Here's How a $350 Cruise Turns Into $1,100!

[gtalum]

Someone posted here at Cruise Critic that they took the price of their cruise and then doubled it. Then they added the double amount onto the price of the cruise in order to figure out how much it would cost them.

 

Couldn't you just triple it instead? ;)

[Roz]

Maybe they were math challenged (like me). :D

 

Yes, now that you mention it, you could triple it. So much simpler!

 

Roz

[TexasR&H]

Our first cruise - 7 day Texaribbean on NCL for our honeymoon, we only spent $350 TOTAL for 2 people! I laugh because 3 days in, some passengers spent that much on a BAR bill! We really had no money back then, so our goal was truly to do as much as possible for as little money. That meant we did only one "splurge" excursion out of the 3 port days, and we literally limited ourselves to 2 drinks per person per day! We're not big drinkers, but still! I can say we came in under budget, but I also was so stressed, that it was harder to enjoy myself.

 

This time (10th anniversary cruise), we've decided that deprivation is not in the cards. We've budgeted about half the amount of the cruise just for excursions and miscellaneous expenses(since we booked a suite, we anticipate excursions will still be less), and I suspect we'll come in right on that target with what we've chosen to do. Since the cruise price dropped so much since we booked, we're still probably coming in at the amount we initially budgeted for just the cabin! Still not big drinkers, so bar bill shouldn't be too terrible.

[cezzzz]

That's annoying, they've save a lot of money in their ticket but spend too much in a bar. Drinking alcoholics will really increase your bill.

[ehfl]

I just figure that extras generally cost the same as the cruise. We live near the port so we don't have planes, etc. to deal with.

[medacruise]

A few years back we took a 7 day cruise on Carnival from Galveston for $1079 per couple. At the time I keep recipes and spent $2010 after 7 days: one night in hotel prior to trip, parking fees, tips, 3 shore excursions pp, birthday photo, beer & drinks (all off ship). No air fair was included as we drove to the port. Also carried sodas onboard. We did not do bingo or the casino or the spa. Our splurge was the shore excursions. We were determined to not break the bank! Had a great time but drank most alcohol off the ship, while in port….saved a great deal of money

[twinklen01]

I believe it. You made me check my spending and it will be costly.

 

1st time cruise Nov.09

2 adult 184 x2=368.00

1 child 109.00

govt fee/taxes=113.04

3 passports =300.00

----------------------

total= 890.04

 

thats the basic not sure if there will be

fuel charges

food in port

exursions (maybe shopping only for souvinors)

plus shooping for stuff for the cruise -wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Expensive! The 7 night would have been so much more

[bethaniesmom]

it used to cost us as much to get ready for the cruise as the cruise itself....but i guess over the years we have collected alot of "stuff (hats, binoculars, cameras, coffee mugs, beach shoes, towels, luggage) cause it doesn't cost us nearly as much now to get ready (some sunscreen, and we are ready)!

and each trip i say i am going to break it all down and figure what we really spent. but something happens between the pier and the airport...somehow, then, it doesn't matter any more, and I am busy planning the next trip instead of analyzing this one! Thanks for doing it for me!

 

Beverly

[cruisee<3]

omggggg if that's how much i'm going to be spending on my cruise i cannot afford going on my july cruise

 

1,280 x 3 = O.O

 

wahhhhh :'(

[cruisee<3]

omg the cruise x 3 IS RIGHT .. i jus calculated my excursions and specialty restuarants and the bill will already comes out 648!! there is no way we're only spending 632 on the cruise -_-x ..

 

$160 for tips .. leaves $472 .. thats jus enough for alcohol i assume .. cruising IS expensive .. im glad i read this post .. now i can be more aware before shopping away :)

[Henwi]

Some great tips, but I must say that I love using the spa on board. I never go at home. I usually watch for the specials and as the week goes on they get better and better. Also, schedule for days in ports. Appointments are always much cheaper and it may be a port you have been to before and come back to the ship early. I find this a real treat.

[twinklen01]

omg the cruise x 3 IS RIGHT .. i jus calculated my excursions and specialty restuarants and the bill will already comes out 648!! there is no way we're only spending 632 on the cruise -_-x ..

 

$160 for tips .. leaves $472 .. thats jus enough for alcohol i assume .. cruising IS expensive .. im glad i read this post .. now i can be more aware before shopping away :)

i NOTICED YOUR DOING A 7 NT. lucky you, I guess i kinda now wish we would have done the 7nt we should have just gone all out-lol! Well know you know to be aware of your spending. Hopefully we like cruising and odnt get sea sick so our next trip will be minus the passport cost and we can save for a longer cruise instead fot he 4 nt. Have fun, your trip is almost here!

[startraveler]

The true cost of the cruise, however, is taking what you spent and divide it by the number of nights. With an average hotel stay alone at $100-$150 a night, I still think cruising, even with all the extras added in, is a good deal.

[MoYerclan]

I believe it. You made me check my spending and it will be costly.

 

1st time cruise Nov.09

2 adult 184 x2=368.00

1 child 109.00

govt fee/taxes=113.04

3 passports =300.00

----------------------

total= 890.04

 

I would never include the cost of the passports in my vacay tally as they're good for 10 years now and will be used time and again. To me that passport is just a necessity of life like my drivers license.

 

I find the more I cruise, the cheaper each cruise becomes. I have no qualms wearing some of the same cruise wear time and again since I bought well the first time it all holds up well. I've purchased the odd incidentals (snorkle gear, binoculars, hats, etc) that I use time and again so it is easier and cheaper to me to go again.. and again... and again! Yippee!

[magicnelly]

We have been used to spending without thinking - lots of extras, shore excursions, food, etc. Now DH is retired and we're counting the pennies (dimes/quarters/dollars now I guess).

 

Just did a spreadsheet for our upcoming and it IS 3X for sure! But it's nice to know what to expect.

 

Thank you for the post. It's going to help us in planning for sure!

[Oceans3]

Booked on the Ruby next April, $4200 for 3 times 3 = $12,600.

Don't think so! However if you work backwards - 4200/3/10 days = $140/person/day. Whoa! simply said it's $420/day with nothing added!

So I can spend $840 (for 3) a day for expenses and still fall within parameters?

Let's face it, cruising is not inexpensive, and for all of the first timers, you'll either love it or hate it.

The costs are comparable to any resort, however, you get to experience the joy of being at sea and having your hotel room follow you.

So, budget, plan, exercise control, but most importantly, enjoy the experience.

Thanks for reading.

John

[kiki4444]

TOTAL $1,109.92 :eek:

 

Is this amount for two people or a single?

 

Thanks,

kerry:o

[gonecamping4now]

I figure our cruise is going to cost roughly $1000 pp. There are four of us and thats what I have budgeted. We went to disneyland last year and for a week spent almost that much between the outrageous gas prices and hotel and food. What the heck, its only money right?? ;)

[Roz]

Kiki,

 

It's for one person...I sailed solo.

 

Roz

[koolforkatz]

That is a well laid out and honest list of expenditures. We always say we end up spending $100 a day between us onboard - tips, drinks, shopping etc. But I always tend to overlook things like tipping porters, any overnight hotel charges, meals ashore, taxis, spending ashore, parking at the airport You've got it all, right down to the cat sitter.

 

As everyone has mentioned, your list should be required viewing!

[Roz]

Thanks for the compliment, Koolforkatz. I like katz too!

 

I've already started a similar list for my 10-day cruise this November. When I get back I'll post it.

 

Roz

[harryfat1]

Booked on the Ruby next April, $4200 for 3 times 3 = $12,600.

Don't think so! However if you work backwards - 4200/3/10 days = $140/person/day. Whoa! simply said it's $420/day with nothing added!

So I can spend $840 (for 3) a day for expenses and still fall within parameters?

 

No, not exactly. The rule of thumb of double/triple or whatever is just an estimate and it depends on many factors. You can’t use that rule for all the cruises.

 

Mathematics gets tricky when you are using the multiplier effect and you really need to examine the various factors before you apply the basic rule. You can change one factor and the whole outcome changes.

 

For example, in the original post, Roz priced the cruise at category 1A, which I believe is Carnival’s basic inside upper and lower berth cabin, for $350. Now, what if Roz had splurged in the beginning and went all out for a suite in category 11 or 12? Then the basic fare would probably be around $900 instead of $350. Then all the extra itemized charges of $750 would be less than the cruise itself.

 

Roz would have to be playing bingo 24/7 to spend 3X of her base cruise fare of $900.

 

The take home lesson here isn’t whether 2X or 2.5X or 3X is the valid number to budget for a cruise. The key is there are many “unaware of charges”. Everyone has their own spending habit. Cruise vacation isn’t that different from a land vacation to Vegas where you can go hog wide with spending thousands over few nights on extravagant things like singing Elvis at your dinner table or spend very little enjoying the free amenities.

 

The reason this thread has over 12,000 views is that is struck a chord with many cruisers on what are the “extra” costs associated with the cruise. Especially since the cruise marketing people like to promote the cruises to be “all inclusive” and first time cruisers don’t budget/plan the extra costs that Roz had detailed and they get a sticker shock when all the bills arrive post cruise.

 

By starting with a lower base, the other costs becomes more prominent in the whole equation. If the title of the thread is “How a $900 cruise turned into $1,650 cruise”, people will just say. “Yeah, so what?”

[catergirl]

haleleyez3 said:

 

'We did an Alaskan cruise on Princess a few years ago and it totaled around $6000.

 

Base cruisefare: $2900 (balcony)

Airfare (Baltimore to Anchorage): $700/person

Airfare (Vancouver to Baltimore): $400/person

Pre-cruise hotel: $80

Train from Anchorage to Whittier: $100/person (I think) (glass all around and wonderful views)

Excursions: $350

No onboard costs'

 

how could that be? there are at least the auto tips:confused:

[cruisee<3]

i NOTICED YOUR DOING A 7 NT. lucky you, I guess i kinda now wish we would have done the 7nt we should have just gone all out-lol! Well know you know to be aware of your spending. Hopefully we like cruising and odnt get sea sick so our next trip will be minus the passport cost and we can save for a longer cruise instead fot he 4 nt. Have fun, your trip is almost here!

 

 

thank u!! im so excited about the 7 night :D

 

I have budgeted a lot better now thanks to this thread .. cancelled mystery dinner (saved $100) .. rebooked for portofino by itself ( only $40) cancelled shore excursion thru the ship (saved $240) .. i love this thread :D

[Roz]

Harry,

 

You raise a lot of interesting points about the relationship (or lack thereof!) of extra costs to the base fare. Because I usually sail solo, I generally book an inside or the lowest category of outside cabin to keep the base cost down. Thank you for your observations.

 

Are you a statistician or actuary by any chance? :D

 

Roz