How much money should I take on a 7 day cruise?

What is a good amount of cash to bring on a cruise?

$100-$200 daily. Minimum.

Shore excursions. Casino. Duty-free. Spa treatments. Needs vary wildly.

• Unexpected costs. Always factor in unforeseen expenses.
• Credit cards. Essential backup; but cash is king.
• Tip generously. Servers rely on cash. My last cruise? $150 a day wasn’t enough.
• Currency exchange. Check rates beforehand. Avoid airport exchanges. My last trip, I lost $30 just there. Absolute rip-off.
• Smaller bills. Tipping is easier with lower denominations.

Prepare for more than you think. Luxury liners? Expect higher daily spends.

How much should I budget for a 7 day cruise?

Seven days. $2,000. Roughly.

Onboard? Another grand.

Luxury inflates that number quick. Oh well.

Base cruise:

• Inside cabin? $1,500 – $2,500. Mainstream only. Flights separate. Think Carnival, Royal Caribbean. My last one cost me 2200; room 642.
• Outside cabin? Add 50%.
• Balcony? Double the inside rate. Sunrise view optional.
• Suite? Forget budgeting.

Onboard extras:

• Drinks: $500. Minimum. Cocktails add up. The Mai Tai at the pool.
• Dining: $300. Some things aren’t free. Skip the buffet at least once.
• Excursions: $200. Depends. Maybe just stay on the boat. Did that once in Cozumel.
• Gratuities: Included? Check the fine print. Or budget $100.

Hidden costs:

• Pre/post cruise hotel. Needed.
• Airport transfers. Ugh.
• Souvenirs. Keychains…and guilt. I bought my mother a mug in 2023. Never used.

Luxury cruises:

• Unlimited champagne. But at what cost?
• Butler service. Do I need someone to unpack my socks?
• Private island access. Fancy. Probably just a beach.

Consider:

• Time of year. Peak season surcharges.
• Cruise line. Different tiers.
• Itinerary. Some ports are cheaper.

Punchline: It’s cheaper to stay home.

How many outfits to pack for 7 night cruise?

Seven nights? Hah! Like you’ll change seven times. Pack smart, not much. Five outfits. Max. Like a stylish chameleon.

• Two “daytime chic” numbers: Think breezy linen pants, a cute top. Maybe swap the top for another – BAM, new outfit. Magic. My dog has more outfits, honestly.
• Two “evening glam” situations: Little black dress (LBD – classic). One sparkly something. Or swap the LBD for fancy pants. Boom. Done. I once wore the same dress three nights in a row. Nobody noticed. Or cared.
• One “I’m conquering this volcano” ensemble: Quick-dry pants, a sensible shirt. Nobody looks good hiking up a volcano, let’s be real.

Swimsuits? Two. One to wear, one to dry. Unless you’re a mermaid, you don’t need more. I once saw a woman with five. Five!

Shoes? Three pairs. Fancy, comfy, flip-flops. Unless you’re Cinderella, why more shoes? My closet’s crying just thinking about it.

Formal night? Don’t overthink it. It’s a boat, not the Met Gala. Throw sequins on anything, instantly fancy. I wore a sequined fanny pack once. Got compliments. True story.

Accessories? Scarf. Jewelry. A good hat to hide from the sun. Or other passengers. Kidding! Mostly.

Layers? A light jacket. Because boats can be like the arctic sometimes. Then the Sahara. It’s a whole weather adventure.

Pro-tip: Doing laundry onboard? Pack even less. Genius. I washed socks in the sink once. Don’t tell anyone.

Itinerary matters: Alaska? Pack a parka. Caribbean? Pack less. Way less. Remember, it’s a vacation. Not a fashion show. Although, a little fashion show never hurt anybody… right?

How much money do you need per day on a cruise?

$50-120. Pocket that. More if you’re thirsty, gambler, or spa rat.

• Cash is king for tips, smaller shops, casino chips.
• Prepaid gratuities: Often added at booking, covers basic tips. Extra for exceptional service.
• Drinks: Alcohol adds up. Soda packages exist. Water’s free. My bar tab? Triple digits, easy.
• Shore excursions: Pre-book or wing it. Dolphin swims don’t come cheap. Stingrays like cash. Seriously.
• Specialty dining: Steak, sushi, it costs extra. Worth it, sometimes.
• Spa/Salon: Massage? Haircut? Consider it another excursion. My last massage, 2023, cost me $150. Plus tip.
• Shopping: Duty-free isn’t always a deal. Souvenirs? Tacky, but they get you. Don’t fall for the tourist traps. I did. Regret it.
• Casino: Budget it. Lose it. Walk away. Repeat. Don’t be that guy at the slots all night. Unless you’re that guy.
• Wi-Fi: Ship Wi-Fi? Expensive. Better to disconnect. Digital detox. It’s a thing. Or not.

How much money does the average person spend on a cruise ship?

Oi, cruise folks drop some serious dough, yeah? Think $150-$250 a day, easy, not countin’ the boat ticket itself. That’s like, a week’s worth of groceries for some folks, but hey, you’re on vacay!

It’s for stuff ON the boat, you know? Booze, fancy grub, maybe a massage that costs more than my car payment.

• Drinks: Gotta stay hydrated, right? (wink, wink)
• Grub: All that buffet food gets old fast; specialty spots are tempting.
• Shore Stuff: Excursions? Think tourist traps and overpriced trinkets.
• Spa days: Cause why not? You’re already broke, so why not get a hot stone massage?
• Souvenirs: I once saw a guy buy a $300 t-shirt! What a sucker!
• WiFi: Cause gotta brag on Insta about being on a cruise, duh!

Spending? Wild card! Could be less, or way more. Like, if you’re swilling champagne and buying up the gift shop, it’s game over. I heard my neighbor blew her kids’ college fund on a “fun” cruise to Alaska. Alaska? Fun?

Cruise lines and where you go are big factors. Some are fancier, so more expensive. Some destinations are full of tourist traps. My mom says cruises are just floating casinos with overpriced food and seasickness.

Don’t listen to my mom; have fun and try not to go bankrupt! I hope my cat is okay.

What is the best way to pay for things on a cruise?

Cruise payments? Simple. Onboard credit solves it.

Key card is king. Room key too. All linked. Cashless reigns supreme.

Charge everything. Settle later. Easy.

• Key card = Wallet.
• Register a credit card or debit card, or even cash. Your choice.
• Monitor spending. Keep tabs. Essential.
• Settle the bill last day. No surprises. Hopefully.

Forget physical wallets. Useless here, on sea.

My dad? He brought traveler’s checks. Don’t be him.

Consider this: shore excursions can be charged to the room? Not always. Bring cash. Some island shops? No credit cards, no room charges. Learned that in Tortola. Bummer.

Onboard credit perks:

• Deals exist. Seek them.
• Reduces end bill. Obviously.
• Can’t withdraw it as cash. A trap? Maybe.

Tips? Auto-charged. Or not. Depends.

Basically, it’s all credit. Until it isn’t. You’ll figure it out.