Where do you splurge vs. scrimp?

[bostonfred]

*** is FTTF....first time on carnival next month.....splurge on air..direct flights...after 6 inside cabin finally got balcony and we are hooked on midship balconies...splurge on catamarans tip well,lucky to be cruising,splurge on grankids

scrimp on casino..poor odds too smoky,can go at home if urge strikes, no spa, no specialty restaurants got them at home too, no specialty coffees:)

[kdawg954]

SCRIMP

 

Definitely scrimp on the room. I almost always book an inside cabin, however I usually catch them during a sale so my "inside room" is in a better position (midship, buffered decks, etc.) for no additional charge . . . however being from South Florida and catching last second deals, I also don't care where they put me if I'm getting a 3 day Bahamas cruise for $89 p/p. Had ocean view and balcony before and although I would take them if the cost was the same, I love the "black out" of an inside room because I sleep very well in there.

 

I also have not done any specialty restaurants . . . we just find the food in the MDR to be solid and it's included. . . however I am planning on doing a chef's table for my wife's upcoming birthday. Definitely not a normal thing but we are "foodie's" and this seems well worth it.

 

Same thing with the spa . . . hell we have done couple's massages the morning before a cruise at our favorite local massage place that way we step on relaxed and ready to have fun. At least 50% cheaper than doing it on the ship. We have been tempted by some of the specials though, and it's definitely not out of the question.

 

Casino . . . yea I avoid that whenever possible and would probably limit myself to a $50 max if I ever got the urge. Did buy bingo cards before, but again, it just has to be "let's give it a try" moment . . . nothing planned.

 

SPLURGE

 

Where I do splurge is in port. I won't do anything directly with the cruise line, but we usually find something to get into (3rd party vendor or on our own) and we ALWAYS make it a mission to try out some of the highly recommended local food. I will splurge on that if it means getting good food. I know many people go back to the ship for lunch while in port . . . i can't do that. I will also make sure to bring home some hard to find booze whenever possible.

 

DW and I have done week long cruises and can easily keep the onboard expenses under $150 (prepay gratuities) which is primarily alcoholic beverage purchases throughout the week. . . in port we will usually spend much more.

Edited February 15, 2015 by kdawg954

[skyeman27]

Splurge... Inside Cloud 9 Spa Room on ships that have a Thallaso pool.

 

Scrimp...Everything on board ship. Still manage to have great cruises...

[PortSideCruzan]

Hi KatieBug :)

 

What a nice refreshing topic! Without many details, here is my list.

 

When sailing, we splurge on:

 

• Airfare

• Hotel

• Private limo's

• Balcony cabins

• Long voyages, nothing less than 10 days, typically B2B voyages

• Specialty restaurants, steakhouse (2 or 3 times per voyage) depending on which cruise line we are sailing

• Chef's Table on every sailing

• Ship photo's/Gangway port photo's

• Specialty coffees, cakes

• Soda card

• Drinks, wine, champagne, etc..

• Spa pass/couples massage

• Gift shop souvenirs

• Ports, food, souvenirs, shopping, our own excursions, etc..

• Long voyages = a lot of luggage & fees / 3 large trunk size suitcases, 1 large garment bag.

• Suits, dresses, 1 to 2 gowns / We only iron on ship, wash laundry at home, after voyage.

• Extra tipping, porters, taxi, stewards, MDR servers, favorite bartender, etc..

 

Things we are a little skimpy about:

 

• Excursions (we always do our own thing)

• Casino

• Ship tours

• Bingo

• Arcade

 

Thanks for your post KatieBug, have a terrific day!

 

 

 

:)

Edited February 15, 2015 by PortSideCruzan

[Sand_Sun_Sea73]

Splurge - room, excursions, casino. Always do an aft. Our excursions on southern caribbean last summer were what made the cruise awesome. Budgeted $1200 for the 3 of us but we did Calabasa in Barbados, Spencer Ambrose in Barbados, Leeward in St kitts (catamaran over to Nevis). Not much to comment on casino - sometimes you win, sometimes you lose - but I only budget a certain amount I'm willing to lose, like $100 a night. Sometimes it lasts longer than others :D

 

Scrimp - upcharge restaurants, photos, spa, liquor packages. I've bought a photo here and there, will get a foo foo drink when I want one (but no where near enough to justify drink package) and never been to the spa!

[AngAndBoys]

For me, what I spend and save on has really changed over my years of cruising and whether I'm going solo or bringing the little darlings (my teenage sons, who are neither little or particularly darling :p ).

 

SPLURGE:

This time, 2 connecting cabins, upgraded from OV to balconies, but only because after I had booked, got the casino rate for balcony only (on that sailing) and did a major switch around and actually saved $1000 by upgrading.

Casino, my Achilles heal of spending. And one son is 19 now, so he'll be in there with me some.

Drinks: Alcohol, soda cards, and coffee. I don't do the unlimited because I can't really drink enough to justify it, but I have a few beers a day usually.

Food: We will probably do 2 nights in steak house. We all love it!

Water: Preorder 2 12 packs per room to be delivered because I like to have lots of bottled water and I will not mess with carrying it on.

Extra tips, if you consider that a splurge. I travel with teen boys, the stewards deserve something extra for cleaning up after them...room service EVERY night, clothes everywhere etc, and putting up with them sleeping half the day which I'm SURE screws with their schedules. I usually give these guys quite a bit, actually. I also bring a stack of 5's for the room service guys, the kids orders are ALWAYS big, multiple trays.

FTTF: For the kids, and my mom, because I'm platinum and I want to make sure there's no trouble getting them on and off the ship with me, rooms ready etc.

 

 

Scrimp:

No spa.

Usually no Bingo.

MAYBE ONE picture on formal night.

No Carnival excursions and I keep excursions cheap in general, get a cab and head to beach mostly. Will stay onboard for Jamaica because we all hate it out loud.

We don't shop much, buy very little on the ship or in the port.

 

Both Scrimp and Splurge, depending on how you look at it:

I go on multiple cruises a year, but book most of them only when I find a supersonic deal. Can't do those super cheap ones with the kids, generally, because big discounts are not easily found when school is out.

 

 

That's all I can think of.

Edited February 15, 2015 by AngAndBoys

[Sand_Sun_Sea73]

ANgAndBoys:

 

Love your Ship for brains quote. I know exactly what that is as I will have it all week since I leave on Friday for a cruise woo hoo:D

[dudaze11]

This is a fun topic. Thanks for posting. I have a slightly different take:

 

Splurge:

 

Travel. I pretty much live to travel. I am not an ancient Egyptian so I don't think I can build a nice burial spot to take my crap with me to the afterlife. Therefore I save enough to be prudent and spend the rest on travel. I like cruising, skiing, traveling overseas and anywhere else.

 

We recently got into suites and love them.

We love the specialty restaurants and Chef's table.

We love trying out different Cruise brands.

We love all-inclusives.

We love travelling America and we love travelling abroad.

We....well I love drinking. Give me wine, beer, cocktails you name it and I probably like it.

Casino...love it.

Air travel: if I can figure a way to swing it, business and first class are pretty fun too.

 

Scrimp:

I am fine on getting my hotels from Priceline. It is normally a means to an end for me.

Clothes. I hate spending money on work clothes and the like.

Bills. Necessary evil I suppose.

hmmm...everything else :)

[AngAndBoys]

ANgAndBoys:

 

Love your Ship for brains quote. I know exactly what that is as I will have it all week since I leave on Friday for a cruise woo hoo:D

 

It's totally stolen from the title of the book by Brian Bruns, actually the second in a series written about life as a cruise ship employee. Good read, totally recommend it.

[amygirl76]

Splurge:

 

Balcony. Always. I can't do it any other way...especially when we travel with my toddler and she's napping in the cabin. I can still sit outside and have a glass of wine and get some reading in.

 

FTTF. It makes SUCH a huge difference.

 

Casino. I love the casino...it's sort of my happy place. My penny slot habit has also gotten us some pretty amazing deals. ;)

 

Cabanas! If we're in a port with cabanas, I will spend the extra money for one if we're having a beach day.

 

Scrimp:

 

We always eat in the main dining room.

 

We each bring a bottle of wine on board. That and a couple drinks a day is fine for me. Definitely not enough drinking to warrant a drink package.

 

Excursions. If I do an excursion, I book it myself.

[CraftyScribbles]

Just picked up another splurge! FTTF! I finally broke. My husband agreed. :p

[jamdoll417]

Scrimp:

 

Inside cabin for us! I've had a balcony, it was nice, but not worth the extra money.

 

We always drive to the port and stay cheap the night before

 

We bring our own pop on board, but do buy alcohol from the Bon voyage to be able to mix drinks.

 

Usually only buy 1 picture during vacation

 

Only book 1 excursion during the trip

 

We always eat in the mdr or lido, never specialty restaurants

 

splurge:

 

Spa! I choose one port day to stay on the ship and get pampered.

 

Casino! We spend quite a bit of time in there, never expecting to win, it's just our entertainment.

 

We always enjoy a Few games of bingo as well!

FTTF, if it's available we want it!

[Velvetwater]

Splurge:

Transatlantic air (no choice)

Shopping and food spend in port

FTTF

cruise outfits beforehand

Good wine to bring on board

Nice hotels beforehand

restaurants on board

 

Scrimp:

 

No need for Balcony (just need natural light)

No casino (hate them)

No cheers (dont drink enough)

No photos (tacky)

No specials like Behind the fun

No spa

No bingo or shopping

Tips (never any extra on top of autos)

[mabryhouse]

Splurge:

FTTF

Balcony for both the balcony and the couch

Behind the fun - I LOVE knowing how things work and seeing behind the curtain

Booze for DH, but since I don't drink much, we can't take advantage of the Cheers program, otherwise, it would be a good deal for DH

 

Skimp:

Airfare, it is a 14-15 hour drive to Galveston or LA and that is a 1 day drive

Specialty Restaurants, tried once, good, but so is MDR and no extra charge

Excursions, we book what we want the first time to a port, and then do whatever we want on our own after that

Chef's table, but we are giving it a try on our next cruise

[squirrelecruiser]

Scrimp on rooms (inside) , excursions (outside vendor if I do one), and drinks (bring wine and sode).

 

Splurge: cruise often and gamble.

 

This is exact to what I'd post!

[ccruisequeen]

Splurge.: OV Cabin

Drinks

Chocolate covered strawberries

Photos

Casino

Water (before the change to a free bottle)

VIP Tix to carnival live

Steakhouse menu on 2-day cruise

 

Scrimp: inside cabin

Bring my own candy (nothing from shops)

Edited February 16, 2015 by ccruisequeen

[Honolulu Blue]

This was an interesting topic to review. Thanks, everyone.

 

What I splurge and scrimp on has varied, and others depend on perspective.

 

* Airfare - The nearest port Carnival sails from is Baltimore, which is a 10 hour drive. There's little chance I would ever make that drive. The others are longer and would require overnight hotel stays there and back - except San Juan, for which flights are mandatory. If I want to cruise (and I guess I do, at least sometimes :D ), I need to fly. I don't really consider it a splurge, just an added expense.

 

* Cabin - So far it's been OVs and portholes. I've been happy with all of them and don't feel the need to upgrade further.

 

* Excursions - I purchased excursions for each of the destinations on my first cruise, but only two of the six on my upcoming one.

 

* Casino - Sometimes I while away the time playing e-blackjack or the slots. It's not very much, certainly not enough to get on Carnival's radar screen.

 

* Steakhouse - I tried the steakhouse on my second cruise. Loved the steak, the rest was a very mixed bag. I may or may not try the steakhouse selections in the MDR on my upcoming cruises.

 

* Souvenirs - I don't buy a lot of them, and cheap ones when I bother.

 

There's not much else that I spend money on, so I guess I'm a hardcore scrimper.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

Splurge:

 

-Itinerary, new or exotic ports are worth extra money.

-Excursions, we want sights and fun!

-Art, Park West has got our business 3/3 times! Lots of mistakes the first time around, the next two we cherry picked a deal. Beyond that, we've purchased additional art off Ebay.

 

Neither Splurge nor Scrimp.

 

-Cabins, we tend to go for OV, but are open to an upgrade or downgrade if the price makes sense.

-Hotel, we try to go for a reasonable 3 Star Hotel. We want comfort but can wait for the ship to be spoiled.

-Specialty Dining. We'll upgrade to inexpensive Specialty dining if a buffet or MDR starts to get tedious. Celebrity's buffet, and RCL's MDR, we found ourselves needing a little break.

 

Scrimp.

 

-Beverages, I've only had a couple drinks each cruise, am ok with the free stuff, and with Carnival can bring on my own pop.

-Casino, not my thing, $20 on the craps table max.

-Shopping, we'll look at jewelry and what not at home.

-Spa, not our thing, or we would wait till home.

-Food in Ports, unless it's ethnic or a long excursion, I'll run back to the ship for lunch.

[nessz79]

Splurge-

 

Cabin-we usually splurge on a balcony cabin, though we are doing deluxe oceanview (no balcony) this upcoming cruise. I did an inside once and I hate not seeing what is outside.

 

Dining- we like to do a specialty restaurant at least twice. We also like to eat off the ship now and then.

 

Drinks- we don't do the cheers thing, but we do the wine package to avoid having to carry on our own bottles.

 

Scrimp

 

Excursions- we sometimes do an excursion/tour on a cruise, but usually we do a beach nearby that won't break the bank. If it's a safe port, we like to walk around the area and explore.

 

After hours Camp Carnival- although our kids are outgrowing CC anyway, we never did the after hours thing. We're pretty early to bed anyway and so are our kids.

[ladybugcruiser]

Splurge- Cheers package. (Don't bring wine because we don't like wine. Saving a few bucks on water or sodas not worth the hassle. Bon Voyage in room also a hassle. Like the choices and availability for Cheers)

Excursions booked outside of Carnival. Usually all inclusive beach days or one time experiences like ziplining, cavetubing etc. Maybe one or two in a week cruise.

$20 day for casino slots.

extra tips for steward and MDR staff.

 

Scrimp- No FTTF. (Get there later. Don't have to be first!)

No steakhouse (we've tried it. Hubby is now allergic to meat so kinda pointless)

No bingo

Not much shopping

No eating off ship (unless all inclusive)

Cheap hotel night before

Cheap flights paid down with Delta rewards

Early saver room- usually OV

No spa

No specialty coffees

No art auction

Maybe one photo

 

That about covers it for us. We definitely get what we want out of it!

[FlyingCruiserNJ]

Hey all! Was just talking to my MIL (who I absolutely adore) about our upcoming family cruise, and our conversation seemed like it would also make a fun thread topic!

 

We were talking about how we each want to spend our vacation dollars on our upcoming trip. My MIL, for example, will not cruise without a balcony cabin. I feel like that's just not worth it and we always book an inside. On the other hand, she would be content if she never did a shore excursion and just camped out on a beach in every port, while DH and I often spend more on excursions than we did on the cruise fare!

 

So, with that in mind, what things do you think are worth scrimping on, and where do you like to splurge? I'll be candid and admit that cruising in general is a scrimp for me, because it's not my favorite method of travel (that's the main reason I cruise with Carnival, it's a good deal!) But I know others like to go all out on a cruise because they love it! Here's my list:

 

Splurge

 

Shore excursions - we book at least one in each port (though we often book our own instead of going through Carnival because there is more variety)

 

Food in port - we love finding great restaurants in every port and enjoying a good meal of local food

 

FTTF - This is our first time doing it, but I think it will be worth it to have our cabin ready so the kiddos can take a nap. Also looking forward to priority for tenders in Cabo, where we are spending two days

 

After-hours babysitting/Camp Carnival activities - I also haven't used this yet, but my girls are very excited for the Night Owls programs, and we'll probably do some of the additional for-fee activities

 

Tips - I love to give extra tips, especially to the crew members we become close to over the week. They take such good care of us, and I love to show them I appreciate it!

 

Scrimp/Save

 

Cabin - We always book an inside, because we just don't spend time in the room. We're always out doing activities

 

Drink packages - we have an occasional drink or soda, but we're just not big drinkers, so these don't make sense for us

 

Specialty dining - we have always had great service and food in the MDR, so we usually just stick with that. We may change that a bit this trip and try the steakhouse one night as well as the Seuss at Sea breakfast, but for the most part, we don't spend a ton on extra dining while on board

 

Cruising in general - I love a fabulous hotel and great food, but when it comes to cruising, I tend to go the cheap route so that I can splurge on my land-based trips. So I haven't ventured off to other cruise lines yet. Maybe someday when there is a little more "fun money" in our budget, but for now the good value of Carnival works for us.

 

I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks! Clearly there isn't just one way to cruise!

 

I generally don't splurge at all on cruises either although they are my favorite method of vacation. I just am a frugal person. But here goes, according to your list:

 

Excursions: Depending on where I go, I may book a tour through Carnival if Ii cannot find something comparable and reliable through a local independent tour company. Likely if I have never been to that island before, and it doesn't get great reviews for safety and the like, probably will book thru Carnival. If I know the island and it is known as being safe and I have gotten reviews from people who have used an independent tour operator, I will go with the independent tour operator. Otherwise, I might just go off on my own and see the place for myself at my own pace.

 

Food: I almost always get some local food if it is a place I have never been or there is a restaurant at a port I have visited before that I like. I went to an awesome seafood place in St. John, NF a few years ago located right across the street from the port. Real nice atmosphere and food. Pancho's Backyard is a good place in Cozumel, right in the port and local flavor. Key West is notorious for great local food and drinking and when we hit Avalon, Catalina Island last month, some great local places there also. Pretty much any place you go in Alaska is the same and so is St. Maarten as well. Some islands just don't have that great local dining option, if it is an overcommercialized place though. We hit a really nice place in Curacao last fall also, located on the way back to the port, from town. But yeah, I spend good money on a local dining experience if it is something I really want and can't get back home.

 

FTTF: Platinum, no need. :D But wouldn't do it even if I wasn't.

 

Babysitting/Camp Carnival activities: No kids. lol. No need again.

 

Tips: I generally tip good service 15 to 20 percent. Especially people like dining room waiters and room stewards. Porters when I check bags also, and van drivers from the airport to the cruise port. Those people work hard and rely on tips to make a living. No problem rewarding them. Same on the ship and in ports. I only give small tips if the service is absolutely awful. Which is rare. I don't ask for much and don't expect to get pampered everywhere.

 

Cabin: I book interior rooms on most short cruises, maybe an oceanview if the price is right. On longer cruises, such as a family sailing on the Liberty years ago or the Breeze last year, or on the NCL Jewel to Alaska this May, I will put more out for a balcony for a special occasion. But generally, I rarely find the money you save from an interior room on a lot of sailings allows me to spend that money saved on plenty of other stuff on the ship and off.

 

Drink packages: I always get bottomless bubbles, because it is convenient and is really affordable if you drink a lot of coke as I do on cruises. I have never gotten the cheers program however, although my friend did on our last sailing and since I don't drink a lot, I don't need it.

 

Specialty dining: If there is an upcharge restaurant onboard, such as a steakhouse or whatever, sometimes I will splurge that one time to just try it out. It is cheaper overall than going to a nice steakhouse at home after all. On NCL, their ships have a regular mdr, but many pay restaurants and when I cruise them, I will be taking advantage of a lot of the upcharge places. I have heard they are worth it and if something is worth it (aka I can't replicate the experience at home or in my own kitchen) I will pay a premium for that.

 

Cruising in general, yeah I like it because it is a resort and a chance to visit multiple countries all at the same time, for one price. It can't be beat and it is what I save up on all year long to do and enjoy.

Edited February 16, 2015 by FlyingCruiserNJ

[JohnSpo]

I'll splurge on the steakhouse and usually go twice per cruise. I also enjoy getting the wine package and sampling the selections. I do the martini tasting. The chipotle martini is great. I go to the art auctions and I usually will buy something beautiful at a great price.

 

I will skimp on the excursions because I like to go on my own pace. I will hop in a cab to a nice beach instead of an organized excursion. I don't like to feel rushed getting off the ship and then being told when to leave.

 

I'll skimp on my cabin and get the cheapest port hole cabin that sometimes prices cheaper than a regular interior but is larger and has a sofa and the portholes. Getting the cheapest cabin enables me to cruise twice a year instead of once.:cool:

[Ciardasully]

I love this thread!

 

Splurge:

 

Cabin: definitely a balcony. We live in the Northeast and cruise in the winter. I also don't care for crowds so to me, the balcony is worth it.

 

Food: We definitely like to try the specialty restaurants at least once. We didn't care for Cucina del Capitano on our last cruise but are willing to try it another time. We also look for local food in ports.

 

Alcohol: We're on vacation! :D Though last cruise I was 9 weeks pregnant so no alcohol for me.

 

Casino: Hubby likes to gamble so we budget that in. I am a sucker for the quarter-push machines.

 

Scrimp:

 

Airfare: We look at cruises out of NYC first. We also tend to book with airline miles when we do cruise from Florida and New Orleans.

 

Pre-Cruise Hotel: We use Marriot points before paying to stay somewhere.

 

Excursions: If we can wing it on our own, we do. Though if there is something we really want to do, we will book an excursion.

 

Photos: no photos for us but that might change when we cruise with our baby.

Edited February 16, 2015 by Ciardasully

[choula]

Splurge: Cheers program is a definite purchase for us...well worth the money...

Balcony- always for us..we spend mornings on it with a nice cup of coffee..

Steak restaurant...we always make reservation..

 

scrimp....no excursions for us, we have been on so many cruises we stay on the boat by the pool..

[Hoosierpop]

Scrimp:

 

• Drive to the Port, and cheap hotel or hotel points.
  
• Inside cabin. Maybe someday we'll go with balcony
  
• Eating: MDR is fine. Of course, fine dining to me is O'Charleys
  
• Alcohol. Don't drink much anyway
  
• Don't play bingo. Whatever happen to small entry fees?
  

Splurge

 

 

• Excursions. We like to do excursions. Maybe not every port, but enjoy them.
  
• Casino. Don 't get to gamble much, so like to on the cruise. Well, I do. Spouse doesn't like it. Doh.