royal caribbean radiance: newbie looking for advice

[lulukins]

Hello all

Been lurking around now for a couple of weeks and love the site!!

So I joined up, here my break down on the cost of this much needed vacation PLEASE tell me if i'm missing anything.Or if there is ways i can save a buck or 2.

 

1) 2 adults + 1 child with balcony 13 nights = $5000

2) airfare from charlotte RT= $1200-1500

3)hotel and cab fare= $250

4) excursions= $750-1200

5)casino & entertainment= $350-500

6)misc.= $200

 

I have also added roughly 800-1000$ for new cloths and luggage.What am I missing? Have I low balled anything? I know if the price of oil reaches 65$ per barrel I am looking at $350 more but what else ?

Thanks in advance

[Budget Queen]

Tips- $10/12per day per person on the cruise.

 

Is this a cruisetour??? Then also budget 50% more that you would at home for food.

 

If a cruisetour, very very few kids are on these, and there can be savings, plus the freedom to do kid stuff with going independent. Only a general comment to consider.

[lulukins]

Thanks for the quick responce!

 

What is a cruise tour? so roughly 150-250$ more for tips, does the child tip? lol told you I was a newbie!!

 

oh yea forgot food and beverage $350-650

[PennyAgain]

The child's tip is the same as an adult. In fact children are more work for the person who cleans your room and serves your food than many adults.

 

I think you are way low on excursions.

[Budget Queen]

Thanks for the quick responce!

 

What is a cruise tour? so roughly 150-250$ more for tips, does the child tip? lol told you I was a newbie!!

 

oh yea forgot food and beverage $350-650

 

You state you are going for 13 days??? Cruises are only 7 or 14- mostly. Does this have a 6 day add on land tour??? If it does, it can be referred to as a cruisetour. As I state, few if any kids go on these. It is a very restrictive point to point fixed touring, that, for some kids may not be the best touring option. IF you have purchased this, hopefully you also know what you have purchased. Many people do not.

 

Yes you tip per person. So should be times three.

 

I too agree, depending on the child's age, you could be way low on your excursion costs.

[lulukins]

The child's tip is the same as an adult. In fact children are more work for the person who cleans your room and serves your food than many adults.

 

I think you are way low on excursions.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Usually when we travel (hotel rooms) we bring our own bedding and towels and usually only have the maid come into vaccum .Now this will be a problem as the length of this cruise....where do you do laundry? I know they have a service, but from what I understand it's quite expensive?

I am confused about the excursions?? I hear it's cheaper to book your self, how much cheaper is it? I will figure out exactly which ones we will take and let you all tell me how I should go about purchasing.

 

 

You state you are going for 13 days??? Cruises are only 7 or 14- mostly. Does this have a 6 day add on land tour??? If it does, it can be referred to as a cruisetour. As I state, few if any kids go on these. It is a very restrictive point to point fixed touring, that, for some kids may not be the best touring option. IF you have purchased this, hopefully you also know what you have purchased. Many people do not.

 

Yes you tip per person. So should be times three.

 

I too agree, depending on the child's age, you could be way low on your excursion costs.

Thanks

Sorry the cruise is for 13 NIGHTS, don't know about add ons? We like having our daughter with us she is very mature and well manered for a 10 year old. I will have to do my re-search on what a cruise tour is. so the tips should be 36x13= 468-500$. Please tell me your thoughts and experiences with excursions, must do's and dont's. How much money can I save going through an agent?

Thanks again!

[Jimbo]

The poster is on a repo from San Diego to Vancouver. No land tour.

 

Jimbo:)

[GeniRich]

Jim...Did you get my email?

[NorbertsNiece]

Hi lulukins,

 

There are no self laundry facilities on RCCL ships. They do have a service where you can send items away. They also have a budget bag service occasionallly where they will wash, dry and fold a bagful of t-shirts, pants, pj's for a few $. If you pop over to the RCCL board someone there will have more info for you :)

[the2006Junket]

Hi Lulukins,

 

Welcome to CC and to sailing on the Radiance. We had a fantastic time on the Radiance in Alaska this past August. I think you're underestimating the cost of excursions, but depends on your interests and the adventurenous of you and your child. We spent waaaay more than $400 per person, but that was a personal choice and we saved for awhile for the experiences we planned.

 

Can you explain why you bring your own linens to hotels? Doing large amounts of laundry (like bedding/towels) on the Radiance will be very expensive. We sent a few clothing items to the laundry and it is reasonable but for large amounts of linens, it would be prohibitive. We re-worn clothing items like jeans and other things that don't get too dirty, did some underwear and socks in the sink of our bathroom and sent the rest of necessary laundry to their service.

 

Part of the enjoyment of a cruise is the attentive and thorough service from your cabin steward(ess). They will clean, tidy and service your cabin at least twice a day. It's heaven for a Mom : )

 

Can you save a little by not buying new luggage? Many folks borrow from friends or family since they may not need that much luggage again very soon? You may need a few clothing items since you're coming from Charlotte --- but again, I wouldn't overdo it and buy a bunch of stuff you won't use again and just layer!

 

Happy planning!

 

Lynne

[milford_cruiser]

I think you're underestimating the cost of excursions, but depends on your interests and the adventurenous of you and your child. We spent waaaay more than $400 per person, but that was a personal choice and we saved for awhile for the experiences we planned.

 

I second the opinion on the excursions. We are planning a trip in July and it looks like we'll be at about $1100 per person on excursions, including $550 each for flightseeing.

 

Onboard expenses may also be low, depending on your habits. We usually spend between $50-$100 per day on-board for drinks and souvenirs.

[lulukins]

Hi Lulukins,

 

Welcome to CC and to sailing on the Radiance. We had a fantastic time on the Radiance in Alaska this past August. I think you're underestimating the cost of excursions, but depends on your interests and the adventurenous of you and your child. We spent waaaay more than $400 per person, but that was a personal choice and we saved for awhile for the experiences we planned.

 

Can you explain why you bring your own linens to hotels? Doing large amounts of laundry (like bedding/towels) on the Radiance will be very expensive. We sent a few clothing items to the laundry and it is reasonable but for large amounts of linens, it would be prohibitive. We re-worn clothing items like jeans and other things that don't get too dirty, did some underwear and socks in the sink of our bathroom and sent the rest of necessary laundry to their service.

 

Part of the enjoyment of a cruise is the attentive and thorough service from your cabin steward(ess). They will clean, tidy and service your cabin at least twice a day. It's heaven for a Mom : )

 

Can you save a little by not buying new luggage? Many folks borrow from friends or family since they may not need that much luggage again very soon? You may need a few clothing items since you're coming from Charlotte --- but again, I wouldn't overdo it and buy a bunch of stuff you won't use again and just layer!

 

Happy planning!

 

Lynne

 

Thanks Lynne!

 

Yea I added up the excursions that looked like fun total cost......$8493.00!!! I'm gonna put it at 3500$ total. Yea i'm kind od a freak I can't sleep without a feather/down pillow and i'm about one step away from carrying around my own dining utensils:eek:...what about when you hit land cant you just go to a coin operated laundry mat? Or one on land that does it by the pound?

yea we really dont need luggage kinda being extravagant with that one, but would like to get some warmer water proof coths.

[lulukins]

Hi lulukins,

 

There are no self laundry facilities on RCCL ships. They do have a service where you can send items away. They also have a budget bag service occasionallly where they will wash, dry and fold a bagful of t-shirts, pants, pj's for a few $. If you pop over to the RCCL board someone there will have more info for you :)

 

Thanks for your help! All this info really helps me make the right decisions.

[lulukins]

I second the opinion on the excursions. We are planning a trip in July and it looks like we'll be at about $1100 per person on excursions, including $550 each for flightseeing.

 

Onboard expenses may also be low, depending on your habits. We usually spend between $50-$100 per day on-board for drinks and souvenirs.

 

Thanks for stopping by MC!

yea after really adding it up... $1100 a person is about right. I do have 350-500 for casino and entertainment and 360-650 food and beverage. so I should be spot on.

[the2006Junket]

quote=lulukins;21775066]Thanks Lynne!

 

Yea I added up the excursions that looked like fun total cost......$8493.00!!! I'm gonna put it at 3500$ total. Yea i'm kind od a freak I can't sleep without a feather/down pillow and i'm about one step away from carrying around my own dining utensils:eek:...what about when you hit land cant you just go to a coin operated laundry mat? Or one on land that does it by the pound?

yea we really dont need luggage kinda being extravagant with that one, but would like to get some warmer water proof coths.

 

Lulu, I totally get being "pillow picky" as we have been known to travel with our pillows too (I draw the line at airplane travel, but drag my pillow on car trips), but here's a thought for you on the rest of your linens. If it's because you're kind of a "germaphobe" and don't trust that the sheets have been changed on the ship....just politely ask your cabin steward to change them, while you are in the cabin the first afternoon.

 

I have a colleague at work (we both travel for business extensively), who, everytime she checks into a hotel, calls housekeeping and insists that they change the sheets while she is standing there watching. I guess I figure that my immune system is stronger because of all the germs I've unwittingly sleep upon and I don't bother doing what my friend does. ;) I'll check out a room and the bed and make sure it appears clean and then I relax.

 

Pack your Purell, pillow, wash your hands alot, bring Clorox wipes if you must, have the Cabin Steward change your sheets and towels as much as you want (tip them extra for this!) and leave all that extra laundry at home. The ports and activities are so fantastic in Alaska it would be an absolute crime to spend 3 hours hanging around a laundromat.

 

As for warm, waterproof jackets and such -- yes, very helpful in AK. We all had quality, waterproof rain jackets from either REI or EMS, which we layered a fleece jacket underneath if needed. We also had hiking pants which were not waterproof, but were water resistant and worked out fine.

 

Happy planning,

 

Lynne