- Joined
- Oct 27, 2011
Congrats on the prize win and 
to the DISboards!
OP -- this can be done. But it sounds like you need to first find out specifics (is the date set, what exactly is covered, is there additional spending $ out of that pot or is the $6000 considered the prize value, etc.). Then work on the incidentals and costs you need to pay out-of-pocket. We'd all love to do everything, but most of us can't afford to do so. We live within our budgets and we learn to vacation within our budgets. Assuming the stateroom and taxes/gratuities are fully covered, and that you have a plan to cover the taxes on the prize, you can certainly make it to Vancouver for a DCL cruise to Alaska on your $2500 budget. There have been lots of good suggestions here.
I interpret this as one oceanview stateroom. There may be some confusion as to whether by "single" you mean one porthole or one stateroom. There are oceanview rooms with two portholes, but any room on the ship is better than my bedroom at home for a week. We spend very little time in the stateroom anyway. Category 11 staterooms on opening day for 2017 were under the $6000 value mentioned, including taxes and tips; if this prize is offered directly through DCL, it likely is valued at opening-day rates and not current fares (which have increased considerably in the past year).
That leaves the absolutely necessary expenses of travel to/from Vancouver, lodging and meals on land pre- and post-cruise, and transportation to/from the port terminal. These are do-able.
You've mentioned your parents can help with airfare. I don't know what ballpark that might be -- so it should be your first research. But think outside the box -- your DH works for a school, so does have have summers off? Can you make it a road trip, complete with bring-your-own meals? Do you camp and could bring a tent for the overnight stops? DCL has washers and dryers onboard so you don't need to pack a ton of clothes. Do the math considering gas, hotels/campgrounds, food, parking in Vancouver and compare to airfare. Are you AAA members that might get you a discount? Many hotels offer lower rates if you pay in full in advance (non-refundable). And look at the amenities offered such as free breakfast or park-and-cruise (free parking while you are on the cruise); we like ones that offer hot breakfast and not just danish or pastries and coffee, worth a few $s extra per night. Eat a good breakfast that will hold everyone until lunch, and bring along foods for picnic lunch(es). Plan a driving route that will have some interesting stops along the way for breaks and gives the kids something to look forward to on the long drive. A PBJ at a local park can seem quite fun to kids that age, especially if there's a playground to let them burn off energy. Or maybe flying is less expensive, but be sure to budget for Passport books for everyone. If driving, Passport Cards are acceptable for the adults along with birth certificates for the kids. Another option is flying into Seattle and then taking train or bus to Vancouver; Passport Cards for adults and birth certificates for the kids are acceptable.
Don't worry about a camera; a cheap camera may not take any better pictures than your phone. If you have extra in the budget by the end of the cruise, splurge for a couple of prints from Shutters. We never buy the expensive photo packages, maybe one or two prints which is my souvenir. I do recommend an autograph book; one to share or one for each kid if you can. This can be DIY with index cards and photo sleeves, put it together after you get home and the kids have a great souvenir.
You can enjoy a cruise without ever spending another dime onboard (since your tips are covered). There is plenty of food, lots of activities, you can always leave the ship on your own to wander around the port. Extra food costs are not the necessities of feeding your family -- adult dining, alcohol and specialty beverages, candy/popcorn at the theater. You are welcome to grab snacks from the buffet or pool-side eateries and bring that elsewhere.
I suggest you get the details of exactly what is included in your prize. And speak to an accountant to find out approximate taxes you will need to pay on that. Then do your research, listing various options for the necessary expenses. See if you can make it work.
Enjoy your cruise!
to the DISboards!OP -- this can be done. But it sounds like you need to first find out specifics (is the date set, what exactly is covered, is there additional spending $ out of that pot or is the $6000 considered the prize value, etc.). Then work on the incidentals and costs you need to pay out-of-pocket. We'd all love to do everything, but most of us can't afford to do so. We live within our budgets and we learn to vacation within our budgets. Assuming the stateroom and taxes/gratuities are fully covered, and that you have a plan to cover the taxes on the prize, you can certainly make it to Vancouver for a DCL cruise to Alaska on your $2500 budget. There have been lots of good suggestions here.
I interpret this as one oceanview stateroom. There may be some confusion as to whether by "single" you mean one porthole or one stateroom. There are oceanview rooms with two portholes, but any room on the ship is better than my bedroom at home for a week. We spend very little time in the stateroom anyway. Category 11 staterooms on opening day for 2017 were under the $6000 value mentioned, including taxes and tips; if this prize is offered directly through DCL, it likely is valued at opening-day rates and not current fares (which have increased considerably in the past year).
That leaves the absolutely necessary expenses of travel to/from Vancouver, lodging and meals on land pre- and post-cruise, and transportation to/from the port terminal. These are do-able.
You've mentioned your parents can help with airfare. I don't know what ballpark that might be -- so it should be your first research. But think outside the box -- your DH works for a school, so does have have summers off? Can you make it a road trip, complete with bring-your-own meals? Do you camp and could bring a tent for the overnight stops? DCL has washers and dryers onboard so you don't need to pack a ton of clothes. Do the math considering gas, hotels/campgrounds, food, parking in Vancouver and compare to airfare. Are you AAA members that might get you a discount? Many hotels offer lower rates if you pay in full in advance (non-refundable). And look at the amenities offered such as free breakfast or park-and-cruise (free parking while you are on the cruise); we like ones that offer hot breakfast and not just danish or pastries and coffee, worth a few $s extra per night. Eat a good breakfast that will hold everyone until lunch, and bring along foods for picnic lunch(es). Plan a driving route that will have some interesting stops along the way for breaks and gives the kids something to look forward to on the long drive. A PBJ at a local park can seem quite fun to kids that age, especially if there's a playground to let them burn off energy. Or maybe flying is less expensive, but be sure to budget for Passport books for everyone. If driving, Passport Cards are acceptable for the adults along with birth certificates for the kids. Another option is flying into Seattle and then taking train or bus to Vancouver; Passport Cards for adults and birth certificates for the kids are acceptable.
Don't worry about a camera; a cheap camera may not take any better pictures than your phone. If you have extra in the budget by the end of the cruise, splurge for a couple of prints from Shutters. We never buy the expensive photo packages, maybe one or two prints which is my souvenir. I do recommend an autograph book; one to share or one for each kid if you can. This can be DIY with index cards and photo sleeves, put it together after you get home and the kids have a great souvenir.
You can enjoy a cruise without ever spending another dime onboard (since your tips are covered). There is plenty of food, lots of activities, you can always leave the ship on your own to wander around the port. Extra food costs are not the necessities of feeding your family -- adult dining, alcohol and specialty beverages, candy/popcorn at the theater. You are welcome to grab snacks from the buffet or pool-side eateries and bring that elsewhere.
I suggest you get the details of exactly what is included in your prize. And speak to an accountant to find out approximate taxes you will need to pay on that. Then do your research, listing various options for the necessary expenses. See if you can make it work.
Enjoy your cruise!
