jennybean Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 I'm just trying to create a budget for my cruise (it's my first one ever and still over 300 days away haha I am super excited). I want to know how much money I should be saving up because I don't want to be limited on the trip if I decide to get a drink or go to a speciality restaurant. What are the average costs for specialty restaurants and drinks? I just want to make sure I have enough money saved up so I can splurge without worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Specialty restaurants can range from $25-$50 for dinner, but can be samples for less at lunch. Since this is your first cruise, I'd recommend splurging on one, but would stick to the main dining room for the most part. As for drinks, they can add up fast, but keep in mind that you can bring in two bottles of wine. Excursions run the ballpark from inexpensive to expensive. It really depends what you want to do. You can buy them through the cruise planner as money is saved. The same can be done for specialty dining and drink packages. Plus, you can cancel for a refund up until a few days before your cruise. jennybean 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennybean Posted October 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Thank you! This is helpful! What would you say the average alcoholic drink cost is? The only extra drinks I can see myself getting are the cool cocktails at some of the restaurants and I don't see myself having more then 2 maybe 3 in a day so I don't know if the cost of a drink package is worth it. Apparently our room booking came with something called dine drink discover which gives us a soda package for two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestingBird Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Average cocktail price is $12 if I'm not mistaken (safe to plan it there even if it's actually lower). Now, if you start adding top shelf liquor the price goes up. On my last night I added top shelf to some fancy drink and the price jumped to $21, but not every top shelf will make it that high obviously. Beers are around $5-8 I think. Somewhere on this site are various bar menus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 If you are worried about surprise costs it might be worth it to consider a drink or dining package. That way things are already paid for and you don't have to worry about checking your charges all time. Or do what @DocLC suggests and stick with main dining for this first time. I remember for our first cruise we stuck with that to just get use to the idea of cruising and cause we were trying to save money after our wedding. Don't forget gratuities. I believe they are $13.50/pp/day for non-suite guests and $16.50/pp/day for suites. Those charges can add up too at the end of the cruise. But again those can be prepaid if you are budgeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 7 hours ago, jennybean said: Apparently our room booking came with something called dine drink discover which gives us a soda package for two. That means you're in a Boardwalk balcony room. You also get Complimentary meal for four at Johnny Rockets. Exclusive rock climbing wall experience for the entire family. jennybean 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 7 hours ago, jennybean said: Thank you! This is helpful! What would you say the average alcoholic drink cost is? The only extra drinks I can see myself getting are the cool cocktails at some of the restaurants and I don't see myself having more then 2 maybe 3 in a day so I don't know if the cost of a drink package is worth it. Apparently our room booking came with something called dine drink discover which gives us a soda package for two. It's typically bewteeen $12-$15 (specialty cocktails) plus 18% gratuities for each drink. Don't forget the drink pakckage includes not just alcohol but bottled water, juices, specialty coffee, smoothies, etc. We use to not get the drink package because my husband doesn't even drink and I am like you, 2 cocktails by the pool, a drink at dinner, one after dinner. But recently we cruised with the package and I loved the convenience of it. Just the bottled water alone makes it worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melski94 Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Also if you are looking to try specialty restaurants cheaper, your cruise planner will have a BOGO specialty restaurants but the catch is that you have to use it the first 2 nights of the cruise. For my Harmony cruise in March the BOGO is $30 (thats 2 restaurants for $30). A regular dinner at Chops is $49. jennybean 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennybean Posted October 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Thank so so much everyone!!!!! You are all so helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Also plan to have about $30-$50 in small bills to cover things like tips for the porters, cab rides (fare and tip), cash tips for any land restaurants you choose to visit, etc. And if you intend to gamble in the ship's casino, you'll want cash on hand for that as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Also, some cash to tip the room service folks, if you order anything. We usually get coffee and a roll in the morning (it's free) and I tip he room service person $2.00. MikeK 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cez Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 On 10/17/2017 at 12:46 AM, jennybean said: I'm just trying to create a budget for my cruise (it's my first one ever and still over 300 days away haha I am super excited). I want to know how much money I should be saving up because I don't want to be limited on the trip if I decide to get a drink or go to a speciality restaurant. What are the average costs for specialty restaurants and drinks? I just want to make sure I have enough money saved up so I can splurge without worry. Jenny, there is still time - cancel your cruise now ! You can avoid becoming cruise junkie and save lot of money in the future. It's too late for most of us :( but you can save yourself. No ? Well, if you decide not to listen to those words of wisdom I would suggest following: For the first time cruiser I would strongly recommend to skip specialty restaurants and just make sure that you have your table reserved for main dining room. Food there is amazing without extra cost. Do not overdo excursion - enjoy ship in port (at least once) where there is less people onboard. Since you have a lot of time before cruising you can offset big bill and setup perfect vacation by booking and paying for extra packages on monthly bases. Ex: purchase one excursion or package per month and if you find it cheaper closer to the sail date simple cancel and re-book it. You'll get extra money back on your CC! So book it now and try to get drinking package and onshore excursion at discounted price (20-25%) by checking your cruise planer in 3 to 1 months before your sail date (especially during US statutory holidays). While cruising monitor your seapass (your key and onboard credit card) spending on your TV screen or by asking customer service for printout Once you have all your gratuities, excursions and drinks prepayed, save some cash to offset unexpected impulsive onbord purchases - bingo, casino, shopping, pictures, spa etc. It depends your lifestyle and discipline but 50-150 per day per person should cover your sanity while receiving your final bill. Enjoy your cruise ! You'll love it ! jennybean and BrianAlt 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 Be on the lookout for periodic sales that are offered on some excursions. At 300 days out it's too early to start booking excursions but you may be able to preview the type of excursions offered and if they are the ones that typically go on sale during such events. US holidays are popular times for sale events. The US Thanksgiving, sometimes Presidents day, Memorial day, July 4th, etc. often will have discounts ranging from 10-20% off certain excursions (not all). If you do decide to book a specialty dinner, they sometimes offer a BOGO 2 night dinner offer. Currently its $30 and you get two specialty restaurants. There are some conditions like which days you can eat at the specialty restaurants but you have lots of time to research and understand how it works. The main dining room is very good, you don't have to eat at specialty restaurants to have a fantastic cruise experience. jennybean 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
widallas Posted October 28, 2017 Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 And as someone helpfully pointed out to me once, if you see a good price book it....you can always cancel and re-book if the price drops even lower. The sales tend to disappear right before the sail date, and not a lot to be found on board. jennybean 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.