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Brilliance - Final Payment in Few Days - What to Do?

taylortime05

By taylortime05,
in Royal Caribbean International

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taylortime05

taylortime05

Posted
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I'm thinking of cancelling our 5 night cruise we have on the Brilliance on Feb 27. My daughter just got married and I have 1 more semester with 2 kids in college and then 1 graduates. So finances are tight.

 

So my hubby says I should hold off on any cruises until 2017 and he is probably right.

 

But I think I have a good deal. We got cabin 9256 for total of 1100 and 200 OBC. Also, we could fly spirit from MI to Tampa for 100 pp and extra for luggage.

 

Is this a great deal or will there be other great deals in future?

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

Sue

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MommaBear55

MommaBear55

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Great deal! I appreciate that money is tight, as we had up to three in college at once, but life is short and uncertain. Grab the opportunity. Save money by avoiding the casino, drinking little, no photos and no specialty restaurants. Spend your OBC as your fun money.

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island lady "Live from...." Rare

island lady

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That IS a great deal, and on my favorite cabin at that!

 

But only you can decide what is best for you. I personally had an 11 night booked on Serenade for early January. Decided to delay that one until the following year, since we already had a 10 night booked in February on the same ship. Was just too much to pay for over two months.

 

Substituted the shorter Brilliance on the 16th at a third the price, but that wonderful cabin you have was not available due booking that late. If you still decide to go, ....enjoy!! Otherwise there is always next year! :)

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Langley Cruisers

Langley Cruisers

Posted
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My daughter just got married and I have 1 more semester with 2 kids in college and then 1 graduates. So finances are tight...

 

Only you and your husband can decide this. He has told you how he feels. Personally, I don't think I could enjoy myself knowing that he preferred we didn't go.

 

As much as I love cruising, you asked and that is my feeling. :)

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Eng23

Eng23

Posted
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I agree with your husband. You have a lot of things on your table requiring money. You say finances are tight because of it. Good deals come and go. The next one might be better than the one you think you have.

 

So realistically you have to decide what is more important. A cruise? Or other family commitments? Would you consider cutting out a semester of college to go on a cruise? Can you put off paying for college for your kids and take the cruise instead? Or can you just do everything and face the potential of financial chaos in the aftermath?

 

A hard decision for sure.

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mollyeilis

mollyeilis

Posted
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First find something to match that deal for after the 1 semester of 2 kids in college. Unless you put a lot of the wedding on a CC, the wedding is done. Expenses for that are done.

 

Once you've found something to go in its place for once finances aren't so thin, then show that to DH and talk about it.

 

You might not feel comfy going when he doesn't want to. But in my household unless we're both onboard, the other doesn't feel comfy just saying "no" without really serious solid reasons AND another plan. We take vacations seriously around here...

 

I personally think that's a stupendous deal, and if you're willing to deal with Spirit and the fares are decent for late Feb, I would have a VERY hard time passing that up.

 

(And right now I'm wondering why I had final payment 4 days ago for a late March cruise. Might have been a costco thing. They make you pay early for Disney, too.)

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taylortime05

taylortime05

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Thanks for all the great feedback.

 

I decided to cancel the cruise. It was a great price and a great cabin but hopefully I will find comparable deals in future when we have a little more vacation money.

 

Thanks and I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful 2016!

 

Sue

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goodycruising

goodycruising

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I was going to suggest something we do when we feel torn on a decision. We draw up a pros and cons table and put a score next to the items in each column. Often before you even need to add things up on each side you get a feeling on what is sticking out with a higher rating.

 

Even though you have decided, hopefully this idea might work for someone else.

 

Who would have thought a question about cancelling a cruise, to a board of cruise addicts, would have had some encouragement to cancel! I say we can afford anything we want, just not everything we want. You need to weigh up where your dollars are best spent to suit your own priorities.

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knittinggirl

knittinggirl

Posted
Posted (edited)

Incidentals do add up!

 

Does that $1100 include gratuities and tax&port fees? The OBC should cover the gratuities. But keep in mind, there are lots of ways to spend onboard: specialty dining, drinks (very expensive), shore excursions (one of our main indulgences onboard).

 

Get your free alcohol at the Welcome onboard and captain's reception. Skip the photo section. Bring a couple of bottles of wine in your carry-on. Bring your own coffee, because the stuff you get onboard is awful.

 

Regarding alcohol, you can stretch it out better in your stateroom, because the dining staff pour huge glasses so they can sell you another bottle.

 

Looks like 9256 on the Brilliance is an aft room w/ a wrap around balcony. We had 1100 on the Serenade, which and loved it! Ours was a JS, but I think you'll love that large balcony. I'd hate to cancel, because you may not be able to get that good a room for several more cruises. We've only been able to snag three aft balconies in over 20 cruises.

 

Visit tightwad cruising thread.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=785229

Edited by knittinggirl
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Langley Cruisers

Langley Cruisers

Posted
Posted

.

Just a heads up that OP has cancelled her cruise. See post #18 - -

 

 

Thanks for all the great feedback.

 

I decided to cancel the cruise. It was a great price and a great cabin but hopefully I will find comparable deals in future when we have a little more vacation money.

 

Thanks and I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful 2016!

 

Sue

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kalliekae

kalliekae

Posted
Posted
Great deal! I appreciate that money is tight, as we had up to three in college at once, but life is short and uncertain. Grab the opportunity. Save money by avoiding the casino, drinking little, no photos and no specialty restaurants. Spend your OBC as your fun money.

 

I agree. You never know when something might happen and you won't be able to travel. It sounds like a good deal and you'll always have this memory.

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