where do you cut costs?

[imgoingtodisney]

Was thinking of getting $25 shipboard credit for both DH & DS for Christmas so that may help my dilemma. This will also reiterate to DH that the cruise is our Christmas present this year.

So far I decided to cut the spa out of my expenses - if DH decides to do something that's up to him - he did say though last night "that gives me more free time to do what I want"

I asked DH if he's still planning on getting his own soda mug. Stressed again that I dont see any reason to pay $70 for 2 soda mugs. Hopefully he will share w/DS.

Decided not to cut corners - Just hoping DH has a good time. As long as there is a PS2 under the Christmas tree for DS10, Im enjoying the cruise! (PS2 WILL be bought before we leave for the cruise)

 

[Target]

Looks like you have cut back quite a bit. We aren't going to get the soda mugs, because we are going to bring on some drinks. I would say the two alcohol drinks a day is fine. You have to remember one thing.....a "vacation" means different things to different people. Make sure you keep the "vacation" in your vacation! Limiting your kids souvenir spending is a good move, cutting out the spa probably will save some $$, but I am not sure where else to cut since there aren't too many more expenses! I don't know what you have planned for the ports, and I don't know if you play Bingo (although a win there may help the situation). If you have already invested the amount you probably have into this trip, don't cut so far back that you can't enjoy your "investment!" Good luck....I am still working on our budget...

 

[AnnMorin]

On our first cruise I got the massage and facial treatment. It ran me about $100.00 plus tip. It was not THAT great so on our others I skip that and use the money for other things. Also we are bringing our own wine aboard you may want to do that for your drinks, I do agree that with what you spent on this already you should ENJOY yourself and make cuts instead when you get home. ( like tuna sandwiches for dinner instead of steak or something)

 

[peg2001]

Tips! (I'm just joking! Flame me and I'll cry.)

Well, we don't drink so there is a big savings there. We are not getting the soda mugs because I like to keep my kids to one soda a day and they can get that with their meal. We are not doing Palo's or the spa or excursions. This is our first cruise so I figure there will be plenty of new things for us to do that are INCLUDED in the cost we have already paid.

Peggy

 

[iloverags2]

Not sure if you've already budgeted for photos, but if you bring your own camera with, there's always a CM near the characters who will be more than happy to snap the photo for you with your camera also. We ended up purchasing the professional photos from Shutters, then had the same identical picture when our film was developed from our own cameras! We now know to skip Shutters (except for maybe the formal portrait) and always have our camera handy!

 

[Hopkins]

We cut costs by booking an interior room. Since we save money on the stateroom, we spend a lot on excursions. We are hardly ever in the room.

Tina

 

[alexandrew]

I agree with Iloverags2 ...the photos are very expensive...You can take excellent pix and have them enlarged to 5x7 at a good, discount photo processing booth like Target for $.99 each...

 

[Samsma]

We plan to do our own thing on the islands to save some $. I am dying to parasail on Castaway Cay though! How much is it, does anyone know?

 

[AnnMorin]

It costs $70.00 per person to parasail at CC. My husband loves it and thinks it is money well spent.

 

[prymsu]

I always try to stay away from Shutters. That is where i really can rack up the costs if I don't limit myself. Instead of checking every day, I wait until the end, and pick out only one or two good photos.

 

[AnnMorin]

was wondering about this, we bought from two different days but if one was better maybe would have just got that one, do they keep them up for the entire cruise?

 

[prymsu]

I have heard different stories on this. On the three day cruise i just did a couple of weeks ago, all the photos from day one through three were in Shutters. It is possible that on the seven day, they may not keep them all because it is really limited space. Last time on my seven day, I did go in throughout the week and put all my photos together, and they were all there together on the last night, so it was easy to pick from. Other folks have reported that this has not been the case for them...

 

[Chattyaholic]

About the only cost-cutting thing I can think of that we'll be doing this cruise is not buying so many of the photos from Shutters. We bought a bunch of them on our first cruise and we haven't changed any, so we won't be buying them. The only one I'm really interested in is the one taken with the captain, we didn't buy that one last time as DH had his eyes closed. We don't do spa stuff so we save $$$ there, and the only excursion I really want to do is Stingray City. The only thing I WOULDN'T do is share soda mugs!! That is just WRONG, and it teaches kids that it's all right to break the rules and that's NOT good parenting!!!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Everyone's list is different, but we're in the middle of planning, so this is in my thoughts. For us, no alcohol (or, very little, we're nto drinkers anyway), no spa, easy on the souvenirs. On the other hand, I just booked Capt. Marvin's and the dolphin encounter, because I don't see our family having a chance to repeat these types of activities any time in the next several years. I can tell you my weakenss is going to be Shutters, but I will endeavor to use my own camera to keep costs, well, reasonable, at least. If we don't get soda mugs through AAA, we'll just skip them--we're a lemonade family anyway, and it's free.

 

[TChrist05]

My wife and I always start out with a plan....we don't drink and do a limited amount of excursions...and never the real expensive ones...just like to see the islands a little and window shop in town...do pick up some liquid refreshments for friends...but they always give us the money for them....but some how along the way it just goes out the window...you go to the shop on the ship and find that great sweatshirt...and both of us want it...and yes...we have to get it for my daughter(who is not a cruise person) but she has to get a couple of mementos....and then the pins that are exclusive...and yes...wife and daughter have to have them also...and then the photo in shutters that came out great....and castaway cay....and before you know it you spent an extra $500.00....and the problem this year is we are going to Disney World after the cruise for 5 nights...6 days....but...DCL called the other day and upgraded us to a category 5 from an 8...and if we paid for the upgrade it would have cost $800....so the way I look at it if I spend 500 I am still ahead of the game...and that is not counting the $150.00 onboard credit we have....now...should I bring the mugs or buy new ones....I just don't know what to do........OK...so I got a little long winded on this one....but looking forward to this cruise big time....almost 24 days to go....and looking forward to seeing all you guys on the 11/30 Magical cruise....
Tom

 

[tlens]

Get rid of the tux rental. He doesn't want to wear it anyway and it will save you $120.00.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

I decided to keep the tux rental cost in the budget just in case DH decides he does need one after all.
And if he doesnt need the tux it will be his Christmas present money. Or should I buy DS a PS2 game with it?

 

[saturday97]

The soda mug is the only thing I'm really going to cut out. My DH and DS don't drink soda, and I could use more water anyway. I know I will buy pictures at Shutters, because I take lousy photos!

 

[westjones]

--use Cat. 11 rooms (they are very nice and are in a good location on the ship).
--Bring your own sodas or only get drinks from the beverage cart on Deck 9 (iced tea, lemonade, milk, coffee, and water).
--Bring at least one more roll of film than you think you will need (so you don't have to buy extra when you run out--you can always use it later if you don't need it).
--Don't do the spa or only use the free gym stuff if you really want to go.
--No alcoholic drinks--or at the least limit them (DH and I did each order one glass of wine one evening and it was $12 with tip---we decided we didn't really need any more wine after that).
--Don't look at the pictures at shutters--or at least promise yourself not to buy any--and if you much buy one, decide which one you wanted (we do usually get the group one they take when we first come on board).
--Choose excursions carefully, and if you are on a 3 or 4 day cruise, just use the day in Nassau as a day at sea and enjoy the ship!
--At Castaway Cay you can enjoy the beach for FREE. I must confess though, we usually get 2 floats and we did rent bikes last time (which we LOVED, it is a very nice bike ride on the trail).


You really don't have to spend a lot to enjoy the trip. It is just so wonderful being on the ship and seeing the shows and eating all the great food! I give each of my daughters a budget to send ($50 is what I gave on our 7 day, our next cruise is a 3 day so I am making it $25 for that one). They stick to their budget. It helps because they don't bother me for money.

Anyway, have a great time!
Debra