How much extra do you spend?

[diznymom]

We plan our excursions ahead of time and pay into our onboard account for those. I also plan on a photo pkg and pay into our onboard account for those.
The only thing left is souvenir from the gift shops and alcohol. Our bill for our Alaska cruise last year - 3 people - $100.

 

[jujubiee4]

I'm very FRUGAL when it comes to onboard charges. I have to remind family members STRONGLY that any money saved on ship will go towards
"cruise account" which enables us to take 2-3 disney cruises a year. That being said just got back from 10 night Hawaii cruise and i budgeted $500
just in case for onboard bill. Received our bill the last night and it was a grand total of 65.66. I was ecstatic as this helps go towards star wars cruise I
was not sure we would be able to swing.

Of course spending money in the ports is a different story

 

[gruffudd242]

On our last two cruises we spent 1,900 and 1,200. The bulk of these expenses were between our shore excursions and eating at Remy.

 

[ladypiph]

For my family of three we spend roughly $50 per day so on a four night (5 days on board) we spend around $250 on drinks and misc items not including port adventures which can be as high as $500 (for three people to Atlantis) but we also pay for most things with discounted gift cads from Sams club. And this was also before the alcohol policy change as well. We may be spending a bit more in the future because of this.

 

[lillygator]

since I have so long to plan and research for our upcoming cruise....I am factoring in anything that may cost additional. The kids have been gathering coins and have been buying disney gift cards on our grocery trips (me as well!!) As incentives to save.

We usually research and pay cash for excursions and don't book through Disney although since our time is so short in the port of Grand Cayman, I may use DCL for that stop. I am planning on expenses being Palo brunch and Dinner and maybe being able to try Remy. I told the girls they could each pick one expensive thing to do...the tween spa or BBB and then they can work over the year to earn towards it. And my eldest is all into starbucks and frappes etc and we looked at navigators and she saw the non alcoholic versions of the drink of the day and I said no problem, start saving up now.

 

[ImTempest]

For our 7-night Eastern Caribbean (our first cruise ever), we spent $1029.45 for our family of 3. There were 2 shore excursions, float rentals at Castaway Cay, adult beverages with dinner, and snacks at the shows (my son had just gotten his braces off and could not get enough popcorn!). We bypassed Palo and Remy, since we didn't want to leave our son out. There were a few souvenirs (a lot of shirts!) and an inexpensive Shutters package rounded the whole thing out.

 

[MickeyMeCrazy]

We have yet to sail on Disney (will be on the Magic October 9th!), but usually average about $50/day for 2 adults and 1 child - not including tips or excursions.

We don't do the spa but do get at least 1 drink per day, per person, and do some shopping. On previous cruises, we also did a specialty restaurant a time or two. Sometimes bingo. I almost always book excursions outside of the ship.

On our upcoming 5 night cruise on the Magic, I'm planning on spending about $60 per day for the 3 of us - not including excursions or tip.

About 7 years ago when I was in my early 20s - before marriage and kids - my girlfriend and I managed to have an $1800 bill shoved under our door. It was a 12 night cruise, but let me tell ya - Major sticker shock!!! I think I had a few too many martinis

 

[SwimMom2]

This is a great question.

We spent 2,000$ onboard on our cruise.

It's worth mentioning that since the costs are available in advance, it is very easy to budget what you will spend in advance of your cruise.

 

[STLEdge]

Definitely a wide variety of responses here - I think the two biggest contributors to onboard expenses are excursions and adult dining. I suppose someone else may find spa treatments to be a large expense driver.

On a 7-day Western Caribbean a few years ago, we spent over $2500 for a family of four, but that was mostly excursions and two meals at Remy (one dinner, one brunch - and we took home 2 bottles of champagne from the brunch). On our 3-day Dream cruises, our bills have been under $500.

 

[Iamaplanner]

~$1,200 for a 7 night on the Fantasy. This was from: spa for me, Rainforest pass, BBB pirate makeovers for the kids, Palo brunch, wine package (plus random drinks!), a few souvenirs for all of us, a few things to do at Castaway (Stingrays and bike rentals). Adds up quick but it's just so fun

 

[cedricandsophie]

We always take from 5 to 8 people depending on which of our kids and grandkids want to come. On the norway cruise in June we spent over 10,000 for seven people, including all excursions which were very expensive. Typically we are in the 3000 to 5000 range for the wine package, other drinks, coffee, spa, excursions, etc. it's always higher than I expect...or hope.