Rough Guide for average Daily Spend onboard

[Archie4]

Anybody give us a rough guide for an average daily spend whilst onboard Explorer of the Seas for 11 nights in November. We, me and the Mrs, like to have a few beers but haven't really considered excursions yet. Have read it is best to do these in port rather than through RCI?

[April-in-NC]

Anybody give us a rough guide for an average daily spend whilst onboard Explorer of the Seas for 11 nights in November. We, me and the Mrs, like to have a few beers but haven't really considered excursions yet. Have read it is best to do these in port rather than through RCI?

 

RCI's excursions can be convenienet, but they are often more expensive, more crowded, and you get to see/do less because of the large number participating.

 

I prefer to book independent excursions as much as possible and you will find that most people around here agree.

[uksimonusa]

Anybody give us a rough guide for an average daily spend whilst onboard Explorer of the Seas for 11 nights in November. We, me and the Mrs, like to have a few beers but haven't really considered excursions yet. Have read it is best to do these in port rather than through RCI?

 

Around $200 per day is our norm, that does not include excursions

[deborahjo]

Around $200 per day is our norm, that does not include excursions

 

Not to be nosey but may I ask what you spend $200 a day on. I am lucky if my DH and I spend $50 a day.

[Archie4]

And can you just pick up excursions 'on spec' as it were in port or pre book. Bit of a cruise virgin here lol!!!

[Wonders10]

Not to be nosey but may I ask what you spend $200 a day on. I am lucky if my DH and I spend $50 a day.

 

I'm curious too...I don't think I spend that in a week. But we don't drink a lot and most money goes to the casino and a souvenir or two.

[Merion_Mom]

RCI's excursions can be convenienet, but they are often more expensive, more crowded, and you get to see/do less because of the large number participating.

 

I prefer to book independent excursions as much as possible and you will find that most people around here agree.

 

I used to think that, and still think that about Caribbean excursions, but I had a different experience in Europe last month.

 

Because of new technology - individual receivers with earphones, and "whisper" technology microphone for the guide, there is no longer a "large herd" nature to the ship's excursions. You don't have to be pushing to the front of a large group to hear the guide. The group can spread out, and it is easy to wander away slightly and still be able to hear.

 

I didn't mind the "large" ship's excursions that we did in Santiago de Campostela, Madeira or Vigo. They turned out quite well.

[Merion_Mom]

And can you just pick up excursions 'on spec' as it were in port or pre book. Bit of a cruise virgin here lol!!!

 

This REALLY depends on the ports. Where are you going?

[Archie4]

Sorry its the Southern Carribean cruise in November!!

[luvscruising2007]

I think you need to decide what you will be spending your money on.

I would include alcohol, souveniers, specialty dining, excursions and casino.

It will really depend on what you want to do. And unless you pre-pay tips they run about $12 per day, per cruiser.

I can see where you could easily spend $200 per day if you are spending freely.

We pretty much decide what we want to spend and work it that way. But only you know your absolute budget.

Hope this helps and makes sense.

Have a great cruise.

[jeb1990]

Archie4 - are you on the November 20th sailing? If so, please join us on the Royal Caribbean Meet & Mingle page!

 

As far as daily spending, we spent $350 on a nine night cruise, each having a couple of drinks each day. As mentioned though, it depends if you want to include excursions and how much money you plan to spend in the casino, for souvenirs or shop purchases onboard. Our $350 was just for drinks and a couple of souvenirs. My husband had a separate casino budget of $250, which he kept winning and losing throughout the cruise and ended up a draw at the end of it all.

[cruzedude]

Anybody give us a rough guide for an average daily spend whilst onboard Explorer of the Seas for 11 nights in November. We, me and the Mrs, like to have a few beers but haven't really considered excursions yet. Have read it is best to do these in port rather than through RCI?

 

Hard to come up with an average everyone is different but my wife and I spend about $100 a day maybe a little less for longer cruises.

 

That includes some drinks (but not getting trashed everyday non-stop), a bottle of wine with dinner, couple of specialty dining, some photos and duty free gifts, and of course tips.

 

So for an 11 day I we would say about $1000.

 

Excursions aren't included we usually book off the boat. Takes a little more effort but I find it is worth it. As you likely noticed excursions can run from just a little to hundreds of dollars per person. They are easy to budget since you likely will have some idea what you are doing. To save some money we tend to balance expensive excursions with lower costs ones (say snorkling or diving one day, then hanging out on beach another day). For first cruise you might just want to book everything w/ RCCL.

 

Of course everyone is different barring expensive purchases or art auctions I would say it might range $50 to $150 per couple per day for most people.

[DonnaK]

I'm curious too...I don't think I spend that in a week. But we don't drink a lot and most money goes to the casino and a souvenir or two.

 

 

We don't spend $200 in a whole week either (exclusive of tips and excursions, which we usually DIY at the port), and that's for 4 people. We generally purchase one or two photos, and a small internet package. Otherwise, we are happy with all the included stuff and do not dine in specialty restaurants or buy soft drinks/alcoholic beverages, we don't gamble, etc.

[Desert Cruizers]

My DH drinks beer I tend to stay with ice Tea, we budget ourselves for the Casino. We have been known to say take $500 in cash and come home with $250. I tend to do better on the slots the 2nd week so also have broke even. Our biggest expenses will be DH's beer and tours and I might buy a few photos. Total expenses for a 15 day cruise can vary but around $1200. Our 17 day panama ran more because DH drank more Beer. LOL

[richstowe]

Around $200 per day is our norm, that does not include excursions

 

Not to be nosey but may I ask what you spend $200 a day on. I am lucky if my DH and I spend $50 a day.

 

Yes, that seems like alot even if you are including all tips, which do add up.

Like others, we have a separate casino budget of 50 p.p. each day. We do not carry forward winnings

so we have never lost more then 250 for the week. That is our "gambling system".;) It works.

[bplazo]

I do not book excursions through the ship and I always have obc that will pay for tips and specialty dining and maybe a couple drinks. So, I usually have either a credit or owe about $10.00 for the cruise.

[deborahjo]

Yes, that seems like alot even if you are including all tips, which do add up.

Like others, we have a separate casino budget of 50 p.p. each day. We do not carry forward winnings

so we have never lost more then 250 for the week. That is our "gambling system".;) It works.

 

Love your gambling budget. For DH it depends what ship we are on. For me it is slots. My budget is $20.00 at most.

[denamo]

I used to think that, and still think that about Caribbean excursions, but I had a different experience in Europe last month.

 

Because of new technology - individual receivers with earphones, and "whisper" technology microphone for the guide, there is no longer a "large herd" nature to the ship's excursions. You don't have to be pushing to the front of a large group to hear the guide. The group can spread out, and it is easy to wander away slightly and still be able to hear.

 

I didn't mind the "large" ship's excursions that we did in Santiago de Campostela, Madeira or Vigo. They turned out quite well.

 

Couple of summers ago prior to an Alaska cruise, we did a walking, eating tour with Savor Seattle. They had the earphones with that technology. So cool. Didn't matter if you were at the back of the pack, you could hear everything. What a great technology!

[emtb12]

Pre pay as much as possible. We alway pre book our excersions prior to the cruise, pre pay tips (we do give extra if exceptional service), pre buy our bottle of wine to be waiting for our arrival, pre determine amout of daily spending in cascino for us and arcade for children and have that $ in hand. We do not eat on the islands (one child has food allergies) so that is a huge savings. Our last cruise our seapass account was $186. The biggest ticket item was our photos $60, next was the shot of the night in the MD. $52 plus tip of $14. I had one the first night and it was yummy. It came with a RCCL shot glass (husband collects them), so I had to get it. The next night it was a different shot and a different colored glass, so again to be giving to my husband I drank it ;). So every night had a diffent shot and glass, so as you can guess I had them all :eek:. These are dessert shots, so they are very smooth and did I mention YUMMY! The remainder was misc stuff. Laynards for our seapasses, water safe for our money, creditcard, and ID's while on shore, and a t-shirt, keychain and bracelet for our dog sitter, oh and lets not forget the room service tip. We also brought $500 in cash for the islands, but only spend $150 in our 7 days. It cost us $40 in taxi's to get to the beaches on days we did not book excersions, $30 in beach chairs and umbellas for those beach days. $25 for beverages (alcoholic and non) for those beach days. We did not eat at any speciality places as there was plenty of yummy food included with our tour. We always ordered a pot of coffee to be delived in the morning. We would drink it while getting ready to go to breakfast, and lets not forget the cookies my husband ordered every night for his midnight sweet tooth snack. We would order the cookies when we got back to our room (after a day at port) and were getting ready for dinner. Yup no need to pay $ for food when there is plenty of free food for the eating.

[uksimonusa]

Not to be nosey but may I ask what you spend $200 a day on. I am lucky if my DH and I spend $50 a day.

 

Tips for four = $280, at the current rate

1 specialty resturant =$100.00

Ship model and magnet etc =$50

Kids Arcade= $100

Duty Free Cigarette $100

 

That alone is about $100 per day, the other $100 is spent on wine with dinner, drinks and the occasional photo, ben and jerrys etc

[demodawn]

Archie, what sailing are you on? We are on the nov 10th. Check out the roll calls and you will find so much info. Esp about excursions. In fact a lot of the people will have been to the islands many times and can tell you what where and when for your interests. Also we have been know to share excursions with other cc's and saved money that way. I usually book seperate of RCCL and have saved lots of money. The amount you spend really is a hard amount to guess for someone else. We have friends that spend about $5000 a cruise. Not sure what they spend it on but thats what they say. We usually bring around $1000 but then have brought back quite a bit or just a few hundred. I would have rather have too much than not enough. Our largest seapass was $500 and that was with 2 teenagers and our first cruise. Now with OBC (on board credits) we dont have any or just a few dollars. For our Nov cruise we have gotten a $500 off the cruise and have enough points and credit from TA that we now have about $400 obc. All stuff we have learned as we have gone and from this site! Ask away we all love sharing our info!!!!

[PaulRevere]

Not to be nosey but may I ask what you spend $200 a day on. I am lucky if my DH and I spend $50 a day.

 

We are getting ready for our first cruise, and I kind of gulped when I saw that number. I like yours a lot better.:)

[Stags14]

I usually figure on $100/day for my wife and I, not including tips - we prepay that and don't figure it into our spending budget.

 

If we have to think about what we do on vacation - we won't go. Can't imagine worrying about money when you want to rent a jet ski or do whatever. I'm pretty good at allocating/budgeting money... we usually book about a year out and even if you save $20/week and throw it into an account (or a shoe box) that's a little over $1000. Plenty to do whatever you'd like for 7 days ;)

 

For 2 working folks that's $10/week. More than manageable for people who are as fortunate as us to be able to take luxury vacations!

[Puffinater]

In the area of $50 to $75 per day not including the gratuities.

[Pomperaugrr]

When we cruise, we enjoy some extra luxuries. We'll each have a couple of massages, a couple of cocktails after dinner, maybe a game of bingo or two. We are probably closer to the $150 range per day for two people, including the spa services, etc.

 

You can spend as much or as little as you want on your cruise. Budget out what you can and stay within your limits. It is no different than being at home. If you are not into the spa services, bingo, Bombay Sapphire martinis, served up with olives :rolleyes: etc., you can have a very nice time on $50 per day. :)

 

Eric