Survey of Holland Am. cruisers for student

[NZYU]

This is an informal survey that I hope you don't find too personal. I will post it on a few other cruise line threads, too, to try to get a cross section of responses.

1. Do you save for a cruise and then pay in full?

Or, do you charge your cruise and make monthly payments for it on your credit cards after the cruise?

2. How many purchase new clothes for the cruise?
Credit card vs paid in full?

3. How do you rate yourself in terms of style?
Always in - latest clothes. I want others to think I am successful.
Mix of latest and my favorites.
Doesn't matter - wear what's comfortable. Who cares what others think!

Thanks!

[lougee1043]

1. Do you save for a cruise and then pay in full?

Or, do you charge your cruise and make monthly payments for it on your credit cards after the cruise?

2. How many purchase new clothes for the cruise?
Credit card vs paid in full?

3. How do you rate yourself in terms of style?
Always in - latest clothes. I want others to think I am successful.
Mix of latest and my favorites.
Doesn't matter - wear what's comfortable. Who cares what others think!

Thanks!

1-lucky enough that we dont have to save for our cruises- pay the deposit on a credit card and then pay the balance the same way when due
2- i dont bw does
3-my bw is more concerned with style and latest fashions -- im only interested in comfort (yet packing for the dress code) buy very little for the cruise

[Krazy Kruizers]

We don't have to save for a cruise. And some of our cruises have been pricey.

Once in awhile we will buy something new for a cruise because something may have worn out - DH is on his third tuxedo. Everything goes on AMEX Plat card.

We always follow the dress and stay in tuned with the lastest styles.

[tomc]

(a) I save and pay in full before my feet hit the gangplank.

(b) I do not purchase new clothes for the cruise.

(c) While I am not style-conscious, I dress for the occasion and observe the dress code. I have never worn a t-shirt on a cruise ship at any time. Jacket, shirt and tie every evening after six until retiring.

[ANSalberg]

1. I think your question is "Do you go into debt to pay for a cruise or not" The answer is "NO" we pay for it immediately or we don't go.
2. I love to shop but never pay full price for anything. Cruising is perfect FOR that because you buy for "After" the season so at LEAST 70% less than retail -then tuck away to have something bright and new for the newest adventure.
3. We stick to the dresscode but seldom if ever worry about "the latest fashions" -What a waste of time! I have other things to "worry" about - like will the stock market crash or should we admit Red China to the UN.........Anne [That was a joke, folks]

[localady]

1. We save and pay ahead for everything.

2. I will usually a pick up a few things for a cruise, but not alot.

3. I wear what is comfortable, and if I happen to be in-style, all the better!

[RlrCstr]

1. Do you save for a cruise and then pay in full?
Or, do you charge your cruise and make monthly payments for it on your credit cards after the cruise?

2. How many purchase new clothes for the cruise?
Credit card vs paid in full?

3. How do you rate yourself in terms of style?
Always in - latest clothes. I want others to think I am successful.
Mix of latest and my favorites.
Doesn't matter - wear what's comfortable. Who cares what others think!


1. pay the deposit on a credit card and then pay the balance the same way when due. do not make monthly payments to card. paid in full when bill arrives.
2 & 3. I seldom pay with cash or by check for anything. I use a credit card because of the perks: milage, etc. If something doesn't fit or doesn't look right I might go shopping if I have time before the trip. I wear clothes that I feel comfortable wearing, whether they be t-shirts and jeans/shorts, casual or formal (always a white dinner jacket for formal nights).

[sail7seas]

This is an informal survey that I hope you don't find too personal. I will post it on a few other cruise line threads, too, to try to get a cross section of responses.

1. Do you save for a cruise and then pay in full?

Or, do you charge your cruise and make monthly payments for it on your credit cards after the cruise?

2. How many purchase new clothes for the cruise?
Credit card vs paid in full?

3. How do you rate yourself in terms of style?
Always in - latest clothes. I want others to think I am successful.
Mix of latest and my favorites.
Doesn't matter - wear what's comfortable. Who cares what others think!

Thanks!


What is the student going to do with answers to these questions?
They are curious ones for a 'term paper' or research IMO
Funny..... just my casual observation. I noticed there was a pattern that they all fall into a 'money' category so I'm interested what is the assignment the student is working on.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

This is an informal survey that I hope you don't find too personal. I will post it on a few other cruise line threads, too, to try to get a cross section of responses.

1. Do you save for a cruise and then pay in full?

Or, do you charge your cruise and make monthly payments for it on your credit cards after the cruise?

2. How many purchase new clothes for the cruise?
Credit card vs paid in full?

3. How do you rate yourself in terms of style?
Always in - latest clothes. I want others to think I am successful.
Mix of latest and my favorites.
Doesn't matter - wear what's comfortable. Who cares what others think!

Thanks!


1. Money is put in saving every month but I seldom ever take from it to cruise. We are fortunate to have funds available. Although I too pay via credit card that I recieve miles for but when the statement comes it is paid in full.

2. Depends on where the cruise is going. Our Alaska cruise in two weeks neither DH or I will buy any new clothes. He already has a tux and I just bought two new very nice formal dresses for the last cruise just 3 months ago. I have plenty of winter wear that I wore this past winter.

3. I use to be concerned with style (I have a degree in Fashion Merchandising) but now it is more of what looks good on me, being comfortable and good for packing and traveling with.

[obriendan]

1. Pay in full just prior to final payment date.

2. Rarely buy new cloths for cruise.

3. Doesn't matter.

[jhannah]

I'm guessing you should do this on the Princess, Carnival, and perhaps other boards. I would bet your answers would be a bit different. Just my hunch.

We do not go into debt to cruise. DW occasionally buys something new for a cruise, but it's seldom that I do. And I'm not the preppy kind, so I wear what I feel looks proper on me and that I'm comfortable in.

[Orlandocruiser]

1. Put in on the credit card and pay in full when the bill comes.
2. Between the cruises and the annual formal for my DHs company we have lots of formal wear - just decide what to take this time.
3. Since we live in Florida we have lots of warm weather clothes so I don't need to "buy special" for our Caribbean cruises.

[torpeedo]

1. We book with online travel agent, pay with credit card deposit and final and pay the bill when it comes in...
2. Don't really purchase anything special for the cruise as we live in a warmer climate and always replenishing the clothing.
3. Wear what's comfortable and hopefully in style..

[CCCM]

1. We pay with credit card and it is paid in full when the bill comes. It is not a matter of saving for this. We will cruise when we want but only book in the first 4 months of the year (around the time of the annual bonus and tax refund).

2. We do buy new clothes as needed. I buy most on the internet landsend and llbean. Dresses are found at Talbots Outlet. Put on credit card and paid in full when bill comes.

3. I feel that if you buy clothes correctly you are safe. Example is that the black cocktail dress and black shoes never go out of style. Accessories and jewerly occassionally change. So I guess I always follow a more classic look.

[bepsf]

Count me among the "paid in full, buy what I need when I need it" folks...

...which where I would expect the vast majority of HAL/Celebrity/Crystal/Cunard and repeat cruisers will be.

Re: Fashions - I'm sure that one of our fellow cruisers would throw off your numbers. She never buys anything new: She purchases her fabulous dresses, gowns and hats at consignment shops (smart lady - probably how she can afford her upgrades!!!)

As for me, I do a mix of discount shopping and previously owned things from consignment shops and used clothing stores - but I think this will be my first cruise that I'm not planning on buying anything new in preparation as I already have more than enough luggage, formalwear & vacation wear than I can carry!

[NZYU]

Hi, again,

Thanks to the people who have already answered.

I figured out how to turn this into a poll:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=335912

for people who prefer to answer anonymously.

Only the first question was asked because I couldn't figure out how to ask the other two.

Thank you.

[Himself]

I take the fifth ammendment to all the questions.

[bruce-r]

[color=black]
1. Do you save for a cruise and then pay in full?

Or, do you charge your cruise and make monthly payments for it on your credit cards after the cruise? I charge the deposit then I charge the final payment when it is due. I pay off ALL my credit cards monthly.

2. How many purchase new clothes for the cruise?
Credit card vs paid in full?Some. I wear only Levi's and T-shirts to work, so I do need some nicer clothes for a cruise. Always charge the clothes and pay off the credit card monthly.

3. How do you rate yourself in terms of style?
Always in - latest clothes. I want others to think I am successful.
Mix of latest and my favorites.
Doesn't matter - wear what's comfortable. Who cares what others think!
I wear what will fit in except for formal nights when I like to stand out. I wear my kilt.

[kryos]

1. Do you save for a cruise and then pay in full?

Or, do you charge your cruise and make monthly payments for it on your credit cards after the cruise?

2. How many purchase new clothes for the cruise?
Credit card vs paid in full?

3. How do you rate yourself in terms of style?
Always in - latest clothes. I want others to think I am successful.
Mix of latest and my favorites.
Doesn't matter - wear what's comfortable. Who cares what others think!

1 - I don't actually save for them, with the exception of my last one ... which was special ... 30 days. Otherwise, I just book 'em, charge to Amex, and then pay the bill when it comes. My cruises are generally not that expensive. I stay in inside cabins, cheapest category, and book cruises where the single supplement is not that high.

2 - I rarely purchase any new clothes for a cruise. I'm not a real "dress up" person to begin with. I have a couple of outfits that give a "nod" in the direction of formal, and I wear them only on cruises (my lifestyle at home rarely requires me to wear anything other than jeans and tee-shirts). Other than those two formal outfits, I wear what I have in my closet on cruises. No need to buy anything special. I'd much rather save that money and use it for more cruisin'. :)

3 - Obviously my choice would be wear what's comfortable and who cares what others think. Now, don't assume I dress like a slob on the boat. I fit in fine with what everyone else is wearing. It's just that I'm not a fashion hog who feels that I have to always "dress to impress." I'm on a cruise to relax ... not to make a fashion statement. My goal is to have fun, meet new people, and dress to the extent necessary not to offend.

Hope this helps with your survey.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

What is the student going to do with answers to these questions?
They are curious ones for a 'term paper' or research IMO
Funny..... just my casual observation. I noticed there was a pattern that they all fall into a 'money' category so I'm interested what is the assignment the student is working on.
Maybe he's in a travel agent program?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[CateW]

Like most others here, put the deposit on a credit card and pay before we go. I admit that I buy at least one new outfit and shoes (but I still work and our dress code is business casual and can usually wear what I buy at some point during the summer to work). DH doesn't shop but I always get him something new - maybe a new tuxcedo tie/vest. Oh, we are big readers so always pick up some new books for the trip.

[kakalina]

We as most others seem to, pay by credit card then pay the bill in full; we have no credit card debt.

We rarely purchase special clothing due to our own climate we are usually set. When I do need something "special" I tend to go to good consignment stores .

Fashion?? As long as we meet the standards imposed by the cruise line and our own tastes. . .who cares??

[Bookish Angel]

Do not save for the cruise. I pay all at once because I have a good rebate program with my credit card and I always pay the card off when due so no interest accumulates.

I sometimes buy new casual clothes which I charge because of the above-mentioned credit card rebate.


Stylish? I think so. I am an eclectic, Post-Modern dresser. However, I am totally unconcerned about what others think about how I dress.