For those of you who have shared a specialty cruise...

[DisneyFanatik]

How do you work out payment? Let's say I agree to share an Illuminations cruise with someone here. If I tell them that I will be paying them the night of the cruise and something happens where I can't show up (illness, trip cancelled or shortened, etc.) then they are out that money. Or what if I pay upfront and then something happens with their trip and they have to cancel the cruise. Then I am out that money. I see that many of you have successfully shared cruises. Just wondering how the whole money thing worked out. Thanks!

 

[Puffy2]

When we shared, we paid cash the night of (split cost and tip). Everyone showed (three families). If we had NOT been able to show due to emergency, I would have mailed our part to the booking family. For another event (dessert party), everyone paid via pay pal.

 

[coinkc]

When we did it, I booked the Illuminations cruise. Then other DISers mailed me their portion of the cost. They had to trust that I would show up and pay for the boat (which I did!) Although there were probably some tense moments when I figured out everyone else was at the correct dock and I was at the wrong one! (long story).

I had previously told each family that they could tip whatever they wanted that night and did not include it in the overall cost.

 

[carolfoy]

WE made sure we met up with the other family a couple of days before the cruise was actually going to make sure everyone was definately attending and then split the cost of payment on the night.

 

[slp87]

We shared with 2 other families and all paid once we arrived. I agree that there is a definite amount of trust you have to have. I believe that whoever agrees to take the cruise, is obligated to pay their portion whether they show up or not. The reason we shared is because we could never have afforded the cruise on our own. I would definitely get cell phone numbers and resort information so you can contact each other in case of a situation.

 

[goofy4tink]

When we shared, we shared because we just wanted to meet some new people. If they hadn't shown up, it wouldn't have been a huge deal. We didn't have an issue with the cost...planned on paying the total anyway. But, those we shared with, paid their share that night. If the cost is an issue, I would try to touch base with the others previous to the cruise, or ask for payment before you get there. That's fair enough. I think that if someone has money invested in something, they are more apt to show up, but if you just 'verbally' agree with a basic stranger to pay 'x' amount, then you may not feel overly obligated to show up and pay if you have a change of plans that night.

 

[judykay53]

We booked one in 2004 (when it was ONLY $120) and offered to share just so more people could experience it. We paid for it upon arrival and when the rest of the parties came they paid me. Had they not made it then that would have been fine. Everything worked out and we had a wonderful time. i think that if we would have had an emergency then I would have taken care of the cost and settled with the other two parties later. I always try to think possistive and believe others are going to do what is right!

Just noticed all the new smileys

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We booked an IllumiNations cruise in October and the folks we shared with paid us when they got to the dock. We figured if nobody else showed up we would still have our boat! DH and I agreed going in that we were OK with paying the whole amount if just our family was on the boat, so sharing just allowed us to offset some cost and meet some terrific new friends! I didn't want to ask for money up front because I didn't want to be responsible for returning money if something happened (cancelled due to weather or whatnot).

 

[DisneyFanatik]

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences