How much do YOU spend on a family cruise?

[NorwegianGirl]

Hello cruising friends :)

 

I hope you don`t mind me asking...

But about how much do you think we`ll use on a 8 night eastern caribbian

cruise. I mean spending money (after the cruise and transportation is paid for). We are 2 adults and 2 kids ( 9 months and 3 yrs) and I was thinking about bringing 2000 $. Is this too little? We wont by any diamonds (cheap husband haha:D) and will stay away from the art auctions.

I was hoping to avoid using our visa cards, since we have heard so much about foreigners getting ripped off , and it is expencive for us to use it all the time abroad.

So, how much did you and your family spend on a weeks cruise?

Just to give me an idea.

 

Have a great friday night everybody (or day, depends on where you read this;))

[crusinmama06]

Do you pay for your excursions in advance? Do you drink alot? lol

 

For me, $2,000 is always more than enough. My biggest vice (since I don't drink that much) is pictures. I spend hundreds in pictures on every cruise.

 

If you had alot of excursions and didn't book them until you got onboard, then $2,000 might not go as far. But if you do a fair amount of excursions, and don't drinks or gamble ALOT, then $2,000 would be enough. :)

 

My SIL and my MIL both have been on cruises with me and their sea pass totals have been UNDER $100 :eek: So I guess it's possible. ;)

[NorwegianGirl]

Hmmm.. think I`ll bring a little more then.. we are not big drinkers or gamblers , at least not when we`re travelling with kids ;)

Thanx cruisinmama, You always have so lovely answers to people in these boards, you seem like such an angel:)

[cb at sea]

You can always put any unspent funds back in the bank when you get home! I'd much rather have too much, than not enough, or have to worry about "nickels and dimes" for the trip!

[crusinmama06]

Thanx cruisinmama, You always have so lovely answers to people in these boards, you seem like such an angel:)

 

Awww thanks. :D I think my halo is crooked though. ;)

 

What cruise are you doing? What ports?

[NorwegianGirl]

You can always put any unspent funds back in the bank when you get home! I'd much rather have too much, than not enough, or have to worry about "nickels and dimes" for the trip!

 

Jepp that`s so much better:D I just doubt that there will be any left..*shoppaholic*:p

 

Cruisinmama06:

We are going on the Independence of the seas january 9 2009.

Can`t wait!! Our first cruise ever!! I just finished booking excecutions (Probably not how you spell it). There`ll be a couple of beach getaways, guess its best for the kids, even though I`d love to go to look at art etc. Anyther time maybe;)

We`re leaving from ft lauderdale and visiting Puerto Rico, St Martin, St thomas and Labadee.

My husband has never been to the USA, so he is looking forward to see that part of the world. I hope this is the first of many cruises:)

[crusinmama06]

I just finished booking excecutions (Probably not how you spell it). We`re leaving from ft lauderdale and visiting Puerto Rico, St Martin, St thomas and Labadee.

 

Bless your heart! Executions is what we do to criminals. ;)

 

What excursions did you book?

 

Labadee will be your full beach day. No need for any excursion there. And there will be a free buffet at the beach.

 

St. Thomas has a beautiful beach called Magen's Bay. You can actually just take a taxi there if you wish. No tour needed.

 

St. Martin - we've done Orient Beach and we've also done a tour called "Under the Two Flags Tour". The flags tour was an air conditioned bus tour and we were able to tour from one side of the island to the other. We could shop. Eat at a sea side cafe. The kids were comfy because it was on an air conditioned bus. It was a nice tour.

 

I think you picked a great first cruise. :D Keep her clean for me, I will be on her 2 weeks after you.

[NorwegianGirl]

Ha ha I had a feeling that I spelled it wrong! I remember my english teacher was telling us over and over again how important it was to spell it right because it ment to very different things...:o

 

We booked a Magan beach Getaway- tour and An afternoon beach break (orient bay) tour and in Labadee I booked those matrasses you can use in the wather and lie on at the beach as well.

 

Yes we will definately keep it clean for you:)

We promise:)

[chipmaster]

Hello cruising friends :)

 

I hope you don`t mind me asking...

But about how much do you think we`ll use on a 8 night eastern caribbian

cruise. I mean spending money (after the cruise and transportation is paid for). We are 2 adults and 2 kids ( 9 months and 3 yrs) and I was thinking about bringing 2000 $. Is this too little? We wont by any diamonds (cheap husband haha:D) and will stay away from the art auctions.

I was hoping to avoid using our visa cards, since we have heard so much about foreigners getting ripped off , and it is expencive for us to use it all the time abroad.

So, how much did you and your family spend on a weeks cruise?

Just to give me an idea.

 

Have a great friday night everybody (or day, depends on where you read this;))

 

Cash for PORT expenditures is smart, though for larger purchases at more reputable establishments runs very little risk of fraud. 2000 USD for in port cash expenditures is more then enough.

 

Now could you spend more above and beyond?

 

Tours, Excursion, some can be pricey like dolphin encounters or other water activities things. The good thing is most of these you can book and pay with credit card.

 

Souveniors; pictures, watches, or other random things can add up to a tidy sum depending on your tastes

 

On Board Stuff: Ice cream bar, coffee bar, alcohol, speciality resturants

 

Enjoy the cruise

[gelo7]

We are not gamblers, drinkers, shoppers, and we tour on our own. With cabs/buses and souvenirs, we have never spent more than $100.00. With $2000.00, we could pay for a short cruise.:)

[readytolose]

I think $2000 is plenty since you are cruising with two relatively young children. It's not like you can drink until you're drunk! Well I guess you could but I'm guessing since someone will have to watch the kids you won't.

 

You could put the 3 year old in the kids program and go to the casino to spend some money, but you would need to get a babysitter for the 9 month old.

 

If you already booked your excursions then they will already be paid for.

 

 

My husband and I spent about $2600 on our 8 night cruise. That was our honeymoon so no kids, which meant we drank a lot more than usual and we also left a VERY nice deposit in the casino each night. We also played bingo many times and bought lots of pictures since it was our first cruise and also our honeymoon. We only ate at one restaurant while in the ports. All of our other meals were on the ship.

 

My guess is you will be bringing some of that $2000 back home with you.

[CanadianTwosome]

On our last two cruises (one 7, one 8) we've capped out around $1000 on our on board spending (this includes our autocharge of $25 per day for the three of us). Of course, we use our credit card for that. As for cash, I think we've taken about $500 in cash on the last two. We don't use it on board and we're not really big souvenir buyers. If we did everything in cash, $2000 would definitely cover it. :)

[honeywell]

Not counting gratuities and casino money (I bring a separate budget for that) I average around $100 per day for two adults and two kids (currently ages 8 and 9). I am on the same Independence itinerary in April, so I will look forward to your review!!

 

I do like using my credit cards for purchases, so if there is any dispute the credit card company will fight my battles for me. I also like getting frequent flyer miles along with my purchases and excursions! :p (I always pay off the balance each month though!)

[SelectSys]

...

I was hoping to avoid using our visa cards, since we have heard so much about foreigners getting ripped off , and it is expencive for us to use it all the time abroad.

...

 

I haven't heard about excessive credit card fraud in the Caribbean. What sort of stories have you heard? I am heading to the Caribbean in a couple of weeks time and was planning on using my card as I like the airline miles associated with credit card purchases.

 

Also, you'll settle you account only one time on board at the end of the cruise. Are you worried about fees charged by your bank to convert the charges back into Kronors? Is it some extra fee by your bank for making an international purchase?