Going on a cruise next week, need to know how much to budget?

Show all answers

snapoutofit

Depends on how much booze you plan to drink. It's pretty expensive on the ship. One idea some people do is buy some bottles in the ports where it's cheap and drink it on the ship. It also depends on how many extra activities you plan on signing up for that aren't included. You can get by with a perfectly nice cruise with $100-200 for extras. Did you sign up for excursions ahead of time? If not, go online and check them out so if there are ones you want to go on you will know how much they are. I wouldn't go out on your own in Jamaica, but if you are in Grand Cayman it should be ok. Don't forget about the gratuities in your budget, souvenirs, etc. Take some bottles of water with you in your suitcases so you don't have to buy theirs. Some people spend $1000 if you plan on drinking a lot, going to the fancier restaruants, etc. No need to do that, though.

Julie T

First...be sure the Port of Galveston is operational again....Carnival moved departures to the Port of Houston temporarily and at last update were not expected to return to the Port of Galveston until November 1st.

http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/cruise_control/Weather_Updates08.aspx?WT.mc_id=Bhmpgnewnotableweather

Use a cash account if you want to manage to a budget while on a cruise. You put down a cash instead of a credit card for your on-board account. Notable...Carnival charges your account for the tips ($10 per day per guest) to your on-board account the moment you step on-board, so if you use a cash account, be sure to deposit enough cash to cover your tips ($70x2=$140 plus whatever your on-board spending budget is).

Carnival has a drink of the day special. Drinks run from about $4-12 each plus a 15% gratuity.

Sodas are $1.75 plus 15% gratuity per can or you can purchase the soda fountain card for $38.50 plus 15% gratuity for unlimited by the glass soda (Coke products).

Most of the Carnival ships now allow you to view your tab view the TV in your room. If the Pride does not offer this, you can drop by the purser's office and get a quick print-out.

You pay a premimum for booking shore excursions through Carnival but you get the insurance that if your excursion is running late, they will hold the ship for you. If you book on your own, your on your own while in port.

Be sure to take along a good supply of $1, 5 and 10 in US dollars to use in port for taxis, shopping and tips to the local guides.

You will get a newletter each day in your cabin describing the next day's events. There will be more going on the ship than you can do...don't try to overdo...pick the things you really like and stick to those.

We just returned from our 7th cruise and we spent many days just sitting in lounge chairs and enjoying the ride. Best vacation ever!

To help you budget...here are a few of the "extra costs"-
- Bar drinks - $4-12 each plus 15% gratuity
- Soda - by the can - $1.75 plus 15% gratuity
- Soda fountain card - $38.50 plus 15% gratuity
- Photos - $7.99 to $21.99 (depending on size and style)
- Shore excursions - $50-200 per person per excursion.
- Spa treatments - $50-200 per treatment (but there were many specials on this last trip as many people were skipping the spa...)
- Casino. Use cash in the casino to avoid 3% fee for using card.
- Bingo cards - $5-20...depending on day and games
- Goument coffee - $3.75 and up
- Internet - 75 cents per minute
- Ship to shore phone - $7.99 per minute
- Parking at the port. Use Lighthouse Parking if in Galveston.
- Tips for luggage porters - $1 per bag
- Tips - $10 per day per guest

With the exception of tips and parking at the cruise terminal, all of the above is optional. My sister spent less than $400 on our last cruise....while I spend significantly more because of our selection of shore excursions.

shhhhhhhhhhhimhiding

$10 a day per person for gratuties (so a total of $140 for 7 days)

Drink run between $4 and $10 each, depending on how big of drinkers you are (the captains cocktail party has free alcohol so take aprt in it)

Food is included unless you go to the supper club ( nice and worth the $30 pp but not necessary)

All your basic needs are covered, you'll pay for whatever you do off the ship and and extras such as spa services, speciality coffees, etc

I have been on quite a few cruises and my account ranges anywhere from $100 (for a 4 day) up to $900 (7 day cruise for 4 people)

You can check your account daily to see if you are getting near your personal limit and spend accordingly. Have an awesome time, you'll love it

DEBBY'S BABY

Carnival has an automatic gratuity charged to your credit card the day you board. You only have to pay for sodas, alcohol, and any shopping you do. And that's charged to your room for you to pay when departing. But you might want to bring along some small bills to tip the people who really give you good service.

Sodas were about $2 a can when I went in September but you can take your own aboard. My husband and I averaged about $5 a day.

Have Fun!!

dan

drinks are very expensive, they range about 8-12 each, thata were they make their most money, i've taken a plastic flask before its work for me.

Peter S

Other answers concentrated on the expensive drinks, but Carnival got us with the photography. Carnival sets up fun photographic moments while on board. Of course, there's the photo before you board, gotta have that. Then every night, while diining (group shot) AND after dining at exit, they had a character that they wanted you to pose with (a pirate, a sexy showgirl etc.). They take pictures and then you go to the photo deck and view it the next day. You're newly married, you'll buy every photo that comes out OK and it'll cost you plenty. We bought most of them, plan on $200 or so for them...

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: