CRUISES in general...how much do u spend total?

[lisaross]

seems many are posting about different cruise lines..i am travelling on RCCL this summer - our 1st family cruise...seems to me this will be the most expensive vacation my family has ever taken.

Well be going on:

RCCL -Explorer of the Seas - 9 night from NJ - so no airfare..

- going to cost our family of 4 about 4,700 - just to get on.

Of course we want to do the most expensive excursions - swimming w/the sea lions in St. Thomas and Zip-lining in Puerto Rico

Including excursions, gambling money - etc etc i'm thinking this vacation will cost us about $8,500! how much will or did u spend on ur cruise?

 

[LovableGluttons]

seems many are posting about different cruise lines..i am travelling on RCCL this summer - our 1st family cruise...seems to me this will be the most expensive vacation my family has ever taken.

Well be going on:

RCCL -Explorer of the Seas - 9 night from NJ - so no airfare..

- going to cost our family of 4 about 4,700 - just to get on.

Of course we want to do the most expensive excursions - swimming w/the sea lions in St. Thomas and Zip-lining in Puerto Rico

Including excursions, gambling money - etc etc I'm thinking this vacation will cost us about $8,500! how much will or did u spend on ur cruise?

The longest cruise I've done was 7 nights. We treated my outlaws. The only excursion we did was a stingray encounter. I think our bill for 6 people, including gratuities ran about $2,000.


My DD and I are going on a 7 nighter for Spring break! Our cabin was $1200 for a balcony, it is out of Tampa, so no transportation bill. I prepaid the gratuities when I booked. We're thinking of two excursions, so that's $400. I think I'll expect $1,000 for everything else at the most. So, about $1400

 

[mjkacmom]

Our last cruise was a 7 night NCL out of NYC during Jersey Week last year, and for 9 of us, it was about $5000 without extras (balcony). In spite of Jersey Week, the price was the same as the week before, and the week after (nice!). I've been on 3 cruises, and never take an excursion through the ship - it's MUCH cheaper to book them on your own. I don't know RCCL's policies, but you can bring soda and water onto NCL's ships, plus wine ($15 a bottle corkage fee per bottle). We don't gamble. Cruising is one of our least expensive vacations, since food is included. We have a condo booked for this summer in Wildwood Crest - $4300 for the week - and I'll have to cook - for only 7 of us.

 

[adventure_woman]

Yes - I found it expensive. We went on DCL - Eastern 7night in January this year. We drove to FL (from MI). There was DH, myself, DD4 and DD9mth. We got the kids sail free promotion (which got us a balcony for about $100...as compared to the lowest inside category). Total we spent about $5000. Which I think is a LOT of money! (a lot more than us going to WDW!) We did do tour excursions on both islands, DH had a drink every day and I did buy some souvenirs.

 

[janets]

Sailing Explorer out of Bayonne is always at a premium. No airfare for those local enough to drive (and the price is not lower, so you need to compare with air out of FL and w/o out of Bayonne). It's a Voyager Class ship, meaning that's it has a lot of amenities. It's a 9 night, so you have to calculate those 2 extra days.

That said, you can do excursions through private companies that are less expensive than through the cruiseline. You can limit your alcohol consumption (RC does not allow you to bring any alcohol onto the ship). You can set a budget for the casino if that is your thing.

Not sure what type of cabin you selected but you might want to consider looking at booking either 2 insides or 2 promenades if you have a balcony. Cost may be less. Also, don't forget that all of your food (except specialty restaurant) is included, so when you consider what you would spend on food at a land vacation like Disney, you might be comparable.

You can definitely do cruises at more affordable rates. But Explorer is often not one of those. It charges a premium because of its accessability to the NY tri state market.

Also, I think adding $4000 onto your cruise cost is a bit high.

 

[Darcy03231]

We're a family of 6 and cruise frequently. We've done some really inexpensive cruises and others cost more.

Generally, cruising out of the northern ports (Boston, New York, New Jersey, Maryland) is more expensive than cruising out of Florida. We price out our cruises to include airfare to Florida when comparing them with a cruise port that we can drive to. So far, we've found its always been less expensive to cruise out of Florida.

Our first cruise with all the kids was a four day from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas on an older ship. The cruise/airfare for the six of us ran about $3000. We spent another $2,000 in on-board charges (tips, soda cards for the kids, adult beverages, shore excursions -we all went parasailing and snorkeling at Coco Cay and we all swam with the dolphins in the Bahamas and we rented jet skis at the beach we spent the rest of the day at, photos, bingo, spa, and souvenirs) and probably another $250 on the island in buying extra food, drinks and souvenirs.

The second cruise we did a bit differently. We booked a 7 night on an older ship. Total cruise cost/airfare was still about $3000. This time we didn't get the soda cards - the kids drank ice tea and lemonade and we bought the occasional soda. Secondly, rather than book our excursions through the cruise line, we booked through independent companies on the islands we were visiting. We swam with the stingrays in Grand Cayman for $25/pp, we did a snorkeling excursion in Cozumel for $35/pp, we did an all-inclusive beach day in Costa Maya for $60/pp and we went cave tubing in Belize for $65/pp. We saved about half of what it would have cost to book those excursions through the ship, and we were in a much smaller group so we had more personalized service. We didn't buy much in souvenirs and we didn't get sucked into all the on-board photos. Our on-board charges that trip were around $700. We maybe spent a total of another $200-$300 in the ports.

 

[lisaross]

the reason we picked this ship is because we are going w/about 5 other families..its a bit more since we are going in the summer - but this worked for everyone.

i am looking at doing the excursions on our own, but it still seems priced high!

the swimming w/the sealions is about 125.00 per person same w/the ziplining - its 4 of us so that adds up! we won't be buying soda cards - well probably just my youngest but the deal is he has to save up for 1/2!

we don't go on big vacations yearly so when we do, we like to enjoy - my husband likes to gamble but we will have a set limit -

a drink by the pool - how can i not?

we only have 1 inside cabin - we booked so many months ago...the prices have actually gone up alot since so i'm happy about that! i guess we did pick an expensive ship but again its lots of us so there will be something for everyone..

 

[a1tinkfans]

You'll really like RCCL, great amenities, good staff, quality food, good perks if you get their CC and then you can use it for points/upgrades, etc. for a future cruise,
Personally have not gone out of NY, as it was not a fit for our family/group.
We enjoy out of Fla tho we fly from ny and we choose more "on season" than off, so it all adds $$$, but to us it is well worth it. We choose balcony (and pick our location and deck carefully) and we do excursions, which can add up. We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise and had an amazing time the trip was about 7Kish by the time we finished for the 3 of us. (oh, it was a 8/7 western) But I also got pix, some gambling and we drank some too, soda card, the works pretty much. Again, I really think you have chosen a great cruise line and it is worth the XTra cost for that alone. Have a wonderful time, but be prepared, you WILL get hooked Be sure to check out cruise critic dot com for all the info, amazing people there!

 

[msmayor]

My family of four did a Royal Caribbean cruise a few years ago and after our initial fare was paid, we spent about $1,300 on board the ship and another $400 or so off the ship for activities/shopping.

We didn't do any excursions sponsored by the ship; I arranged our own parasailing on St. Thomas for about $225 for three of us (my husband was just an observer!). We spent time at a beach there, renting chairs and snorkel gear for about $35 (Sapphire Beach; our parasail left from a dock just a short walk from the beach). I think the taxi to/from the beach in total cost us about $80 for all four of us. At St. Maarten, we just took the water taxi to the shopping area and wandered around; cost us less than $20.

On the ship we planned $40/day per person for gratuities, so $280 there. I know my husband and I probably left another $40-50 with our favorite bartender throughout the week, and another $50-75 in extra gratuities to our server and cabin steward. We enjoyed two bottles of wine throughout the week at dinner, and the rest was drinks throughout the week. We did purchase soda cards for our kids, and that's about it. We didn't shop a lot on board or play bingo.

We did plan a certain $$ amount for the casino and came out way ahead. As I mentioned our onboard bill was about $1300, but we really only paid $300. I hit a very lucky hand of Let it Ride poker in the casino and was able to plunk $1,000 cash down on our account towards the end of the week.

 

[gracie1]

Our first cruise was out of Baltimore about 4 years ago. We did the 9 night eastern caribbean and did the ocean view cabin, and it was about $1800 total. We didn't book excursions through the cruise line, we did our own stuff when we got off the ship (hired tour guides, etc.)

I find cruising the most affordable way to travel. I will say rccl is more expensive than carnival (per my one thread looking for info on carnival).

I am thinking of giving carnival a try this time around (especially since they have early saver rights)

 

[peabody58]

2002 - Explorer of the Seas RCCL 7 day Western Carib; 2 A / 2 Teen girls; 2 inside Promenade cabins, lots of $$ excursions: ~ $6,000

2007 - NCL Pride of America 7 day Hawaii 25th Anniversary Cruise; 2 A - balcony cabin; lots of $$ excursions: ~ $6,000 includes $$$$ airfare.

2010 (this April right before OKW trip!!) - CCL Fasination Bahamas 5 day 2 A, steerage class cabin : with planned excursions ~ $1,300.

 

[Frannie115]

We do a 7 day cruise for 4 for about a TOTAL of $5,000 (including airfare, excursions, etc.). This is on NCL.

A big savings for us is doing the excursions on our own. The cruiseline excursions are waaay overpriced. Cruise critic website/forum is a great place to do your research.

 

[tazdeb]

There are ways to save $$$ on the ship. When ordering the drink of the day the price includes the glass.....when you order the next one say you dont want to pay for the souvinier glass. Also all the drink prices have a 15% gratuity automatically added to them but there is still a place on the reciept you sign to add more, unless the service was spectacular dont add it. Be sure you watch your kids seapass account ( you can check it on your TV). All the video games, ben and jerrys ice cream, soda etc...is just a swipe of their card. WE give our kids a $100 limit a week and tell them whatever they dont spend they get in cash at the end of the week. You'll be amazed at how cost concious they will be. The premier resturants on board are extra but we find the food in the main dinning room and windjammer buffet to be good enough for us. Do more research on the private excursions ,usually they are half the price the ship charges. JUST DONT MISS THE SHIP. Also I know its an added expense but get travel insurance, if anyone gets hurt or your bags get lost, you do miss the ship at a port,you are covered. Its only about $25 dollars a person. If you think about it where else can you get a room, unlimited food, travel to three different places, nightly entertainment, babysitting/ kids club included (from 9am to 10pm) all for about $125 a day per person. The newer RCCL ships are unbelievable, you will be blown away by how big and lavish, with an indoor shopping/eating street ,3 pools, health club, spa, ice rink etc...all onboard. The difference is on a cruise most of the cost is up front. Set a budget for the rest and stick to it. Have a great vacation..........TAZ

 

[tazdeb]

Oh I forgot. Go to cruise critic.com. There you will find forum boards just like these. You will get tons of info there.......

 

[lisaross]

where do u get ur insurance from? i was quoted about 300.00

There are ways to save $$$ on the ship. When ordering the drink of the day the price includes the glass.....when you order the next one say you dont want to pay for the souvinier glass. Also all the drink prices have a 15% gratuity automatically added to them but there is still a place on the reciept you sign to add more, unless the service was spectacular dont add it. Be sure you watch your kids seapass account ( you can check it on your TV). All the video games, ben and jerrys ice cream, soda etc...is just a swipe of their card. WE give our kids a $100 limit a week and tell them whatever they dont spend they get in cash at the end of the week. You'll be amazed at how cost concious they will be. The premier resturants on board are extra but we find the food in the main dinning room and windjammer buffet to be good enough for us. Do more research on the private excursions ,usually they are half the price the ship charges. JUST DONT MISS THE SHIP. Also I know its an added expense but get travel insurance, if anyone gets hurt or your bags get lost, you do miss the ship at a port,you are covered. Its only about $25 dollars a person. If you think about it where else can you get a room, unlimited food, travel to three different places, nightly entertainment, babysitting/ kids club included (from 9am to 10pm) all for about $125 a day per person. The newer RCCL ships are unbelievable, you will be blown away by how big and lavish, with an indoor shopping/eating street ,3 pools, health club, spa, ice rink etc...all onboard. The difference is on a cruise most of the cost is up front. Set a budget for the rest and stick to it. Have a great vacation..........TAZ

 

[disney4us2002]

the reason we picked this ship is because we are going w/about 5 other families..its a bit more since we are going in the summer - but this worked for everyone.

i am looking at doing the excursions on our own, but it still seems priced high!

the swimming w/the sealions is about 125.00 per person same w/the ziplining - its 4 of us so that adds up! we won't be buying soda cards - well probably just my youngest but the deal is he has to save up for 1/2!

we don't go on big vacations yearly so when we do, we like to enjoy - my husband likes to gamble but we will have a set limit -

a drink by the pool - how can i not?

we only have 1 inside cabin - we booked so many months ago...the prices have actually gone up alot since so i'm happy about that! i guess we did pick an expensive ship but again its lots of us so there will be something for everyone..

Holy moley!!! You're paying $4700 and it is for ONE inside cabin??? YIKES! There are five of us so we typically get one balcony for us and one inside across the hall for the boys and we've spent in the $3200-$3600 for those two cabins. This is why we've never sailed RCCL and I guess we won't be planning one anytime soon. We're planning NCL this summer but our last was on the 8-day Carnival Miracle from NYC and we all had a blast. The two cabins were right around $3300 and our bill at the end with auto-tipping, a few excursions, specialty dining and drinks (we don't gamble because it's too smoky for us) was about $950.

 

[caribear]

Well, in November we went on Oasis of the Seas....had a balcony cabin for the 4 of us. Spent $3500 on the cruise fare....and then we had a bill at the end of our cruise for:

2 sets of gratuities (1st 2 were paid for by travel agency) $126
4 frozen alcoholic drinks $32
3 extra hours at the kid's club $18
2 8x10 pictures & 2 5x7 pictures $39.50
1 Fridge magnet $7
1 specialty cupcake $2.50
1 Pets at Sea stuffed animal for DD8 $25
1 stuffed dolphin for DS3

Grand total for shipboard spending =$262 for 7 days

We also spent $140 in St. Maartin for an Island/Beach tour and $220 in St. Thomas to get to St. John.

It all adds up in the end! Especially if you are a drinker or a gambler/Bingo player.

Just back from a girls only cruise that was a great deal! 4-nights on Navigator of the Seas....3 adults in a Balcony cabin.....for $1070. My shipboard spending consisted of 2 frozen drinks, Make A Wish walkathon and gratutities for $61.

Avoid the pay for items such as ice cream. There is soft serve available daily at the pool....plus ice cream in the dining room at dinner. If you drink more than 2 cans of soda a day then get the soda card....otherwise stick with water/lemonade/iced tea/fruit punch that is served on the ship. Some ships like Oasis serve flavored waters that are really good!

Have fun!!

 

[Kteacher]

That fare seems high. We've sailed RC many times, and usually pay much less -we had a balcony and a promenade across the hall for our kids and it was still less than 5,000 w/air, and this was during Aprik vacation week.
I'm sailing again on one of RC's older ships-4 nights out of Miami in a suite category is less than 1500.00 total.
Cruise critic has great info

 

[lady_bug_888]

We went on a cruise for our Honeymoon 2 years ago. We went through Carnival because of the itinerary. It was a 7 day cruise. Our flight was $1900 (we live up North in Western Canada and traveled during Easter). Our Cruise was a little over $2000 for a balcony room. We paid $556 for shore excursions (I have the bill in front of me!), we did 5 excursions and they were all pricey although we opted to do them through the cruise line because some of them were full day excursions and we were worried about delays and such. We spent an additional $507 on board including a soda card, drinks at the pool and in our cabin, a spa treatment and some bingo and draws which I like to participate in for fun. We also spent about $300 on souvenirs/food during excursions.

I guess that brings us to a total of $5246 not including our trip insurance which we also purchased for $200. This was for 2 people. We did enjoy Carnival and would sail with them again, however we will also be trying other cruise lines in the future. I can see us paying about $5000 next time as well, however we will have our children with us then...I will not be forced to travel at a certain time as I was for this cruise (I was teaching full time and therefore did not have much of a choice).

Personally I think this vacation was a good value. We have tons of great memories and we did quite a lot. It was probably the best value for our money of any trip thus far (haven't been to WDW yet!), and it was one of the greatest experiences in my life.

 

[lisaross]

i think its this much because its leaving in the summer...out of NJ and its 9 nights.

i think it will be easy to spend another 4000 on the boat & shore between 4 of us...

swimming w/sealions about 125. each = $500
taxi to and from the place = $80.-- 10 each each way...

Zip lineing - about 125.00 each = $500.

my husband will get about 500 to gamble with..
i'll get about 500 - gamble, bingo, massage

OK already at 2000.00

we still have two more ports -

then their is onboard drinks misc. sourveniers...etc etc

i like to plan for the higher side

i have checked out cruise critic love that site!