How much money did you spend on your cruise?

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peasticker

Goods purchased at the shops on cruise ships tend to be higher than what is sold in each port. Again the amount you spend will depend on how many ports of call and how many trinkets or clothing you wish to buy. My wife and I spend about $75.00 at every port buying items such as shot glasses, tee shirts, post cards for our friends. The reason we buy post cards is they have better pictures than I can take. One large expense is cruise excursions; they can run anywhere from $25 to $125 per person depending upon what you want to do or see. It is hard to give you a figure due to the different length of cruises.

Julie T

Carnival adds the tips to your on-board account the moment you step on board. This includes tips from your toddler. Visit the purser's office to get removed.

If you desire, you can extend an extra gratuity to outstanding service personnel on the last day of the cruise. We have always given an "extra" tip to our waiter and cabin steward since we have always rec'd great service on Carnival. I usually fold up a $20 or more in the palm of my hand when I shake their hand on the last night of the cruise. However, extra tipping is not required.

You typically don't give cash tips daily.

Bar drinks run $4-12 bucks each plus an automatic 15% gratuity is added to your bill.

Sodas are $1.75 plus 15% gratuity per can or $5.50 per day plus 15% gratuity for the soda card program. If you drink 3 sodas per day, then get the soda card. It will pay for itself.

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
- Gourmet coffee - $3.75 and up
- Internet - 75 cents per minute
- Ship to shore phone - $7.99 per minute
- Parking at the port
- Tips for luggage porters - $1 per bag

Most of the items above are optional...

To stay within a budget while sailing Carnival, you should open a cash account when you board instead of linking your account to a credit card. When you reach your cash deposit, the purser will send you a note and you can add more money to the account or stop spending that way you don't end you vacation with a huge credit card bill!

Take along plenty of $1, 5 and 10 in US dollars for shopping while in port.

If you take a stroller, leave the big unit at home and take a small, fold up one instead. Easier for moving around. Also, take along a small tupperware container to grab toddler snacks from the breakfast buffet for the little one.

My sister spent about $400 in extras on our last 7-day cruise...I spent about 3x that amount because I am a sucker for the pictures!

Barkley Hound

The basic cruise fare includes your room, meals in the regular dining rooms and buffets, room service, shows, and most ship facilities. Many ships also have free pizza, ice cream at various times. sushi, and hot dogs and hamburgers.

The extras are first tips. Figure about $10 per day per person for the tips to the room steward and wait staff. This is optional and some cruise lines automatically charge you. It can be adjusted or reversed at the end of the cruise. You should also tip a few dollars if you use room service. All bar drinks will have 15% added for a tip.

Many ships have alternate dining facilities that have a service charge of $15 on up. It may be a steak house or an Italian restaurant for example. There are also specialty coffee bars that have a charge. All bar drinks including sodas have a charge. The only free bar drinks are at the Captains Reception and the Repeat Cruiser Reception. Do not assume that the drinks being offered when you board are free. They are not. Some ships are even charging for juice at any meal other than breakfast.

Some cruise lines sell a soda card for about $4 a day. It is only for fountain soda. Unless you have 3 sodas a day it is not worth it. You can also buy a specialty coffee card which gives you 15 for about the price of 12.

There is a charge for any personal service such as laundry, salons, private trainers, etc. Spa treatments are very expensive, $50-$100. There is also gambling which includes the casino, bingo ($10-$20 per session), and sometime deck games such as horse racing. A ship photographer will be taking pictures all over the ship and at special occasions. They cost over $10 each. Phone calls in the room are about $8 a minute. Some ships have cell phone service. You are charged for international roaming by your phone service at about $2.50 per minute. There is also a charge for using internet service on a ship but it is cheaper than phone calls.

Sundries are very expensive. Figure at least double the normal price. If you need a watch you will find no better prices anywhere.

Off ship excursions are expensive. They start at about $30 and can be in the hundreds. You can book them on the ship or go on your own. The ship will not leave without you if a cruise excursion is late. With one you did on your own they will not wait.

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Kevin L

My last one was November 2008

I had a $50 onboard credit, at the end of the week, I still had a $2.65 credit. So my on-board bill was $0.

Things I bought on shore totaled $30 maybe. I had been to the ports many times before, so didn't feel the need to buy much. This all went on credit cards.

I tip the staff in cash, which is budgeted separately.

Stateroom Attendant $5.75 per person per day/Total $40.25 (Rounded to $41.00)
Normally it's $3.50 per person, per day, but we were in a suite, so it's a bit higher)

Waiter....$3.50 per person per day/Total $24.50 (Rounded to $25.00)

Assistant Waiter....$2.00 per person per day/$14.00 total (Rounded to $15.00)

Head Waiter....$0.75 per person per day/$5.25 Total (Rounded to $5.00

And then I always bring more ones and fives to tip porters, bus drivers, cab drivers, etc...

I've seen people's onboard expense account be $1500 or more for a seven night cruise. That's another cruise there. I'd rather take two cruises, then take one and spend $1500 onboard the ship.

keagkid101

$6652

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