Spending budget on cruise?

Hi

We have a med cruise coming up soon, and I was just wondering how much people spend or budget to spend during a 1 week med cruise?

We will have a drinks package so that should cover drinks, but beyond that - what is the average spend per person / couple?

thanks!

T

On the ship, or for the entire vacation?

Hard to say! If you've already paid the tips on the ship and have a drink package...you really don't need to spend another dime!

Ashore...I have no idea what you will do! Shopping, transportation...excursions...let us know what your plans are! We never travel anywhere without several thousand in funds....just in case....what we don't spend, we take home and redeposit. I'd rather have more than I need than not enough!

Hi

 

We have a med cruise coming up soon, and I was just wondering how much people spend or budget to spend during a 1 week med cruise?

We will have a drinks package so that should cover drinks, but beyond that - what is the average spend per person / couple?

 

thanks!

T

We did a western med cruise and the tours exceeded the cost of of our "relaxing". We used RomeInLimo for the ports in Italy and were very pleased. For France we just used public transportation. We spent about $1000 on tours, exploration, lunches, and such.

On the ship, or for the entire vacation?

 

Hard to say! If you've already paid the tips on the ship and have a drink package...you really don't need to spend another dime!

 

Ashore...I have no idea what you will do! Shopping, transportation...excursions...let us know what your plans are! We never travel anywhere without several thousand in funds....just in case....what we don't spend, we take home and redeposit. I'd rather have more than I need than not enough!

Hi

For on the ship .. & we've pre paid tips.

I know it's quite an open question - I was just curious as I read a few reviews with people saying there were a number of add ons and up selling on the cruise !

Tours is what will kill you, as suggested keep away from ships tour, we just booked a rome-in-limo tour for Rome but our cruise has 8 ports, I am sure we spend 2 grand, since we almost never do Europe, when I am in Caribbean we take a taxi to beach or bar so its cheap.

What are your ports of call?

What are your ports of call?

Palma de Mallorca / Marseilles / Naples / la Spezia / Rome

TBH we weren't planning to book any big excursions. We'd get off at each port and have a look round / maybe do a hop on hop off tour subject to time available at the port - but we wanted to enjoy / relax for the holiday and make the most of the ship

On our first cruise, there was a couple at our table who planned to go to AK 10 years earlier. When they found the TRUE cost of the cruise with booze and excursions, they cancelled. That advice has stuck with us. If you can't afford to do it right, there's no point in going. Check the cost of on board excursions to find out what you'll spend. You may be able to save a little but, why bother going.

On our first cruise, there was a couple at our table who planned to go to AK 10 years earlier. When they found the TRUE cost of the cruise with booze and excursions, they cancelled. That advice has stuck with us. If you can't afford to do it right, there's no point in going. Check the cost of on board excursions to find out what you'll spend. You may be able to save a little but, why bother going.

We're not looking to scrimp on the cruise - simply just checking ballpark averages for what people usually spend in the added extras - or more so, was wondering what the added extras / up selling was related to.

our reason for not planning excursions on this trip , is because we don't want to spend much of the time travelling on tours in hot weather, rather than enjoy relax and take our time doing what we feel like each day. We'be been to some of the destinations before (not via a cruise) and will do a specific holiday to Italy after.

.

Hi

 

 

 

We have a med cruise coming up soon, and I was just wondering how much people spend or budget to spend during a 1 week med cruise?

 

We will have a drinks package so that should cover drinks, but beyond that - what is the average spend per person / couple?

 

 

 

thanks!

 

T

On our recent TA, we had prepaid tips and drink packages, and with just my wife and me over 14 days, we struggled to go through our obc (ended up taking some out at casino). On our next cruise, With three kids, also with prepaid tips and drink packages, our onboard acct was $1700 in seven days. So can really depend.

Money on seven day went to spa, bingo, arcade and shops. Other things that can add up fast are specialty dinning and photos.

Before drink packages came out, I used to budget $100 per day for my wife and me.

Some things we spent money on (either on the ship or before hand)

1) Premium Drinks Package ($809)

2) Specialty Restaurant one night ($70)

3) 3 formal excursions and gratuity ($550)

4) 2 beach days: taxi, loungers, lunch ($150)

5) Spa Treatment ($100)

6) Extra Gratuity ($150)

7) Photos ($30)

Happy cruising!

Sorry about my comment. No offense intended.

Hi

 

We have a med cruise coming up soon, and I was just wondering how much people spend or budget to spend during a 1 week med cruise?

We will have a drinks package so that should cover drinks, but beyond that - what is the average spend per person / couple?

 

thanks!

T

I'm not sure anyone can tell you.

Our first cruise we spent nearly $5000

Last year we did pretty much the same cruise, we had $200 OBC our final bill was $7.60 and about $300 because the markets wre in in Hobart.

So it can vary dramatically.

On our first cruise, there was a couple at our table who planned to go to AK 10 years earlier. When they found the TRUE cost of the cruise with booze and excursions, they cancelled. That advice has stuck with us. If you can't afford to do it right, there's no point in going. Check the cost of on board excursions to find out what you'll spend. You may be able to save a little but, why bother going.

That's crazy.

Our first cruise I was expecting a big payment, it didn't come before we left but that was fine we knew everything was paid for so could have a good time, it arrived the day after we left so we splurged.

And who decides what amounts to "doing it right"

Not half judgemental are you. If I can't do it he way you would stay home, sheesh.

If I'm understanding your question correctly, you want to know what to plan for your shipboard expenses, right? I usually budget $800 for our sea pass account (not including excursions) on a 7 night cruise, but in reality we rarely spend that much. (Seems like our tab is usually in the $500-700 range, and that includes our alcohol.) And I also bring $200-250 in cash in small bills specifically for extra tips and a little casino cash.

We don't do drink packages, so that shipboard account amount incudes all our booze - generally we each have 1-2 drinks/wine/beers apiece on sea days (not on port days), and on a 7 night cruise we'll buy 2 or 3 bottles of wine in the dining room. (We have drinks in the DL or CL each evening before dinner, but those don't cost anything but some cash tips.) Thus, alcohol for the 2 of us on a 7 night cruise ends up somewhere in the neighborhood of $200-250, depending on how many bottles of wine we buy in the MDR. We also charge our gratuities to the onboard account, so that adds about $182 for 7 nights in a normal cabin. We usually buy a few things in the shops, sometimes a Pets at Sea thing for our granddaughters, etc., so I'd guess $50-100 there. (We don't buy spendy jewelry or designer purses or stuff like that aboard - just small stuff.) Once in awhile a spa thing ($100-150), and we might eat in a specialty restaurant once or twice so there's a possible $100 or so. We get some D+ free photos, so we don't buy any additional pics usually.

We also bring along some cash (about $200-250) specifically for extra tips and the casino. We tip the room service guy a couple of bucks each morning when he brings our coffee. We tip a buck per drink in the DL or CL. We tip the concierge according to how much we've used his/her services. We usually tip a little extra to our wait staff and cabin steward. Probably $100-150 total for tips. Also we bring some 'play money' cash for the casino - about $100 apiece. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose!;)

Please understand…excursions, stuff we do in ports, and shopping money is not included here!:eek:

Hope this info is helpful - have a great cruise!

Judy

I spent a lot of Saturday afternoon looking at the offered excursions for my 12-night Med/Venice on the Brilliance next summer (at least what's offered right now, I know things could be added that change the game. Say what you will, having experienced a ship waiting for people on RCI transportation to the port because the road was shut down due to a fatal accident (I was onboard as our bus was ahead of the accident - but we didn't leave Seward until about 2:45) the security of a ship-based excursion, especially when the city itself is as far from the port as some of the European ones are (Florence, Rome in particular), is something I'm willing to pay for. The ONE exception is I'm doing a private excursion out of Salerno with APTours because they have a tour that hits exactly what I want (plus going solo I can customize even more) - they have great reviews on TripAdvisor, they're less than Rome In Limo, and the scheduled time back is well before departure (and again, since I'm solo if I decide to cut something to have more time to get back to the ship, it can be done). And TBH it's right at the same price the ship is charging for the one that goes to Pompeii, Positano, and the Amalfi Coast - so that one only hits part of what I want and has zero flexibility.

I'm traveling solo, so my costs automatically go up with the single supplement, etc. But hey, I'm turning 45 next summer and want to do something big, so I might as well do it up right (which for me is splurging on the excursions - I'm perfectly fine with my forward-facing ocean view cabin). I'm trying to go in prepaying as much as I possibly can all around - pre-cruise hotel, etc. I'm also going to be pre-buying Euros every month and making envelopes for each day (I did that last year on my Alaska cruise where I splurged a bit) - spending money in ports and stuff. I really don't do shopping on the ship because I'd rather my souvenirs come from the ports rather than the ship.

I'm prepaying my tips, so that's covered.

I plan to get a couple of bottles of wine in Barcelona to bring onboard, and I'll have $75 in RCI given onboard credit so I can buy a couple more - that should hold me fine. I'll probably buy a little more OBC for myself so I have a cushion if I want to get a few non-wine drinks from time to time. I'll probably be a dork and buy myself one of the birthday packages - either with the champagne and strawberries or a bottle of red wine, so there's that.

My cost for excursions as it is now (including the private tour) is $1086.75. A lot, but since I'm buying them in advance, I can buy one or two each month and spread out the cost.

It's going to be expensive, but I knew that going in, and it's a once in a lifetime kind of trip, so I might as well spoil myself. :)

Hi

For on the ship .. & we've pre paid tips.

I know it's quite an open question - I was just curious as I read a few reviews with people saying there were a number of add ons and up selling on the cruise !

You do not have to spend anything else on the ship unless you choose to.

Tours will of course be extra. Have you been on your Roll Call? There are probably be others that will be on the cruise with you discussing tours. You may get some ideas there. :)

If you want to spend very little, that's no problem. Just don't drink, buy any pictures, or eat in the specialty restaurants. I think one can spend as much as they want or as little as they want. My husband always says I'm a cheap date because I don't drink and am not a foodie. I also don't shop so we spend our money on excursions IF it is a port where we want to get off. If it's a Caribbean cruise, the ship is the destination for me and hubby golfs in one of the ports.

We're not looking to scrimp on the cruise - simply just checking ballpark averages for what people usually spend in the added extras - or more so, was wondering what the added extras / up selling was related to.

 

our reason for not planning excursions on this trip , is because we don't want to spend much of the time travelling on tours in hot weather, rather than enjoy relax and take our time doing what we feel like each day. We'be been to some of the destinations before (not via a cruise) and will do a specific holiday to Italy after.

.

You have your cruise, gratuities and drink package paid. Unless you want to go to the pay restaurants or buy photos or stuff in the shops, or internet, you don't have to spend any more money, it's entirely up to you.

Palma de Mallorca / Marseilles / Naples / la Spezia / Rome

 

TBH we weren't planning to book any big excursions. We'd get off at each port and have a look round / maybe do a hop on hop off tour subject to time available at the port - but we wanted to enjoy / relax for the holiday and make the most of the ship

Naples has a HOHO, but be aware, traffic can be horrendous, so plan accordingly. Would STRONGLY suggest you do either a ships' or private tour,(my favorite), in Rome. The port is about 1 hour away and again traffic can be terrible. It is possible to take the train into Rome and explore on your own - a great HOHO is available. If you do Rome on your own, just be sure to allow for plenty of time to return to the ship.

I spent a lot of Saturday afternoon looking at the offered excursions for my 12-night Med/Venice on the Brilliance next summer (at least what's offered right now, I know things could be added that change the game. Say what you will, having experienced a ship waiting for people on RCI transportation to the port because the road was shut down due to a fatal accident (I was onboard as our bus was ahead of the accident - but we didn't leave Seward until about 2:45) the security of a ship-based excursion, especially when the city itself is as far from the port as some of the European ones are (Florence, Rome in particular), is something I'm willing to pay for. The ONE exception is I'm doing a private excursion out of Salerno with APTours because they have a tour that hits exactly what I want (plus going solo I can customize even more) - they have great reviews on TripAdvisor, they're less than Rome In Limo, and the scheduled time back is well before departure (and again, since I'm solo if I decide to cut something to have more time to get back to the ship, it can be done). And TBH it's right at the same price the ship is charging for the one that goes to Pompeii, Positano, and the Amalfi Coast - so that one only hits part of what I want and has zero flexibility.

 

I'm traveling solo, so my costs automatically go up with the single supplement, etc. But hey, I'm turning 45 next summer and want to do something big, so I might as well do it up right (which for me is splurging on the excursions - I'm perfectly fine with my forward-facing ocean view cabin). I'm trying to go in prepaying as much as I possibly can all around - pre-cruise hotel, etc. I'm also going to be pre-buying Euros every month and making envelopes for each day (I did that last year on my Alaska cruise where I splurged a bit) - spending money in ports and stuff. I really don't do shopping on the ship because I'd rather my souvenirs come from the ports rather than the ship.

 

I'm prepaying my tips, so that's covered.

 

I plan to get a couple of bottles of wine in Barcelona to bring onboard, and I'll have $75 in RCI given onboard credit so I can buy a couple more - that should hold me fine. I'll probably buy a little more OBC for myself so I have a cushion if I want to get a few non-wine drinks from time to time. I'll probably be a dork and buy myself one of the birthday packages - either with the champagne and strawberries or a bottle of red wine, so there's that.

 

My cost for excursions as it is now (including the private tour) is $1086.75. A lot, but since I'm buying them in advance, I can buy one or two each month and spread out the cost.

 

It's going to be expensive, but I knew that going in, and it's a once in a lifetime kind of trip, so I might as well spoil myself. :)

Are these group tours with people in your roll call?

The reason I ask is because I'm also doing a big solo European trip next fall (2 days in Venice, 10 night cruise, then 3 days in Barcelona) and was working on the budget yesterday. I estimated $800 for excursions but now I'm thinking that won't be nearly enough. There are 6 ports on my cruise and then Venice and Barcelona, so really 8 destinations in total.

Guess I gotta crunch the numbers again ...:eek:

Are these group tours with people in your roll call?

 

The reason I ask is because I'm also doing a big solo European trip next fall (2 days in Venice, 10 night cruise, then 3 days in Barcelona) and was working on the budget yesterday. I estimated $800 for excursions but now I'm thinking that won't be nearly enough. There are 6 ports on my cruise and then Venice and Barcelona, so really 8 destinations in total.

 

Guess I gotta crunch the numbers again ...:eek:

These are ship-based excursions with ONE exception. Because I actually experienced the ship waiting (in this case to depart) because a complete road closure meant something like 800 passengers on RCI transfers between Anchorage and Seward were stuck - we didn't leave until 2:45am to give the RCI transfer busses a chance to get there (and I met one couple who was traveling privately and HAPPENED to be somewhere before the last RCI transfer - otherwise they would have missed the ship), I truly see the value of the insurance that the ship-based things give you. Plus I am pretty much choosing the options that give me free time to wander in the cities after some form of a tour, so it's not like every moment is scheduled on them. There are a couple I'm debating on maybe doing the beach day instead just so it's not go go go, but not knowing when/if I'll get back over to Italy and Montenegro, the thought of just chilling on a beach (especially when the cruise closes with 2 sea days) is kind of hard to stomach.

For the exception, I'm doing the private tour on my own - I have very specific things I want to do and don't want to be subjected to someone else's whims by sharing. It's my birthday trip, and I feel like splurging and having a private tour that's truly private. I did, however, check TripAdvisor for reviews (if they're consistently missing the ship, they ain't getting 4 and 5 star reviews, and this one is almost exclusively 4 and 5 star reviews) AND communicate with the operator before making the reservation (no deposit required and can still be cancelled at any point prior to the cruise) about when they intend to have you back to the ship. I was comfortable with the time, but they made it clear that if I am at all nervous, the plans can be adapted to get me back earlier.

This is for next summer, so the roll call is really not active right now. I'm not sure how much stuff I'll do with it anyway... but we'll see.

I'm only going to be in Barcelona for 2 nights before the cruise, and I'm just beginning to explore my possibilities there - but it's looking like in the 400-500 euro range for what I want to do. Clearly my Barcelona envelopes will be filled with a little more than the others for my daily spending.

The major cost of this trip can be what you do off the ship in terms of tours and shopping.

I would make good use of the ports of call boards on Cruise Critic to get ideas of what to do in port.

Keith

Palma de Mallorca / Marseilles / Naples / la Spezia / Rome

 

 

 

TBH we weren't planning to book any big excursions. We'd get off at each port and have a look round / maybe do a hop on hop off tour subject to time available at the port - but we wanted to enjoy / relax for the holiday and make the most of the ship

Palma - Shuttle €5rtn

Marseille - RCI shuttle US$23rtn, suggest you either take the free port shuttle or catch the local bus for around €2ew.

Naples - can just walk

La Spezia - depends where you are visiting Pisa, Florence or else where. You will need € for transport.

Rome - catch shuttle and bus to Civitavecchia train station. Buy €12 BIRG ticket which will cover all you public transport needs to/from Rome and also in Rome.

Palma de Mallorca / Marseilles / Naples / la Spezia / Rome

 

TBH we weren't planning to book any big excursions. We'd get off at each port and have a look round / maybe do a hop on hop off tour subject to time available at the port - but we wanted to enjoy / relax for the holiday and make the most of the ship

La Spezia - if you are feeling energetic it is a nice walk through town to the train station, from there you can get a day pass to the Cinqueterre villages and walking trail (IIRC about EUR 12 each).