How much $ do you need on a cruise?

[ginagurl79]

Don't forget Parking fee's .

 

Boston cruise port parking is like $116 for 7 day's .

 

I think N.Y. is a couple hundred . :eek:

 

Ya we r taking the train to NYC (1 hr 45 min ride) its my kids first on a train too :)

[elruth]

np- they are 4 & 5. (I cant wait to do meet and greets with spongebob)

 

We actually had a complaint because our travel agent through ncl was supposed to keep up to date with promotions- and when my husband called to ask why they weren't answering our calls-they through in wine and a cake for our anniversary :)

 

We have the unlimited dining package so we most certainly are going to have a few nights free from the kids (esp our anniversary-its an at sea day anyways) and do the casino, show, dinner, something just the 2 of us.

 

We have 4 kids total in our home (3, 4, 5 and 6) so we desperately need an adult night.

 

As per the suit- I am also having my husband bring some dress clothes for that night as well. I also heard they do professional pics correct? so I want all of us to look at least presentable :) (Not just some NY Travelling fools lol)

 

I definitely would not have your husband pack a suit. A sport coat even with a nice golf shirt or a sport coat with short sleeve dress shirt is fine! I seldom see any man with a tie. NCL is much more casual than other cruise lines. Note how many cruises we have taken and husband has never brought a suit! He always looks nice even on the one night that is " dress up if you want to ". His dress slacks are always nice khakis or twill. ( definitely not jeans )

[Cruise-Crazy]

Don't forget to tip the stevedores at the embarkation port that take your luggage ($2 per bag is what we do). There are skycaps if you're flying, and possibly bellhops.

 

Yeah, I always make sure to tip them. Don't want a "lost" bag. :eek:

[Cruise-Crazy]

Also NEVER take more money off the ship than you need, I usually take about 100 off enough for a taxi, lunch or wahtever, some of these ports are not exactly safe. Once you lose money it never comes back.

 

I usually have a bit more in a money belt for emergencies (hopefully the thieves don't read this) LOL

[GORDONCHICK]

Shorts are fine in most restaurants. Neat and clean is important. However, Le Bistro (specialty) and the larger aft MDR (Grand Pacific on the Gem) do not allow shorts (though they may for your children). Personally, I find the midship MDRs usually better with children anyway. Though I will say, my DS will happily put on long pants to get to eat in Le Bistro now! He complained before we went, but once he ate there, he said he'd be happy to do it again. I think he's expecting to eat in Le Bistro when we go to Alaska in a few months....

[azappraiser]

I mean- outside of everything already paid:

 

1. room

2. excursions

3.pre paid service charges

 

if you're not a big drinker, or gambler (you know the occasional slot here or there)

 

how much do you actually spend on a cruise?

 

I know off the top we will spend $10/hr for our 2 kids for day care between 1030-1 (esp on our anniversary)

 

We have the unlimited dining package- with all the free food also-

 

we have to pay for drinks...what else?

 

Please fill me in. I want to make sure we have the BEST TIME of our lives.

 

I know I sound silly- (we have money) I just don't want any surprises :)

 

Don't forget to budget for the "Newest" fee - the Mandatory $50pp Disembarkation Fee :rolleyes:

[maywell]

Don't forget to budget for the "Newest" fee - the Mandatory $50pp Disembarkation Fee :rolleyes:

 

What $50 per person disembarkation fee? Please don't give a person new to cruising bad / false information; they have enough hard time trying to understand what's avoidable and what's not in.....

[ncklhaus]

Tipping for anyone who you feel went above & beyond

Any onboard shopping & there's lots of opportunities

Drinks - alcohol or pop

Specialty coffees

Pull tabs

Casino

Photos

Port shopping book (I do not recommend)

Spa services or products

Laundry

Room service - either just tipping if off the old menu, some things are a $7.95 fee

 

I'm sure I've forgotten some.

 

What is a Pull Tab?

[maywell]

What is a Pull Tab?

 

Maybe some type of paid chance game like Bingo or Deal No Deal? That's what I found on the web...

[ncklhaus]

Maybe some type of paid chance game like Bingo or Deal No Deal? That's what I found on the web...

 

Ah! That makes sense. Thanks!

[coscab]

I hate to carry cash, we carry about $100. and then just get what we need by putting it on our ship card which bills it directly to our credit card, we pay 3% service charge in the casino but I get 2% back on the credit card so for me it is worth it. Have a wonderful cruise!!

[ginagurl79]

What $50 per person disembarkation fee? Please don't give a person new to cruising bad / false information; they have enough hard time trying to understand what's avoidable and what's not in.....

 

did we get any further info on this?

[ginagurl79]

Maybe some type of paid chance game like Bingo or Deal No Deal? That's what I found on the web...

 

It's these little cardboard games- they have like 5 tabs you pull to take a chance to win 1-100000 . we have them at out bingo halls :)

[mnventure]

Thank you-let me rephrase it- we drink, but for celebrations (like may 7 I'm sure we will for our anniversary). My kids don't drink soda-so when I was going to buy the package it was for all of us- we couldn't just buy it for the adults :(

 

Is it different once we board, can we just buy it for the adults?

 

Another option (especially if you prefer Coke over Pepsi products) is to bring your own case of pop onboard.

 

And, if you are planning on bringing the kids to any of the Speciality or MDRs, NCL allows kids to wear "nice shorts" in any of their dining rooms (they don't have to wear long pants).

[ginagurl79]

Another option (especially if you prefer Coke over Pepsi products) is to bring your own case of pop onboard.

 

And, if you are planning on bringing the kids to any of the Speciality or MDRs, NCL allows kids to wear "nice shorts" in any of their dining rooms (they don't have to wear long pants).

 

oh thanks :) we have the ultimate dining package- and have a 3 and 4 yo so thank you for that. Kids drink juice, heard its free-but i'm also bringing their drinks w/ me. Hubby and I dont drink much soda-so i'll just pay as we go i guess :)

 

Thank you for that :)

[ncklhaus]

did we get any further info on this?

 

This was a bad joke. There is no such thing.

[mnventure]

oh thanks :) we have the ultimate dining package- and have a 3 and 4 yo so thank you for that. Kids drink juice, heard its free-but i'm also bringing their drinks w/ me. Hubby and I dont drink much soda-so i'll just pay as we go i guess :)

 

Thank you for that :)

 

Yes - I forgot to mention that you can bring juice onboard too. I brought juice boxes for my kids in January. (I also brought some of their favorite snacks onboard.).

Edited April 4, 2015 by mnventure

[ginagurl79]

This was a bad joke. There is no such thing.

 

got it :) thanks

[ldlewis45]

I would recommend bringing only a limited amount of cash for tips, souvenirs, and meals while in port. Everything else can be put on a credit card (and sometimes, even the meals and souvenirs can be put on a card, but be sure to call your credit card company in advance to notify them that you will be making charges outside your home country). Never use your debit card.

 

 

I travel solo, and my budget generally looks like this:

 

• $100 per port for souvenirs, meals, etc. if I don't want to do an excursion for a particular port (EG, Nassau or Freeport)
  
• $150 per port if I plan to do an excursion (but I've never spent that much, since I generally book private excursions)
  
• $200 for a spa pass or massage
  
• $150-$300 for 1-2 Future Cruise Rewards (I usually try to have at least one in reserve at all times)
  
• $150-$200 for specialty dining
  
• $200 for drinks
  

I usually don't spend as much as I've budgeted, but I like having the leeway that it gives me. That said, I don't budget for the casino. I've always lost, and after losing about $1400 on one cruise in the casino alone, I don't even step into the casino anymore. I'd rather spend that money in the spa, on souvenirs, or on specialty dining and drinks.