Cost of caribbean v Med

[Erico]

We have cruised the Med and have a good idea of day to day costs for our type of cruising. Now we are thinking of the Caribbean. How much more should we expect to have to pay. As much as 20%?

Also what about the East coast of the states - how do costs compare?

Thanks

Eric


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[snowleopard]

a lot depends on how you live. the caribbean can be quite cheap if you anchor all the time, avoid imported processed foods and keep the entertainment budget down.

use local buses rather than taxis, drink local beer, not wine, rum not brandy etc. in other words live as the locals do. in that case you can probably reckon it will be no more expensive than europe. once you start on boat spares, fancy restaurants, guided tours and american food the costs rocket.

we didn't make it to the US but we hear that marina charges are huge. food and other daily necessities are generally cheaper than europe.

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[AndrewB]

>>a lot depends on how you live. the caribbean can be quite cheap if you anchor all the time, avoid imported processed foods and keep the entertainment budget down<<

A council of perfection. No normal yachtie will manage this!

The real budget-buster is food, so a few tips: (i) Never buy food from boat-boys. (ii) Supermarkets stock a decent range, but the prices will be getting on for twice what you are used to. (iii) If you buy in local markets or shops, watch conspicuously what the person in front buys and pays, and buy exactly the same. Otherwise, expect the price to be raised for you. (iv) Fresh meat and in many places fresh fish are at a premium. If its on offer to you - that probably means a host of regular customers have rejected it. (v) The US imported frozen chicken legs have little flesh and are washed in disinfectant as a precaution, but at least they are plentiful and affordable. (vi) Avoid other processed meats, instead take your own tins. (vii) Prices are fairly high in restaurants, both tourist and local, but not so much higher as you might expect. (viii) There is much wider choice and more reasonable prices in USVI and Puerto Rico shops than in the West Indies. (ix) Fill up with water when you buy fuel, as its usually free then.

Prices for food in the US supermarkets are significantly lower than in Europe - unbelievably lower compared with the West Indies. However I had difficulty finding decent tinned food to stock for the return crossing.

 

[ChrisE]

Would agree with most of the other comments on costs and would add that the little we were in the US (Miami and the Keys) the marina costs were comparable with the south coast of the UK but that there were plenty of anchorages. Food was cheaper at the time. when exchange rates were about $1.40 to the £1.

Regarding food from boat boys, we found that some things were cheaper but that generally it wasn't worth the hassle. We found the range in the shops to be limited to what could be grown locally (usually OK to eat but generally cosmetically challenged) or shipped in (frozen, canned and pricey). If you like rice, peas, chicken and fish the Caribbean is the place for you. That said the fishing off the back of the boat is good and we had a good mix of tuna, dolphin (dorado), wahoo and grouper.

Regarding drink, the local beer and rum was good value. Wine was not really worth it.

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[Spicemariner]

We have been in Caribbean for two years now and find it about half as expensive as UK. We anchor almost all of the time and it seems to get cheaper the further south you go. Trinidad is really cheap for beer and most food. Grenada is very cheap for fish (all fish is sold at 6EC a lb, about #1.25 and the earlier you get to fish market, you get more variety. As you go North each island is good for certain supplies. Bequia for some tinned foods, St Lucia for charcoal, (bought at the same place as the locals, a huge sack for #6.00) and some tinned goods. French islands for wine and cheese, prices are cheaper than Europe, as they seem to be subsidised. Most people we have met who have done both say Med is more expensive. We are in UK for three months and seem to spend a day, what we would spend in 4 for 5 days in Caribbean but it sure is a great life.

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[Sunnyseeker]

The Carib has more opportunity for a good barter, we found if we bought fish from the fishermen before they went to market it was cheaper...we'd put our order in the day before...size of tuna usually, and he'd turn up at 5 or 6 with a nice fish at the agreed price. Mmmmm makes me want to go back. There is quite a range in costs between islands as you head up the chain, Trindad/Grenada the best and cheapest.

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[Sea Devil]

I found the caribbean was much cheaper than the med and more fun. Depends a little where you are - Trinidad and Grenada are really cheap - no need for marina's lots of space to anchor etc and lot of local shops at low prices - If you go to St Lucia or Virgin Islands they are essentialy tourist resorts for charter boats and cruise liners then it will make your eyes water - Still lots of anchorages. North from there Puerto Rico, Spanish VI, Domincan Republic are wonderful and really cheap - I got to Key West and all the way up the Intracostal Waterway and never paid to anchor or for a marina all the way to the Chesapeake. Cheap fuel and cheap US food. (except Ft Lauderdale where you have to pick up a bouy for I think $10 a night ... ish

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