Cost of drinks as they figure into the 'is it worth it' calculation

[Jimbo]

Next Bottle of Water I buy on a cruise ship will be my first. Only water I would drink on a cruise ship would either come from Windjammer, or at Dinner and that would be free.

 

No idea why people buy bottle water on a cruise ship?

[rudeney]

38 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Next Bottle of Water I buy on a cruise ship will be my first. Only water I would drink on a cruise ship would either come from Windjammer, or at Dinner and that would be free.

 

No idea why people buy bottle water on a cruise ship?

 

I agree with you for the most part, but sometimes a bottle is just a convenience.  At home, I only drink bottled water when I need to take one with me in the car.  Otherwise, I grab a glass/cup and fill it with some ice and water from the fridge.  On a ship, it's much more convenient to grab a bottle of water from a bar than to deal with lugging a cup around.  But yes, in a restaurant, I'm find with a glass of iced tap water. 

[ARandomTraveler]

1 hour ago, rudeney said:

 

I agree with you for the most part, but sometimes a bottle is just a convenience.  At home, I only drink bottled water when I need to take one with me in the car.  Otherwise, I grab a glass/cup and fill it with some ice and water from the fridge.  On a ship, it's much more convenient to grab a bottle of water from a bar than to deal with lugging a cup around.  But yes, in a restaurant, I'm find with a glass of iced tap water. 

Tell me you live in a city that doesn't require you to separate your recycling and compost from your regular trash, without telling me you live in a city that doesn't require you to separate your recycling and compost from your regular trash 😂

 

I'm teasing - but also, realizing how differently people think about disposable "convenience" items depending on where they live. Where I live people carry reusable water bottles everywhere. Not that we don't use the throw-away ones too, but nobody would ever think twice about carrying around a reusable water bottle, or feel like it was a burden because we've just been trained to do it (and obviously, we're required to separate our recycling and compost from our regular trash 😂).
 

 

Edited July 15, 2022 by ARandomTraveler

[Jimbo]

7 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

Tell me you live in a city that doesn't require you to separate your recycling and compost from your regular trash, without telling me you live in a city that doesn't require you to separate your recycling and compost from your regular trash 😂

 

I'm teasing - but also, realizing how differently people think about disposable "convenience" items depending on where they live. Where I live people carry reusable water bottles everywhere. Not that we don't use the throw-away ones too, but nobody would ever think twice about carrying around a reusable water bottle, or feel like it was a burden because we've just been trained to do it (and obviously, we're required to separate our recycling and compost from our regular trash 😂).
 

 

No recycling here in Virginia where we live, plastic bottles, cans and garbage all go in the same bag for trash pickup.

[rudeney]

8 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

Tell me you live in a city that doesn't require you to separate your recycling and compost from your regular trash, without telling me you live in a city that doesn't require you to separate your recycling and compost from your regular trash 😂

 

I'm teasing - but also, realizing how differently people think about disposable "convenience" items depending on where they live. Where I live people carry reusable water bottles everywhere. Not that we don't use the throw-away ones too, but nobody would ever think twice about carrying around a reusable water bottle, or feel like it was a burden because we've just been trained to do it (and obviously, we're required to separate our recycling and compost from our regular trash 😂).
 

 

 

 

Yep, you guessed it - we have no enforced recycling.  I would never be mistaken for an "environmental activist", but I try to do my part to reduce waste and voluntarily recycle.  Subconsciously, it makes me feel better as an attempt to offset driving a car that gets barely 14mpg and keeping my house a chilling 68F in the summertime when it's upper 90's outside.  😉  

[ARandomTraveler]

2 hours ago, Jimbo said:

No recycling here in Virginia where we live, plastic bottles, cans and garbage all go in the same bag for trash pickup.

None!?? That's disappointing to find out that there are towns that don't even offer recycling as an option. That shows how sheltered I am that my assumption is that everyone offers it but that just some of us are required to do it. I wouldn't have thought there were places in America where it's not even an option. 
 

In my town, if you go to a festival or some sort of outdoor public gathering, there's always an employee standing by the trash making sure people separate it properly, and if not, the employee has to dig in the trash and take stuff out and put it in the correct bin.
 

The stress (sort of kidding) of taking your turn at the trash bin and being tested to see if you know which item goes in which bin is, I think, the city's inadvertent way to make us just not want to throw anything away 😂. 
 

There's of course the argument that nothing really gets recycled anymore so it's a waste of time and what not, but I think that making people aware of what they're throwing in the trash does help people be more conscious of not unnecessarily buying disposable stuff. 

 

But I digress, this isn't a thread about consuming disposable trash, it's about overconsumption of alcohol, party on! 😂

Edited July 15, 2022 by ARandomTraveler

[ARandomTraveler]

1 hour ago, rudeney said:

 

 

Yep, you guessed it - we have no enforced recycling.  I would never be mistaken for an "environmental activist", but I try to do my part to reduce waste and voluntarily recycle.  Subconsciously, it makes me feel better as an attempt to offset driving a car that gets barely 14mpg and keeping my house a chilling 68F in the summertime when it's upper 90's outside.  😉  

Haha, we all gotta do our part in whatever way we can. I bought an electric car to offset the pollution of my 2 gas guzzling cars. I'm pretty sure the math works out 😂.
 

To be perfectly honest, although I like the environmental friendliness of the car, the primary reason I bought it was for the gas savings and the big tax write off, which was a very financially beneficial purchase. But hey - I'm trying. 

[rudeney]

7 minutes ago, ARandomTraveler said:

Haha, we all gotta do our part in whatever way we can. I bought an electric car to offset the pollution of my 2 gas guzzling cars. I'm pretty sure the math works out 😂.
 

To be perfectly honest, although I like the environmental friendliness of the car, the primary reason I bought it was for the gas savings and the big tax write off, which was a very financially beneficial purchase. But hey - I'm trying. 

 

We could probably deal with one EV as long as we kept another gasoline-powered vehicle for our frequent long trips.  The problem is, I want to keep my 2-seat sports car, but we need my wife's SUV for those long drives, so it's not an option right now.  I'll just keep recycling as my offset! 

[ARandomTraveler]

9 minutes ago, rudeney said:

 

We could probably deal with one EV as long as we kept another gasoline-powered vehicle for our frequent long trips.  The problem is, I want to keep my 2-seat sports car, but we need my wife's SUV for those long drives, so it's not an option right now.  I'll just keep recycling as my offset! 

I hear ya. I keep an SUV strictly for skiing and camping. Too many cars is such a first world problem, haha. 

Edited July 15, 2022 by ARandomTraveler

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

28 minutes ago, ARandomTraveler said:

Haha, we all gotta do our part in whatever way we can. I bought an electric car to offset the pollution of my 2 gas guzzling cars. I'm pretty sure the math works out 😂.
 

To be perfectly honest, although I like the environmental friendliness of the car, the primary reason I bought it was for the gas savings and the big tax write off, which was a very financially beneficial purchase. But hey - I'm trying. 

I wanted an EV for a few years. Last November they had a super sale on a 2021 Show Room Chevy Bolt Premium. So many extras on it and no charge because it was a show room vehicle and an additional $5,000.00 discount. My problem being retired and no longer required to pay income tax. The tax break was useless for me. I wish it was given as a discount at time of purchase. Anyhow, now seeing what gas prices are. I really lucked out anyhow. To charge at 80% it costs me $7.00 on my home electric bill. Guess we are way off of the topic.

[DirtyDawg]

13 hours ago, Jimbo said:

Next Bottle of Water I buy on a cruise ship will be my first. Only water I would drink on a cruise ship would either come from Windjammer, or at Dinner and that would be free.

 

No idea why people buy bottle water on a cruise ship?

Hey people spend big money for 'art' on cruise ships too. Personally, I think the sea air kills some cruisers' brain cells!  😉

 

Edited July 15, 2022 by DirtyDawg

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

9 minutes ago, ARandomTraveler said:

I agree, the tax breaks should be given in a way that benefit everyone. They also don't benefit people whose tax bill is less than the credit, because they won't give you a check for a value higher than what you owe. The nice thing is that it's an actual tax credit, not a reduction in your income. 
 

Some states also have a tax credit available, so you get both the federal AND the state credit (my state gives an additional $2500 on top of the $7500  federal credit). And to top it off, if you can write off the vehicle depreciation, you end up with a 3rd tax incentive. Some utility companies also give a tax credit.
 

You're beating me on the gas/charging savings. My car costs me $13/month to keep fully charged. Beats the $400/mo it was costing me in gas though!

Look at all the future savings. Check the fluids, tire rotation and or replacement. Hum, what else to have serviced. NOTHING. No oil changes, no transmission, no spark plugs to replace, to radiator, with regen no brake replacements, no hot engine or over heating problems. Plus a nice quiet ride and super power when needed. Stuck in traffic, A/C on, no overheating in 100 degree weather. No wasted gas at stop lights. The more we drive it the more we love it.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

1 minute ago, DirtyDawg said:

Hey people spend big money for 'art' on cruise ships too. Personally, I think the sea air kills some cruisers' brain cells!  😉

 

You might have something there.

[DirtyDawg]

27 minutes ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

 My problem being retired and no longer required to pay income tax. 

Do retirees in the States not have to pay income tax? Is it some kind of law? I'm in Canada and  I calculated what my income will likely be in a couple of years when I retire and I'll still be paying a big cheque to Ottawa each year.  Maybe I'll have to start learning the words to The Star-Spangled Banner. 

 

Edited July 15, 2022 by DirtyDawg

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

1 minute ago, DirtyDawg said:

Do retirees in the States not have to pay income tax? Is it some kind of law? I'm in Canada and  I calculated what my income will likely be in a couple of years when I retire and I'll still be paying a big cheque to Ottawa each year.  Maybe I'll have to start learning the words to The Star-Spangled Banner. 

 

The government gives you an amount you cannot go over, right now I think it is $27,000.00 married or you will pay tax on it. My social security is not taxed nor is my Roth IRA that I have with my annuity. The other IRAs I have with my annuity do not take me over the $27,000.00 so I pay no income tax at all. I must watch it if I make extra income not to go over that amount. What I sell on ebay also is below the reported amount. My monthly income now is more than I made working. Thus cruising 4-6 times a year is poissible.

[rudeney]

11 minutes ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Look at all the future savings. Check the fluids, tire rotation and or replacement. Hum, what else to have serviced. NOTHING. No oil changes, no transmission, no spark plugs to replace, to radiator, with regen no brake replacements, no hot engine or over heating problems. Plus a nice quiet ride and super power when needed. Stuck in traffic, A/C on, no overheating in 100 degree weather. No wasted gas at stop lights. The more we drive it the more we love it.

 

Many EVs do have cooling systems with radiators and pumps that will need maintenance and could fail just like with an ICE.  Many use low-resistance tires that have a significantly short lifespan.  Using that AC (and esp. heat) will significantly reduce mileage.  But yes, overall, less maintenance and long-term costs.

 

6 minutes ago, DirtyDawg said:

Do retirees in the States not have to pay income tax? Is it some kind of law? I'm in Canada and  I calculated what my income will likely be in a couple of years when I retire and I'll still be paying a big cheque to Ottawa each year.  Maybe I'll have to start learning the words to The Star-Spangled Banner. 

 

 

It depends on the retirement structure and the state.  For example, in Alabama, we pay no state income tax on social security, and certain structured retirement plans (not IRS/401k plans) are also tax-exempt.  For federal taxes, social security is taxed, but some retirement is not.  For example, if you had saved money that had already been taxed, you won't pay taxes when you spend it.  Another thing some people do is invest heavily in pricey real estate, then draw against that asset in a reverse mortgage.  It is quite possible to live a tax-free retirement if you are in the right state and plan your savings accordingly.  

 

[grandgeezer]

35 minutes ago, DirtyDawg said:

Do retirees in the States not have to pay income tax? Is it some kind of law? I'm in Canada and  I calculated what my income will likely be in a couple of years when I retire and I'll still be paying a big cheque to Ottawa each year.  Maybe I'll have to start learning the words to The Star-Spangled Banner. 

 

 

26 minutes ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

The government gives you an amount you cannot go over, right now I think it is $27,000.00 married or you will pay tax on it. My social security is not taxed nor is my Roth IRA that I have with my annuity. The other IRAs I have with my annuity do not take me over the $27,000.00 so I pay no income tax at all. I must watch it if I make extra income not to go over that amount. What I sell on ebay also is below the reported amount. My monthly income now is more than I made working. Thus cruising 4-6 times a year is poissible.

 

We live in AZ, retired, and pay both state and federal income taxes. More than what we paid when I was working. The big kicker being, in the US you have to take a minimum distribution from your 401k when you hit 70 1/2. They compute it and it’s based on your balance as of 12/31, your age and your spouses age. In my case it’s almost as much as I made working and almost as much as all our other income combined, which includes both our social securities, my pension, other investments, and savings. The more I have to pay in means the more I made. Thus, we do whatever we want when we want do do it. 
It also means no budget, we want it we buy it.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

19 minutes ago, grandgeezer said:

 

 

We live in AZ, retired, and pay both state and federal income taxes. More than what we paid when I was working. The big kicker being, in the US you have to take a minimum distribution from your 401k when you hit 70 1/2. They compute it and it’s based on your balance as of 12/31, your age and your spouses age. In my case it’s almost as much as I made working and almost as much as all our other income combined, which includes both our social securities, my pension, other investments, and savings. The more I have to pay in means the more I made. Thus, we do whatever we want when we want do do it. 
It also means no budget, we want it we buy it.

Do not know if I mentioned it. We live in the beautiful state of Florida. It does take care of the residence here.

[grandgeezer]

1 hour ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Do not know if I mentioned it. We live in the beautiful state of Florida. It does take care of the residence here.

Tax is tax, I think the difference in property taxes between the two states might balance it out. In 2021 I paid $1,932 in property tax on a house assessed at $390,000. One other item, home owners insurance, $512 for full coverage this year.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

14 minutes ago, grandgeezer said:

Tax is tax, I think the difference in property taxes between the two states might balance it out. In 2021 I paid $1,932 in property tax on a house assessed at $390,000. One other item, home owners insurance, $512 for full coverage this year.

You may be correct. We do have Hurricane insurance added to the home owners. Even though. Our cost of living in Florida is very low. No state income tax either.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

On 7/14/2022 at 11:22 PM, Jimbo said:

Next Bottle of Water I buy on a cruise ship will be my first. Only water I would drink on a cruise ship would either come from Windjammer, or at Dinner and that would be free.

 

No idea why people buy bottle water on a cruise ship?

Any bartender will fill you water container also. All free as you mention.

[poocher]

23 hours ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

You may be correct. We do have Hurricane insurance added to the home owners. Even though. Our cost of living in Florida is very low. No state income tax either.

That’s because all the people who vacation there pay your taxes for you.  Don’t even get me started about using the funds to improve the lives of the citizens.

Edited July 16, 2022 by poocher

[Sunshine3601]

On 7/14/2022 at 11:22 PM, Jimbo said:

Next Bottle of Water I buy on a cruise ship will be my first. Only water I would drink on a cruise ship would either come from Windjammer, or at Dinner and that would be free.

 

No idea why people buy bottle water on a cruise ship?

We stock up on water bottles from casino bar, free for prime members.   I take one to sun deck when hanging out and we throw into our backpacks for port days.

Eric being immuno suppressed is not allowed to use refillable water bottles, especially on a cruise where they cannot be properly sanitized.  So he always drinks out of water bottles even at home.

 

[molly361]

On 7/15/2022 at 1:25 PM, grandgeezer said:

 

 

We live in AZ, retired, and pay both state and federal income taxes. More than what we paid when I was working. The big kicker being, in the US you have to take a minimum distribution from your 401k when you hit 70 1/2. They compute it and it’s based on your balance as of 12/31, your age and your spouses age. In my case it’s almost as much as I made working and almost as much as all our other income combined, which includes both our social securities, my pension, other investments, and savings. The more I have to pay in means the more I made. Thus, we do whatever we want when we want do do it. 
It also means no budget, we want it we buy it.

RMD has been changed to 72                                                                                              

 

Edited July 16, 2022 by molly361

[PompeySailor]

For those that like to crunch the numbers.

I know it is sad, but we did this once just to see if it was worth the price for the UDP

March 2022 prices

Listed by day so to show sea days compared to port days etc.

This was for 2 people 

 

Day 1

X2 Dos Equis $7.49 ($14.98)

X1 Margarita $13

X1 Corona $7.49

X1 Pina Colada Virgin $7.00

Protein Smoothie $8.25

Strawberry Smoothie $8.25

Apple Mint Smoothie $8.25

X4 Cabernet $13.00 ($52)

X1 Cucumber mint Lemonade  $7.00

X1 Heineken $7.49

X1 Orange Aid $7.00

X1 Coffee $4.95

TOTAL DAY 1 $157.69

 

Day 2 Nassau

X9 cocktails wonderland $104

X4 smoothies $34

X1 Merlot $13

X2 Heineken $7.49 ($14.98)

X1 Coke $5.00

X1 water $4.00

TOTAL DAY 2 $172.98

 

Day 3 CocoCay 

X2 Heineken $7.49 ($14.98)

X2 Corona $7.49 ($14.98)

X2 Pina Colada’s $7.00 ($14.00)

X2 Coco Loccos $13 ($26.00)

X3 Waters $3.00 ($9.00)

X4Cocktails $13.00 ($52.00)

X5 wines $13.00 ($65.00)

X2 Pina colada’s $7.00 ($14.00)

X1 Bavarian Coffee $8.95

X2 Corona $7.49 ($14.98)

X2 Cabernet $13.00 ($26.00)

X1 Water $3.00

TOTAL DAY 3 $247.36

 

Day 4 At Sea

X3 Heineken $7.49 ($22.47)

X5 Water $3.00 ($15.00)

X5 wines $13.00 ($65.00)

X2 Daquari $7.00 ($14.00)

X1 coffee

TOTAL DAY 4 $122.42

 

Day 5 Falmouth

X1 Heineken $7.00

X1 Coke $5.00

X1 Water $3.00

X1 Smoothie $8.25

X2 Sake Strawberry Cocktails $13 ($26.00)

X1 Virgin Pina Colada’s $7.00

X3 Tiger Beers $7.49 ($22.47)

X4 Heineken $7.49 ($29.96)

X1 Water $3.00

X2 Starbucks coffee $5.95 ($11.90)

TOTAL DAY 5  $123.58

 

Day 6 Labadee

X1 Sprite $5.00

X1 Coke $5.00

X4  Virgin Cocktails $7.00 ($28.00)

X4 Cocktails $13.00 ($52.00)

X3Heineken $7.49 ($22.47)

X3 Corona $7.49 ($22.47)

X2 Dos Equis $7.49 ($14.98)

X1 Corona $7.49

X1 Cucumber mint lemonade $7.00

X4 Urban Garden Martini $13.00 ($52.00)

X2 Cabernet Sauvignon $13 ($26.00)

X1 quadruple Espresso $11.00

TOTAL DAY 6 $263.21

 

 

Day 7 At Sea

X1 Daquiri $13.00

X5 Heinekens $7.49 ($37.45)

X8  Cosmo Cocktails $13.00 ($104.00)

X1 Cosmo Non $13.00

TOTAL DAY 7 $167.45

 

Total would have cost $1254.69

X2 Drink Packages $69.00 each per day when we purchased 

$966.00

$288.69 Difference (Savings)

 

It was worth it based on our drinking habits for the UDP and for the price we paid for it for our particular Harmony March 2022 cruise

(well we didn’t pay for it) inc with Star Class, but it was what the price would have been if we had purchased 😉

 

YMMV

Happy Days!