4 day cruise - on board expenses

[Garys12]

Hello Fellow Cruisers -

 

Looking for some help with some vacation budgeting. My family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teenagers, 16, 14) are heading on the 4 night Sensation next Thursday. We are all buying the appropriate drink packages, so Soda, and Booze will be prepaid. We also prepaid the tips.

 

We are doing an excursion on our own in Cozumel, so there is no expense for that. So, outside of bingo, the casino, and the arcade, what else have you paid for on the ship?

 

I am budgeting $400 for the casino/bingo, and then another $150 for other charges.

 

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

 

Thank you

[bury me at sea]

You should come home with money. Unless you book another cruise while on board. Some of us addicts have been guilty of that.

 

Enjoy.

[rkacruiser]

4 day cruise on Carnival Liberty as a solo cruiser: Purchased no shore excursions or had anything pre-paid. One dinner at the Steakhouse, bar and wine bill, gratuities, less my $50 CCL Shareholder on-board credit and my final bill was just over $200.

[ssmith7]

$550 should be an ok amount. You could budget a little more for just in case things, that way if something comes up at least you have it. I don't know how you're getting there but if you're parking don't forget that as it is an extra expense. You may also want to bring some for souvenirs.

[mroden2699]

Not sure if Sensation has a steakhouse, but the extra money was definitely worth it. Other than that, you appear to be set (from all I would spend)

 

Of course I'd take some cash for souvenirs in Cozumel. The port is great for shopping.

[pusywillow]

Hello Fellow Cruisers -

 

Looking for some help with some vacation budgeting. My family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teenagers, 16, 14) are heading on the 4 night Sensation next Thursday. We are all buying the appropriate drink packages, so Soda, and Booze will be prepaid. We also prepaid the tips.

 

We are doing an excursion on our own in Cozumel, so there is no expense for that. So, outside of bingo, the casino, and the arcade, what else have you paid for on the ship?

 

I am budgeting $400 for the casino/bingo, and then another $150 for other charges.

 

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

 

Thank you

 

 

Photos, speciality restaurants, trinkets, tips for porters, room service, others who gave you great service

[Garys12]

Photos, speciality restaurants, trinkets, tips for porters, room service, others who gave you great service

 

 

What is an appropriate amount to pay people if we have already prepaid for the cruise? Can we just leave an extra $20 in the room at the end? Will the room guy know we've prepaid for the tips?

[Sixtytwo]

Carnival add the gratuities to everyone's ship account, so the staff knows folks have paid the gratuities. They don't know who asked to have them removed but, if they were the reason for the removal, I am sure they will be informed! As far as an appropriate "extra" amount, that is something that is totally up to you...and your budget. If you feel someone gave exceptional service, give what you are comfortable giving. They will be happy. Go to guest services and get envelopes and put the extra in an envelope. Just leaving it in the cabin is likely not going to wind up going to the staff person you intended it for! [emoji33]

 

 

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[louanne93]

Not sure if you are aware, but the arcade is quite expensive onboard. Even if you gave $20 per kid to spend a day for arcade, candy store etc... you are over by $10. Just be prepared. Also, you can turn off charging privileges for your teens if you think you need to!

[Garys12]

Teens get no charging privileges. They have the soda pass, anything else will need to be approved :-)

 

We will probably set times for the arcade... Adults in the casino, teens in the arcade. It will limit both of us... LOL!

[Tiger0613]

All drinks, including those purchased through Cheers and Bottomless Bubbles, are taxed(7% in this case) while still in American waters.

 

Also, budget for internet charges if you plan to use it.

[sjcruiser]

We're doing the same for both our upcoming cruises (no kids though). We plan to have all our onboard expenses paid in advance including Cheers, Steakhouse, Tips, Casino ($100 per day), and some other miscellaneous things that may come up. We always come home with money. We stop buying souvenirs, etc. both on the ship and in port, unless its something we really want, or know the price is better than where we live. We havent decided on excursions yet, but will probably figure them out in the next month or two, along with decided on going with Carnival, or do one once we're in port.

 

 

Hello Fellow Cruisers -

 

Looking for some help with some vacation budgeting. My family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teenagers, 16, 14) are heading on the 4 night Sensation next Thursday. We are all buying the appropriate drink packages, so Soda, and Booze will be prepaid. We also prepaid the tips.

 

We are doing an excursion on our own in Cozumel, so there is no expense for that. So, outside of bingo, the casino, and the arcade, what else have you paid for on the ship?

 

I am budgeting $400 for the casino/bingo, and then another $150 for other charges.

 

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

 

Thank you

[angiem0217]

Internet if you want to use it and photos. We always buy photos.

 

 

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