What has been your lowest bill at the end of a cruise?

[feebee_71]

With Princess and Costa the bill is never zero as the tips go on the account, RCI has tips in envelopes ;)

 

So what are you saying - you don't tip? If so, that's just mean:(

 

I'm not sure that is what she is saying. The way I read it is that, even if they spent nothing onboard, there would still be the tips to pay out on the account. However, as RCI tips are cash in envelope, they could get away with a £/$0 account.

 

Feebee_71

[feebee_71]

As for me, the lowest onboard account has been £0 because I had OBC that exceeded the amount I spent - but that was a weekend cruise. On more than a weekend cruise I had a balance of £25 for a 7 night cruise, again because of OBC but also I wasn't able to drink any alcohol because of medications and I DIY'd at the ports where I got off.

 

The most was £1000 for a 3 week cruise but almost £500 of that was excursions in places like Rome, Petra and Egypt where each trip was nigh on £100 each.

 

Feebee_71

[Longislandtea]

I managed to get mine under £1k a few years ago on a 14 nighter.

 

I normally budget on £100 per day.

 

 

I don't see how it can be done for less than £50 per day, unless you don't drink or take excursions.

 

 

 

Gerry

 

Thats about what I spend. I can't see how you can get it much lower.:D

[berlingo]

OK we probably are a bit tight but we do push the boat out and book the best cabin and cruise we possibly can. Then when on board we still treat ourselves to things like a professional family photo- which is something we would never have done at home but we are also careful what we spend.

 

For example Room Service orders can never include extra cost items. The children have a daily budget made up from saved pocket money plus holiday money from us and family. We buy the children drinks cards, bring soft (and alcoholic!) drinks on board and drink the tap water which we chill in the fridge overnight.

 

We rarely do ship excursions because they are so expensive when paying for four (no child reductions after 12 years and even before then not much of a reduction.)

 

Our cruise this year will be our first with OBC and being Ruby Portunus members so maybe our spending may change a little this time.

[SeaSickGill]

I'm not sure that is what she is saying. The way I read it is that, even if they spent nothing onboard, there would still be the tips to pay out on the account. However, as RCI tips are cash in envelope, they could get away with a £/$0 account.

 

Feebee_71

 

But how would it be if everybody 'tried to get away with it' - it's surely not in the spirit of cruising and not something to brag about.

[Bosxi]

We are on our first cruise aboard Oriana in May for 17 nights, we have guessed we will need about 3k for the both of us, is this a little on the high side?

[wilson2579]

But how would it be if everybody 'tried to get away with it' - it's surely not in the spirit of cruising and not something to brag about.

That reads to me Gill that they would still be tipping, but with cash in the envelopes, which would mean they would still have 0 onboard account. I am sure no-one is 'trying to get away with it.' Our bill on the Destiny did not include tips as we had already tipped several waiters, bar staff and cabin assistant.

Trish

[Jo and Rob]

Don't panic we pay our tips! ;)

 

On that subject by the way the recommended tips on P&O seem a lot lower than the other cruise companies we have travelled with.

[Merlin7]

Why go on a cruise if you are watching every £ or $ that you spend on board? Seriously, we would rather not go than take that approach. We book the stateroom of our choice, usually balcony or mini suite and know what the extras will be.

 

When we are on holiday we do not scrimp on spending, we have what we want when we want, be it wine, drinks, tours, alternative dining venues, spa treatments, on board charged activities,etc. It's all part of the cruise, for us.

 

Sorry, but if you watch everything that you spend then maybe less cruises are the answer. If we cruise then we do it in style, and no we are not rolling in money, we just are out to have a good holiday without trying to save a few $'s or £'s by not drinking or taking tours or dining elsewhere etc.

 

I really can't believe some of the on board spends posted on this thread.

 

We once had the misfortune to share a table with a couple who had cruised even more than we have and whose on board bill never came to more than £5. No wine, no tours nothing.

 

Their faces spoke volumes. They were the most miserable, boring and complaining table companions that we have ever encountered. They didn't even know what the next port of call was!!! Just on a cruise for the kudos, I presume.

 

We have had some very large amounts of OBC and still had quite a substantial bill at the end of a cruise.

 

You can't take it with you! :D

[capnpugwash]

We are on our first cruise aboard Oriana in May for 17 nights, we have guessed we will need about 3k for the both of us, is this a little on the high side?

 

You will probably come home with change, I would think that it will be nearer to 2 than 3 but if you do a lot of tours that could spiral. DIY is better if you can or team up with some others and get cabs, then you go at your chosen pace and not that of the driver or more often the dilatory missing couple who don't know what 20 minutes is.

[ROSEBASKETS]

Why go on a cruise if you are watching every £ or $ that you spend on board? Seriously, we would rather not go than take that approach. We book the stateroom of our choice, usually balcony or mini suite and know what the extras will be.

 

When we are on holiday we do not scrimp on spending, we have what we want when we want, be it wine, drinks, tours, alternative dining venues, spa treatments, on board charged activities,etc. It's all part of the cruise, for us.

 

Sorry, but if you watch everything that you spend then maybe less cruises are the answer. If we cruise then we do it in style, and no we are not rolling in money, we just are out to have a good holiday without trying to save a few $'s or £'s by not drinking or taking tours or dining elsewhere etc.

 

I really can't believe some of the on board spends posted on this thread.

 

We once had the misfortune to share a table with a couple who had cruised even more than we have and whose on board bill never came to more than £5. No wine, no tours nothing.

 

Their faces spoke volumes. They were the most miserable, boring and complaining table companions that we have ever encountered. They didn't even know what the next port of call was!!! Just on a cruise for the kudos, I presume.

 

We have had some very large amounts of OBC and still had quite a substantial bill at the end of a cruise.

 

You can't take it with you! :D

 

Thank goodness someone else thinks like we do, I was beginning to think that people who cruise P&O kept their wallets in mothballs :D

[steelerannie]

I was thinking exactly the same. What a lot of meanies there are out there!! We add up the cost of tips, drinks, tours etc before we book our holiday and if we can't afford it we'd rather not go than sit there with free coffee or water to drink!!

[Dorset Cruiser]

Our bill is never low but there again it is never very high. We are just off Ventura transatlantic and our final bill was £124 but we also had obc of £400. We bought wine every two days and had probably one bar drink during the day, one before dinner and one after. We went on two ship excursions and I spent about £100 in the shops on board. We also went to The White Room and Ramblas which were an extra charge. The bar drinks are very reasonable and they have a cocktail and mocktail of the day at a reduced rate. Also in Metropolis bar they provided 'nibblies' and olives - very nice for a pre-dinner drink - I presume there will be a bar on the other ships which will provide similar fare. The teamaking facility in the cabins is a big plus especially if you take your favourite teabags etc. from home although those provided are good - Deaow Egbert coffee sachets and decent teabags (cannot remember what they were but they definitely were not the Liptons provided on Princess ships). Also heard they had herbal teabags available in the buffet area. Biscuits are also provided in the cabin but we used to help ourselves to the Macvities Digestives in the buffet:D Orange juice is only provided free at breakfast, but you could always fill up a couple of glasses and put them in the fridge to drink later. Missed the free lemonade which Princess provide.

 

We treated ourselves this time to an upgraded balcony cabin on D deck and we therefore had the benefit of free chocolates and a bottle of quite decent champagne and we also had canapes twice during the cruise. We certainly don't watch every penny but why spend when you don't have to. I think it is nobody else's business but the person concerned as to how they spend their money on their holiday. We always tip but again it is a matter of preference - some people just do not agree with tipping.

[ovccruiser]

Interesting read and I fall into the stuff the expence, I'm on holiday attitude:D It really does depend on what trips you may do. Booked through the cruise line it goes on your bill, go independant and it wont appear on the bill, but you have still spent some money. For example, my last cruise bill was around the £600 mark but included two trips for 2 people, we also did a few on our own and probably spent a couple of hundred or so $'s on taxi fares and entrance fees and of course, not forgetting the onshore drinks:D I suppose if added together £800 for 2 weeks would seem about my spend.

[Evelyn9597]

Interesting read and I fall into the stuff the expence, I'm on holiday attitude:D.

 

Me too!

 

I checked my bill from my 8 nights on IOS last year. We (me and two children) managed to spend well over £500 (NOT including excursions and soda cards for my kids). So that was just spent mainly on myself:o. However, it does include an expensive visit to the on board doctor for my daughter's severe sunburn, which pushed the bill up quite a lot.

 

Also on OV the year before, we spent over £700 in one week, but that did include a couple of excursions. Even so, I have no idea how people manage to spend next-to-nothing:confused:. But Each to their Own and all that.

[Evelyn9597]

Oh and I forgot to say, on IOS, I had pre-paid gratuities, so I still have no clue as to what £500+ was spent on.... I'm not a particularly big drinker, but a few Cocktails of the Day, soon add up:cool::).

[Catherine Janaway]

I usually have at least 2 holidays away each year - last year I went to Florida x 2, Vegas x 2 and New Zealand.

 

Due to the contract work I do drying up I have had to be a little bit careful this year and will be going to Florida in June for 2 weeks and a cruise in October.

 

I buy what I want and won't scrimp, don't get me wrong I don't 'throw' my money away but if I had to have water rather than a glass of wine or not eat at one of the 'specialty' restaurants then I would have less holidays.

 

As my mother says there are no pockets in shrouds!

 

I'd choose less holidays and more spending money!

[timetravellers]

We are certainly not moaners and have plenty of fun on a cruise. We do buy what we want to but obviously we don't want as much as some others do. We don't take cruise line tours and prefer to explore on our own so maybe our onshore spend is higher.

I am not a great drinker - take it or leave it - and the OH has had to cut back on his drinking for health reasons.

 

We did a 2 night FO cruise once which came with so much obc plus they added a fuel rebate to our onboard account that we couldn't spend it all. They ended up refunding the fuel refund in cash!

[Jo and Rob]

I usually have at least 2 holidays away each year - last year I went to Florida x 2, Vegas x 2 and New Zealand.

 

Due to the contract work I do drying up I have had to be a little bit careful this year and will be going to Florida in June for 2 weeks and a cruise in October.

 

I buy what I want and won't scrimp, don't get me wrong I don't 'throw' my money away but if I had to have water rather than a glass of wine or not eat at one of the 'specialty' restaurants then I would have less holidays.

 

As my mother says there are no pockets in shrouds!

 

I'd choose less holidays and more spending money!

 

We are all different and have different priorities. We would rather travel as much as possible and keep the costs down. Restaurants are all about the food not the wine for us so we don't feel like we are missing out drinking water (it is good for you!).

 

It is only "scrimping" if you really want something and don't have it because you are being mean. We really love our cruise holidays and are delighted every time we are lucky enough to go on one. I grew up camping in a tent so believe me when I say that we lap up every minute and have a thoroughly good time! I suppose it depends what your habits are at home. We don't drink in restaurants at home either or go down the pub so we are not used to paying for drinks apart from the odd coffee when out.

 

Different cultures, experiences and memories are the most valuable aspects of a holiday for us. We visited France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, USA, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatan and the Bahamas last year all thanks to cruising on a budget! Let's face it, if money was unlimited we would be staying in the grand suite on Oceana next week rather than an outside cabin on F deck!! ;)

[davecttr]

It seems as if a quite a few board members would upset the cruise company because they don't spend!. You have to spend, this is how fares are kept low. I reckon as a solo cruiser I generate more revenue than a lot of people and as such should be treated as a more valued customer.

 

Scrap this Portunas club which is giving discounts to returning passengers who might not spend anything anyway and are occupying cabins that could contain people that do spend. Replace it with a discount scheme that gives back credit based on your on board spend, a bit like nectar points. The number of cruises would be irrelevant.

 

Another thing, why not just buy a basic cabin as they are all pretty much the same apart from the boasting value of 'we had a suite' or 'we always book a deluxe balcony'. That would save quite a few bob!.

 

Interesting thing about balconies, most of them are in the shade at least half the time. This is why you can't get a sun lounger.

[ROSEBASKETS]

It seems as if a quite a few board members would upset the cruise company because they don't spend!. You have to spend, this is how fares are kept low. I reckon as a solo cruiser I generate more revenue than a lot of people and as such should be treated as a more valued customer.

 

Scrap this Portunas club which is giving discounts to returning passengers who might not spend anything anyway and are occupying cabins that could contain people that do spend. Replace it with a discount scheme that gives back credit based on your on board spend, a bit like nectar points. The number of cruises would be irrelevant.

 

Another thing, why not just buy a basic cabin as they are all pretty much the same apart from the boasting value of 'we had a suite' or 'we always book a deluxe balcony'. That would save quite a few bob!.

 

Interesting thing about balconies, most of them are in the shade at least half the time. This is why you can't get a sun lounger.

 

A wee bit contentious there Dave! I take it you've never had a balcony? It's not just the balcony, the double doors give a greater depth to the cabin and it feels far more spacious and the natural light it provides is great. We felt the same we originally moved up from an inside to an outside and then to a balcony and now we would never go back to even an outside.

 

As a single cruiser you are not well catered for and i'm sure the cost of a balcony is prohibitive which is a big deterant.

 

I don't care what people spend on their cruise whether it be £20 or £2000, the fact that they have been "loyal" should be enough to secure a discount. I just can't believe people can spend so little in a fortnight or scrimp once on board by choosing the free tea and coffee and drinking tap water, but each to their own!

 

I would prefer the loyalty scheme to be on a £ for points basis, both on the initial cost and on on board spend, then those who spend the most get the biggest benefits. I'm only on shapphire tier, but if you add up all the spend over the last 5 years i'd be at the top of the gold tree.

[tartanexile81]

As my mother says there are no pockets in shrouds!

 

I'd choose less holidays and more spending money!

 

Definitely agree with your mum and I would also rather have fewer holidays than worry about what I was spending when I was away.

 

I'm taking early retirement this year and it's going to mean a cut in our monthly income but we intend to use our savings and still enjoy our cruises, car, nights out etc. I'd rather sell the house than not be able to splash out! I can't really tell you what my lowest bill was as I've never had one under £££ and I wouldn't dare say on this thread what my highest bill was!!

[davecttr]

A wee bit contentious there Dave! I take it you've never had a balcony? It's not just the balcony, the double doors give a greater depth to the cabin and it feels far more spacious and the natural light it provides is great. We felt the same we originally moved up from an inside to an outside and then to a balcony and now we would never go back to even an outside.

 

As a single cruiser you are not well catered for and i'm sure the cost of a balcony is prohibitive which is a big deterant.

 

I don't care what people spend on their cruise whether it be £20 or £2000, the fact that they have been "loyal" should be enough to secure a discount. I just can't believe people can spend so little in a fortnight or scrimp once on board by choosing the free tea and coffee and drinking tap water, but each to their own!

 

I would prefer the loyalty scheme to be on a £ for points basis, both on the initial cost and on on board spend, then those who spend the most get the biggest benefits. I'm only on shapphire tier, but if you add up all the spend over the last 5 years i'd be at the top of the gold tree.

 

just trying to liven things up a bit. It can get boring if you are retired.

 

My onboard spend is not that large, especially if I get a free all inclusive (Thomsons) and the money mostly goes on excursions. Now I am starting to repeat destinations that spend will go down as I just have a wander ashore. Some money for a coffee/beer when ashore, tips and my casino bankroll just about covers it. I normally expect to lose a third of the bankroll but sometimes make a profit:D

[ROSEBASKETS]

I normally expect to lose a third of the bankroll but sometimes make a profit:D

 

Let me into your secret! We put aside a couple of hundred pounds per fortnight in the casino and haven't left with a penny yet :( (I say we, I use the term loosely!)

 

May as well put £200 in the middle of a table of 8 one formal and set fire to it :eek: , i'm sure we'd get some fun out of it, though I wouldn't want to be known ship wide as the nutter who set fire to £200 :D

[jeanlyon]

We don't scrimp, but I can't believe the stuff folk buy in the ship's shops? I look, but end up buying nothing. We hate doing ships excursions. Much nicer on your own, not in a large bus with 50 people having to get off and on. We usually have an inside cabin, personally, we sleep, change and shower in it. don't want to be in it longer than that. Enjoly being out and about. Don't believe that the ships make ALL their money from onboard spends. It's all about pricing in the first place.