AHHHH Unforseen Expenses Before Cruise

[KarlaC]

Hello All:

Just thought I would share a little story and see if this has happened to anyone else.

I leave for my much anticipated Dawn cruise on 6/12. I can't stop counting the days. Anywho...took my much beloved 2000 Camaro to my mechanic for brakes over the weekend and $675.23 later I now have new brakes (rotors and pads):eek:

YIKES!!! What was I to do?!?!?!? That seriously cut into my spending money for the cruise.

Now, I couldn't delay the brakes until after the cruise because they were REALLY bad...i.e. grinding all the time. Oh yeah...these are the least expensive parts. I had gotten other quotes for a lot more than what I paid.

So my question is....has anyone else had a large unforseen/necessary expense before they left for their cruise!!!

[basketballmom]

Yeah, the cost of overspending on new clothes for the cruise:)

[KarlaC]

Yeah, the cost of overspending on new clothes for the cruise:)

 

LOL!!!! I plan on doing that tomorrow.:p

[Host CMLA]

YIKES!!! What was I to do?!?!?!? That seriously cut into my spending money for the cruise!!!

I know exactly what you're talking about although it doesn't happen just to cruises. We're going to Las Vegas for the 4th of July weekend and last week our dog was sick. After two nights at the vet office and no conclusive diagnosis of what was wrong with her, we had a $530 bill. Wait...that's Vegas money. That expense has put a serious crimp in our spending money plans but what can we do? We decided to not change our plans for Vegas at all and deal with the bill when it comes in. $530 doesn't break us but it's an expense we weren't planning on right before our big Vegas trip, by the way, our last Vegas trip for a while because we're having a baby in 4 1/2 months. OY! Don't get me started on those expenses..... :cool:

[cruizinwithkids]

I've been lucky in that I don't think that has happened to us. In fact we enjoyed the opposite. We were on the cruise the week after "the wave". While it was disappointing to lose a day of cruising the credits we received were great. We were in 2 1/2 rooms and in total received over $1000 in credits. I was pretty happy when we received our statement the final day. It was under $1,000 for six people. That included shore excursions, tips, helmuts of beer and foo foo drinks. Even a few photos and a couple small items at the gift shop.

[robsvacation]

Oh yeah, I hate when that happens.

 

The nice thing about a cruise is you can economize a bit and still have a really good vacation. The food and entertainment is paid for as is the view of sea and the moonlight walks hand-in-hand. Lots of free classes and events to keep you occupied, as is catching up on your library reading and all that letter writing "you've been meaning to get to." If you have a digital Camera photos are basically free, who really wants a $10 picture of you in front of a fake backdrop of the Titanic when you could just stand by the rail at 6PM with the ocean behind you and have someone take a few photos?

 

Skip the extra cost restuarants, cut back on your shore excursions (swim with the dolphins next time, a cab to the beach is usually cheap and wonderful), drink just a little less (and make sure you take advantage of those drink-of-the-day specials), go to the reception parties for the captain and repeaters for a free drink, avoid the casino (or stick to the $0.05 and $0.25 slots instead of the $1 and $5 ones) skip the spa (or book treatments ashore, just about every port has reasonably priced day-spas now). A couple of bottles of water and a brita filter can save you $10-20 easy. And having a budget tends to hone your bartering skills for onshore purchases! A handful of ziplocks and a call to room service can save you the cost of a resturant meal in port. A trick: using cash instead of credit card for your onboard account forces you to budget better. Skip the souvenirs, are you sure your niece has any interest in that yellow shawl or that your 2nd newphew once removed wants a hand-carved wooden fish? Yes, alcohol is cheap, but who wants to carry it all the way home, especially with all those new airline baggage charges if you're 1 lb over!

 

There are lots of ways to be parted with your money on a cruise, by just enjoying all the free stuff and a little bit of budgeting and you'll hardly feel the pain.

 

Good Luck and sorry about the car!

[KarlaC]

Rob:

 

Thanks for all the tips!!! I will definitely be using some of them.;)

[saslis]

Participate in afternoon games like win, lose or draw etc. They give out decks of cards, beach balls, etc to team members. We came upon the game part way through and still received a NCL beachball for cheering on the teams that were playing. Makes for a very "cheap" souvineer.

[Cinnamon Seahorse]

I've often considered sitting in a lawn chair with beach props at a busy intersection with a sign saying, "I managed to pay for the cruise, but have no money for drinks. Can you help?" :) I swear, one of these days I'm going for it!

 

If you can get folks to laugh, some of them will open their wallet!

 

I'm so sorry to hear about unexpected expenses--the expected ones are bad enough.... I'm already freaking out about paying off the upcoming Wind and Dawn cruises. :eek:

 

Enjoy your cruise (and, for Cecilia, Viva Las Vegas!), and take advantage of some of those great suggestions.

[Host CMLA]

Enjoy your cruise (and, for Cecilia, Viva Las Vegas!), and take advantage of some of those great suggestions.

Thanks! ;) We actually found a way to save some money ourselves. Today I got a postcard from a Vegas casino that we frequent when in town. There were offering up to three free nights anytime between July and September. I called and our dates were available so we scored a free hotel for our stay in Las Vegas! I guess it sometimes does pay to join the player's club and spend a little time playing in their casino. :D Not having to pay for the hotel saves us $350!

[KarlaC]

Cecilia:

 

Have a great time in Vegas! I love it there and the best part is that it can be a cheap or expensive vacation depending on how you eat/gamble. I want to try to get to Vegas next year, but cruises are always an option. However, airfare to New Orleans (my 3rd fav spot after cruising and vegas) has been really affordable.

Anyway...have a great time in Vegas and bring your walking shoes.:D

[barbgazz]

Just before we were to leave on our already paid for 13 night cruise in 2001, our daughter got engaged at Christmas time and informed us the wedding would be in about seven months, yikes. I sure could have used that $4,000 bucks now. But, it was too late to cancel and I sure needed the time away.

 

All worked out well, as we split the cost of the wedding three ways, us, the kids and the future inlaws. Turned out to be a beautiful country club wedding but I still had to watch my money while on my cruise.

 

You can do it!!!!

[KarlaC]

Barb:

 

Thanks for the vote of confidence...your right...at least it isn't a wedding that I have to contribute to. :rolleyes:

[Host CMLA]

Cecilia : Have a great time in Vegas! I love it there and the best part is that it can be a cheap or expensive vacation depending on how you eat/gamble. I want to try to get to Vegas next year, but cruises are always an option. However, airfare to New Orleans (my 3rd fav spot after cruising and vegas) has been really affordable.

I'm originally from just outside of New Orleans. :D Yes, it's a great place. Have you thought of cruising out of New Orleans? That would get you two of your favorites all in one.

 

We've mastered Las Vegas I think. We know where the best buffets are (for us), we know where to get certain drink specials, and we know the highest star hotels for the least amount of money. We go to Vegas so often that I almost feel like a native. LOL ;)

Anyway...have a great time in Vegas and bring your walking shoes.:D

No walking shoes for me on this trip. At 5 months pregnant we've decided to forego a lot of the things we normally do on the strip and spend time at some of our favorite off strip places that require less walking.

 

barbgazz...we found a way around an expensive wedding. Of course, we had to because no one helped us pay for it...we went to Las Vegas. :D We invited 25 people, who all came, and bought a package deal at this great little place off Sahara. We had everything a regular wedding has: reception, cake, DJ, dancing, champagne toast, etc. But for a fraction of the cost. If you have other kids...send them to Vegas!

[KarlaC]

I'm originally from just outside of New Orleans. :D Yes, it's a great place. Have you thought of cruising out of New Orleans? That would get you two of your favorites all in one.

 

Actually I have, but unfortunately the older ships tend to leave from this port. Looking for something newer. I know Carnival has one of their newer ships leaving from there which is a possibility, but once you go "freestyle" there is no going back in my opinion.

Congrats on the baby...hey...the less walking the better for your back.

[shoreguy]

Actually I have, but unfortunately the older ships tend to leave from this port. Looking for something newer. I know Carnival has one of their newer ships leaving from there which is a possibility, but once you go "freestyle" there is no going back in my opinion.

Congrats on the baby...hey...the less walking the better for your back.

 

The Sun will be NOAL next year - one of the best ships NCL has - built for freestyle - always rated very high - few complaints posted here - The ship continues to delight and run under the radar of most CC members.

[stups360]

Don't see how the original question relates to anything regarding cruises. we all have expenses coming up some way or another. How about spending tens of thousands on a wedding, and then forking over a few thousand to go on the honeymoon on a cruise. It's info people really don't need. JMHO.

[barbgazz]

Gosh Stups, feeling cranky today? Lighten up little. There is so much information on these boards, if we didn't chat about off topics a little bit, the boards would dry up.

[KarlaC]

Gosh Stups, feeling cranky today? Lighten up little. There is so much information on these boards, if we didn't chat about off topics a little bit, the boards would dry up.

 

Ditto, but no offense taken. While I have not paid for a wedding I do feel the pain of paying it and any other unforseen expense. Just wanted to start a thread where anyone could vent about a large expense prior to a cruise.

**Boy...don't kill a girl for trying**:rolleyes:

[KarlaC]

The Sun will be NOAL next year - one of the best ships NCL has - built for freestyle - always rated very high - few complaints posted here - The ship continues to delight and run under the radar of most CC members.

 

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Problem solved

Now...just need to find the money for a depost. Oh yeah that's right I spent it on my brakes:eek:

[shoreguy]

:eek: NOLA not New Orleans Alabama NOAL :D

[Host CMLA]

Don't see how the original question relates to anything regarding cruises. we all have expenses coming up some way or another. How about spending tens of thousands on a wedding, and then forking over a few thousand to go on the honeymoon on a cruise. It's info people really don't need. JMHO.

I'm not sure what your point is stups360. The original topic does relate to cruising. The original poster is asking about budgeting for her cruise now that she's had an expense she wasn't counting on that will impact her cruise funds. I may have taken the topic off topic (bad Cecilia) but the topic itself is cruise related. Personally, I think it's nuts to spend tens of thousands on a wedding. We spent $3,000 total on our wedding in Las Vegas and three times that amount for our honeymoon in Paris. The honeymoon was more important. Priorities ya know. ;) If this topic doesn't apply to you, I don't see why you don't want anyone else to talk about it.

[stups360]

only get married once and travel is unlimited. Have a good day folks! No offence intended.

[barbgazz]

Our daughter originally wanted to get married in Jamaica. We were not thrilled. It would have cost us the same amount of money, except for the travel for our family (would have been more) and we hate Jamaica. When our ship goes to Jamaica we now stay on the ship after being royally ripped off our first time there.

 

We told her we would go along with whatever she wanted. Then she asked her dad (her favorite parent, by the way), wasn't he thrilled to be going to Jamaica? and he told her no, not particularly. then her feelings were hurt.

 

That was not the intention, he was just being brutally honest.

 

Oh well, it worked out for the best and she ended up the 150 guests and did a great job budgeting her money.

[Jett456]

only get married once and travel is unlimited. Have a good day folks! No offence intended.

 

Well, actually with the divorce rate the way it is people get married a lot more than once.