We took a Carnival cruise out of Baltimore (no flying) that stopped at Grand Turk, private island, and Freeport. We did not need to do excursions because in Grand Turk the beach is literally right there, no need at a private island, and in Freeport we just took a cab to the beach. Took advantage of Camp Carnival some and enjoyed entertainment on the ship. Much cheaper than the cruising you describe. Nowhere near $8000.

Anonymous wrote:How on earth is the entire cruise a waste of money??? Please enlighten me. I think I've already established that I didn't pay a fortune for the cruise (it was quite reasonable). And everyone I know who has taken it has enjoyed it. Maybe you are just a cranky pants? You see, we tend to have fun wherever we go. The premise of your initial post was that even though I snagged a bargain that I would encounter tons of additional fees...so clearly that must have happened to you and put a damper on your experience. Am I close?

yeah that is exactly it.

How on earth is the entire cruise a waste of money??? Please enlighten me. I think I've already established that I didn't pay a fortune for the cruise (it was quite reasonable). And everyone I know who has taken it has enjoyed it. Maybe you are just a cranky pants? You see, we tend to have fun wherever we go. The premise of your initial post was that even though I snagged a bargain that I would encounter tons of additional fees...so clearly that must have happened to you and put a damper on your experience. Am I close?

Anonymous wrote:To 7:55/cranky pants - We aren't doing the photo package; we have a nice camera, and aren't shy about asking people (including photographers) to take a picture of us. We probably won't venture to the game room. We don't drink a lot...we prefer water. I understand that sodas in cans cost extra, but we dont drink soda. We aren't into souvenirs. I have pillowcases made for autographs, and I had t-shirts made for pirate night. Those will be our souvenirs. I understand that tips will be added (it's not exhorbitant). In short, I'm not worried about racking up tons of additional charges. Having said that, it's not a big deal if we do...we don't really have to worry about money (I'm just frugal by nature).

But please let me know if you can think of other extra charges I might have missed ;0)

no matter what I tell you you will return with some dumb ass remark-get it you are not into anything nor do you want for anything. The entire cruise is a waste of money. But enjoy. Not cranky at all just btdt. But you know better.

For cruises, make sure you find a ship that has rooms that sleep 5 people. You really don't spend much time in the room! I know there are some Carnival ones that leave out of Jacksonville that hold 5.

Driving with 5 people is almost always cheaper than flying. Yes, it's longer but there's no dealing with loading an unloading suitcases, you don't need to rent a car at your destination, etc.

Try someplace relatively close like Kiawah Island, SC or Hilton Head so half the cost of the vacation isn't traveling to get there.

Another hint is to stay at hotels that offer breakfast. For example, we go to Disney and stay at either Marriott Fairfield or Marriott SpringHill Suites. Both include breakfast which adds up quickly for 5 people. We try to eat big breakfast so lunch can be something small like a slice of pizza and we bring our own snacks.

For beach vacations, we get an efficiency or room with a kitchen. We go to the local grocery store and eat breakfast in the room (cereal usually) as well as lunch. We do easy stuff so it still feels like vacation (bagels, subs) or even prepared food from the grocery store which is a treat. We only eat dinners out.

Another tip is even if you have to travel "in season" shop around for hotels, every hotel has different dates when the "high season" rates start. For example, we went to Fort Myers, FL last year for Christmas. Some rates went up on the 22nd of Dec. We found a hotel whose rates didn't go up until Dec. 26. This year we are going to Disney right before Christmas, and same thing, some hotel's rates go up on the 25th, others on the 26th, and others before that. So shop around!

Last tip, at some Marriotts, there is a cheaper rate for long-term stays. We booked a Boca hotel for Christmas and it was more expensive to stay 6 nights than 7 nights. There is a long-term rate for 7 nights. Play around with different hotel and date scenarios to get your best deals.

Good luck!

To 7:55/cranky pants - We aren't doing the photo package; we have a nice camera, and aren't shy about asking people (including photographers) to take a picture of us. We probably won't venture to the game room. We don't drink a lot...we prefer water. I understand that sodas in cans cost extra, but we dont drink soda. We aren't into souvenirs. I have pillowcases made for autographs, and I had t-shirts made for pirate night. Those will be our souvenirs. I understand that tips will be added (it's not exhorbitant). In short, I'm not worried about racking up tons of additional charges. Having said that, it's not a big deal if we do...we don't really have to worry about money (I'm just frugal by nature).

But please let me know if you can think of other extra charges I might have missed ;0)