Money

[Amandah1987]

I was wondering how much money you should bring on a cruise.

Taking into consideration I've prepaid gratitudes , I'll be pre paying a drinks package (soda one) I don't drink alcohol so I won't be buying any drinks.

I'll be paying in cash and plan on adding $700 USD to my on board account when I get there (plus I have $200 on board credit already) I'll be gone for 10 days, and then will spend 3 days in Sydney. I plan to bring $500 cash for the 4 islands we are visiting (I'm sure I won't spend more than a $100 at each)

I plan to pre pay for everything I can (tickets for places I want to go)

It will be just my daughter and I (she will be 3 at the time)

It's my first ever cruise (and actual holiday) so I'm not sure how much money to bring.

So with drinks, tickets, gratitudes, and $900 on board credit pre paid, what other expenses should I take into consideration ?

Edited June 23, 2015 by Amandah1987

[Wastegirl]

Which cruise line and where to, is it a South Pacific cruise for instance, if that is the case which islands. This information makes a world of difference as to how much you spend.

[Amandah1987]

It's with explorer of the seas (royal Caribbean)

The itinerary is below

[Wastegirl]

I can't comment on RC's prices but note that as you have the drinks package, prepaying gratuities and any ship shore excursions you are going to take, so there is not much more unless you really want to spend up big, basically

• speciality coffee if it is not covered by your package
  
• souvenirs, they need not cost too much
  
• I always like to buy a bit of 'bling' that reminds me of my trip, never spend more than $80 AUD
  
• Do you want to get duty free alcohol or make up
  
• Speciality restaurants, look on the web site they should give the prices
  
• Spa Treatments - very overpriced - the whole holiday is a spa treatment in my mind so I don't bother
  
• Special events, like a wine tasting or cocktail making seminar - usually around $30 pp on the ships I have been on
  

 

I could go on, but you get the idea, you actually don't need to spend anything extra if you have your drinks and gratuities covered.

 

As far as the Islands go, where you are going except for Noumea are not that expensive and take AUD. Usually there are some stalls set up for the locals to sell food, a few souvenirs and some drinks. You would be pushing it to spend $100. Even on Mystery Island where my husband and I had a lobster, they were only $30 each. $5 to stand in the big cannibal pot and have your photo taken (which we didn't) and some locals providing rides on their boats for around $10 each. Isle of Pines, we took water off the boat to drink, snorkelled in the morning, went back to the ship for lunch and then came back on the island for a walk around. Didn't cost us anything that day. Lifou, factor in $15 each for Jinek Bay if you want to snorkel, otherwise the sights are within walking distance.

 

So with your $900 in your account I think unless you use it for expensive excursions, spa treatments, special gym sessions, etc or heaps of fine dining - you will be refunded. As for your $100 per day Island expenses, I reckon you will be well covered by that.

 

Oh I forgot you might want to spend some of your money on some late night baby sitting and have a night out with new friends.

 

If you go on the Royal Caribbean forum, they will be able to answer specifics about costs and don't forget you need to convert your on board costs to USD now our exchange rate is so low.

[Amandah1987]

Oh thanks heaps, that has put my mind at ease so much.

I don't drink alcohol or coffee so a lot of those things I wouldn't do. Don't wear make up or do spa stuff at all so wouldn't buy anything like that.

The only main thing I'm really wanting is hair braiding for me and my daughter, which I've read can cost around $20 on shore.

And I don't think I'll go to any specialty restaurants, not with a fussy 3 year old, and I'm not into fancy places any way.

Wouldn't use the baby sitting services.

I think I'll bring as much as I can save, and whatever I don't spend will be a nice thing for after the trip.

Thanks for your help, much appreciated

[iheartbda]

As far as the hair braiding, make sure you have a set price before they start braiding. Some charge a flat fee and others, by the braid. People have also been known to take their own comb.

[Amandah1987]

Thanks. I have heard the tip about bringing your own comb, due to lice or something. Which I do not want to risk getting lice whilst on holidays when I'm sure there won't be any treatment products on board lol

 

Just wondering, when on the islands, do they have signs for how much things are priced, and do they have signs for how much it is in Australian dollars, cos I know they accept Australian dollars.

[Wastegirl]

Everywhere I've been (except Noumea) they have signs up with AUD on them. They really cater for the Aussie tourist :D

 

One suggestion I can make is take small denomination notes with you as they don't really give change, just round up. So I make sure I have a mixture of $5 and $10 notes. Most of the stall's prices are $5, $10, $15 and up anyway. And if you are in a business, for instance having a drink, they will take your AUD but give you change in the local currency.

[Amandah1987]

Oh that's great! Thank you, yeah I was going to get all small notes $5, $10 &20s

Feel so much more at ease now, I have never been out of Australia before, so it was stressing me out not knowing anything but thank you for being so helpful and putting my mind at ease

[Amandah1987]

So I'll be taking AUD for the islands and USD for the ship, since I've heard their exchange rate is not that good, and it's easy to order it from my bank or the post office (crazy but $700 USD is like $900 AUD!!)

Edited June 23, 2015 by Amandah1987

[Wastegirl]

So I'll be taking AUD for the islands and USD for the ship, since I've heard their exchange rate is not that good, and it's easy to order it from my bank or the post office (crazy but $700 USD is like $900 AUD!!)

 

Don't need USD for the ship, they charge everything to your on board account via your ships card. If you have already prepaid your On Board Credit it will be on the account in USD when you check in. If there is an outstanding amount at the end of the trip they will charge the credit card you registered direct. Check with your bank, quite often the exchange rate offered on your credit card is quite favourable.

 

About the only time you will need USD is if you decide to tip your dining room waiter or your room steward a little extra at the end of the trip and I'd only do that if they went way above and beyond their usual excellent service.

[Wastegirl]

Oh I forgot, check out RC's exchange rate for pre purchasing OBC, I understand the exchange rate on purchasing on line prior to leaving is usually very good.

[Amandah1987]

No I'm pre paying my account with cash when I board the ship which is what I'll be using the USD for

[Wastegirl]

Well in that case I do suggest you check out pre purchasing it on line because to date when I have done this the exchange rate the cruise line gives you is much much better than what you get from the bank. It may have changed in the last few months but up until recently it was very favourable and RC was one of the lines offering good rates.

 

Go onto the Australia/New Zealand forum and someone there might know the current RC exchange rate.

[Amandah1987]

Ok thanks

[GUT2407]

Looks like you have it all sorted.

Edited June 23, 2015 by GUT2407

[GUT2407]

It's hard to advise on an amount as we don't know your spending habits, are you a big drinker will you splurge in the shops, the spa the art auctions, play bingo every day spend most of your time in the casino.

 

All I can say is I have had a final bill in the thousands of dollars and one in the tens of dollars and various spots in between.

[Amandah1987]

Nah I'm a tight ass lol, I don't drink, I don't gamble, I'm not interested in the expensive stuff they offer on board (spa stuff etc)

I find it really hard to part with money, I don't go out and do impulse buys, I plan everything out and budget hardcore, hence why I am here lol

Edited June 23, 2015 by Amandah1987

[Amandah1987]

Was just looking for an estimate really, of how much money would be a good idea to bring on top of on board credit

 

Waste girl I looked there and a lot of people said not to do it onboard as it changes every day and not always in your favour

[GUT2407]

Was just looking for an estimate really, of how much money would be a good idea to bring on top of on board credit

 

Waste girl I looked there and a lot of people said not to do it onboard as it changes every day and not always in your favour

 

 

What about shore tours?

[Amandah1987]

Pretty sure I won't be doing any, as all the ones I've been remotely interested in are not ok for a 3 year old, so think I'll just go to the markets and take my daughter for a swim

[GUT2407]

Can't see you spending more than you have budgeted then, probably a far whack of change.

[Amandah1987]

Just me being a stress head, even if I took 10,000 dollars with me I'd still be stressing hahaha

Edited June 23, 2015 by Amandah1987