Drewmommy Posted April 23, 2017 Report Share Posted April 23, 2017 Sorry if this has been asked before but what expenses are there to consider besides the cruise itself, airfare, pre/post cruise hotel, automatic gratuities? Also - how much is usually tipped to the luggage handlers at the port, room service, taxis/shuttles, etc.? Trying to figure out how much cash to bring. TIA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloatMe Posted April 23, 2017 Report Share Posted April 23, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted April 23, 2017 Report Share Posted April 23, 2017 1 hour ago, Drewmommy said: Sorry if this has been asked before but what expenses are there to consider besides the cruise itself, airfare, pre/post cruise hotel, automatic gratuities? Also - how much is usually tipped to the luggage handlers at the port, room service, taxis/shuttles, etc.? Trying to figure out how much cash to bring. TIA! Depending on the number of bags I give the porters at the port $10-$20, Taxis/Shuttles $10-$15, on board room service $2 (we only get coffee and a croissant from room service in the morning). Just so you know, there is an ATM on board near the guest services desk. Just be sure to let your ATM provider know you will be travelling out of the country and may use on board the ship. Wouldn't want the ATM machine to the bank to decline the transaction and "snack" on your card. Drewmommy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted April 23, 2017 Report Share Posted April 23, 2017 I tip $1-$2 per bag, usually more when disembarking depending on how fast the porter gets me through the Customs' line and how far they carry my luggage. For taxis/shuttles, I usually tip 10%. Onboard I spend very little, usually less than $100 for the three of us. That expense is largely up to what you choose to spend money on (e.g., drinks, room service, etc.). Drewmommy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted April 23, 2017 Report Share Posted April 23, 2017 The casino is cash only DocLC and Drewmommy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firegal2539 Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 I tip the porters at the the terminal $2 and the transfer bus driver $1. The airport porters $2. I have actually kept a record of tipping until I board the ship and it can be as much as $25, that is money I could use in the casino. You can opt for prepaid grautituies. Don't forget Specialty Restaurants and if you don't purchase a beverage package drinks are expensive. Shore excursions cost money. There are many things you need money for. Candie Drewmommy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 Pictures, shore excursions, shopping in the promenade shops or on shore, casinos, tips, sodas and alcoholic beverages - it all adds up. I've never purchased a beverage package. I don't drink soda or coffee, but I do have cocktails. On my last cruise, I did a cost comparison. I bought 2-3 beverages / day. At that rate per beverage, I spent about the same as I would have spent had I purchased the package. If you drink soda or drink more than 2-3 alcoholic beverages / day, then the drink package is well worth the money. As DocLC said, it's all dependent on what you choose to spend your money on. Drewmommy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 21 hours ago, Drewmommy said: Sorry if this has been asked before but what expenses are there to consider besides the cruise itself, airfare, pre/post cruise hotel, automatic gratuities? Also - how much is usually tipped to the luggage handlers at the port, room service, taxis/shuttles, etc.? Trying to figure out how much cash to bring. TIA! I guess once you pay for the cruise, gratuities included, you really don't have to spend another penny on board, if you didn't want to. Drewmommy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 Believe it or not, I actually did that on one cruise, many years ago. Dan and I were detemined that our bill would be $-0- when we got off, and it was ! Problem is..we had $50 OBC that we didn't know about so we lost it b/c we didn't use it. That was the LAST cruise we ever took where we spent $0. I'm sure we probably spent something outside at the ports (don't recall) but not one dime on the cruise ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted April 25, 2017 Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 I actually walked off a cruise with a $2+ credit because of onboard credit. And while it was refundable, it wasn't worth waiting in the long line. However, when we were scanned out, an alarm went off and the settled the account by paying as at the gangway. Now, that onboard credit would be non refundable. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drewmommy Posted April 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 10 hours ago, fmanke said: I guess once you pay for the cruise, gratuities included, you really don't have to spend another penny on board, if you didn't want to. That would be ideal... but I already know it's highly unlikely for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLGooner Posted April 25, 2017 Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 If you're going shopping with my wife in the jewelry stores of the Caribbean take LOTS plus all your credit cards!! DocLC, whitsmom and Orchids 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted April 26, 2017 Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 7 hours ago, FLGooner said: If you're going shopping with my wife in the jewelry stores of the Caribbean take LOTS plus all your credit cards!! As I see, at least you had something to lessen the pain! FLGooner and Orchids 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted April 26, 2017 Report Share Posted April 26, 2017 Wow....that looks familiar !!! FLGooner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted May 3, 2017 Report Share Posted May 3, 2017 You might find this blog post helpful: How much does a Royal Caribbean cruise cost? Cristina_WNOP and Drewmommy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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