Bottom line

[babsnabbs]

Now that I've paid for the 4-night cruise, how much total cash can I really expect to go through during the trip? We're a family of four (kids are 8 and 3). We will not be buying alcoholic beverages on board and will probably sign up for at least one but no more than two family-friendly excursions, one spa treatment, a few diet cokes and tips are the expenses I expect to see. How much will that add up to? And what am I forgetting?

 

[videogal1]

Now that I've paid for the 4-night cruise, how much total cash can I really expect to go through during the trip? We're a family of four (kids are 8 and 3). We will not be buying alcoholic beverages on board and will probably sign up for at least one but no more than two family-friendly excursions, one spa treatment, a few diet cokes and tips are the expenses I expect to see. How much will that add up to? And what am I forgetting?

Photos from Shutters, tips for all servers and stateroom attendant, etc.

 

[Land-and-Sea]

Well, the best advice I can give you is to estimate what you might spend and triple it!

One thing you forgot was money for photos. Its amazing how much my wife and I ended up spending on pictures of ourselves. And we don't even have kids! No, we're not narcissistic we just don't have too many opportunities to get photos with both of us in them. I think on our first cruise (a 4 day) we spent about $80-$100 on photos, frames etc.

Other than tips, though. Most everything you spend is under your control. Also, I think sodas are included now, aren't they?

Don't know if that helps any but there ya go.

LaS

 

[aprilgail2]

I think I spent around 800 or so for a family of 3 on the 4 day last time. Shutters, Tips, an excursion Freeport, Nassau on our own, a couple sodas, a spa treatment, tips for room service, one Konk Cooler on Castaway Cay and the gift shop!

 

[Land-and-Sea]

One more thing....

The passporter (the inexpensive paperback) has a good section on estimating incidental costs:

Passporter Page

LaS

 

[alexandrew]

If you are going on the 4-day and are under a tight budget, maybe you should think about doing without the excursions.....IMO some of them are pricey and just not worth the cost....instead, you can take a reasonably priced taxi over to Atlantis, and explore the grounds and even some of the aquarium for free...then go back to the ship and eat there...then take a walk over to the straw market....lots of great stuff there....

 

[babsnabbs]

EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS????

 

[alexandrew]

for a 4 day I usually spend about $600....tips, gift shop,Nassau shopping, a few pix at Shutters, a few drinks....

 

[aprilgail2]

EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS????

We also tipped WELL over what was recommended....the recommended amount is so low for the service you get. When I left I had the recommended amount set aside but when it came time to tip I kept adding to each LOL!

 

[babsnabbs]

AprilGail, I'm sure I'll do that as well. I'll probably skimp on the excursion and bump up the tip budget. The only excursion I really want to do is the banana boat with my own Karate Kid. Don't you love ATA??

 

[jhorstma]

Tips, cokes, and pix will add several hundred to the tab right off the bat.

Not imbibing will save you a bunch. Consider skipping the excursions. Nassau's a pit and Atlantis is like window-shopping - the really cool stuff is off-limits to cruise passengers. Maybe stroll into town when the ship docks just to say you've done it, then return and enjoy space in the pools while everyone else is in town. Taking a 3 year old on ANY excursion is ambitious IMHO. And CC is a free day at the beach (minus the Conk Cooler) that doesn't require any expensive excursion to be fun.

Don't forget to factor in meals in transit, transfers, and cab fare or parking back home. A steady stream of dollar bills will flow from your wallet as different people move your luggage.

 

[aprilgail2]

AprilGail, I'm sure I'll do that as well. I'll probably skimp on the excursion and bump up the tip budget. The only excursion I really want to do is the banana boat with my own Karate Kid. Don't you love ATA??

We did the banana boat, it was awesome! I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to go on it but she is only 5...I forget what the age limit is....
I really like ATA...I like the "family" type atmosphere, they have a big Christmas party, a SuUmmer pool party for the 2 schools they own around here and her instructor is a woman and that is a big factor in me signing her up there. She is just great wit hthe kids.
Nassau really is a dump....when we cruised we went to Freeport along with Nassau and we did a really nice beach excursion with my daughter who was 2 1/2 at the time. In Nassau we did a horse and carriage ride (would NEVER do again) and the straw market (another thing I would not repeat)....

 

[ClarabelleCow]

we spent close to a 800.00 on the 3 day! UGGH! But we like Champagne with dinner (only on vacation), got suckered into like a million pictures, a few beers here and there, tips, snacks in the shows, gift from the store, spa!!! etc. It can add up, if your good, you can go and not spend a dime extra!

 

[zeldacruiser]

Tips of at least the recommended amount (assuming service is good) is the only thing you absolutely HAVE to spend once you're on the cruise. Beyond that, budget for spending on the things that are most important to you. On our first 3-night, our table mates were college girls who obviously had a very tight budget. They never bought alcoholic drinks, and they even WALKED all the way from the ship to beach in Nassau and back. They may not have spent a dime beyond tips, but they were having a blast.

Reading through all these posts will give you a good idea of the things you might need/want to budget for. One thing I haven't seen mentioned recently is tip money for the porters who carry your bags when you arrive/depart port.