Cheap or Frugal?

[newjerseygeorge]

Reading all the time about prices going up. Sushi going ala carte. All the new Up restraunts costing money. I was wondering what is the least anyone has paid for their cruise after you paid for the room?

 

My daughter and I have taken an inside cabin. Paid for no pictures, drinks or meals. We still had a great time, only paying for the tips and some of that was covered by our on board credit. We ate in the MDR or buffets. Did not go hungry or go home much poorer. I did have drinks (beer) off the ship for a buck or two. I would do the frugal way again. My DW would have an outside cabin so not saving as much money. How did you do to save money? Are you cheap or frugal?

[Oviedo32765]

Reading all the time about prices going up. Sushi going ala carte. All the new Up restraunts costing money. I was wondering what is the least anyone has paid for their cruise after you paid for the room?

 

My daughter and I have taken an inside cabin. Paid for no pictures, drinks or meals. We still had a great time, only paying for the tips and some of that was covered by our on board credit. We ate in the MDR or buffets. Did not go hungry or go home much poorer. I did have drinks (beer) off the ship for a buck or two. I would do the frugal way again. My DW would have an outside cabin so not saving as much money. How did you do to save money? Are you cheap or frugal?

 

I think cheap vs frugal is all a point of view.

 

As an example, we only cruise in cabins with a balcony. Occasionally we eat in a specialty restaurant, and pick and choose excursions based on what we feel is the best value for the dollar. We also don't hesitate to order drinks on board though we do not have wine at supper.

 

Based on how "frugal" we cruise, I think you are cheap! :D

 

I'm sure others will weigh in and based on how they cruise will show how cheap I am!

 

I say spend your money on what you feel is the best value for you. It's all about enjoying yourself while on YOUR vacation.

[Barb Nahoumi]

I would consider myself to be frugal.

 

We choose either balcony or oceanview staterooms, depending upon price. Rarely do we eat in specialty restaurants, when the MDRs are free. I do make purchases in the ship's store or in port for stuff for the kids.

 

We choose excursions carefully, according to price and activities included. When in Bermuda we tour on our own, since the ship is in port for 2 1/2 days.

[4774Papa]

I think how a person spends their money is not always frugal or even cheap. I am 63 and have developed my lifestyle.

We don't buy bottled water, since the ship's water is produced by reverse-osmosis and very safe.

We don't spend $5 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks, therefore, we don't generally buy specialty coffee. We lived in Europe for four years, and like the coffee, but I only drink one cup a day and am satisfied with regular coffee.

We don't gamble or buy art on the ship.

We are generally satisfied with house wine. Our alcohol purchases are generally beer and wine and for a 14 day cruise will spend no more than $500 for two.

We do research on the ports and take some ship's excursions, as well as some dty or private excursions. To us the main purpose of the trip is to see the sites.

In some ways we are frugal, in other ways, we are not.

[che5904]

I think how a person spends their money is not always frugal or even cheap.

 

I agree. I cruise on a budget and don't go over by much. I save in one area that really isn't overly important to us to spend in another that is.

 

We cruise in a balcony, mainly because I am claustrophobic and don't want to ruin my vacation if I found an inside or OV bothered me. I cruise mid ship because I have had issues younger in life with motion sickness, again not wanting the potential of putting a damper on my holiday. I eat in the included dining venues because food is not overly important to us, as long as it fills our belly. Yes we do one night in Cagneys because I love steak and lobster. Unless we are just walking around sightseeing in our port, we book through NCL and pay the extra and call it insurance. We do buy a few photos mainly so I actually have proof that I've been on that vacation as well ;) (I am the one behind the camera in our family).

 

One person worth it, is another persons waste of money.

[slidergirl]

I'm claustrophobic also. So, I go for an OV. I don't bring onboard my own drinks. I don't dine at specialty restaurants - I save that for truly good restaurants at home. I go it alone in ports, since I'm just not a sheeple kind of person. I do enjoy a few nice shots of premium vodka at night at one of the bars. Once in awhile, I'll buy a decent cup of coffee. Other than that, I don't pay for anything onboard. Now, I'm cruising as a solo, so I'm already paying more...

[che5904]

I go it alone in ports, since I'm just not a sheeple kind of person.

 

Sorry I had to comment on this statement. I have seen this word used many times on these boards and I'm thinking and hoping that it perhaps is being used in the wrong context.

 

“Sheeple is often used to denote persons who voluntarily acquiesce to the perceived consensus of the "herd" (other people in the group), without critical analysis or sufficient research to understand the ramifications of that decision. By doing so, Sheeple embrace beliefs and undertake actions without a sound foundation for doing so.

People unable to think for themselves. Those with no cognitive abilities of their own.

A individual that forfeits their right to choose in favor of inclusion in groupthink and what is viewed as popular or elite group. Allowing the influences of different forms of media and group members to hold great sway in the formation of attitudes, behavior and opinion.

To accept the group mentality and opinion as fact without examination.

Not only to be told what to do, but accepting the paradigm of thought as absolute thereby removing the weight of personal responsibility in the making of decisions.

Those who follow triends blindly.”

I do not take ship excursions so I don't have to think for myself, so I am following what everyone else thinks is a good idea, I do not forfeit my right to choose in favor of inclusion in groupthink, or accept group mentality and/or opinion as fact without examination.

I choose them because they are #1 something I think DH and I may enjoy to do, #2 so if for any reason, I do not make it back to the ship on time, it is a form of insurance that NCL will help me.

 

[camz]

I think it depends on what is important to you. For example, we have cruised in all types if cabins from inside to balcony. How frugal we are depends on the money situation at the time. However, I would rather spend the extra money on an aft balcony then save the extra money for the specialty restaurants and such. Also, we do not spend much money on the bar bill. That is a bill that can get way out of control with very little effort. Again, it depends on what is important to each individual.

[dalgirl]

I consider myself frugal and DH is definitely cheap. We usually have a balcony (though an inside for our upcoming Baltic cruise) and will eat in at least one specialty restaurant and take some excursions (ship or private) - those are definitely all me. He would choose inside (though he seems to love MY balcony), never eat specialty (again, he gripes, but eats well), never take an excursion (but he sure has a lot of fun), and heaven forbid buying a ship photo (it has to be spectacular for me to get this by him!) So as with everything in our 33 year marriage we compromise - and he secretly likes loosing his cheap battles;)

[nycmode]

We stayed in a courtyard villa, but I didn't spend a dime beyond that. Never ate in the specialty restaurant and only spent a few bucks on bingo and some shore excursions ...

[che5904]

I consider myself frugal and DH is definitely cheap. We usually have a balcony (though an inside for our upcoming Baltic cruise) and will eat in at least one specialty restaurant and take some excursions (ship or private) - those are definitely all me. He would choose inside (though he seems to love MY balcony), never eat specialty (again, he gripes, but eats well), never take an excursion (but he sure has a lot of fun), and heaven forbid buying a ship photo (it has to be spectacular for me to get this by him!) So as with everything in our 33 year marriage we compromise - and he secretly likes loosing his cheap battles;)

 

:D :D Sounds like my 32 1/2 year marriage. But I do have to add that mine comes home and brags to everyone about the wonderful vacation he had and all he did. That of course he wouldn't have did if I would have let him plan it (he fails to mention that in his bragging).

[SilentHill]

Oh I'm def frugal/cheap.

 

I love it, I'm younger than almost everyone here, yet because I'm frugal/cheap I can afford to go on three vacations a year and I own my own house, cars are paid off, etc.

 

I still enjoy my cruise just as much as someone who spends $300 on booze, if not more (I don't have the heart attack when that bill is slipped under our door :))

 

It's all a view point, some people think they are cheating themselves if they don't get whatever they want, and some people make sacrafices so they can have more of something else they want later. No one is wrong or right in this scenario, to each their own!

 

edit: I also see cruises as an inexpensive vacation. For me land based vacations cost WAY more. The problem with a cruise is they want all the money up front, which can seem daunting to some. For me It's just like the discount I get for paying my car insurance in full every 6 months. Save up and you will be rewarded.

[camz]

 

It's all a view point, some people think they are cheating themselves if they don't get whatever they want, and some people make sacrafices so they can have more of something else they want later. No one is wrong or right in this scenario, to each their own!

 

Absolutely, and well said! On another note, EvilCamaro, my screen name, camz, is based upon the camaro as well! :)

[GrandmaHofmann]

We only spend extra money when whatever it is will substantially add to our enjoyment of a vacation. So, yes, we did pop for $800 for a private car in St. Petersburg, and had we not, we would not have seen all that we did or have the advantages we had. So, yes, we do pop for balcony cabins, as we don't like sleeping in a closet. No, we do not have drinks on the ship because we don't care about that. No, we do not buy soda cards and coffee cards for the same reason. We do not eat in the pay restaurants either nor do we eat on land unless we have a tour that includes it. I already paid for the food, and it is acceptable. Our guide is, does this extra item enhance our enjoyment, period.

[Sadie cruiser]

Kudos evilcamaroSS! We went on the Allure so I guess I wasn't being CHEAP BUT just to board that ship we needed to be FRUGAL. LOL. Man did we have fun and we were a family with a 14 year old. Never ate in the main dining room because we wouldn't have had enough of an evening to do anything else fun outside so Windjammer and Rita's was our destinations. We used our $100.00 onboard credit for drinks, had prepaid gratuities, and didn't do any port excursions but instead enjoyed the warm caribbean beaches, talked to the locals, sat on our balcony and watched the Aqua theater shows, and saved a ton of money. Never bored and had the time of our lives playing on the flow rider, movies, rock climbing, going to shows, swimming and so on all for FREE! and with the money saved got to take more frugal vacations. Like you, no car payments, no credit card bills and a few more years to pay off the house. We have just learned to be sensible. So much in life to experience (especially while being on the sea).

[weltek]

To me, cheap is when someone trys to skirt all the rules such as the Daily Service Charge (tips) and sneaking on alcohol because they don't want to pay ship alcohol prices. As someone who went the sneaking route once, I'll own up to that. The obnoxiously cheap (different from the standard cheapie) constantly complains about the cost of everything, expecting to pay $1 for their beers like they do at their local dive bar, $10 for a tour because they are visiting a poorer country, etc.

 

To me, frugal is when you watch what you spend on everything with a budget in mind, but you do so with respect to the contract and norms of cruising when you made your cruise purchase.

[cv322]

I completely agree with Weltek above. Very well said!

[garycarla]

.. No one is wrong or right in this scenario...

 

I agree, in most cases. For those that choose to spend on this and not that, which is the exact opposite of another person, that is great.

 

For those that do not even make a conscious choice or decision, they are in another boat. Many select photos, fancy drinks, expensive wine, upgraded cabins, excursions, shopping, etc because they think that is the best thing to do are foolish. If they select them because that is what THEY want, then it is great. But to do anything just "because"... oh well.

[oldguysandgalls]

"Frankly my dear......" we don't care WHO is cheap, frugal, stingy, misers, etc.etc....besides, it ain't our money they ain't spending. We sure ain't cheap but, we do use a crowbar to pry open our purse or wallet once or twice a year...if we must. (you should see the cobwebs in our purse or wallet ;) )

[DMH15]

I splurge on vacation. I am divorced, no kids, only have myself to take care of. I would rather cruise once a year in a suite, than multiple times not in one. But my motivation is that I cruise with my mother and we each value our own space. And it took me several cruises to figure out that I had been her butler and concierge! Now I get to totally relax. That is what vacation means to me.

 

I do not consider myself wasteful though. And in my regular life (away from the ship) I am VERY frugal and creative with saving money.

[flashdog_1]

I splurge on vacation. I am divorced, no kids, only have myself to take care of. I would rather cruise once a year in a suite, than multiple times not in one. But my motivation is that I cruise with my mother and we each value our own space. And it took me several cruises to figure out that I had been her butler and concierge! Now I get to totally relax. That is what vacation means to me.

 

I do not consider myself wasteful though. And in my regular life (away from the ship) I am VERY frugal and creative with saving money.

 

Similar to Donna, we discovered that sharing our aft balcony cabin with an old friend brought a lower price per person, but we had to hang her clothes because she was too short and ill etc. I won't do it again.

 

I usually book more than a year out in order to get the best prices, the most on board credit, and pick of the cabins. And doing that I never even have to worry about price drops because the price is NOT going to go below what I booked.

 

DD likes wine w/dinner so will buy that and have massages and other treatments, and comes out with at least a $1000 bill on the last day. Mama forgoes all the extras and has her $84 gratuity charge and whatever I might have drunk.

 

Our lowest priced cruise was $299 pp for a 7 night Caribbean cruise in an inside cabin. Pretty crowded on NCL Dawn, but with airfare it came out to about what it would have cost had we driven to another port for the same cabin and approximately the same cruise.

 

As I've gotten older I realize what I will and will not do to save money. In other words I live with my limitations and do not expect myself to be able to do what I did when I was 30, or put up with what I was able to do in my youth. So if that means getting a balcony because I need the larger cabin, or eating in a specialty restaurant if I really don't want anything in the main dining room or buffet, then I do it if the cost is not astronomical. But ordinarily I go for the lowest cost possible:inside room in a super sale cruise.

 

For instance, we did a Glacier Bay cruise on Princess a few months ago for $565 and the inside cabin was great! We used our sky miles to get to Seattle, stayed with friends to save on hotel.

[Warm Breezes]

I'm not sure what I am. I use bonus money for vacations. I use rewards points and any miscellaneous checks I receive 2 months before we vacation for spending money. My goal is to stay within those amounts.

 

We have stayed in inside rooms, ocean view rooms and balconies. I currently book 2 rooms because it has become too crowded with kids now that they are teenagers. For us a cruise is a family vacation. I purchase excursions ahead of time. Sometimes through the ship and sometimes on own. Depends on what we what to do. DH & I don't drink much either at home or on vacation...we don't have the need to. We don't buy soda cards since none of drink enough soda to make it pay for itself. We don't spend much in souvineers, but we do buy something if we find something we want. We don't go to the specialty restaurants because we are happy with what is offered in the included restaurants. The kids don't spend much in the arcade...they don't care for it. DH and I don't spend much in the casino, we get bored with it quickly. We sometimes play Bingo if we are in the mood for it and I always purchase some pictures (my favorite souvineer).

 

Including tips ($200) on our last 5 night cruise, our total bill was $360 for the 4 of us. We also had $100 OBC so we actually spent $260 on board for the 5 days. We just don't have the "want" to spend more on cruise when we are completely satisfied with a lot of what's included. But we don't limit ourselves either. We usually come home with about half the money we took. We just didn't find a lot we "wanted" to spend it on...so we didn't. Does that make us frugal or cheap?

[dalgirl]

Yes, cheap or frugal, it is all about what you value and what you want to do with your money. And DH also brags about the great time he had seeing the world one cruise at a time - which I planned, comparing costs for hotels, restaurants, excursions, etc. - and only booked with his final approval, of course:rolleyes:

 

DH is never more happy than when the free dining rooms fill up and they pass out the beepers offering buy one/get one drinks for the burden of waiting in one of the lounges, listening to the mostly good entertainment, until they beep us in for our meal. The man really is cheap:)

 

We keep the bar tab low (got to be bright eyed for siteseeing the next day), and although we do get the spa pass (works wonders for any aches and pains and I absolutely insist on it), there are no expensive spa treatments added on (don't you have the spa pass??), few to no specialty restaurants (what's wrong with eating what we've already paid for), no photos (that will get him going!?!), bingo (are you crazy???), pull tabs (waste of money...), specialty glasses for the drink of the day (silly!) or art auctions (for that junk???)... we are not the couple that NCL is trying to sell extra fun to over the loud speakers all day and night:D

 

But it is definitely frugal and sensible to buy the future cruise rewards - not buying one of those is like giving away free money;)

[STARFISH*4]

...even tho we do book insides we still spend money on other things-

sometimes alot, sometimes not so much....its our vacation--its our cruise--and its up to us how we enjoy it!

 

cruising inside allows us to spend more $$ doing things which to us is more important than where we are staying.

[Pokeraddict]

If we were drinkers we could not afford to cruise.

We do eat dinner in the specialty restaurants every night (a couple are free because platinum latitudes) and I will order usually one bottle of wine on a 7 day cruise but partner doesn't drink so it will last me almost a week including the free stuff with again latitudes.

But we don't pay the ridiculous picture, internet prices and certainly don't shop on board as there is nothing we need and we have no kids.

We rarely will ship do excursions as there just way over priced and we hate the cattle herding. If you do your homework there are always legit tour companies out there to do the tours much cheaper.