Sample Budget

All applicants are required to provide or raise their own funds to cover crew fees, insurance, transportation to and from the ship, and personal expenses. Click here to learn more about Mercy Ships Crew Fees.

Below is a sample budget that should help you forecast your finances during your time onboard.
You can utilize our budget calculator in your own home by downloading the SAMPLE BUDGET (Microsoft Excel file).

Our Financial Support Team is here to help you along the way! They can advise you on your budget, expenses & saving, support raising, and the financial support program at any point in your journey with Mercy Ships.

Minimum Monthly Budget Calculator

CREW FEESMONTHLY BUDGET CALCULATOR
Commitment Length:Per Adult:ADULT CREW FEES:
12+ months$200.00$ -
2 weeks to 12 months$400.00
TRAVELYOUR TRAVEL COSTS:
Compute the cost of travel to / from the vessel and divide it by the number of months you will be serving: Example: $1500 ÷ 12 months = $125.00 per month. All holiday travel should be budgeted under Personal Expenses. Your travel for support raising and business may also be included in this category.$ -
PERSONAL EXPENSESEXPENSES:
Personal expenses might include toiletries, clothes, entertainment, outings, hobbies, prescriptions, meals, snacks and souvenirs. Remember to budget for donor relations, tithes/offerings, Christmas and birthdays. We recommend budgeting around $250 per month per person, but this is dependent on your needs and spending habits.$ -
HEALTH INSURANCEINSURANCE:
Estimate between $75-$200 depending on health insurance provider and coverage selection.$ -
ESTIMATED MONTHLY BUDGET TOTAL:$ -
MISCELLANEOUS FEES & DISCOUNT NOTES
• Crew serving more than 12 months are required to attend our On Boarding training program (typically in Texas, USA). There is no charge for your food or accommodations, but you will also need to budget for your travel. For those electing to take On Boarding who are not required to do so, crew fees will be discounted to $200 per month.
• A 50% discount is given to those serving for less than 12 months, who do not live and/or have citizenship in a "high income country" as defined by the World Bank.
• If you have questions, please contact [email protected]