Cruise Budget ???

[rantnnravin]

We will be embarking on our first ever cruise on 4/19/08
It's the 7-Day Western on the Magic!! woohoo!

Without counting the cost of the reservation and OB credits,
how much do you typically expect to budget/spend for pre-cruise purchases of essentials, onboard and in-port activities, excursions, misc. items and souveniers and "adult" beverages?

 

[aprilgail2]

We don't drink but did have 2 virgin drinks onboard last time but our onboard bill usually runs around 1500.00 no including excursions and spending money at ports.

 

[mommasita]

Our bill ranged from 1000.00 to 1500.00$, and we do drink, not a lot, but a bit, and do our own excursions...WE spend a TON on photos, a TON j..

We don't buy that much pre-cruise, but we make sure to have anti-nassau meds...

 

[mustachspot]

So is the majority of the bill tips? I guess I was fooling myself into thinking our bill would be significantly less, like half.

 

[mommasita]

So is the majority of the bill tips? I guess I was fooling myself into thinking our bill would be significantly less, like half.

We tip cash...Majority is honestly pictures ..I tend to spend a LOT on that...We have a large family as well, and souvenirs add up very very fast..We tend to watch ourselves all year long, and when we cruise, we feel free to spend....

 

[TammyAlphabet]

On a four day cruise, my bill was round 400 including tips and souveniers and a few drinks and Palo. For my seven night, I figure it will be around 1000 as I am doing a couple of excursions probably.

 

[dreamcometrue]

we'll be on the week after you!! Including everything (cruise, airfare, hotel, rental car, a limo to take us to the airport here in CA and then home again when we get back, excursions, souveniers, everything...) we are budgeting $10,000!

 

[Mom24Princesses]

We are a family of 6 and all expences including driving down ($150 gas)and one night stay before ($200 two rooms) was @$2200. ($300+ pix, $100 Palo, $400 suvies, $300 shore ex. $500 Tips (for 6))

 

[B9erSteve]

about $500 for tips, $200 to ea member of the family. 200 for misc. food and drinks. $700 for family excursions. so about $2300 total.

 

[aprilgail2]

So is the majority of the bill tips? I guess I was fooling myself into thinking our bill would be significantly less, like half.

Tips were not included in my 1500 total I posted. I have those all in envelopes before I even go in cash, I don't count those. I just add more on the ship if I get great service...

 

[WDWBarb]

We don't buy that much pre-cruise, but we make sure to have anti-nassau meds...

I have to wonder how these meds work. Does it actually stop you from going into port at Nassau or does it make you think you're somewhere else? Based on my last experience there I might have to pick some of these up

 

[princesdi]

We took very little off the ship spending money. But we only went to the straw market while at Nassau. Also, we planned ahead on how much to take for all meals, room tips etc.

Here is our break down of our on board charges--3 day with 4 of us--Aug. 2006:

DS--

$27.00 snorkeling in Nassau
$75.00 parasailing at Castaway
$15.00 Bananna Boat at Castaway

DD--

$37.00 snorkeling in Nassau
$75.00 parasailing at Castaway
$15.00 Bananna Boat at Castaway

DM--

$37.00 snorkeling in Nassau
$75.00 parasailing at Castaway
$15.00 Bananna Boat at Castaway
Treasure Ketch $97.50, $44.50, 88.00
Shutters--$184.95
Gratuities--$44.00, 32.00, 11.00, 47.00
SS Sea Shells--106.05

DH--

$37.00 snorkeling in Nassau
$75.00 parasailing at Castaway
$15.00 Bananna Boat at Castaway
Preludes--2 drinks $10.09
Arcade--$20.00
Cabana Spa--$139.00

Total--$1,281.54

We called in advance and had about $900.00 put in our onboard credit because we had planned ahead on paying for excursions etc. before hand.


PLUS we were at WDW 4 days prior. We had gas money to get to Denver, hotel in Denver, flights out of Denver plus meals on our own, WDW package, Sea World tickets and extra souveniers off the ship. It seems to me we had to buy alot of other things to prepare for our trip, clothes, essentials, odds and ends recommended on Dis boards.

 

[Buckeye Gal]

I'll add that in my cruise budget, I've included the deposit for my next cruise! That way it's not financed and I can still enjoy the 10% discount and on-board credit offered while booking during your cruise!

 

[Anal Annie]

Our tab in '05 for the 7 n. West Coast for 3 of us was almost exactly $1,500 including our tips, excursions (which we did one in ea. port), drinks, Shutters & some onboard shopping (no Palo or spa). This is only what we spent ON the ship. I don't even know how much we spent on souvenirs & gifts in the ports!

We didn't know how much to expect to spend that time around but will plan ahead accordingly for next year!!

 

[VesTrace]

Our bill ranged from 1000.00 to 1500.00$, and we do drink, not a lot, but a bit, and do our own excursions...WE spend a TON on photos, a TON j..

We don't buy that much pre-cruise, but we make sure to have anti-nassau meds...

Wow. How much do the pictures cost? I assume this is the same as if your visiting WDW and using Photo Pass?
We went to WDW for a week a month ago and spent around $3000.00 for everything except hotel. But I wasn't expecting to drop another $3000.00 while onboard the ship. FYI: I've never cruised.....
We are a family of four with two spoiled (thanks to me) daughters. Plus, a grandmom and great grandmom sailing Feb. 16th (7 night Eastern). We've already spent over $13,000 for the two rooms. Three adults will drink....some more than others ! Hopefully, we can minimize cost by not having to buy Disney's Photos

 

[eva]

Let's see for two people on a 7-day Eastern. We bought (paid for):

* Tips (paid a bit over reccommended)
* 2 - 8x10's from Shutters.
* 1 excursion for two people (snorkling & tip)
* Palo Dinner and Brunch for two (plus tip)
* Bon Voyage gift waiting in room (around $60)
* Couple of pool drinks per person each day
* Glass or two of wine at dinner
* After dinner drinks at Sessions or Rockin Bar D
* Wine tasting for two
* 4 t-shirts & a beach towel at CC to take home as gifts
* Banana Boat ride at CC
* Parking

Total was right under $1,000

 

[VesTrace]

Let's see for two people on a 7-day Eastern. We bought (paid for):

* Tips (paid a bit over reccommended)
* 2 - 8x10's from Shutters.
* 1 excursion for two people (snorkling & tip)
* Palo Dinner and Brunch for two (plus tip)
* Bon Voyage gift waiting in room (around $60)
* Couple of pool drinks per person each day
* Glass or two of wine at dinner
* After dinner drinks at Sessions or Rockin Bar D
* Wine tasting for two
* 4 t-shirts & a beach towel at CC to take home as gifts
* Banana Boat ride at CC
* Parking

Total was right under $1,000

That's closer to the amount I was expecting for all four of us Oh well...you can't take it with you. It's funny....the amount of alcohol is pretty close to our intake....although, we'll probably enjoy a few more pool side. That helps alot. Thanks

 

[eva]

That's closer to the amount I was expecting for all four of us Oh well...you can't take it with you. It's funny....the amount of alcohol is pretty close to our intake....although, we'll probably enjoy a few more pool side. That helps alot. Thanks

Well, if I have to be honest, we probably drank closer to 3 at the pool per day. And they were the BBC or pina colada type. So they were some of the most expensive drinks. Plus I don't think I had a glass of wine under $12. After dinner we probably had 2 or 3 drinks, depending on how tired we were. I bet you could get away with $1,500 and be pretty comfortable. Now if the daughters are that spoiled, maybe you better make it $2,000.

Oh, I forgot to add about $50 for bingo.

 

[VesTrace]

Well, if I have to be honest, we probably drank closer to 3 at the pool per day. And they were the BBC or pina colada type. So they were some of the most expensive drinks. Plus I don't think I had a glass of wine under $12. After dinner we probably had 2 or 3 drinks, depending on how tired we were. I bet you could get away with $1,500 and be pretty comfortable. Now if the daughters are that spoiled, maybe you better make it $2,000.

Oh, I forgot to add about $50 for bingo.

There you go....I love drinkin by the pool!
While at WDW I had to switch to buying pins. At least those were under ten bucks. One day they both wanted a spray bottle with a fan....finally (the next day) they were good enough to be rewarded.... Wow, about $40.00 dollars for two spray bottles that the batteries wouldn't even stay in!

 

[zweihund]

I'm currently testing my theory that anyone can have a great vacation with a very low budget.

HOWEVER.

In the past, we have spent copious amounts of dough on lots of fun things. I always underestimate spending by about 50%. So here's what I would do: add up the cost of any excursions, tips, and any activities that will cost money. Estimate what you expect to spend on alcohol, knowing most drinks are anywhere from $5 to $8. Add a little money for souvenirs.

And then?

DOUBLE IT.



Because once you get on the boat and smell that Disney smell, you find yourself saying things you would never expect like "that watch DOES look great on you sweetie, we should get it!" and "let's go back to the spa again!"

Not that I know from experience or anything.....