What do you pre pay?

[The4Cruisers]

When it comes to cruising, we only pay the cruise and fees upfront. Everything else is paid when due.

 

For home finances, I pay all of the monthly bills on the 1st, regardless of the date due that month. I like to deal with the checkbook once per month and that's it.

[RecoveryDude]

I like to have a POSITIVE (OBC) balance when I walk on the ship and ZERO balance when I walk off.

 

I buy carnival gift cards at 10% off all year from either Verizon, AARP or CitiEasyDeals and eBay during the flash sale. I hang on to the cards and use to pay final balance when due.

 

I typically have at least $350 in OBC from: TA, CCL Shareholder credit, booking while onboard credit and one promotional credit. This pays my gratuities so I don't have to prepay them, and typically pays for all my onboard purchases, unless I do horrible in casino.

 

I like to prepay as much as possible when I travel tho.

 

I have five cruses booked from now until 2/2018.... I have enough CCL Gift cards to pay in full for the first three, and I'm working on buying cards for the other two, which should be paid for by October. :)

 

Hope this helps!

 

Jeff aka Recovery Dude

[lizardhowson]

I prepay some things and not others. We add gratuities when booking, we choose to consider it part of the cost of cruising. Sometimes we book excursions in advance sometimes we don't. WARNING to those in the "don't prepay" camp. I am booked on a cruise in Oct with my sisters. I paid my share last Sept, in full, one year ahead because of financial reasons. Some of us have to plan ahead and budget for cruises. To those who don't I am very happy for you. But please understand that not everyone is in the same financial position. I sense an air smugness/superiority from those who don't pay ahead. Neither way is right or wrong, just different.

 

You can still put the money aside to pay the balance when the due date arrives on whatever financial schedule works for you. I have never understood the rationale that sending money off ahead of time to Carnival is any different than putting the money in a savings account, in an envelope in your desk or under your mattress.

 

I still walk on and off the ship with a zero balance.

 

As far as "smugness", I sense that from those who post about how they prepay Carnival everything months in advance.

[MsVulcan]

I am one who doesn't prepay anything I don't have to, but I also understand there are people who either like to have everything paid before the cruise or they are not able to put the money away in an account and leave it there until after the cruise.

 

If we were all the same, it would be a pretty boring world!

[suzinva]

I pre-pay as much as possible and I have a reason, I'm really, really bad at saving money :o Really bad. So, for me and for that reason alone, I like to pre-pay gratuities, the bottomless bubble, and most shore excursions. That way, I don't have to worry about onboard spending and over-spending my budget. Since we don't drink or gamble much, and I'm not a buyer of "things," for the most part, my final bill is minimal. Which is what I'm most comfortable with.

 

I don't really see either way as better than another, nor do I really see any sense of smugness or superiority from either camp. We all do what works best for us, given our own financial circumstances and, in my case, a really, really bad head for finances :):)

[deborahjo]

It sounds like we all do things that is best for each when it comes to cruising.

 

We have never done this before so is interesting just how much we can pre pay.

 

Thank you for all your input

[Galatz]

I buy carnival gift cards at 10% off all year from either Verizon, AARP or CitiEasyDeals and eBay during the flash sale. I hang on to the cards and use to pay final balance when due.

 

If you already paid for the gift cards why hold on to them? Carnival already has the money and you risk losing track of them.

[firemanbobswife]

If you already paid for the gift cards why hold on to them? Carnival already has the money and you risk losing track of them.

 

 

That's why I just go ahead and pay my stuff right away. I start collecting gift cards even before I have anything booked. The sooner I apply them, the more I can rest knowing that there's not going to be any issues like the amount disappearing due to error or theft. Low chance I know, but still possible.

[nednrom]

I pre-pay 3 weeks before the cruise:

 

Gratuities

Soda Package

Room Bar Service (usually 2 bottles of alcohol)

Water

 

 

Excursions - if pvt usually have to pay upfront and I pay when we decide to book it.

[firegal2539]

I prepay for everything and leave a $100 balance until final pay just in case of price drops. I sometimes will spend the money I have put away on something else. It irritates my TA that I do this but it makes me feel good to know 3 months before the cruise all is paid. I buy gift cards to put towards my OBC. Have never left a cruise with unspent OBC.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[firegal2539]

I prepay for everything and leave a $100 balance until final pay just in case of price drops. I sometimes will spend the money I have put away on something else. It irritates my TA that I do this but it makes me feel good to know 3 months before the cruise all is paid. I buy gift cards to put towards my OBC. Have never left a cruise with unspent OBC.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KatRat416]

Other than the obvious (cruise itself) we always prepay gratuities. In the past I have put several hundred down ahead of time for other expenses and/or purchased gift cards and put those on our S&S immediately. We have currently paid off our July 17 cruise and my next step is to prepay our excursion (when we decide which we're doing) and the gratuities. I'm trying to get some gift cards through Verizon as well. Even if I can't get any I plan to put down several hundred again to keep expenses on board down.

[PittsburghGirlee]

I used to PrePay everything also......UNTIL I HAD TO CANCEL A CRUISE.....although I had insurance, it would have been a lot easier to not have paid things off early and avoided some of the hassles.

 

JMHO

[wcarreto21]

I pay off the cruise fare as soon as possible-- usually at the time of booking or within 30 days. I prepay my gratuities, CHEERs & FTTF as soon as possible-- either at time of booking or within 60 days because let's face it, CHEERs can be just as much as your cruise fare.

The reason? I will FORGET about them and then I'll be screwed. All of my regular household bills automatically deduct from my bank account or I'd never pay anything on time. Haha.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[pbsteve]

I pay off the cruise as time goes on, my final payment is June 8, but I just made the final payment, usually dropping my known "extra money" into it, ie tax returns. I do this as I become more certain that I can go. (booking a year out usually for price drops doesn't mean I'll get the vacation time approved)

 

Flights are always on miles, hotels are always on Hilton points, so I book those as soon as I know I'm going, but I only pay like 20 bucks in airport fees.

 

I NEVER pre pay for the drinks. Because I book ES, sometimes I'll get 100-200 in OBC days before the cruise. If I pre paid for it, that would be another big chunk of money I paid that I won't be able to spend, so the 10.00 a day difference for cheers is usually eaten up with OBC anyway. Last cruise, we got cheers for 2, plus had another 300 left over in OBC due to a huge price drop a month before hand.

 

I do pre-pay for parking, the night before since it saves me 10% and guarantees me a spot, and Ohare parking rates are not cheap, and offsite garages fill up.

[JaniceB]

You can prepay a great deal of things with Carnival gift cards:

1. 
   

• cruise fare
  
• gratuities
  
• Carnival excursions
  

I just wish you could prepay Cheers with them!

 

Why can't you prepay Cheers with gift cards?

[firemanbobswife]

Why can't you prepay Cheers with gift cards?

 

 

It's not an option. Even if you call they won't do it. Someone on here before said that they are supposed to be changing that, but it hasn't happened yet.

[LMaxwell]

I pre-pay as little as possible and only pay when payment is due except in cases where prepaying gets me a lower price or other benefit.

 

For Example: the recent promotion where Carnival / American Express would credit you $75 for each $250 Carnival payment. In that case I made payments towards my cruise earlier than I normally would to get that benefit. This offer was valid on two of our Amex cards so I made two $250 payments and got $150 in statement credit.

 

I may elect to buy gift cards to pay for the balance of our cruise or pay for onboard expenses, but I will apply them when necessary and not any earlier since the benefit of the gift card is the discount at time of purchase.

[LMaxwell]

I used to PrePay everything also......UNTIL I HAD TO CANCEL A CRUISE.....although I had insurance, it would have been a lot easier to not have paid things off early and avoided some of the hassles.

 

JMHO

 

This is my major reason for not pre-paying. I have had to cancel a cruise before and wait to get my money back. Would prefer to chase as little of it as necessary.

[portlandpete]

I prepay everything for all our vacations! We are cruising in October so cruise, tips, FTTF, cheers, water, cruise cash, excursions, hotel, car rental and airfare 6 months out all paid up. We are going on vacation next week to Florida and flights, hotel, car rental, GC to restaurants were paid for 6 months ahead of time too. I always have two vacations paid for. We have a separate account just for vacations but we never use it. I like to prepay out of regular "bill" money. It just makes me feel good so it's worth it to me. My husband doesn't understand this and would pay when due but I handle the money!:):):)

[cruzin Phillis]

What do you pre pay on your cruise.

 

Out side of the normal things that have to be paid. I am starting to put money on my account on board for casino and other items. I will also order a case of water and will get the cheers package. I have not decided on excursions yet. For the one this year, I have requested the chef table and book my reservations at the steakhouse.

[dawnjam1]

Because I am part of the Dave Ramsey Envelope "Cult" (just kidding) and choose to pay everything, even my bills, with cash and carry no credit (unless the HOUSE has burned down), I prepay the following using my Debit card:

 

Cruise Fare (3 payments usually but book only about 5-6 months out)

Gratuities (with Final Payment)

Parking (1-2 months out)

Cheers! (1 month out)

Bottomless Bubbles for Kids (1 month out)

Deposits on Private Excursions (1-2 months out)

Any Carnival Excursions (1 month out and if I miss it I book on my own)

1 Case of Water (when I feel like shopping! and know I don't need to!)

SOMETIMES a Massage (but not always. Usually see how I do in the casino!)

 

I then set up a lenient budget with some wiggle room and set aside cash for the following and hand carry that in daily envelopes to be applied at check in or kept in my safe:

 

Gas Money to get to the port (just an hour and change away)

Cash Money for Sign and Sail (about $1500), this covers Camp Ocean, Additional Wine off of using Cheers!, WiFi, Theater for kids, Photos, My kids daily allowances and any extras I haven't accounted for

Casino Money labeled for each day

Porters Tips (2 envelopes for coming and going)

Excursion Balances by Destination

Land Cash by Day

Additional On Board Grats (usually handed over the first day to Cabin Steward. If I get great drink service of Casino service it comes off of S&S)

Room Service Grats in $1 Bills

Transportation (Taxi) Money by Port

 

I know this sound like hard work but I have a budget spreadsheet that I have used for YEARS that I start with, tweak and re-tweak for each trip, and then it breaks my denominations in bills down for me. I sit down the week before and count it all out into the envelopes. Helps me PACE my spending and keeps me on budget! It also aids me with my own deadlines for saving each portion directly from my household Budget sheet!

 

I know...sounds OCD, but I promise I DO NOT have a diagnosis! Just cruising fever and I know I have to limit myself or I will over do it! Single Mom who runs a tight ship is more like it!

 

I LOVE coming home without the feeling of dread after overspending and knowing that I come home refreshed, pampered and still debt free! I know people think why not hold on to it and pay it after, but it is VERY freeing to do it this way!

[firemanbobswife]

Because I am part of the Dave Ramsey Envelope "Cult" (just kidding) and choose to pay everything, even my bills, with cash and carry no credit (unless the HOUSE has burned down), I prepay the following using my Debit card:

 

 

 

Cruise Fare (3 payments usually but book only about 5-6 months out)

 

Gratuities (with Final Payment)

 

Parking (1-2 months out)

 

Cheers! (1 month out)

 

Bottomless Bubbles for Kids (1 month out)

 

Deposits on Private Excursions (1-2 months out)

 

Any Carnival Excursions (1 month out and if I miss it I book on my own)

 

1 Case of Water (when I feel like shopping! and know I don't need to!)

 

SOMETIMES a Massage (but not always. Usually see how I do in the casino!)

 

 

 

I then set up a lenient budget with some wiggle room and set aside cash for the following and hand carry that in daily envelopes to be applied at check in or kept in my safe:

 

 

 

Gas Money to get to the port (just an hour and change away)

 

Cash Money for Sign and Sail (about $1500), this covers Camp Ocean, Additional Wine off of using Cheers!, WiFi, Theater for kids, Photos, My kids daily allowances and any extras I haven't accounted for

 

Casino Money labeled for each day

 

Porters Tips (2 envelopes for coming and going)

 

Excursion Balances by Destination

 

Land Cash by Day

 

Additional On Board Grats (usually handed over the first day to Cabin Steward. If I get great drink service of Casino service it comes off of S&S)

 

Room Service Grats in $1 Bills

 

Transportation (Taxi) Money by Port

 

 

 

I know this sound like hard work but I have a budget spreadsheet that I have used for YEARS that I start with, tweak and re-tweak for each trip, and then it breaks my denominations in bills down for me. I sit down the week before and count it all out into the envelopes. Helps me PACE my spending and keeps me on budget! It also aids me with my own deadlines for saving each portion directly from my household Budget sheet!

 

 

 

I know...sounds OCD, but I promise I DO NOT have a diagnosis! Just cruising fever and I know I have to limit myself or I will over do it! Single Mom who runs a tight ship is more like it!

 

 

 

I LOVE coming home without the feeling of dread after overspending and knowing that I come home refreshed, pampered and still debt free! I know people think why not hold on to it and pay it after, but it is VERY freeing to do it this way!

 

 

You're giving away free money by using your debit card. You could be reaping some type of rewards by using a credit card that gives you cash back or points towards travel. Many don't have annual fees and as long as you pay them off each month you will never pay interest. I hate to see people lose out on potentially thousands of dollars in savings. Not to tell you how to manage your finances, just saying. I've all but cut up my debit card.

[carsastic]

I always know the price of everything I purchase before buying it.

I always pay when the bill is due .

I never prepay anything if I don't have to.

I also purchase everything I can on a credit card and pay in full when payment is due.

Card perks are a very nice .

[dawnjam1]

While I understand that some people would prefer the rewards on a credit card, to get them means you have to use the card. I think that they are too easy to fall back on for anything other than an emergency, therefore I don't.

 

Listen, not everyone is in the same place financially. I am more than financially sound. But I prefer to save and spend out of my every day budget to pay for my entertainment. I do not consider a cruise an emergency.

 

I have managed to pull myself out of the situation my ex husband dumped on me and left me with, and even prosper, in a very short period of time. I had the black Am Ex when I was single. I know what credit is and how to manage it well. I just figured out really fast after he was gone that the best way to live within MY means is to do it without credit. And I STILL manage several vacations a year and walk away from them without a bill. Unfortunately, I walk away with no bonus points either! LOL! :(