22 July 2009
How much money do you think we would need to plan a cruise on the Carnival Ecstasy?
Posted by admin under: Cruise Travel .
For each person, it’s going to cost us $379 a person. But what amount of money do we need to have with us on the cruise for shopping, and, or other activities along the cruise?
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5 Comments so far...
David W Says:
23 July 2009 at 5:05 am.
$80,000 should be enough.
Julie T Says:
25 July 2009 at 6:44 am.
Some info on the Ecstasy…
- Parking at the port. $10 per day/per car. Cash!
- Tips for luggage porters. Usually $1 per bag.
- Tips – $10 per day per guest
- Bar drinks – $4.50-12 each plus 15% gratutity
- Soda. $1.75 per can or Soda Fountain card. About $35-45 bucks for unlimited by glass
- Photos. $20-25 per sheet.
- Bingo – $5-10 per card.
- Casino – $$$$
- Shore excursions. $50-200 per person per excursion.
- Spa services. $50-200 per service
Progresso is a developing port. There is an open air market with good deals on trinkets, t-shirts and the like. Be sure to to take your spending money in small ($1, 5, 10) US dollars. Part of the game is to negotiate with the vendors. Offer a few dollars less than they price the item. There are street vendors in Progresso, including children but they will leave you alone if you just say no thanks.
Cozumel is a very developed tourist location with tons of shore excursions. I recommend the Cavern by Jeep tour if you can drive a stick shift.
My sister opens a cash account when she boards so she does not overspend while on board. I use a credit card and always get sticker shock at the end of the cruise. She spent about $300 the last time we were on the Ecstasy (June 2006) while I spent about 3x that much.
The expensive items are the shore excursions and the number of photos you buy (and you will probably buy some).
Another tip for the Port of Galveston…mark the handles of your luggage with brightly colored yarn or ribbon. There will be a sea of luggage upon debarkation and it is a hassle to look at all of the luggage tags. Also, board on the early side of embarkation…lines at terminal can get long quickly.
davidncboi Says:
28 July 2009 at 5:08 am.
It really depends on how much you drink alcohol and how much u like to gamble in the casino. I am a single dude and i don’t drink. I did play a little in the casino. i would think about 100.00 per person/per day and you should be good, so if your cruise is a 5 night cruise i would bring 600.00 per person. This should cover your shore excursions, casino, shopping etc.
tracymae64 Says:
31 July 2009 at 3:57 pm.
In addition to Julie T’s tip schedule, there is an expectation of tipping the waiter, busboy and cabin maid at the end of the trip. All of the luxury is not cheap.
dangerouspudding Says:
31 July 2009 at 10:26 pm.
Julies answers are fantastic! the “tip” of 10$ per day is for everyone except for the maitre D. for him you get a envelope at the end and you can give him cash or choose not to. everyone else on board splits the 10$ . you can change the % on who gets your money at the pursers desk. You also have the option to not give any tips at all. With the incredible service you get on the boat you will want to tip them at the end.