Expenses other than the cruise itself?

Hello! *waves* I'm starting to look into my first cruise and I'm very excited! And terrified. There's a lot to look into, especially for someone on a restricted budget. Hence my first question.

What kind of expenses should I be budgeting for other than the cruise itself? I'm starting to hear about water bottles, excursion fees, airline fee, cancellation and health insurance...what types of things should one plan on saving money for? What do you typically purchase when you cruise?

Thank you!

I try to book a cruise I can drive to on Carnival. So, I save money by picking a hotel that has cruise parking.

I drink the water onboard, its filtered. I dont get the whole bottled water stuff. We bring a empty one and fill it in the buffet and put it in our backpack to take meds with while in port. If I forget to bring a empty one, Iv bought them in ports and its just fine. Im not a water drinker though.

The one thing you have to spend is the $10 per person per day for tips.. to me this is a must, get over it, it wouldnt seem so bad once you are onboard and see how much they do for you.

The rest is optional.

1. Tips usually 10/per person/per day

2. Excursions. You can get out cheaper by booking these yourself with

a little research. The ones through the ship are expensive

3. Alcohol drinks. It can add up quickly if you drink alot

4. Other tips like room service and porters.

5. Pitcures. They take all kinds of pitcures around the ship and you can

buy or not buy

6. Shopping at the ports of call.

7. The Casino

You can go on a wonderful cruise with little extra money. It can be done. I have been of a couple of cruises where I did not have that much extra to spend and still had a great time. It really depends on where you are going and how long you are going. You tend to spend more in some ports than you do others. And dont fall into the cruise ship hype of recommended shops. Code for overpriced.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Note that other than tips, everything else is up to you.

You do not have to go on an excursion. You can just walk of the ship and walk/bus/taxi to the sights. You have to plan in advance.

You do not have to have a cocktail. Coffee, Tea (hot and iced) and tap water are free. Bring an empty bottle and refill it from the tap in your cabin. The tap water is purer than most bottled.

Pictures - Bring your own camera. Ask others to take your picture.

Shopping and casino are up to you

I have selected 'my time dining" and the tips were charged upfront. Are there any other expectations for paying tips? The price charged was about $12 a day per person.

Tips are expected...budget for them. Alcohol (for those of us who drink!!!) is an added expense. I can do without sodas for a week...we don't drink them often, anyway.

The ship's water is fine and included...no need to buy water.

Juice is included with breakfast.

With proper research, you don't even need to pay for excursions! They are for folks who don't even know where they're going, or what there is in each place...so they're willing to pay big $$$ to be entertained. If you read a guidebook, or go online, you'll fine what you can do ON YOUR OWN, without a big expenditure!

A couple of bucks for the porters at the pier. The same for room service.

Tips are added to the cost of any beverage you purchase. This would include booze, sodas, specialty coffees, bottled water, etc.

The Auto tips cover the cabin steward, and wait staff. No need to tip them any more unless they do something special.

I have been planning my first cruise for months, here are the things I had to 'add' to my buget:

Airfare and/or parking - I don't live near a port

Hotel for pre-cruise night - don't want to worry about flying in on the day of--to stressful.

Soda and wine we are taking on the ship for use in the cabin

Tips - including the auto tip of $12 per person/per day

Soda or speciality coffee card - if you can't live without lattes or soda

Alcoholic drinks, including the 15% gratuity

Seating charge for Speciality resturaunts (usually $20-$25 per person)

Excursions - but I read tons of information on this board in the Ports of Call section and booked 3 of 4 of our ports on my own. Saved us about 50% over cruise line rates. I did book with the ship on the 7 hour ruin tour (the ship waits if you are late only if you are on thier trip)

Souvinier - we aren't cheap souvinier people but we like to by things original to the spot. So we will buy expensive items you just can't get home.

Of course, how much you take/save/spend depends on how you vacation. You can do a cruise with little to no extra fees (my sister has done it with only paying tips) or you can spend the same amount as the cruise costs. My BFF and I do one blow out trip per year and we deny ourselves nothing. We also have no kids, so we can save alot for these trips.

Good luck.

I try to book a cruise I can drive to on Carnival. So, I save money by picking a hotel that has cruise parking.

 

I drink the water onboard, its filtered. I dont get the whole bottled water stuff. We bring a empty one and fill it in the buffet and put it in our backpack to take meds with while in port. If I forget to bring a empty one, Iv bought them in ports and its just fine. Im not a water drinker though.

 

The one thing you have to spend is the $10 per person per day for tips.. to me this is a must, get over it, it wouldnt seem so bad once you are onboard and see how much they do for you.

 

The rest is optional.

Great info from fire. Also, flying to the port can cost the amount of the cruise so check that out before you decide. I always have to fly in. Hotel the night before, shuttle services from hotel to port if not provided by hotel, excursions, Drinks of the Day, specialty shops, photos on board, items in gift shops.

With proper research, you don't even need to pay for excursions! They are for folks who don't even know where they're going, or what there is in each place...so they're willing to pay big $$$ to be entertained. If you read a guidebook, or go online, you'll fine what you can do ON YOUR OWN, without a big expenditure!

It's really necessary to do that research because taxis can be expensive to some of the places of interest in the guide books. Not that many places have everything of interest within walking distance to the ship.

It's really necessary to do that research because taxis can be expensive to some of the places of interest in the guide books. Not that many places have everything of interest within walking distance to the ship.

I agree, if you are going on your own, you must do research in advance to figure out what you want. If you get off the ship and tell a guide or driver to "Take Me", they will.

1. Tips usually 10/per person/per day

2. Excursions. You can get out cheaper by booking these yourself with

a little research. The ones through the ship are expensive

3. Alcohol drinks. It can add up quickly if you drink alot

4. Other tips like room service and porters.

5. Pitcures. They take all kinds of pitcures around the ship and you can

buy or not buy

6. Shopping at the ports of call.

7. The Casino

 

You can go on a wonderful cruise with little extra money. It can be done. I have been of a couple of cruises where I did not have that much extra to spend and still had a great time. It really depends on where you are going and how long you are going. You tend to spend more in some ports than you do others. And dont fall into the cruise ship hype of recommended shops. Code for overpriced.

missypriss is correcct. The list is accurate and can be costly. Just wanted to add:

8. Look for deals. There are certain times of the year when cruises are cheap...April (tax time), early December (everyone's too busy).

9. Summer and Holiday cruises are typically more expensive.

10. Add the cost of airfare if you are having to fly.

11. Shopping onboard...high prices.

12. Art Auction and Bingo. Fun to watch but can be costly.

13. Specialty restaurants...no need to do this for first-time cruisers. The food in the MDR (main dining room) is fine.

13. Specialty coffees...some ships charge for lattes, cappucino, etc.

14. Soda Cards. Every waiter and bartender will try to sell you this card, but unless you really drink a lot of soda or have kids that will...then it can be costly.

15. Wine Tasting. For a fee, you can participate in wine tasting...your decision.

As missypriss said, you can have a great time without having to purchase any of the listed items. Happy sailing!

Check the "ports" section of Cruise Critic for ideas - you will be amazed at the money you can save on excursions. In most ports, you can just walk off the ship and go shopping and see the sights from there. Also do the "roll call" for your specific cruise - I have met people there and we got together and got group rates for excursions on our own.

Although I have done the "specialty" restaurants (and I do like having the option), it is not necessary, so you can money by skipping this. If your cruise has the flexibility of anytime dining, you can try all of the different dining areas - casual and main dining rooms to get a different experience.

The only thing we buy for souvenirs are t-shirts, but that is just us.

1. Tips usually 10/per person/per day

2. Excursions. You can get out cheaper by booking these yourself with

a little research. The ones through the ship are expensive

3. Alcohol drinks. It can add up quickly if you drink alot

4. Other tips like room service and porters.

5. Pitcures. They take all kinds of pitcures around the ship and you can

buy or not buy

6. Shopping at the ports of call.

7. The Casino

 

You can go on a wonderful cruise with little extra money. It can be done. I have been of a couple of cruises where I did not have that much extra to spend and still had a great time. It really depends on where you are going and how long you are going. You tend to spend more in some ports than you do others. And dont fall into the cruise ship hype of recommended shops. Code for overpriced.

missypriss is correcct. The list is accurate and can be costly. Just wanted to add:

 

8. Look for deals. There are certain times of the year when cruises are cheap...April (tax time), early December (everyone's too busy).

9. Summer and Holiday cruises are typically more expensive.

10. Add the cost of airfare if you are having to fly.

11. Shopping onboard...high prices.

12. Art Auction and Bingo. Fun to watch but can be costly.

13. Specialty restaurants...no need to do this for first-time cruisers. The food in the MDR (main dining room) is fine.

13. Specialty coffees...some ships charge for lattes, cappucino, etc.

14. Soda Cards. Every waiter and bartender will try to sell you this card, but unless you really drink a lot of soda or have kids that will...then it can be costly.

15. Wine Tasting. For a fee, you can participate in wine tasting...your decision.

 

As missypriss said, you can have a great time without having to purchase any of the listed items. Happy sailing!

Adding on-

If your kids (assuming you have kids) will be in the club most of it is free. Exceptions are afterhours/late night babysitting or party. On Carnival there is a Build-a-Bear.

It is also customary to tip out the camp counselors.

I didnt think you could bring your own alcohol on board?

We paid for the cruise , booked & paid hotel room for the day before (dont live near port) booked railfare ..& pre booked & paid for a wine package 7 bottles as no 15% goes on, that goes on if you buy drinks onboard ...now wer'e saving up to pay cash (euro) we have to pay 150 euro each up front & musn't forget 7 euro a day each to pay at the end as well ..hoping that will be enough if we don't buy anything on board :rolleyes: then it's just spends off ship :)

I didnt think you could bring your own alcohol on board?

Most cruise lines allow a bottle or so of wine per adult

What a fountain of information! I'm lucky in the following regards because...

I don't drink alcohol, coffee, or soda.

I don't gamble.

I don't have kids.

I have no interest in gift shops on the ship and can make do with one or two choice souvenirs from ports.

I can live without a spa treatment.

I don't intend on spending the money to eat at one of the higher end on-ship restaurants.

Now, excursions could hurt me, because I'm a history buff and want to go on a tour everywhere we stop. However, because multiple people have said you can save on your own planning, I will definitely do some research before buying the ship's package by default.

Thank you all so much! :)

Most cruise lines allow a bottle or so of wine per adult

Actually Disney allows you to cart on as much as you can carry, subject to their carry on item restrictions. I'm sure that if you tried to carry on three cases of rum for two people on a five night cruise they'd stop you. But they wouldn't bat their eyes at a few bottles.

Many of the luxury lines allow you to bring unlimited wine onboard, even from ports of call.

Other things to consider:

*Costs associated with pet sitting, house sitting, etc.

*Cost to call or email home or office

*Cost of gas/tolls to and from the airport/port. If you've got five hours to drive each way and it's toll roads most of the way, that can add up to a couple hundred dollars.

*Other tips including airport and hotel shuttle drivers, and shore excursion drivers and guides.

*Dry cleaning or laundry onboard. You can usually get away without doing it, but if you spill something on a favorite outfit, you might want to get it cleaned rather than letting the stain set.

*Rental of floats, tubes, snorkling gear, beach chairs, umbrellas, etc. On a ships "private island" you don't have to rent beach chairs, but if you go to a beach within walking distance of the port that isn't a private island/beach, often you are required to either pay for a beach chair or have a minimum bar tab to use the beach.

 

Now, excursions could hurt me, because I'm a history buff and want to go on a tour everywhere we stop. However, because multiple people have said you can save on your own planning, I will definitely do some research before buying the ship's package by default.

 

Thank you all so much! :)

Depending on where you have booked your cruise you should be able to get an island tour for $40-80 per person (Caribbean islands). There are lots of recommendations on the port boards for private island tours (small van/SUV instead of a big bus) that will save you money and give you a much better experience.

If you are on a budget & saving up you might like this tip & it was the best tip I found: Take a jar / box & put all money $5 bill or less into the box for your cruise spending fund. We are using this box for our shopping in port money since we booked our cruise less than a month out & in 14 day we have saved up over $200. It's amazing how quickly & painlessly it adds up! We don't even use cash that much. If you are booking months out, you might be able to save up for excursions etc this way.

I also made an excel spread sheet details all the "extra" charges:

on top of what everyone else has mentioned: parking at terminal if you fly or drive should be added in. I was able to pre-pay my parking, excursions, tips, etc. HTH!

We are taking our first cruise to Alaska next May. We are spending 7 nights on the ship and 6 nights independently on land. Additional costs to the base cruise price are: trip insurance; flights; airport transfers; parking; car rental for land portion in Alaska; four nights in hotels; two half-day excursions; and whatever eating and spending money we need. I am doing a spread sheet for the trip to keep better track as it all adds up. We too are history/culture folks so our excursion costs are reasonable. I do not anticipate many extra on-board costs as we have some cruise credit that should cover a coffee card and ?.

*Costs associated with pet sitting, house sitting, etc.

 

*Cost to call or email home or office

 

*Cost of gas/tolls to and from the airport/port. If you've got five hours to drive each way and it's toll roads most of the way, that can add up to a couple hundred dollars.

 

*Other tips including airport and hotel shuttle drivers, and shore excursion drivers and guides.

 

*Dry cleaning or laundry onboard. You can usually get away without doing it, but if you spill something on a favorite outfit, you might want to get it cleaned rather than letting the stain set.

 

*Rental of floats, tubes, snorkling gear, beach chairs, umbrellas, etc. On a ships "private island" you don't have to rent beach chairs, but if you go to a beach within walking distance of the port that isn't a private island/beach, often you are required to either pay for a beach chair or have a minimum bar tab to use the beach.

Definitely did not think about many of those things -- so glad I asked for insight! Great things to add to my "expenses" list. :)

You have gotten a lot of good information here. You can have a nice trip without spending a lot of extra money especially if you plan for it. Instead of excursions you can walk to see the local areas around the port (depending on which ports of course). Some beaches are free. You can also go to the excursion desk and ask questions about things they suggest you can do for free in each port.

If you can do without alcohol and soda you can save a lot there. Pictures are generally pretty pricey but you dont have to buy them.

You can entertain yourself for free pretty easily on the ship by seeing the free ship shows. Some are very elaborate and Vegas quality. Bands usually play in the bar areas, atrium and casinos frequently. You can always use the pool or just sit out by it.You could also take long walks around the deck sit on a deck chair and watch a movie on some evenings if you are on Carnival anyway. Some have indoor theaters instead and they usually all show recently released movies. One of my favorite free activities on board is reading a book either on the deck or on our balcony. You can usually check out books from the library and sometimes even board games as well. The possiblities are there to still have a great relaxing time without breaking the bank.

Hope you have a great trip!

Shelle