Those that bring kids on cruises, how do you afford it?

[BigMember]

My wife and I, and three kids visited Hawaii for 4 weeks for $8,000. I figured it would cost nealy $5,000 for a one week Carnival cruise for a family of five.

 

What are all your different approaches?

[jfpb]

rather than a 7 or 8 day cruise, we took a 5 day cruise. although we had an oceanview room, it was on the second to lowest deck that passengers can stay on. Since we were never in our room other than to sleep and change clothes, it worked out well for us. There are 4 of us and it cost just under $3000. I also start a vacation fund as soon as we get back from vacation. You'd be surprised at how quickly $25 a week can add up to. We also give up one dinner out a month and put that $ into the vacation fund. Next year we plan on the 8 day cruise, so we might give up our daily starbucks run too. hope this helps.

[Litewait]

We are doing a CC Group Cruise to Hawaii!

April 07. I am a single mom taking 2 kids on a 12 day cruise. We have an extended balcony guarantee and it is right at $3000.00. We are getting $100 on board credit, $50 casino money and a private cocktail party not counting what we are doing as a group. I couldn't do it any other way. And we get to go to 4 islands! By booking in advance I can make payments and not have to use credit either! Not to mention the great food, and room service ect.

 

The best part is I get to know people before hand and have plenty of time to pay it off! We also got the $25.00 deposit which was a bonus. I booked for 2 and in a month or so will add my 3rd and pay the full deposit.

 

Life is good and I want to enjoy it with my kids, and this is the absolute best way to go!

 

Check out our webpage! :D

[LHP]

on 12 cruises (since 1998) and rarely does it run more than $100.00 per person per day.

 

The only exception was Alaska (which ran 4,200 for a 7 day for a balcony) and Conquest New Years Eve the year it came out ( which ran 3,200 for a 7 day for an 6A)

 

The past Carnival credit cards helped a lot. We have saved $1,000's . That is why we are so disappointed in the current Sea Miles card.

 

Interline rates help some (available to anyone connected with airlines or delivery companies that use planes UPS etc) .

 

Basically, we love to travel. Therefore, we live way below our means to enjoy what we love. We live in an affluent area and don't have the brand new house....or brand new expensive cars....we have the paid for house and the paid for cars!

[bleuseas]

What I want to know is how you were able to visit Hawaii for four weeks for $8000?????

 

We wanted to go to Hawaii for our next vacation, but after adding up the cost of airfare and lodging plus food etc., cruising is so much more economical since everything is pretty much paid up front (we are not drinkers, but never miss a meal).

 

We've done inside cabins in lower categories during high season and otherwise and have had just as good a time as when we have done balconies during lower seasons. It all depends on what season you are travelling and how far ahead you book your trip too. The prices can more than double during the holidays and summer break. 3rd and 4th passenger (our kids) cost a fraction of what the first two passengers pay too. And you can't put a price on that kid's club and some alone time for mom & dad. It also helps that we can drive to the port in CA and save on airfare. Although with the price of gas, I'm not so sure how we'll do this time around.

 

Again, please advise us on the Hawaii deal...we're dying to go there someday.

[VentureMan_2000]

Wow. what a deal.

[BigMember]

Maui:

 

$2800 We used Pleasant Holidays (dot com) for round trip airfare for 5 plus 1 weeks intermediate car rental, Lei greeting for 5.

 

$600 Avis fullsize rental 19 days

 

$500 5 nights Condo rental, south Kehei.

 

$2600 Condo rental, ocean front right on the beach, 6th floor, corner unit with 270 degree view of ocean (Maloikai and Lanai too), in West Maui (you could toss a piece of ice into the ocean). Condo had boogie boards, linens, sand toys, fully equipted kitchen, w/d, diswasher, 1 bedroom/ 1 bath.

 

$1500 Food, Drink, Gas.

 

We did not do any activities, just snorkeled, hiked, played on the beach, swam in the pools and ocean, saw the sights. Brought out own snorkel gear - purchased as Sam's club $35 a set. BodyGlove brand. Nice equipment!

 

Cooked and barbequed all of our meals. Purchased booze at Costco.

 

There is a lot to do that soesn't cost anything. Make your own fun.

 

Trip was pretty much the whole month of July. Might be a smidge more now. I booked 15 months in advance.

 

Good luck.

[4yanx]

It's those lei greetings that get ya!

[WishIWereCruzin]

We have taken our 3 children on 6 cruises. Our secret is to go in early January when fares are at their lowest. It means taking the kids out of school, but we feel it is beneficial to our family as well as educational! Either way, it can be a great bargain as long as you don't go at peak times!

[serene56]

I took my three kids on our first cruise in 2000. We stayed in the cheapest available cabin. Booked guarantee- no upgrade for us. Total for the cruise for 7 days onboard the Sensatiopn was 2000.00 for everything.

 

Each of my vacations have stayed at under 100 pp per day. (includes everything)

We did Orlando for under 1500 for 7 days for all 4 of us. ( First week in Sept.)

Did the NorthPole (new York) for under 1,000 for all 4 of us.

 

So vacations are cheap enough if you are willing to forgo the 5 * hotels and resturants.

[nybumpkin]

We're planning on Hawaii in 2007, when DH has a convention in Honolulu. That takes care of his airfare as well as the hotel room for a few days. I'd like to make it over to Maui and/or Kauai if we can. DH and I went 20 years ago and the biggest expense was airfare (since BIL was in the Navy and had an apartment near Pearl Harbor). Needless to say, we're not planning any cruises in 2007. As for our cruises with kids, the cruise is our main expense for the year. Any other vacations are weekend camping trips. On Conquest, we booked a balcony GTY for us and an inside GTY for the kids; we booked 10 months out and paid it off a little at a time. Doing the same for Legend next year, but without the expense of airfare. I agree that you can't put a price on Camp Carnival; the kids loved it and we had time to ourselves - such as tea time in the afternoon in one of the lounges.

[bleuseas]

BigMember:

 

Thanks for the detailed reply on your Hawaii trip. Will use it as a reference if we decide to do HI next time. I know condos are the way to go and everyone always mentions the obligatory trip to Costco upon arrival too. Hopefully we'll get there someday!

 

Thanks again!

[crazidude1400]

Heres how to do it:

Inside cabin--lowest category

haggle the price w/a ta

don't drink

[jckvpa0]

Wow, 4 week vacation for $8,000.00, sign me up :D !!! Wish we could all take 4 weeks off all at once!

[PescadoAmarillo]

Alaska cruises in May or September, and Mexican and Caribbean cruises anytime except holidays and spring break are definitely available for $100 per person per day, but by the time you add in air (if applicable), excursions and extras, it would be almost impossible to match the price you got in Hawaii, which was a great deal. We've done Hawaii that same way (condo on Maui, barbecue everynight with food from Safeway, snorkel from the Black Rock) and it was one of our favorite vacations.

[BigMember]

Heres how to do it:

 

...don't drink

 

 

Gasp! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[rocktheboat]

Cruise Costa(carnival owned)children cruise free between Oct and April.

 

Lite,

 

You booked two people and in a month or so you will add another???

What happens if the ship is full. A ship only carries a certain # of people. There can be empty cabins but if X amount of people are already booked they can not

sell the empty cabins.

 

A few years back I decided to take my nephew with us. When I called I was told ship was full, I than said my cabin has a bunk and was told ship carries 2500 people and thats what is booked, we could have 20 empty cabins and it still wouldn t matter.

[mc'smom]

Book your Carnival Cruise early, get the kids an inside cabin and splurge for a balcony for you and your wife. Cruises are rather cheap if you book a year inadvance.

 

Give the kids a certain amount of money they need to earn for themselves for souvinirs..

 

As far as excursions, you know how to save money right there.. Rent a car on the islands and tour for yourself or just go and play on the beaches and snorkle as you did in Hawaii.

 

Stop at Costco again and smuggle your alcohol onto the ship in your luggage.

LOL ( it's true )

 

Don't gamble..

 

You won't be out bbqing your meals, you'll have fine dining and room service and great entertainment..

 

Good Luck..

[futaba951]

A ship only carries a certain # of people. There can be empty cabins but if X amount of people are already booked they can not

sell the empty cabins.

 

 

Not true. The number of people is based on double occupancy in each cabin, but many cabins hold more than just two. I know the Holiday claims to hold 1450 pax but usually sails out of Mobile in excess of 1700 pax. And that is not including crew.

[pacerzfan]

I am a single dad with 2 DD's, We usually cruise October or November and get an inside cabin. Also I usually drive to the port. We make our own tours, something like Sunset Beach in Jamaica ($40 for the 3 of us all inclusive) or Paradise Beach in Cozumel ($16 for the girls to use all the water sports...dad sometimes gets a drink or 2 to add on....LOL). No I can't afford to do a cruise with them every year (as I am a very poor single dad...LOL) but every other year is fairly easy. Yes, it means taking the kids out of school, but i feel it is educational!

[Hebejeebe]

Four weeks in Hawaii for a family of 5 total $8,000. Congratulations on the great planning. One difference between condos and cruise - - on a cruise you will be eating "fine" cuisine cooked by someone else rather than your own cooked meals; the cruise includes shows and other provided entertainment; the cruiseline makes you bed everyday while the condo does not. Is it worth the extra money? That's for you to decide. But you are right that the cruise will cost you much more on a pp/pd basis than your trip to Hawaii. An inside room is not the same as your panoramic view of the ocean but you can trade the view for the meals and entertainment. But you need to add tips and excursion money to the cruise price.

[CindyLyn]

THe best tip I give to others asking how did we aford 5 of us on a cruise:

 

BOOK 6 MONTHS OR MORE IN ADVANCE!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, and we did only get on cabin :cool: . But a 5 day OV came out to $1800, we purchased our airline tixs at the end of Feb. and it was $258 round trip to New Orleans- $1290. Total for that for 5 is $3090. Add MAYBE another $1000 for expenses and the 5 day OV comes to $4000 and its LESS STRESSFUL (well I have been told- I am going on my first on Aug 27th)! The kids can eat ALL THEY WANT!

 

Anymore going on vacations, and the main reason we decided on an allinclusive trip was I am tired of eating at McDonalds or Taco Bell on vacations just to afford everything~!!!!!!!!!

[bajalover]

We just did the Western Carib on the Valor. I have 3 kids. We planned a year in advance, so they saved Christmas and birthday money to put on their sign and sail card. We also have a garage sale to put twords the tips. Each time my kids ask for something, I tell them that if we put that money twords our vacation fund we will have more fun with it. My sons are 9 and we have always travelled this way. When one of their friends shows them their latest cool "thing" my boys chime in with all the cool places they have been. My teen daughter also went to Europe with her senior class this year. We plan way ahead and save every dime. We think its worth it:)

[serene56]

Not true. The number of people is based on double occupancy in each cabin, but many cabins hold more than just two. I know the Holiday claims to hold 1450 pax but usually sails out of Mobile in excess of 1700 pax. And that is not including crew.

 

The newer ships can not hold more passengerts then what is allowed. Since the Holiday is an older ship it allows rollaway beds. so thats why the passeengers can exceed the limit. On Conquest or Spirit class ship this is not the case and a ship can be booked out where the poster will not be able to find space.

 

Booking 2 now in the hopes of adding 2 more is not a good move because the ship can sell out of quad cabins.

[Litewait]

Cruise Costa(carnival owned)children cruise free between Oct and April.

 

Lite,

 

You booked two people and in a month or so you will add another???

What happens if the ship is full. A ship only carries a certain # of people. There can be empty cabins but if X amount of people are already booked they can not

sell the empty cabins.

 

A few years back I decided to take my nephew with us. When I called I was told ship was full, I than said my cabin has a bunk and was told ship carries 2500 people and thats what is booked, we could have 20 empty cabins and it still wouldn t matter.

 

 

We are 21 months out, the ship won't fill by Oct. However, our group TA with Crucon has me on an alert status and will notify me if it gets close at all in the next month or so. I just deposited $50.00 for 2 and it's $1200 for 3. I'm just waiting for a check to come in. It could be sooner. I am only booking for 3.