How realistic is this budget?

[imgoingtodisney]

Just spent a few hours working on our Nov 30th cruise budget. Is this realistic? Where would you add or take away? We are family of DH, DW and DS10

Arcade - $30 (1 ea sea day)
Avis - $72 (gotta get from airport to port and back again)
Bar/drinks - $105 (this is low as it only allows 1 bar drink/day for each of us - yes we are taking onboard also)
Airport hotel stay before flight, park n fly - $119
Plane tickets
Excursions - $300 (this is if DH doesnt insist on Atlantis submarine)
Meals before & after cruise - $190 (3 dinners, 2 brkfst, 3 lunch)
Palos - $40 (brunch & dinner)
Photos - $150 (our camera isnt good indoors)
Radisson - $59 (night before)
Soda mug - $35 (DS is soda drinker and we'd share)
Souveniers - $200 (christmas shopping)
Spa - $80 (should we skip?, how much is sureal bath?)
Tips - $229 (may want to add extra)
Tux rental - $85

guess it's kinda a shock when put in writing - this comes to $1700ish

[prymsu]

I think that this is pretty good. A few months back a family went on a seven day cruise, and if memory is serving me correctly, they spent less than a hundred bucks on the cruise. Of course, I don't believe this included the cost of hotel before, and things like that. It was pretty impressive how they were able to stick to the budget. I am sure you will fine on what you have planned.

[mom2grace]

If you are on the eastern route, price 35MM cameras before you go and buy one! We got a great deal at Seiko House on a Canon. The model numbers are "european"? Just know the features you want, talk them down in price, "shop around", go back & purchase!!

Good luck,

Mom2Grace

DO SURIAL BATH!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Don't eat the day before your cruise to have the $$ LOL)

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by imgoingtodisney
Just spent a few hours working on our Nov 30th cruise budget. Is this realistic? Where would you add or take away? We are family of DH, DW and DS10

guess it's kinda a shock when put in writing - this comes to $1700ish

Here are my comments/suggestions. All-in-all sounds good. :)

Arcade - $30 (1 ea sea day) -- This seems like a lot of $$ unless your ds is really into arcade games. My 3 boys didn't spend a lot of time in the arcade. In fact we're saving what's left on the cards to use next time. They spent more time playing with their game boys.

Avis - $72 (gotta get from airport to port and back again) -- Can't comment. Used Disney Transfers

Bar/drinks - $105 (this is low as it only allows 1 bar drink/day for each of us - yes we are taking onboard also) -- I think Disney charges more for drinks than any other cruise line I've been on. Even though you're planning on taking some aboard you might plan on budgeting a little more. The Konk Koolers are wonderful!

Airport hotel stay before flight, park n fly - $119 -- Can't comment. Used Disney Transfers

Plane tickets -- Can't comment. Used Disney Transfers

Excursions - $300 (this is if DH doesnt insist on Atlantis submarine) -- Don't know what excursions you're planning but this sounds reasonable.

Meals before & after cruise - $190 (3 dinners, 2 brkfst, 3 lunch) -- Sounds good

Palos - $40 (brunch & dinner) -- $5 pp for dinner, $10 pp for brunch. Unless your service is poor and I doubt it will be I'd plan on leaving a bigger tip than you've budgeted. See if you can get Carita or Maurizio. They are both awesome servers!!!

Photos - $150 (our camera isnt good indoors) -- Photos are expensive and this last time I didn't purchase any. I wasn't happy with the photos taken of us. Personally I'd purchase a new camera.

Radisson - $59 (night before) -- Can't comment. Used Disney Transfers

Soda mug - $35 (DS is soda drinker and we'd share) -- Well, worth the $35 and definitely do share!! Remember the price of soda is $1.50 plus 15% gratuity. The mug more than pays for itself. Soda is free at mealtime.

Souveniers - $200 (christmas shopping) -- Sounds good to me.

Spa - $80 (should we skip?, how much is sureal bath?) -- Didn't do the spa this last time.

Tips - $229 (may want to add extra) -- We found service to be extremely good and did over tip.

Tux rental - $85 -- Dh could wear a dark suit which many men do and save the $85.

Anyway, HTH.

[BriarfoxinWA]

I scored big on Ebay and bought DH a great tux for $81!!!!:bounce: :bounce:

Now I just have to convince him to take MORE cruises to use his tux on!:) :)

[Dave_from_Marietta]

What was your base rate with Avis? Did you factor in the taxes and surcharges that all rental car agencies have to charge? How about a few dollars for gas? Tolls?

[tstobb]

Check out tuxes on eBay (search for "tuxedo 38r" (where 38r is replaced with your size)). I just got a wool one for under $50 and several sellers have "Buy-it-Now" for under $80 for a new one - all you have to add is shirt & tie.
Also got myself & BOTH sons Mickey Mouse bow-ties & vests on eBay (HINT - do a search with "mickey mouse bow tie -wholesale" to filter out a lot of the garbage cd sellers)

:bounce: :Pinkbounc :earsboy: :earsboy: :earsgirl:

[Hygiene99]

hey why not wear the dark suit save the $85.00
buy the camera for about 30.00 bucks take picture yourselfs and only buy a couple of real nice photos from dis. will save $100.00 sounds about right on the rest
pack a bottle of your favorite Spirits will cut on bar tab..
have with coke.....