Has the current ecomonic situation affected your cruise plans?

[arby70]

I work for the transportation department here, so my job is about as stable as you can get. So, I don't intend to change my travel plans at all. We still plan to cruise next year. I also always pay my credit cards off each month. It's the only way I would invest so much to travel; otherwise I wouldn't go and we'd do a bunch of "staycations" instead.;)

[Maraprince]

What the majority of you are posting is what I said earlier on another thread and got jumped on when I reported that the on-board revenue on my 7/31 sailing was down considerably (1) due to the worsening ecomony and (2) the majority of the Europeans on board just don't spend as much as US passengers do in the shops, on tours, in the casino, etc. This was a big topic among the shop staff who have to do an inventory on their sales during a sailing.

 

While US passengers may be cancelling, RCCL has done an extreme amount of marketing to Europeans and Asians. Some of RCCL's pricing has gone through the roof since we booked in January 2008 for a sailing on 11/9/08. Our dollar keeps declining while the Euro has gained making cruising very reasonable for the Europeans and bad news for US passengers.

 

It is going to be a very sad day for all those young financials wizards who were making so much money in Wall Street that they could not spend it fast enough on cars, homes, etc. that they did not own outright. They never expected the "gravy" train to stop short as long as they kept getting those big commission checks for the stocks they sold and traded. Real estate brokers knew quite well most of their clients could not pay for the homes they sold them but sold them anyway. As long as they received their commission checks for the sale, it was not their problems. They kept telling clients that property values will only go up and up. Make some minor upgrades and then turn around and sell the house at a higher price and make a big profit. They provided mortages with no money down. Is it any wonder the market crashed? Everything was built on a house of cards that was bound to collapse. The question was just when. It is simple ecomonics -- prices have reached their highest and MUST start to drop across the board. The first of the Euro banks has been bailed out by 3 countries. It has started there as well.

 

Cruises will take on a whole different look in the future if passengers are not booking due to the economy. Bigger ships aren't always better since they are more costly to run and need more passengers to break even.

 

It should be interesting to watch the cruise lines scramble for passengers.

 

MARAPRINCE

[Bakincakes]

I work for the transportation department here, so my job is about as stable as you can get. So, I don't intend to change my travel plans at all. We still plan to cruise next year. I also always pay my credit cards off each month. It's the only way I would invest so much to travel; otherwise I wouldn't go and we'd do a bunch of "staycations" instead.;)

 

 

"State" jobs will only be stable as long as taxpayers can pay the taxes needed to cut your paycheck. :)

[Maraprince]

Every last one of us can be replaced with cheaper labor!

 

 

MARAPRINCE

[Cancunense]

Absolutely we have noticed a change in our cruise plans...we have increased them!!! Life is short, you need to enjoy it and our vacations, our private time together is the most important thing in the world to us...we live on the beach in Cancun in a resort but there is still nothing like an escape...its romantic, its good for your health, its good for your mind...everything.

Something to look forward to .... experiences are everything.

Every time I see people tossing money away (my words) on diamonds or sculptures...I PERSONALLY think its foolish...everywhere I read that HAPPINESS comes mostly from your EXPERIENCES and not your POSESSIONS.

So the cruises, they will never take a back seat.

People are sick, people are dying, people are losing their loved ones...take advantage of the time that you have and spend it with your loved one...enjoying a new place, a beautiful ship, great people...thats what its all about ;)

 

[cguppy]

I thought that I was in a secure job also and they came in July and laid off our entire office and sent our jobs else where. I've had to change to a cheaper room and I watch everyday to see if there is a change in price on the room rates. We are going to be real conservative on the trip next month and will skip the pop/soda and do the best we can. I'm using my severence money to help us along but I have been looking for another job for almost 4 months now and nothing. It's very scary...:(

[sea-cruise]

I thought that I was in a secure job also and they came in July and laid off our entire office and sent our jobs else where. I've had to change to a cheaper room and I watch everyday to see if there is a change in price on the room rates. We are going to be real conservative on the trip next month and will skip the pop/soda and do the best we can. I'm using my severence money to help us along but I have been looking for another job for almost 4 months now and nothing. It's very scary...:(

My heart goes out to you. Our grandson just got married in April and lost his job as well.

I feel so badly for the younger generation who are trying to make ends meet.

I wish you the best of luck and I hope you find a good job soon. God bless you.

[2skikids]

Absolutely. I usually have a cruise booked a year out. This year while on the Liberty I purchased 2 next cruise certificates, however can't even think about using them. Thankfully, they do not expire.

 

I do not credit cards unless I can pay them off. I can get a free cruise with the points I have on the RCL card but then there is at the least airfare plus other expenses.

 

I have one in college and another to go . The financial powers believe if your own a home and business, you have too much for help. Unfortunately, my husband and I will not have pensions and work hard to invest in our retirement. So, yes with the uncertainity of everything going on we will wait to cruise.

[Darkwolfe]

This mess makes me glad that I found my way into an IT position within the healthcare industry. I have a good chance to retire from this place in 15 years or so.

 

With the Boomer population beginning to reach retirement, my company's material is in heavy demand in Pharmacies all over the country. Everybody has to have their meds and we help deliver them faster at the pharmacy level.

 

Most of the current craziness just drifts past us without any effect at all.

[EV2008]

Absolutely we have noticed a change in our cruise plans...we have increased them!!! Life is short, you need to enjoy it and our vacations, our private time together is the most important thing in the world to us...we live on the beach in Cancun in a resort but there is still nothing like an escape...its romantic, its good for your health, its good for your mind...everything.

Something to look forward to .... experiences are everything.

Every time I see people tossing money away (my words) on diamonds or sculptures...I PERSONALLY think its foolish...everywhere I read that HAPPINESS comes mostly from your EXPERIENCES and not your POSESSIONS.

So the cruises, they will never take a back seat.

People are sick, people are dying, people are losing their loved ones...take advantage of the time that you have and spend it with your loved one...enjoying a new place, a beautiful ship, great people...thats what its all about ;)

 

 

Well said, I feel the same way. Life can be so difficult I need something to look forward to. I like making memories with my family and friends, so when I am old and sit in a nursing home i can think back at all the fun I had. You never know when you get struck down with some terrible thing. I have never been foolish with money but I do enjoy a great vacation.:)

[aleone]

As a retired person, watching my IRA being drastically reduced under the current market situation, I have to admit that I have second thoughts about spending the money on cruising. We haven't canceled anything yet and we will still go on our 50th anniversary cruise to the Panama Canal in January. Anything beyond that will probably be canceled if the market continues it's woeful ways.

 

I understand the thinking from some of the earlier posts about enjoying life, but even at 70 years old, I feel it's hard to do when your assets are being depleted.:(

[Cancunense]

:(I am very sad to read all of these posts about the economic situation...I have not noticed it at all and I hope that does not change...please economy get back on your feet!!!

We need this to end already...I don't want to see any fellow cruise lovers unhappy...I had no idea:(

[Darkwolfe]

As a retired person, watching my IRA being drastically reduced under the current market situation, I have to admit that I have second thoughts about spending the money on cruising. We haven't canceled anything yet and we will still go on our 50th anniversary cruise to the Panama Canal in January. Anything beyond that will probably be canceled if the market continues it's woeful ways.

 

I understand the thinking from some of the earlier posts about enjoying life, but even at 70 years old, I feel it's hard to do when your assets are being depleted.:(

 

It'll climb back out. Just don't do a day-trader panic and you'll be fine.

 

BTW.. I know your town well. Lived in Stephenville for several years in the 90s. :) Hopefully it hasn't gotten too badly oversized since then.

[Pacificlander]

I want to thank everyone who has responded to this thread. (I guess misery loves company.) With our bank going under last week (FDIC covered so we're ok and JP Morgan buying it, it's still stable.) And friends losing their retirement accts. in mutual funds I pretty much was feeling panicy. Actually in a lot of ways I still am. Don't know if I'll be able to retire in 10 yrs. like I'd hope but feel that my and DH jobs are stable and that's something!

 

We talked tonight and decided to go as planned on our cruise. We will cut back on some things, no excursions, pay our onboard acct. nightly, etc., but as one poster mentioned the time together will be priceless. Thanks for the input, you helped total strangers make a hard decision!

[Cancunense]

If I could have anything in the world right now I would wish for this to be changed , overnight! Lets pray that with the election coming we have some very positive change that starts the ball rolling so we can wake up to good news from the USA...and that's all I wish for.

Here it has not begun to affect us in the least, but perhaps it has not begun yet?:confused:

[sea-cruise]

:(I am very sad to read all of these posts about the economic situation...I have not noticed it at all and I hope that does not change...please economy get back on your feet!!!

We need this to end already...I don't want to see any fellow cruise lovers unhappy...I had no idea:(

How nice of you to come back and show those who are in trouble that you care. I wondered if you cared for others, and I can see that you do. :)

It's a nice feeling to know that we all think of each other and wish each other well.

Have a good week!! :)

[Cuizer2]

I guess I've been lucky. I've took six cruises between 2004 and 2007.

 

This year I took two weeks off without pay to go on a two week Panama Canal cruise this year. I also took three other cruises this year. Next year I have two cruises booked and although more expensive than I like (because both are during school holidays) I currently have no plans to cancel the cruises. For 2010 I'm planning one cruise and perhaps a second short one from close to home.

 

So, I will not really know if I am cutting back until 2011. By then who knows how things will look.

[sea-cruise]

With our bank going under last week (FDIC covered so we're ok and JP Morgan buying it, it's still stable.) And friends losing their retirement accts. in mutual funds I pretty much was feeling panicy. Actually in a lot of ways I still am. Don't know if I'll be able to retire in 10 yrs. like I'd hope but feel that my and DH jobs are stable and that's something!

 

We talked tonight and decided to go as planned on our cruise. We will cut back on some things, no excursions, pay our onboard acct. nightly, etc., but as one poster mentioned the time together will be priceless.quote]

We sold our business a couple of years ago and have the money in FDIC insured CDs, but we're in our mid sixties and living on social security, so we've been careful with spending for a couple of years and we'll have to continue to be careful incase we need the money.

Thank God we're old enough to have the house & cars paid for, but I worry so much about the younger generation.

Not only for our own kids and grandkids, but for everyone here in the USA.

Our son inlaw's 401K is going down the tubes so fast, it's scary.

My Dad had a brain stem stroke and couldn't even eat or drink for 4 years, then my Mom got cancer & we made an apartment for them and we took care of them for 16 years because their money ran out.

We decided 28 years ago to start traveling so that when we got old (like we are now) we would have our memories.

I just hope and pray everything turns around for the sake of all of the younger people who have bills and kids to feed.

[Cancunense]

Sea Cruise...by all means...we only cruise in the low season because all high season I am knocking myself out being selfless and looking after other people...its a pleasure but I still feel like I need a treat at the end of it, in order to recharge for the next period...

I recently read 'how to stop worrying' by Dale Carnegie because I was getting overwhelmed with the idea of hurricanes smacking us up and if you have read it, (we all need a refresher) you will see also that this will not last forever...all though out time the world has had its ups and downs...this is just the way it goes, and its not forever, this will pass ! So ride it out people...we have to ride it out.

Its not quite time for man overboard !!! :D

[aleone]

It'll climb back out. Just don't do a day-trader panic and you'll be fine.

 

BTW.. I know your town well. Lived in Stephenville for several years in the 90s. :) Hopefully it hasn't gotten too badly oversized since then.

 

That's good advice and I know I'll have to wait it out because that's the best (only) thing to do at this point.

 

Stephenville is growing but really hasn't changed that much. However, you would never recognize Granbury if you came back to the area. It has grown too much and the local traffic is becoming unbearable. I do have to say that the mayor and city council have done a great job in promoting the city and making it a very enticing tourist attraction.

[sea-cruise]

Goodnight kids....I'm off to watch Boston Legal. I love Denny Crane. :)

[aleone]

I guess I've been lucky. I've took six cruises between 2004 and 2007.

 

This year I took two weeks off without pay to go on a two week Panama Canal cruise this year. I also took three other cruises this year. Next year I have two cruises booked and although more expensive than I like (because both are during school holidays) I currently have no plans to cancel the cruises. For 2010 I'm planning one cruise and perhaps a second short one from close to home.

 

So, I will not really know if I am cutting back until 2011. By then who knows how things will look.

 

That's wonderful - you are truly fortunate. Good luck to you.:)

[cruiserbryce]

not really...we still have the same cruises planned...we are saving the same way we have saved in the past and if we need to cut from somewhere else we will in order to make the cruise fun...what we have done is for our Mex Riv cruise we will go in an inside rather than OV...saves a few bucks :-)

[Pacificlander]

With our bank going under last week (FDIC covered so we're ok and JP Morgan buying it, it's still stable.) And friends losing their retirement accts. in mutual funds I pretty much was feeling panicy. Actually in a lot of ways I still am. Don't know if I'll be able to retire in 10 yrs. like I'd hope but feel that my and DH jobs are stable and that's something!

 

We talked tonight and decided to go as planned on our cruise. We will cut back on some things, no excursions, pay our onboard acct. nightly, etc., but as one poster mentioned the time together will be priceless.quote]

We sold our business a couple of years ago and have the money in FDIC insured CDs, but we're in our mid sixties and living on social security, so we've been careful with spending for a couple of years and we'll have to continue to be careful incase we need the money.

Thank God we're old enough to have the house & cars paid for, but I worry so much about the younger generation.

Not only for our own kids and grandkids, but for everyone here in the USA.

Our son inlaw's 401K is going down the tubes so fast, it's scary.

My Dad had a brain stem stroke and couldn't even eat or drink for 4 years, then my Mom got cancer & we made an apartment for them and we took care of them for 16 years because their money ran out.

We decided 28 years ago to start traveling so that when we got old (like we are now) we would have our memories.

I just hope and pray everything turns around for the sake of all of the younger people who have bills and kids to feed.

 

This is exactly the kind of situation we were worrying about. A year ago everything seemed brilliant. Then SIL went out on disability and the next thing we knew we had a houseful! They didn't have income so we basically supported them and our savings went south. A year of this took it's toll but I'm happy to say that things have improved. SIL healed and is back working, daughter also went back into the work force and they got their own place. But during these unstable times I keep wondering what if....

 

I'm with you and hope this all turns around soon. Our children and grandchildren need to have a future to look forward to.

[bajathree]

Dig in folks, cause this ain't going away anytime soon. We have a global slowdown on our hands to deal with, so things are going to continue to get worse before we see things get better. Even at best and they finally decide upon a plan and get it voted through by weeks end we still have a recession that is going to be with us for a while......hate to be so happy here but party days are gone for a while I am afraid.