How much do spend to Cruise 7 days with your children?

[VentureMan_2000]

How much do normally spend to Cruise 7 days with your children?

What kind of rooms do you select for DH/DW and what kind for the children?

Do you budget for excursions?

What other things do you consider when taking your children along?

[tef43]

[quote name='VentureMan_2000']How much do normally spend to Cruise 7 days with your children?

What kind of rooms do you select for DH/DW and what kind for the children?

Do you budget for excursions?

What other things do you consider when taking your children along?[/QUOTE] The answer would be "the square root of negative one, divided by zero."

[VentureMan_2000]

The answer can't be defined? :confused:

[cantw82cruise]

We have taken our DS (now 13) on four cruises with us. We usually try to plan 5k for the whole trip. Including air, hotel the night before, all tours, and S&S card. We have always had a balcony cabin. The cruise is not much more to bring him. Of course the air fare is another story. So we try to go out of FL. flying is a lot cheaper to go there.

[tef43]

The "kids" are now 24, 26 and 28. I wouldn't have [i][b]ever[/b][/i] entertained the notion of taking them on a cruise (other than Big Red Boat) previously. They'd have to pay their own way now. And I wouldn't want them to do that, either. They need to save their money to support me in my old age.

[VentureMan_2000]

I've been telling my kids that they need to concentrate on school so that they can get well paying jobs because we have a high expectation that they pay for all our travel when we retire. We tell them that we shouldn't be taking more than 6 trips a year.:D

[Guest Time2gocruzn]

[b]Yeah, yeah, Tef, we know. No kids on cruises, blah, blah blah. LOL! Anyway, I am assuming you want answers from people who actually DO cruise w/ kids, so here goes. I am cruising w/ my 4 yo and almost 2 yo and DH. Total for the cruise was just under $3000. We booked a 7a, so that we can still have a balcony, although a cheaper one because of the partially obstructed view. As far as excursions, we are only booking one. It is the shark ray alley tour. It seems fairly broken up (between time on boat, and time on land), and there is shade on the boat, so I think we will manage. Other than that, we will be going it on our own. I chose our itinerary because the places we are going are seem wonderful and safe and easy to do on our own w/ kids. I am still shopping for decent airfare. Hoping to book on Southwest, which is usually pretty affordable. Since my youngest will still be under 2 when we fly, we do not have to pay for his ticket. [/b]

[willybegolfer]

I just pull out my Discover Card, close my eyes and expect a juicy cash back bonus.

Seriously, here is what we did. I have 3 daughters, so since we were on Conquest, 2 cabins was a no-brainer. We invited my oldest daughter's college (female) roomate . DW and I got a guaranteed 8a and kids a guaranteed 4a. I told the TA they could be in the closet by the engine as long as its cheap.

I had a master plan. I figured since we are threepeat cruisers, they would get us close. They did, both on the Veranda Deck right across the hall.

We paid for one big shore excursion and one small one. Dolphin swim at Cozumel and Stingray City & Snorkeling at GC. The Jamaican Stop was a beach day. Honestly, Carlos & Charlies wound up costing me more than the Stingray City thing. We book in advance and not on the ship and that brings the cost down quite a bit.

On ship, the kids are responsible for their own drinks. The young ones are very happy with the free lemonade and the 21 year olds had a bar tab bigger than mine and my wife's. We buy the kids one souvenier for no more than $10 (straw purses at Margaritaville this year) and anything more, they have to buy.

In the past, we sailed the Fantasy and put 5 in one cabin and on the Holiday, my oldest didn't go and we put 4 in one cabin.

As far as a monetary figure???? I haven't a clue.

[ljrfrm]

Took all 3 boys (me, hubby and kids) on Paradise in July. Boys got an inside cabin and we took an outside across the hall. Didn't go guarantee because needed to be next to the kids. Only did one Carnival excursion (which was a hefty $350 for us all) and booked sting ray city on our own. Then went to Paradise Beach in Cozumel (cheap day!) and did our own thing in Roatan. Ended up spending $1,000 for us all to fly to Ft. Lauderdale, $80 pre/post cruise hotel (through Priceline), cruise was somewhere between $700 - $800 or so average, and then we had $700 on S & S card....plus, I had bought a bunch of drink coupons and photo coupons ahead of time. Add in food outside the cruise, souvenirs, airport transportation, etc. I think we spent around $6,000 give or take for a family of 5 with two cabins (Riviera deck! )

It was well worth it. Hubby and I were able to enjoy time alone (thanks to camp carnival) and we made great family memories on excursions. The best of both worlds!

[VentureMan_2000]

Thanks. Anyone else?

[yesitsfree]

We are cruising with our two children in Feb. 2005. I paid $2004.76 for all four of us I think we are in 4A? I only had to pay for 3 airfares for us since my youngest will be under 2 when we go. I paid $575. for all of us to fly to Los Angeles from the East coast. I have made reservations for us to do the horse ride with Randi in Mazalan. The cost I believe is $40 per person($120) . Other then that we will just wing it at other ports. I didn't want to plan to much in case the under 2 child was overwhelmed. My son will be 4 when we travel so he will be in camp carnival but the youngest won't be old enough. WE will pay $6 per hour for sitting services on the ship. I don't think we will use it often but I have put back $20 per day in case we do(about $100 plus $50 to tip) . I also started buying $150 Carnival cash per month to have out sail n sign card paid for before we cruise( $900). I will take $1000. cash with me for port time. I think this is all we will need. Oh yeah and our room for the night before the cruise is costing us $140. We will be staying at THE COAST at Long Beach. THey provide transportation to and from the airport and also breakfast for all of us the next day. I have alotted $200 for the day at Long Beach. I am hoping we don't spend that much but we will not go over that amount. I figure $70 per person to tip ($280) and take about $100 in ones for other tipping. This is how it all looks on paper. I am hoping this is how it will work out in real life. I have prepaid for most of these things for the past year so we didn't have a big balance coming out when the final payment was due. I thought buying Carnival cash was the way to go also so we didn't have a big tab at the end of our cruise.

[callajl]

Too bad if you don't want children on cruises. Go on the more 'elite" cruises and do your thing. Most cruiselines are promoting famiy travel and I have to say that this is my family's very favorite activity to do together. In a time when things are so crazy, this gives us quality time together without our everyday responsibilities interrputing. We cruised Disney (not the Big Red Boat) since my DD-12 was 5. We are now cruising Mariner on Halloween and then Miracle over Easter. Cruising allows everyone to spend time together, alone or one-on-one without burnout like other vacations. Now with that off my mind- cost.
We normally spend between $1900 - $3000 on our actual cruise cost. This usually gets us at least a OV sometimes a balcony. We stay in the same stateroom since there are 3 of us. Tips -$210 at least Onboard charge- between $500 - $750. We prearrange our own excursions (if we do any) and this isn't more than about $150. We live in Florida so we alot about $60 gas and $100 for pre-night stay at hotel (with parking included) or $60 for hotel and $70 for parking. We always spend another couple of hundred on misc off the ship.
Enjoy your cruise and spend your time with your children- they grow up so fast.

[VentureMan_2000]

So:

$2005 -cruise
$ 575 -air (Great Price!)
$ 120 -horse
$ 150 -sitter
$ 140 -hotel
$ 200 -Long Beach
$ 280 -tip
$ 100 -other tipping
$1000 -Port spending
$ 470 -s&s card ($900 - 150 - 280)?
=====
$5040

Does this sound correct?

[sksadams]

We took our 10 year old dd on the Conquest with us and we stayed in a balcony room (the cheapest one) deck 6 which I thought was really the best spot! $3400.00 for the cruise we flew to New Orleans 705.00 for all three of us stayed at the Hilton Riverside (95.00 a night including tax for two nights). We took $800.00 in cash spent all but $60.00. Our sign and sail account was $1,050.00 and we only booked on excursion (stingray, turtle and hell tour in Grand Cayman) the other two stops we did beach days. Credit card charges for New Orleans was $400.00 (eating and a swamp tour for everybody). So I figure $6,500.00 total and that doesn't count what we spent in clothes and etc before the trip!!!!

[the_monkey]

Leaving in 2 weeks on the Triumph. So far...

3rd/4th passenger fares (OV GTY) - $658
Port fees/taxes - $80.38
Airfare - $249.80 (inc. all taxes and fees)
DS's tux - $42.98 (bought on eBay, will be sold on eBay after Xmas)
material for DD's gown - $32
Hello Kitty carryon luggage for DD (that I wanted, grr) - $25.00
High estimate of babysitting fees for between 10 pm - 3 am - $300

We aren't doing any excursions, so can't count those. Would have had to pay for the hotel room anyway, so can't count those either.

So right now the total would be a minimum of $1088.16, and then add on that possible $300 just in case Daddy and Mom want to go out dancing every night. :D

Oh yeah, we also got them passports, but we use them to go over to Canada to buy Pepsi frequently enough that I don't know if I'd even count them in the total.

However, we shall see. Since we are flying in 2 days early, we are going to offer to be bumped. So that would affect the total as well. I'll be more than happy to return to this thread after the 27th with a grand total. :)

[yesitsfree]

[quote name='VentureMan_2000']So:

$2005 -cruise
$ 575 -air (Great Price!)
$ 120 -horse
$ 150 -sitter
$ 140 -hotel
$ 200 -Long Beach
$ 280 -tip
$ 100 -other tipping
$1000 -Port spending
$ 470 -s&s card ($900 - 150 - 280)?
=====
$5040

Does this sound correct?[/QUOTE]

Basically this is what I have planned. However the babysitting and the tipping will be covered under the $900 that will be prepaid on the sail and sign card. The $1000 we take in cash will cover the hotel , the "other" tipping money and the horse riding. Yes I got a GREAT deal on the airfare. I paid $169 for each of us plus tax.

It should look like this actually:

$2005 -cruise
$ 575 -air (Great Price!)
$1000 -Port spending this will cover the hotel, other tipping $, Long Beach, horse riding and spending $ at Ports.
$900 on our sail and sign card: will cover the baby sitting, DRINKS, tips and what ever else we do on ship.
=====
total should be $4500. ROUNDED UP.

[imlulu]

There are 4 of us. My boys are 11 and 5 so we pay for 4 flights. We go during a holiday week(President's Day week) so more expensive. For a 7 day, we budget $5000. That is for 1 room(4A this time). That also includes precruise stay at a hotel and all the extra food/drinks(airport/ports), souveniers,taxis, parking(airport), boarding our dog, etc..

[steveaaaa]

[quote name='tef43']The answer would be "the square root of negative one, divided by zero."[/QUOTE]

How does that answer help the OP?Or how does it apply?
Steve

[eastexascruiser]

We have booked our 3rd cruise with our 2 children. We live in TX so avoiding airfare has been a huge $$$ saver. In fact, we can cruise cheaper than we can do most anything else.

We always get ocean view, no balcony. Cheapest floor is fine for me (more steps, more exercise!).

Our kids aren't big soda drinkers so we don't get the drink cards.

We usually do at least 1 excursion with the kids. Last year they opted to stay in Camp Carnival than snorkel at Cozumel. The kids programs are great.

I know our total cruise price was approx $2,000. I let my DH worry about the rest. I figure, he can always pick up a side job around the holidays if we get too much in debt :D

[born2crooz]

We paid $2600.00, cruise only for 2 adults and 2 children ( 6 and 8) for a balcony cabin on the Triumph this past April. The airfare from Boston to FLL was about $220.00 pp. Our sign and sail bill was about $800.00, which included, tips, babysitting for at least 5 of the nights, photos and the occasional drink. We smuggled Captain Morgan's on board and bought soda on the islands, which kept our sign and sail down quite a bit. Paid $35.00 for the Radisson Miami on priceline. Rented a car upon arrival and disembarkation, which cost about $35.00 a day, so $70.00 total.

Sorry, did no excursions this time but with St. Thomas and St. Maarten, there's no need. Both islands seem pretty safe and there's plenty to do.

[Momto5boys]

Cruising is a great way to vacation as a family! Something for everyone, yet plenty of family "quality time" opportunities. I think adjoining rooms would be ideal, but are not always available. And often they won't accomodate more than two in a room, anway. We are a family of seven and have been getting rooms directly across the hall from each other (we get the ocean view and the kids get the inside cabin). We try to shop around a lot for good rates and subsribe to some cruise mailing lists for weekly specials. Fortunately, our airfare is free due to the free miles we accumulate through our business. Other commons costs would be hotel, cab/limo, travel insurance, tipping, excursions, extended babysitting hours (if applicable), alcohol/pop, photos, ship/port shopping, food while in port if you don't go back to the ship to eat, and cabs while in port. Excursions can get pricey if you go as a family, but there are some inexpensive do-it-on-your-own options that can be just as good (or better).

My other advice would be to have all your ducks in a row. Organize your packing and clothes, do your planning/research ahead of time for each port, have lists made of the items you need to take off the ship at each destination, etc. Cruise Critic is a terrific site to find ideas and suggestions for all the little details.

Have a great time!

[kimanjo]

We do not pay usually airfare (we live in Florida) so here is a breakdown for a family of three for sveral different cruises:

Caribbean cruises:

Average cabin/mom & dad @ $850 total $1700
Average daughter as 3rd passenger $400
Tips $200
Bar bill, casino, gifts etc. $200
Onland tours, taxi, etc. $250
Total $2750

Southern Caribbean 10 day cruise was about $3500 including air
Asia 17 day cruise was a total of about $6500 including $2200 in air from Miami to Singapore, we went off-season in February........

The secret to keeping our costs down is getting a good inside cabin, using frequent flyers for airfare (if we need to), and most importantly, doing a lot of research, maybe book far in advance. We've learned you can always put a cabin on hold (with deposit) and if the rate goes down (before final payment date) you can ask for a credit. Just keep on top of your booking!

[Karried]

We've taken several cruises under $3,600.00 for a family of four - $2400. for cruise tickets - (kids sharing a room are about 1/2 price) and then we book our own excursions - not with the ship. We take our own snorkeling equip and just play on the beaches and snorkel, last month we went Cave Tubing in Belize about $260.00 w tips, that left about $800.00 for tips, photos and drinks. We don't buy souvenirs - we make family memories.....


Stealing once again from American Express ....

Cruise $2,400.00
Extras (Approx.) $1,000.00
Memories of a Lifetime - Priceless


You only live once...

[HOSKI]

Our 9-25-04 cruise is coming in at $2300 for the three of this and includes all expenses. We booked an inside gty to save. We really do our research. A general breakdown is as follows:
4A gty on Holiday for 3 $798
Airfare from Harrisburg to NOLA $433.20
independent excursions (2 ports) $ 267
Tipping auto and other $$216
rental car and taxi $ 125
the rest is misc items

[ElizabethB]

2 Adults inside cabin 4C $1394 7 days
2 kids inside cabin 4C $1394 7 days
Insurance entire trip $129 (insuremytrip.com)
Belize snorkeling trip $212 (coral breeze pre booked)
Car for pre/post cruise $336 (14 DAYS) will visit family after
Hotel pre cruise $56
Universal tickets $200
Southwest for 4 $406 (R.I. to Orlando)
Tips on s/s card $280
Additional tipping $100 estimate
Drinks alcohol $100
Kids money to spend $100 (50 each)
Snorkeling equipment $105 (for 3 of us, don't want to use rental)
Misc. $300 (I'm not a shopper, but we'll eat out)
GRAND TOTAL $5,112 :eek: