My boyfriend and I went on a cruise 2 weeks ago. We vacationed with another couple although we did not share a cabin. This was their first cruise and they choose an interior cabin. This was our third cruise and we splurged for a balcony cabin. Everyone always wants to know exactly how much a cruise cost- no one is trying to be evasive- its just a hard number to pen because you can add extras or you can cruise without spending more. Our cruise cost with taxes was about 1200.00. That's a 7 night Caribbean cruise in a balcony room- leaving out of New Orleans with three port stops- Cozumel, Belize and Roatan. Then there are gratuity charges. This is a one time pay and the money is divided up among all the crew that takes such good care of you. It is right at 11.00 a day per person. You can pay when you book or they will add to your onboard charges or you can even dispute the amount and change it or all together refuse to pay it. Frankly, I think they earn it! For the next 7 days the only time we tipped additionally was to the parking tower luggage carriers (1.00 a bag) and to room service (2.00 each time).

The "extras" that made our bill rise...We steak house dined one night (this is a steak house that is above and beyond the nice dining- big beautiful steaks, very personal service and delicious food. I ate crab cakes, filet mignon and lobster! The cost of this is 35.00 a person plus we tipped here too- sorry I forgot about this tip) Also we purchased pictures. Every night photographers are set up in several locations- you can pose for as many as you like and only buy what you want. They are 20.00 for an 8 x10 and 15.00 for a 5 x 7. We only bought 2 pics! Then there are excursions... we find carnival excursions to be costly and crowded and not specific to our wants and needs. So we researched (trip advisor!) and found reliable companies that offered excursions in each port.

Cozumel we went snorkeling- there were 8 of us, they took us to 3 awesome locations that were very secluded. We saw amazing coral formations and fish. They feed us fresh fruit, made fresh guacamole and chow chow served with chips and had beverages alcoholic and not- this was a 4.5 hour excursion that cost 50.00 a person. Well worth it. In Belize we took a horse and carriage drawn tour through the city- the tour lasted about 3 hours. Our guide was awesome and very informative, friendly, humerous...The tour was just for the 4 of us and cost was 25.00 a person. Lastly, in our last port Roatan we hired a guide they toured us around Roatan in an air conditioned van- the cost of that was 35.00 a person. That tour lasted a couple of hours and also was awesome. On the ship we bought a few souvenirs- 27.00 worth. On the Roatan and Belize excursions- the guides took us all around and to any places in particular we wanted to go. We went to a park that lets you hold and take pics with monkeys- the entrance fee in there was 10.00 a person with an awesome guide through the park (we tipped him 5.00). Also we ate lunch both those days and that expense was on us- not cheap- about 15.00 a person! (but the food was yummy!!!) We tipped our guides for each excursion day 20.00 each. Lastly (for cruise cost) my boyfriend bought a soda card. He loves sodas and they aren't free on the cruise ship. For 49.00 they put a sticker on your sign and sail card and you can get unlimited sodas and juices throughout your cruise. I am not a soda drinker and was satisfied with all the free coffee, hot cocoa, tea and water. We did purchase a few alcoholic beverages- the pina colada was awesome. They cost about 8.00 a piece. There is a specialty coffee shop on the ship that makes awesome frozen coffees- we had coffees and shared a 6-layer slice of yummy carrot cake-that set us back about 12.00. And finally we lost about 125.00 in the casino. NOW- THATS ALL THE MONEY WE SPENT! Read more