How much money should you bring on a 7 day cruise?

Navigating Cruise Expenses: A Guide to Budgeting for a 7-Day Voyage

Embarking on a seven-day cruise offers an unforgettable escape from everyday life, but it’s crucial to ensure you have adequate funds to maximize your experience. While the cruise fare covers essential expenses like accommodation, meals, and entertainment, there are additional onboard and off-board expenses to consider.

Estimating Supplemental Spending Money

To prepare a realistic budget for your 7-day cruise, consider allocating a daily amount for incidentals. This includes expenses such as spa treatments, specialty dining, shore excursions, and souvenirs. A reasonable daily budget for these items would be around $200.

Therefore, for a 7-day cruise, you should plan for approximately $1400 in supplemental spending money. This amount allows for flexibility to indulge in onboard activities and spontaneous purchases while leaving room for unforeseen expenses.

Gratuities

Many cruise lines implement an automatic gratuity system, typically ranging from $12-$15 per person per day. However, it’s customary to provide additional tips for exceptional service. A generous gratuity budget of $100-$200 per person for the entire cruise is recommended.

Additional Considerations

Apart from the daily incidentals and gratuities, there may be other expenses to factor in:

• Shore excursions: Excursions can range from $50 to several hundred dollars, depending on the destination and activity.
• Internet access: Internet packages can be purchased onboard, but prices vary.
• Alcohol: Drinks are not included in the cruise fare, and prices can be higher than on land.
• Souvenirs: Allow for some funds to purchase keepsakes from ports of call.

Conclusion

By budgeting approximately $1400 in supplemental spending money for a 7-day cruise, you can ensure you have ample funds to enjoy onboard activities, shore excursions, and unexpected expenses. Remember to factor in gratuities and any additional costs you may incur, such as alcohol or souvenirs. With careful planning, you can fully embrace the wonders of your cruise without financial worries.