Money

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

Recently, I have read several posts where the posters write about money. And essentially, these posts indicate that a cruise is about spending money.

 

Several posters write that a balcony is absolutely necessary even though they know that many persons really cannot afford the extra money that a balcony requires.

 

Others have written on shore excursions. Most I am sure are veteran travelers who know that many persons can go on their own, have a great time and spend very little. And yet, it seems that whether on a ship's excursion or privately, it seems that many posters indicate that you must do one or the other (so you do not miss out on something).

 

For those of you interested in going on a cruise, simply stated, you do not have to spend very much because a cruise vacation is not about spending money. You must of course pay your gratuities and for drinks on board the ship but there are many ways to have truly great time and not, spend, spend, and spend.

 

When you purchase a cruise the cruise lines make money so do not fret about whether they have made any money on you...you may have even gotten a super deal on your cruise.

 

What led to this thread was a comment..."unless you are going to spend serious money on your European cruise, why bother"?

 

While I am pleased that the person writing that statement or close thereof, has the money to spend (I do, but choose not to), please do not think that in order to have a great itme you must spend a lot. There are many ways to save but that is for another post.

[eh2zed]

Fredr, you are so right. Its an individual decision on what to spend and how much. We just returned from a 14 day med cruise. Our gratuities were repaid. Our final statement was for $20 which was for ship shuttles in Dubrovnik and a small item in the gift shop. We rented cars in 3 ports, took the train in another, taxis in another, did a prearranged private tour in one and did walk offs in 2. We did a lot, saw a lot but our final on board bill was minima. We don't drink much although we had wine prearranged sent to our room through the line. Others spend lots and thats OK too.

[trish1c]

While it is possible to go & not spend, that takes more self discipline than I have. On vacation I want everything! Stuff I can walk right past at home suddenly looks so tempting on vacation. :p

I think a lot of the money threads help first time cruisers realize that crusiing is not a floating AI. There are additional costs. Also if it's a "once in a lifetime" trip there's something to be said for doing that extra whatever because you might never have that opportunity again.

On the other hand if you make smart choices there are some cruises that should be possible to do over & over. Maybe rather than get the balcony or the fancy suite you get an IV & go every year. It's a choice.

[PattyG12]

Thanks Fredr .... I never purchase the ship pictures ... mine are usually great any way. We drink moderately and always bring separate spending money for the casino. I always get tickled walking through the shops and seeing the people snatching up the junk they would walk past at home. My last 7 day cruise ended up costing under $150 on my sea pass card. But I had pre-paid my excursions.

[Doug R.]

My comments are in red, good post with valid points!

 

:D

Hello,

 

Recently, I have read several posts where the posters write about money. And essentially, these posts indicate that a cruise is about spending money.

 

My DW can realate to that statement. :eek:

 

Several posters write that a balcony is absolutely necessary even though they know that many persons really cannot afford the extra money that a balcony requires.

 

Strictly their personal opinion, while we love balconies, we have had great cruises on inside cabins also. Remember some people can be quite snobby and regard anyone who can't afford balconies or suites as being below their station in life. I feel sorry for the insecurity their belief implies.

 

Others have written on shore excursions. Most I am sure are veteran travelers who know that many persons can go on their own, have a great time and spend very little. And yet, it seems that whether on a ship's excursion or privately, it seems that many posters indicate that you must do one or the other (so you do not miss out on something).

 

Once again a case of regarding one's opinion more highly than it merits. Sadly some folks deal only in absolutes. Therefore, take their absolute pronouncements with a grain of salt and distill the important information from their posts about excursions. I find the advice here particularly helpful for ports I have not yet visited. I also do not worry about missing things. The island will be there next time I visit.

 

For those of you interested in going on a cruise, simply stated, you do not have to spend very much because a cruise vacation is not about spending money. You must of course pay your gratuities and for drinks on board the ship but there are many ways to have truly great time and not, spend, spend, and spend.

 

Amen!!! It is your vacation and no one can dictate what constitutes a great time for you.

 

When you purchase a cruise the cruise lines make money so do not fret about whether they have made any money on you...you may have even gotten a super deal on your cruise.

 

Never been a concern of mine!

 

What led to this thread was a comment..."unless you are going to spend serious money on your European cruise, why bother"?

 

Someday I hope to have "serious" money to blow on a cruise! Until then I am going to have a unserious vacation.

 

While I am pleased that the person writing that statement or close thereof, has the money to spend (I do, but choose not to), please do not think that in order to have a great itme you must spend a lot. There are many ways to save but that is for another post.

[silentbob007]

My last bill, after minimal OBC and including gratuities for two people, was $12 and I did not feel like I missed anything and I explored on my own at ports. Money is not the key to happiness on a cruise, though it can make things nicer sometimes. :)

[carolinesmom]

I think these points apply to life in general. I think it is amazing when I hear about people treating themselves to expensive vacations, cars, or any number of other things, but they are not saving any money for their children's college education, retirement, or other necessary things. We just booked our first cruise and I booked the least expensive rooms I could get away with and fit all 6 of us. It all comes down to choices and how you want to spend & save your money.

[MICHLEV1974]

Good points Fredr. Although, I am guilty of saying 'money, money, and more money' on some of my posts....

 

I don't mean clean out your life savings and take it aboard and blow it on whatever and everything though....

 

I think folks are being funny and somewhat serious when they type that. Everyone can plan their cruise differently...some folks like the ability to save all year, then go crazy onboard and spend $$. Others that have a small balance at the end of the cruise might feel comfortable utilizing the ships inclusive items and be perfectly content.

 

Most folks don't do their homework to find out what is included in the price, so they are the ones that needed warning ahead of time to bring the $$, because not everything is included. Anyone on this board will know what is included and how to plan your trip according to what your spending might be onboard. I envy the folks that have a small balance at the end of their cruise. I enjoy reading how they do it too. I am still guilty of bringing the $$$$ $$$ $$$ comment to the table.

 

There is another great thread on here about this same thing...I loved it. This just seems like an extension of that one from the tips on saving money board.

 

Great posts, keep 'em coming!

[firefly333]

Maybe to that person, they think you should wait to go to Europe until you can see it via excursions. I kinda agree.

 

Iv also been told to wait to see Alaska until you can book a balcony, because if you miss the sound of the icebergs calving and getting to rush out during the night to watch them break off from your balcony, you miss some of the best part of a Alaskan cruise.

 

Some times it is worth it to spend some money and do cheaper cruises until then. Or at least thats how I feel.

 

PS ... also panama, whats the point of doing a panama canal cruise and then not being willing to spend the money to see the locks with a exucrions. If you dont see the panama canal, you might as well not have gone. do a cruise closer to home. I can cruise out of galveston and not have to fly to florida or alaska or europe.

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

Excellent points made by all.

 

If you have the money or want to do something on a cruise of interest to you, you should do it. My DW and I have gone on some pricey excursions when we determined that this was the best way to experience a port, and we have even bought art work on a cruise.

 

My point here is twofold. First, I want people to try a cruise because it is to me a very special vacation.

 

Second, I want people interested in taking a cruise to know that they can have a great time and not have to spend a lot.

[ATL2LAS]

How much you spend or take on a cruise is as varied as the cruiselines that sail. I have had a sail and sign bill as low as $50 (tips) to as high as $1250 for a 7 nighter. It all was dependent on what "I" wanted to spend. Shore excursions, casino, pictures, specialty restaurants... I was enjoying my vacation. I also budgeted for those expenses so that was the key.

[yogi2929]

In the next five ports we are visiting the only things we have planned in all but one of the ports is walking, having lunch in a local restuarant and maybe going to a museum.

 

The internet is a wonderful resource to find the inexpensive, offbeat and fun things to see and do in port.

[NCTribeFan]

Of course you don't HAVE to spend money.

 

But the only reason I sail is to get to the ports. To see the ports, I have to pay someone to give me a tour or get me to where I want to be. I no longer do ship excursions unless they are the only options for what I want to do or see, but I did for the first several cruises because I was afraid I'd be left behind. I now know to do my homework and use only reputable exursion operators. After all, it is in their best interest to get their customers back to the ship.

 

I rarely buy photos; I drink but not $$$s worth; I have a daily gambling allowance that when it's gone, I walk away and if I win, it goes into my pocket, not back into the machine; I don't buy souvenirs; I don't buy jewelry as I rarely wear what I already own.

 

If people want to sail for the ship experience, they can do so quite frugally. But if you sail to see the ports, just getting off the ship and walking around isn't usually the best option.

 

I sure as heck am not going to pay to get to the Med and then not see the various ports. What would be the point?

 

If people post here and really believe when someone tells them that they just HAVE to have a balcony, then they're just foolish. Of course you don't have to have a balcony or even an oceanview (which is the biggest waste of money, imho). There's plenty of public deck space.

 

When I'm pricing my various cruise options, I consider the # of port days and figure in an estimated amount for excursions and tips. It's all part of my budget. I'm never surprised by how much I've spent on the ship, as I keep every receipt and I check my balance during the cruise.

[Fredr]

North Carolina,

 

An excellent post, but surely you have seen some ports and had a great time just by walking around the port. And there are times when an excursion is best.

 

And then there is a hybrid...the cruise ship has a shuttle to the center of a city and you can see the port from there. On our last four cruises we did this several times and it worked out very well. Manta Ecuador and La Serena Chile were two ports we saw this way.