Value of vacations--How much is too much?

[ruadisneyfan2]

Would love to but looks like I would need 20K!

I don't know what your searching for but our most expensive DC was $6k + airfare.(Alaska) Granted, we're only 4 of us but I don't see how one more child would make it so much more. We've done 13 so far & our typical 7 nt cruise fare is $3500 -$4800 depending on what ship & whether we get a balcony or not.

We're not spending remotely near $20k on our Med cruise and that's including excursions & a 2 nt stay in Barcelona.

Are you looking at suites? Try looking again with 2 connecting cabins. 1 adult & 2 kids in one cabin + 1 adult, 1 child in the other.

 

[ilovemk76]

Would love to but looks like I would need 20K!

Is it because you are trying to books out 6 weeks out?

DH and I went on the DCL Alaska cruise in a veranda and to DL at the DLH. Our trip was two weeks long. We flew to Vancouver then LA and with everything we spent less than half of what you are quoting. Even doing two of our rooms we would have paid far less than you ate quoting.

 

[DLgal]

Would love to but looks like I would need 20K!

I don't doubt this, but it seems like you probably have high standards for your vacations if that is how much you think it would cost (staying either in suites, or concierge level, or getting two category 4 cabins). Not that I fault you...I am the same way to some extent.

How many people do you have in your family? And which cruise are you looking at?

 

[nunzia]

Would love to but looks like I would need 20K!

There can be bargains..we are on the Magic for 8 nights starting this Friday..got a mid ship verandah room at about $3,300..I think they had a kids sail free promotion because it appears that ship is sold out. So we get 8 nights at sea, a day at CC, a stop in Key West, and an included day with transportaion to WDW. Plus all the food and entertainment and swimming we can stuff in. Our last cruise was a 7 night up and down the California coast for about $4K, and that included 2 full days in San Francisco, one in San Diego and one in Ensanada. It also turned into a Pixar cruise with great seminars and extra activities. Then, an AP special popped up and I got an $800 credit on my CC..these are bargain trips
We made a point to take vacations with the kids when they were little even when we were poor. We were the Griswolds in the beat up station wagon with the fake plastic wood peeling off the side heading to DL, staying at the cheapest possible places on the way and at the park. Since we drove we had many adventures and sighseeing along the way. My eldest son, who makes his living as an artist, credits our very big splurge trip to WDW and his participation in what was called a Wonders of Learning program when he spent the day with an animator, as cementing his career path.
There used to be a book you could buy..a precurser to the Entertainment books I think, that had some real deals on lodging..we stayed at the oddest places on our road trips but we have great stories and memories. I was talking to my younger son the other day about how poor we were when he wa young and he said "We didn't feel poor, because we always went on trips".
Now I'm lucky to have more disposable cash, have DVC and can treat the kids and grandkids to some trips..I still live frugally but trip money is a different animal. No regrets at all..kids only last a little while and I'm glad to be able to experience it all again with the grands.

 

[blondietink]

Could never afford a Disney Cruise ourselves. Or I should rather say I would never spend what they ask for on a Disney Cruise. We cruise other lines and the savings are there as long as you don't expect top of the line. We save money on cruises by all 4 of us staying in one cabin and there are many cabins that will hold 5. We also drive instead of fly to the port, which saves a huge amount of money. Excursions on our own also saves. Many times we just go to the beach and hang out with the locals. We don't buy additional stuff on board.

We have dreamed of going on a Med cruise, but the airfare would cost us more than the cruise. Maybe someday they will have airfare specials and we will be able to go on our dream cruise to Europe.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Would love to but looks like I would need 20K!

If you've ever seriously contemplated cruising on DCL, check out the cruise boards. There's plenty of posters that would guide you find something for far less than half that. Really, $20k would be for the Walt Disney suite.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Could never afford a Disney Cruise ourselves. Or I should rather say I would never spend what they ask for on a Disney Cruise. We cruise other lines and the savings are there as long as you don't expect top of the line. We save money on cruises by all 4 of us staying in one cabin and there are many cabins that will hold 5. We also drive instead of fly to the port, which saves a huge amount of money. Excursions on our own also saves. Many times we just go to the beach and hang out with the locals. We don't buy additional stuff on board.

We have dreamed of going on a Med cruise, but the airfare would cost us more than the cruise. Maybe someday they will have airfare specials and we will be able to go on our dream cruise to Europe.

Yes, the airfare is a killer. We've been saving miles with the USAirways cc for about 8 yrs so we only had to pay for 1 seat instead of 4, around $1100. Also we are only doing a 7 nt Med cruise. I couldn't afford the 12-nt

 

[mrsklamc]

I said this before but it may have been missed ~ OP, have you talked to a travel agent? It doesn't cost any more than booking yourself, and I bet they would have great options for you.

 

[kcrew]

Remember everyone, regarding the 20K DCL cruise. I have 6 passengers and thus have to have 2 staterooms. I picked the least expensive itinerary for my week, and the least expensive state rooms. The cruise alone was over 14K. Then there is airfare for 6, again within a very specific time period which DCL priced out at almost $4000. Then tips, drinks and shore excursions. 20K+ Be

 

[ManyMinnie]

Remember everyone, regarding the 20K DCL cruise. I have 6 passengers and thus have to have 2 staterooms. I picked the least expensive itinerary for my week, and the least expensive state rooms. The cruise alone was over 14K. Then there is airfare for 6, again within a very specific time period which DCL priced out at almost $4000. Then tips, drinks and shore excursions. 20K+ Be

Yes, DCL is a very expensive option, even when it isn't such short notice.

 

[mrsklamc]

Well, I would never go with DCL's airfare.... It sounds like you are pretty set on Cancun at this point, but if you aren't, again, a travel agent is the perfect option for you.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Remember everyone, regarding the 20K DCL cruise. I have 6 passengers and thus have to have 2 staterooms. I picked the least expensive itinerary for my week, and the least expensive state rooms. The cruise alone was over 14K. Then there is airfare for 6, again within a very specific time period which DCL priced out at almost $4000. Then tips, drinks and shore excursions. 20K+ Be

They key to getting a decent price on DCL is to book early. Unlike WDW resorts, they don't have a bizillion rooms. Most people choose their specific room # when booking a cruise. Cruises for June 2013 have been available to book for almost 2 yrs now. What you're seeing is the "slim pickins" that's still available. Even June 2014 is probably filling up; it's been up for grabs since last fall IIRC and it's peak time for DCL. Schools are closed.

People think I'm crazy to book 2 yrs in advance but I think nothing of it. Really, I have nothing to lose. I can always change dates/cancel as it gets closer if plans change. Ideally, I like to book the 1st day that dates are released. They do give advance notice of when booking will start.

Also once you sail, then book onboard, you get 10% off, plus onboard credits from DCL & my TA. Occasionally they have some specials for specific sailings that aren't selling well but those are usually during off peak times, (during school).

Just like with a WDW package, Disney offers airfare at outrageous prices. You are perfectly free to book on your own. (I've never booked DCL air.) Again, this close will probably not be the best pricing even when booking direct.

My point is, to sail this June, yes it will be crazy expensive. To sail "sometime in the future", it doesn't have to be. Our 5-nt cruise on the Dream last April over Easter week with a balcony was around $3100 for 4 of us. Booking asap is key.

Just for fun I checked the same week next year. Keep in mind these dates have also been available to book for 6 mos so likely they were lower back then.
4 nt cruise to Bahamas late June: $5952 for 6.


We sail with my parents often but they pay their own way. Of course all family situations are different but I think if you're looking for a luxury-type vacation 8 weeks from now that will wow your family of 6, you will probably be paying through the nose anywhere you go.

I hope you find something that will make everyone happy.

 

[Pigeon]

I'm not willing to spend a lot on vacations, at least not very often. Disney is close to $5K for us. The airfare is high and we have to go at the most expensive times. We've been twice and I'm not sure we'll go again, although we haven't done Universal, but I suspect we might never do it.

Cruises sound like they deliver good value, but I can't think of anything less appealing than going on a cruise. I just don't get the attraction.

Oddly, my kids' favorite vacation is one of the least expensive. We rent a house on a lake in the Adirondacks. They'd much rather do that again than Disney and it's not much more than $1K for us.

Vacations aren't the only way memories are made. And you can make great memories on inexpensive vacations as well.

 

[goodeats]

I saw in the recent Costco brochure they had good deals for AI in the Dominican Republic.

As far as flights, we've had good luck with earning miles on a Rewards CC. But again, you have to plan ahead.

 

[Blessedwithboys]

The 'value' in a family vacation is far greater than the dollar amount attached to it.
We spend what we can afford. Last year and this year we are able to afford Disney. The year before it was a trip to Sesame place and a day (yep just one) on the NJ shore, the year before that was a 900.00 trip to Lancaster PA! We enjoyed them all , some more than others but we made wonderful memories at all of them. We will continue to budget our trips to be affordable for us if in 20 years that means a $30,000.00 Hawaiian vacation then If we have it I will spend it But if it mean a 200.00 camping trip some years because that is what we have then that is what we will do!

I just think it is important to 'value' vacation...where members of your family get to spend time doing something enjoyable, together without work or home matters getting in the way. I think how you do that and how much it costs really is not all that important.

 

[disykat]

I simply look at what is in my bank accounts, what upcoming expenses I have coming up, and determine what is a realistic maximum that way. Then I think about trips I want to do and narrow down the possibilities.

Right now vacations don't have as much value for us as getting the kids through college with minimal debt does so we're being pretty frugal.

 

[NotUrsula]

The key to keeping vacation costs down if you want to go somewhere that you cannot drive to is to NEVER plan out WHEN you are going before you decide WHERE you are going. Restricting yourself to particular dates is the kiss of death for bargain-hunting.

We subscribe to a whole lot of email bulletins for airfare sales, etc., and if we see a good deal for a place we want to go on a date we can manage, we grab it. We always have a travel fund set aside so the money is there, and we use points religiously to stretch our travel dollar whenever we can.

Now, then, I have to say something about the "value" of travel. IME, people tend to fall into two categories about what they are willing to do with their discretionary funds: they are either "stuff" people or "experience" people.

Some people don't see much value in anything that isn't really tangible to them: these are the folks who complain that they *wish* they could go to whatever vacation spot, but they have a large screen TV, a very generously sized home that is refurnished regularly, and a car that has a lot of bells and whistles. These are "stuff" people -- they are probably not spendthrifts and probably not in deep debt, but they only feel comfortable splurging on things that they will get to physically keep and touch on a frequent basis.

The other class of people are the ones who place greater value on experiences. These are the ones who will spend more to live in a dorm even when they attend a local college, and who regularly use their spare cash to buy concert and theatre tickets -- and travel. Most of the time if they are not especially well off, the house will be small, the TV will be, too, and the car will be basic, because those things don't matter to them as much as getting to do new things.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

And then there's the third class - those of us who don't have any stuff OR ever get to go anywhere

 

[Pigeon]

The key to keeping vacation costs down if you want to go somewhere that you cannot drive to is to NEVER plan out WHEN you are going before you decide WHERE you are going. Restricting yourself to particular dates is the kiss of death for bargain-hunting.

We subscribe to a whole lot of email bulletins for airfare sales, etc., and if we see a good deal for a place we want to go on a date we can manage, we grab it. We always have a travel fund set aside so the money is there, and we use points religiously to stretch our travel dollar whenever we can.

Now, then, I have to say something about the "value" of travel. IME, people tend to fall into two categories about what they are willing to do with their discretionary funds: they are either "stuff" people or "experience" people.

Some people don't see much value in anything that isn't really tangible to them: these are the folks who complain that they *wish* they could go to whatever vacation spot, but they have a large screen TV, a very generously sized home that is refurnished regularly, and a car that has a lot of bells and whistles. These are "stuff" people -- they are probably not spendthrifts and probably not in deep debt, but they only feel comfortable splurging on things that they will get to physically keep and touch on a frequent basis.

The other class of people are the ones who place greater value on experiences. These are the ones who will spend more to live in a dorm even when they attend a local college, and who regularly use their spare cash to buy concert and theatre tickets -- and travel. Most of the time if they are not especially well off, the house will be small, the TV will be, too, and the car will be basic, because those things don't matter to them as much as getting to do new things.

That's great advice if you are lucky enough to have flexibility about when you can take vacations, but not everyone does. We're stuck with school vacations because dh is a teacher, which makes WDW cost way more than it would if we could go off-peak.

I would rather have "stuff" than experiences, but that mostly means home renovations rather than big TVs. But I'd much rather have the money in the bank than spent on vacations.

 

[NotUrsula]

That's great advice if you are lucky enough to have flexibility about when you can take vacations, but not everyone does. We're stuck with school vacations because dh is a teacher, which makes WDW cost way more than it would if we could go off-peak.

Still, you're not stuck in terms of exact days, are you? For example: take Christmas. Say you decide you want to visit WDW for the holiday. Last year Christmas was on a Tuesday and my DS' last final was over at 11:25 am on the previous Friday. We were at the airport by one pm that Friday and on a plane by 2:15 pm. We came home early afternoon on Thursday the 27th.

The flights down to Florida were on points, and though we paid for the flights home they cost 40% less than they would have had we chosen to fly home on the following Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. We paid for our first hotel night at the Swan (which did not yet count as "Christmas" week, and cost us $150), and stayed the other five nights on Starwood points, which have no holiday blackpout periods and cost the same then as on any random Tuesday in September.) The exact dates on which we traveled let us take advantage of the time school was closed, but we still were able to avoid the most expensive factors. Was it cheap? Not exactly, but we spent less than $3K on the entire trip for four, with a rental car, including meals and airport parking at home. (We went to Universal the first two days on our existing Annual Passes, and went to the Disney parks for 3 days on left-over tickets from existing no-expiration passes, so that part of the expense had already been covered from a previous summertime trip. The final day we didn't go to a park because we would not have gotten our money's worth by lunchtime, so we had a nice breakfast and played a round of mini-golf before we headed to the airport.

I would rather have "stuff" than experiences, but that mostly means home renovations rather than big TVs. But I'd much rather have the money in the bank than spent on vacations.

I wasn't speaking of letting oneself get tapped out, or of letting needed repairs slide, but of things like choosing to live with a still perfectly functional kitchen that last got new cabinets in 1972. If the wood is sound, the hinges work fine and the appliances still work fine, then I'm going to use my extra money for a trip somewhere or some concert tickets rather than a pretty glass-tile backsplash and new drawer pulls. THOSE kinds of choices are the things that are good indicators of how you feel about investing in experiences vs. stuff.

Also, speaking of Christmas, our kids know not to expect large piles of gifts on holidays. We buy maybe two presents each for them, but they also know that the money we don't spend on toys will be spent taking them somewhere that is very fun to visit.