HELP. First cruise ever, need info.

[DisneySunPrincess]

Yes, most times the organization will produce a 1099, and they should, but it doesn't always happen. Even if you don't receive a 1099, you are still responsible for claiming the value of the prize. Not receiving a 1099 doesn't remove the obligation to claim it as income. You would be expected to at least estimate the value. The chances you will get caught by the IRS are very slim, but technically you still owed the tax.

I see. We didn't know to do that, as we don't use an accountant. Obviously, if they would ever come back to us, we would gladly pay them, but without the 1099, we didn't have any idea how to do it in such a way that it would show that the amount additional was because of the prize.

 

[Tracy Mac]

The tax bill will likely be about $1000 or so.
We won ours as part of a "scavenger hunt"contest of sorts from a local radio station. In a purely hypothetical manner they "hid the tickets somewhere aboard the Disney Dream." Each day, they would give one clue at 6 am and take the 7th caller to guess where the tickets were. Then, if that person was wrong, they would repeat the process again at 7 am with yet another clue and another 7th caller. If that person was wrong, it went on to the next day. It started on Monday. Friday at 6 am, I had a pretty good idea where it might be so I began dialing while they were talking. As they gave the last clue, "Pirate speak can be heard here.", I knew that the answer was the Arrr-cade. Just then, the phone began ringing and they answered the phone asking, "What's your name?" I knew that meant I was the 7th caller. I started crying before I could get the answer out. I knew at that moment that I was going to win. It was one of the happiest moments I can remember. My whole family was in the room in disbelief as I won. Totally amazing! The crazy part comes with the fact that they had the same contest the next year and that we almost won again, but there was an issue where they had another 7th caller before us and the call dropped. They put us on hold but said they would be trying to get the original caller back. They did get them back, but they got the answer wrong. But when they came back to us, they said, in keeping with the rules of the contest, they had to disconnect us and take another 7th caller. We tried again, but didn't get through and the next caller won. We did have the right answer though. Ironically, it was friends of ours that won. And we were happy for them, but it was heartbreaking to come so close and not win. Lol. Congrats on winning, and it's great to know that someone actually does win those. Lol. If you have any other winner questions, feel free to ask.

That is a GREAT story! I think it's so awesome that you almost won again. I can never get through to a radio station...haha. I can't believe that you won and got so close again. You should play the lottery. Do you enter sweepstakes also?

 

[Tracy Mac]

Yes, most times the organization will produce a 1099, and they should, but it doesn't always happen. Even if you don't receive a 1099, you are still responsible for claiming the value of the prize. Not receiving a 1099 doesn't remove the obligation to claim it as income. You would be expected to at least estimate the value. The chances you will get caught by the IRS are very slim, but technically you still owed the tax.

Thank you. I plan on keeping a list of how much everything costs and using it for the actual retail cost if it is less than the estimated retail cost.

 

[Tracy Mac]

I have another question, if you all don't mind giving more advice. We are stopping in Cozumel and we plan on doing just a little bit of shopping. I would like to use Pesos and not USD. Other than my bank, where would be a good place to get foreign currency. I was only planning on spending $100 USD and I know some places have a minimum of like $300 USD. I've heard that you can exchange at the airport but I can't find anything online about the airport that we fly out of. Do they exchange currency on the cruise?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have another question, if you all don't mind giving more advice. We are stopping in Cozumel and we plan on doing just a little bit of shopping. I would like to use Pesos and not USD. Other than my bank, where would be a good place to get foreign currency. I was only planning on spending $100 USD and I know some places have a minimum of like $300 USD. I've heard that you can exchange at the airport but I can't find anything online about the airport that we fly out of. Do they exchange currency on the cruise?

Typically, the "best" price you're going to get to convert to foreign money will be by using your credit card to purchase. Next - the bank. Money exchanges in airports or private ones (including on the ship) are the worst conversions.

You can also use US dollars in most tourist areas in the Caribbean. Just take small bills, however, as the change will be in local currency for cash purchases, and that rate will be really terrible.

 

[Tracy Mac]

Typically, the "best" price you're going to get to convert to foreign money will be by using your credit card to purchase. Next - the bank. Money exchanges in airports or private ones (including on the ship) are the worst conversions.

You can also use US dollars in most tourist areas in the Caribbean. Just take small bills, however, as the change will be in local currency for cash purchases, and that rate will be really terrible.

Would you say that our personal debit card or a prepaid Visa card would be better? I've read that I can get a good rate at the ATM's in Cozumel. If a bank debit card is better, I do have an account that I use for online purchases and such. I only keep a small amount of money in there so if it gets compromised, they won't get much, but they also sell prepaid cards at the grocery store.

 

[adSimba]

Tracy Mac, I hope you do a detailed trip report, I entered that contest every day too

 

[Dug720]

Would you say that our personal debit card or a prepaid Visa card would be better? I've read that I can get a good rate at the ATM's in Cozumel. If a bank debit card is better, I do have an account that I use for online purchases and such. I only keep a small amount of money in there so if it gets compromised, they won't get much, but they also sell prepaid cards at the grocery store.

If you're planning on using it to withdraw money from an ATM I would go with the debit card. I don't know that I've ever seen a pre-paid card that allows ATM withdrawals...the ones I've seen pretty much explicitly do NOT allow it.

One other disadvantage to them is it's not like a Starbucks or Disney Store (or any other store-specific) gift cards where you just pay the difference. If there isn't enough on the prepaid card to cover the transaction, the whole thing is declined.

 

[kiford]

The trip that we are taking states that all gratuities and port fees will be paid.

Even though the standard gratuities are pre-paid, what really happens is that your onboard account will be credited with that amount and the gratuities will be charged to the account on the last night of the cruise. This is when you will get the vouchers and envelopes to give to those individuals.

Also, will there be enough to keep us busy for the entire 5 days? It looks like there is enough to do but thought I'd ask.

We did a 12 day cruise last year (Northern Europe). There was a list of items we intended to do when not out at the ports but just somehow never got around to it. I mentioned that to someone and they asked what I did all day. I said that I didn't know but somehow it took all day. It won't be a problem to find something to do.

 

[DisneySunPrincess]

That is a GREAT story! I think it's so awesome that you almost won again. I can never get through to a radio station...haha. I can't believe that you won and got so close again. You should play the lottery. Do you enter sweepstakes also?

I have tried to enter sweepstakes before, but those have never paid off for me. With the radio station.... I am the queen of radio station contests! I have won the Disney Cruise, Disney annual passes 3 times, park tickets to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Legoland, Universal Orlando, Discovery Cove, Aquatica, 3 night hotel stay at the Hilton Bonnet Creek and golf at the Waldorf Astoria, tickets to concerts and other events. I have been tremendously blessed. There is no real "trick" to it, or reason I've been so lucky. I honestly thank my Lord and Savior everyday for the many blessings. My family has been able to experience a lot in this pricey town we live in because if it. I'm so incredibly grateful!

 

[Tracy Mac]

Tracy Mac, I hope you do a detailed trip report, I entered that contest every day to

A detailed trip report? Like you want to hear all about it? LOL. If that's what you mean I will keep a daily record of what we do and post it when we get home. I don't plan on using internet while we are on the ship...sounds like a hassle and expensive.


I have to say, I'm sorry that you didn't win. I keep telling my husband, "How can it be us out of all of the people who entered." It's bitter sweet, happy but know that there are people out there who deserve it more.

 

[Tracy Mac]

We did a 12 day cruise last year (Northern Europe). There was a list of items we intended to do when not out at the ports but just somehow never got around to it. I mentioned that to someone and they asked what I did all day. I said that I didn't know but somehow it took all day. It won't be a problem to find something to do.

My husband says it's supposed to be a vacation, to relax. I say no way. Too much to see and do. LOL

 

[Tracy Mac]

I have tried to enter sweepstakes before, but those have never paid off for me. With the radio station.... I am the queen of radio station contests! I have won the Disney Cruise, Disney annual passes 3 times, park tickets to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Legoland, Universal Orlando, Discovery Cove, Aquatica, 3 night hotel stay at the Hilton Bonnet Creek and golf at the Waldorf Astoria, tickets to concerts and other events. I have been tremendously blessed. There is no real "trick" to it, or reason I've been so lucky. I honestly thank my Lord and Savior everyday for the many blessings. My family has been able to experience a lot in this pricey town we live in because if it. I'm so incredibly grateful!

Wow! That's totally impressive, I bow to you, lol! I think I will continue to try the sweepstakes after we get back from this trip and try to earn the title of "Queen of Sweeps" lol

I feel blessed as well. My kids are so amazing, helpful and kind. I'm so thankful that we are able to go on this trip with them as we wouldn't have been able to afford it without the contest. I'm so very grateful for it.

 

[adSimba]

A detailed trip report? Like you want to hear all about it? LOL. If that's what you mean I will keep a daily record of what we do and post it when we get home. I don't plan on using internet while we are on the ship...sounds like a hassle and expensive.


I have to say, I'm sorry that you didn't win. I keep telling my husband, "How can it be us out of all of the people who entered." It's bitter sweet, happy but know that there are people out there who deserve it more.

Oh no, enjoy every minute of the cruise! I just want to enjoy it vicariously, and see what the new ship looks like as soon as possible I can't believe my good fortune in being able to actually know who won and communicate with them about it

 

[Tracy Mac]

Oh no, enjoy every minute of the cruise! I just want to enjoy it vicariously, and see what the new ship looks like as soon as possible I can't believe my good fortune in being able to actually know who won and communicate with them about it

LOL. No worries. I will definitely post as much as possible when I get home. I'm happy to share! I will keep a daily log on my tablet and post it all when I get home.

I still can't believe that we are going. Sometimes it hits me unexpectedly and my stomach flips because I'm so excited. We would never have been able to afford this trip and to actually get to go is overwhelming (in a good way.) I still haven't heard from Disney and I'm getting a bit nervous but I emailed Ventura Associates and she said to give them one more week and if I don't hear anything, to let her know and she will look into it. I have faith that they will come through for us. I will post as soon as I hear from Disney.

 

[Tracy Mac]

I just wanted to post an update. I spoke to the agent yesterday who is booking our trip on the Wonder in November and she has gotten me pumped up about this trip!! She was such a huge help with information and also a few updates on the Wonder. She also said that it would be a very exciting cruise because of all the media attention about the renovations. I wonder if we will get an interview as the sweepstakes winners?

I'm soooo excited and I can't wait to go!!

 

[adSimba]

I'm excited for you! not long now!