Let's help people think outside the box

[klfrodo]

We're seeing a lot of threads recently where people are considering ways to save money. Their first thought is to cut back on gratuities in these economic times. I feel this is the wrong approach so let's come up with ideas on where people should cut back BEFORE taking away from the ones who need it most and work the hardest.

 

1. Do you REALLY need new clothes for a cruise?

2. A few less DOD's

3. Avoid the casino or reduce casino budget

 

Any others?

[NevadaHiRoller]

I factually know, that person is not for real. Don't feed it.

[klfrodo]

I factually know, that person is not for real. Don't feed it.

and others aren't? You're saying the economic struggles some people are facing today is not real?

[dcguy9]

It seems quite simple to me. If you can't afford to tip $10 a day on a cruise, you can't afford to take that cruise. Perhaps take a shorter one or save up for one down the road.

 

Now, if you really get bad service, taking tips away is certainly justifiable. But, I would tell management if I did. Same rules apply at a restaurant; bad service=bad or no tip. But, if I don't tip, I will always tell the manager why...and the service must be really horrible.

[OhioJeff]

and others aren't? You're saying the economic struggles some people are facing today is not real?

I agree, there are people on this board that just want to stir the pot, yet there are real people that will take off tips as a way to save money.

[NevadaHiRoller]

and others aren't? You're saying the economic struggles some people are facing today is not real?

 

Of course they are real, but that poster isn't for real. :)

[NevadaHiRoller]

I go on vacation when I can afford to and I don't cut back. I believe that if people have to scrape that bad, then they shouldn't be going on vacation, or take less of them so they can have a great time when they go.

[maracalone1]

We have been putting extra change, leftover dollar bills, etc into a jar for 6 months now. We have about $54. Though the tip will be put on our SS card, we can come back knowing that we have money waiting for us no matter what. People could do this? Or have a swear jar and save money?

Though, in all honesty, we are blessed to be able to afford this cruise (dad gave it to us for honeymoon). So the money we have been saving is to tip ON TOP OF what we will be giving automatically, so we can spread happiness no matter if people celebrate holidays or not. Everyone always needs money! ;)

[LizaMM]

I go on vacation when I can afford to and I don't cut back. I believe that if people have to scrape that bad, then they shouldn't be going on vacation, or take less of them so they can have a great time when they go.

 

I do not disagree with you but to follow the thoughts of the OP....I too have been reading many threads recently on several of the message board areas about people who lost jobs, hit large changes due to the economy etc AFTER they made final pmt on their cruise.

 

I love the idea of saving change! I even keep a baggie in my car and toss in the change after I go through a drive through for coffee etc. You would be surprised how quickly it adds up.

 

I think there are many ways to cut back on the cruise. Souveniers for one... I get myself a coffee mug from every port and ship (I "collect" them) and I get pens. They are cheap and bring back wonderful memories when I write with them....inexpensive and yet the most used souveniers ever!

[NOVEMBERCRUISER]

We booked our cruise 10 months in advance. Right after the downpayment, I started putting just a little of every paycheck away for our cruise money. Once I reached $100, I bought 100 funship dollars. Did the same with the next $100. Those funship dollars were set aside to apply to our sign and sail upon embarkation to cover our tips (4 people x 5 day cruise) Everything else we were able to save was our "fun money". We booked and prepaid a dolphin encounter on our own and besides that just took taxis to where we wanted to go. My dh and I aren't drinkers and bought a total of 4 drinks the entire 5 days. Our amount due at the end (after they credited my $200 funship dollars) was $212, that was for some small gift shop stuff and several pictures. I considered the tips as part of the cruise fare, and made sure to cover those first. A cruise is such a value anyway (if you book carefully and watch your spending on board.) I don't think $10 extra per person per day is too much to ask for the fantastic service you expect to receive. Just my .02

[Browneyes43]

Of course they are real, but that poster isn't for real. :)

 

Even if the poster isn't real, isn't the delima? I think it's a good idea to come up with alternatives to save money besides stiffing the ones who can least afford being stiffed.

 

Instead of spending big money on the excursions, We are planning on touring the town ourselves and forego some of the other excursions and just relax. I'm only spending money on one excursion.

[Dee777]

When I quit smoking almost 4 years ago, I made a deal with myself. I would go into my online banking account, and transfer the money I would have spent on cigarettes every day from my checking account to my savings account. I was a pack a day smoker, and at the time I quit, they were $10.00 a pack. At the end of every month, I had $300.00 accumulated. I then had the option: Blow it on something pretty, or save it for my vacation. I am a huge Vegas fan. We typically go to Vegas twice a year. So, every 6 months, I have an extra $1800.00 to blow on top of my regular vacation funds.

 

Makes for a very sweet time! Perhaps some of the people financially strapped could give up a habit like smoking, drinking, etc. and bank the money they would NORMALLY spend on that habit to save for their trip? Just a thought!

 

Dee

[NevadaHiRoller]

When I quit smoking almost 4 years ago, I made a deal with myself. I would go into my online banking account, and transfer the money I would have spent on cigarettes every day from my checking account to my savings account. I was a pack a day smoker, and at the time I quit, they were $10.00 a pack. At the end of every month, I had $300.00 accumulated. I then had the option: Blow it on something pretty, or save it for my vacation. I am a huge Vegas fan. We typically go to Vegas twice a year. So, every 6 months, I have an extra $1800.00 to blow on top of my regular vacation funds.

 

Makes for a very sweet time! Perhaps some of the people financially strapped could give up a habit like smoking, drinking, etc. and bank the money they would NORMALLY spend on that habit to save for their trip? Just a thought!

 

Dee

 

That's wonderful, Dee, that you could do that. However, I like to smoke while ON my vacations. :D

[lanoitarus]

2. A few less dod's

 

blasphemy!!

[NevadaHiRoller]

blasphemy!!

 

No kidding. We must have our DOD's. Can't cruise without them. What's your favorite on Carnival?

[zqvol]

Of course they are real, but that poster isn't for real. :)

 

What does that have to do with the question that the OP poses?

 

Thinking outside the box as a way to save money is never a bad idea, even if the only motive behind it is to have more to leave in the bank.

 

One way that works is if you are close enough to drive in one day, even if it is a long drive, is to drive in instead of flying.

[ShedQueen77]

I'm a change hoarder. Even if something costs $5.01, I round up to $6 and save the change. I don't miss it (oddly enough) and it adds up quick. I can put away around $150 a month that way.

 

We also decided to buy less photos this time. We'll pick the best "elegant night" photo and that's it. No embarkation or gangway photos. They're really not necessary. We'll take more of our own pictures.

 

We don't drink, so cutting back there doesn't help us much. We only buy 1-2 sodas per cruise and take advantage of the free water, lemonade, fruit punch, tea, etc... We bring our own mugs to refill.

 

We book shore excursions independently. They're usually cheaper and better anyhow. ;)

 

I've never bought new clothes just for a trip, so we probably save a lot there! lol

 

Bingo is a BIG no-no. We did that once and found it a huge waste of money to spend $20 for ONE game.

[G'ma]

For those who would truly consider not tipping staff aboard a ship wouldn't listen to any good ideas anyway. They are deadbeats.

 

These are people who usually live far beyond their means, use a credit card for everything, and don't have 2 quarters to rub together in their pockets.

 

It's useless to address them.

 

However, good money saving tips are always welcomed by those of us who make sacrifices to be able to enjoy the full cruise exprience....and tip, too.

 

I save coins in a big coffee can, sell a little on eBay, cook my own meals (from scratch - convenience foods are expensive and tasteless), have a strict budget which I follow, use coupons for grocery shopping - and many other money saving things. Cruising is a big part of my life and I'll do what's necessary budgetwise to go......and, I've never stiffed anyone on a ship.....nor anywhere else, for that matter.

[NevadaHiRoller]

For those who would truly consider not tipping staff aboard a ship wouldn't listen to any good ideas anyway. They are deadbeats.

 

These are people who usually live far beyond their means' date=' use a credit card for everything, and don't have 2 quarters to rub together in their pockets.

 

It's useless to address them.

 

However, good money saving tips are always welcomed by those of us who make sacrifices to be able to enjoy the full cruise exprience....and tip, too.

 

I save coins in a big coffee can, sell a little on eBay, cook my own meals (from scratch - convenience foods are expensive and tasteless), have a strict budget which I follow, use coupons for grocery shopping - and many other money saving things. Cruising is a big part of my life and I'll do what's necessary budgetwise to go......and, I've never stiffed anyone on a ship.....nor anywhere else, for that matter.[/quote']

 

Excellent way to do things. ;)

[bplazo]

When we go out to dinner anywhere I always drink water instead of a softdrink. This cuts down alot on your check. I always have a yard sale before our cruise.

[hrobes]

Hi All! Leaving for my cruise Monday! Cannot wait! I served all through college and cannot imagine not tipping the staff...I remember how that felt after you busted your behind for a table and they left you nothing or a nice note saying how GREAT you were...but then you would get the table that was low-maint...and they would tip you like 25 percent...unexpected and much appreciated ;)

[Sioux6]

Besides throwing spare change in the jar, we take whatever we have leftover from our "weekly allowance" and put that in bank envelopes. This is our casino money, extra tip money for room service, or whatever else we might want. It has been adding up rather nicely and will have a ball on the Freedom in 65 days on a B2B.

 

Sioux

[JDSKIDSTEER]

This is our second cruise. We will pick one good photo and take more of our own. Won't waste money on soda card. We drank a lot of free water and lemonade last trip. May take a 12 pack of cokes. Will not cut back on tips. Gas for the trip down is half price since last trip.

[dan40]

We're seeing a lot of threads recently where people are considering ways to save money. Their first thought is to cut back on gratuities in these economic times. I feel this is the wrong approach so let's come up with ideas on where people should cut back BEFORE taking away from the ones who need it most and work the hardest.

 

1. Do you REALLY need new clothes for a cruise?

2. A few less DOD's

3. Avoid the casino or reduce casino budget

 

Any others?

 

 

If the economic times are affecting someone to the point that they cannot afford to pay the gratuities. They are being fiscally stupid and personally irresponsible and have no business spending any amount on anything but necessities. And much as it hurts me to say it. A cruise is not a necessity for any individual on the planet.

 

Using economic pressures as a reason to hold back tips is merely the easy excuse of the day.

 

Dan

[Bradtez]

This will be our third cruise and have always had better than excellent service from all onboard so our waitstaff and stewards have always received a little extra from us.

Saving loose change and jobs i do for cash go into a big tin, it is amazing how much it all adds up too. For the cruise we leave on tomorrow, we had a little over $3000 in the tin.

Take more of your own pictures onboard, drink more water or free lemonade. Why would anyone really need to buy new clothes for a cruise? I always thought a cruise was to be relaxed and laid back, not looking like a beuty queen!

A yard sale is a GREAT idea, funny how much junk we have in our garages:)