marylp Posted July 5, 2012 #1 Share Posted July 5, 2012 I usually like to use a debit to my account when paying the down payment, then again for the final payment. Problem is major budgeting to have that money in the account when those payments come around. Do you use a credit card? How long does it usually take to pay it down? I thinking I don't know if I want to still be paying for a vacation a year out and interest on top of that. My final payment for my next cruise is not till November and 700 bucks will be sucked out. I've got time, but hopefully nothing major happens tween now and then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 5, 2012 #2 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Yes I use a CC i usually do not book a cruise until I have the funds in the bank Much safer that way ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
operabob Posted July 5, 2012 #3 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Definitely! I get my medical and trip cancellation through my credit card (best deal BTW). Trip cancellation only works for what I buy on the card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montekat Posted July 5, 2012 #4 Share Posted July 5, 2012 I always use a credit card, but I always keep it paid off every month. If I don't have the money, I don't charge it. The credit card does give me points towards a free cruise. We did a free cruise on the Allure of the Seas in Sept. and am almost up to another free 7 night cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare melodyesch Posted July 5, 2012 #5 Share Posted July 5, 2012 We put money aside from each paycheck to fund vacations. When it's time to pay, we put the charge on our credit card (for the insurance and the points) and then use the cash from our vacation savings to pay off the CC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted July 5, 2012 #6 Share Posted July 5, 2012 I use a credit card to pay for my cruise and just about all other expenses. Pay it off each month, so no interest charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylp Posted July 5, 2012 Author #7 Share Posted July 5, 2012 We put money aside from each paycheck to fund vacations. When it's time to pay, we put the charge on our credit card (for the insurance and the points) and then use the cash from our vacation savings to pay off the CC. This sounds great! Gonna do it this way..:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calliopecruiser Posted July 5, 2012 #8 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Yup, I use a credit card, and I get frequent flyer miles to help me fly to my next vacation. However, I pay my credit card bill in full each month. I wouldn't purchase a vacation (cruise, flight, anything) if I couldn't pay it off in full when the bill came; I would save sufficiently until I knew I'd have enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted July 5, 2012 #9 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Yes I use a credit card. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smileyone Posted July 6, 2012 #10 Share Posted July 6, 2012 You could also call Carnival and make payments leading up to the final payment date so its not such a big hit at one time. I've also paid online. Sometimes I make just a $10 payment if that is what I have extra that week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinppu Posted July 6, 2012 #11 Share Posted July 6, 2012 I pay almost everything with my credit card, it gives frequent flyer points. I've used one for over 10 years now so I've gotten to know my limits and weak spots :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted July 6, 2012 #12 Share Posted July 6, 2012 The credit care can also give you some kind of recourse. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted July 6, 2012 #13 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Credit cards give you protections that debit cards don't....always use a credit card! If you have the cash in your account that you would have used to pay for the vacation, just transfer that money to your credit card payment when you return! Easy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb(uk) Posted July 6, 2012 #14 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Credit cards give you protections that debit cards don't....always use a credit card! If you have the cash in your account that you would have used to pay for the vacation, just transfer that money to your credit card payment when you return! Easy! but RCCL charges 2.5% for using one. I paid my deposit with a credit card. I thought I heard somewhere if you pay any part by cc it is covered. Does anyone know if that is true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dread_pirate Posted July 7, 2012 #15 Share Posted July 7, 2012 but RCCL charges 2.5% for using one. RCCL charges for passengers to use credit cards??? Really??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted July 7, 2012 #16 Share Posted July 7, 2012 RCCL charges for passengers to use credit cards??? Really??? The poster you quote is from the UK. That may affect things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 7, 2012 #17 Share Posted July 7, 2012 but RCCL charges 2.5% for using one. I think you mean your CC company charges the % for the currency transaction I know Canadian CC have the fee built into the exchange rate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb(uk) Posted July 7, 2012 #18 Share Posted July 7, 2012 I think you mean your CC company charges the % for the currency transactionI know Canadian CC have the fee built into the exchange rate actually no I don't. In the UK it is a RCCL charge. They tack on this charge as they pay an additional fee for processing these types of payments. I have a feeling the the debit card + the credit card is reverse in the two countries though. In the UK the Debit card is the bank account card that withdraws directly from your B/A. Is that the same in the states? I'm American but have lived in the UK most my life so don't remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calliopecruiser Posted July 7, 2012 #19 Share Posted July 7, 2012 actually no I don't. In the UK it is a RCCL charge. They tack on this charge as they pay an additional fee for processing these types of payments. I have a feeling the the debit card + the credit card is reverse in the two countries though. In the UK the Debit card is the bank account card that withdraws directly from your B/A. Is that the same in the states? I'm American but have lived in the UK most my life so don't remember. Yes, you're right about debit cards. Companies in the US and Canada can't charge more to customers using a credit card, but it seems that's different elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 7, 2012 #20 Share Posted July 7, 2012 actually no I don't. In the UK it is a RCCL charge. They tack on this charge as they pay an additional fee for processing these types of payments. INTERESTING did not realize that In the UK the Debit card is the bank account card that withdraws directly from your B/A. Is that the same in the states? I'm American but have lived in the UK most my life so don't remember. In Canada the Debit card takes directly from your bank account as well Our Credit cards have a foreign transaction fee added to the Currency exchange rate when using the card out of the country.... it is more or less hidden & can be 2-4% depending on the card You only know about the fee if you read the Credit Card agreement (which most people do not read ) Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwaj girl Posted July 7, 2012 #21 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Definitely! I get my medical and trip cancellation through my credit card (best deal BTW). Trip cancellation only works for what I buy on the card. What card offers this kind of insurance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted July 7, 2012 #22 Share Posted July 7, 2012 I use a credit card to pay for my cruise and just about all other expenses. Pay it off each month, so no interest charges. We do the same! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dread_pirate Posted July 7, 2012 #23 Share Posted July 7, 2012 In Canada the Debit card takes directly from your bank account as wellOur Credit cards have a foreign transaction fee added to the Currency exchange rate when using the card out of the country.... it is more or less hidden & can be 2-4% depending on the card You only know about the fee if you read the Credit Card agreement (which most people do not read ) Lyn Same in the States - debit cards take the money directly out of checking/savings accounts, and many credit cards charge a "foreign transaction fee" on top of the exchange rate for anything except US dollars. There are, however, some cards that don't charge a foreign transaction fee. You can find them by shopping around a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GalCruzer Posted July 7, 2012 #24 Share Posted July 7, 2012 (edited) CC for me...As I love getting my "rewards". :) And I make sure I am able to pay it off, so no interest, either. Edited July 7, 2012 by GalCruzer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
operabob Posted July 8, 2012 #25 Share Posted July 8, 2012 (edited) Kwaj, What card offers this kind of insurance? http://www.bmo.com/home/personal/banking/insurance/travel/year-round I read an MSN article suggesting getting coverage through your credit card could be less expensive, so even if you're not Canadian research cards where you are. I used to get coverage through CAA/BCAA. Low age coverage was about 4 times more expensive with the next age level starting at 60. The BMO plan is $99 for the family up to age 65 and has the same coverage as the BCAA. I saved the $99 cost of the card and more. American Express was more expensive. I'd add too, that I write for a financial magazine and moderate a couple of boards with everything focusing on how to keep costs down and money in "YOUR" pocket. Normally, I wouldn't pay for a credit card. In this case though another added benefit of this card is that I get an automatic 25% reduction in the number of AirMiles needed for flights and I know how to accumulate AirMiles to my advantage. So $99 spent saves $100s in medical, cancellation and flight costs. Edited July 8, 2012 by operabob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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