May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves...May 2008 Repo Thread...Part 7

[lillygator]

Good morning!
Another St Patty's passes and we still didn't catch that darn leprechaun. He didn't like the hotel trap we set........
Lisa - re money on the trip....I have been trying to write down everything I think we are going to spend money on...I doubt we'll do any spa, most excursions are on our own, no cove coffee, we'll have tips, photos, drinks, some souvies....?? not sure what else.

 

[lillygator]

looks like the DIS meet was fun...what restaurant was that? Who is the crasher?
can someone pm me PJ's site, I got a new pc at work and I lost all my favorites!

 

[MrsMork]

Is anyone not doing any "extras" - so no spa, no excursions? I am thinking about our budget and it seems just to go crazy when you add those things on...anyone walk away from a cruise with no bill at all? This one will be tough as our ship board credit doesn't even cover our tips for 6! I used points for our hyatt stay the night before, points for the hertz rent-a-car for ride home...need to pay for transport to the port, and might splurge on a limo...but then think I should just save the money and do a van. But then I really like a limo.

With the spa, I really wanted to try both the Rasul and the Spa Villa for couples. With the excursions, I wanted the kids to do the Dolphins and Sub ride. Argg...I think I would give up my spa so the kids can do the tours, but then I think do they really need those excursions? Being on the ship is going to be such a great vacation in itself.

I figure $100 per kid for souvenirs, knick-knacks, etc. $50 per kid arcade.

How does this compare to some of you guys (if you feel comfortable sharing)? Am I spending more, less, about the same? Having a big family really takes its toll on vacations...

Lisa

We hope to spend less than ususal as well. We will both purchase the Rainforest package and I don't plan any other spa treatments. Dennis may get a massage, but he is spoiled. We are doing a couple of inexpensive excursions. Just the two of us, so really can't compare to a family of 6.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Where was your parade? Sounds like a great time!

Lake Worth......downtown.

Yes, it was fun.

 

[cquick]

Hey I need to hit the auction circuit! I like little things like that. I am an ebay junkie so I figure live auctions are even better LOL. !

Over the years, my DH and I have bought TOO much stuff at auctions, sales, ebay, online, etc! We are actually thinking of having an antiques/collectible value-er come over to our house and see if we have enough to sell at auction! Time to clear out! Our dream is to downsize as soon as our son Mike goes to college this fall......but only a dream until home prices bounce back up a little bit........

 

[mishoe01]

Kaylee, glad you made it home safely.

Molly is getting her hair cut tomorrow at 6pm.... I know it's a good cause.

Calling it a night. chat at ya in the morning.

Make sure you take before and after pictures.

 

[cquick]

Good morning!
Another St Patty's passes and we still didn't catch that darn leprechaun. He didn't like the hotel trap we set........
Lisa - re money on the trip....I have been trying to write down everything I think we are going to spend money on...I doubt we'll do any spa, most excursions are on our own, no cove coffee, we'll have tips, photos, drinks, some souvies....?? not sure what else.

My DH and I like the Rainforest! That is one of our splurges! We don't buy specialty coffee's, but we do buy some photo's. Have prepaid our tips, so that is all taken care of......Of course, the BAR bill adds up quickly......

 

[onekindman]

Is anyone not doing any "extras" - so no spa, no excursions? I am thinking about our budget and it seems just to go crazy when you add those things on...anyone walk away from a cruise with no bill at all? This one will be tough as our ship board credit doesn't even cover our tips for 6! I used points for our hyatt stay the night before, points for the hertz rent-a-car for ride home...need to pay for transport to the port, and might splurge on a limo...but then think I should just save the money and do a van. But then I really like a limo.

With the spa, I really wanted to try both the Rasul and the Spa Villa for couples. With the excursions, I wanted the kids to do the Dolphins and Sub ride. Argg...I think I would give up my spa so the kids can do the tours, but then I think do they really need those excursions? Being on the ship is going to be such a great vacation in itself.

I figure $100 per kid for souvenirs, knick-knacks, etc. $50 per kid arcade.

How does this compare to some of you guys (if you feel comfortable sharing)? Am I spending more, less, about the same? Having a big family really takes its toll on vacations...

Lisa

We hope to spend less than ususal as well. We will both purchase the Rainforest package and I don't plan any other spa treatments. Dennis may get a massage, but he is spoiled. We are doing a couple of inexpensive excursions. Just the two of us, so really can't compare to a family of 6.

This will be the first time I actually trying the spa. I have booked myself a massage and I am hoping I can get the guys into the O' Club so I can actually do it and still relax after. I figure that I do one major vacation with the boys every so often and so I do cut loose and save in other areas for this (pack lunches instead of eating out etc). My goal is to stay under 1/3rd of the cruise costs for the extras (tips, excrusions, photos, spa for me, small souvs for the office, MY BAR TAB! ) ok, maybe under 1/2

 

[readyalready]

Is anyone not doing any "extras" - so no spa, no excursions? I am thinking about our budget and it seems just to go crazy when you add those things on...anyone walk away from a cruise with no bill at all? This one will be tough as our ship board credit doesn't even cover our tips for 6! I used points for our hyatt stay the night before, points for the hertz rent-a-car for ride home...need to pay for transport to the port, and might splurge on a limo...but then think I should just save the money and do a van. But then I really like a limo.

With the spa, I really wanted to try both the Rasul and the Spa Villa for couples. With the excursions, I wanted the kids to do the Dolphins and Sub ride. Argg...I think I would give up my spa so the kids can do the tours, but then I think do they really need those excursions? Being on the ship is going to be such a great vacation in itself.

I figure $100 per kid for souvenirs, knick-knacks, etc. $50 per kid arcade.

How does this compare to some of you guys (if you feel comfortable sharing)? Am I spending more, less, about the same? Having a big family really takes its toll on vacations...

Lisa

I think we are pretty frugal cruisers but somehow always end up with a $600 bill at the end. We've done one limo and will rent a van to drive ourselves from now on. We have credit that is a little bit over our tips this time. We usually end up with a surprising Palo bill by the time we each have two drinks and tip and go a couple of times, DH drinks a beer or two a day, the kids split an arcade card and each usually get $30 souv money, our big excursion for this trip is outside of DCL and paid for, we may add a snorkel trip in Aruba, I signed 4 up for stingrays, us up for Rasul (the villas were way over my justification level), love room service, it adds up really quick. I think the only way to leave with no bill is to do what Ian is and just put a lot on your account before the trip.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Hmmm ... Points?


.

As my sister is a WW, we've been computing points these past few days, though we didn't for birthday dinner....sometimes you just have to move on. I told her...$100 dinner, 100 points!

I bet this was posted as I was told to keep it down while reading HP - because "Donny" was singing "Puppy Love" on TV . . .

Thanks guys, love starting the day with a laugh.

Once again wanted to mention thanks for all the photos the last few days.

.

 

[HollyTyler]

Is anyone not doing any "extras" - so no spa, no excursions? I am thinking about our budget and it seems just to go crazy when you add those things on...anyone walk away from a cruise with no bill at all? This one will be tough as our ship board credit doesn't even cover our tips for 6! I used points for our hyatt stay the night before, points for the hertz rent-a-car for ride home...need to pay for transport to the port, and might splurge on a limo...but then think I should just save the money and do a van. But then I really like a limo.

With the spa, I really wanted to try both the Rasul and the Spa Villa for couples. With the excursions, I wanted the kids to do the Dolphins and Sub ride. Argg...I think I would give up my spa so the kids can do the tours, but then I think do they really need those excursions? Being on the ship is going to be such a great vacation in itself.

I figure $100 per kid for souvenirs, knick-knacks, etc. $50 per kid arcade.

How does this compare to some of you guys (if you feel comfortable sharing)? Am I spending more, less, about the same? Having a big family really takes its toll on vacations...

Lisa

We used to do excursions at every port, but did do one with absolutely no excursions and only a couple souvineers and only 2 Shutters pics. This time will probably be NO excursions or extras, only will bring money for tips. I'm having a hard enough time coming up with tip money now that dr. bills are starting to roll in. So we'll be among the "no extras" group this time.

 

[cquick]

This will be the first time I actually trying the spa. I have booked myself a massage and I am hoping I can get the guys into the O' Club so I can actually do it and still relax after.

I can heartily recommend the hot stone treatment! mmmmmm did that on the TA last year!

 

[lillygator]

it all really adds up quickly! We're going to look like a couple of lushes with our rolling cooler but hey, it will help keep the bar tab down!

 

[MrsMork]

By the bye I took a look at that Lowepro compudaypack yesterday and it will meet our needs....has a great handle and it seems to be well balanced

And a c-pap fits in the larger top compartment! Yes! One bag to take thru airport screening!

 

[lillygator]

I think what is going to kill me is the after cruise DL stay...that seems to be adding up!

 

[mishoe01]

Venetia - thanks for posting the pics of your family reunion and the DIS meet. Great to see more faces.

Ian - I'll take a pic of you in the tuxes (and I'll charge less than Shutters )

Lisa - I got spoiled on the 4nt cruise Dec 06 (when I met Ian & Sukie). I had already included my tips in w/ my cruise cost and I had $225 obc (if I remember correctly). I did an excursion on CC (personal watercraft), bought some stuff (in stores and duty free), did Palo's (brunch & dinner-with Limoncello martini) and even had a glass of wine my last night and ended up not spending any additional $...I actually had about $2.50 left on my account. It was great getting of the ship w/o any additional charges. For this cruise - I am doing excursions everywhere (Aruba is outside of DCL so still have to pay for that), have a few spa treatments booked (2 massages & 1 facial), plan to buy LE stuff, and have some wine at dinner. I started out w/ $25 obc for booking online, $400 from DU, and all I requested for my bday & Christmas presents was obc. Not sure what my total will be (friends/family won't tell me what they put on)...but I plan to also put a little bit more myself. The only other stuff I still need to pay is for my parking, and my 1/2 of the room at Hyatt MCO that I'm sharing w/ Jackie (and room service). I will also probably buy some pics from Shutters-mainly the ones that I would never be able to get....ex-from the helicopter - shot of the ship going through the Canal

 

[cquick]

Hi Connie,
I made them! The cars were kits with a brick-like piece of wood that you can then decorate and carve!

Well, I THINK THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

 

[cquick]

I FOUND LIME GREEN LEI'S ON THIS WEBSITE: WINDY CITY NOVELTIES.
http://www.windycitynovelties.com/EPaysoft/cart/product.asp?ITEM_ID=13866&CatID=623


are they about the same price as Oriental Trading? Connie

 

[tink1963]

Hmmm ... Points?


.

Umm...optional 35 used

 

[lillygator]

thanks Connie! Is everyone ok with plastic leis?