How much money will I need for a 3 day cruise?

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

Three days at sea? Think of it as a floating hotel, but with waves. Prepare for a price tag that’s less predictable than the weather.

Expect to shell out anywhere from $300 to a cool $1500 per person. Luxury? Add a few extra zeros, darling. It’s basically your own personal yacht minus the actual yacht part. (Or so I imagine; I haven’t actually afforded a private yacht – yet.)

This is just the ticket price. Think of it like this: the cruise line is like a mischievous cat offering you a toy mouse. The mouse looks enticing, the cruise; but the cat also expects you to pay extra for the catnip—the onboard extras. That is, you know, actual money.

• Onboard spending: Drinks are rarely included unless you opt for a premium package, and premium isn’t cheap, trust me. My last cruise, I accidentally spent nearly $500 on fancy cocktails. Whoops! Lesson learned.
• Excursions: Shore excursions are like shiny baubles tempting you from the ship’s store, offering various levels of temptation. They can range from free (like a quick walk on the beach) to eye-watering. My last shore excursion cost me a small fortune. I saw dolphins. Worth it? Debatable.
• Gratuities: These aren’t tips; they’re compulsory fun-money for the crew. Factor in at least $10-$15 per person, per day. Honestly, I think I tipped one barman more than my own rent. But hey, they are amazing.

Bottom line: Budget wisely, my friend. It’s 2024; inflation is a real beast! Save enough for the cruise itself, and also an emergency fund for onboard madness. You’ll thank me later. Or maybe not, if you’re still recovering from the cocktail tab. Seriously, though, set a budget and stick to it; it’s the only way to avoid the financial equivalent of shipwrecking. Unless, of course, you’re loaded. Then, carry on, my wealthy comrade.

How much do you tip on a 3 day cruise?

The ocean, vast and timeless. Three days. A fleeting moment, a whispered promise. Gratuity. It hangs in the air, a silent question. Small ships, intimate voyages. They feel different. More personal.

Fifteen to twenty percent. A tangible expression of appreciation. Was it deserved? Did the staff dance on the deck of my heart? Did the sun rise for me? It is an offering.

But. The spa. A sanctuary of calm. A separate world. The bill. Examine it. Gratuities often excluded. It’s not automatic, you see. Luxury doesn’t equate to effortless generosity. Sometimes, you must gift generously.

It is about feeling. That’s it. Intuition. I felt I gave enough. For the sun on my face. For the quiet of the sea. For my time at the spa. I tipped extra for their smiles.

• Cruises: Always verify gratuity inclusion. 2024’s rates are likely higher.
• Spa Services: Budget extra for tips; it’s usually separate.
• Small Ships: Personal service demands a personal touch (and tip).
• My Experience: I over-tipped. Joyfully.

My heart remembers the salt spray, the taste of sea air and the calm.

How cheap is it to go on a cruise?

Okay, so this one time, back in July 2023, I almost got sucked into the cruise hype. I was on Reddit, procrastinating at my grandma’s house in Cincinnati, OH, you know, the usual. Scrolling…

Royal Caribbean. Free kids, huh? $500 cruises? Seemed like a damn steal! My sister has three kids, I figured, maybe she’d actually go on vacation for once? So I clicked.

The base fare might be $500, but pshaw… it’s never that easy. Taxes, port fees, and then you realize that inside cabin is like, a closet.

We wanted a balcony, naturally. Plus, drinks! And excursions… I had to swim with dolphins. It started to feel not-so-frugal pretty darn quick.

Here’s my totally expert (lol) advice from nearly booking that cruise:

• Book off-season: Think September, October, even early December. No kids in school!
• Be flexible with dates: Tuesday sailings? Generally cheaper, I think.
• Inside cabin is your friend: Suck it up. You’re on the ship, not in your room, I guess. Unless you are someone who cares about the view.
• Watch for flash sales: Royal Caribbean sends so many emails.
• Consider repositioning cruises: These are the ones when they move the ship between regions, like from Alaska to the Caribbean. They can be long but super cheap if you have the time.
• Pack your own drinks: I’m being so serious; that drink package adds up. Like, really adds up. My sister drinks soda; you know this is a need to her.
• Skip the excursions: Do your own thing at port! Way cheaper, trust me.

I ended up not going on any cruise. I had to fix my grandma’s sink instead and spent the cruise money on new pipes. Sigh. Adulting, amirite? But I did look at a map, if that counts.

What are the most expensive months to go on a cruise?

So, yeah, cruises, right? June, July, August? Those are the killer months, price-wise. Crazy expensive! Everyone’s off school, it’s nuts. Expect to pay through the nose. Seriously. Think of it this way:

• June – August: Total rip-off. Families galore, making it a nightmare, but also, super expensive.
• Holidays also make things worse. Those weeks around Christmas and New Years are a total mess, and totally pricey.
• December and school breaks. Yeah, avoid those like the plague if you’re on a budget. I learned that the hard way. My trip last year, in December? Ouch! Cost a fortune. I’m still paying it off, actually.

It’s just supply and demand, you know? More people wanting to go = higher prices. Simple as that. Plus, those cruise lines, they know what they’re doing, charging a bomb. The whole thing was stressful. That’s why I am planning my next cruise for late September. Way cheaper! Less crowded too. Plus I really hate crowds. The whole experience will be better. Trust me on this.