"7 things you should never buy on a cruise"

[leaveitallbehind]

10 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

At least they did not come up with the money saving idea of removing that auto-tips.

Very surprised they missed that! The other one I liked, which goes hand in hand with my previous comments about encouraging violating the rules to avoid legitimately paying for something, is the suggestion to share beverage packages, which in my experience is prohibited by most lines.

Edited May 31 by leaveitallbehind

[kochleffel]

52 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

At least they did not come up with the money saving idea of removing that auto-tips.

 

On my very first cruise, I met a passenger who cruised frequently and couldn't really afford it. They reduced the cost by disputing credit-card charges (that were legitimate) and getting them charged back.

[navybankerteacher]

3 hours ago, kochleffel said:

 

On my very first cruise, I met a passenger who cruised frequently and couldn't really afford it. They reduced the cost by disputing credit-card charges (that were legitimate) and getting them charged back.

While fraudulently disputing legitimate credit-card charges might on occasion be successful (rarely or never on big ticket charges) hardly a way to finance cruises.  I would be inclined to discount such claims as being as absurd as those of folks who “always come out ahead in the casino”.

[MacMadame]

22 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

While fraudulently disputing legitimate credit-card charges might on occasion be successful (rarely or never on big ticket charges) hardly a way to finance cruises.  I would be inclined to discount such claims as being as absurd as those of folks who “always come out ahead in the casino”.

I ban people who file fradulent cc disputes from my events. I'd be surprised if cruise lines didn't also do that once the refunds got over a certain amount.

[ldubs]

1 minute ago, MacMadame said:

I ban people who file fradulent cc disputes from my events. I'd be surprised if cruise lines didn't also do that once the refunds got over a certain amount.

 

I have a vague recollection of someone being banned from a cruise for that very reason.  If memory serves it was Carnival.  I could be completely wrong.  

[navybankerteacher]

7 minutes ago, MacMadame said:

I ban people who file fradulent cc disputes from my events. I'd be surprised if cruise lines didn't also do that once the refunds got over a certain amount.

Makes sense - making such cc disputes are akin to bouncing checks - no point wasting time with that sort of thief.

[clo]

6 hours ago, kochleffel said:

 

On my very first cruise, I met a passenger who cruised frequently and couldn't really afford it. They reduced the cost by disputing credit-card charges (that were legitimate) and getting them charged back.

Sheesh.

[CDNPolar]

22 hours ago, K32682 said:

If the difference between an okay holiday and a great one is a spa visit or a bottle of premium wine when measured against the entire cost of the trip it's a small price to pay. Spending a cruise fixated on what things cost is a sad way to go on vacation. 

 

 

Exactly.

 

We cruise on the lines that are mostly all inclusive, but Spa treatments and special wines are extra.  If we want it we buy it.

 

We have a spending budget at home.  Food, restaurants, etc.  When away we are not spending this budget at home, so blow it all on the stuff we want when cruising. 

[CDNPolar]

12 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Very surprised they missed that! The other one I liked, which goes hand in hand with my previous comments about encouraging violating the rules to avoid legitimately paying for something, is the suggestion to share beverage packages, which in my experience is prohibited by most lines.

 

Yeah, I just had lunch with a past colleague yesterday that cruise with their two young kids often.  They go on one of the larger ships and lines as a favourite.

 

They always book two cabins and they book one adult with one kid.  Then somehow they only buy one drink package the the "owner" of that gets all the drinks for the other.

 

I did not dig for details, but this seems sketchy to me what they are doing.  

[leaveitallbehind]

2 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

They always book two cabins and they book one adult with one kid.  Then somehow they only buy one drink package the the "owner" of that gets all the drinks for the other.

It's one thing for someone to find ways to cheat a company out of their legitimate charges for a product. It's another altogether to have the media openly promote a method of doing so. Very sad!

[CDNPolar]

12 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

It's one thing for someone to find ways to cheat a company out of their legitimate charges for a product. It's another altogether to have the media openly promote a method of doing so. Very sad!

 

I am sorry and no offence intended, but are you suggesting that I am promoting how to do this?

 

I called it sketchy and in no way condoned what they were doing.

 

Telling this story is no different than the others telling how some are disputing credit card charges.

 

 

[leaveitallbehind]

5 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

 

I am sorry and no offence intended, but are you suggesting that I am promoting how to do this?

 

I called it sketchy and in no way condoned what they were doing.

 

Telling this story is no different than the others telling how some are disputing credit card charges.

 

 

No - absolutely not!  I am referring to the article which first promoted smuggling alcohol on board and then sharing packages as methods to avoid paying for the product on board.  I fully realize what you are saying and how you are saying it and completely agree with your "sketchy" assessment.  To be clear, I am supporting your comments and agreeing with you.

 

Sorry if that wasn't clear.

[CDNPolar]

Just now, leaveitallbehind said:

No - absolutely not!  I am referring to the article which first promoted smuggling alcohol on board and then sharing packages as methods to avoid paying for the product on board.  I fully realize what you are saying and how you are saying it and completely agree with your "sketchy" assessment.  To be clear, I am supporting your comments and agreeing with you.

 

Sorry if that wasn't clear.

 

Gotcha - sorry - this is how sometimes textual responses can be misintrepreted.

 

Sorry - I absolutely took it the wrong way... guess because you quoted my post...

 

Got it - all good.

[kochleffel]

13 hours ago, MacMadame said:

I ban people who file fradulent cc disputes from my events. I'd be surprised if cruise lines didn't also do that once the refunds got over a certain amount.

 

I'd also be surprised if they didn't.

[clo]

6 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

I did not dig for details, but this seems sketchy to me what they are doing.  

Sketchy? Stealing is what I would call it.

[CDNPolar]

17 hours ago, clo said:

Sketchy? Stealing is what I would call it.

 

It is stealing in actuality.  I am certain that this is also why some of these packages are so expensive to buy.

[Mary229]

On 5/30/2024 at 9:51 PM, kochleffel said:

I would rather not post insulting comments about people who need or want to save money. There is nothing wrong with wanting to cruise but also watching the budget. Some tips are be appropriate and helpful, just not necessarily the ones cited in the article.

Likewise there is no reason to belittle those who click and go.  I often buy packages with the cruise line that others are dismissive about.  Hey, I am  retired, saved a tidy nest egg and just plain lazy - it works for me.