What is there to spend money on a cruise?

[dom89]

I am trying to make a budget of sorts for my upcoming cruise and need to find out what we could possibly spend extra while on board. Not planning on the steakhouse or any drink package or photo souvenirs.

 

So far I have come up with individual alcoholic beverages, tips, gift shop, carnival excursions, and casino. What else is there to buy and are there any prices online?

 

I also plan to take advantage of the gift card promotion going on so I am trying to buy everything as a gift card in order get the benefits. With that in mind, the money I plan to use at the casino is charged to my s&s card right? And if I have obc from promotional gift cards and regular gift cards, that can be used towards the casino?

 

If I have multiple methods of adding money to my s&s card, can I pick which balance should be used first (ie first promotional gift card, then regular gift card, then normal credit card?) If in the end I don't use the whole balance, can I just cash out in the casino?

 

Thanks.

[CheckersMidwest]

I don't think you can designate which card gets used first. However, you can give them the gift card, for example, at guest services when you board. Keep track somewhat of what you've charged and when you're close to your balance, then add more as needed. You can designate that way.

 

Slot machines are played with your sign & sail card. Games like roulette are cash.

 

Things to buy:

 

chocolate covered strawberries at the coffee shop $2.25ish

$10 tshirt sale

spa services

watch or bracelet sale

bingo

$10 St Jude walk/tshirt

[dom89]

Thanks. I guess I've got it all covered

[dom89]

If I wanted to buy a gift card so that I didn't have to carry cash on me for the casino, can't I load my s&s card with the gift card and then cash out at the casino so that I can use the cash on table games?

[Disconnections]

If I wanted to buy a gift card so that I didn't have to carry cash on me for the casino, can't I load my s&s card with the gift card and then cash out at the casino so that I can use the cash on table games?

 

No need. You can just give them your sail and sign card at the tables and they will add the charge to your folio. All you will need is your sail and sign card.

[RWolver672]

the money I plan to use at the casino is charged to my s&s card right?

 

You can use your S&S card but you can also use cash. You put your card into a slot machine, set up an account with a PIN, put in cash, then play. When done playing and IF you have any money left, you transfer the cash to your card. It's a separate account. Then when you want to move to another machine, you put your card in, enter your PIN and it will tell you how much cash is available. Enter the amount you want put into the machine, then start playing.

 

At any time you can take your card to the casino cashiers and cash out.

Edited June 14, 2014 by RWolver672

[aaron3219]

Things to buy:

 

chocolate covered strawberries at the coffee shop $2.25ish

$10 tshirt sale

spa services

watch or bracelet sale

bingo

$10 St Jude walk/tshirt

 

That was the extras we pretty much did.

 

3x10 dollar tshirt

1x spa day for the wife

1x braclet for daughter

2x bingo

3x st jude.

10x on the strawberries/cakes/cookies at the coffee shop

 

I bought a few drinks, and my wife needed a can of ginger ale.

 

There is enough "free" "included" stuff that you really don't have to spend any cash on the ship if you don't want to.

[thomarvin]

specialties coffee too. (lattes, cappuccinos etc)

[oldvato]

Sodas and bottled water are not free. Coffee, juices, tea, and water from dispenser are included in price in the dinning rooms.

[deborahjo]

We always buy 1 piece of the Carrot Cake in the Coffee Shop. Yes it is big enough for 2 or 3 to share. It cost $2.25.

[JimAOk1945]

You may want to set aside some $$ for pictures taken by the cruise line photographers. It's a nice opportunity to have a professional take your picture. There will be multiple opportunities.

 

They will be taking pictures at each port of call as guests leave the ship, and also on Elegant Night. Prices are approximately $22-25 each. You can pose for as many as you like, then buy only the ones you want.

 

Happy cruising!

[FireEater]

Coffee Shop which has specialty coffee and pastries, candy store, bingo games, Spa item sessions (this one alone can eat up your OBC)

Edited June 14, 2014 by FireEater

[CrazyCanuckCruzer]

If you plan on using the Internet, you might want to plan $$$ for that. We will be on the Glory in October. Costs are:

 

0.75 p/min

$49 = 45 min

$59 = 120 min

$89 = 240 min

$159 = 480 min

 

Anyone in the cabin can use the one account, but only one person can be on the Internet at one time.

[Velvetwater]

There are also wine tastings/Martini tastings which are well worth the money.

 

There is also the art events and auctions but we walked past and the artwork was tacky/awful and the prices were ridiculous.

 

Also, the phone is $1.99 a minute just in case you need it.

[goduckies05]

Beer and the Casino!

 

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[CatlinSTJ]

Remember also that anything you purchase onboard will be charged to your Sign & Sail. You can spend as little or as much as you'd like, it depends on you. We have sailed and spent $50 between us plus tips, and we've sailed about spent $300 - $500.

 

 

Next cruise: Carnival Breeze June 2014

[SardisGrandma]

You may not be planning on buying photos but be aware they are usually quite good and you'll find yourself wanting at least a couple

 

 

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[marshhawk]

my get on board fruity non alchoholic drink-5.00 and dont forget that there is a 15% gratuity on all drinks ordered.

take a bunch of singles too, tips for the porters, and room service tips.

i hate to admit it, but i always get a few pictures, not only do they take pics on formal night in the dining room, but they usually have some colorful character wandering the MDR (like a pirate) for pics on one of the other nights, and there is a new (hopefully they still have) towel animal show, so there is a towel animal photo opportunity (person appearing as a towel animal) that's the one I last bought!

While I have drooled while looking at the cakes and treats at the coffee shop, all I have ordered was coffee, and it really isn't that good(better than the lido deck) but not that good. Save your money there. Ship drinking water isn't that great, so I do buy and go through the bottled water that is in the cabin, that runs 4.95 per bottle, and I can go through 3 on a five day cruise. This next trip I will be traveling with another diabetic, so i think we will go through one a day.

I also bring cash to tip extra for the steward and my waiter. But with anytime dining, I have had my waiter switched on the last night on the last three criuises, so that has been a moot point. Take more than you think you need, and you should be fine.:)

 

i would use the obc before using the credit card, some obc is not refundable, so check that out, but use it first, and then use your real money when everything else is gone.

Edited June 15, 2014 by marshhawk

[dwaterhouse]

Definitely pictures... We always walk away from our cruise with at least 3-4

[Ehpride]

You say you don't plan on buying pictures, but I would budget for at least your embarkation and a formal night photo.

 

 

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[Wayfairers]

You don't mention costs while in port. You've probably thought about that but just in case you haven't don't forget about souvenirs, drinks, food, tours and tips when budgeting.

 

 

Done..

7d Royal Caribbean

7d Celebrity

10d Princess

14d Carnival

75d Holland America

 

Next..

7d Carnival Conquest

21d Carnival Triumph

[Mrsfabo]

I take like 600 and usually come back with half or a little more I buy atleast 2-3 cocktails and maybe wine at dinner 2 pics 24.00 dollars gift shop the towards the end just stuff I don't really need I have friends barely buy anything. Did you consider what your going to do off the ship?

 

 

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[Mrsfabo]

2-3 cocktails a day not the whole trip lol

 

 

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[b_cruise]

Doesn't anyone hit the gym classes? $12 spin, lol...x4

[dom89]

You may not be planning on buying photos but be aware they are usually quite good and you'll find yourself wanting at least a couple

 

 

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I've cruised one time before. Didn't have any desire to purchase photos. My formal night clothes aren't that formal that are worth paying for the pictures lol

Edited June 16, 2014 by dom89