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

[Nik's Mom]

We did a 4 night dcl cruise and 4 night WDW trip almost 4 years ago. Even though the cruise was not cheap, we enjoyed it a lot more than the WDW trip. It was much more relaxing and we enjoyed visiting 2 different ports. Honestly, we didn't spend that much money on the ship. Our only expense was photo purchases. Oh, and we did one excursion on our own to Atlantis. It was cheaper to do it on our own as opposed to the dcl excursion.

I've kind of tossed the idea around of trying an rccl cruise. My kids are getting a little older now and may enjoy it more.

 

[buckirj1]

For the most part, cruising doesn't represent as good a value as it has in the past few years. What cost me $800 a few years ago is costing me about $1200 today. Time to give it up for a year or so.

 

[quagmire0]

For the most part, cruising doesn't represent as good a value as it has in the past few years. What cost me $800 a few years ago is costing me about $1200 today. Time to give it up for a year or so.

I feel the same way. Also, when you have real small kids, the value drops even lower because most cruise lines charge you the same whether someone is 2 or if they are 92.

DW and I *loved* cruises before we had kids. So much so that I had even scheduled a cruise when DD(now 3 going on 4) was 6mo. That was a rude awakening. At that point, we decided that until the kids were older a cruise just wasn't in the cards. Despite that however, I do find myself pricing out cruises every once in a while. It always ends up being over $4000 even before you factor in airfare, excursions, drinks for Mommy and Daddy ( ), etc.

But I digress, Cruising *is* fun. Everything is done for you. It's a true luxury.

 

[Manda513]

We are doing a 4 night cruise in May. $1100 oceanview for 4 people. I figure we'll maybe spend another $500 on excursions/extras so pretty reasonable I think.

 

[MrsPete]

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

Depends upon your details: What kind of transportation you're using to get to your port city, what excursions you plan, whether you splurge on spa treatments and specialty restaurants, and how much you drink.

Last summer for six of us we spent about $2000 above the cost of the cruise -- most of it driving expenses, meals on the road, pre-cruise hotel and tips. We didn't spend anything really at Labadee, we did a relatively expensive snorkeling trip in St. Martin, and we visited the old forts (free with our America the Beautiful pass) in Puerto Rico.

Holy moley!!! You're paying $4700 and it is for ONE inside cabin???

That is high. We paid about $4500 for THREE E1 balcony cabins, and we had the cabin steward open the balcony dividers so that we had one looooong balcony and a way to go from cabin to cabin without going out into public. We were on Liberty of the Seas in late July, and we bought during a good sale -- it was something like pay for an oceanview, get a balcony.

Keep an eye on the prices -- and watch different ships, different weeks, and different cabin categories. If something better comes along, you can ask for a price drop or you can switch ships.

The only reason they don't want you to pay for an excursion by yourself is because then you have to get your own transportation.

No, most private excursions pick you up at the pier. Usually there'll be a guy holding up a plaque with your company name, and he'll gather the group together and transport you to your excursion.

After our first cruise we vowed NEVER to use a ship's sponsored excursion again, and we've always had transportation included.

Oh! not sure if anyone mentioned this one yet, but bring zip lock baggies. We've used them for ice and made a makeshift cooler to keep bottled beverages cold and also ordered sandwiches from room service the night before, and voila, lunch for free.

Bringing fruits and meats into a foreign country COULD get you fined or detained. Not worth the small savings. However, factory packaged food is perfectly legal, so bring granola bars, packs of peanuts, or something similar from home.

You'll find that MANY people eat a big breakfast, then have a big late lunch after a day in port.

 

[lucigo]

I have a group going out of Mobile on the Elation in October for 5 days. This is what I have told my group members to budget.

Inside cabin total price for 4 people: $1112
Parking: $75
Excursions: At your discretion, see carnival site for prices.
Soda Cards: Approx $27.50 each
Alcoholic drinks: Approx $4-8 each
Professional Photos: Approx $20 each
Souvenirs: At your discretion.
Tips: $150 (each cabin in our group has a $50 on-board credit).
Gas to cruise port: $25

I personally am budgeting for my family of 3, around $1400.

 

[lucigo]

It doesn't have to be that way. DH and I did a 14 nighter R/T to Hawaii last fall and our onboard charges were less than $500.

I took my family of 6 on the Conquest at Christmas 2005, and we had such a big on-board credit that they actually owed us money at the end of the cruise

 

[lisaross]

WOW i justed check prices again for my cruise and they are now DOUBLE - who would actually pay these prices for an inside cabin is 2000.00 per person??? princess for pretty much same itinirary out of ny as well is 1100.00?? i can't imagine RCCL is THAT much BETTER???

 

[TifffanyD]

We cruised in Jan/Feb on the Magic and we spent:

About $1400 for fare
About $500 onboard (after onboard credit was applied - this includes both our excursions and tips)
About $100 for parking
About $100 for stuff we bought for the cruise (drinks/snacks to bring onboard)
About $100 (guessing) for Fish Extender Gifts

plus our own shopping/spending money at ports - which can vary a lot.

So about $2200 + money in port - but that includes some stuff others might not do (Fish Extenders, carry on liquor, parking)

We did have $600 onboard credit to help offset our onboard account and bring it down

oh and this is for 2adults in an 11C

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We sailed HAL 7 nights in January and paid:

2000 for 4 in outside cabin
100 port parking
150 gas
300 tips
100 souvenirs
50 taxi to beaches on 2 islands
points for hotels each way
Other stops were private island and Grand Turk--free beach days

We have cruised often enough that we do not spend a lot on souvenirs or excursions. We do not drink or gamble, so that saves a bundle.

 

[lisaross]

Just thought i'd give an update

We sailed our 9 days on Explorer of the Seas out of Bayonne, NJ

We had a GREAT time! My kids loved it - they said no more disney, cruises only

Total Cost came out to about $7,800.00

I think cruises out of the NYC area are priced a bit more...it was 9 nights and we visited 4 ports. The ship was large with lots to do..

Our last big trip was in 09 to disney/universal for 11 nights - we spend perhaps a touch less.

This was by far the most relaxing vacation ever... Many i've spoken to on the ship cruise 1x a year some even 2x - guess they love cruising like this board loves disney - i could cruise every 2 years or so i would like a mix - u definitly don't get the "high" like disney - totally different vacation equally great!

 

[powelweb]

So glad you had a great cruise!

We cruise alot - DD is almost 8 and we have cruises # 7 and 8 booked over the next 12 months.

We still fit in disney every 2 years or so, too.

good luck with your next vacation plan - whichever it is!

 

[mrseace711]

inspired to go on a cruise after reading thru this thread =)