How many of you spend nothing extra while on a cruise?

[minnie2011]

Last year we came home with a credit!! We hadn't realised until the last day we had OBC, so we spent the remainder of that in the shops and then received a credit on our bill of £1.49 for cruise taxes.

[lloydgregory]

I'm wondering if I'm an anomaly when it comes to spending money on cruises. In our four cruises, we haven't spent hardly anything. $20 for a bus to the beach in Port Canaveral once, and maybe a drink or two on one cruise ($15 total?). And we will pick up some duty free liquor on occasion since it's very cheap compared to the ABC stores in our state (I don't consider that a cruise-related expense as much as a grocery/alcohol expense).

 

How many of you never:

• Purchase shore excursions
  
• buy alcoholic drinks or soft drinks on board
  
• dine at premium retaurants
  
• purchase photos
  
• visit the spa
  
• gamble in the casino
  

 

We enjoy looking out at the ocean, dining in one of the handful of free restaurant venues on board, drink mostly water or the free juices or coffee/tea, and exploring on foot or public transit in the ports where that's possible.

 

Anyone else spend nothing or almost nothing on a cruise other than the cost of the cruise itself plus transportation to/from the embarkation port?

 

I figure cruise lines make tons more profit from those who buy the extras compared to cheap bastards like me that pay $1300 or $1400 for a family of 4 for a week.

 

I had the idea for this thread as I watched a guy with a three page print out of all his hundreds of on board purchases, whereas my sheet had 2 cabins on it, and it only had 5 transactions (gratuities for 4 people and the $68 in duty free liquor).

 

Like you we generally try to have a zero balance on our account at the end of the cruise. We always prepay gratuities as part of the initial cost of the cruise. Although we are not tee- total we are happy to use the free soft drink dispensers and tea and coffee stations As we live in Spain we do enjoy a glass of wine at home but do not find the wine particularly good on board and will certainly not pay the high price for bad wine.

We always do an open ended onboard future booking which gives us onboard credit for the odd drink or speciality restaurant etc. In port we always do our own thing and research port info on cruise critic beforehand for good tips.

We have always thoroughly enjoyed our cruises and have great memories which are unspoilt by large credit card bills on our return. We go onboard knowing that our holiday is covered and paid for and all we have to do is enjoy it.:)

[whogo]

Most of my cruise pleasures are included in the price. I take no pleasure in shopping and have too much stuff already. Tips and shore excursions make up almost all our onboard expenses:

• Purchase shore excursions: We buy a few.
  
• buy alcoholic drinks or soft drinks on board: I averaged a drink every other day.
  
• dine at premium restaurants: Disappointed in the Pinnacle Grill, we may try a premium restaurant again.
  
• purchase photos: We bought some very nice family portraits a few cruises back.
  
• visit the spa: I had my hair cut once.
  
• gamble in the casino: Never.
  

[grandmarnnurse]

How can anyone go on a cruise and never spend anything? I save all year to enable me to enjoy my cruise to the fullest! Not buying any drinks, avoiding the casino, etc, etc---why? I'm sorry, but why bother with the cruise if you don't fully enjoy all that it has to offer? We will be cruising again this Feb 2015 with other family members, and I KNOW I will have a huge statement because we love to treat our children, their spouses, and grandchildren! I will admit that when my husband and I cruise alone (no other family members), we can keep it under $1,000. We are very careful about what excursions we choose, etc. But we all know, alcohol is not cheap on a cruise, and who can dine without a good glass of wine? And a great Mojito when enjoying some Latin music and dancing? Water, tea, coffee only??? I don't think so!! LOL!!

[seeseasport]

Our last cruise our bill was $8.24, I think it was for a diet coke and one alcohol drink. The cruise before that we spent $50.29 because we decided to try one of the specialty restaurants. We don't gamble, once in awhile we'll do a shore excursion if we see one we really want. Mostly we spend less than $100 for extras for both of us for 7 days. We cruise for the fun of cruising and don't feel the need for the extras.

[Warm Breezes]

How can anyone go on a cruise and never spend anything? I save all year to enable me to enjoy my cruise to the fullest! Not buying any drinks, avoiding the casino, etc, etc---why? I'm sorry, but why bother with the cruise if you don't fully enjoy all that it has to offer? We will be cruising again this Feb 2015 with other family members, and I KNOW I will have a huge statement because we love to treat our children, their spouses, and grandchildren! I will admit that when my husband and I cruise alone (no other family members), we can keep it under $1,000. We are very careful about what excursions we choose, etc. But we all know, alcohol is not cheap on a cruise, and who can dine without a good glass of wine? And a great Mojito when enjoying some Latin music and dancing? Water, tea, coffee only??? I don't think so!! LOL!!

 

To each his own. DH and I could spend more on a cruise if we wanted to. But we have no desire to on some cruises. We don't drink much at home and really have no desire to indulge on a cruise. We normally bring 2 bottles of champagne with us...on our last cruise I ended up bringing one back home. We just didn't find a time when we wanted to drink it. We take excursions when we want to...but again on our last cruise we had no desire to. We had been to both ports before and we were on this cruise to just relax. We didn't even get off the ship at one and at the other we took a taxi to a beach. We went to the casino a couple times but ended up basically breaking even. We had no desire to go to the specialty restuarant because nothing on the menu appealed to us enough to have us pay for it. We do enjoy our cruises to the fullest whether we spend money or not. The point is we are doing what we enjoy. Some people enjoy cruises for the things that don't cost extra. It's really not that hard to understand.

[Sunbubble]

I've done the math and decided that the prices are pretty much (not exactly, but 'pretty much') the same for all cruise lines (seriously). The one we usually go one is almost completely all-inclusive -- the up-front price is higher but the during-cruise, etc. price is much lower. Plus, we get lots of OBC from our travel agent (and the cruise line -- that's really the only loyalty perk we get!).

 

Gratuities: included.

Purchase shore excursions: about every 3rd or 4th port. We get free shuttles into the town center, so most of the time, we just walk around or go on a private excursion (they are much less expensive).

Buy alcoholic drinks or soft drinks on board: Totally included in the up-front price. This would be a significant expense if not included.

Dine at premium retaurants: included

Purchase photos: we have a tradition of buying one picture of the both of us at the welcome reception. We wear the same clothes (seriously) and we get see ourselves getting older. (LOL -- sort of)

Visit the spa: I usually go 2x: a manicure and a massage -- paid for by OBC.

Gamble in the casino: I have never gambled in the casino, my DH has used some quarters at the slot machines.

 

On our last cruise, we ended up with a 16 cent credit (we also bought clothes and logo stuff in order to use the OBC up before we left -- we don't get it back and it can't roll over, unfortunately.

Edited September 24, 2014 by Sunbubble

[ski ww]

When we first started cruising we did all the typical new things. Pictures, enough to fill a photo album all kinds of drinks. Now other then a drink as we sail away and the wine package for dinner that's about it. We love to do tours after all that's why we're on a cruise to explore and get a small sense of other cultures and countries are about. I think after a few cruises most people come to the conclusion that there are a lot of things that they can do with out paying all those extras. We always book an inside cabin as we spend very little time in it other then to sleep and change for dinner. That way we save money to take more cruises.

Allan & Marlane

[seeseasport]

How can anyone go on a cruise and never spend anything? I save all year to enable me to enjoy my cruise to the fullest! Not buying any drinks, avoiding the casino, etc, etc---why? I'm sorry, but why bother with the cruise if you don't fully enjoy all that it has to offer? We will be cruising again this Feb 2015 with other family members, and I KNOW I will have a huge statement because we love to treat our children, their spouses, and grandchildren! I will admit that when my husband and I cruise alone (no other family members), we can keep it under $1,000. We are very careful about what excursions we choose, etc. But we all know, alcohol is not cheap on a cruise, and who can dine without a good glass of wine? And a great Mojito when enjoying some Latin music and dancing? Water, tea, coffee only??? I don't think so!! LOL!!

 

To each his own. We don't drink at home and don't enjoy drinking so almost never indulge in that. We don't enjoy gambling so don't do that. We do enjoy the shows, lectures, and other on board activities that don't cost anything. If we wanted to we could spend a lot but we're happy to just cruise and enjoy the experience. We do spend more if we cruise with the children and grandchildren because we love to treat them to a good time but we don't cruise with them very often. We always have a great time when we cruise and it doesn't cost us a fortune to have fun. :)

[grandebarca]

How can anyone go on a cruise and never spend anything? I save all year to enable me to enjoy my cruise to the fullest! Not buying any drinks, avoiding the casino, etc, etc---why? I'm sorry, but why bother with the cruise if you don't fully enjoy all that it has to offer? We will be cruising again this Feb 2015 with other family members, and I KNOW I will have a huge statement because we love to treat our children, their spouses, and grandchildren! I will admit that when my husband and I cruise alone (no other family members), we can keep it under $1,000. We are very careful about what excursions we choose, etc. But we all know, alcohol is not cheap on a cruise, and who can dine without a good glass of wine? And a great Mojito when enjoying some Latin music and dancing? Water, tea, coffee only??? I don't think so!! LOL!!

 

We have a pretty awesome time every cruise we go on, and don't pay up for hardly anything.

 

As for "saving all year to enjoy the cruise to the fullest", I guess we would rather cruise twice in one year for the same price as cruising once and paying extra for drinks, excursions, photos, gambling, spa, etc. It's not really a sacrifice (for us!) and doesn't detract from the cruise experience (for us!).

[Nebr.cruiser]

How can anyone go on a cruise and never spend anything? I save all year to enable me to enjoy my cruise to the fullest! Not buying any drinks, avoiding the casino, etc, etc---why? I'm sorry, but why bother with the cruise if you don't fully enjoy all that it has to offer? We will be cruising again this Feb 2015 with other family members, and I KNOW I will have a huge statement because we love to treat our children, their spouses, and grandchildren! I will admit that when my husband and I cruise alone (no other family members), we can keep it under $1,000. We are very careful about what excursions we choose, etc. But we all know, alcohol is not cheap on a cruise, and who can dine without a good glass of wine? And a great Mojito when enjoying some Latin music and dancing? Water, tea, coffee only??? I don't think so!! LOL!!

 

Wow, we love our cruises and really get a lot of enjoyment without spending too much extra--everyone's priorities and likes are different. We hardly drink at home, maybe a glass of wine at holidays for me, and my husband doesn't even like wine. I don't really 'get' why drinking is so much fun, but am not against alcohol and don't mind what others do. We don't enjoy gambling, the spa, have never gone to a specialty restaurant, etc.

 

We can afford to spend pretty much whatever we want, without saving all year, but just don't care to and we do what we enjoy--we're active and busy, but also love just relaxing on board.

 

We do buy independent shore excursions sometimes, internet time and a picture or two, if they are any good. I don't even like most of the stuff in the shops, though we might pick up a souvenir or two on shore. (I think of gratuities as part of the basic price, and not extra spending.) Usually our OBC covers everything we want, often with some left over.

 

We fully enjoy our cruises and don't have to spend huge amounts to do so. I might just as well say I don't understand how someone has to buy everything and splurge on everything to enjoy themselves. We're all different.

[Warm Breezes]

I've done the math and decided that the prices are pretty much (not exactly, but 'pretty much') the same for all cruise lines (seriously). The one we usually go one is almost completely all-inclusive -- the up-front price is higher but the during-cruise, etc. price is much lower. Plus, we get lots of OBC from our travel agent (and the cruise line -- that's really the only loyalty perk we get!).

 

Gratuities: included.

Purchase shore excursions: about every 3rd or 4th port. We get free shuttles into the town center, so most of the time, we just walk around or go on a private excursion (they are much less expensive).

Buy alcoholic drinks or soft drinks on board: Totally included in the up-front price. This would be a significant expense if not included.

Dine at premium retaurants: included

Purchase photos: we have a tradition of buying one picture of the both of us at the welcome reception. We wear the same clothes (seriously) and we get see ourselves getting older. (LOL -- sort of)

Visit the spa: I usually go 2x: a manicure and a massage -- paid for by OBC.

Gamble in the casino: I have never gambled in the casino, my DH has used some quarters at the slot machines.

 

On our last cruise, we ended up with a 16 cent credit (we also bought clothes and logo stuff in order to use the OBC up before we left -- we don't get it back and it can't roll over, unfortunately.

 

For you this might be a true statement. Our math turns out differently especially since we are not big drinkers and are rarely enticed into going to the specialty restaurants. I've done a massage once and swore I would never do it again. I came out more sore than I did when I went in. As for manicures I did that once too on cruise. It didn't even last until the end of the cruise. Once was enough for me. That is why it is great there are choices out there when it comes to cruise lines. While those things would be an extra cost for you on a line that doesn't include them, for me its not because I don't want them anyway.

[Redtravel]

I used to buy shore excursions. Some were good, some were bad. The convenience of booking excursions from the cruise line is often overpriced. In this day of using the internet, there is lots of good information available. On my last cruise on Azamara, I booked 10 months in advance. I booked direct and was told that if I booked my excursions on line up until 4 days before my cruise that I would get a 25% discount. At the time of the booking, no excursions were posted. After I paid the final payment in April, I asked the agent how I could book and get that promised discount. I was then told that the discount had been withdrawn without notification. I was angry. I called Azamara customer service. I tried to contact Larry Pimental. Nothing. Discount was gone. That discount would have saved me a lot of money. Azamara excursions are expensive. Being angry, I vowed to not give Azamara any more money. I got on the internet and found lots of great info about where I was going. Cruise critic members posted lots of good ideas. Tripadvisor forums were also helpful. I was able to see everything that I wanted to see....and more. I saved a fortune doing it alone. I had a great time. I wasn't tied to a tour group. I decided where I wanted to go, how much time that I wanted to spend, had the freedom to stop and smell the flowers (great gardens in Bordeaux and Nantes), and also was able to go at my pace. The withdrawal of the discount turned out to be a good thing. As I watched the large group from the ship being led through the Guggenheim in Bilbao ( excursion was $100pp), I marveled at being able to see the museum on my own. Admission with a handheld audio guide cost $10pp. I didn't have any OBC on this cruise. On other cruises, when I have had OBC, I spend the nonrefundable credit or take cash advance in the casino (5% fee) and I refund on refundable credit. I usually leave a cruise with a credit.

[weggs]

I wouldn't consider you a "bastard" (your words). But,you are "cheap." Lightebupv- you can't take it with you.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

By spending as little as possible allows us to take these wonderful trips or otherwise we couldn't do it. We don't have any monies to "take with us" later, so enjoying what little we do have now.

 

Would you deny us this pleasure?

[grandebarca]

I did a little digging into Carnival Corp's Annual Report to Shareholders to see how much of their revenue comes from cruise fares and how much comes from on board spending.

 

In 2013, the cruise fares themselves brought in $11.6 billion USD and the on board sales brought in another $3.6 billion. In other words, people spent an additional 31% of their base fare price once on board (actually a bit more than 31% because they don't treat the full amount of excursions as revenue, but rather the cruise line's commission on the excursions is what they count as revenue).

 

The on board sales are immensely profitable compared to the cruise fares. They spent about $10 billion on fuel, payroll, and food to generate that $11.6 billion in fares (a tiny 16% gross margin before other costs of running the business are considered).

 

In contrast, the on board sales expenses were $0.5 billion. On $3.6 billion in on board sales revenue, that's a 620% gross profit margin! Don't worry, they have other overhead costs to pay so it's not pure profit.

 

I found the answer to my question "how much do people normally spend while on board?". $647 per 2 person cabin on a 7 night cruise (exclusive of gratuities I assume). So if some of us spend almost nothing, and other are spending over $1000 on a 7 nt cruise, then that number makes sense.

 

I arrived at that $647 figure from looking at the 77.8 million passenger days spent on board in 2013 and the $3.6 billion in on board sales revenue. The $647 is actually an underestimate because they only count as revenue the net amounts they make as commission on sales of things like shore excursions and maybe art, spa, duty free stores, etc (not sure exactly how those arrangements work).

 

This is a quick and dirty analysis of Carnival (and all their operating subsidiaries like P+O, Princess, Costa, HAL, etc), so feel free to pick a nit if I missed something here.

 

If anyone is curious to read the 2013 annual report, it's available from Carnival Corp. here: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=140690&p=irol-reportsAnnual Or go to http://carnivalcorp.com/ and navigate to Investor Relations.

[watchmywake]

I guess I could take a cruise and not spend an extra dime if necessary, but why? A big part of the pleasure of a cruise is "shore leave," and about 1/3 of the time we will opt for a cruise line arranged tour. We enjoy the special restaurants and a bar drink, too, but the casino is of zero interest to either my husband or me. And I'm the rare bird who does not enjoy a massage (unless delivered by my love) so the spa services go mostly unused by us. A special training session by the fitness experts is a healthy indulgence that continues to pay rewards after we get home. Still, our extra charges are usually no more than $500 for a week, plus gratuities.

[grandebarca]

As I watched the large group from the ship being led through the Guggenheim in Bilbao ( excursion was $100pp), I marveled at being able to see the museum on my own. Admission with a handheld audio guide cost $10pp.

 

Our experience too on the self-created excursions we've done. A few bucks for bus fare, or $10-20 for taxis, or walking around (free), and maybe a museum admission and we often see a lot of the same stuff that the excursions go to for $50-100pp.

[watchmywake]

Oh, I know…..those are the shore excisions we do on our own, too!

[wassup4565]

I think it's a balancing act. I tend to be on the cheapo side. I'm always thinking of why not to spend extra, and mostly I think my decisions are right.

 

However I cruise with both my husband and adult daughter on different cruises, and these two people sometimes jolt me out of my cheapo space. They remind me that sometimes the moment is worth the extra cost. Toasting each other with a cocktail at the bar as we sail out of Fort Lauderdale - worth the cost. Buying a photo of hubby and me when we're all dressed up and looking spiffy (almost never happens in real life) - worth the cost.

 

So my answer is to keep close with the money, but not so close you lose sight of the goal, which is to enjoy your trip and the person you're with.

[whogo]

I did a little digging into Carnival Corp's Annual Report to Shareholders...

Good work, grandebarca!

[tbmrt]

Just curious...I thought one needed to use their sail card in casino...Do any casinos take quarters? I had played slots in casinos years ago and loved listening to the quarters piling out of the machines.

 

Not so enthused now that the cards are being used. Somehow not as much fun!

[pris993]

I usually expect that we will spend on board about $70 a day for the two of us, including auto tip. That includes a couple of bottles of wine or corking fees, a few beers, a dvd and bingo the last day. We also spend in cash in ports and tips extra on board over and above the auto tip.

[Sunbubble]

Just curious...I thought one needed to use their sail card in casino...Do any casinos take quarters? I had played slots in casinos years ago and loved listening to the quarters piling out of the machines.

 

Not so enthused now that the cards are being used. Somehow not as much fun!

 

My DH used (I believe it was) quarters in the slots. No penny slots (which he would have rather used). I discovered a while back that the people who work in the casinos (which is run by the cruise line) don't get a commission based on how much is bet but work on salary (a surprise to me). Also, it might just be the cruises we are on or maybe we don't stay up late enough, but the casinos don't ever seem to be very crowded.

 

Also, if we didn't like wine with dinner or a drink before or some cappuccino earlier in the day, etc., etc. it would be considerably less expensive to go on a less inclusive line. Everyone is different. In our case, we enjoy sailing on this line. However, I don't think that a whole lot of people actually consider the real total cost of the cruise when deciding. That's just IMHO.

[cruizinbabe22]

I have been on 8 to 9 cruises. And I ALWAYS spend money. I now prepay my gratuities so that I do not have to keep up with that expense. I always write a list of what of my expense and the amount I will spend towards each. Since finding out that we are allowed to bring a minimum amount of beverages aboard, I bring juice for myself, soft drinks and Caprisun for my sons, and water for all of us to have in the cabin.

Onboard Expenses:

-one alcoholic drink per day(sometimes less)

-spend no more than $100-120 on pictures

-may purchase a jewelry item from the shop

-I have had a massage from the spa but I don't make this a habit due to the cost

-Sometimes I will buy the chocolate covered strawberries or a piece of cake from the specialty shop

-only will purchase ship excursions if I think I cannot do it once off the ship or this is the only way to participate

-usually I will visit the casino once and will spend no more than 30.00

-spending money for my son to go to the arcade

 

Off-board expenses

-always buy souvenirs

-sometimes I will purchase food especially depending on the port

-usually always do a port excursion or tour

By me making a list and writing down what I will spend next to each item, it allows me to NOT go over my budget amount...usually I will bring back half of what I allotted due to onboard credits or not spending what I thought I would on excursions and souvenirs. What can I say, its vacation time and you need to splurge a little especially if you only take a couple trips a year.

[Lulubelle45]

Did a repositioning 4 day cruise and prepaid the gratuities. Bought one drink in the fancy souvenir glass for $10. Enjoyed 2 for 1 happy hour drinks thst I split with my sister so my total bill came to just over $50. Mind you this was back when HAL had no limit on wine thst could be brought on board:)

 

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Forums mobile app