How much per day?

[kitty0218]

I am going on my first cruise in November and we are in port every single day. I'm trying to figure out, on average, how much people spend per day on "extras". I am travelling with my boyfriend and we are in our 20s. We are planning on seeing the sights at each island and so far I've figured about $100 per person per day off the ship. But then once we get back on the ship and spend money on drinks and stuff, it seems like it's really going to start to add up. I had to beg my boyfriend to let me book this trip and we got an amazing deal but now he's starting to regret it because he's realizing how much it's going to cost when we actually get there. I'm trying to save as much as I can because I don't want to miss out on stuff because I couldn't afford it. But my boyfriend isn't much of a traveller and I think he'd rather miss out on stuff so we can save money... grrrr :( What is an average amount to budget for per person, per day?

[JanineM]

You can spend as little or as much as you want. We normally spend about $100 per day for the two of us - so about $700 for a week (that includes our gratuities).

 

We normally don't spend a lot on excursions. We like to take a taxi to the beach and hang out there for a few hours, then go back to the ship for a late lunch. We figure we've already paid for our meals on the ship, so why spend more on shore!

 

I try really hard to find souvenirs, but there is the same stuff on most islands, and unless you're tempted by watches or jewellery, you may find that there is not a lot to buy. I spend maybe a total of about $100 on stuff to take back home for friends.

 

Where we tend to spend the most money is on the gratuities (about $10 per person per day), and on drinks. We don't drink a LOT ... but we can easily have a bar tab of at least $60 a day. Beer is obviously cheaper than cocktails or wine - but I've found that the bartenders tend to have a relatively heavy hand with the cocktails, so I don't drink as many of them as I would at a bar at home. Try the drink of the day --- but stay away from the souvenir glasses because they're expensive, and then you have to haul them home. We sailed with friends last year and they drank from breakfast through til midnight. Their bar bill at the end of the week was over $2000 ... so be aware that those 10 am Bloody Mary's, noon beers, afternoon margaritas, pre-dinner cocktails and after dinner liqueurs QUICKLY add up.

 

We spend a few dollars on photos - buying maybe 2 per trip at a total cost of about $30. And then there is the casino, which is always a losing proposition and they don't give you free drinks - unlike Vegas!

 

If you're concerned about a big bill at the end of the week, check your charges every day so there won't be a big surprise at the end. You don't need to spend a bunch of money to have a good time, especially since all of your meals are already taken care of.

[firefly333]

If your b/f is saying its too much, you can just walk around and shop and get on the internet in most ports for about $3 an hour. Some cruiselines it is easier to smuggle some booze on than others.

 

We do private excursions, and dont do them at every port. As you say this can add up. You can usually take a private excursion that drives you around for $35 to $50 pp, or take a taxi cheaper to a free beach.

 

If its going to upset your b/f so much, I would try and compromise and not spend such a large amount. Are you planning on gambling?? $100 pp per day would be a lot to me too. We bring enough cash for $100 pp per day for port days to shop and for emergencies, and last cruise several emergencies. I was on the Conquest for a hurricane hit our parked cars, spent $200 for extra meds in Cozumel and almost $200 to get home with a rented car, so its good to have extra cash .... just in case things go wrong.

 

Since we dont know what ship you booked or what ports, its hard to be specific, but sounds to me like you are allowing plenty unless you drink and gamble a lot.

[kitty0218]

Thanks for the replies! We don't drink and gamble a ton... we'll definitely have a few drinks but we are sailing with Carnival and we plan on smuggling in our own liquor so we can sit on our balcony in the evening and relax without paying extra for liquor. So that should cut down our bar tab a little bit. But I'm sure we'll still have a couple drinks each per day at least. I wouldn't mind trying the casino, but when I gamble at home, I put down $40 at blackjack, and that's it. If it's gone, it's gone. But the funny thing is, I've never walked away with less than $40 after a couple of hours of play. So, no, we're not big gamblers either. Losing $40 would upset me.. lol.

 

We are going to be sailing out of Puerto Rico and going to St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Kitts. I'm not big into shopping either so that won't cost much. I've booked excursions in Dominica and St. Lucia but we are pretty much just planning on spending the day at the beach on the other islands. I like the idea of eating lunch on the ship rather than buying it on the island. We'll have to spend half our day at the beach rather than all day (which is a little extreme anyway).

[tomko2]

Which ports are you going to visit.

We take water bottles with us on the cruise and fill them in the cabin before we go ashore; we take taxis to the beaches, you don't even need to rent a chair and umbrealla at the beach; spend 3 hours at the beach; go back to the ship for lunch and change of clothes then off the ship to walk around the town in the afternoon. Just window shop! Cost per day onshore $12 - 25.00

Cost on board: make a decision as to your daily drink allowance and spend accordingly.

Casino: same as with drinks or decide you will put $50. in an envelope and that will be your casino budget.

It really is manageable and it is great you are thinking about it now because that will make the difference.

Don't forget the tips for the crew who work so hard to ensure you have a good trip.

Kathy:)

[JanineM]

 

We are going to be sailing out of Puerto Rico and going to St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Kitts. I'm not big into shopping either so that won't cost much. I've booked excursions in Dominica and St. Lucia but we are pretty much just planning on spending the day at the beach on the other islands. I like the idea of eating lunch on the ship rather than buying it on the island. We'll have to spend half our day at the beach rather than all day (which is a little extreme anyway).

 

St. Kitts and St. Lucia are both really beautiful. You may want to look at one of the beach excursions on St. Kitts. We went to Turtle Bay (??) which faces Nevis and the drive itself was really beautiful. If you take that excursion, know that there is food on the beach, but it was expensive (like $10 for a burger and fries). On St. Kitts we did a kayak excursion which was a total waste of money.

[138east]

Go through the Saving Money thread to see what others are thinking and doing. It's all in the mindset. Everyone has given you good advice so far.

 

I think you've picked the best two islands for an organized tour - St. Lucia and Dominica. For the others taking a cab to the beach will give you a small tour of the island and a wonderful day. Taking lots of water with you from the ship is really important.

 

What ship are you going on? That will probably determine where you dock in St. Thomas.

[cb at sea]

If you're doing the "beach" thing at most ports, that won't cost too much at all. We seldom do excursions--we like the beaches! We don't do alot of shopping, either.

And remember, staying on the ship and making use of the pool and all of the things you've paid for already while it's in port is really nice! Most folks will be in town, and the ship will be all yours! That's an option, if you don't want to spend all day roaming about!

The largest expense is the excursions--most folks (especially 1st timers) really go overboard (no pun intended) with the excursions. That can really put a bite on your wallet!

[cmarrero1014]

The great thing about the Caribbean is if you see something you like, the price is usually negotiable. Like a shirt or even some small jewelry? Test out your haggling skills!

 

Like a drink? One of the jewelry stores was even giving away tequila shots for anyone browsing :eek:. Nothing like free booze to loosen the wallets right?