How much money should I save for a cruise?
If I'm taking my fiancee on a cruise that costs 1200 for the both of us (just for the rooms and fare) what is a safe amount to save for the entire trip? I'm thinking at least twice as much, but maybe someone can give me a better and more accurate estimate? The cruise is a 7 day from LA w/ stops in Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.
Public Comments
- I would say $1500 would be good, but a lot depends on how much you drink alcohol, and what shore excursions you take. Some of those can cost like $400 each and others as little as $20 each. Of course you can just walk around the ports, but a vacation should be special and the shore excursions really make a cruise great.
- if you are booking trough web page add to the price about 200-300 more per person for port taxes and fuel also , about the shore excursions is depend what you wanna do, if you don't like scuba diving and feet the sharks for you is to dangerous you maybe wanna be in some street at the port and be shopping, drinking in a cruise is expense.I assuming you are US citizen ,if not you need to check for visa requirements to visit mexico
- I always figure that my total cost for a cruise will be double whatever the cost is for me to be on the ship. That is, if my cruise fare is $2000, I figure the total cost will be $4000. I am a moderate drinker, don't buy a lot of souvenirs, do one or two shore excursions, and stay out of the internet on board the ship and don't go for spa treatments. However, I have to fly to and from the port, play a bit in the casino, and am a generous tipper.
- if you havent paid it all off, you can get deals. Im going on a carnival cruise in a week and by calling ourtravel agent every 2 weeks we saved a thousand dollars. Due to there only being two of you i would say being three thousand between both of you. This money is only for the islands because all of the money you spend on the boat for drinks and other things they are added to your sign and sail. This goes directly to your credit card and if you have extra money by the end you can pay off your sign and sail with extra cash.
- ohh when you go to cabo try to learn spanish because i know spanish(im not mexican) and they wanted $40 for a jacket and i barged down to $16 and when we got back to san francisco they were selling it for $11
- The basic cruise fare includes your room, meals in the regular dining rooms and buffets, room service, shows, and most ship facilities. Many ships also have free pizza, ice cream at various times, sushi, and hot dogs and hamburgers. There are usually 3 choices for free dining. There is traditional dining where you are assigned a time and table for dining. They range from 2 to 10 seats and you have the same diners each time. There is anytime dining which allows you to go dine any time and you are seated with others dining at the same time. Both are held in large dining rooms with waiters. Then there is the buffet which is usually on the top deck. It is open to all and many people always use it for breakfast and lunch. The extras are first tips. Figure about $10 per day per person for the tips to the room steward and wait staff. This is optional and some cruise lines automatically charge you. It can be adjusted or reversed at the end of the cruise. You should also tip a few dollars if you use room service. All bar drinks will have 15% added for a tip. Many ships have alternate dining facilities that have a service charge of $15 on up. It may be a steak house or an Italian restaurant for example. There are also specialty coffee bars that have a charge. All bar drinks including sodas have a charge. The only free bar drinks are at the Captains Reception and the Repeat Cruiser Reception. Do not assume that the drinks being offered when you board are free. They are not. Bar drinks are $6 and up. Some ships are even charging for juice at any meal other than breakfast. Some cruise lines sell a soda card for about $4 a day. It is only for fountain soda. Unless you have 3 sodas a day it is not worth it. You can also buy a specialty coffee card which gives you 15 for about the price of 12. There is a charge for any personal service such as laundry, salons, private trainers, etc. Spa treatments are very expensive, $50-$100. There is also gambling which includes the casino, bingo ($10-$20 per session), and sometime deck games such as horse racing. A ship photographer will be taking pictures all over the ship and at special occasions. They cost over $10 each. Phone calls in the room are about $8 a minute. Some ships have cell phone service. You are charged for international roaming by your phone service at about $2.50 per minute. There is also a charge for using internet service on a ship but it is cheaper than phone calls. Sundries are very expensive. Figure at least double the normal price. If you need a watch you will find no better prices anywhere. Off ship excursions are expensive. They start at about $30 and can be in the hundreds. You can book them on the ship or go on your own. The ship will not leave without you if a cruise excursion is late. With one you did on your own they will not wait. ₪ ɦəlʞɹɐq ₪
