How low can you go?

[lovepuzzles]

Another thread made me curious. Everyone is always talking about how much they spent on extras. I'm wondering what is the least amount you have spent? I'm thinking my tab should be very little at the end of the cruise. Mainly because:

We don't drink

Nobody likes Bingo except me (and I wouldn't go by myself)

I usually only buy 1 souvenier per trip (and would probably get this at the ports)...maybe 1 on the ship.

My daughter doesn't play video games (whew!!)

My only weakness I can think of would be Shutters. Do they allow you to take pictures with your own camera of what the shutters people are taking? (I will have a babysitter along, so she could easily take pictures of our family.)

And I doubt I do any of the spa treatments....although it would be heavenly I'm sure!

So, what is the least you have spent on a 7 day? Anyone? Let's see who can go the lowest!


P.S. I know my countdown times says "wonder" cruise.....but I switched it to the Magic today!!

Now I'm even more excited than before!!

 

[jrabbit]

Hopefully the minimum spent will be TIPS for the waitstaff and room stewards. Zero would be a gosh darn shame.

I'll bet you that the folks who stiff the waitstaff of their tips probably spend more than average on drinks, bingo, souveniers, excursions, etc and are harder on the waitstaff than the average guest to boot.

Oh yea, I did see how someone cut down on their Shutters bill, they took the photos out into the hallway, and took pictures with their camera of the pictures that the Shutters photog's took. Hope her film burnt up!!

 

[lovepuzzles]

I was in no way implying that I wouldn't be tipping. I asked about "extras" and I really don't count tips as extras, they are in my opinion considered part of the cruise. Extras are things that are not necessary.

Also, I was asking if taking the pictures are allowed. I would never sneak around to do it. It will be my first cruise and I thought the experienced could share what is acceptable.

 

[Wendybird63]

Ok, I'll play!
I'm not counting the tips, as I've always thought of that as part of the cruise.
So, what I paid extra for out Thanksgiving Western trip last year:
$250 on excursions which we booked ourselves
$100 on alcohol
$100 souvenirs
$45 rainforest room
$40 Palo dinner and brunch ( I think; I've forgotten much the
ressies were there)
$20 video arcade
_____
$555. (estimate)
Remember: This included no tips. I always pay twenty percent for tips, and never consider this extra. I also always tip whatever the cruise line suggests for the wait staff and stewards, plus some if the service warrants it, which it usually does.

We kept the kids out of the arcade once we saw how quickly they went through $20. and we took our own pictures. Also, booking our own excursions always saves a lot of money.
I was happy with how much/little we spent, but I'd love to see how people could beat it so I could learn to save even more!
Wendy

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Whenever there's a photo op with a ship's photographer, you're welcome to take a picture with your own camera. There's usually a member of the cruise staff around who will do it (the photographers will not), or you can make a deal with another passenger to take a picture with their camera if they take one of you.

I question the logic of taking a picture of a picture (not saying I don't believe it happened, I'm sure it did, I just wonder how well someone would expect that second picture to come out).

 

[princessdaisy]

Hi and congrats on your first cruise! You are gonna love it

You can take your own pictures....we let the photographers take our picture and then the friendly CM next to him was happy to take the same picture/pose with our camera....although we still bought a few of the 8X10's from shutters.

If you want to save money..don't go into the stores aboard the Magic....man, I could not help myself with all the great stuff in there! lots of shirts & stuff with Magic logo and pictures

have a great time

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by jrabbit
Oh yea, I did see how someone cut down on their Shutters bill, they took the photos out into the hallway, and took pictures with their camera of the pictures that the Shutters photog's took. Hope her film burnt up!!

That's a copyright infringement!!!! Shame on them!