First cruise coming up in Feb. I am 58 and wondering how tiresome will it be. I am healthy, but wondering.?

Question

We will be at about 28 women all around the same age. And what about spending? Someone told me $300 is enough. Others tell me more like $500 to $700. It's all inclusive, and I don't drink alcohol or cokes. I will be drinking only bottled water. OK! Maybe ONE Raspberry Frozen Margarita!! LOL! Will $600 be enough for the extras if I do like 2 excursions, and a very little bit of shopping?

Answer 1

I think $600 will be plenty...especially if you don't drink much alcohol. Enjoy your first cruise!!

Answer 2

Um, if you're not that in to shopping, I say $400 or $500 would be enough (enough for a little shopping, food, and extras.) But this trip seems like it's stressing you out. Maybe you shouldn't go, unless you really want to. Hope I helped! Have fun!

Answer 3

OMG !! We took our first cruise this year... I'm 53 and hubby is 57. You will have so much fun.

It is very relaxing, we loved not having to do anything except eat, and play!

There is plenty of free drinks to be had, most often all the coffee, juice or lemonade you want. They do charge for soda, though.

We brought $800 with us and our credit card. I came home with $500 and we only put $350 on our credit card. That was including all our drinks (we don't drink much) souveniers on board, pictures, a spa visit for me and other things we charged to our Sign and Sail card.

We tipped our cabin and dinner staff in cash.

Most of the islands accept credit cards, but cash to the street vendors is much better, you can bargain better. So if you are a shopper... bring money accordingly.

I even went snorkeling with a group of teenagers and I'm not the most athletic person.

Kick you shoes off and have a blast! There will be plenty of time for sleeping when you get home.

Enjoy!

Answer 4

if its a cruise i dont think its going to be so tiring i think in the opposite its going to be so relaxing i think $600 should be fine

--dont drink too much ! (;

hahahaha

Answer 5

I think $500 is fine, but you should bring a credit card just in case. Most cruise companies want you to register a credit card with them anyways so that anything that is purchased on the ship will be put on the card. Princess calls this cash free cruising and I find it very convenient. Also cruising is very relaxing and I love doing it. I, myself am almost 59 and have been cruising for about 10 years. Unlike other vacations, cruising is a great way to see lots of places with not too much energy. You can be as active or as laid back as you want. You will have a blast.

Answer 6

You will have a great time!!! $600 is PLENTY.  As someone else has said book your excursions off the boat if you would like a cheaper rate, but if it is a lot of you lady's that would like to go on the same excursion it may not hurt to pay a little extra and book it before you even leave so you know you can all be togather.  

Also just another helpful hint about $$ everything that you buy on the ship is put on your cruise card which is linked to your credit card.  At the end of the cruise you may choose to pay the balance, or you can have them put it on your credit card along with tipping ( which you can figure $8-$10 per day per person)

Good luck, have fun and go to a nice beach rent some snorkel gear and go into the ocean it is awesome!!!

Answer 7

You don't have to do anything you don't want. So don't worry about exertion. Plenty of people are just chilling out and don't even go on the excursions. My husband and I get a car or hire a taxi for the day. There's nothing amazing to see in the Carribbean. If you have seen one island... you aren't missing much on the next. It's all about the beach. At each pier there are plenty of tours offered. However, if you are late getting back on an independent tour, the boat doesn't wait. If all you want is to sit on the beach and shop, no problem. They don't make anything down there so you are paying for imported stuff and the duty free is ridiculous. They just jack up the price except for booze and you can only bring home 2 bottles.

Money, well, they don't usually include tips but that can go on the credit card except I tend to tip the cabin steward and the dining room maitre d' separately. Tip him first and get better than average service.

Drinks can be $8-10 a drink or more. So take more and if you spend less so much the better.

Enjoy. Everyone does.

Answer 8

600 is plenty!  Most excursions are around 75-100 depending on what you do.  I would wait until you dock to buy them, its way cheaper once you get there.  The cruise charges a lot more than the locals.  I went on a 7 day cruise with 4 stops and had a lot of free time.  I'm younger than you, but I still would say you will have plenty of time to lounge around so you won't feel worn out!  There were days when we were at sea all day and I had hours to read and visit the ice cream booth.  Have fun and remember to take lots of pictures!

Answer 9

It can be as relaxing as you want it to be, or jam packed with activities and destination excursions.  I don't think you will get tired, you will have a fabulous time.

If it is all-inclusive then you don't have to worry about the tipping and drinks (which is very nice).  I like to shop, and if you are into jewelry there are many ports of call with terrific jewelry and you can get good deals.  I never carried cash with me to any of the ports.  You go into these little markets (I was in Mexico) and men would grab you trying to get you to buy things.  I would take a little purse you can strap around your waist and take a credit card with you.  I think that's the safest route.  

We had to pay for our excursions when we booked our trip, and I will tell you we enjoyed staying on the cruise ship or just walking around the ports of call instead of having to travel and do all the excursions.

If you don't plan on doing much shopping and would rather spend cash, I think $300 would be more than enough (but bring a credit card just in case).

Have a fabulous trip!

Answer 10

You need to pay for alcohol, and tipping.    You normally tip at the end of the cruise.   Shopping, gambling, excursions and perhaps some fee based things on the cruise (like spa treatment....etc).    I would bring 600 just in case

Answer 11

First of all, all cruise ships are essentially cashless because when you first board the ship they will set up an on-board account which to which all of your on-board purchases will go.  Any drinks, tours, souvenirs, spa services and/or internet services will be charged to your account.  On the last day of the cruise you will settle your account by credit card or cash if you want.

Second, the ship will have an ATM so you can get cash if you need it. So there is no need to take a big wad of cash with you.  You can also get cash by going to the ship's casino and presenting your cruise card and requesting cash.  The funds that you get are added to your on-board tab and you will not be charged an ATM fee for that transaction since it will go as a regular credit card purchase.

The main thing that you may need cash for is if you plan to gamble in the casino, but you can also do as I just said above.

I have done many cruises and like you don't buy many drinks or photos on ship.  So I usually take between $200 and $300 for a 7-day cruise and that's plenty enough and if I run short I go to the casino cage and get cash.

Answer 12

$600 sounds like a reasonable amount of money to spend on food, souveners, etc. And you dont have to spend it all. Just remember that cruises are always more expensive that normal shops and resturants. Also, if you are making any stops, look into what shops, etc. are located in the town you will be stopping at. This could help you plan in advance. Hope you have good time on your cruise. You will be having so much fun. Dont worry about being tired. That could ruin it for you.