My Husband won a 7 day W Caribbean cruise from his work. I cannot take my kids, and have very little money to spend. What money is needed for cruise? Tipping, drinks, shopping, shore excursions... How can I make the most on a limited budget?!

In some things, it depends on which cruise line, but in general, your expenses will be as follows for the week for both of you together: <BR>Tips: <BR> Waiter $50 <BR> Busboy 30 <BR> Maitre'd 10 (optional) <BR> Steward 50 <BR> Chief housekeeper 5 <BR>Drinks: <BR> usually $3.50 - 6.50 <BR> bringing your own bottle for use in your cabin depends on the line. <BR>Shopping: <BR> Completely up to you. <BR>Excursions: (optional) <BR> Start at about $30 per person per port, but depending on the port, the folks here can give you some real hints on places to go and things to see with or without excursions. <BR> <BR>These figures are just an approximation, you will have a nice time and we hope that this is the first of many cruises. Enjoy =

You can save a lot of money by drinking ice tea instead of Coke. Most lines charge up to $1.50 per soft drink, plus 15% gratuity. The same tip is applied to any bar drinks. Most often, espresso and capuccino is considered a bar drink, so is extra. Nevertheless, except for the tips, which sammie outlined for you, everything is included: your accommodations, your food, your entertainment. That's one of the thinkgs that makes cruising so great. Enjoy it.

Hi Leah: We have cruised three times in the past 6 years. I find the most expensive things on our cruises to be the excursions since I have a tendencey to want to see everything. Our cheapest days ashore are usually beach days. You can usually pack a bit of a picnic (fruit 'roomservice' etc. to take with you, bring some "glad bags". Make sure you can get back to the ship for lunch to keep costs down, or a room service lunch when you get back. Your meals on board are included if your on a budget make the most of them. Our next cruise is also the Western Caribbean and I have been researching here are a couple of ideas. Cozumel-Chankanaab National Park, Playa San Francisco Beach $4.00 taxi ride,Los Cinco Soles shopping area.La Ciba Hotel has a $5.00 pass to use there beach and hotel facilities and it is 4 blocks left of the main pier. If you can not afford the stingray tour at Grand Cayman there is Seven Mile Beach it is public.There is one day passes at Jamica Grande to use there beach ect. Shaw Park Gardens is only $4.00. Hopefully you will only have three ports of call because the at sea days are usually the cheapest days as long as you stay away from the casino and gift shops. Hopefully you will be able to pick one thing that is important for you to see and do that as a splurge. We shop to buy very little on our travels as there are usually few things that our bargins that we really need! You may want to check with your travel agent to see if the package your husband won has gratuities incl.. Have a great cruise and feel free to e-mail directly. Karen

I suggest not taking ship's shore excursions. On our many cruise experiences, we have found we can do the same excursions on our own for much cheaper. Sometimes cruise ships play to travelers insecurities, which is fine for some. But It'll cost ya.

Definitely pass on the shore excursions! There will be a number of taxis/guides on the shore waiting for the passengers that will be much less. If you meet people you like on board with the same interests, you can even double up and take a taxi together. <BR> <BR>We bought soda and wine on shore and brought it on the boat. Your room steward should bring you ice if you request it and you should have a refrigerator. Most lines will also offer complimentary ice tea/lemonade with meals. The last cruise we were on had complimentary soft drinks with dinner, ask before you order.

Leah, I hope this posting reaches you on time for your trip. I have lots of tips for an inexpensive cruise because I went on a five star ship myself with not too much cash and I still had a great time. If you let us know which cruise line and which ports I can help you even more. Have no fear, cruising is very inexpensive once your trip is paid. email me if you want info. or post the cruise line and itinerary on this board. <BR>Good luck.