How much will our onboard account be, roughly?

[Whitemarsh]

Hi everyone,

 

I've got my very first transatlantic (and cruise) coming up shortly - so excited!

 

I know that there will be a final bill for all the alcohol etc that we drink, but I'm wondering roughly how much I need to budget for? If you guys could give me a general idea I'd really appreciate it.

 

Things we plan to do which I believe will influence our onboard bill.

 

• We plan to visit the spa at least two or three times and try various treatments.
  
• We plan to drink (well I'm going to anyway :D). At least half a bottle per night followed by port and then maybe spirits depending on the music in G32. BTW I will not be purchasing any wine over $50 a bottle.
  
• We will be purchasing one of those soft drink cards that I've read about on here.
  
• I won't be purchasing anything expensive from the shops. The other half I will try to restrain.
  
• I plan to leave the standard tips in place and tip extra for those staff who are friendly and make the experience memorable.
  
• I do plan to purchase various souvenirs (like books and shirts etc)
  

 

Based on this, what amount for a final account would you anticipate we'll end up with?

[capnpugwash]

Hi everyone,

 

I've got my very first transatlantic (and cruise) coming up shortly - so excited!

 

I know that there will be a final bill for all the alcohol etc that we drink, but I'm wondering roughly how much I need to budget for? If you guys could give me a general idea I'd really appreciate it.

 

Things we plan to do which I believe will influence our onboard bill.

 

• We plan to visit the spa at least two or three times and try various treatments.
  
• SAY $150 PER VISIT
  
• We plan to drink (well I'm going to anyway :D). At least half a bottle per night followed by port and then maybe spirits depending on the music in G32. BTW I will not be purchasing any wine over $50 a bottle.
  
• SAY $50 FOR BOTTLE OF WINE AND HAVE UNUSED WINE STORED OVERNIGHT, DRINKS AT $10 EACH
  
• We will be purchasing one of those soft drink cards that I've read about on here.
  
• $3.95 PER DAY PLUS 15%
  
• I won't be purchasing anything expensive from the shops. The other half I will try to restrain.
  
• SAY $500 YOU NEED TO BE REALISTIC
  
• I plan to leave the standard tips in place and tip extra for those staff who are friendly and make the experience memorable.
  
• $11 PER DAY PLUS $100 FOR THE GOOD GUYS.
  
• I do plan to purchase various souvenirs (like books and shirts etc)
  
• SAY $500
  

Based on this, what amount for a final account would you anticipate we'll end up with?

I hope this helps and the $10 per drink is high but easier to work out than $7.95. You will have to do the Maths as I don't know how many days you are on board

[pnhmrk]

It's impossible to estimate :( There are so many imponderables that any estimate you get from here would be inaccurate. Remember that tips will be added to your account as well so remember to budget for them.

 

The best guidance I can give you about how much you will spend is to say that on the WC of 2008 we spent about USD1000.00 per month. We felt this figure was lower than we expected it to be.

 

We didn't buy things like the official photographs (we think they're expensive and not particularly good) - as this is your first trip I would think you will buy a lot.

[balf]

As Malcolm says it's an impossible question to answer. What I can say is it will probably be more than you think. One tip is to check your account every few days to help avoiding the "I don't remember ordering that"

 

David.

[Norfolk Brit]

The best guidance I can give you about how much you will spend is to say that on the WC of 2008 we spent about USD1000.00 per month. We felt this figure was lower than we expected it to be.

 

 

I imagine (hope?) that on a WC, one would not drink alcohol day after day and thus the bill would be less than on, say, a two week cruise when one tends to. Or we do:eek:.

 

We (two of us) get through about $1,000 in two weeks, including tips, but don't do ship's shore excursions, photographs, the spa, or spend much in the on board shop. In fact, thinking about it, it's all drinks in the evening and tips:o.

 

Mary

[Whitemarsh]

Geez, I'm glad I asked.:eek:

 

I was thinking a $1000.00 US dollars should do it for a 6 day transatlantic, however it seems I've underestimated the cost of a number of things (drinks, spa, more drinks:) and shopping mainly).

 

I'd much rather disembark with a little cash left over than worry about the budget so I think I'll do some more overtime and save some more money.

 

Are the souvenirs really that expensive? They probably are.... and I'm the sort of person who comes home from a concert with mugs and t-shirts I never seem to use or wear :o

 

Maybe I'll restrict the spa treatments to just one and get a five day pass. After all, unless someone has extraordinary tales to the contrary, spa treatments are pretty much the same whether they're at land or sea.

[pnhmrk]

I imagine (hope?) that on a WC, one would not drink alcohol day after day and thus the bill would be less than on, say, a two week cruise when one tends to. Or we do:eek:.

 

We found that the soda card was a great boon when it came to drinks - If you've already paid for a soft drink then you don't tend to buy an alcoholic one as well! That said we still had a glass of wine with our meal every night (with the part drunk bottles being saved for the next night)

[Whitemarsh]

We found that the soda card was a great boon when it came to drinks - If you've already paid for a soft drink then you don't tend to buy an alcoholic one as well! That said we still had a glass of wine with our meal every night (with the part drunk bottles being saved for the next night)

 

Excuse me for sounding dumb, but is this 'soda card' an actual card you have to flash when you order a non-alcoholic beverage?

[trevgbb]

You can, of course, get away without spending anything on board, after all, your food is included, there are plenty of free non-alcoholic drinks without buying the soft drink package ( ice cream,soft drink and tea/coffee in the Lido), the shows, lectures and courses are free, the onboard shops can be avoided if you try, and certainly stay away from the art auctions unless you have money to burn.

Without being especially penny pinching, our last cruise, 10 day, our final bill was only just over $600 including 1 excursion and tips, plus a bit extra to our cabin steward and waiter, and we did everything we wanted to and had 2/3 drinks per evening.

[pnhmrk]

I'd much rather disembark with a little cash left over than worry about the budget

 

A very wise plan. The feeling of getting off knowing that you've not spent everything you've brought is wonderful :) (You don't need to take actual cash with you, a credit card is useful :) although you've got to be careful onboard - because you just sign for everything and don't hand over cash it's easy to get carried away)

 

Are the souvenirs really that expensive? They probably are.... and I'm the sort of person who comes home from a concert with mugs and t-shirts I never seem to use or wear :o

 

Yes :( And most of them are not worth it! Don't even think that you'll buy one of everything; if you buy a couple of nice pieces then you'll have something that you like and will only have spent a couple of hundred dollars!

 

Maybe I'll restrict the spa treatments to just one and get a five day pass. After all, unless someone has extraordinary tales to the contrary, spa treatments are pretty much the same whether they're at land or sea.

 

I can't speak for the QM2 but I found the spa treatments on the QE2 expensive and poor. I wonder if you even need a five day pass. There will be so much to do on the ship that you won't get round to trying most things more than once.

[pnhmrk]

Excuse me for sounding dumb, but is this 'soda card' an actual card you have to flash when you order a non-alcoholic beverage?

 

On the QE2 it was a sticker that went on the back of your keycard.

[Whitemarsh]

I hope this helps and the $10 per drink is high but easier to work out than $7.95. You will have to do the Maths as I don't know how many days you are on board

 

It did help thanks. I initially thought you were pulling my leg with the $150 per spa treatment price so I revisited the website and looked up the Canyon Ranch spa price list. Then I realised you weren't joking....

 

It's good to see the daily cost in figures - thanks. Keeps it real and gives me an overall figure to work with.

[pnhmrk]

You can, of course, get away without spending anything on board

 

True :) You can even avoid the automatic tips by getting them taken off your bill at the pursers office! (I wonder if anyone has actually returned from a cruise having spent nothing at all? :confused: )

 

You might have an onboard credit as part of your booking that will offset your tips. You see why it's so hard to give a figure because everyone's spend is so different.

[capnpugwash]

If you have a treatment you can use the spa that day, that includes nails and hair. The spa comprises a bubbling warm pool about 15 foot square, 2 saunas with varying heat, a hot steam room, a bubbling footbath and several showers with multi nozzles that point to various portions of your anatomy. I believe that it is $40/45 per day reducing for multi day usage. I question whether you would use it every day, the Pavillion Pool on Deck 12 is a larger pool, quite warm and has two hot tubs, it is free. Although if there are a lot of kids on board they use it later in the day.

[Whitemarsh]

You don't need to take actual cash with you, a credit card is useful :) although you've got to be careful onboard - because you just sign for everything and don't hand over cash it's easy to get carried away.

 

Yes, it's all to easy to flash the plastic and forget that it's actual cash. It sometimes doesn't feel like real money unless you're pulling notes out of your wallet.

 

As you suggested, being a first timer I will probably spend more than is probably necessary - in terms of purchasing things.

 

Apart from the usual t-shirts and mugs what other souvenirs do they have onboard? I have most of the QM2 books that are available on Amazon. The only other likely souvenir I can think of is a model of the QM2 and I could probably get that cheaper at home than on the QM2 herself.

 

 

I wonder if you even need a five day pass. There will be so much to do on the ship that you won't get round to trying most things more than once.

 

Good point.

[pnhmrk]

It sometimes doesn't feel like real money unless you're pulling notes out of your wallet.

 

Remember that you won't have the option to pay with real cash in the bars, shops, etc. You can only charge to your account.

 

Apart from the usual t-shirts and mugs what other souvenirs do they have onboard?

 

Remember that I've never been on the QM2 so all my information is based on the QE2 however I doubt that the souvenir shops will vary greatly between ships! I think you'll find them selling a range of logoed clothing; a range of every-day mugs, plates, etc; a range of cut glass glasses, decanters, etc; a selection of bone china plates. bowls, etc; keyrings; bookmarks; pens; lighters; etc. They will also probably have several models which might be good and accurate or they might not :rolleyes: Look and see what there is but don't get carried away buying it all!

 

I have most of the QM2 books that are available on Amazon.

 

You'll probably find that the books were much cheaper on Amazon than they will be onboard.

[dmwnc1959]

...keyrings; pens; lighters; etc. :rolleyes: Look and see what there is but don't get carried away buying it all!

 

And thats exactly all I ended up buying on her plus a couple of very cool refridgerator magnets. The QM2 lighters (butane) I gave away to friends, although I was worried that they would be confiscated at the airport by the TSA. Somehow I got through screening with them but this was back in early 2004. The commemerative QM2 book I got from being on her during her inaugural season was free. There is a TON of stuff that one can go crazy buying if you're not careful! I personally didn't do the Spa packages, bought less than $150 in water, soda, and alcohol. Other than the tips that was about it for me.

 

[Ryancoke]

It's interesting to see how much folks spend on board. I'm gonna have to work harder to keep up.

 

On our first crossing we had a $50 credit provided by our travel agent. With a day to go I had about $35 left but my family was able to help me out. My daughter picked up a nice scarf in the design of the painting (mural?) behind the capt's table in Britannia. It was $40 in the souv shop but I had heard her mentioning a $400 scarf in one of the upper end shops previously which caused me a bit of consternation until it was clarified which one she had bought.

 

On the 9 day cruise last time I splurged and bought a soda card and abused alcohol severely. I also went to buy a tie on the last day after waiting and hoping it might come on sale like they do with some souvenirs on the table outside the store occasionally but they were sold out. And it wasn't ever put on sale. My spending soared that trip to $57 (almost 6.34 per DAY. Scandalous). Now I know how government spending must get out of control.

 

There's lots of good stuff included. Drinks like water, coffee, tea, the HOT CHOCOLATE is real good (I think I could have lost weight on that if I hadn't had 2/day of those) and juices. I've not found the urge to spend for alt dining or spa stuff. The included food and amenities are that good. The alcohol is about the same as I would pay in a restaurant at home and the pop is cheaper.

 

But if you're a spender go knock yourself out. Just, if you are, please don't ever consider a career in elected office.;)

[Jim Avery]

At the other end, ours was $2,400 for 14 days for 2 persons.:eek:

[KarenR_UK]

At the other end, ours was $2,400 for 14 days for 2 persons.:eek:

 

we can beat that (just), but I am sworn to secrecy

 

I'm factoring in alcohol free :eek: (low consumption then ;))days on our upcoming 23 day one :eek: its that or sell the car!

[BigMac1953]

Astonishing!

 

Even with the free mini bar, we still budget on $100+ pp per day.

 

Got it wrong a couple of weeks ago and it worked out nearer $150 pp per day.

 

We did buy a photograph, but not got much else to show.

 

Stewart

[Salacia]

Nobody mentioned the casino! If you want to preserve your cash (and your virtue:)), it is best to avoid the casino entirely. But for me, the casino is good fun especially on a formal night when the casino takes on an more elegant atmosphere. The only casino I've ever been to is the one on QM2, but for what it's worth, here's my personal advice: Set your limit of casino expenditures before you embark (my personal limit is a max of $300USD for an 11 night voyage). Take whatever you've budgeted in cash and buy chips at the casino office (never charge to your on aboard account as that carries a surcharge plus it's too easy to exceed your budget when not using cash).

 

Sometimes I win (not too often though), and sometimes I loose, but I've never lost more than $100 per voyage. I play blackjack and roulette, but not the machines so I can't comment on slots. While I certainly don't want to encourage gambling, I just thought I'd mention the casino for anyone who might be interested, especially the importance of setting your limit before boarding and sticking to it ;)

 

Cheers,

Salacia

[Sauer-kraut]

You can always get free trinkets if you win enough trivia! I got a QM2 cap with all the tickets I won at various trivia games. It helps even more if you can get a team going, they tend to be more competitive. I was solo for most so I was at a disadvantage.

 

I bought one shirt which has held up beautifully. I even had to bleach stains out of it and it still is wearable. A good purchase back in 2006 and I think it was about $25-30 at the time.

 

We also just did one craft project and that was way overpriced for what it was. A big disappointment for $16. That was basically our only costs except for the evening libation in the theater waiting for the performance. I guess we got off pretty cheap on that crossing! :p

[north east girl]

On our first TA we spent about $1200.00 for the 6 days on board. This includes 2 treatments in the Spa, a bottle of wine would last 2 nights (3 bottles, not expensive). Then of course some martini's.

 

We also bought quite a few photos, plus a cunard photo album.

 

Got a couple of presents off the sale tables and a t shirt with the cunard logo for the spa shop.

 

Catherine

[cruiseluvva]

Last year on a 12 day roundtrip crossing, I spent the $500 I had pre loaded onto my on-board account plus another $300-400 and that was just for me as I was travelling without my husband.