10 day Eastern Caribbean in Nov 06

[thomsoad]

I need some assistance from the veterans. This will be our first cruise and I want to make sure we will have enough money for this trip.

 

We will have 5K total.

These are the costs I have identified (for both of us):

Cruise $2100

Plane $500

Hotel stay (2 nights) $200

Passports: $160 (?)

Fort Laurdale before cruise $100

Total $3060

I would say we are moderate drinkers (avg 3-4 a day) and want to do some activities at the ports (ex: feed the rays, some shopping nothing outrageous, etc).

 

Please note I have not included tipping in my costs though I know it automatically taken out. I read it is around $10-$11 per day, but am unsure if that is per room or per person.

 

Based on the above calculations we will have $1930 for the BOTH of us (tipping not included) for a 10 day trip. Is this a good amount to have or am I cutting it WAY too close?

 

PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN :)

[cpayne]

The stated guidelines for tipping are per person per day.

 

Here are a few other items to consider:

 

*Airport parking

*Transportation to/from the hotel

*Transportation to/from the pier

*Try to find a hotel that offers free shuttles

*Babysitting for children while you are gone (if applicable)

*Cost to kennel pets (if applicable)

*Gift for someone house sitting, watching mail (if applicable)

*Spa visits

*Casino

*Bingo

*Sodas

*Tips for airport pkg shuttle driver, baggage handlers, hotel shuttle driver, pier shuttle driver, etc....

 

 

Excursions can run from $50-100/day per person depending on what you are doing. If you book on your own and not through the ship you'll get a better excursion (quality) and better price. If you are merely going to the beach for the day you can do this for much cheaper!

 

Drinks will run you anywhere from $3.50'ish to $8'ish depending on what you drink.

 

Did you factor in your meals for the 2 days while in Ft Lauderdale?

 

My rule of thumb is $100-$125/day (not per person) x length of the cruise. The first and last day you don't spend anywhere near this, but then days at a port we'll often spend more than that. We almost always come home with a bit extra. This does not include tips, etc....It merely includes purchases on board each day and while in ports.

 

Hope this helps. I know there are others out there who will have more ideas for you!

[Coral]

Automatic tipping is $10 per person per day.

 

I think you will have plenty of money for the cruise. But then again - I don't go to the spa, gamble, buy pictures, etc . .

[Crazsea]

In my opinion you'll have enough, but you won't have much left over!;)

I always find it amazing that when we go with a pile of cash we end up coming back with a few bills! It just seems to go so easily with a little here and a little there.

cpayne has given a nice list of some of those items that chew up the cash.

You're going to have a great time and you've actually got plenty of cash to play with, just set your goals accordingly!

While planning this cruise, concentrate on finding a TA that qualifies for a nice ship board credit so they can pass it on to you! An inside cabin $75. pp. or an outside cabin $100. pp. bonus for you could be a nice bump for you!

[spongerob]

The biggest cost other than the cruise itself or airfare is shore excursions. You can save a lot of money by finding your roll call thread and seeing if anyone is willing to do non-ship sponsored excursions. That might be a little daunting for a first-time cruiser, but many of the Caribbean ports have private operators who understand that you need to be back to the ship on time.

 

If you include tips and other incidentals, you have about $1500 to entertain yourselves. Since all on-board charges including tours go on your on-board account, it would be a good idea to check it a couple times during the cruise. It is easy to over-spend.