Stressed Out - Maybe Cruise was Bad Idea

[vesw01]

I keep reading posts and it seems like the cost of the cruise is going up and up. First I was shocked over the "Suggested" tipping - I have gotten used to that, but now I learn of the S&S card hold on CC etc. I don't drink or gamble, so I at first had thought cruising would be fun and relatively inexpensive. It just seems like I am SO unprepared for this trip and with 3 1/2 weeks to go the stress is getting to me!

[SevenVII]

Sometimes you just have to jump and build your wings on the way down - just go for it!

[Peanuts]

Don't stress it. If you don't want a hold on CC put a cash deposit down. Just relax and enjoy your planning and your cruise. It's really a "no brainer" no insult intended. By "no brainer" I am referring to the questions "where to go for dinner and do we need reservations, where do we want to visit, where are we going to spend the night and are there rooms available." You know where to eat on the ship...reservations not needed you have your own table. You know where your next sightseeing will take place and your room is there. Plus you know the food is good, accomodations excellent and the service great! So there you go don't worry you will enjoy it and wonder why you worried about it.

[GoinCruisin]

VESW, ask them if they will allow you to lower your cash deposit. Like I said, I believe for the family in one cabin it will be $500 (not $1000) and since you won't be spending that much, you will get a refund at the end by check (which you can cash before you leave the ship)...

[DFD1]

Relax. A cruise is never a bad idea, even if your budget is really limited. Tiping on board ship, like elsewhere, is voluntary and personal....and very private. It's entirely up to you how you handle it. So far as your CC is concerned....if you prefer, just take a couple of hundred dollars (or less) down to the front office and tell them that you will not need an account larger than that amount (you select the amount) and that you do not want your CC charged. They may still require your CC to be on file in case you go over your cash deposit.( I have been on a couple of 7 day cruises where I spent less than $150.00 on board all week. It is not a big amount if you don't drink heavily) This is your vacation, you're paying for it. Carnival is happy to have you regardless of how much money you spend. Relax and have a great time. You'll come home addicted and turn right around and go again as soon as you can.

[SevenVII]

All I plan on buying are drinks, and probably only $100 or so. Dont get pictures, dont gamble, and do all the other stuff where you are pretty much paying a hugely inflated price for something that you dont need. Heck even if you are worried about your ports, stay on ship or dont do anyhting that would cost you extra at your stops!

[vesw01]

Being on a cruise - no money to spend because I had to donate it all when I first got on the ship.

 

Everyone here loves cruising so much I thought it would be a good idea for me, but what I thought was a "pre-paid" vacation has gotten more and more costly.

 

How would a first time cruiser find anything out, unless they read ever bit of fine print and then read the website, called etc. I had no idea about the tips or how much the S&S card needs to be held. I am not the least bit prepared for this and with 3 weeks to go, I am going to be on a ship in the cold with no money an and two kids....

 

poor planning on my part-I know just was trying to do something nice for my family and I screwed it all up...I may wind up having to cancel - oh well

 

Next time a hotel with pool and breakfast and pizza for dinner - that is something I can at least figure out how much is going to cost me upfront

[poolgal]

I had always thought a credit card hold was a "hold" and not a charge unless you used the amount that you charged. At least thats how it has always been explained to me, maybe I'm wrong. Don't stress about the tipping. How about go to walmart before you go and buy a few inexpensive items for your cabin steward and make a nice gift box. I'll bet that would be very much appreciated and less then the cash would be. Over the door organizer, calling card etc.

You don't have to take an organized excursion in any port to enjoy the port. Actually, I have done very few, mostly just went off on my own. It can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want it to be. Dollar for dollar it is one of the least expensive trips you will ever take.

Have a great time!

PG

[GoinCruisin]

Vesw, I hear ya... I researched for years before going on a cruise and I am STILL learning things. The brochure spells it out pretty well, but many just get excited about the cruise and don't read the details. Cruising is not cheap... but you can do it on a budget if you are careful. You just need to make sure you have enough money in case of emergency... if you are not spending money on anything else you will be fine. They are not going to hold your money and then charge you more, your charges go against the hold...

 

 

Clarification on the "hold" from Carnival.com

 

For your convenience, charges for most of your onboard purchases are made to your Sail & Sign® account. A required application form will be included with your documents. Registration for this program will occur at the time of embarkation. Carnival accepts American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card and cash for deposit on your account. A deposit (ranging from $100 to $350 depending on cruise duration) will be required for cash accounts.

 

If you are using a credit card or debit/check cashing card please be advised that there will be a hold placed on your account as a deposit for your onboard purchases. During your cruise additional holds will be added if your Sail & Sign® account exceeds the amount of deposit Carnival has on file. If you presented a credit card, this will reduce the amount available on your credit card for other purchases. If you presented a debit/check cashing card, the hold will restrict the available cash in your checking account. All charges will be billed to the credit card or debit/check cashing card at the end of the cruise.

[poolgal]

Thank You for posting CCL language re:the hold. As I read that it seems that I have understood it correctly. A hold is placed (ie:not available for other charge's) But no charge is placed unless you use some or all of the hold?? That is at least what several cruise lines including Carnival have always told me and it has always seemed to work out that way. I just don't want the OP to stress that her card will get hit with a charge if she never uses it.

Is this how you understand it?

Thx,

PG

[GoinCruisin]

Yup. it acts as their safety net to make sure they get paid. Can't blame them. Alot of people get on the ship thinking they won't spend alot, but then do... so they have to cover themselves just in case....

[Cotton]

I had no idea about the tips or how much the S&S card needs to be held.

Awww Ves. I, as well as so many others, have been here for you since your first post, trying to answer all your questions and easing your mind. I hope you don't decide to cancel. You can have a wonderful vacation for you and your family without spending much. (I probably cruise for less than most everybody on this board. You'd be surprised how little I actually spend, and I always enjoy every minute of the cruise.)

 

As far as your above statement: I don't recall how you booked your cruise, TA, online, or Carnival, BUT whoever you booked with should have gone over the details with you, especially IF you made it clear that it's your first cruise and you needed to know all the details. Also - yes, everything is spelled out in the Carnival brochures. (I don't know about the website, because I just keep a brochure handy.)

 

Hope you feel better about it soon and can get on that ship and de-stress!:)

[steveaaaa]

Depending on the kids ages there are likely to be other expenses,but they are small.A few dollars in the arcade will make a kid happy and keep him occupied.The ports have many things to just sightsee.

Steve

[Cotton]

Actually, Steveaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Ves has stated that she does know about the automatic tipping...

 

Why are you trying to make it sound worse? Geez. :rolleyes:

And maybe she's taking a five-day....and the tips will be less.

[serene56]

I cruised the very first time on a limited budget. I took my three kids. The kids understood about taking a vacation with limited funds. I knew about the times- 280. for the four of us. I prepaid the tips along with final payment of my cruise. We stayed in an inside cabin. We did not buy soda cards and took our own. We did one excursion to the stingrays. the rest we did ourselves. This cruise was 2000. total cost- cruise/airfare/excursions was less then 2,000 total. I used drink coupons i prepaid from Carnivals web page. got photo coupons so my pictures were prepaid. casinos were out of the question for me that trip.

Planning a cruise is one of the parts I find fun. No need to stress. Especially with a great board like this one..when you can find all there is to know about cruising.

[moxie99]

First and foremost it sounds like you are booked and totally paid, don't turn back now, you will loose more than you will probably be spending. As far as tips, have them removed from your sign and sail card and tell them you prefer to do the tipping yourself. You don't gamble, so there is no charge. Put $200 on your sign and sail card for incidentals. Then take a deep breath and read the currents each evening and plan your next day. There is no fee for ports unless you plan to go on a sponsored outing. I've been to both the eastern and western and you can just get off the ship and walk, go to a beach, alot of times within walking distance. Sit and watch people, that in itself can always be fun. The important thing is you are booked and you and your kids will have a wonderful vacation if that is your mindset. You can sail for very little money, but one cavet, make sure the kids can't charge on their cards, you don't want any surprises. Please take a deep breath and smile, you can do it - it will be wonderful fun. You will be pampered at dinner each evening - breakfast and lunch are up to you - dining room or lido deck - pizza or hamburger, whatever you want.... have fun with your kids - have middle of the night ice cream socials with them. Enjoy!

[Cruising89143]

Please don't sweat it and just think of the great time that you are going to have on this cruise. It is true that the tips will be charged to your account. It is $10.00 per day per person. You do have the right to adjust that amount up or down depending on the level of service received.

 

After that you really do not have to spend another dime. It will be up to you if you book shore excursions, drink cards and so forth. There are plenty of free drinks on board such as Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Iced Tea and Hot Chocolate. Of course the food will be everywhere as well as plenty of entertainment and things to do. You will also have a pool and plenty of pizza.:)

 

About your sail n sign limit. You will have the option of letting your children charge or not on the ship. If you only want your sail n sign card authorized for charging then on your documents just check your name on the sail n sign authorization card. This will also allow you to put down less money for a deposit.

 

Please go and have a great time. This should be one of the best times in your life.

[steveaaaa]

Actually, Steveaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Ves has stated that she does know about the automatic tipping...

 

Why are you trying to make it sound worse? Geez. :rolleyes:

And maybe she's taking a five-day....and the tips will be less.

 

Thanks for pointing it out.I have edited it now.

 

I thought she was on the Victory.

 

Steve

[star65]

I have a question about the CC hold, I am concerned because I only have a limited amount of credit on my card. So, if they hold $500.00 for two people, that $500 comes off of my available amount, correct? Then when they charge my card at the end of the cruise do they also get another authorization for the total amount? Thanks for your help.

[hstrybuf]

Don't worry! Many cruisers, even ones with several cruises under their belts, experience a "down" time when they wonder if it's all going to come together. You'll be fine and your family is going to have a blast! As someone mentioned, check your Capers every day. There are so many things to do that don't cost you one cent. Take advantage of all the freebies and you'll be busy all the time. If you question whether there is a cost for something, just ask.

 

Now it's time to get excited! You're going on your first cruise and you have a wonderful experience ahead of you! :)

[Cotton]

Thank YOU Steve. That's much nicer, and should make Ves feel better.:)

[dickinson]

You have received a lot of good advise. Don't cancel now as you will lose too much money. We too don't drink so our sail and sign (or is it sign and sail? :confused: )is usually low. A lot of folks on this board do a lot of drinking while cruising but there are lots of us who don't so our costs are much lower. Don't pose for all the pictures as you might find you like them and want to purchase them all!! that would be costly. Just pose for what you want such as on formal night pick the backgrounds you like and pose for a couple. Never pose for just one because you might not like the way it turns out. The photographers take pictures left and right but you can always say no thanks. they take it as you board with an archway that says the name of the ship and date. I always like getting that if it turns out good as its a reminder as to when we sailed. they take pictures as you leave the ship at every port with a life preserver in front of you that says the name of the port . We too sometimes say no thanks. The only thing on your sail and sign will be the tips. When you go to port don't do the ships excursions as they can be pricey. If you want a tour of the island there will be loads of taxis at the pier waiting to escort you if you want. This is usually cheaper than Carnival's excursions and you can bargain the price down sometimes. Otherwise just go to the nearest beach (either walking or by taxi) and enjoy the day or part of it. Even though I don't think you are supposed to alot of people talk about getting sandwiches from room service and then taking them in their beach bag so they will have food for lunch while they are out.

 

You can have a great cruise without spending much more money than you already have. Enjoy!

[judyf]

That's the only problem with the board sometimes the more you read the more stressed you can get. My first time reading it I was like "Oh my god" I didn't think of or I didn't know that.

 

Don't sweat it, a cruise is the very least expensive vacation you can take and it really is stress free once you're on the ship. I drink a little and my S & S card is never that much. I just use my AMEX and pay it off monthly so I can't help about the hold on the card. I also have my tips taken out on the card. I'ts easier and stress free and I always include my $10.00 pp per day as part of the cruise total.

 

Hope this helps some! Go and have a blast!

[tinydancer21]

That's the only problem with the board sometimes the more you read the more stressed you can get. My first time reading it I was like "Oh my god" I didn't think of or I didn't know that.

 

 

That is SO true! I have my self all worked up now because we are flying the day of that our luggage is going to get lost or our plane will be delayed:eek: , if I had not heard so many horror stories on the board I would probably not even know to stress about it. Don't worry though the closer the cruise gets the less stress you have it is replaced with excitement!:D :p

[AuntieBon]

My sister and I took her three kids on a 7 day Disney Cruise last year and the total charges for all 5 of us were less than $400. Of course neither of us are drinkers and DCL allows you to bring soda on board so that saved us money.

 

We explained to the kids that this was an unplanned vacation (I won a cruise for 4 and paid for the 5th person) so there was no time to save and that they wouldn't be able to buy things. In spite of that we all had a great time and created memories for a lifetime.

 

Enjoy your cruise and take some time to have the time of your lives!