finalizing S&S budget...anyone willing to help?

[MamaParrotHead]

DH and I are going for a week, Eastern Caribbean. I can pretty much figure the time when we're in port, but it's the at sea days I'm needing help trying to visualize. I'm not a big drinker (I plan on getting the soda card), and am figuring 3-4 drinks per day. DH is a moderate drinker (will also be getting the soda card), may have a few beers during the day and a few drinks at night. We've all ready purchased our excursions. We don't gamble. We may want a few pictures and will be doing the automatic tipping. The closest I can come up with is about $800 for S&S. does that sound at all reasonable, given our situation that I've outlined? I'd much rather over estimate than under estimate, as we're getting a prepaid Am Ex CC to take for this purpose.

 

Just trying to figure everything up now that final payment is made and we're counting pennies.

 

Thanks!

Stacey

[neverenufcruising]

You've eliminated excursions, the casino and the tips from your $800 figure. Being moderate drinkers and limiting your photos should keep you under the $800 mark.

[judyjbest]

Here's other purchases you'll be offered: art auction, souvenirs, bingo cards, pastries/coffees, spa treatments.

[gr1634]

Sounds like your $$ figure is probably pretty close. We are not big drinkers either and with our excursions we are usually around that number. Always take about 1000 to 1200 just in case:)

[MamaParrotHead]

:) no art, souvenirs, bingo or spa treatments for us, either. :)

[StacyandTim]

We brought two people with us that are moderate to heavy drinkers on our recent Triumph cruise. They also spent about $300 each in the casino. One earned all $300 back the last day, and the other was out the $300. They were both first-timers, so I advised them to have at least $1000 in their bank for the S&S card purchases, and about $200 in cash for purchases off the ship. One came home with about $600 left, and the other came home with $100. So, the $1000 in the bank and $200 on hand was plenty for them. That was also including buying souveniers for themselves and others.

 

Hope that helps at all!!

 

Stacy

[halos]

The figure you came up with sounds like a pretty good estimate.

[judyf]

I would round it off to $1000 just in case. Better to bring some home then not have enough!

[WendyCn]

My DH & I were on the Miracle in October 2004. Our S & S was $575 & that included two excursions each & the night at Nick & Noras. I had one foo-foo drink each day and DH is a moderate drinker. We paid cash at the casinos because it's hard for me to keep track of the money spent there. We talked to people who after the first night were shocked when they found out how much they spent. A word for the wise - we kept checking our costs via the TV in our room, so we knew what our total was before we left. NO surprises! :) And, we had a great time!

[ScottsSweetie]

DH and I just got off the Conquest last Sunday. S&S balance was $505. Included 3 pics at approx. $20 each; approx. $30 for internet charges to keep in touch with home; one Carnival excursion at approx $120, and $20 for raffle to win the free cruise (our dinner tablemates won!). We also consider ourselves to be moderate drinkers.

[suseg]

I would round it off to $1000 just in case. Better to bring some home then not have enough!

I agree...you never know, something might "jump out at you"...we don't usually buy souvenirs but I couldn't resist the terry robes a couple of years ago.