This post covers what we spent, from the moment we left home to the moment we returned, including the cruise fare, flights, hotel, airport extras, drinks package, Wi-Fi, dining, and what we spent onboard. I’m not including port day costs (we explored each port independently), but everything else is laid out clearly to help you budget for your own cruise.
Our Cruise Details
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- Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
- Ship: Allure of the Seas
- Duration: 7 nights
- Cabin Type: Guaranteed Balcony
- Departure Port: Barcelona
- Total Spent: £4,697 (for 2 adults)
The Cruise Fare
We booked a guaranteed balcony cabin for just £2,150, through Kieran at Magical Traveller (a UK-based independent travel agent we always use, no sponsorship or commission involved!).
Our cabin was on Deck 6 (Boardwalk Deck), behind Playmakers, right at the end of the corridor. It was peaceful, although the occasional whiff of fried food wasn’t ideal! Still, it didn’t linger or stick to our clothes, so we didn’t mind. Booking a guaranteed cabin saved us a huge chunk of money and was well worth it.
Flights to Barcelona
We flew with EasyJet to Barcelona. Because we booked quite late, flights came to £500.88, including 26kg luggage and extra legroom.
Other travel extras included:
- Fast Track Security: £10
- Airport Parking: £101
- Premier Inn (night before): £56
Why Premier Inn? With a 6am flight and two energetic dogs at home, it was far easier to stay near the airport and avoid early morning chaos!
Transfers & Hotel in Barcelona
We booked Welcome Pickups from the airport to our hotel in Barcelona for £42. It was worth every penny for the peace of mind, a driver waiting with a name sign, clean car, and smooth service.
Our hotel stay at H10 Madison was a steal at £38, down from £248, thanks to Tesco Clubcard points redeemed via Hotels.com, which doubled their value.
Barcelona Tours (Not Included in Total)
Although we collaborated with Walks & Devour Tours, I wanted to mention two brilliant tours (not included in the budget):
- Sagrada Família Tour: £44
- Tapas & History Walking Tour: £97
Both were small group tours that gave us insider insight and were totally worth it, especially for first-time visitors to Barcelona.
Getting to the Ship
We grabbed an Uber to the port for just £18, excellent value.
Cruise Extras: Drinks, Wi-Fi & Dining
Here’s where the extras stack up:
- Drinks Package: £900
I booked, cancelled, and rebooked this twice as prices dropped. Paying with Amex made refunds smooth. Keep checking the app! - Wi-Fi (2 devices): £219
We shared it across phones and a laptop, which meant occasionally logging each other off, but it worked out cheaper than buying individual packages. - Speciality Dining (3-night package): £225
That’s about £112 each, decent value considering most speciality restaurants are around $50 per person. We didn’t use credits at Playmakers since it’s already so cheap!
Onboard Spending
We spent £400 onboard, which included:
- Casino wins and losses
- Playmakers snacks and drinks
- A few miscellaneous purchases
Because we’d prepaid for drinks, Wi-Fi and dining, our onboard spending was relatively low.
Return to the Airport
We opted for a taxi back to the airport at a flat rate of €45 (around £38). In hindsight, we should’ve booked another Welcome Pickups service for the same price, less waiting around!
Total Spend
- Cruise Fare, £2,150
- Flights & Luggage, £500.88
- Airport Parking & Hotel, £167
- Transfers (UK & Spain), £60
- Barcelona Hotel, £38
- Drinks Package, £900
- Wi-Fi Package, £219
- Speciality Dining, £225
- Onboard Spend, £400
- Return Airport Taxi, £38
Total – £4,697
Final Thoughts
Yes, we spent over double the cruise fare once we added everything up. But honestly? It was worth every penny.
Could we have spent less? Of course. We didn’t need the drinks package, the Premier Inn stay, or the private transfer. But for us, holidays are about ease and enjoyment. I like not worrying about what I’m spending once I’m onboard. I want to enjoy that mojito without checking the bill.
