Don't spend an extra dime!

[afdds]

Just wondering if anyone has gone on a cruise and not spent one extra dime. I know you have the tips on the Sign and Sail, but nothing after that. No parking fee, no sodas, no excursions, no drinks, nothing!

There are some great buys out there right now for three, four and five day cruises. However, my parents are on a fixed income and I wondering how little extra money they can get by with.

[CruiseCentric]

Just wondering if anyone has gone on a cruise and not spent one extra dime. I know you have the tips on the Sign and Sail, but nothing after that. No parking fee, no sodas, no excursions, no drinks, nothing!

There are some great buys out there right now for three, four and five day cruises. However, my parents are on a fixed income and I wondering how little extra money they can get by with.

 

I, personally havent, but I know people that have just had tips on there S&S account. Others had OBC and actually got money back after the cruise. So it can be done.

[CruiseCentric]

....

[Sue L]

I doubt that is possible, No excursions? So, no taxis or anything to see any of the islands? No souveniers to remember it by. Many ports there is nothing near the ports and you would have to at least take a taxi to get anywhere.

 

Not sure how little they can get by with but if they don't drink, only go shop at the closest spot, but don't buy anything I guess they could get by. We allow a 100$ a day for the two of us.

[tigerdadky]

I had quite a bit of charge on my S&S but I think you could have a great time without spending any or much on a cruise. It will cost them $20.00 a day in tips but there is enough freebies to have a great cruise if the drink of the day doesnt tempt you too much.

[ihavecandy123]

I think they could easily get by with nothing extra on the Sail and Sign, but at least allow a little each port day for taxis and stuff! Depending on the port, they could probably get by with $100 each port day (they could always eat only on the ship)...and maybe even have some left over!

[ihavecandy123]

I think they could easily get by with nothing extra on the Sail and Sign, but at least allow a little each port day for taxis and stuff! Depending on the port, they could probably get by with $100 each port day (they could always eat only on the ship)...and maybe even have some left over!

[mrdood]

Inlaws did this in May, in fact when we could not go to Progresso, they were credited $50 to their account, that credit could only be used on board, and their tips were pre-paid. DW had to take her mother shopping and force her to spend the $50...

[Is it just a Legend?]

I think it entirely do-able, especially if they don't drink. If they stay on the ship while in port and don't cave in to any extras, like photos. I think a small budget for ports would be a good idea, however. One of our best tours was one that we found after we got off of the boat. It was $35pp and ended up being the same tour that people on the ship were paying over $100pp for.

[cruisinbuddy]

Well here's an idea, as a Bon Voyage gift to them, you could give them some OBC or funship $, or drink coupons.

[hdawson]

afdds. Of couse it's possible to not spend extra. I don't spend alot onboard. More in the ports.

 

Question: Why did you title this thread as giving the rest of us an order or suggestion to not spend anything extra on our cruise? The title is not a question.

[themnms]

i dont prepay the grats, but i prebooked a tour that was cancelled due to weather, so my ss charges when i got off was 20.00...though uh i did spend on the islands,you could just get off and walk around...or stay onboard, nice and quiet then!!!

[starketcher]

My mama has done this twice. Other than tipss, nothing else on S&S. She "may" pick up a souvenir in port, but never spends over $200.

[CruiseCentric]

Just wondering if anyone has gone on a cruise and not spent one extra dime. I know you have the tips on the Sign and Sail, but nothing after that. No parking fee, no sodas, no excursions, no drinks, nothing!

There are some great buys out there right now for three, four and five day cruises. However, my parents are on a fixed income and I wondering how little extra money they can get by with.

 

I, personally havent, but I know people that have just had tips on there S&S account. Others had OBC and actually got money back after the cruise. So it can be done.

[BeckyMax]

A coworker of mine has been on many cruises and very rarely spends any money on the ship. I think it has almost become a challenge for him. He just got back from a 7 night over Christmas, it was his family of 5, brothers family of 4 and mother. Not a one of them had anything on their accounts other than tips. To make things even weirder (at least in my mind), their TA had bought them bonvoyage packages of wine and they didn't all the wine. The cruiseline (Princess) credited them back on their accounts for any unopened bottles. Now, it's one thing to do this if the person is on a fixed income as your mother is. But this family has more money than I will ever make in my entire lifetime.

 

Oh yeah, forgot to mention they booked inside rooms on low decks. They actually thought about getting balconies, but thought the extra $500 per cabin was crazy.

[BeckyMax]

ARGGGH!! Slow boards causing lots of double postings.

[mlmagic]

It can be done...on our first cruise as broke newlyweds:p We took advantage of ALL the free stuff, only drank the free stuff, we are not big drinker's so it worked for us. Paid our tips and that was it! As long as they are prepared with that mindset, that the cruise is it...no extra's, no shopping and eat/drink what's included, it can be done, just have to be diciplined.

[StuartLittle]

Wouldn't that hurt the profits of the cruiseline? I can hear it now, "people on fixed incomes and booze smugglers are costing me more for my cruise and reducing the return on my Carnival stocks". :p

 

They can definately do it, just have to be willing to forego some of the activities.

[afdds]

Post title should have read "They can't spend an extra dime" my mistake. I never thought about pre paying for their tips and putting something extra on the card. Great ideas!. My sister and I were just trying to see if we could get them to sail for their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

[babywewe]

Remember, if they are going on carnival they can bring a bottle of their own wine and/or a case of soda (or other drink).

[sea_u_onboard]

50th is a big one. We threw our parents a big party but on a small budget. Everyone had a great time - about 75 guests cost us about $700 - split between 4 of us.

 

Just a thought but maybe have a small cocktail party to celebrate their 50th - invite their friends and family and on the invite let everyone know you and sis are sending them on a cruise. If they would like to contribute to please let you know so you can arrange for their generous donation to be placed on their account. When people contact you then give them their booking number and sail date. For those that give have a special card for their envelope. It can state that they contributed to their fun. Whether they want to put how much is up to them.

 

My parents got several gifts of money and gift cards so I don't think it would be out of line. You will still get those that will give the standard gifts.

[PlanoDebbie]

Just wondering if anyone has gone on a cruise and not spent one extra dime. I know you have the tips on the Sign and Sail, but nothing after that. No parking fee, no sodas, no excursions, no drinks, nothing!

There are some great buys out there right now for three, four and five day cruises. However, my parents are on a fixed income and I wondering how little extra money they can get by with.

 

If there's a penny to be pinched, my mother has it. :rolleyes:

 

She and my step-father have been on at least a dozen cruises over the years. They went on the Triumph with my sister and her fiance last year. Mom pre-paid her tips. Since my step-father has Parkinsons, they didn't take any shore excursions at all. At the end of the week, their S & S account only had a balance of about $10 on it. I can't remember what they bought, but it IS possible to go the whole week without adding anything to your account.

 

If they can avoid the photos and shore excursions they should be fine. The other biggie that will suck money out of your pocket like a Hoover, is the bar. If they can be happy with lemonade, fruit punch, iced tea, coffee and water for the week, they won't be spending any money there. The final evil thing found on every cruise ship is the Casino and bingo.

 

Avoid each of these things, and they should have no problem at the end of the week with a huge S & S account.

[hdawson]

For such a special event in their lives, do encourage them to buy some of the photos from the ship. Or you could prepay for a photo package including the special album. When you no longer have them, those pics will be very special to you.