In theory <<BIG eye roll here>>

[fljelad]

If we don't go on any excursions, if we don't buy any souvenirs, if we don't order any fruity rum drinks, if we don't get ANY extras ANYWHERE, we will be able to pay our waitstaff etc. their tips and walk off the ship without owing another penny, correct??

 

[TooPure4u]

Correct!

 

[musicgirl]

Only in your dreams!!!! Or maybe if you have a Genie in your luggage!!!

I think you probably have a little help with that idea!!!!

If you do succeed , you will certainly have to share!!!!!

 

[kikipug]

My sister and I did a last-minute/low-budget cruise (5 days, not DCL, but still an absolute BLAST)... we managed to keep our expenses to $120 for 5 days, not including tips... and seriously, we had the best time!!!!! I don't know about spending $0, but 'very little' was definitely do-able...

 

[inkkognito]

Your theory is correct (although I've never done it in practice because I am addicted to the spa). But goodness knows there is enough to eat, drink, and do. At the ports, you can just walk around on your own or, better yet, stay on the ship and stay advantage of the smaller crowds. You can even come out "ahead" by seeing first run movies that you would pay for ashore. And don't forget that even some of the spa facilities, like the exercise room, classes, and the saunas in the locker rooms are free.
Barb

 

[tvguy]

Yep, could be done. And there are so many "included" things on the ship that you wouldn't be bored either.
We did a 7 day with a family of four for $1100 not including tips. If we hadn't gone on 4 excursions, the grand total would have been $250. If we hadn't bought 6 bottles of wine, it would have been $125 plus tips. If we hadn't bought $75 worth of photos, it would have been $50.
Compared to some who post here, our expenses were small. To us, this was a big chunk on top of a $7,000 cruise. But this was likely our last big family vacation, DS is 18 and heading off to college. And at $34,000 a year for college, and DD 4 years behind him, I hope to live long enough to pay off that debt and go on another cruise!!!!!

 

[Aisling]

I'm so happy that the OP asked this question, because now I feel relieved. I mean, I knew it was possible not to spend anything beyond tips, but to see that people actually DO spend very little mgives me hope that I'll have some self-control. I don't want to feel deprived, but I don't want to go overboard either LOL!

 

[Muushka]

We had booked a cruise and my husband had just lost his job. We spent about $15- die cast boat + smoothie. That was it!

 

[jrabbit]

Its possible and you can and will still have a great trip. The biggest problem is that "temptation" lurks everywhere. Go up to the sail away parties and lots and lots of people have those fru-fru drinks and there are waiters everywhere with trays of them - so easy, so convienient and once you've had one - ohhh so wonderful!!

Then there is the gift shops on the ship. Lots of really nice stuff in them. My families weakness is Shutters. The photog's take really great pictures of the kids and bam, before we know it we've spent $100 and working on the next $100

Dinners are great. All the wonderful food you want. Water, Milk, soda, "normal" coffee are all available for free. But your assistant server will tempt you with the wine package, a bottled water package or two, a bottle of wine for this dinner, a coctail, a smoothie. Sooner rather than later I break down and buy something (because smoothies are Good!!). And I don't mean to make it sound like they are doing the high pressure sales job on you, just doing their job waiting on you and offering items that you might be interested in.

I won't skip Palo brunch at least once per cruise so we rack up $50 there (and it IS worth it!!)

Oh yea, up on deck 9 by the pools they have mini stores set up with gadgets and toys to tempt the kids and eventually I crumble and buy them something

So yes its possible to just pay for tips while on the cruise, but its hard to stick to just that.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

If we don't go on any excursions, if we don't buy any souvenirs, if we don't order any fruity rum drinks, if we don't get ANY extras ANYWHERE, we will be able to pay our waitstaff etc. their tips and walk off the ship without owing another penny, correct??

Phew, that's a lot of self control! More power to you! LOL

Of course there is something to be said about taking advantage of as many freebies as you can. That would be a fun challenge to take on!

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

My Sea Pass in Jan ended up being $116!!! I could not believe it! I did have tips set aside in cash though. Still I felt like I had a drink when I wanted and bought a ring and bracelet on the ship. It was a four night cruise and I had fun and did not spend much at all.

Now this DCL cruise in October will be different!! 7 days and I plan on using the Spa and Booking an excursion!! We are bringing $1000 spending.

Just wanted to let you know that it is possible to keep costs down.

Oh yeah I did bring 3 bottles of wine on with me!! That saved too!

 

[jordgubben]

I love the idea that Barb mentioned about coming out ahead. You know, getting credit for things that you would have purchased on land like tickets to a movie that you are getting to see on board. Anything to rationalize spending more money...

So the balance sheet starts to look something like this then:
Description.................................Cost...................Running Total
Palo Brunch.................................$20.......................$10
First run movie on ship.................-$18.......................$ 2
Napkin Folding Lesson
(instead of book from B&N)...........-$20.....................-$18

And the list goes on and on... soon they are paying you to to take the cruise...

 

[princesspumpkin]

I agree that after spending thousands of dollars on the cruise itself, it's hard to spend thousands more while onboard with so much to do that's included. On our last 4-night Wonder trip, DH, DD and I only spent $72 onboard (not including tips). Also, got off in Nassau and spent $5 at the straw market on two things (t-shirt and bracelet for DD). It all depends on what you want to spend money on. I felt that I did enough, with all the eating, entertainment, swimming in the pools, going to the beach, and all the activities in between. There was no need to spend much more $$$.

 

[fljelad]

Well, I'm sure we're going to spend some money. I already hear the frozen, fruity rum drinks calling my name but we're probably going to get off fairly easily. We're calling the cruise our vacation so we are going to be happy just being on "the boat".

 

[missmulan]

my biggest temptation to spend are the photos at shutters!

 

[Yankee914]

Good Luck!! I can't imagine this ever happening. When we went on our last cruise, the damages were around $2,000. This included all our excurisions, spa treatments, drinks, wine package, souveniers. I felt ill when we got the bill. Then we got on an elevator with another family who told us their bill was $7,000!!! Felt much better after that --

 

[ericamanda01]

Yes you could do that, however I would hate to have to watch every thing I order (mainly espresso). And to not get at least one photo.....I don't think I am that strong. Unless of corse it was a last minute cruise. Then maybe.

 

[fljelad]

SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS???

 

[b&j's_mom]

my biggest temptation to spend are the photos at shutters!

I physically can't restrain myself from buying the pictures of our kids at Shutters...I can't just let them throw the pictures away!!

Julie

 

[LAMPSKIES]

On everyone of our 4 sailings we havent been able to get away for less than 2100.00 for a family of 4......I couldn't imagine going on vacation and NOT just doing whatever we wanted.....JMHO