Advice please!

[BLUEROSEKY]

I need some advice! What started out as a cruise with my two SIL has turned into one SIL and me. Which is fine, but due to financial issues for my SIL I am taking care of the majority if not all of the exenses. I really don't mind, however I do need to be careful because well obviously I have just doubled my cost.

 

I changed our OV Upper cabin to an OV guarantee when I had to remove the other pax. Which saved some money, I prepaid gratuities, even though I do still plan to tip more. I am planning to prepay shore excursions as soon as Carnival lists some more for Freeport and SIL can decide what she wants to do in Nassua. I told her that we will be bringing bottled water and some soft drinks on board with us and that if she wanted liquer that she needs to smuggle it in her luggage. That is what my plan is. Instead of flying we are driving, I love road trips so that is fine, and figures out to be way cheaper than flying.

 

What I need advice on is other ways that I can cut cost, or spread them out pre-cruise. I don't want to feel like I am on a super tight budget, and want to have as much fun as we can possible cram into the cruise. I am not sure how much I need to budget for the S&S account. I am planning to use my cc for it, but my DH and I have a rule of paying it off every month so obviously I don't want a huge bill smirking at me when I get home. So I need an idea to know how much to save before then. I don't have a clue what the 2 of us will need.

 

I feel like I am putting my vacation on layaway! I have been looking forward to this cruise so much, have wanted to go on one for years, I just want to make it the best trip I can.

 

Any ideas ya'll can give me would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

Karen

[PINEVIEW01]

Have you thought about booking some tours on your own. They are cheaper and I foind them to be better. Just check the port of call sites here for recomendations.

[woodey]

i Was going to suggest the same thing as Pine did...Book your own..or just go into town and snoop around,,No need to spend alot of money on excursions Make sure you eat most if not all of your meals on the ship we have even gone back on to the boat ate lunch and then back out to find more trouble to get into. If you drink alot of sodas get a fountain card or just drink water and or coffee with dinner. Get a budget together for casino and bingo or shopping and stick to it..

 

Please dont let this damper your Vacation...there are alot of ppl who enjoy there cruise without spending alot of money. Just remember that Most everything is Included in the price of the cruise There are still a Bunch of things to do without spending a dime...

Good luck and Enjoy

[jetskier]

Grats are $10 per person per day, photos will run you $19.95 for an 8x10. Look for the drink specials in the Capers. If you drink more than 3 sodas a day, then buy the drink card.

 

Dave

[cmecruise1962]

You will need small bills to tip...room service, cab drivers, etc...and cash to gamble. I have an envelope and every once in a while I put in a $5 (or sometimes even a $20!) so it seems painless. I hope to have $250 before I leave, and that will be my max for donating to the casino! :D

[Glama]

You can preorder drink coupons to use at the bars. You can also preorder Carnival gift certificates to apply to your sail and sign bill. When are you sailing? If it's before Christmas (if you celebrate Christmas), tell friends and family to buy you Carnival gift certificates instead of gifts.

 

If you are staying in a hotel precruise, try to book one that offers free breakfast in the morning.

 

I agree to book your own excursions, Carnivals are way overpriced, and private excursions are much better, in my opinion.

[BLUEROSEKY]

I am looking for excursions on our own right now. I didn't know that you could use the gift certificates for the sail & sign. That is wonderful, but how does it work if you don't use all of the gc that is on your account? Do they give you a gc for the balance? More encouragement for a 2nd cruise if they do right? :D I was looking at the drink coupons, I was thinking of giving SIL some for part of her Christmas.

 

We are leaving 2 days pre-cruise, because of the drive from Northern KY. You never know what the weather in Feb will be, so better safe than sorry. I am using hotel points for our rooms, so they are "free". Which means Ramada instead of Raddison, LOL. But that is ok too. More money to put towards the cruise right?

 

SIL is having a hard time lately, so I want to make this nice for her too.

Can anyone think of something special, that I could do for her to make this trip extra special for her?

 

We are sailing Feb 24 on the Sensation. So I have plenty of time to save, I just want to make sure that I have everything in line, so that it all goes smoothly. I want to worry now, instead of on the cruise. If there is something that we want to do, I don't want to have to count pennies you know?

 

I have 3 envelopes that I am putting $10 in each every week. One is pre/post cruise, one is on board and the last is for ports. I know what I need pre/post cruise. I am just not sure about the other two! How much do ya'll normally budget for sea/port days per person?

 

Thank you,

Karen

[Charming01]

You can preorder drink coupons to use at the bars. You can also preorder Carnival gift certificates to apply to your sail and sign bill. When are you sailing? If it's before Christmas (if you celebrate Christmas), tell friends and family to buy you Carnival gift certificates instead of gifts.

 

I was just going to suggest this, as I am currently doing this. From what I have read and fun ship dollars/money that you use and apply to your S&S but don't end up using they will give you your money back. Someone please correct me if this is not correct but I'm sure I read that somewhere.:D

[jetskier]

I was just going to suggest this, as I am currently doing this. From what I have read and fun ship dollars/money that you use and apply to your S&S but don't end up using they will give you your money back. Someone please correct me if this is not correct but I'm sure I read that somewhere.:D

 

It would be refunded on the last night in the form of a check. You can cash it at the purser's desk in the morning. With the Funship dollars, you dont have to mail them in. You turn them into the purser once onboard to be applied to your S&S account.

 

The drink coupons will save you about a $1 a drink. They will be delivered at dinner on the first night.

 

Dave

[henepup]

BLUEROSEKY, we are neighbors!!! When people ask you what you want for Christmas, tell them gas cards! You can use them for your gas down and back. Or what about gift card, like American Express. Kroger carries them and people can buy them at any amount. What about parking the car for your cruise? Did you check to see if you could park the car at the hotel for the time you are gone? Parking at the pier can be pricey.

Good luck and have a great trip!!!!

[LHP]

If you like days at the beach, Freeport and Nassau can easily be done on your own.

 

Also in Nassau there is Atlantis at Paradise Island that you can stroll around a lot of it for free. Technically, you can't use "their beach" but you can use the beach next door and it is a $5 land taxi ride each way. We avoid the water taxis there because I don't like their set up and they way they crowd people in.

[sandy toes]

You keep saying you want to make this special for your SIL. I think you may be missing the point. YOU are paying for her to cruise with you. She is still going to get to go on a cruise. How wonderful is that?!! You already are doing the best thing that you can. You are getting her from KY in Feb to the Sensation Sun-Th. To really save money, in Freeport grab a taxi and visit a beach, check out the PORT postings here at CC for some options. Then in Nassau, visit the Straw Maket, walk all over down town and look in the shops, take a taxi to Atlantis. There is no charge to walk through the cassino, hotel and view the underwater aquarium (BEAUTIFUL) and the pics you can bring home will oh and aah your friends. Only cost will be the 2 taxis RT. You will have tons to do on ship that are free. I would save away some set amount for the Cassino/BINGO expenses. Bringing your own soda/water will help with costs also. You can pre order alcohol that will be waiting in your cabin. It does cost a bit more than geting it from your local shop on the corner at home but it is still less than buying drinks on ship. After the homecomings and the holidays there are great sells on "fancy" dresses, if you need or want a new one, that is always a good time to shop. In Jan you will, no doubt, find something for a very low price (everyone has to do their inventory for IRS) It does seem you have placed a lot of thought into the trip. I think you will both have a grand time!!!! ENJOY all your research for the next 129 days and try to stop stressing.

[Pegs222]

I am looking for excursions on our own right now. I didn't know that you could use the gift certificates for the sail & sign. That is wonderful, but how does it work if you don't use all of the gc that is on your account? Do they give you a gc for the balance? More encouragement for a 2nd cruise if they do right? :D I was looking at the drink coupons, I was thinking of giving SIL some for part of her Christmas.

 

We are leaving 2 days pre-cruise, because of the drive from Northern KY. You never know what the weather in Feb will be, so better safe than sorry. I am using hotel points for our rooms, so they are "free". Which means Ramada instead of Raddison, LOL. But that is ok too. More money to put towards the cruise right?

 

SIL is having a hard time lately, so I want to make this nice for her too.

Can anyone think of something special, that I could do for her to make this trip extra special for her?

 

We are sailing Feb 24 on the Sensation. So I have plenty of time to save, I just want to make sure that I have everything in line, so that it all goes smoothly. I want to worry now, instead of on the cruise. If there is something that we want to do, I don't want to have to count pennies you know?

 

I have 3 envelopes that I am putting $10 in each every week. One is pre/post cruise, one is on board and the last is for ports. I know what I need pre/post cruise. I am just not sure about the other two! How much do ya'll normally budget for sea/port days per person?

 

Thank you,

Karen

 

Karen, you are by far one of the best people on this board, what a caring and kind thing of you to do.

 

You can also send Carnival payments through your PVP too. I doubt they care how much you send.

 

I would like to say that even though some of the excursions may be cheaper they do come with a risk. If you are late coming back to the ship, the ship can and will leave you. If you go with a Carnival excursion, they will wait. (getting on a hot button topic here) Also, if you are tendering they will have the pax with Carnival excursions go first before those that have non Carnival tours. I like the idea of purchasing the excursions before going on the cruise. They are put right on your credit card, so that can be paid before you get on the ship.

 

You can bring your own soda and or water aboard, that can save money. Do not purchase out of the fridge in your State Room, very expensive from what everyone has said. I think I read where you want to only spend XXX amount on gambling, good idea. Perhaps only take XX amount into the casino, and when that is gone, take your leave LOL. And if you win, do the same.

 

I think that the bar is probably the place where most of the money can add up. Since it is put on your S&S card, you do not realize just how many drinks you have. Well, if you are drunk, you may LOL. Not that I advocate this LOL, but you could find some nice gentlemen to purchase them for you ;)

 

Again, you are such a good person to do this. I hope it all works out and your SIL and you have a wonderful cruise, you are very deserving of one.

[BLUEROSEKY]

BLUEROSEKY, we are neighbors!!! When people ask you what you want for Christmas, tell them gas cards! You can use them for your gas down and back. Or what about gift card, like American Express. Kroger carries them and people can buy them at any amount. What about parking the car for your cruise? Did you check to see if you could park the car at the hotel for the time you are gone? Parking at the pier can be pricey.

Good luck and have a great trip!!!!

 

We are planning to park at the port. I thought it would be easier since unfortunely we have to hightail it back home right after the cruise. Our DH's and my 2 DS are leaving on a hunting trip to TX 2 days after we get back! Another reason for my worried planning, I had a hunting trip to finance as well, LOL! Their trip is all wrapped up though. Including visa gift cards for fuel, motels and meals.

 

I was thinking of picking up fuel cards as time goes to help with that expense. Or visa gc as we can get them free through our bank and can be used anywhere.

 

Great tips everyone please keep them coming!

 

Karen

[Wennfred]

Stay away from the following and you will be fine:

 

1. Drinks

2. Bingo

3. Casino

4. Spa

5. Photos

6. Excursions

 

This is the bulk of your cash. So plan on the 70.00 pp for the onboard Tips and you will be ok, then plan on doing those thing above on your next cruise. Also you could of booked an Inside guarantee to save even more.

 

 

Fred

[BLUEROSEKY]

Ya'll are sweet!

 

The only "real" excursion we had planned on was the jeep one in Freeport. That just really looks like fun, and I am waiting for Carnival to post it. After looking today, it won't be more expensive to go through them on it and I would feel more comfortable that way. I saw the post on the walking tour in Nassau, and as we both love historical things, I think we will do that. SIL said she would like to try snorkling, and I would love to see the reefs. So I hope I can find something we can both agree on in Nassau.

 

I know I am stressing, I just want this to be an awesome trip. We are both so excited it's unreal. If I am like this now I can just imagine what Feb is going to be like!

 

We have already hit clearance sales for summer clothes. Cause we won't find em in Ky in Feb! I found her an awesome dress for formal night on sale and she is getting it for Christmas. I still need one, but had figured on the after Christmas sales for mine. We are looking forward to the formal night. I work in a steel mill, and live in the middle of nowhere so the chance to dress up doesn't come around very often, LOL.

 

Oh my gosh! My hillbilly roots are showing!

Thank you all for the advice and encouragement!

 

 

Karen

[Virgin_cruiser2007]

I need some advice! What started out as a cruise with my two SIL has turned into one SIL and me. Which is fine, but due to financial issues for my SIL I am taking care of the majority if not all of the exenses. I really don't mind, however I do need to be careful because well obviously I have just doubled my cost.

 

I changed our OV Upper cabin to an OV guarantee when I had to remove the other pax. Which saved some money, I prepaid gratuities, even though I do still plan to tip more. I am planning to prepay shore excursions as soon as Carnival lists some more for Freeport and SIL can decide what she wants to do in Nassua. I told her that we will be bringing bottled water and some soft drinks on board with us and that if she wanted liquer that she needs to smuggle it in her luggage. That is what my plan is. Instead of flying we are driving, I love road trips so that is fine, and figures out to be way cheaper than flying.

 

What I need advice on is other ways that I can cut cost, or spread them out pre-cruise. I don't want to feel like I am on a super tight budget, and want to have as much fun as we can possible cram into the cruise. I am not sure how much I need to budget for the S&S account. I am planning to use my cc for it, but my DH and I have a rule of paying it off every month so obviously I don't want a huge bill smirking at me when I get home. So I need an idea to know how much to save before then. I don't have a clue what the 2 of us will need.

 

I feel like I am putting my vacation on layaway! I have been looking forward to this cruise so much, have wanted to go on one for years, I just want to make it the best trip I can.

 

Any ideas ya'll can give me would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

Karen

 

 

Hi Karen, The cruise we are going on started as a surprise cruise for my b/f b-day (which he now knows about:rolleyes: ) But thats cool.. Anyway that means the expenses are all on me as well. (now that he knows he wants to kick in, but this is my gift to him;) ) First I found a very good priced cruise which I also had a coupon savings thru entertainment book for, since this is our first cruise I only did a 3 day cruise to nassau, since it is his b-day gift I wanted to make it as special but as budgeted as I could, So what I did was I have purchased (because I know we are drinkers) pre paid bar credits, 1 pic credit, I am pre paying for gratuties as you have ( will tip more on cruise) , pre paid for soda credits, b-day dec's and a few more things. I also have a on board credit.. As well as I contacted some all inclusive resorts in nassau on my own (breezes, is where I have decided $60pp) and that way the resort is all inclusive so while off ship we do not have to worry about paying for food, drinks etc.. as extra it is all inclusive. other than of course shopping and nightlife in nassau. I also researched flights versus driving and transportation, I realized that for a rent a car it would be cheaper with entertainment book for a weeks rental but after gas cost i found a very good discount (by signing up for all airlines in and surrounding cities) on a flight that will actually be cheaper than driving, i researched the rent a cars (every one possible but only with free shuttle after drop off) in fl. to come up with a very good price (unbeatable i think) for pre cruise. And I even got us tee's from fun tee's..

All in all I say I will prob be out of not even $1500 for total trip.. And if I drive my own vehicle I would say not even $1100-$1200 for total. The only thing that concerns me with the drive is will we really want to drive back after the cruise?

By pre paying I dont think we are putting vacations on lay a way I just think it i being smart, I know I dont have the money just to pull and take at once especially with our cruise being around christmas time. But I feel as though pre paying is just being smart about budgeting your money and planning very well to ensure you do not over spend as we tend to do on vacations. :cool:

[BLUEROSEKY]

 

By pre paying I dont think we are putting vacations on lay a way I just think it i being smart, I know I dont have the money just to pull and take at once especially with our cruise being around christmas time. But I feel as though pre paying is just being smart about budgeting your money and planning very well to ensure you do not over spend as we tend to do on vacations. :cool:

 

I can't just pull it out of a hat either. I have to plan and save, I have plenty of time left a little over 4 months. The cruise itself is paid for except the last $50. So I can save plenty, if only I could figure out just how much more we will need!

 

I have done the research on flights, rental cars etc. It still comes out about 250 cheaper to drive. I really like road trips, so the drive doesn't bother me, and you see so much beautiful country on the way.

 

As far as the casino goes, we both like to go to the local riverboat casinos here. I will just do on the cruise as I do here, I take $45 and when it's gone it's gone. I always lose anyway so I look at it as entertainment, with no hopes of winning. LOL

 

The spa really held no interest for us anyway, so I don't have to worry about that. I would like to do pictures though, at least the formal nights so that the DH'S can see how we looked all gussied up.

 

I know the IS guarantee was cheaper, but we really wanted the OV. I do need to cut corners but it is not that bad that I need to chop them off completely, lol. I don't want to go bare bones, just don't want to break the bank!

 

So I am playing with some numbers, taking everyone's advice and going to work out a budget I can be comfortable with. When I get some numbers figured out I will post and hopefully ya'll can let me know if I am realistic.

 

Thank you,

Karen;)

[BLUEROSEKY]

Ok I think I have figured out a livable budget. That insures that we will have fun, and I can still manage comfortably. So let me know if you think this is do-able.

 

Pre-cruise

pre/post cruise travel expenses

4 picture coupons (2 for each of us)

4 sets of drink coupons (2 for each of us)

300 Funship dollars for S&S account

pre pay excursions 1 each in Freeport and Nassau

 

 

S&S account would have the following planned:

Soda cards

casino for 1 night (45 each to lose, LOL)

bingo

extra alcohol (just in case;) )

Funship $$ should cover but backed by my CC just in case we do go over.

 

100 for extra tips (1's, 5's and 10's right?)

400 cash for port days for shopping, taxis etc

 

I will of course have my CC and my debit card in case we were in need.

 

Does this sound reasonable, and not like I am being too tight fisted?

Experienced cruisers what do you think?

 

I am thinking of putting a tote bag together for SIL, with sunblock, beach towel, that kind of thing. Do you think she would like it? I thought maybe of getting her a bottle of wine, but I know nothing about wine, don't like it myself. So any ideas on a good wine I could maybe get from Carnival for her? Or other things for the tote?

 

 

Thank you!!!!!!!

Karen:o

[Giggles2007]

I am looking for excursions on our own right now. I didn't know that you could use the gift certificates for the sail & sign. That is wonderful, but how does it work if you don't use all of the gc that is on your account? Do they give you a gc for the balance? More encouragement for a 2nd cruise if they do right? :D I was looking at the drink coupons, I was thinking of giving SIL some for part of her Christmas.

 

We are leaving 2 days pre-cruise, because of the drive from Northern KY. You never know what the weather in Feb will be, so better safe than sorry. I am using hotel points for our rooms, so they are "free". Which means Ramada instead of Raddison, LOL. But that is ok too. More money to put towards the cruise right?

 

SIL is having a hard time lately, so I want to make this nice for her too.

Can anyone think of something special, that I could do for her to make this trip extra special for her?

 

We are sailing Feb 24 on the Sensation. So I have plenty of time to save, I just want to make sure that I have everything in line, so that it all goes smoothly. I want to worry now, instead of on the cruise. If there is something that we want to do, I don't want to have to count pennies you know?

 

I have 3 envelopes that I am putting $10 in each every week. One is pre/post cruise, one is on board and the last is for ports. I know what I need pre/post cruise. I am just not sure about the other two! How much do ya'll normally budget for sea/port days per person?

 

Thank you,

Karen

 

 

 

Well Karen, first of all it sounds like everyone is giving great advice and I might even take some of it for myself. Regarding your question about how some budget for sea/port days. Well I can only speak for myself. What I do is when I board I place $500 on my S&S card which will be used on ship. I really don't drink (may have 1 or 2) but most of my money goes towards the speciallity coffee shops :D . Then I take $100 per day for port days as my allowance for that day. If I don't spent the whole $100 that day then it goes towards the next day or the casino that evening :D :D :D !

[Giggles2007]

I am looking for excursions on our own right now. I didn't know that you could use the gift certificates for the sail & sign. That is wonderful, but how does it work if you don't use all of the gc that is on your account? Do they give you a gc for the balance? More encouragement for a 2nd cruise if they do right? :D I was looking at the drink coupons, I was thinking of giving SIL some for part of her Christmas.

 

We are leaving 2 days pre-cruise, because of the drive from Northern KY. You never know what the weather in Feb will be, so better safe than sorry. I am using hotel points for our rooms, so they are "free". Which means Ramada instead of Raddison, LOL. But that is ok too. More money to put towards the cruise right?

 

SIL is having a hard time lately, so I want to make this nice for her too.

Can anyone think of something special, that I could do for her to make this trip extra special for her?

 

We are sailing Feb 24 on the Sensation. So I have plenty of time to save, I just want to make sure that I have everything in line, so that it all goes smoothly. I want to worry now, instead of on the cruise. If there is something that we want to do, I don't want to have to count pennies you know?

 

I have 3 envelopes that I am putting $10 in each every week. One is pre/post cruise, one is on board and the last is for ports. I know what I need pre/post cruise. I am just not sure about the other two! How much do ya'll normally budget for sea/port days per person?

 

Thank you,

Karen

 

 

 

Well Karen, first of all it sounds like everyone is giving great advice and I might even take some of it for myself. Regarding your question about how some budget for sea/port days. Well I can only speak for myself. What I do is when I board I place $500 on my S&S card which will be used on ship. I really don't drink (may have 1 or 2) but most of my money goes towards the speciallity coffee shops :D . Then I take $100 per day for port days as my allowance for that day. If I don't spent the whole $100 that day then it goes towards the next day or the casino that evening :D :D :D !

[Charming01]

Your budget looks pretty good to me! I am slowly putting money away for ours and applying funship dollars to our account.

As for your bag idea, I think it's great! We got married in the Dominican and we made up beach bags for all our guests and they loved them. We could always find them and they still use the stuff now. We put in all the stuff included plus a magazine, tropical gum, hand sanitizer, underwater camera and some other stuff I can't remember right now.

[Taleci]

SIL is having a hard time lately, so I want to make this nice for her too.

Can anyone think of something special, that I could do for her to make this trip extra special for her?

Before our last cruise, I had a blast sending DH and I "gifts" through the Bon Voyage department. I had a bottle of wine sent to him everyday with a love note attached.

The cabin decorations look like they would be fun. Have you seen those?

http://www.carnival.com/BonVoyage/AddToCart.aspx?cat=Special+Occasions&pid=80B

[mytime53]

S&S account would have the following planned:

Soda cards

casino for 1 night (45 each to lose, LOL)

bingo

extra alcohol (just in case;) )

Funship $$ should cover but backed by my CC just in case we do go over.

 

Someone who has done this needs to chime in, but typically casino charges are taken as a cash advance from your credit card, which of course costs more (not a big deal on only $100, but that is a drink or 2!). I suggest that you just keep your casino money with you. Don't count on staff knowing the answer to this. On our last cruise, we were told by the casino cashier that it just went on our account like anything else. Only the Purser's desk gave us the correct information.

 

As far as soda goes, hubby and I just go soda free for the length of the cruise...17 days last time. Good time to give up one of our vices in exchange for a few more :D .

[henepup]

Hey Karen, I work in one of those local riverboat casinos!!!! I think your budget sounds really good! Dillards still has some great buys on formal wear. I got my mom a formal dress for $29.99, it was $260.00!! You could also watch e-bay for dresses, always lots of good deals!

Have a great trip!