How Much Money will I need On My cruise?

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I NEED TO SPEND ON MY CRUISE?

So, how much cruise money will I need since I’ve pre-paid for my cruise, and airfare in advance?  If you’re like me, you like to budget all your funds in advance and have a plan for when you arrive on vacation.

I personally just love to show up and not have to worry about any finances (so I can truly relax) therefore I make sure most everything is paid for as much as in advance as possible.

Here are a few things to consider:

 

1. THE PIER- If you’re driving your own car to the port to cruise out, you’ll have to pay to park it while you’re on vaca. This can run from $10-$20 per day, depending upon where you park.  You can research to find the lowest place to keep your car, or perhaps even consider a “Park and Cruise” package. Just make sure if it’s not directly at the port, that you consider the cost of a shuttle to get to the ship, if need be.
   
   You stay at a local hotel, and many times they will let you keep your car at their hotel safe and sound while you’re on the ship.  They offer a shuttle to the port many times (sometimes for free or fairly cheap per person) and at times back to the hotel as well. Many times if you calculate the room rate and the parking, you can still come out ahead.  We have done this many times on our travels. Plus imagine getting into the area the night before, not worrying about any last minute traffic headaches or car trouble, sleeping in and then waking up refreshed and ready to board the ship for your amazing vacation. I would NOT want to be stressed the day of the cruise, trying to get there and then have something come up to keep me from the trip I planned, saved and paid for all year! Your piece of mind is worth it, in the end. Trust me!
   
   If you’re lucky to fly in, don’t forget the cost of the shuttle from the airport to the cruise port.  While this can be costly to book through the cruise lines, you can do so and eliminate the headache of having to coordinate this yourself. If you want to save some cash, arrange it yourself (or hire a professional travel consultant to handle this for you). Local shuttle services and cabs can be less expensive. If you’re adventurous, you can schedule that flight the day of the cruise, but worrier that I am, I don’t want to “miss the boat” so I always come in the day before and this gives me a chance to check out the area, and stay in a hotel offering a shuttle to the port the next day.
   
   Once you get to the port, don’t forget your friendly porter who will handle your bags for you (minus your carry-on) and a customary tip is $1-2 per bag.
   
   
   
   
2. EMBARKATION- Once you get checked in, get your sea-pass card (like a room key and charge card combined) and decide how to pay for your extras, you must decide whether to put cash on your account (and the cruise lines have minimums) or use of a credit card is the best way to do so. If you do cash, you have to carry it to the guest services on the ship and make a cash deposit to activate your sea-pass card. This can take time away from the start of your vacation and imagine how many other souls are in line doing the exact same thing!
   
   Sometimes the gratuities have already been added to your account on the first day, and sometimes it gets added to your bill at the end of the cruise.  I prefer to pre-pay mine in advance so I don’t have to worry about another expense or a surprise! Typically this will run you $12 per person per day, but remember these folks who serve you on the ship work day in and day out for their tips and they are much appreciated and deserved.  At the end of the cruise, many times we tip above and beyond for fabulous service!
   
   
   
   
3. ONBOARD- You will use your sea-pass card the entire time you’re on the ship (that’s why I prefer to have a lanyard worn around my neck for ease of using and less chance of losing it). This is what you’ll use to make any extra purchases, souvenirs, drinks, casino, bingo, extra activities, etc. Tea, water and juice are customarily included in your cruise fare, however any soda, specialty coffees, alcoholic drinks are extra. Don’t forget any spa treatments, special photographs, specialty dining, shore excursions, tips as we mentioned earlier, etc.  If you’re not careful, and watchful of your spending, this can add up quickly.  And, my sister learned the hard way on this little piece of advice: if you have children, go to guest services and set a spending limit on each child!  Her one child spent a small fortune at the arcade in one afternoon and this kept them from participating in an exciting excursion snorkeling in the Bahamas.  Your TV in your stateroom has an option where you can see your spending daily, so this is a great way to keep up with it. Or, you can go to guest services and ask them for a printout.  Also, another great tip: if you don’t want this added to your credit card, you can bring cash to their desk and pay down your bill at any time.
   
   
   
   
4. PORTS- Shopping, eating and drinking, this can add up while you are on shore!  Keep a tight rein on your finances here too. If you’re a shopper, or like to try exotic foods in a foreign land, have a set budget per port, and try to keep within this. I would much rather spend my money on exciting excursions and prefer to make memories with different experiences.  One of my favorites was Zip-Lining in St. Martin, snorkeling and kayaking in The Caymans, white water rafting in Jamaica and snorkeling in St. Thomas.  These adventures will stay with me forever and was such an amazing time. You can play it safe and only purchase those excursions offered by the cruise ship (which means it’s a cruise line event, so the ship won’t leave you behind if the group is delayed) but frugal me, I like to venture out and schedule and pay for excursions on our own and save some money.
   
    
   
   
5. DEBARKATION- One of the truly saddest days of the trip! The last day (or rather the night before seeing the bags sitting outside everyone’s doors) is so depressing, if you’re like me, you don’t want the vacation to end. Any last minute gratuities you’d like to hand out to the staff that became like family, should be done the evening before. Remember, checking your bill in advance will avoid the “sticker shock” of the final bill before you leave the ship and it’s added to your credit card! Make sure there weren’t any errors before you go, so you can get them cleared up prior.
   
   Don’t forget money to have for your transportation back to your vehicle or to the airport!
   
   We hope this list will help you come up with a budget on what to spend on your amazing trip, and perhaps give you some ideas of how to save some money before you go. Since we don’t know your exact spending habits, this is meant to be a guide for you!
   
    
   
   
   Hey, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Where do you like to “splurge” on your vacation? And, where do you save money on your cruise?
   
   

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