Onboard Spending - How much should I bring

[Fuzzzy]

It seems like we spend about $2K on a 7 day cruise. So that is about $150 a day per person. That does not include tipping. For a 7 day cruise we would tip $350 (in total).

[Fuzzzy]

IMO, if you do the above, don't drink much, and purchase a 'wine plan', about $50 a day PP should be a good number.

 

What is a "wine plan"?

[sonomaphil]

Wine plan? Huh?

 

 

I would say take whatever you paid in total for the cruise and plan on that amount for the cruise. So if the total cost was $5000, plan on another $5000. If it's less so be it! I agree with the AMEX card idea, I always use it so there is never a problem.

[Fuzzzy]

Wine plan? Huh?

 

 

I would say take whatever you paid in total for the cruise and plan on that amount for the cruise. So if the total cost was $5000, plan on another $5000. If it's less so be it! I agree with the AMEX card idea, I always use it so there is never a problem.

I agree. That is what it has been workin gout for us too.

 

I am very interested in this "wine plan".

[RetiredandLovingit]

Everyone will be different when it comes to how much you will spend once on the ship. Jerry and I will spend differently each time we cruise. Some folks will spend lasvishly and others will spend frugally, just like they live. Some will spend more because it may be their only cruise or cruise with family. Its all up to you. To get an idea of what it could cost, here are a few things to be aware of:

1. Specialty drinks that are offered to you by the "Wait Staff" are not free and range from $5 to $10 depending on the drink/container.

2. You can get tea, juice, coffee and water for free in the buffet area and at breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dinning rooms. Soda, Specialty coffee's, Beer and mixed drinks will cost extra. Beer - $4 to $6 per beer (a bucket of 4 - 16 oz beers for $20), Specialty Coffee is $4 to $7 a cup depending on the drink and Soda is around $3. You can purchase a coffee and/or a soda (soft drink) card which reduces the cost if you drink a lot of either.

3. Bingo cards usually cost around $10 or three for $20. Wait for a large jackpot and go early.

4. Shore excursions can be costly. You can go to the princess web site and click on "learn about our cruises", then click on "visit shore excursions", choose your destination and then your island to see all the available excursions and the costs. Remember! It's not mandatory that you book an excursion on every stop.

5. Spa treatments/Hair salons are expensive, but if you have extra money, they can be a very special treat.

6. On Princess there will be free (soft serve) ice cream during certain posted hours only. The Ice Cream shops serving Sundae's etc. will cost extra. Around $3 to $5.

 

 

There are so many things to do on the ship and at each Port that do cost extra. Such as, Games, Shows, Music and dancing, Minature Golf, Excercise equipement, Art Auctions (you can bid or just watch), the Pools and Hot Tubs, Ice carvings demonstrations just to name a few. You only spend what you want to or can afford.

 

PLEASE keep an eye on your shipboard account as things can add up quickly.

 

Follow the threads on this site, ask more questions and be prepared to have a great experience.

[bowlcoach]

My onboard expenses are:

 

1. tipping ($70 for a 7 day cruise)

2. embarkation photo (approx $20)

3. maybe one drink (I bring water and pop with me)

4. bingo (maybe 1 game)

 

That is about it. $125 approx for the whole week. How is that for budgetting.

 

Wow! If I could budget on a cruise like you cruisequeen10, I'd be cruising more often. Good girl.

[chasetf]

Wow! If I could budget on a cruise like you cruisequeen10, I'd be cruising more often. Good girl.

I agree..... It is amazing to see the number of people who will admit it costs them more to get off the ship than it did to get on the ship. :eek: Those folks could do two cruises using cruisequeen10's formula.

 

Our formula deletes the photos and bingo cards and adds tours...... but we try to be "reasonable" (by our definition) ;)

[Coolmama_1]

On our first cruise, we went hogwild and tried to do everything. It was port intensive with 5 ports and we did an excursion in everyone. We also bought a bunch of stuff (souveniers for family, photos etc, jewelry) as well as bar drinks. I think our tab was 1600.

 

THe next cruise had 3 ports, we only went on 2 excursions and spent less on stuff, a little more on wine:D and our account was 600.

 

It all depends but that first cruise can be a doozy!:)

[Ugly Betty Fan]

Thanks for all the great information!

 

Can you all help with prices on the following:

 

Photos

- Boarding Photo and One Formal Night are musts but, would like some ball park pricing on photos

 

- Also how much for onboard developing for disposable cameras?

 

Drinks

- How much for an adult soda card?

 

Shore Tours?

I don't have a clue. Can't find any information for specific prices. Any help in this area would be truly appreciated

 

Ice Cream Card

Not sure how much it is or how it works. For example, can we buy one card and have all four of us use it?

 

Tipping

Still fuzzy here - these are ADDED to my onboard account, right? So I don't have to worry about tipping again, the crew automatically gets it?

 

Also, is there some type of store onboard where we can buy toothpaste or other items if we forget them?

 

Sorry for so many questions - I'm just excited and can't wait! :D

[Sailfish]

I know quite a few veteran cruisers who in the end pay only for tips and nothing else! They bring their own wine and alcohol and don't shop in the stores on the ship, nor do they purchase anymore photos. They always do their own thing in port; my parents are one of these people who spend their money in port, but the bare minimum on the ship. They aren't necessarily what I would call cheap, but they simply have cruised enough that they no longer need ship souvenirs or photos. They do, however, buy jewelry in port, enjoy touring the island on their own, and pick up trinkets for the grandkids.

 

Every few years, they treat the immediate family (a total of 10 people including kids) to a cruise. They are smart about what they will pay for and what they will not. They always pre-pay everyone's gratuity and one or two shore excursions at most (though this depends on the port). And I know they bought a bottle of champagne for every cabin and a family group photo for each family on the last cruise. But they do not pay for EVERYTHING - everyone buys their own alcohol and pays for their own souvenirs - seems fair to all of us - I can't imagine them picking up everyone's tab and all of us appreciate their generosity very much.

 

This is strictly my opinion, but the OP shouldn't have to pay for everything; tell everyone you are paying for the cruise and maybe a group photo and gratuities. You can pre-pay the gratuities and even the champagne if you want to be really generous. I know how expensive a family trip can be as I always help my parents in organizing these trips. It's just something they like to do, though I know we would all prefer to pay our own way. That's why next time, all us kids are treating them!

 

Suffice it to say, it's a huge expense even when you don't include the extras. I speak from experience, people will appreciate anything you do!

 

Good luck!

[Sailfish]

Thanks for all the great information!

 

Can you all help with prices on the following:

 

Photos

- Boarding Photo and One Formal Night are musts but, would like some ball park pricing on photos

 

- Also how much for onboard developing for disposable cameras?

 

Drinks

- How much for an adult soda card?

 

Shore Tours?

I don't have a clue. Can't find any information for specific prices. Any help in this area would be truly appreciated

 

Ice Cream Card

Not sure how much it is or how it works. For example, can we buy one card and have all four of us use it?

 

Tipping

Still fuzzy here - these are ADDED to my onboard account, right? So I don't have to worry about tipping again, the crew automatically gets it?

 

Also, is there some type of store onboard where we can buy toothpaste or other items if we forget them?

 

Sorry for so many questions - I'm just excited and can't wait! :D

 

One thing to keep in mind is that every stateroom has a shipboard account. My parents who often treat us kids to a family cruise every three or four years, prepays the gratuities by calling in shipboard credit to total the amount of gratuities for each cabin. Princess will automatically add $10pp per day to each shipboard account (kids included) - the shipboard credit from my folks covers this. Because all spending goes onto individual stateroom accounts, every cabin has to establish an account at boarding using a credit card. I don't know if you can establish credit for all staterooms connected to your booking - but why would you want to? Like I said in my previous post, everyone should pay for all their incidentals. It will make your life much easier, to say the least.

 

If you go to Princess' website, you can get an idea of what tours are offered and how much they are. Photos are around $20. Do a search and you can find out the cost of a soda card - always a good deal if you drink a lot of soda - no so if you don't.

 

Good luck.

[Ugly Betty Fan]

One thing to keep in mind is that every stateroom has a shipboard account. My parents who often treat us kids to a family cruise every three or four years, prepays the gratuities by calling in shipboard credit to total the amount of gratuities for each cabin. Princess will automatically add $10pp per day to each shipboard account (kids included) - the shipboard credit from my folks covers this. Because all spending goes onto individual stateroom accounts, every cabin has to establish an account at boarding using a credit card. I don't know if you can establish credit for all staterooms connected to your booking - but why would you want to? Like I said in my previous post, everyone should pay for all their incidentals. It will make your life much easier, to say the least.

 

If you go to Princess' website, you can get an idea of what tours are offered and how much they are. Photos are around $20. Do a search and you can find out the cost of a soda card - always a good deal if you drink a lot of soda - no so if you don't.

 

Good luck.

 

Thanks!

[EmpressofPurple]

So nice that you're aware of the extra costs and how they can add up; I often see posts from first-time cruisers who are upset because they thought cruising was "all-inclusive". Even when I've over-spent, if you add my expenditures plus my cruise costs together, the total amount doesn't even begin to approach the price of the "all-inclusive" luxury lines (and remember, they still charge extra for port excursions, spa treatments, etc.) -- and total costs are usually less than most land-based vacations of similar quality.

 

In response to your questions, photos usually run about $20 each, although sometimes they offer a "deal" (not usually such a great deal). I have seen onboard printing of your digital photos at .39/image (also heard some bad stories about images getting lost, so you might prefer to bring extra memory cards or upload images to a laptop and print later) -- don't know that I've seen onboard developing of disposable cameras or film...

 

Soda cards are $3.95 per person/per day plus tax and tip (see chart below).

 

Shore tours - check out the Princess website, or read on these boards (especially the ports of call section) for suggestions for local tours you can arrange privately, or ports where you may feel comfortable exploring on your own.

 

Ice cream card (and coffee card) -- are supposed to be used by one person, and if you suggest you might share them among members of your party you will be flamed by many on this board.

 

Tipping - yes, $10 pp/pd is added to your shipboard account. You may ask for this to be removed (although it is really a very easy way to make sure all the people who served you in the course of your cruise are compensated, rather than just the most visible ones such as your cabin steward or regular waiter if you have traditional dining), or you may supplement it (if you have a fabulous steward, or child care person, or gym trainer... plus you may wish to give small tips for room service delivery, and tips are automatically added to bar purchases).

 

Below is a list I have devised for myself and my friends to help keep track and be aware of what is NOT included in cruise costs, so you know what to prepare for:

 

LIST OF EXTRA CHARGES ON CRUISES:

FOOD/DRINK:

· Fountain Soda at bars and in dining rooms (Soda card available for $3.95 per day for length of cruise plus tax/tip; 7 days = $27.65). Also Canned Soda / Bottled Water ($1.50/ea plus tax/tip; can bring onboard at embarkation and port stops)

· Drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), anywhere on the ship (buffet, dining room, pizza place, trident grill, café, bars, shows, pool deck, room service, etc.) I gather there is a “wine plan” for wine drinkers.

· Specialty ice cream near the pool and in International Café (available for free in Horizon Court Buffet from 3:30-4:30 pm and at dinner)

· A few items at International Café (chocolate covered strawberries, fondue, caramel apples, truffles); a few Room Service items (tray of canapés, soda package, etc.); Sushi at Vines

· Specialty coffee at meals, in International café (coffee card for $24.95 covers 15 drinks plus unlimited brewed coffee at Café).

· Specialty Dining Rooms ($20 pp Sabatinis; $25 pp Crown Grill) and Special Dining Experiences (ultimate balcony dining, Brooklyn lunch, Chef’s Table, Wine Flights/Tastings, etc., etc.)

· Any meals in port (duh)… except where included at “private island” stops (Princess Cays cookout).

ACTIVITIES/PURCHASES:

· Port Tours / Shore Excursions ($25-$150 per outing, whether private or thru cruiseline).

· Gambling - Casino (as you will… be sure to bring on cash or be charged a service fee for taking out cash on your ship card) - Bingo ($10-20 per game)

· Art Auctions (never even attended one of these; they often offer free champagne)

· Shopping onboard or in port (“Sale” books onboard = $25)

· Spa treatments / Salon Services ($60-$180 per treatment – massages, wraps, facials, tooth whitening, ionithermie, manicure/pedicure, haircuts, etc.)

· Sanctuary ($15/half-day – quiet, shaded area with deluxe loungers and drink/food service, outdoor massages and sunset Yoga classes available)

· Thermal Suite ($130/couple for the cruise – indoor heated stone loungers, aromatherapy steam rooms, sauna, etc.)

· Some exercise classes (55-min. Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, plus personal training and fitness/ metabolism testing, and they ask for tips on top of fees. The shorter, 25 mins stretching and aerobics classes are usually free, as are the machines and jogging track, plus sales presentations)

SERVICES/GRATUITIES:

· Some classes including Computers@sea, digital photography instruction, materials for some scholarship@sea programs (ceramics, etc.)

· Photographs taken by the ship’s photographers

· Internet time (.75/min. unless you buy a package, then it can drop to .50/min – much cheaper in port)

· Laundry / dry cleaning through the ship; Self-serve laundry (I think it's $1 for washer, $1 for dryer, $1 for soap); tux/formalwear rental, floral purchases

· Golf simulator and Scuba Training

· Gratuities ($10pp/pd automatically added to your bill or can handle separately)

· Tips on drinks at bars or for room service orders

· Any needed medical services (doctor visits charged to your account).

· Cruise Insurance (to cover medical services rendered, emergency evacuation, repatriation, lost/stolen/damaged baggage, camera, cellphone, laptop, etc.)

· Transfers to and from ship before and after cruise; Tips for baggage handlers, drivers, etc.

What’s Included:

· Cabin, TV movies, cabin service, toiletries, fruit delivery, safe, refrigerator (can fill with own drinks) and of course transportation to all ports of call

· Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner in dining rooms, at 24-hr buffet, pizza place, trident grill, most items at the International Café, room service (except for tips)

· All entertainment (production shows, singers/musicians in bars, show lounges, nightclub, movies, trivia, dance classes, poolside games, Princess Pop Star, port tour/shopping lectures).

· Special events such as champagne waterfall, pool buffet, captain’s party; several presentations such as culinary arts, galley tour, bridge tour, spa wellness (i.e. sales) presentations.

· Use of library, pools/hot tubs, gym (including some classes such as stretch and aerobics), ping-pong, shuffle­board, sports court (bball/vball), putting green, kids program (babysitting extra).

[JRarey]

Wine plan - On either the first or second night ask the sommelier if he/she is offering a wine package (more likely to be understood than my choice of ‘plan’). This is the opportunity to pay in advance for a somewhat limited wine selection that you may choose from at each dinner seating. As an example, there may be 6 wines that are part of the package, and each night you may choose from one of those six. You have the advantage of being able to select a wine that is appropriate for your dinner, but you will save 20 – 25% over buying by the bottle.

 

Adult soda card - Nine nights will run $45.00. As stated earlier, the soda card is a good deal for anyone who is likely to order 4 or more sodas per day.

 

Shore tours - Take a look at your itinerary. You might want to print it or write it out. Then go to Ports of Call (click HERE) and start researching your particular ports. There is a wealth of information here and arranging you own tours will save you huge dollars! For a group your size you can easily save over $100 per day.

 

Tipping – you got it.

 

Yes, there is a store onboard to purchase just about any incidental you may have forgotten, as well as in most ports.

 

And don't worry about the questions, that is what this board is all about.

 

Hope you have a great time.

[Seven_Of_Nine]

I have read in my cruise booklet that items such as drinks etc are charged to your on board account. Will I actally need physical dollars to spend on board?

[Cruzin2paradise09]

Thanks for all the great information!

 

Can you all help with prices on the following:

 

Photos

- Boarding Photo and One Formal Night are musts but, would like some ball park pricing on photos

 

Photos ran from $15 to $20 and some I think were $25

 

- Also how much for onboard developing for disposable cameras?

 

When I asked it was $7 for the standard 24 exposure (my camera was 27 and I never did it), but they ran a special on our 2nd to last full day at sea for $5.

 

Drinks

- How much for an adult soda card?

 

It was around $30 or so dollars . . . we purchased it at the same time as the coffee cards, but I don't remember the total.

 

Shore Tours?

I don't have a clue. Can't find any information for specific prices. Any help in this area would be truly appreciated

 

If you walk down the pier in San Juan there are a coule of different tour operators set up with Old San Juan Tours or tours that go to the rainforest . . . both end up at the shopping district. The city tour was $20 pp and the rainforest was either $30 or $40. DH and I really enjoyed the city tour!

 

Ice Cream Card

Not sure how much it is or how it works. For example, can we buy one card and have all four of us use it?

 

Never heard of this . . .

 

Tipping

Still fuzzy here - these are ADDED to my onboard account, right? So I don't have to worry about tipping again, the crew automatically gets it?

 

Tips are pooled and then divied up . . . we handed cash to our room steward as an extra thank you -- he said he didn't have to pool it.

 

Also, is there some type of store onboard where we can buy toothpaste or other items if we forget them?

 

Yes, the gift shop has some of this stuff, but they are the small (looked smaller than travel size) and cost more than they should.

 

Sorry for so many questions - I'm just excited and can't wait! :D

 

We just got off the Crown 9 days ago and it was great -- you will thoroughly enjoy yourself! You can send yourself "gifts" to help prepay your onboard account since it sounds like you are the one holding the money bag for this cruise. You mentioned somewhere about a wine package - I did not hear of this on Princess (I know you can get a package on RCI). Hope some of this info helps.

[Cruzin2paradise09]

Shore tours - Take a look at your itinerary. You might want to print it or write it out. Then go to Ports of Call (click HERE) and start researching your particular ports. There is a wealth of information here and arranging you own tours will save you huge dollars! For a group your size you can easily save over $100 per day.

 

Remember, if you book your own tour, you had better not be late for the ship because they will not wait for you! Make sure you will be back before the time you are supposed to be back! One of our excursions on the 6/17 sailing (one that I was on) was late . . . fortunately it was a ship-sponsored excursion and the ship waited -- I will say they were not happy! Had it not been ship sponsored, I would have had to fly from St. Thomas to Bermuda - ouch!

[Ugly Betty Fan]

Wow, thanks for all the information. I feel like I can budget now and basically know what to expect - expense wise.:)

 

I am soooo happy I found this board - you all have been wonderful!

[Sailfish]

When booking shore excursions on you own, always take into consideration how much time you have in port. On short port stops, it's best to book excursions through the ship. When you are in port all day, it's probably safe to book an AM excursion on your own. You'll save a lot of $$ and probably have a better experience, but never cut it too close, or you'll be sorry.

[cruisinalong001]

Really? We are 4 on a 9 night cruise, so I could easily spend $3,600?? I've never been on a cruise so I have no idea what to expect....

 

It's really easy to spend too much on your first cruise. We surely did. :eek: There are 101 ways your wallet gets vacuumed on a cruise

and it all adds up. Of course, on our first cruise, we wanted to try everything. Now we are wiser. These are some things that will make your bill add up fast!

 

1. The SPA! Treatments are priced much higher than onshore. SPA products are expensive.

 

2. Shore excursions - a great part of the trip, but they add up! Choose wisely. Do you want to take a few more expensive ones or more small ones.

 

3. Impulse buying in the ship boutiques for things that are on "special". Gold by the inch etc.

 

4. Bingo and the Casino

 

5. Wine tasting, Specialty coffees, drinks, wine with dinner, Bottled water,art auctions

 

6. Souvenirs (onshore and in port) including photos.

 

 

 

There is lots to do on a ship and off that is totally free so take a good look at your patters each evening. There's something there for everybody and it is really hard not to have a great time, whatever you choose.:)

[dforeigner]

What happened to the old rule?

 

Take half the amount of clothing you plan taking out from your luggage and take double the amount of money you were planning on spending.

[pwandersen]

What happened to the old rule?

 

Take half the amount of clothing you plan taking out from your luggage and take double the amount of money you were planning on spending.

I like that rule! For sure, my wife and I have taken too much clothing every time even though we know better. As for money, you'll need to give a credit card number (or a cash deposit) to the pursor upon boarding to cover shipboard expenses because you won't actually be paying cash for anything onboard. If you budget $500 per person for a seven-day cruise, you ought to be okay. And Betty, you've got us all excited about your first cruise (we're all remembering our own firsts), so you have to promise to log on and tell us about it when you get home!

[m steve]

I thought the question was how much cash to bring on the cruise. Most of the charges go on the sign and sail card and I expect would be charged to your registered credit card.

We take about $1000 cash for a 10-12 day cruise. This is for extra tips in cash (room service) ,casino, land tours not arranged for by the ship and junk in shops that don't take credit cards, drinks on shore and lunch in small dives. We usually come home with a lot of cash but like to be prepared.

The last cruise we took a roll of the new $ coins for tips. Also $100 in 20s, $50 in 5s and the rest in $100s or $50s.

[Cruzin2paradise09]

I thought the question was how much cash to bring on the cruise. Most of the charges go on the sign and sail card and I expect would be charged to your registered credit card.

We take about $1000 cash for a 10-12 day cruise. This is for extra tips in cash (room service) ,casino, land tours not arranged for by the ship and junk in shops that don't take credit cards, drinks on shore and lunch in small dives. We usually come home with a lot of cash but like to be prepared.

The last cruise we took a roll of the new $ coins for tips. Also $100 in 20s, $50 in 5s and the rest in $100s or $50s.

 

I believe the OP wanted to know how much cash to bring to be able to put on the shipboard account - which you can do - even though you apply a credit card to the account. Some people don't like to use credit cards and would rather pay cash.

[Seven_Of_Nine]

I have read in my cruise booklet that items such as drinks etc are charged to your on board account. Will I actally need physical dollars to spend on board?