Total Cruise Cost

[Sacstephen]

My partner and I are planning on taking our first Princess cruise this January, and to our surprise, two separate couples after we mentioned our plans indicated that they might want to join us. One of those couples has never gone on a cruise before. I want to make sure that I give them a realistic idea of the total cost up front, so I don't get recriminations later about it being more expensive than we told them. Besides the up front purchase of the cabin, the airfare, the night before hotel, the daily gratuity, any excursions, on board alcohol and alternative restaurants, any other likely expenses that you typically budget for when planning a cruise?

[choochella]

Well, can't forget souvenirs, or casino money. It's also good to have some tip money for all the various customer service people. (airport, shuttle, hotel, port workers, etc)

 

Other than that, I think you have it all figured out. I did the same thing for 8 of our friends last cruise. None of them ever sailed before, so I had to figure it all out for them. Everything worked like a charm and fell right into place!!

[Jamiebearr]

My partner and I are planning on taking our first Princess cruise this January, and to our surprise, two separate couples after we mentioned our plans indicated that they might want to join us. One of those couples has never gone on a cruise before. I want to make sure that I give them a realistic idea of the total cost up front, so I don't get recriminations later about it being more expensive than we told them. Besides the up front purchase of the cabin, the airfare, the night before hotel, the daily gratuity, any excursions, on board alcohol and alternative restaurants, any other likely expenses that you typically budget for when planning a cruise?

 

Transportation, alcohol tips (15%) being automatically added, if you want to do Ches Table or speacilty resturants, tips for the people who made your trip truly speacil, other than that I think you got about everything down

[sloth]

Casino?

Bingo?

Small bills for tipping (room service, tour guides, taxi, etc.)

 

Oops! I was too slow!

Cindy

[cb at sea]

Tell them to figure that they'll spend about 1/2 of what the cruise cost in misc. expenses....that's about right, especially for 1st timers---they tend to spend more than repeat cruisers!

[Pixelator]

looks like everything i thought of has been covered except if you want to get small gifts for friends and family back home to give when you return.

[KruzPrincess]

All of what others have said. Also, soft drinks & coffee (coke card, coffee card or pay as you go), internet time, laundry and pictures. You can get by without spending hardly anything or you can spend a LOT.

[jfv379]

Tell them to figure that they'll spend about 1/2 of what the cruise cost in misc. expenses....that's about right, especially for 1st timers---they tend to spend more than repeat cruisers!

 

When I first read your answer, I thought to myself, that's way out of line.

 

Then I remembered our cruise last year. Your right, it's pretty darn close.

[billco]

Are you figuring out of pocket costs or will some or all ride on a credit card? if so, the cost of credit can add quite a bit to the cost of a cruise.

[Rockymountainsparky]

Cruise ship photos cost an arm and a leg.

[kimgslead]

Did you also include the taxi from hotel to port and from port to airport....Always another $10-15 each way.

 

Kim

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[DrivesLikeMario]

And, don't forget:

 

Airport food

Airplane food (if you have to purchase it)

Luggage fees charged by your airline

Laundry room or dry cleaning costs

Extra tip money for ship's crew that have earned it (over & above the usual amount charged to your account)

Spa treatments

[Landth]

Tell them to figure that they'll spend about 1/2 of what the cruise cost in misc. expenses....that's about right, especially for 1st timers---they tend to spend more than repeat cruisers!

 

I did up a budget for us using all the tips I could find on here, and as first timers it is indeed almost exactly half the cruise cost, so I hope you are spot on! :D

[sept10dsm]

My partner and I are planning on taking our first Princess cruise this January, and to our surprise, two separate couples after we mentioned our plans indicated that they might want to join us. One of those couples has never gone on a cruise before. I want to make sure that I give them a realistic idea of the total cost up front, so I don't get recriminations later about it being more expensive than we told them. Besides the up front purchase of the cabin, the airfare, the night before hotel, the daily gratuity, any excursions, on board alcohol and alternative restaurants, any other likely expenses that you typically budget for when planning a cruise?

Make sure you do the referral so you both get the $25 if they haven't booked yet.

[Ken076]

Below is budget we did for 7-Day Diamond Northbound Vancouver to Anchorage, with 3 pre-cruise days in Vancouver. Airfare was "no cost" via Dividend Miles. (the TAB spacing apparently disappears!)

 

200 Dog Boarding Kennel

108 Airport Economy Parking

1868 Cruise Fare, Fees & Taxes, Trip Insurance

140 Shipboard Auto Gratuities

100 Cash Gratuities Waiter, Asst Waiter, Room Steward

30 Pre-Cruise Hotel Maids Tips

250 Shipboard Account (Booze, Photos, Trinkets, Coffee Card)

52 Excursion: Ketchikan Lumber Jack Show

598 Excursion: Skagway Whitepass Railroad

338 Excursion: Juneau Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Watching

290 Excursion/Transfer: Turnagain Arm Whittier/Anchorage

50 Vancouver Limo from airport to Downtown Hotel

486 Vancouver Hotel (3 nites + taxes)

00 Anchorage Hotel (free)

56 Vancouver Trolley Trolley Pass

0 Vancouver Stanley Park Horse Drawn Trolley

21 Vancouver Harbour Centre Observation tower

150 Vancouver Meals

75 Anchorage Meals

300 Cash (includes Tips to airport and Hotel Porters and Excursions)

200 Port Shopping

100 airport food

 

__________________________

TOTAL

 

 

ken

[goldesq]

Make sure you do the referral so you both get the $25 if they haven't booked yet.

 

I am so confused about the referral. Can you explain it to me? I have traveled on Princess once before but my dad has not. We are sailing in less than three weeks and booked through a TA. My new TA and I were unable to locate my past passenger number.

 

After booking, I had Princess and my old TA research my past passenger number and it was finally found and added to my booking. I then referred my dad to Princess using the online form.

 

Now, what will we or should we get since I referred him? Is it onboard credit or credit towards a future cruise? From what I read, this discount should have been applied to the purchase price of this cruise.

[billco]

Pilates, Yoga, Spin classes. $10-$12 per session, $30-$100 or more for packages.

[CruzVinnieCruz]

I did up a budget for us using all the tips I could find on here, and as first timers it is indeed almost exactly half the cruise cost, so I hope you are spot on! :D

 

I guess it depends on the cost of the cruise to begin with if you can use one half the cruise cost. Was air fare was considered as part of the cruise cost? In the cruises we have taken that number (just the cruise cost itself) would have been significantly short of the mark.

[Sacstephen]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!

[earnied]

If you need to, or simply want to ;) purchase new clothing, perhaps a new swimsuit, new formal attire or new sneakers, you will find this can add up rather quickly. Once you've established your basic cruise outfits they may be worn again year after year.

 

earnied

[2pbears]

I am so confused about the referral. Can you explain it to me? I have traveled on Princess once before but my dad has not. We are sailing in less than three weeks and booked through a TA. My new TA and I were unable to locate my past passenger number.

 

After booking, I had Princess and my old TA research my past passenger number and it was finally found and added to my booking. I then referred my dad to Princess using the online form.

 

Now, what will we or should we get since I referred him? Is it onboard credit or credit towards a future cruise? From what I read, this discount should have been applied to the purchase price of this cruise.

 

I don't believe you can get anything at this point. The referral has to be made before the cruise is booked.:(

[Protirees]

My partner and I are planning on taking our first Princess cruise this January, and to our surprise, two separate couples after we mentioned our plans indicated that they might want to join us. One of those couples has never gone on a cruise before. I want to make sure that I give them a realistic idea of the total cost up front, so I don't get recriminations later about it being more expensive than we told them. Besides the up front purchase of the cabin, the airfare, the night before hotel, the daily gratuity, any excursions, on board alcohol and alternative restaurants, any other likely expenses that you typically budget for when planning a cruise?

 

In addition to the points that others have made, I would also note that additional costs may be incurred depending on where you are cruising. You didn't mention where. However, for some countries, vaccination (yellow fever, etc.) shots are required as are visas, reciprocal airport fees, etc. These can add up quickly. Not sure if they will apply to your situation or not but I know they have surprised many people after the fact.

[Minoushka]

I budget about 100$ over and above shipboard expenses tips etc for 2 of us per day .We do not really drink so if you do it will cost more

Of course Gambling on ship will set you back some

Ship excursions will also cost more Try doing your own thing

Souvenirs can add up

In the past I think without being extravagant think you will spend what the cruise plus taxes cost ..I base that on the cost of a balcony

If your Balcony costs 1200$ bring 1200$ to spend plus a VIRGIN credit Card for TEMPTAtion ...lots of those on cruises

Cruising is not REAlLy a cheap vacation ...but a great one

 

Hope this helps

 

Michele

 

On our cruise on the Grand tablemates-1 couple ran a 5000$+ bar tab -wine and drinks

If you have that kind of dough .....Go for it ...I do not

[ShipsandDipper]

Petsitting and parking add up fast, and for some reason they always blindside me!

 

-Internet charges on the ship if staying in touch is important

-Depending on your itinerary, cost of some meals on shore (even though there's so much food on the ship, we always feel it's a shame to go somewhere and not try the local cuisine at all)

-Travel insurance

[philsfun]

If any of them have pets, don't forget boarding costs:)