between the two of us. That is for the night before in miami (hotel is prepaid) and then the 4 days on the cruise.

 

We are smuggling plenty of booze on board.. but of course we will still buy some drinks. We will gamble a little.. but not a ton. I may get a massage or something in the spa but thats it. In shore we will probably do pretty cheap stuff.. key west just walk around and maybe get a few drinks.. cozumel do an all-inclusive.

 

Should we be fine with 1,300? I know that seems like alot of money (well atleast to little ol poor me!) but i know it goes fast.

[pungo3]

For 4 days, that sounds like plenty of money. I believe you have planned properly and may even find you come home with a little. Congratulations on your engagement.

[firefly333]

Seems like a lot to me too??!! Play the penny slots or put a small limit to your gambling. I wouldnt spend that much if money was tight. For a 4 day cruise, that seems like a lot. Most people I know budget on average $100 a day pp.And thats the budget, they dont drink more than that or gamble more than they budget.

[farler05]

That will be plenty of money. We've never spent that much on a 7 day cruise & we're drinkers. :D

[laurenfl15]

ok you guys are making me feel so much better!

 

im such a worrywart! haha. But its ok b/c in 3 days ill be relaxing on the Imagination with a cold drink in my hand and a pretty new ring on my finger :D I'll sure ill FINALLY relax!

[Carnival Game]

$300 should be enough for a four night cruise. I'm sure you have better things to do with the other $1000 than drink it away. Have fun.

[steveaaaaa]

As a young couple just starting out in the business world- money isnt exactly free flowing! We definately are still paycheck to paycheck. But this is a really special cruise for us (were getting engaged! :D ) and Ive been putting alot of preparation in planning into it.

 

Obviously the simple answer to this question is "it depends on the person." But I am looking for someone to give me some reassurance.

 

I have put aside 1,300 for this trip between the two of us. That is for the night before in miami (hotel is prepaid) and then the 4 days on the cruise.

 

We are smuggling plenty of booze on board.. but of course we will still buy some drinks. We will gamble a little.. but not a ton. I may get a massage or something in the spa but thats it. In shore we will probably do pretty cheap stuff.. key west just walk around and maybe get a few drinks.. cozumel do an all-inclusive.

 

Should we be fine with 1,300? I know that seems like alot of money (well atleast to little ol poor me!) but i know it goes fast.

 

The hotel and cruise are not part of that $1300 are they?

Steve

[bonnys]

Our family of 4 spends about $500 in addition to our tips. We gamble a little, drink a bit and buy a few souvs. The rest is spent in port for transportation and such. So, IMHO, yes, $1300 should be plenty.

[chiarigirl]

I think you'll be fine, We are staying in new orleans before cruise and after cruise one night each and were able to find rooms around 100 a night, so my friend and i are dividing the cost. I think 100 per day per person sounds decent. On my 7 day i only spent 350 and that was mainly due to playing bingo with my mom. She wanted to play almost everytime they had it. If i do play this time it will only be at the very last one. She won a free cruise playing bingo on her first cruise so i can see why she wanted to play so much, lol.

 

I dont drink alcohol, but i would get a coke each night with the show. This time i am going to get the drink card, it will be worth it for me. I have to drink a lot of caffeine due to an overdraining shunt. So more caffeine equals less headaches and i am not big on coffee. As far as the casino i would put aside 20 a night to spend.

 

I think you'll be okay and you can save any leftover money for your honeymoon.

[laurenfl15]

The hotel and cruise are not part of that $1300 are they?

Steve

 

Nah. Hotel and Cruise are already paid for. Again, now that people have answered i feel silly haha- i just am such a worrier!

 

Im glad ill have some left over b/c i definately have other stuff i can do with that money like put down a security deposit at my new place! That much would have been pushing it!

[nanuak]

Lauren,

 

It is not a silly question, but I think you have enough set aside... Have fun on your cruise!!!

[chicaletta]

I also think you have more than enough saved and shouldn't worry. My last cruise was 7 days and we didn't spend that much but like another poster mentioned we drank, gambled and bought souveniers as well. I always bring some alcohol on board with me to cut down the bar bill....I was relieved to see that I can bring wine on a Carnival line.

[Payd]

As a young couple just starting out in the business world- money isnt exactly free flowing! We definately are still paycheck to paycheck. But this is a really special cruise for us (were getting engaged! :D ) and Ive been putting alot of preparation in planning into it.

 

Obviously the simple answer to this question is "it depends on the person." But I am looking for someone to give me some reassurance.

 

I have put aside 1,300 for this trip between the two of us. That is for the night before in miami (hotel is prepaid) and then the 4 days on the cruise.

 

We are smuggling plenty of booze on board.. but of course we will still buy some drinks. We will gamble a little.. but not a ton. I may get a massage or something in the spa but thats it. In shore we will probably do pretty cheap stuff.. key west just walk around and maybe get a few drinks.. cozumel do an all-inclusive.

 

Should we be fine with 1,300? I know that seems like alot of money (well atleast to little ol poor me!) but i know it goes fast.

 

My simple math says 4 day cruise+1 day pre-cruise=5 days. That over $250 per day. Sounds like plenty!

 

Congrats.

[Wennfred]

1300 for 4 days is just right for first time cruisers, using your Sail & Sign card is like hanging out in Vegas where money doesn't mean much, like that funny commercial $6000.00 is like $200.00 in Vegas :eek:

 

I highly recommend you keep each receipt for all of your transactions while onboard because sometimes you end up with misc charges that were not made by you and then every night go over your receipt matching them on the Cabin T.V. screen or you can always go to the Pursers deck for a copy of your balance.

 

Anyways for now you need to find out what are all of the hidden charges and you need to write down a cruise budget plan. How much will you allocate for Photos, Casino, Bingo, Gifts, Booze, Transportation, Hotel food and especially Tips.

 

Contact your Travel Agent and pre-pay your gratuties, that will be one less thing you have to deal with during your cruise.

 

The majority of the charges will be in Booze and since you are bringing your own you should be ok there, just go up to Lido and get the Juice you want from the machine as a mixer. But those Photos, Casino and Bingo will take a good chuck out of your wallet.

 

 

Good Luck and have a fun cruise.

 

 

Fred

[debster11]

That should be more than enough money. Have a great time.

[mwebb]

That should be plenty of money but if you are looking for ways to economize some of the unanticipated costs are all of your tips- porters, cabbies, etc. Take lots of singles for tipping.If you only have fives-you may end up tipping more than what you really want to. Usually I'll take $100 in singles and end up going through them. not counting pre-paid gratuities. Last year free lemonaid & fruit punch on Miracle was amazingly good and worked as a mixer with the liquor you bring on board. You can also get the fancy foo foo drinks without buying the special glass (1 or 2 might be a memento but more than that they end up in a Goodwill box). I would skip the massage aboard ship and get a better one in cozumel for about 1/3 the cost (Sally?) you can go to cozumelinsider for suggestions and contact info-also take cab to Paradise Beach for great beach day. Last time there, no admission charge. I think cab fare was about $12@ way. Food & beverages affordable. I think each of us had a sandwich or nachos and a frozen dauquari and it came to about $12@. The whole day for 3 of us was about $50 about 2 years ago

I always tend to spend way too much on the ship pictures- so you may want to opt for waiting to determine which ones seem the best and be selective.

Buy a disposable water camera at Walmart instead of on ship or islands. Have fun and congratulations!