How much spending money do I need?

[carmena610]

Okay...so I am in a dilemma. I am going on the Explorer of the Seas on July 23rd through August 1st. It's my husband and our 2 sons 17 and 13. I really do not want to spend alot of money as I am really on a tight budget. How much money do you anticipate that I will need? I only plan on going on one excursion as my sister went on the Liberty of the Seas and said she did 3 excursions and felt she should not have done so as she would have rather spent more time on the ship and just looking around the islands. That is how my husband and kids are....more laxed. Your thoughts. I need close to ball park figure. Anyone?

[carmena610]

Okay...so I am in a dilemma. I am going on the Explorer of the Seas on July 23rd through August 1st. It's my husband and our 2 sons 17 and 13. I really do not want to spend alot of money as I am really on a tight budget. How much money do you anticipate that I will need? I only plan on going on one excursion as my sister went on the Liberty of the Seas and said she did 3 excursions and felt she should not have done so as she would have rather spent more time on the ship and just looking around the islands. That is how my husband and kids are....more laxed. Your thoughts. I need close to ball park figure. Anyone?

[Dave]

You'll need to budget for gratuities for your cabin and dining room staff, so with the recommended amounts totaling $9.75 per person/per day that equals $273. No way to tell about bar purchases since it is so subjective. Figure a can of soda will cost around $2.25, a beer $6, and a typical cocktail or glass of wine $7.50

There are lots of ways to spend money and never leave the ship. Bingo, shops, casino, Johnny Rockets, Ben & Jerrys, internet, etc.

On average, we spend around $150 per day on the ship for the three of us, and this includes the gratuities since I add them to my account instead of paying cash (although I'll add some cash to the envelopes too). This doesn't include any excursions I may have bought from the cruise line.

The average family spends between $200-$300 per person on a 7 night cruise, so if you are average you'll have to budget $800 to $1200 for onboard charges.

[f-mattox]

We have found over the years that our expenses, including excursions and gratuities, are equal to about 50% of the cruise fare.

[shauncruises]

Although I did not have this question, this is very insightful information and it is great to be able to have it broken down. Thnks guys!

[poormom]

Carmena
I'm just the opposite of Dave. I like to prepay my gratuities before I leave home. Mentally I just think of it as part of the cost of the cruise.
Port by port prices vary. Bermuda has a very reasonable bus fare. It's easy and will take you anywhere on the island.
St. Thomas will cost you about 80 dollars round trip to most of the beaches unfortunately.
I haven't been to St. Maarten in a while, I think it may be a little less.
San Juan has a lot to do in walking distance of the ship.
If your boys are like mine, you will want to buy the soda package. It also keeps you from having to give them charging privleges. Also, beware of the arcade. If they have their own money they can add it in cash to their seapasses.
Don't be afraid to spend part of your days in port on the ship. It's far less crowded and you may actually find an empty lounge chair!
And don't worry, it's only paper...if we run out the government will print more!

[Dave]

By the way, those arcade games are not cheap. On our recent Grandeur cruise the video game prices ranged from 95 cents per play to $1.95 per play. For 18 total plays my son spent $26.30.

[queenofcruzin]

I always like to give my gratuities in cash, I know what the recomendations are and I put aside about $50 more in the small bills into the safe at the beginning of the cruise. I give my cabin steward "an upfront tip" with instructions of what I like, ice, mornings late, etc. I tip bartenders extra on the first drink in places where I tend to spend alot of time. The Champagne Bar for example. My average is also $100-$150 a day, what I don't spend in shore excursions, I may enjoy the spa.

[billybuzzy]

When I cruise my expenses have averaged $100/day/per person plus gratuities. On some cruises certain tours have caused me to exceed that figure by a factor of 2 but that has been the exception and not the rule.

BillyBuzzy

[Sonny V]

I agree with Dave's post. If you budget $1200 you'll probably come home with some money in your pockets.

Sonny