Cruise how much money to bring

The higher-end luxury cruise lines, including Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and Seabourn , have explicit no-tipping policies as gratuities, other than spa treatments, are built directly into their fares. Seabourn offers world-class spa treatments and wellness services you'll want to try. You may also need to think about tipping at other points throughout your cruise.

For more info or specific answers regarding how much cash you should take on a cruise and the typical expenditures you can expect both onboard and in port, speak to the experts at CruiseInsider! We will help you plan your vacation and your budget every step of the way.

Give us a call at 1 for more information! Insider Tip: While onboard, we recommend leaving most of your cash in the safe inside your stateroom along with important documents, passports, credit cards, IDs and more. What Do Things Cost on a Cruise? Cash Depends on the Cruise Line While most premium lines and mega-ships offer pre-paid packages and fares may include more than just stateroom and meals, most do charge for a majority of items that luxury lines typically include.

Insider Tip: U. Insider Tip: Booking with CruiseInsider means extra perks and additional shipboard credit on most sailings! The amount may vary by cruise line, special offer, stateroom category or itinerary, but be sure to ask our experts if you are eligible for more shipboard credit!

Insider Tip: Calculate an additional 15 to 20 percent of the total price to tip your drivers, bartenders, wait staff and tour guides when enjoying any destination.

But how much? Check out these three helpful tips for knowing how much money to bring on a cruise. Every time you buy a poolside cocktail, a shore excursion from the activities desk, a souvenir from the shop, or play the slots in the casino, the charges will go straight on your credit card. Of course, this also has its disadvantages. Set yourself a daily allowance and do your best to stick to it! Local festivals and craft displays can be sources of good, free entertainment.

Parks, beaches and art galleries are other free or nominal-charge attractions to check out. Or perhaps you prefer to simply wander through town, browsing in shops and stopping for a coffee or snack.

If you decide to hire a car and driver to give you a private tour generally less expensive than the shipboard excursions, especially if you have a group or just to take you to the center of town, always agree on the price and, in the case of a tour, which specific points of interest will be covered before you get into the car.

If you do want an organized tour, you can book directly with a tour operator or through third-party shore excursion sellers; you might save a few dollars that way. When booking any independent tour, always plan to arrive back at the ship well before the all-aboard time for passengers.

Unlike those on ship-sponsored tours, ships will generally not wait for passengers who arrive late to the vessel after independent touring. Not sure if a cruise line shore tour is worth the splurge? What You'll Pay: All ships offer free dining in the ship's main dining room and buffet venue, but nearly every ship today sports one or many extra-fee dining venues. You'll pay extra for everything from casual Italian to exclusive private degustation dining experiences and restaurants designed by celebrity chefs.

Lines like Norwegian and Royal Caribbean tack a fee to all room service orders. Some lines, like Norwegian, are starting to move toward a la carte prices in their alternative venues.

Specialty desserts ice cream, gelato, cupcakes and other fancy pastries , special dishes in the main dining room such as high-quality cuts of steak and whole lobsters , dinner theater, pizza delivery and even pub grub could cost extra.

Savings Tip: Don't go! The newest, largest ships often have additional casual, fee-free eateries. Carnival is a good cruise line to choose if you want variety in free dining options. If you're tempted by the specialty options -- and many are worth a splurge -- just be sure to budget the price of dinner into your onboard spending or skip those afternoon cocktails or wine with dinner to mitigate the cost.

Alternatively, look for cruise deals that offer onboard credit or free meals in specialty venues as part of the incentive package to book. Some lines, including Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, offer dining packages that bundle several for-fee restaurants for a discounted rate; others, like Holland America, offer lunch in the specialty venues for a lower price than dinner, allowing you to enjoy the alternative dining experience at a lesser cost.

Finally, consider skipping room service if there is a surcharge for it. With the exception of the small hours of the morning, food is usually available almost around-the-clock in other dining venues, and can generally be brought back to your cabin from casual eateries like the buffet or onboard burger joint. Read about the best cruise ship alternative restaurants that are definitely worth paying for. What You'll Pay: At meals, water, iced tea, milk, coffee, tea and juices are complimentary, but alcoholic beverages are not included in the cruise fare on most lines with the exception of some luxury lines and river cruises.

Plus, many will also charge for soda, bottled water, certain juices and specialty coffees cappuccinos, lattes and espressos. Your drink tab can quickly add up as you'll be paying restaurant -- not grocery store -- prices for your beverages, as well as an automatic gratuity on your bill in the range of 18 to 20 percent.

Savings Tip: Many vessels advertise discounted "daily drink specials" or offer happy hour specials that are advertised in the daily cruise planner, and can be a great way to get your drink on without spending a fortune. If you're ever offered a drink in a souvenir glass usually at sailaway on the pool deck on the first day , ask for the drink in a regular glass instead; you will likely save a few bucks.

Look for events with free booze, such as Champagne art auctions or captain's cocktail parties. At meals, you can order a bottle of wine and save whatever you don't finish for the next night, which can be cheaper than ordering wine by the glass. The bottle is simply marked with your room number, and brought to your table the following evening. Most lines offer beverage packages everything from just soda to multiple bottles of wine and unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks , but you need to make sure you drink enough to actually see savings.

Also keep in mind that these packages are priced per person, not per cabin, and that all members of a stateroom have to purchase them. Many lines will allow you to typically bring a bottle or two of wine onboard, but you might have to pay a corkage fee if you drink it in a restaurant.

Cruise line alcohol policies are highly restrictive, so be sure to read your line's rules. What You'll Pay: Cruise line spas charge rates equal to high-end salons, and you might be shocked by the prices. Plus, rates don't include an automatic gratuity that typically runs 18 percent. Savings Tip: Take advantage of spa discounts, typically offered on embarkation and port days, when the spa is less busy.

Check your ship's daily program for spa-treatment specials that might be available one day only or during certain hours. Some lines offer progressive discounts if you book multiple treatments all at once. Resist the product sales pitch that often bordering on always comes at the end of your appointment, or better yet, ask up front not to be bothered with sales pitches at all. Does the spa menu have you overwhelmed? We'll help you understand cruise ship spa services. What You'll Pay: While many onboard activities are free, other special activities incur extra fees.

New attractions like laser tag, escape rooms and IMAX movies often come with an extra fee that can vary by line and ship.