Things to bring - MORE money?!

[tulips*n*truffles]

Hi again!

 

So I've been here for hours today. Reading...thinking...calculating...reading some more. There was a thread that caught my eye - something about what 5 things would you never leave without. I was amazed at the number of people who listed some version of "money, money, and more money" as one of their 5. Or even as ALL of their 5!

 

What am I not expecting? COULD you do a cruise without spending more than you intend to? Literally walk onto the ship and not spend a dime more than you've already spent or plan to spend??

 

I'm planning to spend $ on the cruise itself, gratuity, transfers, passport, and excursions (well and souviners...). I'm using airline miles to get us to Vancouver. So...isn't that it? Are there unexpected expenses you only learn about after you've done this for a while?

 

Sorry. I won't post a ton of questions. Just a few. :-)

THANK YOU!

Natalie

[klfrodo]

Take casino money away from the equation.

 

We allocate approximatly $100 per person per day above and beyond what we pay for the cruise, hotel, meals, and transportation.

[tulips*n*truffles]

Take casino money away from the equation.

 

We allocate approximatly $100 per person per day above and beyond what we pay for the cruise, hotel, meals, and transportation.

 

I know a lot of people do...but for what?! I mean, is that money for things you just know to anticipate, or things you buy at each port? Is it possible to NOT spend more money?! :-)

[thisisjl]

drinks on the ship, souveniers, food/drinks while in port, money to do your own excursions, internet fee's if you plan on using it, specialty restaurants on the ship that you have to pay for are just a couple of the things I can think of to start.

[eh2zed]

It is quite possible to not spend much more than you expect. It largely depends on things like drinks, spa treatments, casino, wine at dinner, etc. These variables are up to you. It is not uncommon for us to have cruise end statements of only a few hundred dollars net of gratuities, fuel surcharge and shore excursions.

[Sheffie]

Yes, it would be possible to not spend any more money than for the cruise and tips. If you got off the ship and walked around the ports, walked to beaches, or stayed on the ship during port stops you wouldn't have to be spending any extra money.

 

There are also ways to spend less than others spend: don't go to the casino, don't buy expensive souvenirs, take the local transportation to different beaches, etc., and other money-saving techniques.

 

A cruise doesn't have to break the bank.

[klfrodo]

Where does my extra money go?

Pre-cruise

tips to can drivers, tip to luggage porter at airport, tip to shuttle driver, drink on plane, meal on plane, tip to hotel shuttle driver, meals, drinks, water, tip to maid service, tip to shuttle driver to ship.

 

During Cruise

Tips already added to ship card

Drinks, soda pop, drinks, bingo cards, bottles of water, drinks, additional tips to hard working staff, excursions, tips to excursion staff, meals off ship, drinks off ship, water off ship, underwater camera, sun screen, OTC medications, drinks, souvineers, tips to cab drivers in port, have I mentioned drinks.

 

Post cruise

tips, meals, water, drinks, hotel, parking

 

Once again, Casino money is seperate.

 

 

 

I have heard of people who can take a 7 day cruise and only spend $100 per person per week or less. Personally, I couldn't even think about it.

[Fredr]

Natalie,

 

You CAN go on a cruise and not spend anymore money on what you have already budgeted.

 

You can see every town in Alaska on foot or by public transportation and have a wonderful time. While the salmon bakes and tours are nice, you can have a great time on your own.

 

There are people who must spend lots of money to have a good time but you do not have to. And from what you have written so far, it seems that you are far ahead of the learning curve in terms of having an understanding of the costs associated with a cruise.

 

Calm down and you will be fine. Send questions, the more the better.

 

Fred

[cruiserbryce]

I guess you could limit the spending if you wanted to but for us we save up and budget enough aside to be able to have a good time and not worry about every dollar...makes cruising and vacationing more fun for us...worry free kind of thing:D

[Fredr]

Cruiserbryce (and Natalie),

 

You are right in that some people can save up enough to spend on tours, drinks, casino and so on.

 

There are many situations though that someone can't save beyond the essentials. My point here is that you can have great time and not spend much if any money, and especially in Alaska.

 

let's see what an extra $150 total for two people will buy for non essentials (and this is based on my 26 cruises including Europe) for a 7 day Alaska cruise.

 

A drink each for 7 days at $4.00 each or $56.00

 

4 t- shirts at $7.00 each bought at the ship's sale or $28.00

 

Drinks off the ship such as a Starbucks coffee, admission to National Parks like the one in Sitka... $40

 

Total so far, $129, leaving $21.00 for whatever.

 

I understand that drink prices will vary by ship with some like Celebrity being higher. As I recall a car of beer on the Mercury in October of 2008, was about $4.00 each plus the gratuity.

 

And it is very important to remember that you are going on a cruise to enjoy each other's company in what is a very special time, place, and means of travel.

 

Just some ideas for Natalie.

 

Fred

[cb at sea]

So many folks really over-spend and over-tip on a cruise....sometimes their onboard account equals (or exceeds) the actual cruisefare! It doesn't have to be that way!

Excursions really add up...so does alcohol!

We seldom buy any "souveniers" or photos....I mean, if I have to have a "thing" to help me remember the vacation, my money was wasted!

[melana]

This is something that I have been worried about..overspending..

 

There are 3 of us going on a 4 day cruise to the bahamas..Hotel is paid for, for our pre-cruise stay in FLL.

Aunt, who is riding with me to Florida, is paying for the gas and any hotel stays for the ride to Florida and back..

 

My excursions are aound 300.00 total for the 3 of us..

 

I am hoping that the total for any extra, including excursions, tips, drinks, and small souviners (i have to get at least 2 bottles of rum and some sand from each beach I visit)..will total somewhere around 800.00...But I have budgeted a little more just in case...

 

I don't think this will cost me anymore than what a land based trip to the beach in the middle of july will. It will actually be much cheaper....

 

And the good thing is, I get a travel reimbursement check from work once every 2 months due to the ridiculous amount of driving I have to do..and that will more than cover what I spend..

[CowPrincess]

One time we cruised, we had a total of $40 on our tab at the end of the cruise, excluding tips. We did "do it yourself" excursions, and had a glass of wine with dinner a few nights. We still had a wonderful time. Between the 2 of us, we probably didn't spend $200 total for 7 days.

 

On our last cruise, we probably spent $800 for 2 for 10 days. We'd prepaid all but one excursion, so the $800 includes $200 for one excursion, wine, casino, tips to cab drivers, cabs, tips to crew, and enough silver jewelry to set off the metal detector at the airport.

 

We exercise a fair amount of self-control, so our cruises generally never exceed what we plan to spend. We don't chintz out for experiences we REALLY want, but we also don't fling money around like we have a money tree in the back yard :D

[PhoenixCruiser]

Hi again!

 

So I've been here for hours today. Reading...thinking...calculating...reading some more. There was a thread that caught my eye - something about what 5 things would you never leave without. I was amazed at the number of people who listed some version of "money, money, and more money" as one of their 5. Or even as ALL of their 5!

 

What am I not expecting? COULD you do a cruise without spending more than you intend to? Literally walk onto the ship and not spend a dime more than you've already spent or plan to spend??

 

I'm planning to spend $ on the cruise itself, gratuity, transfers, passport, and excursions (well and souviners...). I'm using airline miles to get us to Vancouver. So...isn't that it? Are there unexpected expenses you only learn about after you've done this for a while?

 

Sorry. I won't post a ton of questions. Just a few. :-)

THANK YOU!

Natalie

 

Natalie, there will always be unexpected expenses...what cruise line and what ship?

 

###

[KC_fn]

COULD you do a cruise without spending more than you intend to? Literally walk onto the ship and not spend a dime more than you've already spent or plan to spend??

 

YES! You absolutely can be in control of your money, and not vice versa!

 

The trick is to decide beforehand what you want to spend on, and how much, and then firmly commit to stick to your budget, no matter the momentary temptations.

 

The big ticket items are:

Casino

Alcohol

Shopping

Excursions

Spa

 

And be aware that there a tons of things to do, both on the ship and in port, that are free or low-cost.

 

Zero-ticket items:

Sunset at sea

Sleeping whenever you want

Most food on board

Meeting interesting people

Checking out everyone's finery on Formal Night

Sights, smells and sounds in every port

Dancing the night away

Being pampered

 

On my first cruise, I didn't even think about this issue beforehand, and ended up with a credit card bill that took months to pay off. The next time around, we budgeted $25/per person/per day for miscellaneous spending, and walked off the ship with money left over. If our habits were different, we might have budgeted more (or much more), but the point is to make that decision BEFORE you get onto the ship. Otherwise it gets away from you.

 

Enjoy! (And post as many questions as you like.)

[KC_fn]

Double post

[Sheffie]

Also remember that you can keep updated on your ship expenses by checking your bill on the t.v. in your cabin. This can help you avoid the "Oh-my-goodness-how-did-I-spend-so-much!" shock.

[maureencruiser]

Tulips and Truffles, the first thing I want to say is how did you come up with that screen name? I am guessing they are your pets, am I right? I have found that the more I cruise, the less money I spend on incidentals. How many pictures of myself standing next to a life preserver do I really need? Do I need to buy the Ben & Jerry's ice cream or is the ship's own free ice cream good enough? Since this is your first cruise, go ahead and enjoy yourself, spend as much money as you want, but, maybe as you get more experienced, you'll cut back on some of the expenses. I figure that the less "extra" money I spend, the more cruises I can go on....Maureen

[tulips*n*truffles]

I'm absorbed in these boards! Anyone else?! I finally had to search old threads to see what I've been missing on my 12-hour break! :-)

 

My screenname isn't that creative - my dog, Zoey, didn't make the cut. :-) Acutally, I just adore tulips and my passion in life is cooking - so - tulips*n*truffles!

 

I feel like I've found the perfect vacation to SAVE money. I'm not a drinker at all, I have no problem blowing $10 in the casino and being done with it, I'd rather sleep than spa, and a sunset at sea is worth more money than anything I could purchase! Excursions are another story. I'm still researching the best value for the money. I'm definitely not in the helicopter/airplane tour crowd - I just don't have that much money saved - even though it would be incredible. But a guided tour or train - awesome!

 

Speaking of excursions. I wrote down some prices early this week and checked them again today and they went up. Not much, but like $10-15 per person. Is that pretty normal? Will they just keep going up?

 

You guys are awesome! Thanks so much for the help and advice!!!

Natalie

[gsu_paintballer]

You sound a lot like myself. My girlfriend and I are going on our first cruise in August. We don't drink, gamble, or plan on doing organized excursions. This makes cruising the PERFECT budget vacation.

[Fredr]

Tulips,

 

Hope that I am not boring you with my comments. There are some people who ask questions of this board (and you are one) who really want to go on a cruise, and who are full of life and fun. This means that I want to lead you by the hand so to speak and give you the best advice that I have to offer...based on 27 cruises to several parts of the world. I will know more about China, Japan and South Korea in three weeks...Azamara Quest cruise from Hong Kong to Beijing.

 

Please note that there are many ports throughout the world where you can see on your own...no need for a tour. And Alaska is one place whre you can see all of the ports and spend practicly no money at all. In Juneau, for example you can take a 2 hour tour of Juneau by city bus for about $3.00 or so including Auke Bay. Ketckikan you can see on foot.

 

And in Alaska the car rental option is the best, that is, for $40-50 for the day plus gas, you can see just about everything that a port has to offer, and a truly great experience is to drive up into the Canadian Yukon from Skagway.

 

Another place to rent a car is Aruba.

 

Do not hesitate with your questions.

 

Fred

[preg]

:confused:We go on a cruise in October - alot of you mention tips in your bill but arent these included in your travel fare, it says it is in my documents. I know its polite but hey its the credit crunch, so do you have to tip??? or have this done automatically on your account (we got free AI upgrade so plan on mostly only having the AI meals and drinks).??

[gsu_paintballer]

Gratuity is added into almost everything bought on the ship.

 

The "prepaid" tips are for the people who work for you throughout the cruise (waiters, stewards, that sort of thing)

[Sheffie]

:confused:We go on a cruise in October - alot of you mention tips in your bill but arent these included in your travel fare, it says it is in my documents. I know its polite but hey its the credit crunch, so do you have to tip??? or have this done automatically on your account (we got free AI upgrade so plan on mostly only having the AI meals and drinks).??

 

Preg, IMHO it is really important to tip your room steward, waiter, and assistant waiter due the fact that the ship's company usually only pays them about $50 per month. Our tips are what they live on and send home to their families. They work REALLY hard. I would not consider NOT tipping them.

[RoofingPrincess]

:confused:We go on a cruise in October - alot of you mention tips in your bill but arent these included in your travel fare, it says it is in my documents. I know its polite but hey its the credit crunch, so do you have to tip??? or have this done automatically on your account (we got free AI upgrade so plan on mostly only having the AI meals and drinks).??

Depending on your cruiseline,

You can prepay your "standard" tips (cabin attendant and waitstaff) before you ever leave home - this may be what you're seeing in your documents.

You can have them added to your shipboard account; on some ships, this is done automatically, while on others you have to fill out a form to have it done.

Or you can pay them in cash at the end of the week (not on an as-you-go basis).

 

On Carnival, my tips were automatically added to my shipboard account.

On Royal Caribbean, once I filled out a form and had them added to my account, and another time I paid them before I left home. In both cases, I received vouchers in my cabin to put into the tip envelopes.

I honestly don't remember what I did on Princess!