What Do You Like To Pre-Pay and Why

[edjny]

I'm thinking that having most things pre-paid is good, but do some of them have to be paid in full on top of the deposit? Or is everything pre-paid just paid off as you go and as long as everything is paid in full by the due date? I have read pre-paid gratuities, Shore Excursions, photo packages, soda cards....what else does RCCL off at the time of booking as pre-pay?

 

I wait until the last possible date to pay for anything on the cruise. And then I only pay for what I really have to. I prefer to have the cash in my pocket/account than RCL's. Some things I have to pay early, such as excursions, gratuities (MTD) and the final payment. Other than that, the cash stays in my pocket until I have to put it on the credit card.

 

If they gave me a percentage discount for paying early, perhaps I would then. Other than that, they wait until I have to pay.

[mamasylvia]

As a total novice to cruising, the only thing I have prepaid so far was a Chef's Table reservation, because I wanted to make sure I got to do it! I didn't want to risk waiting until I felt in the mood and then discover they were all booked up. But I'm open to recommendations on what else to prepay. How do you find out about sales or special deals to take advantage of?

[SWManiac]

Anything and everything I can!! LOL It takes the sticker shock off my final bill!! So far we have reserved specialty dinning, prepaid gratuities, purchased the soda and alcohol packages, purchased shore excursions, sent flowers to the room, purchased things from gifts and gear for the kiddos, and sent pre purchased on board credit. Not all for one trip but you get the idea! :)

[daleb85]

Well, it looks like I am in the minority here but I like to pre-pay absolutely nothing.

So I pre-pay only what is required.

 

I see no good reason to give my money to the cruise line early when it is not necessary and they provide me with no incentive to do so.

That is why I prefer to keep my money in my own bank account until payment is actually due.

 

 

I only prepay if it saves me money.

[slyster]

I like to pre-pay the specialty restaurants, excursions, and wine package. I never thought about pre-paying for spa visits so I'm glad that was mentioned.

[critterchick]

I prefer not to pre-pay anything. If something happens to make me cancel my trip, I don't want the hassle of waiting for a refund of any more than I have to. And I never pay now when I can pay later for the same cost.

 

The only exception would be something that I really want to do that I fear might be sold out. We pre-booked the Chef's Table packae on Rhapsody past month. but that's pretty much the only thing we've prepaid in a few years.

[mcatmcat]

I rather pay as I go

 

 

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[Luckybrat]

I prepaid for whatever I could on a limited budget: The cruise, gratuities, and one night at Chops when I got a bonus at work. If I could have afforded it it I would have prepaid for DH's soda card and the excursions. I'm just thankful my next paycheck will come in on Embarkation day!