2 Adults, Sunshine, What do you spend?

[SadieN]

We sail her next month on an 8 day with 3 ports.

 

What do you spend on aboard and for excursions on an 8 day on Sunshine?

 

I am trying to budget, and I would appreciate everyone letting me know what their rough spend has been on an 8 day on Sunshine.

 

Right now I am bringing $1200 cash and a $5000 credit card, and pray we don't spend anywhere near that limit...

 

Does that also include money for hotel and food precruise or parking at the port?

[eponym]

Does that also include money for hotel and food precruise or parking at the port?

 

Good questions. That is being tracked separately under my pre cruise and post cruise section. One night pre cruise hotel (pre paid), F&B and rental car. We are not parking for the 8 day.

[PatLuv]

with a bit of hesitation because our first Carnival cruise last year on Freedom before the upgrade was not good,We just got off Victory on Saturday,and had a fantastic time.We got a cab at both ports,and had a great time.The second stop we even had lunch at a place the driver frequents.This cruise included a 100.00$ onboard credit,which went quickly.We brought 4 small bottles of Pepsi,and had a few drinks during the week,played in the casino,and spent around 6-700.00 between the cash brought and my Carnival card.I'd love to hear how you like Sunshine,as we sail on her in September.

[eponym]

with a bit of hesitation because our first Carnival cruise last year on Freedom before the upgrade was not good,We just got off Victory on Saturday,and had a fantastic time.We got a cab at both ports,and had a great time.The second stop we even had lunch at a place the driver frequents.This cruise included a 100.00$ onboard credit,which went quickly.We brought 4 small bottles of Pepsi,and had a few drinks during the week,played in the casino,and spent around 6-700.00 between the cash brought and my Carnival card.I'd love to hear how you like Sunshine,as we sail on her in September.

 

Keep your eyes open Pat. We will put up a review and follow-up. Certainly not everyone will agree on what we chose to do or all of our perceptions of various aspects of the experience, but we will share them for those wanting to read and learn. Please do the same after your Sept float. We figure we can always learn from others and improve our experiences.

[eponym]

Alchemy was awesome at at almost $10 a drink, it racks up quickly. But we had YTD and went after dinner, usually up there right before 2nd seating and stayed until 10pm. I bring 2 bottles of champagne but am the only one who drinks it (yay me).

 

Sometimes we grab a photo or two. Sometimes a T-shirt or magnet. We've spent as much as $1200 and as little as $300 while on board. We usually buy our excursions with Carnival and ahead of time but the last Sunshine cruise between ours getting canceled in Aruba and no need for one in Grand Turk, we only had to purchase one!

 

have a blast!

 

Thanks. Sry to hear about Aruba cancel. We were going to either dive or snorkel Grand Turk - seems to us to be prime opportunity with the reefs and 'The wall'. Just a guess, not experience with it...

[eponym]

You should be pretty well set which the amount of cash and credit cards you have. Unless you make a pretty big purchase or spend a lot of time in the casino, I don't see you maxing out either one. We're not big drinkers, but do enjoy the drinks onboard, along with a few bottles ordered from the Bon Voyage Dept. ahead of time. Total drinks for two people including whats ordered from BV probably $250. It took us a few cruises to learn, but we've learned to stay away from the casino. We set a limit of $25.00 daily, and thats it. I have better luck with the casinos in NJ and PA. I have played for hours, usually late night on the slots or roulette when I hit a streak, or have a big bonus on the slots, which I often put back half, and keep the other half. We do the steakhouse or JiJi's once on the cruise, and select our excursions once we get into port, unless its some place thats really far, and we select Carnivals excursions for the peace of mind of not getting left. We stopped buying souvenirs for everyone, except a fridge magnet, or something for the neighbors watching the house. Total bill the last few cruises has been less than $1,200.00, and one of those was less than half of that.

 

That is a good point, that we are wrestling with. We keep looking at that $80 bottle of Vodka, which would be more than adequate for us mixed with bubbles and lido juice stuff for the cruise, along with 2 bottles of carry on wine.

 

It's either going to be $200 for an alcoholic drink per night PP for the cruise <variety>, or having that $80 bottle of vodka handy at all times with bubbles at $110 for the cruise. But not both paths which would rack up $400 on board booze and drink bill.

 

It's a tough call. :)

[AmberTeka]

Does that also include money for hotel and food precruise or parking at the port?

 

We live in Jacksonville, so cruises from Port Canaveral. Tampa. and Jacksonville are all easy drives. The Jax port is 20 miles from our home. Tampa and Port Canaveral are about a 3-4 hour drive so no motel is needed.

 

Miami..Fort Lauderdale. We do stay one night. We drive down the day before...it is about a six or seven hour drive.

 

For the past 11 years, we stay at the Hampton Inn on Commerical Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale or stop in Fort Pierce and send the night there. It is a business location, but still close to the port. We are familiar with the area.

 

If we sail in the fall.......or the summer.............Rates in F.Lauderdale are around $100 -$.120 Fort Pierce... $80-$90.

If we sail in the Winter......after Christmas During Spring break.....the prices are stunning. I always book AARP rate at the Hampton Inn Honors Point web site. One day I hope to have enough Honors points to get a whole room.

 

We are just back from the Princess Regal. I had to pay over $400 for two rooms. One for us and one for my daughter's family. That smarted. I have vowed to never again plan a cruise in S.Florida when snowbird season is on. ( And I love our snowbirds. The taxes and revenue they bring to Florida keep our state alive. No insult intended)

 

To spend that much money, to check in a little before dinner, and then leave before ten or so............ugh. smarts. But that hotel is spotless. The staff is very nice. Good location. I just keep thinking I could be staying in the Animal kingdom Hotel at the House of the Mouse for that kind of money.And seeing a lot!

And I am embarrassed to say that we have not flown since 9/11. Cluck, cluck.

 

Hope this helps. And I have tried every single hotel finder on TV, outside of you bid and don't know what you have until you get it........and AARP has the best prices. If you qualify. And if you fly a lot..or have reward credit cards.....

[AmberTeka]

Does that also include money for hotel and food precruise or parking at the port?

 

We park at the port. That is always over a hundred dollars. usually for a seven day cruise.......as you well know.....about $140 with tax. More for longer cruises. My husband always pays that.

 

We split our finances when we retired. ( and we never quarrel about money seriously) but doing this thread has made me realize how much we do spend. Still not an huge amount, but when you put what I am paying for and what he is paying for.............

 

Food. Not much. In March of this year, we went to the Burger King and ate Whoppers. After being on a diet for months, that was a HUGE treat. Breakfast was included at the motel.

 

So...........exactly what we spent ....My DH had a MINUS S& S balance. He had received a lot of military credit, and then wound up getting most of the other on board credit we received. I booked and paid for the cruise and have not figured that one out yet. With parking. Food. S and S accounts. we still spent less than $800. Not bad for a week.

 

We should have more threads like this one. Makes you

stop and think ..what am I spending on and what would I enjoy doing more.

 

Hope you have a lovely cruise.

Edited April 21, 2015 by AmberTeka

[AmberTeka]

If I lived in Canada, and two of my Great great grandmothers and one great great Grandfather were born In Nova Scotia. Guysbrough.

 

I would book a hotel room as soon as they can be booked. this year, I watched to see what would happen. Would rates go up or down if I waited until Late. They Went UP. And I am talking Spring break Season and Snowbird season.. I will never wait to book a good price if I see one even if it is months out again. AND if I knew I would be going each winter, I would book quickly.

 

I would also always book Early Saver. And check it every day. The last time I did Early Saver on Carnival for a cruise booked a long time out was on the Breeze for Sept. 2013. We sailed with $700 dollars of OBC.

 

We took excursions on that money . We ate at the steakhouse twice. I shopped. It was a great deal of fun. I am thinking of booking a cabin on the Magic, and that not sail until December of 2016. Doing that again.

 

Hope this helps. Staying just a bit out of Fort Lauderdale, if you can get transfers and such to the port........can save huge amounts of money.

[eponym]

If I lived in Canada, and two of my Great great grandmothers and one great great Grandfather were born In Nova Scotia. Guysbrough.

 

I would book a hotel room as soon as they can be booked. this year, I watched to see what would happen. Would rates go up or down if I waited until Late. They Went UP. And I am talking Spring break Season and Snowbird season.. I will never wait to book a good price if I see one even if it is months out again. AND if I knew I would be going each winter, I would book quickly.

 

I would also always book Early Saver. And check it every day. The last time I did Early Saver on Carnival for a cruise booked a long time out was on the Breeze for Sept. 2013. We sailed with $700 dollars of OBC.

 

We took excursions on that money . We ate at the steakhouse twice. I shopped. It was a great deal of fun. I am thinking of booking a cabin on the Magic, and that not sail until December of 2016. Doing that again.

 

Hope this helps. Staying just a bit out of Fort Lauderdale, if you can get transfers and such to the port........can save huge amounts of money.

 

Yes, ES seems to be a smart way to book the cruise. Tracking for price reductions and banking it in OBC really must help stay within budgets for overall vacation.

 

Thanks for the Ft. Lauderdale tips.

[eponym]

We park at the port. That is always over a hundred dollars. usually for a seven day cruise.......as you well know.....about $140 with tax. More for longer cruises. My husband always pays that.

 

We split our finances when we retired. ( and we never quarrel about money seriously) but doing this thread has made me realize how much we do spend. Still not an huge amount, but when you put what I am paying for and what he is paying for.............

 

Food. Not much. In March of this year, we went to the Burger King and ate Whoppers. After being on a diet for months, that was a HUGE treat. Breakfast was included at the motel.

 

So...........exactly what we spent ....My DH had a MINUS S& S balance. He had received a lot of military credit, and then wound up getting most of the other on board credit we received. I booked and paid for the cruise and have not figured that one out yet. With parking. Food. S and S accounts. we still spent less than $800. Not bad for a week.

 

We should have more threads like this one. Makes you

stop and think ..what am I spending on and what would I enjoy doing more.

 

Hope you have a lovely cruise.

 

Thank you. I am sure it will be fantastic. Does hubby get military rates and then OBC until final payment date? Not sure how you get military rates and ES rates for same sailings. Maybe that is not what you were saying, We are certified military with Carnival Corp, but have found recently that their other rate offers seem to have better perks/benefits and even better rates. We try to avoid parking for entire cruise whether out of home port or otherwise. We are dropping rental at Canaveral before cruise, and picking one up after. Seriously saved money and gives us autonomy before and after cruise.

Edited April 21, 2015 by eponym

[AmberTeka]

Thank you. I am sure it will be fantastic. Does hubby get military rates and then OBC until final payment date? Not sure how you get military rates and ES rates for same sailings. Maybe that is not what you were saying, We are certified military with Carnival Corp, but have found recently that their other rate offers seem to have better perks/benefits and even better rates. We try to avoid parking for entire cruise whether out of home port or otherwise. We are dropping rental at Canaveral before cruise, and picking one up after. Seriously saved money and gives us autonomy before and after cruise.

 

In March, last month, we were on Princess. they award all Vets $100 dollars in OBC. Automatic. then we had $50 from Princess as part of a promotion when we booked, and then we received OBC from a travel agent..and HE wound up with almost the entire lot of it. I was fit to be tied, but he paid for a things I wanted out of it too. so it was all good in the end.

 

he still wound up with a zero balance. Actually, he brought money home. He was extremely lucky playing roulette.

On Carnival, we usually have a casino rate. Not the big ones. We get the 35% off with a $25 in chips. And I am grateful for every one of them.

 

So Long Winded. If you sail Princess.....BE sure to tell them you are military. You will send in the D214. Canada Vets get the same. It is $50 for a five day or less, $100 for a seven day, $200 for 10 days or more and I think $250 for longer cruises. That adds up.

 

His luck has to run out one day. I would not encourage anyone to play roulette.

 

Princess does not have ES. Carnival does. When I booked ES on that cruise, I checked prices every single day. Carnival has a search engine that gives the price of your cabin on a daily basis. I NEVER used prices that I saw anywhere but on the Carnival site. Others do use other sources, but they always take a web shot or such for proof, I think

 

there is an e-mail that you send to Carnival when you see a price drop. they always responded quickly. I Was never denied. I did find out that if YOU have OBC..they will give you the drop, but they will take the OBC you have and count that as part of your cabin price. Be careful of that.

UNTIL final payment , I received deductions from price. I would get a new cabin confirmation when that happened. AFTER final payment, it was OBC> then I checked price drops two times a day. As you can get money as OBC until 3 days before the ship sails.......the last two weeks were great. A lot of price drops.

 

I enjoyed doing it. I was like getting a bargain. It kept the cruise fresh. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has the time to check prices daily. Some price drops did not last long.

 

ALSO we get a military rate on Carnival. but the Casino offer is usually the better offer. By far.

Edited April 21, 2015 by AmberTeka

[eponym]

 

You will send in the D214.

 

Princess does not have ES. Carnival does. When I booked ES on that cruise, I checked prices every single day. Carnival has a search engine that gives the price of your cabin on a daily basis. I NEVER used prices that I saw anywhere but on the Carnival site. Others do use other sources, but they always take a web shot or such for proof, I think

 

I did find out that if YOU have OBC..they will give you the drop, but they will take the OBC you have and count that as part of your cabin price. Be careful of that.

 

UNTIL final payment , I received deductions from price.

 

I enjoyed doing it. I was like getting a bargain. It kept the cruise fresh. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has the time to check prices daily. Some price drops did not last long.

 

That is great guidance thank you. I better bookmark this as there are processes to follow.

 

I view it the same way as you described. Like getting bargains from what you originally budgeted/booked! And I am sure that it add up quickly both on the OBC/price drops as well as spend on the ship during cruise!

 

Luck is a funny thing. Sort of like Karma. I will start checking those rates daily.

 

For the 8 day on board spending budget coming up, minus excursions we are NOW budgeted at $700 PP. That is with solid drinks, one steakhouse evening, one other specialty dining, pretty fat casino budget, trinkets, tips, & misc.