Budget for counter-service only?

[jpeka65844]

We’re doing 2 days pre-cruise and 2 days post-cruise in October and are foregoing sit-down meals. We figure we’ll get enough of that on the boat. And it’s Food and Wine Festival!

We’ve been multiple times but have always mixed/matched table service but for counter-service only, what would you suggest as a budget for a family of 4? 2 adults, 2 kids? $40-50 person/per day sound reasonable? When we started going, that used to get you a table AND a counter service meal.


Denice T.

 

[sharonabe]

We’re doing 2 days pre-cruise and 2 days post-cruise in October and are foregoing sit-down meals. We figure we’ll get enough of that on the boat. And it’s Food and Wine Festival!

We’ve been multiple times but have always mixed/matched table service but for counter-service only, what would you suggest as a budget for a family of 4? 2 adults, 2 kids? $40-50 person/per day sound reasonable? When we started going, that used to get you a table AND a counter service meal.


Denice T.

Average for adult entrees is probably close to $13. Drinks are $3-3.50. Kids meals are just about all $7.

Your $40-50 is a little high, but that would give you room for snacks and desserts and some of the higher priced entrees.

BTW snack food stuff at F&W can be in the $7/8 range and they are pretty small portions.

 

[FCDub]

Take a look at the menus online and budget that way. That's going to be your best bet.

 

[heather913]

Take a look at the menus online and budget that way. That's going to be your best bet.

I agree. This varies so much based on your taste and your appetites. Look through some menus & see what type of foods you think your family will choose.

 

[JennyDrake]

I budget $45/day; I got 3-4x/year and only each TS 1-2 times/year. I do not get dessert with meals.

BTW, you can go through a LOT of money VERY quickly at F&W! _I_ can easily spend $70 in a day wo alcohol!

 

[Pumbaa_]

I am not a huge fan of Dining plans but the qs plan may work for you

You can use a qs credit to get three snacks. During food and wine you can get 3 items at a booth, at the same time. Plus most items are a snack credit

This is really a math exercise. Set up a spreadsheet, pull up last years f&w menus and guesstimate. Add in which cs meals you may get. Would you use the mug?

Something to consider

 

[MomOTwins]

Have you considered the quick service dining plan? That removes any uncertainty from budgeting, and those 2 snack credits per person are pretty handy for food and wine (FYI, you can also redeem a single counter service credit for 3 food and wine snacks at a single kiosk, which can be useful if you want to make a meal from F&W). In any case, even if you don't choose to use the plan, the plan cost is $52.50 per adult per day, and $21.74 per child per day, so that should give you a good approximation for budgeting purposes.