Cruising on a budget!

[jsher]

My husband and I have been married three years and are just now taking our honeymoon. We're both students and have a 20month old, so we've had to save for a long time! I guess you could call my husband and I lower class cruisers. I'm sure there are more of you out there and I need a little advice. What expenses should I avoid. Does the Seapass go automatically to a credit card or do we settle up at the end? For a 5 day cruise how much should we expect to spend? My husband doesn't drink alcohol and I don't drink alot. We don't want to be overly frugal and want to enjoy ourselves, but exces money just doesn't exist. I would love to here your suggestions. We leave in 5 days and we're so excited!

[jean-lynd]

When you are on the ship you can get by without spending anything other then the tips. If you like icetea or lemonade to drink they are free. We bring a thermal jug with us that we fill with ice water in the windjammer each morning and then we have ice cold water to drink all day whether we are in port or relaxing by the pool. I have more trouble keeping expenses down when I am in port. If you post what ports you will be in it will make it easier to suggest what you can do without spending a lot of money. Most people provide a credit card number for their on ship expenses but you can also start your account with cash. Is you use your credit card you do not have to "settle up" at the end of the cruise but you will have to do that if you use cash. I hope this helps!

[checkard]

Don't consider yourselves "lower class cruisers", unless you have no manners, are constantly drunk and spend the week annoying other cruisers. Just because you have to save to cruise doesn't make you lower class. Your cruise is going to mean a lot to you since you worked so hard to get there.

 

Once we pay for our cruise, we don't spend a lot of other money. We only have a few drinks during the week, do most of our excursions on our own and don't buy a lot of stuff to take home. We take a lot of pictures rather than buy stuff. Get someone to take your picture when you are all dressed up for formal night, get it blown up at WalMart. Saves a lot over buying the photos by the ship photographer. If you want a few sodas during the week, take your own on board and get ice from your room steward.

 

 

Your sea pass can go to a credit card or you can use traveler's check or cash and settle up at the end.

 

Where are you cruising to?

[jsher]

I'm cruising on the VOS going to GC and Cozumel. We both wanted to swim with the stingrays, so we have booked with Captain Marvins for that. Thank you for the input thus far.

[WISara]

jsherWe went with a budget too. Really - if you are conservative with the drinking, don't donate too much to the casino and aren't buying a billion souvenirs you should be ok.

 

My BF and I ended up spending $300 for all Sea Pass expenses including tips for the crew at the end of the trip -- and we tried the drink of the day everyday, played 1 bingo game, donated a bit to the casino and won some back.

 

We ended up spending between $50-100 per person for each excursion - although we were scuba diving almost every stop so that gets a little more pricey than a day at the beach or an island tour. I spent a total of $100 on souvenirs (perfume, tshirts, turtle statues, postcards).

 

I think you can easily go and have a blast with spending a small amount - as long as you aren't looking to get drunk every night and go out and do all the crazy big $$ excursions.

 

I know a lot of people say plan on $100 per person per day plus excursions but really that seems a bit high.

Just go and have a great time!!

[Rich And Sylvia]

A cruise and a vacation for that matter are really a personal thing. Some like to get out and it doesn't matter what kind of room or cabin they have as long as they get away. Sylvia and I would rather save a little longer - and vacation a little less - to make sure we can have a nice room with a balcony. Maybe a spa treatment. Some casino money. See what I mean? What expenses should you avoid? You may want to only buy the pictures of your embarkation and formal dinner. The ship photographers will be taking pictures all over the place - just don't buy them. The ships casino is another area you may want to avoid if you’re on a tight budget or, if you have the discipline, limit your casino spending to an amount agreed upon before leaving home. Limit your souvenir spending to small and inexpensive items - like shots glasses from the various places you visit.

 

Does the Seapass go automatically to a credit card or do we settle up at the end?

This depends on how much you spend and how fast. Your charges do not go directly to your credit card in real-time - the ship will let them rack-up so to speak. If the ship sees your spending money all over the place, they will charge your card after about $500 - $600 to make sure you are good for it. Cash is also another option and a way to control your spending. You will be able to see your charges and track your spending via you cabin TV.

 

For a 5-day cruise how much should we expect to spend?

Sylvia and I did a 4-day cruise on the West Coast and had a wonderful time and our Sea Pass account was about $300 - $350 - I think. This does not include shore activities as these were booked and sometimes paid for before we left. You don't have much time for that so if you plan on using the ships excursion offerings - watch your spending there. You may just want to get off the ship and do a little sightseeing on your own and look for a cozy place to have lunch. This is a great way to see the area you have stopped in and taste the local flavor.

 

We leave in 5 days and we're so excited!

Hope this has helped. Congratulations - and have fun.

[VanessaC322]

My husband and I are in our early 20's, have been married almost 3 years, and have a daughter AND are students also, and we are going on our second cruise in January. Our first was with Carnival last March and we did it frugally as well. My secret was booking excursions independently. In Cozumel we took a cab to Paradise Beach where everything was free except food and drinks. The beach was beautiful, we got lounge chairs, a little table, floating mats, ocean kayaks, etc.

 

With food being included, you can order room service ahead of time and bag it in little baggies to take to the beach instead of paying for beach food.

 

It can be done...that's how we're going again already!

[jsher]

more questions.

We did the prepaid tip option. How much should we budget for xtra tips(favorite bartender, waitstaff etc.) It cost about $100 for the 2 of us to begin with.

 

Should we bring pop on or do the drink card thing?

 

Anymore suggestions are kindly appreciated

[alexkrn46]

We packed a 12 pack of soda our last trip it saved a bundle! Also on RCCL the t shirts go on sale the second to last day of the cruise. enjoy your cruise!

[jsher]

Vanessa,

That's funny, you sound just like me! Even down to your profile. I'm really into scrapbooking. Anyways, thank you for the input

[Let'sGo!]

I'm sure you guys are so excited about your "honeymoon!" And by no means are you lower class cruisers. I think anyone who cruises is "first class!" And believe me - you'll feel like it once you step on board that big ship!

 

As others have suggested - watch the on board costs such as alcohol and pictures. Those frozen drinks they greet you with can really add up, figure at least $7 a drink, probably more. You'll have tips at the end of the cruise as well. Gratuities are not included in the price of your cruise, and you have the option of putting them on your SeaPass account or paying them in cash.

 

When you first get to the port, they will ask you for a credit card to "secure" your SeaPass account - just like checking into a hotel room. But like a hotel, you won't have to pay for your SeaPass bill with this credit card, you can settle it up at the end with cash or traveller's checks. One thing you can do along the way if you want... check with the purser's desk every couple of nights and see what your bill is so far. You can pay some of it with cash to pay it down, leaving a smaller bill at the end to put on your credit card at the end.

 

I'm a big water drinker and the water on board is excellent so I don't even bother taking bottled water, but we do take along a 12-pack of cokes or some kind of soft drink. Soft drinks are pretty pricey on board.

 

As far as the pictures... I have to say this: I thought they were pretty expensive and at first I didn't want to buy them. But then I had a great idea... I bought a couple of the formal pictures and gave them to our parents as Christmas gifts. Then it didn't seem so bad. It didn't cost that much to have a print made from the original, so knowing I was giving it as a gift justified the cost of buying it. I loved the idea of knocking out a Christmas gift so early in the year too!

 

I'd love to hear from you when you get back! Email me if you want!

 

Ann

[jsher]

Thanks. I see you live in San Antonio. My husband went to UT in Austin for a few years. We really miss it there and plan on moving back after we finally graduate.

[emilymad]

I did a budget cruise a few years ago after getting out of college. For a 7 day cruise I spent maybe $200 with tips. We planned something in the morning like going to a local beach. We always ate lunch on the ship since we figured we had already paid for it. In the afternoon we would go shopping. Or more browsing then shopping. I collect Christmas ornaments so that is the most I would buy. They run usually less then $10 each. On my most recent cruise we spent a little more money but we didn't buy too much. Go get your formal pictures taken. We had as many professional pictures taken. We had a lot of fun looking at the pictures and there were many that we didn't buy. I told a lot of pictures of the islands. When I got home I blew them up bigger and got cheap frames at Target. They look great and they make me smile much more then a t-shirt or something. I am sure you will have a wonderful time no matter what!

[TahoeBob]

My DW and I just got off the Vision and we spent about $500 on a 7 day cruise on the sea pass on ship expences was $150.00 in the spa, $160.00 tips, $60.00 in the gifts shops, we went one one tour at $28.00 each, the rest went for drinks and other assorted expences. we spent another $500.00 on shore but I did all my Christmas shopping in Mexico. IMHO you could get by with just tips, drink lemonaid, bring a bottle of wine with you and do other free things and not spend very much money at all and still have the time of your lifes.

 

Bob P.

[bibb]

jsher,

 

Many of us, who do a lot of cruises, budget to be able to do it. We're just older and have less needs at home.

 

There is a lot of good advice above; drink coffee, tea, lemonade. They are free. Ice cream on the pormenade is free on the Voyager. The Promenade Cafe is 24 hours with snacks and drinks. Reuse your water bottles and take them on shore with you. Return to the ship for lunch each day; it's free. You can go on and off the ship as many times as you want.

 

You will thoroughly enjoy Captain Marvin's in Grand Cayman. In Cozumel, take a taxi (about $8) to Chankanaab Park and walk the trails and use its beach; it's cheaper than tours.

 

Good luck,

[lmmn]

Check out the Forum Jump below: Money Saving Tips. It's a good idea to spend as little money as possible...so you can save up more quickly for your next cruise!

[ineedacruise]

Never consider yourself low class because you are on a budget. We are a family of 4 and love cruising just for the experience to get away and travel. You do not need to spend any more money than tips and a little exploring to have a great cruise.

[VABeach]

The cool thing about a cruise is that it's ALL INCLUSIVE. You don't HAVE to spend more money unless you just want to. (Except for tipping, of course).;)

 

The extras are as everyone has said: Alcohol, Casino, Shopping, Soda, Excursions. If you don't really have to have any of those things, you'll be fine.:p

[VanessaC322]

Vanessa,

That's funny, you sound just like me! Even down to your profile. I'm really into scrapbooking. Anyways, thank you for the input

 

No problem at all! I was concerned on our first cruise about things like feeling out of place due to our ages and "place in life" but I participated a lot in the Roll Call boards and met people ahead of time to communicate with and they had a lot of great tips. As long as you plan smart ahead of time you will be able to cruise on a budget. I tend to "over-plan" and it paid off in the form of saving money.

 

Have a great time and good luck!

[colette5479]

I agree with all of the above suggestions. There really is no need to spend a fortune while cruising. The only other suggestions I would offer is:

 

Don't buy T-Shirts at the ports. Most are cheaply made and will ruin after a few washes. The t-shirts onboard seem to be of good quality.

 

Instead of buying the folks at home souviners, have someone take your picture on the ship or at interesting sites in port, put them in a frame and give them for birthday or Christmas presents.

 

Don't shop onboard for the first few days. It seems like the cruises I have been on have a "clearance" sale on some items the last sea day. If you see something you really want, ask the clerk if there are plenty in stock. You never know, it could be on sale the last sea day!

 

Lastly, set a limit BEFORE you go onboard! Ans try to stick with it:D I always set myself a limit and you should see how many times I am in the onboard shops wondering if the items on my wish list are worth it!

 

Have a great time and let us know how it went!

[Shanafan]

My husband and I have been married three years and are just now taking our honeymoon. We're both students and have a 20month old, so we've had to save for a long time! I guess you could call my husband and I lower class cruisers. I'm sure there are more of you out there and I need a little advice. What expenses should I avoid. Does the Seapass go automatically to a credit card or do we settle up at the end? For a 5 day cruise how much should we expect to spend? My husband doesn't drink alcohol and I don't drink alot. We don't want to be overly frugal and want to enjoy ourselves, but exces money just doesn't exist. I would love to here your suggestions. We leave in 5 days and we're so excited!

First of all you are not 'lower class cruisers'. I am sure you are very nice, hard working young adults! That said, there are so many things you can do to save money. You already mentioned the alcohol, but another way is to drink the free lemonade and tea and water. Or ( look out--I may catch some ^* for this---bring some sodas with you. ) Instead of booking excursions through the cruise line---take a cab to a beach--or stay on board and enjoy the ship. Be sure to check out the islands you are going to. Some places you should not venture out by yourself. Maybe you should let us know what ship you are on, and where you are going and you could get some good info on each place.

 

You guys enjoy yourselves! I look forward to hearing how your belated honeymoon goes..........

[Shanafan]

jsher,

 

You will thoroughly enjoy Captain Marvin's in Grand Cayman. In Cozumel, take a taxi (about $8) to Chankanaab Park and walk the trails and use its beach; it's cheaper than tours.

 

Good luck,

Maybe someone can give the correct amount, but it seems when we went to Chankanaab Park we had to pay an entrance fee---around $ 10 per person.

[DEERINH2O]

Just went in Nov and it is $12.00 per person.....but it was a great day

[jsher]

Thanks everyone

[Marysunshine]

Perhaps a bit OT, but watching one's money doesn't make you "low class". It's those that watch their money carefully that eventually become "high class". :)

People don't get rich by blowing their money!!!