splurge/skimp

[near the beach]

Splurge: pictures, excursions.

Skimp: spa, alcohol, bingo, casino.

Skip: steakhouse.

;)

[StillPooh]

Skimp: photographs (we refuse to even pose for the paparrazi), alcohol (we smuggle), spa treatments (cheaper at home)

 

Splurge: excursions, specialty restaurants, cabin choice (balcony, suite, etc).

 

Skip: Casino

[WindsorFred]

Splurge-At least a 7 day cruise with a balcony stateroom, steakhouse once each cruise, however many DOD the DW desires (after all it's her vacation too)

[mkleblanc]

Our first cruise will be in March and this is what we are planning to skimp/splurge on...

 

Skimp-spa (I work at one and get great treatments, dont watn to be disappointed for paying top dollar!), steakhouse, pics

 

Splurge- booze, balcony, excursions (independent though): Nachi Cocom-Cozumel, Tropicante- Costa Maya, and Victor Bodden Private Tour-Roatan

[AnnaDurbs]

Please be careful if your going to splurge in the spa. Last time I was on I splurged on a hair treatement. It was just wonderful BUT when she asked me if I wanted it "Blown Dry" - I said sure. It was $45.00 just for the "Blow Dry"

Just make sure you know what your paying for. "Ask First"

[Rockitman]

You'd think Carnival would wise up and lower the spa prices. They are ridiculous. You'd think for those prices a happy ending would be involved! :D

 

If they cut their prices in half, I bet they'd turn a better profit.

[frito58]

Our splurge is the Vacation itself, 7 day Balcony room. Dont really scrimp I if I want a bucket of beer I get it or a pre dinner drink . My wife treats herself to the soda card as she doesnt drink , maybe a DOD but thats it.

 

Now saying that we doing very little excursions, we go to beaches grab a taxi and relax , no pictures , have yet to ever do a specialty restaurant. I don't gamble much maybe $100. A few trinkets if we see something different.

[frito58]

You'd think Carnival would wise up and lower the spa prices. They are ridiculous. You'd think for those prices a happy ending would be involved! :D

 

If they cut their prices in half, I bet they'd turn a better profit.

 

 

I have said the same thing about drink prices , a Happy Hour or 2 would do wonders , but what do we know HUH.

[cruisinsly]

Splurge: Hotel for the night before, alcohol to bring home, steakhouse for a date night (1 nt only), balcony

 

Skimp: excursions, nick nacks, photos (try to buy two or three), gambling, spa (I have yet to pay for a massage on a cruise)

 

Thats all I can think of!

[gelo7]

I'm a big "wet blanket", don't drink, gamble, pictures, spa's, extra pay restaurants, and we book our own excursions. We do purchase snow globes, t-shirts and picture frames while in port. I book my pre-cruise hotels through LMT, Hotwire, or Priceline, and I fly Coach. But I do love my suites.

[Casper2422]

Splurge - Alcohol, Excursions and Cabin, Spend a lot of our time there and must have a balcony. Going to have an aft wrap on our next cruise and I have a feeling I will be extra spoiled now!

 

Skimp - Casino, Photos will buy one or two if they are really good, spa

 

Never had the option of a steakhouse on the cruise and debating about going to it on our next cruise. Will have to wait and see.

[Yvonne]

We splurge on things to do in ports. If we want to do an excursion, or go off on our own, we'll do it. We splurge on alcohol. I splurge on souvenirs (model of the ship, coffee mug, Christmas ornament, refrigerator magnets, shirts, etc. and in ports as well). And we splurge on a balcony most of the time. I don't mind an inside room, or ocean view, for a 4-night cruise, but any longer than that and we prefer a balcony. We splurged on an aft balcony for next year's cruise. :) And maybe we'll splurge for an aft wrap for the next one after that. :) We used to splurge on photos, but we have enough now that we usually only buy 1 or 2. We don't splurge on the pay restaurants, we feel the food is just fine in the dining room and buffet and room service so just don't feel the need to pay extra for it. We don't plurge on spa treatments, that sort of thing just doesn't interest us.

[LilMissScareAll]

Splurge - alcohol

Skimp - Spa, Casino (I visit Vegas for that), room (we stick with OV)

 

Our upcoming cruise we are doing the Chef's Table, it's our honeymoon so we'll probably spend a bit more than we normally would

[IMDORY]

Every time splurge-Cabin-aft wrap or aft extended, one night at the steakhouse, the premium wine package to have decent wine with dinner each night...plus a bottle or two in addition

 

Every time skip-Jewelry, casino, excursions(always go on our own), shopping(in port and on ship with a few small exceptions)Cabana at HMC or Grand Turk-I know people just love them-but we are perfectly happy without them and I don't feel like I'm missing out

 

Controlled splurge-photos I only buy a few-embarkation, the port picture, maybe 1 other dinner or posed pic-I never spend more than $100 and a few pics do add up fast...

Spa-I did a port special spa massage/body treatment once-it was $100 for the entire thing and the best massage I ever had-but didn't visit the spa last trip...not sure if I will this time

Alcohol-we run up a tab, but we don't get too crazy...This year we will order some Bon Voyage bottles and maybe even save a little more in that area.

 

Random Splurge-I bought my husband a very nice Tissot watch last year-not something we will do again anytime soon-but it was worth every penny when I see almost a year later still how much he loves it. :)

[chachi]

My biggest splurge are the excursions. I go on at least one, sometimes two at every port. I hate just wandering around the town. I also splurge on alcohol and the casino. I will buy 1 or 2 photos, but I don't really consider that a splurge because I come home with something.

I splurged once on a facial, but will not do that again. It wasn't any nicer than the one I can get for half the price at home.

I really can't think of anything that I skimp on. I figure I'm on vacation, might as well enjoy. I do not buy anything from the jewelry store and I don't play bingo!

[melgent]

I have to skimp ahead fo time to afford the cruise!:p

 

On board:

 

Splurge: casino, photos, alcohol

Skimp: steakhouse and spa

[gander24]

lol, I was trying to come up with a concrete answer but realized even over 3 years, my cruise style has totally changed. It used to be:

 

Splurge - alcohol, souvenirs, transportation to the port (but I used to live up in Michigan)

Skimp - excursions, room type (used to only go inside)

 

Now it's:

 

Splurge - excursions (at least 1-2 ports per cruise -- we figure we should do the crazy stuff before we have kids), balcony

Moderation - alcohol (learned my lesson night 1 of our last cruise and still can't sip a Jack & Coke the same way!)

Skimp - souvenirs, transportation to the port (now we drive since we live in NC), spa

[SMSACE6]

I still splurge on things like DOD's, I do still consume more alcohol on a cruise or a vacation, than I do at home, but that is what vacation is all about. I will continue to splurge on things like excursions. I am in the minority here, but I have always booked my port excursions with/through Carnival, and I often travel solo, so it is a comfort to me to know that the ship will wait for my tour to get back to ship. I still and as long as I live will continue to splurge a "little" in the casino on board, part of my on board entertainment. I like the food in the MDR, so have not yet done the steakouse. In my early cruise years, I have spent money in the gift shops, on jewelry etc, but dont do that anymore, and I never take things out of that mini fridge in the stateroom. So in short;

DOD's and wine with dinner in the MDR.

excursions,

casino,

and sometimes a special dessert at the cafe.:)

[sail2sea]

Splurge: Excursions and sometimes cabin

Skimp: Spa and Steakhouse

Not interested in: alcohol, casino, photos, souvenirs

[o2banotter]

This is why I always "skimp" and never get a balcony, just a cheapie inside room- I'd rather spend the money on alcohol! ;)

 

 

I'm never in the room, so there's no point in me spending the extra scratch for one. I see your worst port was Jamaica, why was that? It's our first stop on my next cruise. We're going snorkeling, is there something I should avoid?

[soccersharon]

Splurge:

• cruise and airfare for 5 (3 in an interior and me and hubby in a balcony across the hall)
  
• hotels (pre and post cruise - but picked up some good deals on Hotwire, so maybe not a splurge?)
  
• Gifts for the kids from Carnival - waiting in the room! It's their first cruise, so wanted to do something a little special :)
  
• Excursions
  
• Drinks
  

Skimp:

• photos (although am thinking of taking a family pic this time!)
  
• bought 4 sets of drink coupons this time (not sure if this is a skimp!)
  
• I loved the Harry's Steakhouse in the Liberty, but would cost $150 for this trip, so must skimp on this this time:(
  

[tiff123]

Splurge: Excursions, alcohol

Skimp: Steakhouse, Casino (too smoky anyway) Photos (ours are good) Spa (too much sales pressure to be relaxing)

Moderation: Souvenirs, rooms (50% balcony, 50% interior) Bingo (play only on the last day)

[LSGDRG]

My husband & I splurge on upgraded airfare, cabin type, and pre/post cruise hotel nights. Since we mainly cruise to celebrate birthdays & anniversaries, we try and go to the steakhouse at least once per cruise.

 

We don't drink much. We have never used the casinos and don't buy many photos. I rarely go to the spa & my husband is not interested in spa services. Depending on the port, we sometimes try save money by opting out of guided tours & explore on our own.

[jacksmom09]

Splurge: Balcony, Shore excursions, Photos, and drinks!

Skimp: Steakhouse, Casino, Souvenirs and Spa!

[Jimmy Geegitz]

We go to the steakhouse 1 nite every cruise. we spend money on Alcohol too.

Slpurge on Balcony.

We don't do excursions. the only one we have done is cave tubing.

You can zipline anywher in the US now so it is not such a novelty.

We bring our own snorkle gear.

We never buy pics.