How do YOU pay, little chunks or one big lump??

[kona_wahine]

I'm a little chunk type of person also. I paid the $500 deposit the divided the balance by the number of months before final payment is due and pay that amount every month on payday. $150 is just way easier than saving and paying a lump sum.

[cruizinisthebest]

Couple of big lumps. Mostly little chunks.

[Criticname]

Deposit and then final. We usually book less then 120 days out. At times it's all due the moment we book.

[Taters]

We book with the minimum deposit and then pay off the remainder a day or two before final payment date.

[LMaxwell]

I never book a cruise I don't have the cash to pay for set aside; but I only pay the minimum deposit required and make my final payment when due in one lump sum. I'm not the bank.

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

I make the deposit and then make monthly payments until the cruise is paid.

[bunchesofun]

In the past we had inheritance money we used. Made the deposit then balance when due. I didn't think we'd be able to cruise again since the discretionary part of that money is gone. But used part of our income tax refund for the deposit, and putting aside $50 per payday and will call Carnival once every month or two and give that to them. It is the only way we can swing it this time. I didn't think I'd get so addicted to cruising, but it's really the only real vacation we consider any more.

[tdggal1980]

We usually do little chunks. This time we put down the deposit and about a month later paid half the balance and then paid the remainder on final payment.

[mum2bradley]

We put down the deposit and then pay the balance in one shot when it is due. We don't like to give our money away until it is necessary to do so.

 

totally agree!!

[Davey Wavey]

I buy a prepaid cruise that has regular monthly (no interest) payments spread out over 24 months (or the remainder if I want to use it earlier). Once paid, I have 3 years to pick a cruise. For shorter notice, I go through a TA and pay just the deposit and then a lump sum at 90 days before cruise date. This upcoming "free" casino cruise I paid the tax and tips when booking.

[PoppyandNana]

We usually do little chunks. This time we put down the deposit and about a month later paid half the balance and then paid the remainder on final payment.

 

Why would you give the cruise line money weeks or months before you absolutely have to?

[Krissica]

I was just wondering how most people go about paying??

 

I usually book at least 6 months in advance, and I like to sneak up on my booking. I try to throw $100 a week or so towards the balance, which is usualy $2000+ for 3 in an extended balcony or a suite.

 

I know some people must wait until the due date then just smack down the whole amount at once, but it seems to bother me less if I pay a little at a time. For me, $100 is like spending an hour at Target, so I don't miss it. But a couple grand in one shot would upset me!!:eek:

 

What do you all do???:)

 

We make up our own "payment plan" depending on how far out we booked, how much left we owe and calculate a monthly payment we factor into our monthly bills budget. Anytime we get extra money we put it towards the cruise. This year because of some fortunate situations and bonuses, we were able to completely pay off our October and December cruise about a month ago so now we are booking/paying our excursions ahead of time.

[tdggal1980]

Why would you give the cruise line money weeks or months before you absolutely have to?

 

Just a personal choice; we like having it paid off as soon as possible. One less thing we have to budget monthly for!

[PortSideCruzan]

 

Hi :)

 

We book our voyages 10 to 24 months in advance and pay them

off 1 to 2 months prior to the final payment due date.

 

 

 

:)

 

[Joaljoe]

We usually pay the deposit and then save up the rest in our savings account until closer to the due date. Although, this year we got a very good tax return so we just paid the whole thing at once and now don't have to worry about it. We are also doing Disney for a few days prior to the cruise. Can't wait!! It's going to be a GREAT vacation! :)

[timmy1958]

1/3 deposit, then what ever we can afford each month until it is paid off. Then hope for some price drops that can turn into OBC's.

[Warm Breezes]

I was just wondering how most people go about paying??

 

I usually book at least 6 months in advance, and I like to sneak up on my booking. I try to throw $100 a week or so towards the balance, which is usualy $2000+ for 3 in an extended balcony or a suite.

 

I know some people must wait until the due date then just smack down the whole amount at once, but it seems to bother me less if I pay a little at a time. For me, $100 is like spending an hour at Target, so I don't miss it. But a couple grand in one shot would upset me!!:eek:

 

What do you all do???:)

I pay my deposit when due and then the final payment when due all on my credit card (which I pay off when due) and then cash out my reward points earned on my credit card, along with the points from all my other purchases for the year, for spending money. You are playing mind games with yourself thinking you are paying less. Since we have the money for a vacation in the bank before we book it, we don't need to play those mind games and just pay it when it is due.

[cruizinisthebest]

I pay my deposit when due and then the final payment when due all on my credit card (which I pay off when due) and then cash out my reward points earned on my credit card, along with the points from all my other purchases for the year, for spending money. You are playing mind games with yourself thinking you are paying less. Since we have the money for a vacation in the bank before we book it, we don't need to play those mind games and just pay it when it is due.

 

I could be wrong, but I didn't get the idea that the thread was meant to try and put down the way someone chooses to pay on their own cruise. I myself can take shelling out thousands in small doses better than lump sum. We usually make a couple of larger payments, then pay the rest over a period of time. In the meantime I'm saving up for spending money. I like it like that. Even when we brought our house, I had a hard time passing off on that down payment. lol. So if mind games work, sobeit. I try not to buy anything unless it's on sale, for example. Even though I know the price was probably inflated first. :)

[maldenmusic]

I pay the deposit then put the balance on my Carnival Mastercard on the due date which gets me points that are applied to what I actually end up paying.

[bluemoon12]

Once we have the money saved up for the deposit, we book. Work overtime for the rest of payment and payoff a day or so before it is due. Work more overtime for the cash we will use on the cruise. So I guess two lump somes for the payment of the cruise. Works better for us.

[caribsun]

The money is in the bank and I try to hold on to it as long as possible. I pay the deposit and final when due. I would pay it all upfront if a discount is offered which has never happen but I do ask.

[Fred&Lily]

Of the 14 or so cruises we've taken only two were booked more than 30 days out. For example last year we did an Alaska last-minute for $299 and this past February a 10 day southern Caribbean for $499. I believe cruises are like mattress sales and the key is to not go crazy yearning for the next vacation getaway by booking so far in advance.

 

If you're happy with an inside cabin and if you're okay with flying to the departure port a few days ahead using a cheap air carrier (Spirit, JetBlue) from US border cities (Yep, we're cheapo Canadians who drive over to DTW for low cost flights) - be patient and wait for the deals!

 

Also, if you go last-minute you really don't need any travel insurance or medical insurance which is totally unnecessary if you're fit and healthy. If the price is right who cares which cruise line you're going on.

 

Do the research and planning yourself on-line and book on-line and pay in full with your credit card. No TA required!

[Monarch523]

I usually don't book until I have all the money. This means cruise, airfare, tips, hotel, excursions, etc...then I book and pay in full. I like to have everything paid for prior to going.:)

 

 

I agree. I just want to get it over with and pay it all that way I have nothing else to do but buy random purchases for the trip. It's nice not having anything else to worry about.

[Warm Breezes]

I could be wrong, but I didn't get the idea that the thread was meant to try and put down the way someone chooses to pay on their own cruise. I myself can take shelling out thousands in small doses better than lump sum. We usually make a couple of larger payments, then pay the rest over a period of time. In the meantime I'm saving up for spending money. I like it like that. Even when we brought our house, I had a hard time passing off on that down payment. lol. So if mind games work, sobeit. I try not to buy anything unless it's on sale, for example. Even though I know the price was probably inflated first. :)

 

Not putting them down...just calling it what it is...a mind game. The OP said "I know some people must wait until the due date then just smack down the whole amount at once, but it seems to bother me less if I pay a little at a time. For me, $100 is like spending an hour at Target, so I don't miss it. But a couple grand in one shot would upset me!!" The OP gets upset by paying it all in one shot so they psych themselves into believing it's not as much by making smaller payments. I didn't say that was good or bad....I just said I don't need to play those mind games with myself since I already have the money set aside when I book the cruise. FWIW I get free spending money from my rewards points....I rarely have to save up anything but those points for our cruises as they get me all the spending money we need.

Edited May 13, 2014 by Warm Breezes

[Warm Breezes]

Of the 14 or so cruises we've taken only two were booked more than 30 days out. For example last year we did an Alaska last-minute for $299 and this past February a 10 day southern Caribbean for $499. I believe cruises are like mattress sales and the key is to not go crazy yearning for the next vacation getaway by booking so far in advance.

 

If you're happy with an inside cabin and if you're okay with flying to the departure port a few days ahead using a cheap air carrier (Spirit, JetBlue) from US border cities (Yep, we're cheapo Canadians who drive over to DTW for low cost flights) - be patient and wait for the deals!

 

Also, if you go last-minute you really don't need any travel insurance or medical insurance which is totally unnecessary if you're fit and healthy. If the price is right who cares which cruise line you're going on.

 

Do the research and planning yourself on-line and book on-line and pay in full with your credit card. No TA required!

 

Would love to do this but I can't see it happening until we are retired. It is struggle for all of us to get time off at the same time 8 months ahead time let alone a couple weeks :eek:.