How much money do you bring when you cruise?

[Cina409]

I alway budget $50 per day per adult and $25 a day per kid. I'm not a drinker but dh is so he goes through his $50 a day and some of mine. If your really not a drinker or not going to gamble all you have to take is tips. A cruise is great you really don't need any money other then tips, and still would have a blast.:cool: My kids like to buy thier friends a t-shirt or key chain and a few things for thier self.

[michelle1836]

we arent big drinkers or shoppers. not including tips, our S & S card was under $200

[moviejunki]

Wow! I'm shocked that I spend more money boarding my three dogs for 9 days than most people do for their whole family vacation!:eek:

 

We budget $200 pp/pd in pocket money and put all of our S&S on a credit card. DH likes to drink beer and we both like to play in the casino. We also take another credit card for "just in case" and port shopping.

 

This thread actually just helped me remember why I am busting my butt working nights ten out of the next 11 days... Thanks!:p

[arush5268d]

Wow! I'm shocked that I spend more money boarding my three dogs for 9 days than most people do for their whole family vacation!:eek:

 

We budget $200 pp/pd in pocket money and put all of our S&S on a credit card. DH likes to drink beer and we both like to play in the casino. We also take another credit card for "just in case" and port shopping.

 

This thread actually just helped me remember why I am busting my butt working nights ten out of the next 11 days... Thanks!:p

 

$200/pp/pd? I like how you party on board! lol

 

I'm doing the same thing with working ~10 shifts straight to help ensure a fantastic cruise.

[patrice1]

$100 per person/per day.:D

Not included: extra tips, casino money, excursion money. We prepay our S&S prior to our cruise and usually get a small check on the last morning!

[RITTER19]

My rule of thumb is 100 per day 200 on port days. I have always had enough.

[Boatnutz]

That reminds me, these ships do have safes in the cabins, right?

[cruiselover999]

ditto.

 

:cool:

 

Ok, get over yourselves! It's not that big of a deal to answer and give some help. We usually bring about 1000.00 for a 7 day cruise. Having said that, we usually come home with most of it. The reason we bring that kind of cash is JUST IN CASE. My mother always said, "better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it". We purchase most things in port with our credit card in order to get the best exchange, and use our cash primarily for the airport, tips, taxis, and the casino. There is no right or wrong amount. Just keep in mind what you NEED cash for, and then plan for emergencies. What if your credit card got turned down at a restaurant? Glitches happen, even when you have plenty of credit. Just be safe with your cash...some in small bills for quick tips, and then some traveler's checks. Good luck and happy cruising!!:D

[lillian marie]

We charge everything on ship including excursions on our sign and sail card and bring along a few hundred or so for port shopping. Make sure you bring dollar bills for tips for room service and for tips on excursions for your bus driver, etc.

[Calker]

$100.00 in singles? You must order a lot of room service.:p

 

tips for taxi driver/baggage handlers/porters at hotel pre and post cruise/etc. it adds up fast

[shadley777]

OMG!!! Do you people do anything on the ship or in port? $200??? Do you stay in your room and read books? There is a whole big ship and world out there. You are going to exotic places, do something amazing like explore and meet some locals. I walk on board the ship and they have already charged me and DW $140 for tips. Then I give the room steward a $20 just to keep ice in the room. We don't typically do Carnival excursions but journey out on our own. A little cash can assure that you have a safe and educational trip, to learn about another culture. I like to drink and DW likes to gamble. I won't even begin to tell you the budget for that. Try living a little. Don't think we are able to do this every month, I have worked Sat for the last 2 1/2 months and DW is working grave shift for 3 weeks to afford our trip. But we have fun...thats why we do it. ENJOY LIFE!!! You only have one.

[chasetf]

Rather that doing a survey of folks who have a wide range of drinking habits, gambling habits, shopping habits, touring habits...... what I suggest and what I do..... is work out a budget.

 

Add in all the set expenses ... tips / meals / cabs / hotels / etc

then....add in discretionary according to your wants.... gambling / shopping / tours / drinking.

also....add some fudge factor for the "I forgots"

 

I find when I do this, especially after having taken a number of cruises.... I come out pretty close to my projections.

[T. Advisor King]

As one poster said, it depends on the length of cruise and type of cruise. It also depends on whether you're assuming that you're paying cash for everything, or charging everything you can.

 

That said, I was very surprised that the lowest option was $1000. Whenever I see the poll questions, I always think about my answer before reading the options. I was trying to figure which of $400, $500 or $600 I would select.

 

Here are my assumptions. First of all, I always treat the on-board portion like it is all-inclusive. The cabin fare and auto-tips should cover more than 90% of my onboard expenses.

 

I also charge everything that I possibly can. The only exception is if I'm in a dodgy jurisdiction and I'm worried about the hassle of someone misusing my card number and having to spend my own time to get those charges reversed. Economically, you are always better off charging than paying cash. You get to use the credit card company's money for free for about 3-7 weeks. Plus you can earn free rewards, depending on the type of card. That is why I charge my groceries. I'd rather pay for them in 5 weeks than pay the same amount today. It is the time value of money.

 

My other assumption is that a seven day cruise is a ten-day vacation. There is usually one travel day to get to the port and one travel day to get home from the port. The cruise covers eight days (e.g., Sunday to Sunday). In fact, when I'm travelling that far, I usually take another day or two (why waste the trip?), so it may be more like a 12-day vacation.

 

That means I need some money for meals (unless it is over about $30, in which case I'll charge it). I typically pay taxi drivers in cash. I'll buy some souvenirs for a few dollars. And there are always some incidentals (e.g., two bottles of champagne).

 

I'll charge any shore excursions I take. But we're as likely to head to a beach and spend the day there, so the cost might be a short taxi ride and the cost of burgers or something for lunch. So four hundred dollars should do it, but I'd probably take $600 (because I agree with that "better to have it than need it" adage).

[NutsAboutGolf]

I agree with the others and think it's tough for this poll to be accurate...

 

Assuming we're even talking about the popular 7 night cruise, the number of port days varies greatly. You can do the W. Carr. which has 3 ports or the S. Carr which has seven (including P.R.) and the first day the ship doesn't leave until 10pm, so the P.R. is seventh port. :)

[nbsjcruiser]

I haven't cruised before...Planning my first now.

 

But from what i have read this really depends on what you guys plan on doing. Do you drink? Will you buy pictures, do shore excursions, shop in ports?

 

I have heard of people having a $1000.00 bar bill...:eek:

 

AND, don't forget about tips...unless you are prepaying them.

 

That a very good point. We were in the airport in Miami 3 years ago after a cruise and I met up with a guy from my old neighborhood who was just coming off a cruise on another line. He asked me what my bar bill was. I think it was $100. His was over $2000. Crap, he must have been drunk all week!! Sure enough I talked to my brother who has traveled on all inclusives with him and he confirmed that yes he is drunk the minute he gets there and remains drunk ALL WEEK.

 

We usually bring around $1500-$2000 depending on how long we're staying pre-cruise. If its 2 days (Miami is expensive) then we're more near the $2000 level, if its one day then more near $1500.

[golfadj]

Each time is different.Depends upon the tours we will take and whether we must pay cash or can charge them.

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

I appreciate the responses...I didn't vote because we haven't cruised yet (96 more days) but I liked seeing what everyone else's opinions were! I prepaid $700 and am thinking of taking another $1000 plus a card just in case. There will be four of us (me, hubby, sons 7 and 3) for a 7 night Victory cruise.

[Georgiagolfer]

None of your business.:p

 

Exactly how I voted. The question may have been sincere for a 1st timer, but basically that is a personal question and something I would never address on a open board.