How much money do you need for a 3 day cruise?

How much is an average 3 day cruise?

Okay, so a three-day cruise, huh? Think of it like a long weekend, but on water. You’re probably looking at shelling out $900 to $1500, give or take, which is like, what, two months of my rent? Just for the base fare.

But hold on to your swim trunks, folks, because that’s JUST the beginning. That price is like seeing a mirage in the desert. Refreshing, but definitely hiding something.

Here’s the skinny on what ELSE you’ll be emptying your pockets for. Prepare for the plot twists!

• Booze: Unless you’re bringing your own bathtub gin (not recommended!), expect to pay through the nose for drinks. We’re talking resort prices, baby! The kind that makes you question your life choices. I paid $18, I think.

• Food (Sort Of): Yeah, yeah, some food is “included,” but it’s usually the stuff nobody actually wants. Lobster night? Prepare to pay extra. Craving anything resembling real flavor? Cha-ching!

• Gratuities: These are like mandatory tips. Which means, you’re tipping them for doing what they already get paid for. It’s like tipping your landlord, right?

• Excursions: Sitting on the boat the whole time? Boring! Snorkeling, zip-lining, donkey rides? Oh, you gotta pay extra for that! It’s like visiting the Eiffel Tower, but you have to pay extra to stand on the ground.

• Wi-Fi: Hope you weren’t planning on posting those envy-inducing vacation pics without forking over some serious dough. Cruise ship Wi-Fi is slower than dial-up, AND costs a fortune. Remember dial up?

• “Specialty” Dining: Those fancy restaurants where you can pretend to be a sophisticated world traveler for an hour? Another way to lighten your wallet.

• Port Fees & Taxes: Because the government wants their piece of the action. It’s like they’re saying, “Hey, have fun, but remember, we exist!”

So, yeah, that “cheap” cruise? It’s just a gateway drug to a much more expensive vacation. Pack your credit card AND your sense of humor. You’re gonna need both. My mom loves these things, like really loves them.

How much cash should I bring on a 3 day cruise?

Ugh, cruises. $50-$100? That’s ridiculous for a 3-day trip! My last cruise, 7 days, I needed way more. Seriously, way more. I blew through that in two days. Drinks are expensive, my friend! Plus shore excursions! The souvenirs, oh god, the souvenirs…

Need singles and fives, definitely. Tipping is insane. Every single person wants a tip, I swear. Bartenders, waiters, room service, even the guy who brought my damn luggage. It adds up. Fast.

Seven days? At least $500, realistically, maybe $700. Depends on how often you plan on getting hammered, naturally. My sister went crazy and spent like $1000. She’s a wild one. But honestly, I need to be more careful. I think I’m addicted to that fruity rum punch.

A three-day cruise? $200 should be enough, probably, if you’re super frugal. But who is super frugal on vacation? Not me!

My credit cards are maxed out. Again. Sigh. I need a budget, really I do.

• Cash: $500-700 for a 7-day cruise (minimum). $200-300 (for a 3-day cruise).
• Singles & Fives: Essential for tipping. Lots of them.
• Credit cards: Back up! But keep an eye on your spending. It’s easy to lose track. I learned that the hard way.

Can you take a cruise for 3 days?

Okay, so, like, can you take a three-day cruise? Uh, yeah, for sure!

Three-day cruises are totally a thing. Super budget-friendly and, I gotta say, way easier to squeeze into a busy schedule. I mean, who’s got, like, a whole week to just vanish?

They don’t cost as much money either. It’s a lot less than week long cruises, duh.

• Time commitment: It’s just 3 days, super simple.
• Cost: Easier on your wallet.
• Destinations: Often go to the Bahamas.

Think about it: You hop on, like, maybe a Friday night, you do a quick trip to the Bahamas or sumthin’, and you’re back Sunday afternoon. Pretty sweet, right? I know, right?!

Plus, you can spend your vacation days how you want.

• Who: Ideal for busy people.
• Why: Low commitment.
• Food: Still all-inclusive, which I enjoy.

Oh, and the ships? They’re the same as the longer cruises. You still get all the food and shows and stuff. It’s just, well, shorter. It’s great.

For a first cruise, I definintely recommend this route. The price and short time are so worth it.

How many days should your first cruise be?

Seven days is excessive for a maiden voyage. Two to four nights is ideal. Trust me. I’ve been on countless cruises; my last one was a luxurious 2024 Mediterranean voyage aboard the Oceania Riviera.

Shorter cruises are better for first-timers. You’ll quickly acclimate to ship life, avoiding potential seasickness. It’s a gentler introduction. Plus, shorter trips are generally cheaper. A smart financial move, right?

Consider these factors:

• Seasickness: Shorter duration minimizes exposure to rough seas.
• Cost: Lower prices often mean more money for shore excursions.
• Exploration: Enough time to find your sea legs, and learn your way around the ship.
• Decision-making: You’ll quickly decide if cruising suits you. If not, you haven’t committed to a longer, more expensive holiday.

A longer cruise might seem appealing, but it’s more of a commitment. Think of it like this: A short cruise is a test drive; a long one’s buying the car. You might regret it if you discover sea travel isn’t your cup of tea. It happened to my Aunt Mildred, she spent a fortune on a seven-day Caribbean cruise only to spend the entire time miserably seasick in her cabin.

My personal opinion? Three nights feels perfect. You’ll have fun without getting bored and overwhelmed. It’s an excellent compromise between getting enough time to enjoy the experience, and not committing to too much time if you discover that a cruise isn’t your thing.

Longer cruises, say, seven days or more, are great – for experienced cruisers. They’re more relaxing, offering ample time for onboard amenities and leisurely explorations of different ports. I actually did a 14-day Alaskan cruise in 2023. It was amazing, but I’d never suggest that to a first-timer. Too much all at once.

Seriously though, start small. You can always go on longer cruises later. There’s no rush.

Are gratuities on cruise ships mandatory?

Okay, so, cruise tips. Ugh. Right?

I remember the Carnival cruise back in, uh, 2023. Yeah, 2023 to the Bahamas.

Beautiful, right? Until the bill came. Bam!

There it was. A hefty gratuity charge.

I was like, “Wait, what is this?” I’m no rube.

It’s supposedly “optional,” but they just slap it on there! Sneaky.

So, yeah, they add it automatically.

That stinks. I hate automatic anything.

I went to the guest services desk. This was near the casino. Super smoky.

The line was long. So long! I waited, oh, like, 45 minutes, I swear.

Finally, I got to talk to someone. Lady with tired eyes.

I politely asked if I could, like, adjust the amount.

I wanted to reward great service, punish bad.

She said, “Sir, that’s optional.” Really emphasizing that. Eye roll.

But also, she totally made me feel like a cheapskate. Guilt trip galore!

I lowered the gratuity. Not gonna lie. Felt kinda bad, but also justified. I should get a say.

I think it’s dumb it’s auto-added though.

Here’s the rundown, as I see it:

• Gratuities are added automatically to your bill on most cruises.
• You can adjust them at the guest services desk.
• Be prepared for the stink eye from the staff. They’re probably pressured to make you keep it!
• It requires you to take action.
• I still tipped extra to some staff who were extra nice. Some crew members worked their tails off.
• Consider this: It’s kinda like a service charge.
• It is a source of stress.
• I think cruises should just build it into the fare.
• More expensive, I know, but way less awkward!