A couple cruise questions....

erickarose

Hi everyone,
I am sure some of these have been answered in the past but couldn't find them.
My FI and I are going to go on a 7 day Carnival Cruise for our honeymoon in Jan. I was wondering a couple things, first of all how much money should we plan on having on us as far as drinks, extra food( like the steakhouse), and excursions? Also what should we pack, I have read some places have formal nights and such but dont want to over or under pack can someone help us out? Any advice about cruises?
Hope to hear some results thanks

JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_a-couple-cruise-questions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:500cfd4d-b31a-4859-8d6d-7cc4773f7abdPost:a9b8bb2e-8e48-41ee-82c1-7e0743bf8154">A couple cruise questions....</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi everyone, I am sure some of these have been answered in the past but couldn't find them. My FI and I are going to go on a 7 day Carnival Cruise for our honeymoon in Jan. I was wondering a couple things, first of all how much money should we plan on having on us as far as drinks, extra food( like the steakhouse), and excursions? Also what should we pack, I have read some places have formal nights and such but dont want to over or under pack can someone help us out? Any advice about cruises? Hope to hear some results thanks
Posted by erickarose[/QUOTE]

You really don't need much cash unless you plan on buying something off the ship.  Drinks, food surcharges for any shipboard restaurants, excursions.....you will just swipe your ship card and it will all be billed to your credit card on file at the end of the cruise.  Just pay attention to what you're swiping if you don't want to end up with a huge bill!

I've never cruised Carnival, but their website should give you info about how many formal nights.  I'm assuming for a one week cruise that would be 2 nights.  Honestly, we usually skip it because we don't want to pack or wear formal clothes on vacation. 

AllyG303

Carnival typically has 2 formal nights for a 7 night cruise.  Like PPs said, the only extra money you'll need is for offshore, and also for the casino.  

My biggest advice would be to bring a jacket or sweater because it gets cooooold on the ship at night, no matter where you're going and what time of the year it is.  

alithebride

you dont have to do the formal nights you know. you can go to a specialty restaurant, the buffet or have your dinner RSed to your room (or balcony if oyu have one).

as for how much for drinks-they're bar prices.

pack light. you dont need much.

Lechillura

I have been on many cruises, carnival in particular and have some helpful hints.

I take my whole family usually every year or every year. 3 balcony rooms side by side.  It gets very expensive and I figured out a way to offset some of the expenses.

Carnival allows you to pre buy cruise ship credit.  This is a big deal.

Every paycheck - I would call in and give them my booking # and add on whatever I could afford. Sometimes it $50- sometimes it was $200.  You get my drift?  I also pre paid bottles of wine, bottle of liquor for the room, drink tickets at discount, etc...  even photo coupons.

By the time I got on board, I would have credit of like $700 to spend, most of drinks paid, etc...    Two cruises I saved up enough money and really went wild.  By the end of the cruise, I still hadn't used all of the money (even in casino) and at the last night - I had a check waiting for me of what was left. You do NOT lose the money.

It REALLY helps to have this option.  This was the only way since I took my whole family (Parents, grandmother, us and my nephew).   I hope this helps.

Also - great advice on Cruise Critic

And do not overpack.  Whatever you put on the bed to pack, take almost half of it away LOL. 

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I have heard a good rule of thumb is to plan on spending about the same amount as you spent on your cruise tickets on your onboard account (if you drink - like PP said, the drinks are similar to bar prices, so like $4-$5 for a beer, $8 for a cocktail). I found that to be true on my 3 night cruise to Mexico - my friend and I only spent $400ish combined on the cruise itself, but we probably spent the same on our excursion (sea kayaking), alcohol, pedicures, and souvenirs.

christikao

Like what PP mentioned, most of your charges onboard will be charged to your ship card but if you are planning to gamble on the ship, definitely use cash since the cruiseline charge you a convenience fee if you use your ship card or credit card. Never cruise with Carnival so not sure what % they charge but with Royal Caribbean it's 3%. Also bring lot of small bills, it comes in handy when you are in port (tipping, small purchases, etc...).