How much $$$ will I have to spend on a cruise ship besides the cost of the ticket itself?

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Kristina L

I agree with making a budget and a plan before you go. I can tell you that if I bring $300 on a cruise - I spend $300 on a cruise. If I bring $1000 on a cruise - I'll spend every penny of it. Tips (charged at the end of the cruise at usually $10 per person per day - but check your cruise line as that could have changed) aren't required but highly suggested. The staff really busts butt for you and you'd spend 4x that on gratuity in NY or Paris.

All other expenses are optional and you just work with the budget you have. You don't have to have an excursion in port, you can stay on the boat or wander around the shopping district (although I like the excursions). You don't have to drink martinis every night - booze can add up fast, and it's cheaper to drink in port. You don't have to blow $500 in the casinos. So a lot of it is up to you. There are plenty of things to spend your money on but there are plenty of things to do that don't cost extra either. Shows, pools, games, food etc.

Check the website of the cruise line you choose and they should be able to give you some really good insight on things. Such as what type of excursions they have at each port and how much they will cost. Possibly the menu on the spa treatments. Stuff like that. It can help you determine what type of budget you'll want to work with based on your own preferences.

Julie T

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
- Tips for luggage porters - $1 per bag
- Tips - $10 per day per guest

Other than tips, the above items are optional.

My sister uses a cash account to help her limit her spending. The pursers office sends a note to her cabin if she reaches her deposit amount. I use a credit card and usually get sticker shock when I get my bill at the end of the cruise. It is way too easy just to swipe your card!

ambermarieflickr

I just wanted to add in that the professional photos on board are expensive and TEMPTING. So try not to get get your picture taken unless you may consider buying the photo. On the last two cruises I went on, I spent around 200 bucks on photos for each cruise. One cruise with my mom and one cruise with my boyfriend.

Sychotic1

There are a lot of variables here. Assuming there are two of you in the room, there are the tips (it seems like you tip everyone at the end of the trip, server, room attendant, maitre'd. For two, it ends up coming out to between 40 and 50 dollars per day.

Then there are the shore trips. You can go ashore on your own, but some of the shore trips are fun. Scuba will run 75-100 and even the cheapest shore trips are going to be 50 per person.

Next is drinking. Sodas and Alcoholic beverages are extra and they are not cheap. Tea, coffee, lemonaide and juices (at breakfast) are gratis, but most of the rest costs.

Lastly, if you are a guy or with a guy, there is usual a tuxedo rental if you are going to do the fancy dress night.

Tivogal

tips about 11.00$ per person per day, cost of sodas and alcoholic beverages, specialty restaurants which are 20.00$ per person per dinner,gambling,shore excursions, gift shop shopping onboard, souvenirs in ports you go to, taxi's, food and other expenses while on shore, these are some examples.
cruisecritic.com has some great info on cruises.

jennahfer

It's really all up to you. The only thing you really HAVE to spend money on are tips. There are suggestions given to you (who to tip and how much) but I always use my own discretion. I rarely ever tip the suggested amount. Beyond that, your options are endless. There's phone charges, bar tabs, beverage packages (for soda), specialty restaurants, fitness classes, bingo/gambling, spa services, shore excursions you may book on board, fine art, photo galleries, on board shopping and I'm sure the list could go on and on.

Cruise lines often offer specials where you automatically get on board credits which is basically free cash for whatever you want to use it for. They also have gift certificates available. My husband and I will often request them as gifts (Christmas, birthdays) and the cruise line can apply them as on board credit also.

I suggest coming up with a budget before you sail. The ship will usually allow you to review your charges right on the TV in your stateroom. If not, ask the Bursar for a print out of your daily charges so you always know where your bill stands. Ultimately, it's up to you to spend however much you want.

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