Average final bill? No idea what to expect

[tophatgirl]

Our family cruise was a gift and it is our first cruise. We expect we will have to pay all surcharges/gratuities/fees that accrue at the end of the trip. We are purchasing the Classic Alcohol package for my husband, I really don't drink much at all. I do not believe we will be taking excursions. I will anticipate those costs but have NO idea what to expect and save for. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks! :)

 

PS - I know this may vary greatly, but are there expected costs?

[SusieV]

It varies wildly depending on what you do onboard.

 

Well, there are tips to start- $12pp/pd. Photos, if you choose to buy any, are $20 apiece. Pretty much any drinks other than juice, tap water, plain coffee or tea have a charge. Specialty restaurants have a fee ranging from $5 to $35 per person. Then there's the spa and casino where the sky is pretty much the limit! And as you mentioned, excursions.

 

What types of things are you planning on doing onboard?

 

To give you an idea, my mother thinks of cruising as an all inclusive experience and her Seapass account is usually around $20pp/pd. My husband and I really like to enjoy ourselves on vacation and ours is generally around $150pp/pd.

[tophatgirl]

Thanks for the reply, Susie. I forgot about the surcharge for the specialty restaurants! My husband may gamble a bit, but will likely have some pocket cash for that. Pool, food and shows along with enjoying time with family are tops for us! Thanks for the info on the daily charge, we are staying concierge class, is the fee the same? Also, is there a fee for my 5 year old as well as adults?

[subtchr]

Our family cruise was a gift and it is our first cruise. We expect we will have to pay all surcharges/gratuities/fees that accrue at the end of the trip. We are purchasing the Classic Alcohol package for my husband, I really don't drink much at all. I do not believe we will be taking excursions. I will anticipate those costs but have NO idea what to expect and save for. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks! :)

 

PS - I know this may vary greatly, but are there expected costs?

 

As this is your first cruise, I just have to ask, why are you not planning to take any excursions? Which ports are you visiting? To us, experiencing something fun and interesting in the ports is one of the highlights of a cruise.

 

We are not big shoppers, so we don't want to just walk off the ship to the shopping areas. We love beaches and snorkeling, and there are many ports you can take an inexpensive taxi to a beach instead of doing an expensive ship's excursion, but we always like to do our research and do SOMETHING in each port.

 

We also enjoy finding private tour operators in many ports. Even though many people are nervous about booking excursions with private operators instead of the ship, we do our research on CC and TripAdvisor, and have never had a problem. This type of excursion is invariably cheaper, much less crowded, and a lot of fun!

[Gonzo70]

Twe are staying concierge class, is the fee the same? Also, is there a fee for my 5 year old as well as adults?

 

Concierge Class service charge is $12 per/person per/day; this includes all people in the room (i.e. children and adults are all same price).

[NanFi]

We just came back and our bill was surprisingly low. Somehow we wound up with a $50 onboard credit and so our bill that we paid for both of us was about $40. We both had the classic non alcoholic pkg that we paid for ahead of time. I don't drink so that was enough for me. My dh drinks wine only and we paid for that as used. We bought one picture and we paid cash in the casino. We don't think that every wine he had showed up on the bill but we weren't sure. We did select dining so our gratuities were already paid. We didn't do excursions because my daughter and her husband live in Bermuda so we just went there. I think it all depends on how much you drink or get spa treatments.

I brought a case of water and a 12 pack of pepsi on the ship with me. I used the water in the room but didn't need the pepsi. We also brought two bottles of wine on with us and only used one. We were out of the room so much we didn't need the extra.

[ladylemondrop]

This is an interesting topic - we met someone on board who claimed to drink approx $1000 a DAY.... our spend was average $100 a day - depends on how much you live it up I guess!!! He was buying the whole martini bar drinks all day and all night, we just enjoy a bottle of wine with dinner.

 

Spa treatments and Bingo etc are very expensive - $30 per game of bingo meant a very pricey few minutes enjoyment for us a family of four!

 

You can track your account on your TV daily, which may help.

[Chicago Boy]

Our family cruise was a gift and it is our first cruise. We expect we will have to pay all surcharges/gratuities/fees that accrue at the end of the trip. We are purchasing the Classic Alcohol package for my husband, I really don't drink much at all. I do not believe we will be taking excursions. I will anticipate those costs but have NO idea what to expect and save for. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks! :)

 

PS - I know this may vary greatly, but are there expected costs?

 

Our on board spending runs about a $150.00 a day for two people. Ths is for drinks, miscellaneous tips, laundry etc. Excursions are extra. We have never bought a drinks package and feel as though we make out just as well by paying as we go. Depending on where you are going you may want to rethink not taking adavantage of the Excursions. Enjoy your cruise.:)

[subtchr]

Just wanted to add to my excursion comments above, I agree with the posters who say you really can't rely on others' experiences. Yes, you can get an "average", but in the end it is what YOU decide to spend your money on.

 

You seem to understand what items are charged over and above your cruise fare. Other than tips, which most reasonable people accept as a necessary expense, anything else is your choice. And tips can be paid ahead of time, so you really can conceivably have a $0 seapass bill.

 

Tips other than recommended - few dollars for room service, some people tip bartenders extra

Casino - Only you can determine how much you will "donate" ;)

Sodas - package or about $2.30 per can

Alcoholic Drinks - YMMV, see link to bar menu in my signature

Excursions - Through the ship or Private

Photos - about $20 each

Spa Treatments - We don't do these, so not sure how expensive

Souvenirs - We usually get a couple t-shirts and a Christmas ornament

Internet - $.65 per minute or a package

 

So you can see why there is the wide disparity among what people spend on board, depending on budget, cruising style, and other factors.

 

We just know we love cruising!

[JRarey]

The answer here is not as easy as it used to be, lol.

 

Are you using Select Dining or standard early / late fixed seating? If you chose Select Dining then the 'gratuities' for your entire clan were already included in your cruise fare and will not be added to your shipboard account. For a party of 4 that $12 ea per day will make a big difference in what that final amount will be.

 

Once you have determined that I think you can use the great information above and sit down to scribble out a reasonable estimate. Then take that number and multiply by 1.5 for a fudge factor. Then I think you will be in the ballpark and probably will not have any sticker shock. You will also be able to keep track of this as often as you like on your television in your stateroom, so if things start to spiral out of control you can either crack the whip or start working on the second mortgage! :eek: :D .

 

Congrats on you first cruise and have a great time!

 

Joe & Jan

[cynbar]

This is a tough question because people vary so much, but other than the required daily tips, you don't need to spend much at all to have a great time. The included food is wonderful, there are basic drinks available like ice tea and coffee and water from the dispenser, the shows and pools and most of the activities are free. However, there are optional charges which can really add up: photos, bingo, specialty restaurants, shopping, sodas and cocktails, some of the classes in the gym, etc. All of those go on your account (the casino is cash out of pocket, as is any tip money you may choose to give to those staff who go above and beyond.) It's up to you and your budget, but rest assured, your end of cruise bill doesn't have to be high for you to have a great time.

[willma]

Keep an eye on your account on your TV as we found charges for drinks which were not due, as we had the premium package. We had to go to Customer Services a few times to sort this out.

[tophatgirl]

Sue-I guess I meant to say not any ship excursions. We plan on touring each stop, beaches and town. El Morro in San Juan...but feel like the excursion prices are TOO high for something I can research and find out how to do with our group on our own. I can't wait to see each beautiful island!

[tophatgirl]

The answer here is not as easy as it used to be, lol.

 

Are you using Select Dining or standard early / late fixed seating? If you chose Select Dining then the 'gratuities' for your entire clan were already included in your cruise fare and will not be added to your shipboard account. For a party of 4 that $12 ea per day will make a big difference in what that final amount will be.

 

 

Jan and Joe-I am not sure. We have the 6:30 seating or something (kids with us), I assume that means it is fixed seating. Is select eat whenever you want?

 

I don't want to assume that the purchaser will be covering the daily gratuity charge and it is awkward to ask! :) Just want to be prepared! :)

[OceanCruise]

We don't usually pay anything ahead of time other than the cruise fare and we average about $100-$125 per day total for the two of us, including tips. We tend to eat once in the specialty restaurant, do a bunch of laundry, buy one soda card for DH, purchase one or two ala carte coffees/drinks daily, take taxis in port to beaches and will do one or two excursions (usually booked privately) and gamble a little. We rarely purchase photos now (but we bought a lot on our first few cruises as most newbies do). We also no longer do spa treatments on the ship or Bingo because they have become too overpriced. Tips--don't waste your money on the cruise in review DVD, look at the ports of call board for cheaper and better excursion options, and wait for cheaper spa specials on port days.

[TravelerThom]

...look at the ports of call board for cheaper and better excursion option...

tophatgirl: Have you found your cruise Roll Call? People there will also have discussions about excursion options, and often are forming van or bus groups for a private pre-arranged tour [generally cheaper than the ship]. If you have trouble locating your Roll Call post your ship and date, and someone here will guide you to it.

 

As you suspected and as has been shown in this thread, amounts spent on-board varies greatly. There is no right answer, but being blindsided at the end of the cruise with an enormous bill that is a total surprise is the wrong answer:eek:. However you seem right on top of things.

 

Thom

[Cruizer_J]

… We have the 6:30 seating or something (kids with us), I assume that means it is fixed seating. Is select eat whenever you want?

 

I don't want to assume that the purchaser will be covering the daily gratuity charge and it is awkward to ask! Just want to be prepared!

Yes, Select is the “eat when you want” option and requires the prepaid gratuities; having the early seating, you’re wise to budget for gratuities.

[JRarey]

...We have the 6:30 seating or something (kids with us), I assume that means it is fixed seating.

 

Yes, you have fixed seating and your gratuities will be automatically added to your shipboard account, as opposed to being pre-paid. You are correct to assume that charge ($12 per day per person) will have to be paid at the end.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with TravelerThom's points too.

 

Enjoy!

[bluecruisin]

I just want to make sure that you found the "Ports of Call" threads on this website. It sounds like you may have already, but they contain alot of valuable information. Have a wonderful cruise!

[80sramfan]

Our family cruise was a gift and it is our first cruise. We expect we will have to pay all surcharges/gratuities/fees that accrue at the end of the trip. We are purchasing the Classic Alcohol package for my husband, I really don't drink much at all. I do not believe we will be taking excursions. I will anticipate those costs but have NO idea what to expect and save for. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks! :)

 

PS - I know this may vary greatly, but are there expected costs?

 

Just figure the ob charges will equal the price of the cruise. That's a pretty good measure

[4774Papa]

Our last two cruises, not on X, we took a fair number of ship's excursions and with alcohol and specialty restaurant purchases, our final bill for a two week Med cruise was about $2000. For a nine day Med-Morocco-Canary Islands, the bill was $1400.

[Quigley10]

We were on the Century earlier this month. Including Concierge Class tips, we spent around $400 - this includes a spa treatment, a handful of drinks and souvenir shopping. We were on the Freedom OTS last summer and spent a roughly comparable amount - no spa treatment, but the specialty restaurant once, drinks, Ben & Jerry's, photos and more shopping. We aren't really into gambling or drinks, which keeps our costs on the lower side.

[Lois R]

Hi,:) as you can see everyone has different answers because everyone

spends different amounts. I read on here someone posted a couple

averages 150.00 per day? I sail solo and I don't normally spend 75.00 per

day. So that figure would not fit me.

I can't recall the last time I spent any money in the spa...I mean I have

gotten a massage before but it is not something I do on a regular basis

when I cruise. I can say I never spend any money on photos. And my

last few cruises I have not spent any money gambling. Oh wait, not

true...I sailed on Superbowl Sunday and bought a couple of squares

for the game.;) but I did not play anything card wise. I guess I am

in very low end of spenders. Most of my tab is on booze but I will

usually dine in one of the Specialty restaurants on occasion.

 

I agree with subtchr~

"there is the wide disparity among what people spend on board, depending on budget, cruising style, and other factors."

 

Oh yes and I love cruising too:D

[fleckle]

Our family cruise was a gift and it is our first cruise. We expect we will have to pay all surcharges/gratuities/fees that accrue at the end of the trip. We are purchasing the Classic Alcohol package for my husband, I really don't drink much at all. I do not believe we will be taking excursions. I will anticipate those costs but have NO idea what to expect and save for. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks! :)

 

PS - I know this may vary greatly, but are there expected costs?

The only automatically expected cost is for gratuities. Other than that, there should be no unexpected charges whatsoever because any additional charges to your account should be only for things that you choose to purchase.

 

Everything that you buy on the ship will be charged to your seapass account. You pay for all items by presenting your seapass room key card instead of paying with cash, check or credit card.

 

The reason you are getting so many different answers here is that people's spending habits differ widely on a ship, just as they do on land. So asking others what to expect an average final bill to be on a ship is much like asking people what to expect an average monthly credit card bill to be.

 

Realistically, nobody who does not know you, your financial circumstances, personal preferences and spending habits can give you a good answer.

 

Some of the things you may want to consider are whether or not you intend to gamble in the casino, purchase alcoholic beverages or other specialty drinks, play bingo, get spa treatments, have your hair or nails done, purchase art at the art auctions, eat at the extra-charge specialty restaurants, buy photos, jewelry, perfume, clothing or other items sold on board, use the ship's laundry or dry cleaning services, use the ship's computer services, or attend any extra charge events such as wine tastings and special classes.

 

Remember that all such extra-cost money makers for the cruise line are optional and none of them are required, so how you choose to spend your money will be entirely up to you. If you save your receipts and keep checking your account balance regularly on the TV in your cabin, you should get a very accurate idea of what your final bill will be.

[fleckle]

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