Real price of cruising

[cruiserjt]

I just am trying to compare apples to oranges and would like to ask some experienced cruisers a question.  When booking a cruise - you start with the "fare" per night with taxes / port fees.  Once all is said and done - how much additional costs do you pay for the "all inclusive" perks.  E.g. drinks, gratuities, deluxe dining, etc. (missing something I know).  If I can get a balcony for $2000 - 7day - how much more (approximately) am am I looking at - also assuming that I will get a decent price point for these.  No suite perks, no C&A perks, just my husband and I on a cruise.

[orville99]

Start with this as the basic cruise cost breakdown for a 7-night cruise in a balcony cabin:

 

 

 

Drinks run between $7-$15 per drink. Gratuities run ~$15/pp/per day. Specialty dining can run anywhere from $35 pp to $100 pp depending on the venue.

 

Shore excursions will add several hundred to your budget.

Edited January 25, 2022 by orville99

[topher4519]

Deluxe Drink package  $56 a day  This different per ship

You   $392

Husband  $392

 

Food is include in main dinning room but if you would like unlimited specialty restaurant package.  Different per ship

 

You $189

Husband $189

 

If you want internet there is a charge.   I like not being contacted!!!

 

Shore excursion could add cost?

 

Spa would add costs?

 

 

[firefly333]

13 minutes ago, cruiserjt said:

I just am trying to compare apples to oranges and would like to ask some experienced cruisers a question.  When booking a cruise - you start with the "fare" per night with taxes / port fees.  Once all is said and done - how much additional costs do you pay for the "all inclusive" perks.  E.g. drinks, gratuities, deluxe dining, etc. (missing something I know).  If I can get a balcony for $2000 - 7day - how much more (approximately) am am I looking at - also assuming that I will get a decent price point for these.  No suite perks, no C&A perks, just my husband and I on a cruise.

Everyone has different expenses. For me driving to Galveston (gas) is my first expense, then the cost of hotel and or uber or cruise parking. Some hotels have cruise parking but no shuttle or I can pay for cruise parking and hotels in Galveston have gone up. 

 

I try and get a hotel with free breakfast but dinner of some kind on a saturday night is next usually.

 

Once I board I think tips are around 14 a day, came to 101.xx for one that was charged as auto gratuity.

 

I am happy with free drinks so that nothing for me, but I could carry on a bottle of wine. I might spend some on dining and onboard stores and also excursions. Excursions seem to be cheaper lately thru rcl, some great prices. Usually a couple of tee shirts. Maybe chops and tips. 

 

I usually pick one nice excursion, 2 is unusual. I know I'll be back and dont want to run out of good excursions. A few I've done 3 times. Lol.

[neverbeenhere]

The pet/house sitter is another variable for us. A 7 night cruise could mean 8 to 11 days of pet sitter costs depending on the embarkation and debarkation ports. 🙂

 

 

 

[smplybcause]

9 minutes ago, topher4519 said:

Deluxe Drink package  $56 a day  This different per ship

You   $392

Husband  $392

 

Food is include in main dinning room but if you would like unlimited specialty restaurant package.  Different per ship

 

You $189

Husband $189

 

If you want internet there is a charge.   I like not being contacted!!!

 

Shore excursion could add cost?

 

Spa would add costs?

 

 

 

You're missing the 18% gratuity for each package. And it's not guaranteed to get the drink package that low. I have an April cruise I haven't seen it go under $60. which sucks. 

[sharon&family]

After you purchase your cruise, the only thing you have to pay for is tips.  You dont have to pay anything else for drinks or food unless you want special restaurants or mixed drinks.  If you drive you have to pay for parking at the pier.  You can just get off on the islands and walk around on your own and not buy excursions if you dont want to.  Many stops have beaches or pools right at the port area that are free.  So I would say for a cruise for two,  you only have to pay around 350 total extra.

[karena1]

28 minutes ago, cruiserjt said:

I just am trying to compare apples to oranges and would like to ask some experienced cruisers a question.  When booking a cruise - you start with the "fare" per night with taxes / port fees.  Once all is said and done - how much additional costs do you pay for the "all inclusive" perks.  E.g. drinks, gratuities, deluxe dining, etc. (missing something I know).  If I can get a balcony for $2000 - 7day - how much more (approximately) am am I looking at - also assuming that I will get a decent price point for these.  No suite perks, no C&A perks, just my husband and I on a cruise.

Figure $800-$900 for the deluxe beverage pkg for the week, depending on sales.  Grats will be $203 total for 2 people for a regular balcony.  Depending on the cruise and the sales, figure $250-$400 for the dining package.  We have 130 cruises so far.  1.  We always get the package, for us it is just part of cruising and even with us being Diamond Plus, we still feel that it is worth it.  We never, ever do the dining package.  We are totally happy with the Main Dining Room.  We do My Time Dining so we can go eat when we feel like it.  We rarely make reservations, just go eat when we are ready and plan dinner around making the shows.  Tips you will be done, but we take extra as we tip the bar staff extra for drinks, we tip our cabin person extra, and our dining staff extra if we have the same staff all week.   If you have other questions, let me know, I would be glad to help you out.

[jndsilver31]

my wife and i only have done 6 cruises. we live in tennessee so we drive to the cruise ports in florida. 

 

for our first 2 cruises, we spent only one night driving to florida. that was tough, after those cruises we spent 2 nights on the road.

 

since neither one of us drinks enough mixed drinks to pay for the deluxe drink package, we get the soft drink package (about $7/person/day).

 

we usually do the steakhouse (about $100 total)

 

we use the auto-gratuties 

 

extra tip for room steward, dining room staff, porters at the port

 

our expenses vary since our first 2 cruises. our last cruise, in october, was our most expensive. we took my wife’s long time friend, they have been friends since they were 13.

 

the bottom line is that you can spend as little as you want, on a budget, or as much as you want. just depends on what you want from your cruise.

 

 

 

[Starry Eyes]

8 minutes ago, karena1 said:

Figure $800-$900 for the deluxe beverage pkg for the week, depending on sales.  Grats will be $203 total for 2 people for a regular balcony.  Depending on the cruise and the sales, figure $250-$400 for the dining package.  We have 130 cruises so far.  1.  We always get the package, for us it is just part of cruising and even with us being Diamond Plus, we still feel that it is worth it.  We never, ever do the dining package.  We are totally happy with the Main Dining Room.  We do My Time Dining so we can go eat when we feel like it.  We rarely make reservations, just go eat when we are ready and plan dinner around making the shows.  Tips you will be done, but we take extra as we tip the bar staff extra for drinks, we tip our cabin person extra, and our dining staff extra if we have the same staff all week.   If you have other questions, let me know, I would be glad to help you out.

We have 80+ cruises and will offer a counter perspective, showing that cruisers vary.  No right or wrong, just different.

 

We never buy the beverage package (once or twice it was included in our cruise fare on another line or as a promo, but we never buy it and do not miss it).  It is just not worth the price to us; everyone can do the math themselves on the drink package.  We routinely carry two bottles of wine on board.

Generally, we eat in the main dining room, though once in a while we do a dining package for variety. 
We often just go for walks in port.  Or sometimes stay aboard and enjoy the almost empty ship.  Shore excursions can cost as much of as little as you choose.  They can be private or purchased through ship.

Often our only costs beyond cruise fare are tips and parking.

[LB_NJ]

I did not see travel insurance that covers medical.  Remember, even if you are young and healthy you could have an accident or break a leg.  You might have insurance that covers this however I would check.

 

There are also the tips for the porter at the port. 

 

I also saw this very nice list on another forum page (under Celebrity) about onboard costs 

 

*Acupuncture

*Airport transfers

*Alcove Rental (some ships)

*Apple products etc. and Ilounge classes

*Art Auctions

*Babysitting

*Barber Shop services 

*Beverages -- Alcoholic, carbonated soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas, bottled water if not in your package, also drinks above your package limit

*Bingo

*Bottles of wine

*Casino

*Chef’s Table

*Corkage charged if you bring your own wine to the MDR

*Duty free liquor and cigarettes

*Extra cost entrees and other items in Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants

*Extend Your Stay program

*Fitness classes

*Flowers

*Gelato

*Gift shop souvenirs, purses, watches, cosmetics, clothing, jewelry, etc.

*Gratuities, and extra gratuities

*Guests dining with you in Luminae (applies to Suite Passengers only)

*Guest entertainers' CD's and DVD's

*Hair and nail salon

*Hollywood hot glass experiences (some ships)

*Internet if not in your package, also Internet upcharge

*Laundry/pressing/drycleaning

*Liquor tasting events

*Luggage Valet

*Martini Flights

*Medical Center purchases (but not treatments)

*Mini bar

*Portrait photo sessions

*Pay-per-view movies

*Persian Gardens passes

*Personal Training Sessions

*Photos & cameras

*Room service up charge items, and late night delivery fee

*Shore Excursions

*Shuttle to town (some ports)

*Spa -- massages and treatments

*Specialty restaurants

*Teeth Whitening

*Telephone calls using ship's system

*Transfer to another passenger's account

*Voyage in Review DVD

*Wine and liquor tastings

*Zumba

[cruisegirl1]

Don't forget to add in travel costs if you are not near a port area.  Airfare, pre cruise/post cruise hotel, shuttles/taxis/parking etc. add lots to the price.    Plus, you may need additional day(s) off of work just for travel to the port.  Those lucky (or is it smart) folks who live near a port (Florida) can hop on a cruise without spending hundreds or thousands for travel or accommodations.  

 

M

[karena1]

1 hour ago, Starry Eyes said:

We have 80+ cruises and will offer a counter perspective, showing that cruisers vary.  No right or wrong, just different.

 

We never buy the beverage package (once or twice it was included in our cruise fare on another line or as a promo, but we never buy it and do not miss it).  It is just not worth the price to us; everyone can do the math themselves on the drink package.  We routinely carry two bottles of wine on board.

Generally, we eat in the main dining room, though once in a while we do a dining package for variety. 
We often just go for walks in port.  Or sometimes stay aboard and enjoy the almost empty ship.  Shore excursions can cost as much of as little as you choose.  They can be private or purchased through ship.

Often our only costs beyond cruise fare are tips and parking.

We don't do excursions either, we do our own thing.  But they specifically asked about the cost of the package, dining, tips, etc so I was trying to give them an "all in'" type of pricing.  To us the package is worth it even being Diamond Plus, but that is a personal choice.

[kruzerci]

There's no way of even giving a ballpark estimate because you could do all the add ons or none. But here are the big ticket items to consider

 

Gratuities ~$100 per person is the only mandatory charge

 

Optional:

Drink package ~$55 per person per day plus 18% gratuity, so ~$500 per person for the week (or $14 per drink purchased individually)

Specialty dining ~$50 per person per reservation

Excursions and spa there is no way to estimate 

Edited January 25, 2022 by kruzerci

[Starry Eyes]

2 minutes ago, karena1 said:

We don't do excursions either, we do our own thing.  But they specifically asked about the cost of the package, dining, tips, etc so I was trying to give them an "all in'" type of pricing.  To us the package is worth it even being Diamond Plus, but that is a personal choice.

I agree, from newbies to dedicated cruisers, we all have our own preferences and styles.

 

The OP will be in good company whether they spring for beverage and dining packages or if they pay by the drink while using complimentary dining options.

 

[ZoeyVictoria]

30 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Don't forget to add in travel costs if you are not near a port area.  Airfare, pre cruise/post cruise hotel, shuttles/taxis/parking etc. add lots to the price.    Plus, you may need additional day(s) off of work just for travel to the port.  Those lucky (or is it smart) folks who live near a port (Florida) can hop on a cruise without spending hundreds or thousands for travel or accommodations.  

 

M

As Floridians living within four hours of four ports, we pay travel expenses of: gas and sometimes tolls to drive to offsite parking lots with loyalty programs, parking, tips for the shuttle drivers and porters, and lunch on the way home.   That is offset by a reduced electric bill and a week of no grocery and restaurant expenses.  

[Seville2Cabo]

Never really thought about it, but decided to take a look.  I think we spend about $200 per day on the ship. UDP (including tips) , tips for C&A drinks, auto Gratuities, surf and stream for 2, a few bottles of wine.  This does not include any off the ship expenses.  Tours, lunches on shore, etc.

 

We buy a yearly insurance policy and that is not factored in .  

[LB_NJ]

If it was not mentioned before, the cost of COVID tests, if required.

[firefly333]

1 minute ago, LB_NJ said:

If it was not mentioned before, the cost of COVID tests, if required.

My insurance covers those so another 0 for me. Its more of a added stress cost. Friday at CVS. 

 

Hard to say what someone elses costs will be. Need to know if they fly or drive etc. I figured last winter it costs almost 1k to go to florida no matter how I do it. Parking here at dfw or I can fly earlier but have to stay at the airport the night before if I take the train etc. That a big extra cost to me.

[KG1924]

We generally budget around $4000 for our cruises

Breakdown:

-$2000-2500 total for cabin is usually our goal for a standard balcony-often lower end or below 2k as we try to stick to off seasons

-Air fare is usually "free" since we use SW points when possible

-$200 hotel for the night before 

-$1k for drink package for 2 

-~$400 max for total bill at end of cruise (regular tips, ship ornament, extra tips to bar staff, maybe $50 in the casino)

-$500 cash for extras on the islands (cabs, island ornaments, excursions-usually on our own) and for cash tips

We rarely do the specialty restaurants as we aren't foodies in the slightest and the spa isn't of interest to us either. But obviously either of those items could add quite a bit of $. Also, we don't have kids so that saves us as well. 

Also, excursions in the Caribbean will generally be much less then say Europe or Alaska (I would imagine...haven't been to either!)

*Drink package is a game changer for us-we both drink very well on vacation 🙂 and I love that bottled water and nicer coffee is covered as well as my beloved Diet Coke. Those can add up individually. It makes it truly all inclusive for us.

[binro01]

Here is my upcoming cruise in Feb: Total cost breakdown for a 6 night cruise on Allure of the Seas in a GTY OV Balcony

Cruise Fare: $1165.29
Gratuities: $174.00
Unlimited Dining Package x2 : 336.00
2 Soda and 1 VOOM Surf+Stream: 166.64
Airfare from SLC to LAX: $495.42
OBC: 245.00 (100 from Royal, 45 from TA, 100 from myVegas app)
Hotel after cruise (1 Night): 200.00
Uber: 40.00
Day After cruise, fly away day food/entertainment 150.00

Travel Insurance: 150.00

$2,632 and change, We will probably also spend about 500.00 on excursions and stuff in port. So I will be within my budget of 3500k for this trip. (I do have some wiggle room in my budget, if I can score a nice RoyalUp)

Pre cruise Hotel and airport transfers/cruise ship transfer: Free, staying with my parents who live about 30 min away from the cruise port. 

Edited January 25, 2022 by binro01

[Bxc53]

Lots of good specific numbers given so far. I will only add, for us ,

cruising is always a better value than a similar length land vacation when you add up the meals lodging, entertainment etc. And you only have to do the suitcase shuffle once 😉. 
 

[asalligo]

I calculate this often for us as my wife wants to know real price for our cruise, not starting price. For us, it is 

Cruise Fare

Tips

Hotel night before often 

Travel costs to and from 

Onboard we usually spend under $300, but I am the only one who drinks and that is only a few drinks a cruise. 

Excursions if you take them can be a big cost. 

 

 

 

[neverbeenhere]

To tell the truth, for the first 20 or so cruises, I kept track of every penny related the trips. Now, I just try to get reasonable "deals" for the individual parts. (I re-check the cruise price) 

 

I really don't want to think about the total amount that we've spent on cruises. UGH! 

[twinmommy08]

Like everyone mentioned, it really depends what type of experience you’re after. 
 

Cruise fair only gives you everything you need for a great vacation. Tips are expected and run about $30 for two per day in a non-suite room. 
 

Extras obviously cost extra. Expect to spend anywhere from (est) $500-$1500 on 5-7 night cruise on top of your cruise fair for things like unlimited beverages, unlimited speciality dining, decent shore excursions, a spa visit, and maybe some photos. 

To give you some perspective, my family of 4 is booked on Ovation this spring for Alaska. We paid about $6k for a junior suite. I paid ~$600 for unlimited dining, $350 for two refreshment packages, $90 for two soda packages, $1,600 on shore excursion (we went cheap!), ~$450 in tips and ~$300 on other small things like a birthday cake a photos. So about $9k for the cruise or $3k extra above the cruise fair or about $750 extra pp. 

 

No airfare expense for us thanks to AMEX points 🙂 Although I’m expecting about a $1,000 hotel cost for two nights at the Inn at the Market (ugh)