Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Cruise expenses

I went to the Post Office last night to mail out some beautiful 2010 wall cruise calendars and the postal attendant asked me about the wonderful cruise specials. After talking with her for a minute she said, ‘I heard that getting on the boat is cheap, it is what you spend while on vacation that is expensive.’ ‘Well, yes,’ I told her, ‘that is totally up to you and how much you want to spend.’
Is it true? Will you go broke while on a cruise ship? I hope not! While I will admit that I do spend money while on my vacation, it is totally at my discretion as to how much I spend. What are some of the cost that you might encounter?
· Beverages, do you drink alcoholic beverages? Yes they are an additional charge. If you drink wine with dinner or a lot of Strawberry Daiquiris it adds up. Cola’s – if you drink a lot I suggest the soda card! They are wonderful; you can always stop at any bar and get a soda without charge.
· Shore excursions – can range from $20 all the way to several hundred dollars. It depends on where you are and what you are doing. The shore excursions that I have been on were wonderful! I don’t think that I took any that I did not believe were worth the cost. The experience is outstanding! Again, this cost is up to you and your budget, I have stopped at some ports where I simply got off the ship and walked around the town or rented a car. Shore excursions in Alaska tend to be expensive, while I was on my cruise I took 2 excursions that were about $150 each at my other 2 stops I walked the town and did things on my own in one and rented a car and visited the country side in another.
· Shopping – again what is your budget? My last cruise I did not purchase anything. On other trips I purchased a diamond ring.
· Onboard gambling – need I say more? I love the casino, but keep to a budget. Same with bingo.
· Specialty restaurants – you do not need to go to the specialty restaurant. I have been on 6 cruises and I have only dined in a specialty restaurant one time. That being said, if you want to partake in the optional restaurant experience, than know that you will have to pay. Fees typically range from $10 - $50 per person.
· Miscellaneous charges – at your discretion.

When you look at the cost of the cruise versus the cost of a land vacation, the cruise is normally less expensive. Remember your cruise cost includes your – room, meals, entertainment, transportation between islands, and a whole lot of wonderful memories.

I have experienced – snorkeling with the stingrays at Sting Ray City, swimming with the dolphins, taking a dune buggy on the back roads of Cozumel and on the beach, and my all time favorite – being in the middle of a pod of whales while on a catamaran!

The choice is yours, while on a cruise you can spend as much or little money as you want. While you may want to participate in all the activities, verify your budget and what your vacation dollars can afford.
If you haven’t tried cruising yet, check out our specials and give us a call! I think that once you try a cruise you will be hooked. I know I was!