Seapass balance

[SamFritz]

I'm surprised at how close we all are. DW and I average about $100 per day. We're going to buy soda offshore before the trip for the next time when we bring our boys, so as to save on Soda Packages. Depending on where you're going and what you want to do, you can limit shore excursions. Don't buy too much stuff in the shops on board, bring what you need, and enjoy your time. Don't skimp on the tips for your waitstaff and stateroom attendant, they'll work hard for you, and they don't make much apart from their tips.

[cujosmom]

Just back from 14 night Trans Atlantic cruise. Our final sea pass bill was $10.85 :eek:

[IWORK2CRUISE]

I really don't know what people spend so much money on.

Been on 22 cruises and have NEVER had a charge at the end of the cruise (not including tips) of more than $200. We do excursions on our own, rarely buy pictures, and do little souvenir shopping on the ship. We (ok, me) do drink whatever and whenever we feel like. My wife likes the frozen drinks and wine and I like beer and whiskey sours. A couple nights we usually drink a little more than others. Some days, not at all.

On the ship, aside from tips, you don't have to spend a dime. It's entirely up to you.

200??????????

We mostly drink beer which is less than frozen drinks and could not possibly only spend 200 on a 7 day cruise.

[sailingawaysoon]

Just finished a trip and spent $1,599 for the week. This was myself and my husband. We did parasailing for $79 each at Labadee. Ordered the wine package for around $129. Bought around $150 in liquor and misc items from the ship and paid our tips separately. We ordered drinks in the souvenier glasses (about 12) because we are collecting the glasses, so that added up. We brought money separate for the casino. Most of ours went to drinks throughout the week. We did win $1,200 in the casino, so that helped a little. The cost could definitely be cut down if you like drinking and smuggle your own things on board, but we didn't want to take the risk. Enjoy your cruise!

[lady_cruiser]

Our last cruise was our lucky one - we had a $100 OBC because we own 100 shares of RCL stock, $140 ($70 each) fuel charge reimbursements and a $150 for my RCL Visa points so our bill only came to a couple of hundred dollars.

 

If you want to keep costs down learn where the pit-falls are. If you want a formal photo find a pretty background and ask another passenger on the cruise to take a photo of you with your own camera. You can fill up a large 32 oz thermo-type mug with juice in the mornings, ice tea is always free in the promenade. If you like flavored coffee bring a can of the International flavored coffee mixes and mix a teaspoon of that with the free coffee you get just about anywhere on the ship. Wait until the last day of the cruise to buy any RCL Tee-shirts (if that is what you want) because they go on sale for 50% off.

 

Don't worry about asking personal questions because if a person thinks that it is "too personal" they just won't answer your questions.

 

Happy cruising.

[readytolose]

For our 7 night cruise, 2 adults and 5 kids we spent $4200. That includes about $300 for a trip to the ships doctor.

 

We prepaid our tips and excursions so that wasn't included in that total. We spent about $100 on photos, almost $300 for tux rentals, $180 for soda cards and the rest was drinks and the casino.

 

You can easily not spend a dime if you really want to. Just drink the free drinks and take in the free entertainment. All the rest is not necessary to have a good time. (it just helps! LOL ):D

[cruisinfanatic]

200??????????

We mostly drink beer which is less than frozen drinks and could not possibly only spend 200 on a 7 day cruise.

$200 is about 50 beers. That's 3-4 a day each. You need to drink more than that every day?

[househunter]

I really don't know what people spend so much money on.

(actually I do: drink till you drop, a few $15 or $20 pictures, arcade money for the kids, etc) Really adds up if you do this

 

We certainly don't "drink till we drop" but we also usually have about an $800-$1000 bill for the 2 of us. A bottle of wine with dinner alone costs us about $400, we eat in the specialty restaurants at least twice, we do consume cocktails throughout the day, we buy a few pictures- it all adds up.

[DizzyAZ]

I'm a bingomaniac on board, so I have to be careful. I didn't even notice what I was spending on my first cruise and was really suprised to get my final bill since I don't drink much.

 

What I do now is they give a receipt for everything...I just took a pad of paper and added it up, so each day I know where I stand. I used to have a pile of receipts, but didn't know how in the hole I was.

 

It helped A LOT whether I was getting one bingo book or two, if I NEEDED the drink of the day or if I could go to the spa with what I had budgeted to spend on the ship.

[dna1990]

Just rambling in agreement with others. Our weak spots are the Spa and Pics, they can really add up.

 

We keep drinks to 2-3/day, no wine for us. Excursions are separate and almost always independent. Casino fund is always separate. We never give in to any charging casino back to the room or actual credit card.

 

Some people are really drawn to the ship's stores. Inch of green metal (I mean gold), watches, cigars, etc. They sometimes have prices in line or better than back home - but that doesn't mean they are free.

 

Find a cheap tshirt (shot glass, postcard, etc) in port. Skip everything else.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=71

[aloha of the seas]

So the bottom line is what you put on your SeaPass acct. Some items, like tips, you have to pay one way or another. You can bring cash, prepay or put it on your acct. Your SeaPass card is for your benefit onboard ship. Use it wisely, but don't worry about every last dime. You will defeat the benefits of your cruise vacation. Depending on which ship you are on you can check your balance on your in room TV. Do that every other day. If the balance looks bad, change your habits. I recommend that you link your SeaPass acct to a credit card. It is much easier when your cruise is over. If you have a RCCL credit card you get twice the points for your charges. I don't leave home without enough money in the bank to pay for my onboard spending.

[shaggyofwv]

I know this is terribly nosey but is anyone prepared to say what their seapass balance was at the end of a weeks cruise. Also, without putting a dampener on the holiday how low did you manage to keep it. Just trying to budget as best as possible for upcoming cruise. Our situation has taken a bit of a nosedive financially so thought about cancelling but have decided still to go but be savvy cruisers as much as possible. Any advice re keeping charges low (how have any of you saved onboard)

Thankyou and once again apologies for being nosey. By the way we would be paying for 2 adults and 2 teens.

 

 

Not including tips, my wife and I average around $450 for a 7 day cruise.

[fudgedown]

Don't know if this is your first cruise with the kids, but it does present a great opporunity to discuss family finances with them. I know with my own kid and her husband it has opened up a lot of discussion for "cruise spending". If you are cruising with your kids you are doing a great thing. exposing them to travel and different cultures. They are smarter and more observant because of them. Talk seapass with them. Most kids in the world have no idea what seapas means. Your kids are blessed and lucky to have great parents like you. They will more than understand and probably (not) surprise you and say thanks for the experience. Thanks for being such great parents, there are not enough of you out there today and I am willing to bet one years salary that you have fabulous kids.