Budget - anything I'm forgetting?

[J_Viggy]

I'm making a spreadsheet type thing to try to calculate all the unpaid for items on our cruise....

 

We are doing a 5 days out of Galveston on the Triumph in April.

 

It is 3 of us, so I know we will have $34.50/day for tips.

 

I'm figuring $50/day each adult on drinks (that is probably OVER budgeting, but I prefer to go that direction).

 

We will have two port days, and I know for one we will go to Nachi Cocum, so I have that cost added in plus the taxi each way.

 

I need to figure out what we will do in Progreso, probably will chose an excursion so will add the cost of that in.

 

I'm putting another $30 per day for miscellaneous souveniers/random stuff I haven't thought of.

 

Is there anything else I need to include?

I'm already at over $1000 in additional costs. Am I overestimating?

Edited February 3, 2014 by J_Viggy

[Gypsywych]

Parking? Airport/Cruise Port transfers? Porter tips? Room Service Tips?

[J_Viggy]

Parking? Airport/Cruise Port transfers? Porter tips? Room Service Tips?

 

I'm thinking my miscellaneous category will cover room service/porter tips, in addition to random purchases we may make. Do you think $30/day is enough for that?

 

I do have airport transfer and hotel stay the night before, sort of keeping that separate in my head....

Thanks!!

[mikel24m]

I'm making a spreadsheet type thing to try to calculate all the unpaid for items on our cruise....

 

We are doing a 5 days out of Galveston on the Triumph in April.

 

It is 3 of us, so I know we will have $34.50/day for tips.

 

I'm figuring $50/day each adult on drinks (that is probably OVER budgeting, but I prefer to go that direction).

 

We will have two port days, and I know for one we will go to Nachi Cocum, so I have that cost added in plus the taxi each way.

 

I need to figure out what we will do in Progreso, probably will chose an excursion so will add the cost of that in.

 

I'm putting another $30 per day for miscellaneous souveniers/random stuff I haven't thought of.

 

Is there anything else I need to include?

I'm already at over $1000 in additional costs. Am I overestimating?

 

I would scratch Nachi and book Mr Sanchos 1000% better food,unlimited as well and cheaper than Nachi (we have done Nachi 3 or 4 times and Mr sanchos the last 2 .Its much better)

 

I would budget more than $30 for random things ,remember taxis are not cheap and just little things like bottles of water or a baseball cap add up fast

[CruisinCrow]

If you buy any photos, that will put you over your $30 pretty fast. :)

[crusinpsychRN]

I second scratch Nachi. Other places far better for much, much less.

Photos, even small ones are $15.

[notyours75]

I would scratch Nachi and book Mr Sanchos 1000% better food,unlimited as well and cheaper than Nachi (we have done Nachi 3 or 4 times and Mr sanchos the last 2 .Its much better)

 

I would budget more than $30 for random things ,remember taxis are not cheap and just little things like bottles of water or a baseball cap add up fast

 

Spent last Thursday at Mr. Sanchos. We were going to go someplace else but got re-directed to Mr. Sanchos and we were very glad we did. The adult all-inclusive for Mr. Sanchos is $55/pp and the taxi is $14 each way if you do not share a cab. We split a Taxi with another couple and we did not do the all inclusive and spent about $75 for drinks/food. Had a great time, next time would probably do the all inclusive because we didn't eat much and just drank (a lot.) Mixed drinks are 7/10/15 and beers are $4/ea without the all inclusive. Make no mistake the drinks were STRONG. It was a lovely beach with lots to do or just kick back and take it easy. They want to sell you photos, parasailing, and other activities but they were not pushy and only asked politely once. There are also massages but did not see the price. The bathrooms were large and clean.

 

Only thing I'd tell people to be wary about is the taxi. They charge a set price per trip and the costs is different for each vehicle type. There is no bargaining and the costs/locations are laid out on big signs. Car taxis to Mr. Sanchos and back are $14, mini-vans were like $22 and a full 15p van was $28. On the way back we shared a ride with another couple and they put us in a 15p van and charged us each $14 so no savings. Hold out for more people or make them put you in a smaller vehicle. Also make sure everyone in the vehicle is going to the same place or they will want to charge $14 to drop you off at Mr. Sanchos and charge the full price again for another location even if its next door.

 

Other than that a great time, can't wait to go back.

[J_Viggy]

I will look into Mr Sanchos a little more, but why do you say its cheaper there? From the websites, it appears the cost is actually less at Nachi Cocum for us (my daughter at age 5 comes in at their $17/rate), but even if she was older it looks like the rate would be the same?

 

Thanks for all the tips guys.... I am also trying to really think about how much we will drink to decide whether we should get the cheers program. Hard to say for sure.

[mikel24m]

Spent last Thursday at Mr. Sanchos. We were going to go someplace else but got re-directed to Mr. Sanchos and we were very glad we did. The adult all-inclusive for Mr. Sanchos is $55/pp and the taxi is $14 each way if you do not share a cab. We split a Taxi with another couple and we did not do the all inclusive and spent about $75 for drinks/food. Had a great time, next time would probably do the all inclusive because we didn't eat much and just drank (a lot.) Mixed drinks are 7/10/15 and beers are $4/ea without the all inclusive. Make no mistake the drinks were STRONG. It was a lovely beach with lots to do or just kick back and take it easy. They want to sell you photos, parasailing, and other activities but they were not pushy and only asked politely once. There are also massages but did not see the price. The bathrooms were large and clean.

 

Only thing I'd tell people to be wary about is the taxi. They charge a set price per trip and the costs is different for each vehicle type. There is no bargaining and the costs/locations are laid out on big signs. Car taxis to Mr. Sanchos and back are $14, mini-vans were like $22 and a full 15p van was $28. On the way back we shared a ride with another couple and they put us in a 15p van and charged us each $14 so no savings. Hold out for more people or make them put you in a smaller vehicle. Also make sure everyone in the vehicle is going to the same place or they will want to charge $14 to drop you off at Mr. Sanchos and charge the full price again for another location even if its next door.

 

Other than that a great time, can't wait to go back.

 

We booked online and reserved for $5 per person and paid the balance at the door ,It was $5 cheaper to book and reserve online

[ShanteS]

Would you be willing to share your spreadsheet? I'd love to use one to prepare for my cruise on the Breeze in September. Thanks.

[HappyAboard]

I would not say you are over budgeting, everything adds up quickly. I assume you don't plan to go to the casino or play bingo, or eat at the steakhouse or go to the spa?

[J_Viggy]

I would not say you are over budgeting, everything adds up quickly. I assume you don't plan to go to the casino or play bingo, or eat at the steakhouse or go to the spa?

 

Nope, we aren't gamblers and there isn't a steakhouse on Triumph. I'm thinking I will skip the spa -- should be able to get enough relaxation in without it :)

[J_Viggy]

I would not say you are over budgeting, everything adds up quickly. I assume you don't plan to go to the casino or play bingo, or eat at the steakhouse or go to the spa?

 

I will once I finish it up, but its nothing fancy!

[bigmandog]

We do the all inclusive. My kids love ordering their own Virgin drinks without any restrictions!! They feel so grown up. Please don't even try to compare the price. Once you are eating the coconut shrimp you will be soooooo glad you took our advice!!! If you are not convinced go to trip advisor. The water toys were impossible to get on for me or my kids ($24 wasted) unless you have a ton of upper body strength to pull yourself up. Ohh have fun!!!

[gracie65]

Nope, we aren't gamblers and there isn't a steakhouse on Triumph. I'm thinking I will skip the spa -- should be able to get enough relaxation in without it :)

 

 

The Triumph had a steakhouse in 2007 when we sailed her was it omitted in the refurb?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[J_Viggy]

I don't know if they removed it or what, but I'm pretty sure there is no steakhouse....:confused:

[gracie65]

I don't know if they removed it or what, but I'm pretty sure there is no steakhouse....:confused:

I think it looks like you are right. Too bad they aren't adding these to all the ships instead of taking them away!!

 

I think your budget looks good. I have been Nachi Cocum before and wasn't thrilled. Have not been to Mr Sanchos but love Paradise Beach. It's in the same stretch as the other two. You might also want to check out their web site. Have a great cruise!!

[TheCalicoCat]

I'm putting another $30 per day for miscellaneous souveniers/random stuff I haven't thought of.

 

Is there anything else I need to include?

I'm already at over $1000 in additional costs. Am I overestimating?

 

1. I pre-pay tips, so I don't have to budget that (I treat is as part of the cruise fare).

 

2. T-shirts? If you are anything like us then $30 a day is not enough. We easily paid $100 a day.:o 3 people - more than 1 shirt - wanted tank, t, long sleeve, sweatshirt - one of us got 4 tanks, a couple t's, a couple long sleeves, & a sweatshirt...

[LiveLAUGHLove21]

I do the same thing when I go on vacation (spreadsheet).

 

Often times on excursions, I've found there seems to be someone that should be tipped, so I always include 5-8 extra one dollar bills.

[USNUZULOOSE]

I like prepaying my tips that way I don't worry about it. Then just extra money for any other tipping.

[vamartha]

Dinner the night before, breakfast the morning of the cruise. Soda, wine and snacks? Photos?

 

I not only pre-pay my tips but I also buy Cruise Cash and Cruise Cash Bar every payday until we leave. I'm not a big drinker so I buy enough Bar Cash for a couple of drinks a day, the rest Cruise Cash.

 

On our last cruise when the Cabin Stewardess delivered my stack of paper coupon notices (the money is actually applied straight to your S&S card, they just print you notices of the amounts) she was cracking up at the sheer amount of them.

 

I bought at least one or two every two weeks from early April until late October! But I didn't owe a penny when our cruise was over - not a single dime and I got 100% of what we had left over back when I cashed out through the casino.