Show off your high sign and sail bill.....

[bonniemari]

Robkatcruisers-good for you working your way out of debt. Hard work, but it feels great when you finally do it. One of my favorite saying about paying off debts is "live like no one else, so you can live like no one else (compliments of Dave Ramsey).

 

I couldn't tell you what any of my S & S bills have been. I think the one from our May 6 day on the Fantasy was around $700. We buy what we want within reason. Been there, done that on the art auction-and got the Princess Diana portrait to prove it. That was from our first cruise, never did that again. Not real big drinkers althought I do love my pre dinner martinis and wine with dinner, bring cash for gambling, usually do independent excursions or beach days, night at the steakhouse and tips. Usually buy some booze and a couple cartons of cigs. It adds up faster than you think. I do know that as soon as the holds drop off my credit card after I get home I pay off my credit card online. Having "vacation debt" on a credit card drives me crazy.

[Wolfie48]

I read about people bragging how little they spend. Good for you.

 

For those proud to go nuts financially on a cruise for whatever you enjoy feel free to post your total bill for a week cruise here.....or break down by day.

 

My family of 4 had a bill of $1,800 for an 8 nighter. We had a blast....Could have done more but didn't want to go totally nuts.

 

DW and I for my birthday cruise 2600.00 plus for 7 daye....A really good time from what I remember

[KrystalWaters]

Two years ago we went on the Valor. Husband, myself and 3 year old. Drinks, gambling, pictures, perfume, tips, shore excursions, miscellaneous gifts and booze was around $2000. We never really go with a budget.

 

Heading on the Legend next September. Buying the photo passes and drink passes ahead of time just to see if that helps cut down on cost.

 

We know our money and just don't spend outside it. Just blessed that we are able to travel several times a year.

 

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

 

Photo passes?:confused:

Where can you find info on photo passes?

 

Thank you,

Kristy:)

[JerseyshoreBruce]

Our first cruise the S&S bill was $2479.00 for my wife and i and 3 kids! Its never been close to that again.....it was those pictures and higher priced Carnival Excursions that cost us. We book mostly outside excursion companys now through advice on CC. And buy maybe just 4 or so pictures now :D

[iceleven]

First cruise to Alaska, 7 days for two people, 5 years ago. Cabin, excursions, tips (no drinks) $4000+. Hiring a helicopter, and other pricey excursions in each port chewed up our money. We thought it was going to be a "Once in a Lifetime" event so we didn't hold back. Well, we did it all over again this year. Lesson: Alaska is expensive! But oh, so worth it!

[LadyTenorJD]

And pulling kids out of school to vacation

yup, bring it on. Doing so in January. Suck it up. Not your problem, right?

 

I can't afford to take four children when school is not in session. We homeschool two, and one is not in school yet, one is in HS. She is forewarned her grades must be up and not behid on work or she gets to tsay with Grandma. My dh is military and we only have certain times we can cruise-so if they don't like it. OH WELL. Don't care.

 

My family is my business and anyone who doesn't like it can stick it where the son don't shine!

LOL to both of you. I'm a teacher and I used to balk when students used to tell me their family is going on vacation in the middle of the school year. However, these days I don't care. One, you never know what the situation is. I always tell the student the reason for the absence is not my business, but the work missed is still the student's responsibility.

 

I have a co-worker who cruises each December and brags about the low prices. I asked her how she can cruise in December for so little. She goes before Christmas. We're still in school! She says she doesn't care; she still takes a week off. Now I just can't see myself doing that, even though my birthday falls during that time period. We are high school teachers and that is review time right before semester exams. I don't think that is right. However, I will be missing a day of school when I board the Miracle on 12/20, because 12/20 is the last day of school before Christmas break! :D

Photo passes?

Where can you find info on photo passes?

 

Thank you,

Kristy

I'd also love this information, if it is available!! :D

 

Regarding S&S accounts (the OP), I have only cruised once on RCCL on a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas. We are still new to cruising, and only had $140 on our SeaPass accounts. That was gratuities, beach equipment rental in Coco Cay, soda pass for me (hubby didn't want one), and 2 photos. I am assuming that we will be spending a good deal more on our 8 day coming up. :)

 

That seems like pennies compared to what I've read on this thread, but I'm neither a drinker nor a gambler. I plan on doing some shopping while in ports, and plan on buying some more photos this time around (I am a photo buff). I was planning on spending $800 on S&S, but now I'm wondering if that is enough! :D

 

I've heard talk about how cruise lines are "nickel and diming" their guests, but I personally prefer it this way. I prefer a lower cabin price because I can then choose to pay for activities and things I want to do. I would hate to have free drinks be part of my fee when I'm not a drinker, for example.

 

 

Happy cruising to all! :D

[LadyTenorJD]

Was looking at this topic...I've cruised twice during the school year since I made the last post above..and I will be cruising for my birthday again in December and will miss a few days. Life is too short, I didn't pick my born day, and December is a dirt cheap time to cruise! I'll be saying hello to the Carnival Dream in December 2013!

[Velvetwater]

This is an interesting thread as I was just talking to hubby how much to budget however ours will probably be very low as we are tipping in cash, not booking many excursions (the one we are booking is a private one), no decent beer on board and we dont gamble. All our money will be spent shopping, drinking and dining at the ports.

 

I reckon ours will probably be around ??? for our 12 day for the odd bottle of wine and shop purchase.

 

I agree with the poster who talked about too many spend what they do not have and many like to show off. I have managed to reach my late twenties having never had an overdraft or any debt at all. I have had my student loan of course but thats pretty standard for most young professionals.

 

That said, its your holiday...do what you want. ;)

[PROCRUISE]

Hi All,

Other than excursions, which I could see will run up a bill, what can you possibly buy on a ship to have bills that high?

 

Not commenting one way or the other, just have no idea what you guys buy.

 

enjoy,

Duane

 

Some of you must be considering a run for a Congressional seat! LOL

We'll keep our spending in check and simply enjoy many more cruises versus onboard spending for "stuff" and drinks. To each his own. :)

[texast518]

Last year, Fred Olsen ATW 61day cruise for 2, $4800

[Surfwench]

That's what I love about cruising as a vacation. We find it so easy to budget and have everything paid except for incidentals before we board the boat. Makes for a much more relaxed time.

 

Pay gratuities upfront when you purchase the tickets.

 

Book and pay for excursions. Excursions typically cost us the price of one cruise ticket...around $1000.00 for an 8 day cruise.

 

Order Bon Voyage alcohol and mixers delivered to your cabin prior to sail away. This keeps our foo foo drink bill down around $150.00 for two for the week.

 

Collect your change for the year for the slots. We cash the coins in and add to our sail and sign. We agree ahead of time that is the totality of the gambling budget.

 

Photos... well we invested in an excellent digital camera.

 

Gifts... we are t-shirt givers and have an instinctive distrust of any merchandise sold on a cruise ship or tourist shop. We go looking for art by locals and I carry the AmEx with me just in case.

 

I'm not telling anyone how to spend their vacation dollars, but I just want to add a more moderate voice to the discussion.

 

First cruise 1999, 7 day Western Caribbean, total Sign&Sail .... < $300.00 Including gratuities and excursion. Still our best cruise.

[serene56]

Photo passes?:confused:

Where can you find info on photo passes?

 

Thank you,

Kristy:)

 

there is no such thing as a photopass on a cruise ship. i dunno about disney ships if they do their photopass onboard but kinda doubt it photos are a huge money make for cruiselines

[wanderingjew]

I had the opposite extreme on Princess i had a 6 page bill net charge 30 no payments LOL

[Cuizer2]

I read about people bragging how little they spend. Good for you.

 

For those proud to go nuts financially on a cruise for whatever you enjoy feel free to post your total bill for a week cruise here.....or break down by day.

 

My family of 4 had a bill of $1,800 for an 8 nighter. We had a blast....Could have done more but didn't want to go totally nuts.

 

Well, if a family of four when on this shore excursion offered by Royal Caribbean ...

 

 

The bill would be $18,000 just for this one excursion. This would not include tips, drinks, photographs ...

[deborahjo]

On our last cruise the Splendor in December of 2012 we pre paid for everything but our tips. We booked our excursions thru Carnival but pre paid for them. On board expenses were under $300 including tips. Love that

 

Have not had that much luck with the upcoming cruise. But we have 4 monhs to go. We will see how it goes.

[Mrsfabo]

That's where the money goes to the drinking for me especially sea days I wake up drinking, all day at the pool drinking and at dinner drinking and at the club drinking you get the point. Now I just buy Bon voyage and enjoy peruse drinks and minimal at the bar oh but I still buy drinks I'm on vacation!

 

 

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[michelle1836]

Well, if a family of four when on this shore excursion offered by Royal Caribbean ...

 

 

The bill would be $18,000 just for this one excursion. This would not include tips, drinks, photographs ...

 

 

YIKES!!!! :eek:

[vols_159]

That's where the money goes to the drinking for me especially sea days I wake up drinking, all day at the pool drinking and at dinner drinking and at the club drinking you get the point. Now I just buy Bon voyage and enjoy peruse drinks and minimal at the bar oh but I still buy drinks I'm on vacation!

 

 

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I bet your liver says I hate you

 

 

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[Mrsfabo]

I bet your liver says I hate you

 

 

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Nope just once a year on vacation not a habit and usually what is it 2 sea days a year that's pretty good :)

 

 

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[cruise_pirate]

Well, if a family of four when on this shore excursion offered by Royal Caribbean ...

 

 

The bill would be $18,000 just for this one excursion. This would not include tips, drinks, photographs ...

 

 

Holy Cow!!:eek: is that pesos????

[Rena921]

DH and I have almost $1000 OBC for our upcoming B2B next month and we are expecting to have a S&S bill of a couple thousand. Its still cheaper than a trip to Hawaii or even a road trip with the kiddos across the states. Heck, we drove to CA in march for spring break and we spent more. I think the most we have spent on a cruise so far was about $2500 and that was taking the kids and their SO's, we had 3 cabins. Had a bill once for just me for over $600 and I even won $500 playing Bingo :o. What can I say, we like to gamble, drink and have a good time. YOLO.

[scm1063]

DH and I have almost $1000 OBC for our upcoming B2B next month and we are expecting to have a S&S bill of a couple thousand. Its still cheaper than a trip to Hawaii or even a road trip with the kiddos across the states. Heck, we drove to CA in march for spring break and we spent more. I think the most we have spent on a cruise so far was about $2500 and that was taking the kids and their SO's, we had 3 cabins. Had a bill once for just me for over $600 and I even won $500 playing Bingo :o. What can I say, we like to gamble, drink and have a good time. YOLO.

 

Wow! I think my wife has a drinking and gambling problem!

[kirasmom]

$2200 on our recent paradise sailing.

 

$450 in excursions for the 3 of us, drinks, photos and a few shop purchases, spa services (massage, manicures, and hair braiding for dd)oh and casino money and camp carnival fees for my daughter. Dh got a wine package too.

 

My goal is only embarkation photos next cruise, photos kill my sail and sign card

 

 

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[kirasmom]

We spend a ton of money each cruise. SS bills in thousands. We drink alot of booze, buy jewelry, get spa treatments, buy lots of pictures. We are the a cruise line's dream customer.

However, we do try to pay most of it off with cash before we leave the ship.

 

We pay our bill with check card, essentially cash

 

 

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[Sh1035]

I'm just glad the limit on your s and s card is 2k in the casino a day...ugh....when they offer to raise it I know it's bed time. But I got free drinks :)