Everything paid

[mumofsons]

Everything is paid for before we leave including our hotels pre and post. We just find it easier to relax knowing that I don't come home to a huge credit card bill. Then I can start planning the next one:D

[Staceelvls]

We pay for pretty much everything ahead of time. Including gratuities, a few bottles, 12 pack of water, excursions, plus $100 on board credit. When we get there we throw money on the card for the casino.

 

We're about 114 days out and the flights are taken care of too.

Edited May 27, 2016 by Staceelvls

[AprilJ]

So how many people have everything paid before they leave parking excursions and achcohol

 

1st cruise in 9 days and we have been PIF for a couple of months. Hotel for 2 nights prior, parking at Fultons, cruise, cheers & gratituites.

[Micahs Grandad]

We pay when due, rather we have the money earning a little something than paying ahead of time.

[BadBoysDriveAudi]

So how many people have everything paid before they leave parking excursions and achcohol

 

I never prepay much of anything. I'd rather pay just prior to the due date and have my money earning interest for me rather than the creditor. That's not to say that I don't earmark the money; I'd rather just put that money aside into a short term CD or something and then pay the bills as they are due.

 

Same with taxes. I'd rather pay on April 15. Just as long as I don't go over that magical 10% figure which would incur a penalty.

[cccer]

We prepay what we can. Tips, Bon Voyage booze, insurance. Doing Europe this year and very port intensive and most private shore excursions take euros only so we will bring a lot of euros.

[poobears]

I prepay everything including putting money onto OBC then set cash aside for anything else needed. I never walk away with a bill from a vacation.

[angel123]

Ours is paid from cruise parking gratitudes excursions and and an on board credit no bill when we get off one great vacationand steak house is paid for yea baby

[ambkch22]

I wish I could pre pay for parking in Baltimore! Everything else is paid for well in advance, so when it's time to cruise, I know what my budget will be.

 

 

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[bassmaster150]

So how many people have everything paid before they leave parking excursions and achcohol

 

We always do that...don't like the vacation to "follow us home" (i.e. have credit card bills, etc for months after the trip) except in photos. We pay for the cruise, excursions, airfare, gratuities, transfers, and add a little onboard spending cash so we end up with a small bill (usually less than $100) when we get home.

[dave_k58]

Everything except cheers - which we don't need. All excursions we use are private.

[lizardhowson]

I only pay for things as they are due. As for having a big credit card bill - why does everyone cite that as a reason to pay early ? There are other solutions to avoiding a credit car bill like leaving the cash in an account until it's time to pay it or time to cruise. Or having an envelope around the house with more than enough to pay grats and onboard charges.

 

I just scored a $1250 price drop this week on my October cruise, of course I had not prepaid it - so instead of having an insane OBC which I could never spend and would have to go out of my way to bring home, I just need to pay Carnival less money in July. Win Win for me.

 

When I walked off my January cruise I had a zero balance - nothing went on my credit card - but I paid my account down to zero before walking off the ship.

 

Not prepaying doesn't have to be synonymous with a credit card bill on debarkation day.

[cruzelover55]

I only pay for things as they are due. As for having a big credit card bill - why does everyone cite that as a reason to pay early ? There are other solutions to avoiding a credit car bill like leaving the cash in an account until it's time to pay it or time to cruise. Or having an envelope around the house with more than enough to pay grats and onboard charges.

 

I just scored a $1250 price drop this week on my October cruise, of course I had not prepaid it - so instead of having an insane OBC which I could never spend and would have to go out of my way to bring home, I just need to pay Carnival less money in July. Win Win for me.

 

When I walked off my January cruise I had a zero balance - nothing went on my credit card - but I paid my account down to zero before walking off the ship.

 

Not prepaying doesn't have to be synonymous with a credit card bill on debarkation day.

 

Everyone citing a credit card bill for the reason? You need to read this whole thread again, from the start as that was not the case at all. Very few mentioned cards at all...Just saying...:confused: Congrats on the price drop!

[Raxter54]

265 days out, and parking is paid for, hotel rooms coming and going are paid for, pre-paid gratuities are added to our cruise bill and will be paid off by October, just waiting for Carnival to list excursions so we can purchase FTTF and Tabyana Beach Break. Even started adding to our "tips and souvenir" fund. I always find it easier to place small sums towards the cruise during the year rather than one large payment.

 

 

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[GUT2407]

So how many people have everything paid before they leave parking excursions and achcohol

 

Generally not excursions. Not always drinks Package either (OBC normally covers that as soon as we board).

[skyeman27]

We never pre pay, main reason being if we have to cancel a cruise it is less of a hassle getting $ back and no $ penalties where applicable..

[Computer Nerd]

I only pay for things as they are due. As for having a big credit card bill - why does everyone cite that as a reason to pay early ? There are other solutions to avoiding a credit car bill like leaving the cash in an account until it's time to pay it or time to cruise. Or having an envelope around the house with more than enough to pay grats and onboard charges.

 

I just scored a $1250 price drop this week on my October cruise, of course I had not prepaid it - so instead of having an insane OBC which I could never spend and would have to go out of my way to bring home, I just need to pay Carnival less money in July. Win Win for me.

 

When I walked off my January cruise I had a zero balance - nothing went on my credit card - but I paid my account down to zero before walking off the ship.

 

Not prepaying doesn't have to be synonymous with a credit card bill on debarkation day.

 

2 minutes in the casino, to me, is hardly going out of my way considering the number of times i walk past the casino during a cruise.

[poobears]

I wish my October cruise was one of the ones that dropped. I saw a few that got good price drops for Oct. Of course mine stayed the same lol.

[lizardhowson]

Everyone citing a credit card bill for the reason? You need to read this whole thread again, from the start as that was not the case at all. Very few mentioned cards at all...Just saying...:confused: Congrats on the price drop!

 

OK, I guess I was a little strong using the term "everyone", but not having a credit card bill does come up regularly as a reason to prepay.

 

2 minutes in the casino, to me, is hardly going out of my way considering the number of times i walk past the casino during a cruise.

 

While paying Carnival early might alleviate some folks' worries, others of us can wait until due date. And just as going to the casino to get your money back might not be going out of your way, I'll just keep my money for the entire period.

Edited May 30, 2016 by lizardhowson

[cruzelover55]

I wish my October cruise was one of the ones that dropped. I saw a few that got good price drops for Oct. Of course mine stayed the same lol.

 

Same here! Am thinking of booking differently next time. I usually do early saver through Carnival about 11 months ahead and get great drops. My last 2, I haven't seen ANY! 'Course, that means I got a good price, but one cruise we booked, it was really nice to have over $800. OBC. I like to book ahead as we only want to be in a balcony on the Lido. I am seeing deals through TA's, online, right now, that I could get our cruise for only $40. more, but get $750. in perks from the TA. But, not sure if we could get the same location. Frustrating!! That's why this is the 1st time I have paid Cheers! and gratuities ahead as I see I will not have OBC. Oh, well, the cruise will still be great. I just miss doing the "happy dance" when I have checked everyday for price drops and actually GET one.:)

[poobears]

I love that big OBC waiting for me when I get there. I don't feel like I got a great price on this cruise but not bad either. A little OBC would make me feel better about it LOL

[sunshine3215]

I normally pay for as much as I can. But just as a reminder to everyone, cruise cash is not refundable. I lost money on my last cruise. I did not realize it was non refundable since I go on a lot of different cruise lines. Make sure you use your cruise cash.

[mek]

No rarely is everything paid before I cruise, but I use Amex, so it all has to be paid roughly 30 days after the cruise depending on when my statement closes. Really there isn't any advantage for me to pay before.

[Computer Nerd]

While paying Carnival early might alleviate some folks' worries, others of us can wait until due date. And just as going to the casino to get your money back might not be going out of your way, I'll just keep my money for the entire period.

 

and there's nothing wrong with that. usually i wait until payments are due as well but i don't poo-poo on people who want to pay a year early either.

[Computer Nerd]

I normally pay for as much as I can. But just as a reminder to everyone, cruise cash is not refundable. I lost money on my last cruise. I did not realize it was non refundable since I go on a lot of different cruise lines. Make sure you use your cruise cash.

 

all obc is refundable using the slot machine method. ;)