How much do you spend on board?

[AmyM]

How much do you spend during your cruise? We are planning on doing a shore excursion at all three ports, possibly a spa treatment, drinks and of course buy some souveniers during our Western cruise. I'm thinking this will cost around $2000 for our family of four. What do you think? What has been your experience spending during your cruise?

 

[Doctor P]

Our total onboard bill for three of us on the 7/19 Western cruise was about $2200 and only about $40 of that was alcohol.

 

[AmyM]

Doctor P,

Did you do many shore excursions? Thanks!

 

[Gina]

Originally posted by AmyM
How much do you spend during your cruise?

How many zero's are in "too much?"

-gina-

 

[AnnMorin]

I would have to say that we drink about 900.00 ( I love good wine) and probably spend about 600.00 on DCL merchandice like shirts, photos, souviners, gifts etc. planning on spending about 800.00 on excursions this time as we are going to do the anguilla dolphin for sure and then who knows what else . I usually get a piece of jewelry in port and that runs anywhere from $500-1300.
That said though I am sure you could have a fine time with your budget! Many people bring much much less.
.

 

[AmyM]

OK...time to up the budget I don't want to feel like we are missing anything. It sounds like I need to double the kitty fund! That's why I love these boards. If I know about it know I will be prepared for the final bill.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by AnnMorin
I would have to say that we drink about 900.00 ( I love good wine) .

HOLY C...P! $900 for wine?!

What a palate you must have for the grape! I could probably be served grape juice with some Perrier added and think it was good!

We had the CLassic Wine Package last cruise and shared it with the "General and his wife" - the best wine was the white -
Selbach - Piesporter Riesling.

Rae

 

[christinou]

I have to say that we spent very little on our last cruise, just tips, maybe $20 in drink and another $20 for a couple of souvenirs....
We did not do any excursion, that was for the 3 nights.
For our coming 7 nights, my husband will do 3 diving trips, I am not planning on any excursions, and I figure probably around $100 for drinks, and little things plus tips, so we should be around $600.

 

[Doctor P]

Our excursions accounted for approximately $650 of our bill, tips were approximately $250, bingo was about $200, drinks were about $30, silent auction item (DCL basket) was about $90, one soda mug was $35, spa treatments were about $250 (I think), Palo was about $30, Shutters was about $150, and the rest was pretty much souvies.

 

[Grumbo]

$275 for spa...
$240 for excursion...
$35 for drinks...
$350 for souvenirs --- Disney "junque"....
$40 for Bingo...

Yikes that was just for the three day cruise. Hmmm better start putting more away for the 7 day one.

There is also your tips on top of this as well...

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[ohiominnie]

Oh MY! I'll have to show this thread to dh and tell him we are way underspending!

On our recent 3 day we spent approx:

$15 in drinks
$100 in souvenEARS
$6 for a float at CC
$35 on bingo
$150 for tips?
$15 for soda program
$100 at Shutters

(about $421)

I don't know the breakdown, but on our May 4 day cruise we spent $653.

No excursions, no spa, limited drinks both times.
Gosh, we're BORING!

 

[jrabbit]

Last time on the Western (this summer) we spent under $1200 on the ship including tips, dcl excursions in 2 ports, a few "virgin" drinks & the kids love the smoothies, pictures at shutters and a few souvieneers (we find it difficult to spend $75 for a polo shirt!) We do not get the drinks of the day and we don't drink wine with dinner. Our asst. server always finds out that we don't drink wine / coctails, so they are always disapointed - but we tip them well if they don't ingnore us for the remainder of the cruise.

We don't/have not done anything in the spa and we haven't done bingo (YET!).

You can have a lot of fun even if you don't spend a lot of extra money.

Money saving tips:
>Keep the coctails "under control" - they can add up fast
>Keep sodas during the day under control - there is the coffee, milk, lemonade, water station open all day up on deck 9 outside of topsiders.
>Go to a beach on your own in Grand Cayman or Cozamel. You can still have a lot of fun (Mr. Shachos, Chakanaab) and for a family of 5 SAVE 70% over a DCL excursion that does the same thing.
>Skip the spa - there are plenty of other activities going on to keep you busy. If you need to relax, go to the adult hot tub.
>On Port days come back to the ship for lunch (you've already paid for it) or bring a soft sided cooler and take some stuff for lunch with you.
>NEVER walk through Shutters - ok so this is our biggest weakness
>Turn off your kids charging privileges (each child individually can be on or off). Set limits for your kids, set consequences, and then check your bill daily at guest services. For those who can charge explain how you want them to handel tipping for when they buy smoothies.
>Limit souveniers (and that is harder said than done)

If you follow all of these guidelines you can save a ton of money. Yes you will deprive yourself of a litte "fun" and some "Stuff", but you can still have a very fun, very busy and interesting vacation (and maybe be able to come back sooner)

 

[HunnyBunny]

yesterday.

Didn't do any excursions except for the castaway getaway. (did the 4 day wonder) and we spent only about $350 overall for souvies and drinks. now, of course, we did the beer mug and the soda card and due to the fact that i'm expecting, i didn't drink. so that was low for us.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

We typically spend between $1,500 and $1,750 on a 7 day trip. Excursions can add up (Tulum for the four of us was $360), plus another $350 at least for tips. Then there are spa charges, clothes, drinks, smoothies for the kids and my son wanted the internet package ($90 for the week, but he paid for that himself). I am sure you can probably keep the costs down if you choose to. You can also get copies of your charges throughout the week to keep tabs on your spending.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

just rethought out the budget and we're now up to $1650!

that includes tux 108
hotels night before we fly 99 and the Radisson 89
$150 for drinks
meals before & after cruise and Palos - $120
photos 85
souveniers 100
Christmas presents 100
$380 at the 4 ports (incl Castaway Cay)
rental car $120 (incl gas & tolls)
tips $300

 

[CamColt]

We only did the 3 day cruise and it was DH & myself. Our onboard account came to 754.31. This included tips, parasiling, 1 picture, souveniers, Palo, internet cafe(only $9.00) and a good amount of drinks.

 

[AnnMorin]

Oh my goodness and that fairy tale curvee is to die for.........