Additional expenses!!!

[Young&InLove]

Let's make a list of additional expenses besides the main cruise fare as well.. I made a spreadsheet on excel (obsessive, I know) so I know what to expect and I want to make sure I'm not forgetting any.. so here's my list thus far...

 

 

 

After the base fare..

Coke cards - $40/per person

 

Tips - $70/per person (I typically take 100 because we tip extra to waiter and cabin steward)

 

Excursions - $0-200 depending on what you do, plan ahead!!

 

Souvenirs - I tend to take $50 to spend total on these..

 

Photographs - Contrary to what a lot of members say, I LOVE the pictures, I doubt I will like all of them but I budget $300 to buy the CD with all unlimited pictures on it for unlimited printing use. But if you're just buying 3-5 it will run you $50-$100..

 

Alcohol - $50 - I only say that because I only imagine I will order the drink of the day once per day. If you drink more - simply budget more!

 

Gambling - $0 for me! This past cruise I lost $12 at the casino and felt like crap, so my cruising journeys will not take me to the casino.

 

Bingo, however, $100 for me :) I LOVE BINGO! (and yes, I know it's technically gambling still... shhh!)

 

Gas vs Airfare - totally dependent on you

 

Hotel accomodations - again totally dependent where you stay

 

 

 

Can you guys think of any other things you spend money on. I want to make sure EVERYTHING is budgeted for before we leave.. so I don't have a large account payment at the end of this week- I want to keep my Portfolio under $100!

Please keep adding to my list!!

[CapeCodCruiser]

The extra fee restaurants

 

Special coffees from the coffee bar

 

Spa treatments

 

Exercise classes

[Young&InLove]

Great, great. Thanks for such a quick response.

I know there's a ton of extra fees (I have been on 5 cruises before) but, MOST all of them can be taken care of previous to embarkation as to make my vacation run much more smoothly and then I won't be focused on how much money is being spent.. I can focus on relaxing!

Also- how do we pay for our onboard credit w. cash? Is it at the sign in place that you have your pic taken BEFORE boarding the ship? Also, if all of this money isn't used are we given back what we don't use? I've never dealt w. that before.

Thanks

[notentirelynormal]

Let's make a list of additional expenses besides the main cruise fare as well..

 

Parking if you drive to port - or cost to get to/from the home airport (including parking).

Porter fees/tips

Food on plane

Luggage fees

Rental car or transportation to/from hotel to ship

Travel from airport to ship/return

Snacks along the way

 

If you have pets: cost to board them (or have someone check on them)

internet/phone

[Young&InLove]

FABULOUS ideas! We are driving from Pittsburgh PA to Ft Lauderdale.. pretty long drive.. but saves us on having to watch our luggage (amount and weight), to pay for luggage, and possibly lost luggage.. who knows.. ROADTRIPS are fun! :)

Thank you for your input!

[jorapp]

Tips for tour operators/guides/drivers.

 

Did you want to include expenses like buying cruise clothes, bathing suits, etc?

 

We always assign a credit card for sailpass, that way we don't have to worry about how much cash to carry, etc.

[Senoj84]

Yes, I was gonna say tips for porters at the airport, drivers and tips for room service staff.

[Electricflyer]

You probably need about $100 in cash bills. At least $30 in ones and the rest in fives and tens. If you pay cash (dollars) for trinkets and such on the islands you may get change in the local currency like pesos or Belize currency or such so you don't want to give them a ten for something that is 3 or 4 dollars that way you limit the change that may sit in your dresser for several years.

[surfsidemary]

Passport

Visa(s)

Immunizations

[KirkNC]

On our recent Med cruise this summer it was obviously hot and we walked a ton. I was amazed at how much we spent on bottled water. I would fill a large bottle on the ship and take it with us but I bet we still average $7 or $8 per day on bottled water. Also don't forget gelatos, they add up also ;).

 

Kirk

[Young&InLove]

thanks everyone.

these are such a good help.

also i have a question..

through my travel agent our names on our passport are like this

ex.. Brittany Bridget Smith.. and say that would be my full name and my boyfriends name would say Michael Matthew Martin... but when I go to do online check in.. it says my first name is Brittany Bridget and his first name is Michael Matthew..

my question is.. will this cause any issues at the pier.. because thats not our first names.. it's first and middle. i DO NOT want to be denied access to cruising...

[Electricflyer]

Call your TA and have them correct the booking. It may not be a problem but why invite trouble if you don't have to.

[Young&InLove]

I tried that and she said "as long as they match the passports and have all three names on the passport it is fine..."

[lady_cruiser]

If you bring a computer and plan on using it on the ship plan on paying the fee for internet charges.

[paul929207]

Internet and cell phone

[mgm61]

Also- how do we pay for our onboard credit w. cash? Is it at the sign in place that you have your pic taken BEFORE boarding the ship? Also, if all of this money isn't used are we given back what we don't use? I've never dealt w. that before.

 

 

 

from learning on CC you can set that up before you go, SS acct. and I believe you get a check on last night of your remaining balance.

I guess no debarkment bloody mary in the morning:eek:

[MedicKen]

FABULOUS ideas! We are driving from Pittsburgh PA to Ft Lauderdale.. pretty long drive.. but saves us on having to watch our luggage (amount and weight), to pay for luggage, and possibly lost luggage.. who knows.. ROADTRIPS are fun! :)

 

 

Thank you for your input!

North Hills here. Did you ever consider Bayonne/NYC or Baltimore? Just got back from our secind Explorer cruise and planning #3. But we are sailing Oasis in Jan and will be flying.

 

BTW

 

 

GO STEELERS ! ! ! ! !

[Young&InLove]

My family and I are going on a cruise from Bayonne next June on the Explorer for a 9 night. I just couldn't find any listed for the time we bought this cruise. We're going May 13, 2012!! So far away.. but no 9 nights or any from Bayonne were listed..

 

Plus.. the last 4 cruises I've been on we've driven to Miami so I'm used to it sorta

 

 

 

North Hills here. Did you ever consider Bayonne/NYC or Baltimore? Just got back from our secind Explorer cruise and planning #3. But we are sailing Oasis in Jan and will be flying.

 

BTW

 

 

GO STEELERS ! ! ! ! !

[sten28]

Going to cost me a fortune in clothes as my 18 yr old son doesnt own any formal attire ( or any decent clothes IMO - but then apparently it's my age !!!! ) And I must confess a cocktail dress is'nt something I usually wear.

Also flow rider lessons for both my 2 kids and I suspect the occassional Ben & jerry's !

[Young&InLove]

I'm 19 years old, 20 in a few weeks.. but my parents think I have no taste either :)

 

Lucikly.. over the course of our past 4 cruises I've collected some gowns to wear which is good. But my boyfriend has NO formal attire either, I'm thinking we'll just rent him a suit/tux on board and just not even worry about it..

 

How much are flowrider lessons? I thought they were free :eek:

And Ben & Jerry's was not that good on the Liberty, I wouldn't pay for it :) -But just my opinion.. my brother LOVED IT

 

 

 

 

Going to cost me a fortune in clothes as my 18 yr old son doesnt own any formal attire ( or any decent clothes IMO - but then apparently it's my age !!!! ) And I must confess a cocktail dress is'nt something I usually wear.

Also flow rider lessons for both my 2 kids and I suspect the occassional Ben & jerry's !

[sten28]

Well I just assumed I would have to pay for the flowrider. Will be great if its free.

I think I might just hire on the boat too saves me flapping !!!

[Young&InLove]

Please let me know if it costs or is free once you get back. I know it's far away but I don't sail on Allure until 05-13-2012!!! So I have a LITTLE less than 600 days to go haha.

 

Also.. COME Back to this post and tell us ALLL about allure! And bring pics!

 

 

Well I just assumed I would have to pay for the flowrider. Will be great if its free.

I think I might just hire on the boat too saves me flapping !!!

[sten28]

I will . I bet someone from the Oasis could tell us if you have to pay for lessons. I'm convinced you do other wise they would be teaching everyone :)

[Young&InLove]

We went on Liberty of Seas in August of this year and they had an hour or so specified every day for simply lessons. I was under the impression that if you signed up and got a spot it was free...

 

but i could DEFINITELY be wrong

 

 

I will . I bet someone from the Oasis could tell us if you have to pay for lessons. I'm convinced you do other wise they would be teaching everyone :)

[Jimnbigd]

As a rule you should drive/fly in the day before your cruise. So, I'm adding: Restaurant the night before the cruise.