Anyone unemployed taking a cruise alone or with the family?

[Maverick927]

I have been unemployed for almost a year (anniversary is tomorrow), and we have a cruise booked in December.

 

Now my situation might be little different than yours. My husband and I live fairly comfortably on his salary and can afford to go on vacations without any problem. In fact, I had overheard plans for my impending layoff a week before we were going to Disney World last year, and decided to go ahead and go anyway. The stress of being unemployed can be very overwhelming, and I'm glad we went and had a nice vacation before I got the official news a week after we returned. Now I'm enrolled in school again to complete my bachelor's degree and have never been happier!

 

If your spouse is also unemployed or you feel like you might be struggling with your finances, then hopefully you purchased trip insurance and can get your money back. But if you are comfortable with going, then have a great time! You can avoid the expenses like alcohol, souvenirs, spa treatments and excursions and just relax and enjoy the all the free entertainment on board.

[StevieG]

Hang in there OP...

 

don't let the negatives and know nothings get you down

 

*how ridiculous to assume that your "tax dollars" are paying for someone's unemployment benefits LOL

 

Since the cruise is paid for and you are in "penalty" go ahead and have a good time, maybe this is what you need to clear your head and prepare you to look for a good job when you get back

 

Lots of ways to save money :

 

>>> leave the auto tips on BUT don't feel you need to tip any extra

 

>>> carry on soda/water (as much as allowed)

 

>>> bring your own camera and vow to NOT buy any pictures, don't even pose for any, and just don't buy em

 

>>> bring a bottle of wine each and corkscrew, get wine glasses from steward or bar and yes you can carry a glass into the dining room

 

>>> don't go near the casino

 

>>> the mdr food is great, NO need to go to the "steakhouse"

 

:::::: rumrunners?? LOL....(flame suit on )

 

>>> stay out of the overpriced gift shops

 

>>> enjoy the spa, gym, sauna, steam if you like but don't go for any spa treatments, even their "bargains" are high priced IMHO

 

~~~~~~~~~~~ Excursions..

I spent $45 plus tips for 3 tours on my last cruise...in Coz, Grand Cay and Ochos Rios...yes, $45 total :)

 

Despite the pundits here on the boards who tout various tour guides you can just get a tour at the port if you are willing to bargain and haggle

I have done it many times and works out great

 

Valor excursions

 

Grand Cayman : you can get a $10 tour around the island, to "Hell", to rum cake place and then watch the dophin swimmers/encounter folks and then have them drop you at Royal Palm Beach, you don't have to rent a chair, you can put your towel on the beach , $4 to get back to town (many vans and cabs)

 

OR you can pick up a $25 sting ray city tour right at the pier

 

OR just walk around, sample rum cakes , check out the town

 

~~~~~

Coz...I had a fantastic tour for $15 total, and then hung at a beach with free chairs for buying food/drink, about $10...great day

 

Belize..been there 2x and it is pricy cause you have to get a tour

nothing much to do in town, but you could ride the tender over and check out the little shops, have a drink in Wet Lizard, go to their site print off a coupon for a deal I think

 

or you could pick up a cave tube tour right at the pier, I would not spend more than $40, $45

or...just hang on the ship

 

Roatan...I was there before Mahogany Bay...since Carnival has Mahogany Bay now, just go there and enjoy....free beach chairs, nice beach etc

 

Have a wonderful cruise and come back refreshed and ready to "go go go"..

I hope you have a great time and come home and get a great job

 

 

Grand

 

Why is everyone assuming the OP is in some type of financial distress. I lost my job in March. I was given a 16 week severence and vacation package. I found a job 5 weeks later and now I have a small windfall (and a potential tax problem)

[AZCAMM]

The fact remains that we are sailing on the Spirit in December and tickled about it.

I dream about being at sea again and getting to know our room steward and the dining room wait staff. It's all wonderful and great and we can't wait !!!!! YaHoo !!

[lillian marie]

We cancelled a cruise last yr. because of the economy. One of our adult kids took a paycut related to the economy and we helped them out for a few months financially. I'm conservative with money, but others may wish to live more for the moment. It's all individual decisions.

[Crusin6]

We cancelled a cruise last yr. because of the economy. One of our adult kids took a paycut related to the economy and we helped them out for a few months financially. I'm conservative with money, but others may wish to live more for the moment. It's all individual decisions.

If you cancelled because of the economy...then it had to be because something directly effected you, correct? Like the pay cut.

 

To cancel because the economy is weak...doesn't help at all to get the economy back on its feet.

[sonicbuffalo]

I have been on disability from the VA for the past three years. I am what they call individual unemployable. I am drawing 100% disability and would love to work. I am also drawing SSDI. I recently found out I can earn $1000.00 a month without penalty. I am going to take a course for peer counseling. This will be our DW and my second cruise next month.

[gusandgidgetsmom]

Employers pay on behalf of employees. It's part of your employment package, just as any insurance, vacation or holidays are part of your total employment package. Employers can claim, correctly, that they pay it, but it is on behalf of the employee.

 

Happy cruising to all!

 

Bob

Bob, Unemployment is not a benefit from your employer as the employer matching medicare and social security taxes are not benefits. Yes vacation, insurance and holidays are benefits. Just stating a fact for those that think they are paying into it. I think people are entitled to unemployment because the law states they are, but facts are facts. A self employed person does not receive unemployment.

[brainsch]

In PA employee pay .1 percent

[taliacamp]

I agree with everything you said! We are losing compassion for our fellow citizens in this country and its not a good reflection.

Pat

I agree...there are some HARSH posters here...I work at a mall in RI that was flooded with 4 feet of water in April...I have been on unemployment ever since until they do a complete remodel...and you bet your bottom dollar that I will happily be going on my cruise in November:)

[mauraoel]

Bob, Unemployment is not a benefit from your employer as the employer matching medicare and social security taxes are not benefits. Yes vacation, insurance and holidays are benefits. Just stating a fact for those that think they are paying into it. I think people are entitled to unemployment because the law states they are, but facts are facts. A self employed person does not receive unemployment.

 

Hate to tell you this but 99% of companies consider ER paid taxes (SS, Medicare, and Unemployment) as part of the employment benefit package. It is always calculated into the percentages that are used to determine payroll and benfits ratios to total expenses.

 

I know that if I had paid my cruise in full and then lost my job I would not for a moment think of canceling, the stress of trying to find a new job in this market is worse than having a job and I wouldn't give up a week to not think about that stress no matter what your opinion of me is!

[KNowme1st]

Go for it and don't look back. And don't listen to the bad mouthers. We had the same problem, when my husband lost his job right before our 01/09 cruise on the Inspiration. ( he is Still out of work. no big rush for 61 year olds ) We went anyway, as ours was also all paid up in full. Just keep your spending under control. So go and enjoy it. You need it now more then ever ! Bon voyage !!