Where do you splurge vs. scrimp?

[CatlinSTJ]

Splurge:

 

Specialty dining: We will dine in the steakhouse at least once when possible and we've done the chef's table twice and loved it, totally worth it to us. I'm a foodie, so dining if an experience to be savored.

 

FTTF: Love it, though I'll probably skip it on the Vista.

 

Photos: Not a lot, but we usually try to pick up a photo or two as a souvenir

 

Scrimp:

 

Soda: We usually bring a 12 pack of Coke onboard and will have leftovers. Our first cruise we paid for the soda card as we didn't know that tea and lemonade were free.

 

Shore Excursions: We usually purchase one per cruise and plan out our own adventures otherwise. I like seeing something of the area we're in and getting to experience the local culture, which doesn't seem to be the focus of most excursions.

 

Drinks: We're not heavy drinkers so we'll never buy Cheers. A glass of wine or DotD and we're fine.

 

 

Cabins are neutral for us - I've never booked an inside cabin, but I wouldn't pay for a suite on Carnival either.

 

 

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

[momonthego17]

CatlinSTJ, is Catlin your name? My 14 year old DD is named Catlynne, which I made up. I thought the nickname Cat was cool and Lynne is my middle name. My DD goes by Cat. Unfortunately, almost every adult that reads off her name (teacher, nurse, embarkation crew) pronounces it Kate-lynn. She never corrects them, but I do.

Is your name pronounced Cat-lin? Or Cate-lin?

 

Thanks!

[sjn911]

Splurge...

 

Try for extra legroom seats on some of these planes.

Best 3.5 or 4 star pre and post next time...

Coke and a drink when I want..which is minimal for me but a splurge out (alcohol is minimal..not coke sigh lol...)

Money to tip room service and bag people and anyone great a little extra.

Room service period..LOL.

One massage if good 2.

Looking forward to cloud nine room and/or a balcony next time if i can wait long enough!!

Chef's table next time...

Ship tour next time..

Big Excursion...Want to see those rays and give one a kiss..LOL..

One great photo..

Only steakhouse try was a flop but will do again...

This list is the longest...LOL...

 

Scimp..

Group transports..from airport or hotel..

No drink packages..

No casino..and no casino "deals" either..LOL...

No excursions unless..really really want one..find my own way...

Lots of clothes etc. baggage is tough..,but like to dress right..inherited beautiful wardrobe from my dear mother and really I am set for quite some time..until I get a lot off..i have sizes for the process too..LOL.

Hair and nails..I dye my own..like it in an easy inexpensive shoulder length trim and clip and do clear polish myself...

Makeup, shampoos and skincare....Costco, Sally's, Wallmart and Albertsons are my friend for all that...

Edited February 16, 2015 by sjn911

[mek]

Not sure I really consider this splurging, but I spend money on the spa, sometimes speciality restaurants, shore excursions, (but not in the Caribbean - just like to hang out there.) I tip generously.

 

I don't spend money on - casino, photos, bingo, on board shops, drink packages. Not to save money - just not interested in these things.

[mitsugirly]

This has been my philosophy since I started cruising again in 2010.

 

Splurge

 

Shore excursions - I always have to do something at port. I'm not the type to just hang around at the cruise port. I want to experience the places we go and I want to do something different EACH time if possible. I have learn that you can have one experience at a place and head right down the road and have a totally different experience. The more the merrier. I splurge on the excursions (usually 90% of the time booked privately and not with the cruise line) that involve something that you normally wouldn't do...like cavetubing, swimming with the stingrays, swimming with dolphins, swimming with sharks, zip lining and so on. You can't get that experience back home...so it's definitely a splurge item. :D

 

FTTF - This is our first time trying it, but I like the idea of being able to go to our room and drop things off when we board, getting on earlier and having priority tendering (since we will have a tender port this time around).

 

After-hours babysitting- This is something I do once per cruise, so not sure if I would consider it a "splurge" or not since it's really not "that" expensive. But we like to hit a party during the cruise and if it's not a "family friendly" party on the deck, we'll pay for sitting.

 

Soda Package-we purchase the soda package on each cruise. I'm a soda freak and I guess this would actually be considered a "skimp" item because it's cheaper to purchase the package than to pay individually for them the way I drink them. :p

 

Photos-I'm a photographer "at heart" and actually do professional pictures of my children and grandbabies. I HATE the ship pictures, however, it's all about the memories and I display them all in a scrapbook that I make for each cruise. As much as I hate to pay the inflated prices...I still do.

 

Casino-well that's just my thing. I only gamble when we are cruising (well, they just put a new Casino here in town just down the road and I have been 3x now in the last year or two) and I have to say that I "normally" do pretty well. I can honestly say that I have walked off almost every cruise ship with more in casino money that I came with. So good splurge. :D

 

Skimp

 

Cabin - We try to book only interiors for several reasons. I have been a college student putting myself through nursing school for the last 4 1/2 years. Booking an interior made it cheap enough that we could afford to cruise twice a year (and last year was 3 times). Also, we are really not ones to stay in the room long. We sleep, change and shower there and that's about it. However, we have done a balcony twice now and have to admit that we love that as well. But...have still managed to go back to an interior with no problems. It's all about the price. :p

 

Alcohol - we usually only drink when we cruise (other than maybe going out to eat or a celebration at home), so we really don't splurge on alcohol when cruising. I'm guessing maybe 10 drinks between the 2 of us tops while on the ship. Now if we book an excursion that's an AI with all drinks included...yep, we'll get our drink on then! :D

 

Specialty dining - I'm not a big meat eater and a lot of the specialty restaurants includes steak (which I don't do at all). So the only time we ever splurge for a specialty restaurant is if it's Asian/Chinese type restaurant. We have done the Italian before, but just didn't find the food justifies the cost. We can definitely do without it. There's plenty of free food on a cruise.

 

Cruising- We love a good deal. We mainly sail with NCL and EVERY cruise I have booked, with the exception of 1, was booked with the kids sail free promo..making it a great deal. If I can't get a good deal, I look elsewhere. My upcoming Carnival cruise on the Pride is 2 1/2 times the amount we have ever paid for a cruise...but, I factored in that we didn't have to fly this time around (which usually cost about the same as the cruise), and we wouldn't have to do any excursions on this cruise...well at least 2 of the ports (Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk) so it will all even out.

 

Food in port - We never eat food while in port unless it's included in an AI. We eat a big breakfast and then wait until we return to the ship if it's not included in what we are doing, most of the time.

 

Pre-cruise hotel- I never look for anything fancy. Just something to lay my head down to get a good nights rest before the fun really starts, bug free, and in a safe neighborhood within walking distance to FAST FOOD <---another skimp.

 

We don't play any of the games that cost...bingo, who wants to be a millionaire (NCL) and so on. We will watch the games and they are a blast, but don't play them.

 

Shopping on the ship and in port- I normally buy a tee shirt from every port (and once I get it and if I go back to that port, I wear the same one I already purchased..so don't need another) and a refrigerator magnet for the little one. On the ship, I allow my munchkin to get 1 stuffed animal toy, I have to have a tee shirt with the ship on it and scrapbooking stuff. (Although I have purchased 2 diamond rings on previous cruises, which turned out to be a bad purchase and I won't do that again).

[jsfromsc]

Splurge:

 

Prefer a balcony cabin.

Spa - I always get at least one massage.

Shore excursions - we do one excursion per port, and usually book through Carnival, but not always.

Fly in a day early and pay for a hotel rather than risk the airlines causing us to miss our cruise.

Actually the cruise itself is a splurge for us, so we don't really watch our spending all that much when we cruise. For instance, I'll pay the Carnival price for a bottle of water to take on a shore excursion whereas at home I'd say, "That's too much to pay for water!"

 

Scrimp:

 

Will no longer pay for specialty restaurants, as we did not care for the steakhouse.

Eat on the ship rather than in the ports when possible.

[OCruisers]

We do whatever we wish and enjoy which always includes drinks, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, etc.

On the other hand we don't spend money on things we don't actually want, need, or would enjoy. Sort of the same as at home.

LuLu

[tropicaledrink]

SPLURGES:

 

The actual ship and itinerary. I will pay more money to go on a ship that is post 2.0 and has more sea days. I'm over 7 day itineraries that have 4 port days.....

 

Alchemy Bar. Best drinks in my opinion. Some people describe it as expensive, but they run specials each night and I have found these are among the STRONGEST drinks on the ship. Plus the mixologists are a BLAST to talk to!

 

Steakhouse - we don't do this every time, but the times we have, it was worth it! :D

 

 

Splurge/Skrimp in one: I can book in to pretty much any cabin category and be fine, EXCEPT a standard interior. Don't want to repeat that one. But will book the ones at interior rates - on the Fascination we were in a Porthole. On the Pride, we're in a French Door. I prefer a balcony, but would rather sail more frequently. ;)

 

Skrimp:

 

We ALWAYS drive to port. Even to Miami. Driving and stopping half way (which made for 2 hotel nights) was cheaper than flying.

 

We never park at port.

 

We don't buy a lot of souvenirs. A Christmas ornament is usually about it!

 

We've never bought internet minutes, and had never bought a photo until this last cruise on the Fascination.

 

We don't gamble....lol. I just don't care to!

[pauleydm]

Splurge: Shore excursions, specialty restaurants and hand made art from each port.

 

Scrimp: Cabin

[SlotCarKing]

I usually bring money to gamble with and try to double it. If that works, I'll use the extra money on excursions and duty free stuff. Next cruise I might use it for a massage at port.

[geckoaz]

Best topic in long time.

 

Splurge. Balcony (lido on conquest), hey we are from arizona i came to see water.

Semi splurge.. Excursions but not in certain short ports like san juan. Use those to restock water and soda

Wife splurge.. Pandora charm

Pre trip i get more tropical shirts. I also buy party beads for friends new and old. We tip well and hope those who serve us on the trip have fun doing it.

 

Scrimp.. Buying less pictures

Slots but not a lot and less bingo. You would think the entertainers could make it fun. Nope gotten boring.. Remember great scavenger hunts

Mdr good for us. Love eating with cruise friends.

Drink when we want but never that much.

I have left at least one bottle of wine behind on every cruise. Don't forget to ask for it.

[trixiegal]

Splurge-

 

We try to cruise on a "newer" ship with all the bells and whistles, even if fares are more expensive in the summer. I have teens who've traveled every year since they were born so they aren't easily impressed. I like to experience the upgrades of the newer or refurbished ships!

 

Spa passes or service. I don't book ahead but DD and I always do the tour on the first day and book at least one spa appt. when we get the daily specials sheet in our cabin during the week. I've even gotten a medispa service on a cruise and it was cheaper than back at home.

 

Specialty restaurants. Eating at the steakhouse has become like a formal night for us given the decline in food and service on those nights. It's just not what it used to be in the MDR which isn't a big deal for us now that we can look forward to the steakhouse.

 

Wine or cocktail tasting. I love wine and drink when I'm on vacation so I always go to the (sometimes boring) tastings and make it fun. I've met cool people. Funny enough, the Disney Magic martini tasting was a total blast. Best martinis I've had in a loooong time!

 

Excursions are on the fence. I only book them if I feel they're worth the price and we can't do the same tour on our own. For example, we booked the Passion Island Twister through Carnival because we had no other way to book. But I got us discounted tix to the Turtle Farm in Grand Cayman online and used a taxi shuttle to get there. Same for the beach clubs in Cozumel. I pay when we get there or buy tickets ahead of time online.

 

Scrimp-

 

Cabin depending on price. We've had a suite once, OV several times, balcony 3x and inside 2x. It all depends on the fare, itinerary, and where the cabin is located on the ship. I'll do an inside on Deck 7 forward on a ship I've been on which goes to ports I've already gone to (Disney Magic), an OV on Deck 2 (Carnival Dream) or a balcony on Lido Deck (Carnival Breeze) if the price is right. I'm still holding out on getting my dream cabin of an aft-extended balcony because I'm such a bargain hunter with cabins.

 

Souvenirs or duty free buys are not a biggie. Most of the time, it is worthless junk they are selling in the gift shops. I do look and I've bought liquor and perfume duty free if I feel I'm getting a good deal. No more than $100 total for 7 day cruises.

 

Never play Bingo and I will try out the slots casino when I'm in the mood, which is rare. And I can justify it if I have some OBC, otherwise I don't bother.

Edited February 17, 2015 by trixiegal

[figdu]

Splurge:

 

Park at the port always

Cheers

Balcony when we can

Tips -- Always take care of the crew

 

 

Scrimp:

Cabin -- Sometimes have to do inside

Casino -- $50.00 is about the limit

Excursions -- Unless we are someplace that we haven't been before we normally just do our own thing.

-- Nassau don't even get off the ship anymore.

Food -- Try to eat meals on the ship

[kdawg954]

Splurge:

 

Park at the port always

Cheers

Balcony when we can

Tips -- Always take care of the crew

 

 

Scrimp:

Cabin -- Sometimes have to do inside

Casino -- $50.00 is about the limit

Excursions -- Unless we are someplace that we haven't been before we normally just do our own thing.

-- Nassau don't even get off the ship anymore.

Food -- Try to eat meals on the ship

 

Parking at the port is a good one, I'm definitely a "scrimpy" guy there lol

 

I've parked offsite on a 3 day cruise to save a few bucks, plus being a South Florida local, I get a ride whenever possible . . . . parking onsite at a port is definitely a "splurge" and for many, a well warranted one . . . just not for me.

Edited February 17, 2015 by kdawg954

[hunter14]

Splurge~ FTTF, Excursions(we do a lot of firsts on vacation), Steakhouse, Cheers program for hubby( does not drink often, he lets loose on vacation well worth ever penny)

 

Skimp~ Cabin( never in room, so interior it is), pre-cruise hotel( no need for the ritz carlton), drive to ports, park at hotel, save every penny and dime we can pre-cruise in-case we have an itch to gamble-shop like crazy etc....

[figdu]

Parking at the port is a good one, I'm definitely a "scrimpy" guy there lol

 

I've parked offsite on a 3 day cruise to save a few bucks, plus being a South Florida local, I get a ride whenever possible . . . . parking onsite at a port is definitely a "splurge" and for many, a well warranted one . . . just not for me.

 

I justify the parking splurge by saying to myself I don't have to pay to fly since I live in Florida. I also hate waiting on shuttles both before and after the cruise.

[NoDayButToday]

Scrimp:

 

Usually the cabin. I don't spend that much time in the room when I cruise so I'm ok with an interior. This time we have a balcony because we upgraded during the 24 hour sale and still walked away with onboard credit.

 

Travel to port: we live in Florida, so only cruise from Florida now. This time we are having a friend drop us off at the port, so no parking fees or hotel.

 

Drinking: not really a scrimp, we just aren't big drinkers on land and that won't change much at sea.

 

Splurge:

 

Excursions: we cruise to see try new things and are willing to pay more for a really good excursion. I also lump the purchase of DH's scuba gear into this category because he only dives on cruises, but we invested in our own equipment to bring.

 

Spa: couples massage, so splurgy, but so worth it.

 

Specialty dining: DH is a steak man, so we definitely stop in the steakhouse for a good dinner he will love.

 

The cruise itself: we both work retail management. We don't earn the most money, so saving to take this kind of vacation is a bigger deal for us than some others, but we save and make it happen.

[elliair]

Splurge

 

Balcony - always

Steakhouse

Occasional bottle of wine

Book another cruise

 

Scrimp

 

Maybe 1 excursion

Maybe 1 photo

Limited souvenirs

[cajunpowercruiser]

Was a first time cruiser on the Magic 2/8 - 2/24. WOW! I'm hooked and ready to book another. I found that:

 

1. SPLURGE ROOM SPA BALCONY Room service breakfast on the balcony every morning before hitting the gym was a great way to start the day. Fruit, muffins, danish and COFFEE and plenty of sunrises. ALSO SPA>>>NIIIICE:o

 

2. Ports Depends on the port. Our first port was Costa Maya...we jumped a cab and hit the little village of Mahahual...found a local that set us up on the beach for some great food beer and beach time and vendors that you can truely barter with. Next SPLURGE Cozumel...La Casa en La Playa Rocky Shores...treat you like a king. Progresso...SLPURGE VISIT A CENOTE!! Biking and cenote snorkeling is a chance of a lifetime experience.;)

 

3. Steakhouse...I didn't find it worth the price. Save your money for other things.:(

 

4. Take a million pictures...you may find one or two you can't do without.

 

5. You didn't hear this from me but if you like to drink go with Rum Runners. I aslo buy from the ship but it's nice to fix one or two in the room while the missus is getting ready for dinner.:D

[KatieCharlotte]

Splurge:

 

Shore activities. We find what we most want to do and then the best way to do it, which is sometimes a pricy Carnival excursion and sometimes a local bus. I won't miss out on experiences just to be cheap.

 

Tips for locals.

 

Donations to local charities.

 

Tips onboard -- a little more than the prepaid recommended amount.

 

Choosing my cabin location -- a splurge to a cheapskate like me, but I won't save even a couple hundred dollars on a guarantee rate and risk a noisy room. I always book with cabins above and below.

 

Most people wouldn't consider it a splurge, but hotels with decent reviews to and from the port, and no lying about how many kids we have to avoid needing a suite in a hotel.

 

Save:

 

Inside cabins -- only used for sleeping; we like dark and cozy places

 

Alcohol -- it helps that DH doesn't drink and I fall asleep after one cocktail

 

Photos -- we have other guests take our photo and return the favor

 

Pretty much all on board spending -- our S&S has never been more than $10 (with excursions and tips prepaid and extra tips paid in cash)

 

Travel to the port -- drive or budget airline

 

Cruising cheaply means it can be in addition to other vacations, not our only vacation of the year. I believe in getting the most I can for our money, which means having many travel experiences at the lowest possible cost, but not at the expense of people like waiters and tour guides. Just like how we eat out -- with coupons and generous tips.

Edited February 17, 2015 by KatieCharlotte

[Warm Breezes]

I had a hard time with this because every cruise for us has had different wants for us. One splurge we do every cruise is come in the day before. We prefer Embassy Suites and will book them whenever possible. We may splurge for different things on different cruises. For example:

 

Cost....On every cruise it is a factor, but only after all our wants are accounted for. When we sailed on NCL Epic, our wants were a newer ship and not Carnival since we had just done a few Carnival cruises in a row and were looking for something different. I'm sure I could have found a less expensive Carnival Cruise, but I didn't even enter them in the mix. Our choice came down betwee Epic and Oasis. Same rooms, itinerary, etc. Epic was $1000 less.

 

Food....There have been cruises where we have done Specialty Dining and others we haven't.

 

Rooms...We have sailed insides, ocean views, and balconies. We tend to mix it up a bit. One thing we always do now though is book 2 rooms when we sail as a family. Kids are 18 and 20....not going back to 1 room for all of us.

 

Photos....We've had cruises where we didn't buy a single photo and others where we purchased over $200 worth.

 

Bingo/Casino...We've had cruises where we didn't play at all and others where we did.

 

Excursions....We've done our own tours, private tours, and cruise ship tours and we have also just stayed on the ship.

 

We don't purchase FTTF, soda cards, or alcohol packages. We only purchase a handful of drinks total between all of us on a cruise. We are not scrimping by not purchasing these things....we just don't see the value of paying for something we wouldn't use.

Edited February 17, 2015 by Warm Breezes

[cruzin Phillis]

Splurge:

like to get one excursion in a port

We are trying the FTTF

Got and Ocean View

love the Italian Restaurant

Will spend on the Thirsty Frog Ale

 

Scrimp:

Art show, pictures, bingo, the spa, no drink package

[cutiepiefred]

scrimp-

Room we always book cheapest room as we only sleep and shower in there, one time we bought a balcony we were unable to use it due to smokers so never again

we only eat the food provided is it good enough for us

FTTF not needed as we are never in a hurry to get off or on the boat, rooms have always been ready plus we pack swimming clothes in our carry on or wear them under our clothes and change at the airport before getting shuttle.

drink packages as there is no way I would drink my share but hubby does not fair that all room occupents have to purchase package, but it is limited anyways.

 

Splurge-

Casino

shore excusion if we are at a new port

We buy one formal night picture

[arby70]

Splurge: Balcony cabin & excursions

 

Scrimp: Pay dining options and alcoholic drinks (we never have paid extra for food on board and I may get only 3 or so drinks on a week long cruise).

[cupcake8503]

Splurge:

 

-Balcony stateroom

-FTTF

-Shore excursions (I try to book privately if possible)

-bingo (i love bingo :))

-photos/souvenirs

 

Scrimp:

 

-casino

-alcoholic beverages (maybe 2-3 a day pp)

-steakhouse dining/specialty dining

Edited February 18, 2015 by cupcake8503