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From: Harry Cooper on 18 Jun 2010 14:18


"Tom K" <tkanitra(a)optonline.net> wrote in message
news:4c1b9535$0$5020$607ed4bc(a)cv.net...
> On 6/18/10 11:36 AM, Stu wrote:
>> On Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:19:46 -0400, Ohioguy<none(a)none.net> wrote:
>>
>>> So they are bragging about getting people to spend lots of extra $$
>>> on the ship, and then saying they will be focusing on ways to get that
>>> to work on older cruise ships as well?
>>>
>>> Doesn't exactly make me more optimistic about going on a cruise trip.
>>> I usually spend between $100-$400 for a week vacation, depending on
>>> whether we go camping where it is free (still have to pay gas and pack
>>> food) or stay at a hotel. If I'm spending $1k per person for a cruise,
>>> I expect most everything there to be 'free', since I already feel like
>>> I'm paying out the wazoo for the experience.
>>
>> Check with the cruise line for extra charges before you get your
>> tickets, because more and more it's sounding like a cruise just isn't
>> your bag.
>
> But it sounds like it's his WIFE'S idea to go on the cruise... so perhaps
> SHE'S tired of him taking her on vacations where he spends between
> $100-$400 for a week...
>
> --Tom

Whatever makes a happy marriage, Tom. Mine has been happy for 50 years as
of today. And, aside from tips, It's not hard to add virtually nothing to
your fare and have something to do all the time. Paying for stuff is almost
all optional. Has anybody on this group ever tried to minimize the total
cost of their cruise? Again, aside from tips. There is a lot of free food,
drink and activity.

Harry Cooper

From: linnie on 18 Jun 2010 13:35
Tom K wrote:
> On 6/18/10 11:36 AM, Stu wrote:
>> On Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:19:46 -0400, Ohioguy<none(a)none.net> wrote:
>>
>>> So they are bragging about getting people to spend lots of extra $$
>>> on the ship, and then saying they will be focusing on ways to get that
>>> to work on older cruise ships as well?
>>>
>>> Doesn't exactly make me more optimistic about going on a cruise trip.
>>> I usually spend between $100-$400 for a week vacation, depending on
>>> whether we go camping where it is free (still have to pay gas and pack
>>> food) or stay at a hotel. If I'm spending $1k per person for a cruise,
>>> I expect most everything there to be 'free', since I already feel like
>>> I'm paying out the wazoo for the experience.
>>
>> Check with the cruise line for extra charges before you get your
>> tickets, because more and more it's sounding like a cruise just isn't
>> your bag.
>
> But it sounds like it's his WIFE'S idea to go on the cruise... so
> perhaps SHE'S tired of him taking her on vacations where he spends
> between $100-$400 for a week...
>
> --Tom

I'm getting that feeling also.

As "a wife" with three kids and a tight budget, I can say I have spent
most of our vacations on road trips, camping and visiting friends and
relatives. I can vouch that room service in a nice hotel is not cheap
but neither is the five dollar meal deal per person cheap when you are
use to making most of your meals.

I remember when I scheduled our first cruise vacation in 2006. Hubby was
all about the cost, would he be bored, would people make him do things
he didn't want to do, etc.. He was honest about saying he didn't think
he would have a good time but would go this time just for me.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love camping, but not every other vacation
with the other vacation being, driving to visit relatives. Can you say
lots of work for Mom. I was still planning meals, still buying
groceries, still cleaning up and on and on and on. Amusement parks,
museums, plays, concerts, restaurants and the like still aren't free in
most cases. You get the idea.

It took three days of a seven day cruise to Mexico for my husband to
relax. It usually takes him three days to really relax on any vacation
but usually on our other vacations, we are getting ready to drive back
home. Once he realized he didn't have to "do anything" or that he could
"do everything" and that no one was going to make a fuss about his
choices, he had a great time.

While my husband would have a beer with dinner, that was the extent of
our alcohol. Neither of us really drink soda, so we didn't get the drink
card. I enjoyed seeing the shows (Los Vegas shows can start at $50+ for
even the cheap ones per person). We enjoyed some of the lectures and the
rock climbing wall. The pool, hot tub, etc.. The peace and quiet in our
cabin. I enjoyed making love without worrying about the kids in the tent
next door, relatives in the room next door, etc.

If we wanted to find a corner to read, that was no problem. I enjoyed
looking at the art in the auctions, the Solarium and some of the
classes. We didn't always go off the ship when it reached port but when
we did, we went to places that we were interested in, not places to
please the whole family, or taking turns, etc.

I loved the food and if there was something that didn't satisfy, I just
ordered something else. My husband only ate in the main dinning room
once on the whole trip.

The cost of that trip including, passports, parking (we drove up from
San Diego to San Pedro) souvenirs, ,clothes, gas, cash for the people
taking care of the kids, every cent spent toward this trip came to just
under $3000 and took a year to save up for.

Up until then, it was the most we had ever spent on a vacation with or
without kids.

After that, my husband was so sold on cruising that he helped me book a
family Alaskan cruise for 2008 and helped save up to pay for it. My
three teenagers had a blast on that trip. There was so much for them to
do. They still talk about it with their friends. We had a family suite
so we had some privacy. We are looking at our next big vacation being a
cruise to Greece and Croatia. Its going to take a while to save up for it.

Now, because of the cost of 7 or more days cruises, cruising for us
isn't going to be an every year thing. Camping, fishing, visiting, etc.
are still in the rotation.

We are both glad that he "did it just for me."

As to paying for it. Please wait until the money is a sure thing. Makes
vacations way less stressful regardless of where you go if you are not
worried at each step about paying for it. For the trips we took, I
prepaid as much as possible and put extra money aside for just in case.



-Linnie
From: Thumper on 18 Jun 2010 14:51
On Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:19:46 -0400, Ohioguy <none(a)none.net> wrote:

> So they are bragging about getting people to spend lots of extra $$
>on the ship, and then saying they will be focusing on ways to get that
>to work on older cruise ships as well?
>
> Doesn't exactly make me more optimistic about going on a cruise trip.
> I usually spend between $100-$400 for a week vacation, depending on
>whether we go camping where it is free (still have to pay gas and pack
>food) or stay at a hotel. If I'm spending $1k per person for a cruise,
>I expect most everything there to be 'free', since I already feel like
>I'm paying out the wazoo for the experience.


$100 a week? Bullshit.
Thumper
From: linnie on 18 Jun 2010 15:27
linnie wrote:
> Tom K wrote:
>> On 6/18/10 11:36 AM, Stu wrote:
>>> On Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:19:46 -0400, Ohioguy<none(a)none.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> So they are bragging about getting people to spend lots of extra $$
>>>> on the ship, and then saying they will be focusing on ways to get that
>>>> to work on older cruise ships as well?
>>>>
>>>> Doesn't exactly make me more optimistic about going on a cruise
>>>> trip.
>>>> I usually spend between $100-$400 for a week vacation, depending on
>>>> whether we go camping where it is free (still have to pay gas and pack
>>>> food) or stay at a hotel. If I'm spending $1k per person for a cruise,
>>>> I expect most everything there to be 'free', since I already feel like
>>>> I'm paying out the wazoo for the experience.
>>>
>>> Check with the cruise line for extra charges before you get your
>>> tickets, because more and more it's sounding like a cruise just isn't
>>> your bag.
>>
>> But it sounds like it's his WIFE'S idea to go on the cruise... so
>> perhaps SHE'S tired of him taking her on vacations where he spends
>> between $100-$400 for a week...
>>
>> --Tom
>
> I'm getting that feeling also.
>
> As "a wife" with three kids and a tight budget, I can say I have spent
> most of our vacations on road trips, camping and visiting friends and
> relatives. I can vouch that room service in a nice hotel is not cheap
> but neither is the five dollar meal deal per person cheap when you are
> use to making most of your meals.
>
> I remember when I scheduled our first cruise vacation in 2006. Hubby was
> all about the cost, would he be bored, would people make him do things
> he didn't want to do, etc.. He was honest about saying he didn't think
> he would have a good time but would go this time just for me.
>
> Now, don't get me wrong, I love camping, but not every other vacation
> with the other vacation being, driving to visit relatives. Can you say
> lots of work for Mom. I was still planning meals, still buying
> groceries, still cleaning up and on and on and on. Amusement parks,
> museums, plays, concerts, restaurants and the like still aren't free in
> most cases. You get the idea.
>
> It took three days of a seven day cruise to Mexico for my husband to
> relax. It usually takes him three days to really relax on any vacation
> but usually on our other vacations, we are getting ready to drive back
> home. Once he realized he didn't have to "do anything" or that he could
> "do everything" and that no one was going to make a fuss about his
> choices, he had a great time.
>
> While my husband would have a beer with dinner, that was the extent of
> our alcohol. Neither of us really drink soda, so we didn't get the drink
> card. I enjoyed seeing the shows (Los Vegas shows can start at $50+ for
> even the cheap ones per person). We enjoyed some of the lectures and the
> rock climbing wall. The pool, hot tub, etc.. The peace and quiet in our
> cabin. I enjoyed making love without worrying about the kids in the tent
> next door, relatives in the room next door, etc.
>
> If we wanted to find a corner to read, that was no problem. I enjoyed
> looking at the art in the auctions, the Solarium and some of the
> classes. We didn't always go off the ship when it reached port but when
> we did, we went to places that we were interested in, not places to
> please the whole family, or taking turns, etc.
>
> I loved the food and if there was something that didn't satisfy, I just
> ordered something else. My husband only ate in the main dinning room
> once on the whole trip.
>
> The cost of that trip including, passports, parking (we drove up from
> San Diego to San Pedro) souvenirs, ,clothes, gas, cash for the people
> taking care of the kids, every cent spent toward this trip came to just
> under $3000 and took a year to save up for.
>
> Up until then, it was the most we had ever spent on a vacation with or
> without kids.
>
> After that, my husband was so sold on cruising that he helped me book a
> family Alaskan cruise for 2008 and helped save up to pay for it. My
> three teenagers had a blast on that trip. There was so much for them to
> do. They still talk about it with their friends. We had a family suite
> so we had some privacy. We are looking at our next big vacation being a
> cruise to Greece and Croatia. Its going to take a while to save up for it.
>
> Now, because of the cost of 7 or more days cruises, cruising for us
> isn't going to be an every year thing. Camping, fishing, visiting, etc.
> are still in the rotation.
>
> We are both glad that he "did it just for me."
>
> As to paying for it. Please wait until the money is a sure thing. Makes
> vacations way less stressful regardless of where you go if you are not
> worried at each step about paying for it. For the trips we took, I
> prepaid as much as possible and put extra money aside for just in case.
>
>
>
> -Linnie
I just realize that I ramble. Sorry guys.
I guess what I wanted to say is that camping is cheaper and can make for
a fun vacation but it is different, too different to compare with
cruising. So I would compare the merits of a camp trip to a stay-cation.
That would be like comparing like to like. Camping, you take your home
to the destination and explore the destination. Stay-cations, you stay
home but take the time to play tourist in your own area. Usually within
a 100 mile limit so that you can always go home at the end of the day.

While a cruise I would compare to a stay at luxury resort. Spending 7
days at a really nice Hotel, with room service, meals, transportation
and Los Vegas style entertainment. This is not cheap. So compare apples
to apples.

Also, make sure your money is straight before you go. Nothing says
crappy time like worrying about money while on vacation.

-Linnie
From: Becca on 18 Jun 2010 18:58
On 6/18/2010 12:35 PM, linnie wrote:
> As "a wife" with three kids and a tight budget, I can say I have spent
> most of our vacations on road trips, camping and visiting friends and
> relatives. I can vouch that room service in a nice hotel is not cheap
> but neither is the five dollar meal deal per person cheap when you are
> use to making most of your meals.
>
> I remember when I scheduled our first cruise vacation in 2006. Hubby
> was all about the cost, would he be bored, would people make him do
> things he didn't want to do, etc.. He was honest about saying he
> didn't think he would have a good time but would go this time just for
> me.
>
> Now, don't get me wrong, I love camping, but not every other vacation
> with the other vacation being, driving to visit relatives. Can you say
> lots of work for Mom. I was still planning meals, still buying
> groceries, still cleaning up and on and on and on. Amusement parks,
> museums, plays, concerts, restaurants and the like still aren't free
> in most cases. You get the idea.
>
> It took three days of a seven day cruise to Mexico for my husband to
> relax. It usually takes him three days to really relax on any vacation
> but usually on our other vacations, we are getting ready to drive back
> home. Once he realized he didn't have to "do anything" or that he
> could "do everything" and that no one was going to make a fuss about
> his choices, he had a great time.
>
> While my husband would have a beer with dinner, that was the extent of
> our alcohol. Neither of us really drink soda, so we didn't get the
> drink card. I enjoyed seeing the shows (Los Vegas shows can start at
> $50+ for even the cheap ones per person). We enjoyed some of the
> lectures and the rock climbing wall. The pool, hot tub, etc.. The
> peace and quiet in our cabin. I enjoyed making love without worrying
> about the kids in the tent next door, relatives in the room next door,
> etc.
>
> If we wanted to find a corner to read, that was no problem. I enjoyed
> looking at the art in the auctions, the Solarium and some of the
> classes. We didn't always go off the ship when it reached port but
> when we did, we went to places that we were interested in, not places
> to please the whole family, or taking turns, etc.
>
> I loved the food and if there was something that didn't satisfy, I
> just ordered something else. My husband only ate in the main dinning
> room once on the whole trip.
>
> The cost of that trip including, passports, parking (we drove up from
> San Diego to San Pedro) souvenirs, ,clothes, gas, cash for the people
> taking care of the kids, every cent spent toward this trip came to
> just under $3000 and took a year to save up for.
>
> Up until then, it was the most we had ever spent on a vacation with or
> without kids.
>
> After that, my husband was so sold on cruising that he helped me book
> a family Alaskan cruise for 2008 and helped save up to pay for it. My
> three teenagers had a blast on that trip. There was so much for them
> to do. They still talk about it with their friends. We had a family
> suite so we had some privacy. We are looking at our next big vacation
> being a cruise to Greece and Croatia. Its going to take a while to
> save up for it.
>
> Now, because of the cost of 7 or more days cruises, cruising for us
> isn't going to be an every year thing. Camping, fishing, visiting,
> etc. are still in the rotation.
>
> We are both glad that he "did it just for me."
>
> As to paying for it. Please wait until the money is a sure thing.
> Makes vacations way less stressful regardless of where you go if you
> are not worried at each step about paying for it. For the trips we
> took, I prepaid as much as possible and put extra money aside for just
> in case.
>
> -Linnie

Thanks for posting this Linnie, I really enjoyed reading it. I am so
glad your husband relaxed after a few days and he enjoyed cruising. I
know cruising is not for everybody, but you never know until you try
it. I am proud of the way you save for your vacation. It sounds like
the ports are of more interest to you right now. After a while, you
will begin to stay on the ship more and the ship will become of
interest. If you live on the west coast, there are lots of specials for
inexpensive cruises. There are a few travel agents here, go to their
websites and sign up for their newsletters.

I like the way you have scheduled non-cruise vacations to give the
family some variety. This way the kids will not get bored, and neither
will you.

Keep reading and posting, like I said, I really enjoyed it.

Becca

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