LIVE Labor Day on the Mardi Gras (8/31/24 - 9/8/24)

[KarmaCruisers]

18 minutes ago, JLC0912 said:

We are in agreement that the demand for cruises and travel has resulted in price increases.  This is per the economic rule of supply and demand. However, I don't agree with your analysis in how that is applied.  Firstly, there is an increase in demand because a large portion of our population- Baby Boomers, are all retiring at about the same time.  Baby Boomers are putting a strain on multiple parts of our economy.  Secondly, there is a shortage of supply in that the number of workers (the labor that is part of the supply equation) as a proportion to the those who are retiring is dwindling.  The only way to prevent inflation now and in the future is to increase the supply of workers and that would mean increasing the birth rate.  Reducing "blue cruisers" or likewise expecting a change of political leaders is not going to change the diminishing birth rate. As long as we have a low birth rate, we are going to have a shortage of supply in proportion to demand.

Wait a minute..boomers have to have LONG been retired? Hell I’m 42 and I’m a late Gen X/Early Millenial and I’m going to retire soon!

[KarmaCruisers]

27 minutes ago, JLC0912 said:

We are in agreement that the demand for cruises and travel has resulted in price increases.  This is per the economic rule of supply and demand. However, I don't agree with your analysis in how that is applied.  Firstly, there is an increase in demand because a large portion of our population- Baby Boomers, are all retiring at about the same time.  Baby Boomers are putting a strain on multiple parts of our economy.  Secondly, there is a shortage of supply in that the number of workers (the labor that is part of the supply equation) as a proportion to the those who are retiring is dwindling.  The only way to prevent inflation now and in the future is to increase the supply of workers and that would mean increasing the birth rate.  Reducing "blue cruisers" or likewise expecting a change of political leaders is not going to change the diminishing birth rate. As long as we have a low birth rate, we are going to have a shortage of supply in proportion to demand.

This is totally a tangent but I don’t think it’s the birth rate..as that is clearly not low in the WORLD as a whole (and the ships are staffed with non USA workers)

It’s the fact the covid showed everyone that they can run businesses with MUCH leas employees..if everyone started putting a hurt on businesses who didn’t hire enough employees to actually do the job, businesses would begin employing more people and the economy could grow..although the “rich wouldn’t get richer”..but after a certain point, money doesn’t matter.

[TravelE]

On 8/28/2024 at 10:31 PM, KarmaCruisers said:

They limit you to $12,500 per account per month (so technically I could buy $25,000)

The AARP site is just being stupid and not letting me buy more, quickly. I’ve gotten 20 bought so far ($10,000) one and a half purchases more to go.

Thanks for the quick math..I also got a bonus of $200 for my first $500 purchase; so technically a $12,148 investment.

I’m hoping to come back with all $14,000…I plan to earn my points on the GameMaster video blackjack machines. (Lowest house edge, but takes $5 per point)

I’ll play $5 hand at a time.

The juice is worth the squeeze if I wanted to earn more points to get free cruises..but with the ex squeezing me for alimony and also 50% of everything…I need every nickle I can get right now! 

 

What was your final tally?

 

Started with $12,148 investment which gave you $14,000 to play with in the casino

 

Did you bring home all $14,000? Or more?

 

Plus you had a free cruise and some comped meals!

[vswan]

38 minutes ago, KarmaCruisers said:

Wait a minute..boomers have to have LONG been retired? Hell I’m 42 and I’m a late Gen X/Early Millenial and I’m going to retire soon!

Nope, I am 67 and am considered part of the boomers, as is my sister who will be 65 this winter. Although we have both been retired for a while, many others our age are still working and deciding if they can afford to retire. Full retirement age for me was considered 66 and a half. And the thing is, many of those who are on the tail end of the boomer's are in relatively good health and have been saving for retirement - for many of us that means travel.

[pe4all]

3 hours ago, KarmaCruisers said:

Thank you! Looking forward to getting back to a healthy weight and being someone a gal wants to date

 Just remember - it is what is on the inside that matters - not just what is on the outside.  You have a great writing style, and obviously a good sense of humor.  In my mind, that is worth more than looks. Getting healthy is definitely important - but so is a good attitude, which you seem to have. 

[KarmaCruisers]

26 minutes ago, TravelE said:

 

What was your final tally?

 

Started with $12,148 investment which gave you $14,000 to play with in the casino

 

Did you bring home all $14,000? Or more?

 

Plus you had a free cruise and some comped meals!

It got really muddy, as I went through more, charging against my room.

I’m bringing home $14,000 but I charged I think $4000 against my credit card (0% interest for six months on carnival purchases; so no worries there)

I did talk to casino employees, and found out some things.

Apparently the Mardi Gras technology stack is severely lacking; so continually throughout the cruise, the link between machines and the database was down (ie: you couldn’t charge money to your room)

So I talked to a casino employee who looked “techy”, because my card was “locked”. 
Reason being; the only way table players were able To get money is by “charging” at a slot machine then cashing it out and buying into the tables.

The employee apologized for the system and said the trick is; when you do that to play exactly ONE spin, And cash out and go to the tables. (He actually told me “This is a trick to get around paying the 3% fee at the tables”)

He said the system will “lock” your card if it sees you “charge” twice, with ZERO play between “charge” and “cashout”…so, that’s good info to know.

So to “wash” the gift cards, you could play exactly one 50c hand of video poker per $1000 gift card; and have no problems at all.

[KarmaCruisers]

5 minutes ago, pe4all said:

 Just remember - it is what is on the inside that matters - not just what is on the outside.  You have a great writing style, and obviously a good sense of humor.  In my mind, that is worth more than looks. Getting healthy is definitely important - but so is a good attitude, which you seem to have. 

Thanks..but I’ve realized I don’t want to be with someone who isn’t healthy (it’s important as we get older) and no healthy person wants to be with someone who is obese/overweight.

[KarmaCruisers]

Wow!

just boarded SWA flight to St Louis (Connector). This is a Boeing 737-MAX8…and I REALLY like the seating! Very comfortable for economy. This must be the first 737-MAX8 I’ve flown on..but the seats seem “wider” than normal (mostly I fly Airbus)…I think it’s because this window seat is all the way to the wall, where usually there’s a good 4” gap between the armrest and the wall; so it seems they’ve made the most with the room they had. (Smart)

[Destiny0315]

1 hour ago, TravelE said:

 

What was your final tally?

 

Started with $12,148 investment which gave you $14,000 to play with in the casino

 

Did you bring home all $14,000? Or more?

 

Plus you had a free cruise and some comped meals!

36 minutes ago, KarmaCruisers said:

It got really muddy, as I went through more, charging against my room.

I’m bringing home $14,000 but I charged I think $4000 against my credit card

In "real speak" this means he lost another shirt again, but apparently has more.😏

[KarmaCruisers]

13 minutes ago, Destiny0315 said:

In "real speak" this means he lost another shirt again, but apparently has more.😏

A shirt to some, socks to others.

Losing the $22k, would have been bad…but…at the end of the day.. it’s only money

[KarmaCruisers]

I’m actually glad things played out the way they did; because I can only define an $18k comeback as divine intervention. (Never in my 20 years of gambling have I come back THAT far)

So like I said..a deal is a deal..and that’s one person you don’t want to break a deal with…

[Knights on the Beach]

3 hours ago, KarmaCruisers said:

Wait a minute..boomers have to have LONG been retired? Hell I’m 42 and I’m a late Gen X/Early Millenial and I’m going to retire soon!

 

No. I plan to work another two years and retire but won't be at full retirement age. If health insurance was cheaper, I might already be retired. But I'd be willing to bet most people YOUR age are not retired either. 

[TravelE]

2 hours ago, KarmaCruisers said:

It got really muddy, as I went through more, charging against my room.

I’m bringing home $14,000 but I charged I think $4000 against my credit card (0% interest for six months on carnival purchases; so no worries there)

I did talk to casino employees, and found out some things.

Apparently the Mardi Gras technology stack is severely lacking; so continually throughout the cruise, the link between machines and the database was down (ie: you couldn’t charge money to your room)

So I talked to a casino employee who looked “techy”, because my card was “locked”. 
Reason being; the only way table players were able To get money is by “charging” at a slot machine then cashing it out and buying into the tables.

The employee apologized for the system and said the trick is; when you do that to play exactly ONE spin, And cash out and go to the tables. (He actually told me “This is a trick to get around paying the 3% fee at the tables”)

He said the system will “lock” your card if it sees you “charge” twice, with ZERO play between “charge” and “cashout”…so, that’s good info to know.

So to “wash” the gift cards, you could play exactly one 50c hand of video poker per $1000 gift card; and have no problems at all.

 

That's not too bad. More than I could stand to lose but like you said it could have been worse.

 

You invested $12,148 + another $4,000 = $16,148 invested and you are brining home $14,000.

A $2,148 loss. 

 

Your cabin was free. So you only had to pay for taxes, gratuities, shore excursion(s), airfare, and two airport transfers. Basically a $2800 - 3000 vacation.

 

 

 

 

[KarmaCruisers]

30 minutes ago, TravelE said:

 

That's not too bad. More than I could stand to lose but like you said it could have been worse.

 

You invested $12,148 + another $4,000 = $16,148 invested and you are brining home $14,000.

A $2,148 loss. 

 

Your cabin was free. So you only had to pay for taxes, gratuities, shore excursion(s), airfare, and two airport transfers. Basically a $2800 - 3000 vacation.

 

 

 

 

And I ate every night at a specialty restaurant, basically. (And they wanted to comp more but they unfortunately had nothing to offer me that I wanted)

EDIT: 
I bought $16,000 worth of gift cards for the cost of $13,912. (After point redemptions)

so, yes; a $4000 pure loss

Edited September 8 by KarmaCruisers

[KarmaCruisers]

Made it safely to St. Louis (never been here before)

always wanted to visit the Gateway to the West..man it sure looks small from the air!

[KarmaCruisers]

Loaded up now on a hella old 737, and heading for OAK.

[edspec]

6 hours ago, KarmaCruisers said:

Wait a minute..boomers have to have LONG been retired? Hell I’m 42 and I’m a late Gen X/Early Millenial and I’m going to retire soon!

I'm 62 and a boomer and I'm not retired yet...the boomers cover A LOT of years!

[KarmaCruisers]

6 minutes ago, edspec said:

I'm 62 and a boomer and I'm not retired yet...the boomers cover A LOT of years!

I guess so; maybe I was mixing up the “greatest generation” with “boomers”.

 

and a lot of people I know are actually retiring at 50…but we’re all finance nerds. (Sans me; I am..but I’ve got a gambling addiction)

[vswan]

2 minutes ago, KarmaCruisers said:

and a lot of people I know are actually retiring at 50…but we’re all finance nerds. (Sans me; I am..but I’ve got a gambling addiction)

Good for you that you realize you have an addiction. That is the first step to doing something about it. And, I applaud you for working on your health to make your future better.

 

As a single woman (older by 20 years so not in your age range) I can say that the gambling (or alcohol/drugs) addiction would be a larger problem for me than the weight. Take care of yourself and I hope your future holds all you want it to.

[TravelE]

2 hours ago, KarmaCruisers said:

And I ate every night at a specialty restaurant, basically. (And they wanted to comp more but they unfortunately had nothing to offer me that I wanted)

EDIT: 
I bought $16,000 worth of gift cards for the cost of $13,912. (After point redemptions)

so, yes; a $4000 pure loss

No judgement here but I do wonder if it’s worth it. 

 

You could pay $3k for a really nice vacation and not risk a $32k loss ($14k investment and $18k down). 
 

I would love to read that trip report where you are not chasing that high but content with yourself and what you have. 

 

 

 

 

[KarmaCruisers]

2 hours ago, TravelE said:

No judgement here but I do wonder if it’s worth it. 

 

You could pay $3k for a really nice vacation and not risk a $32k loss ($14k investment and $18k down). 
 

I would love to read that trip report where you are not chasing that high but content with yourself and what you have. 

 

 

 

 

Ohh believe me I’ve taken trips to places without casinos. 
Also, I don’t consider anything a “vacation”..because what am I taking a vacation from. (My daily life has no stress in it, as is carefree)

But believe me, my future plans include no gambling (bad things happen when you cross divine intervention)

[KarmaCruisers]

Just touched down safely in OAK; now just go make the 90 minute drive home; and do it all again in 13 days haha

[KarmaCruisers]

4 hours ago, vswan said:

Good for you that you realize you have an addiction. That is the first step to doing something about it. And, I applaud you for working on your health to make your future better.

 

As a single woman (older by 20 years so not in your age range) I can say that the gambling (or alcohol/drugs) addiction would be a larger problem for me than the weight. Take care of yourself and I hope your future holds all you want it to.

Thanks.

Yeah, the gambling problem is probably a larger problem for most people. But I mean..it’s only a problem if it affects your life right?

Would a $22k loss affect my life? Probably not, no…but it would suck more than a $4k loss, for sure.

 

[KarmaCruisers]

Home safe and sound.

thanks to those of you who followed along.

[KmomChicago]

13 hours ago, KarmaCruisers said:

And I ate every night at a specialty restaurant, basically. (And they wanted to comp more but they unfortunately had nothing to offer me that I wanted)

EDIT: 
I bought $16,000 worth of gift cards for the cost of $13,912. (After point redemptions)

so, yes; a $4000 pure loss

 

Okay. As a mostly non gambler who has actually tried but can’t get into it, I just want to ask because my mom was a slot player back in the day who did Vegas and local casinos and bus trips to Tunica. She was always getting comps and gifts. Just regular hotel rooms and buffets, nothing approaching high roller quality accommodation, but quite a lot of modest level comps nonetheless. 
 

I never understood the math. The house always holds the advantage, statistically, or else they wouldn’t have the funds for the comps. Or for the machines and tables and dealers and the real estate they all occupy. 
 

At 4k, I can simply buy the vacation I wanted anyway and then spend the vacation enjoying the, well, vacation. Sitting in the casino more than an hour actually feels like work to me. And when I lose my daily $100 gambling budget I am absolutely done for the day. And if I go the other way up to say $300, I actually cash out, put away the winnings, go back and gamble with the original budget only, and when I inevitably lose that, I don’t touch the $200 bounty from ten minutes ago. 
 

So economically what is the advantage to the hard core gambler that I am missing / missing out on?