I am thinking aobut going on a cruise in the summer of 2008?

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kimmer727

All of your food will be included with your cruise. I would count on spending $100 per day - for other expenses. You didn't mention how old you are - drinks on cruise ships can be pricey. Drink of the Day cocktail can run from $5.00 up to $8.00 if you keep the souvenir glass. Beer is usually between $3.50 -$4.00 per bottle.
Tips are not included in your price, so you have to plan on that. Figure between $10 and $12 per day for tips. You pay that at the end of the cruise.
Cruises are a great way to vacation - you get to see lots of different places and never have to unpack.

Julie T

First thing to budget for a 2008 cruise is the fees for your passport and you should apply for that now.

When getting quotes for a cruise, be sure to have your agent include the port fees and taxes. Many of the teaser quotes you see on the web don't include these fees and they can run from $75-100 per guest.

For the fare, you get your: cabin, food (except special reservations required resturants), tea, water, juice, entertainment (except casino).

These are the "extra" costs:
- Tips. Usually $10 per day per guest.

- Bar drinks. $4-12 each plus 15% gratutity.

- Soda. $1.75 per can or you can buy a soda fountain card. Usually 40-50 for unlimited sodas.

- Photos. $20-25 per sheet.

- Spa services. $50-200 per service

- Shore excursions. $50-200 per trip.

- Casino - $$$$

- Bingo - $5-10 per card.

- Bottled water for shore excursions - $3-4

- Tips for luggage porters and taxi drivers

- Parking at the port/transportation to port from airport

Take plenty of $1, 5 and 10 in US dollars for shopping in port and paying for local taxi cabs.

Our family cruises at least once a year. We usually spend $500 per person in the extra stuff that includes shore excursions and shopping.

You can compare cruise pricing at www.vacationstogo.com

They have a good search engine that allows you to search by the departure port(s) closest to you.

Zef H

This is not an easy question to answer. First of all, understand that you do not spend money on the ship. Everything you buy (except playing at the casino) is charged to your on board account (which can be a cash account or a credit card - I recommend that you do NOT use a debit card).

The food is included in the cost of the cruise, so you will not have to pay extra for food. However, there are some ships with optional extra cost restaurants. If you are interested, the additional cost is usually $10 to $30. Most people believe the better service and food is worth the extra cost.

Tips are generally $10 per day per person.

Adult drinks are about $8 per drink. How much do you drink?

Pictures are about $20 for 8x10 (formal nights) and $10 for 5x7 or 6x9 (yes, that is an odd size). You do not have to buy any pictures if you do not want to.

Souvenirs are just like souvenirs on land. How much do you want to spend?

Spa treatments are expensive. If you want one, figure about $100 each.

Shore excursions vary from $50 to $150 per person. These are of course optional.

Most people budget about $100 per day. On my one week cruises I have spent between $300 and $1000.

phriendofchrist

I was actually adding up the tips alone on the Royal Carribean website yesterday. They recommend that you tip at least $15.50 per day!

That being said, it may be possible to eliminate half of this by eliminating things such as maid-service. My guess is that each cruise line has posted on their website how much you should tip each day. If they don't, call them and ask.

Hope this helps. :O)

(By the way, I've been on two Royal Carribean cruises -- and they were both outstanding. I'll probably never even try another cruise line).

John Quincy Adams

it depends where you live pretty much, because the flight is what kills you. food? free. unless your planning on going on NCL which has options of alternative dining. but all cruises are free food, including the unresistable midnight buffets and grills by the pool *yummy* but the only extra charges i can thing of are gratuites (tips) and port taxes (what you pay to stay docked) so a 7 day carribean cruise not including flight can range anywhere from 300-1200 dollars :D

www.tripmeouttravel.com

ABE

Look in http://www.ytbtravel.com/travelwithmca and you can find a description of everything included in a cruise trip.
All depends of your aptitude and budged. Remember book
together & Save: Air+Hotel+Car.

Jackie F

Cost of food while on cruise ship: included in the price of your cruise fare.

However, you do have to pay for alcoholic beverages, soda, and bottled water.

Sometimes cruise ships have special supper clubs, which are extra-fancy restaurants that require reservations and cost extra. However, the food in the dining room and the buffets is always included in the price of your cruise fare.

A lot of cruise ships now have their own version of a coffee shop at sea with fancy coffee drinks and desserts. This is not included and costs extra.

Realistically, if you stay away from spa services and don't drink too much alcohol, you can easily spend about $50 a day at sea and $100 a day while in port. Easily. And it can go up from there depending on how extravagant you are. And how much you drink. But, hey, you're on vacation. Have a good time.

NICA

food and drinks are free on the cruise. Tips are extra, approximately $20.00 a day and they are mandatory!!! Shore excursions is where the money is gonna be spent!!! Ranging from $50-$200 per person per event... Hope this helps.....

Gerald B

Food and nonalcholic beverages are included in your cruise package. Everything else you pay for. I usually bring about $100.00 per day when I cruise. I never spend that much, but its good to be prepared.

â™¥ Mrs.Joe Jonasâ™¥ â™¥...

I went on a cruise,They have excellent food & shows,What line are you going on? I went on the Norwegian Spirit.It was awesome.For kids they have a pool w/ 2 water slides,A hot tub area,And An Arcade!!! I stayed from sunday to saturday,Thats one week i believe.

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