- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
Last two cruises we were on were Royal and they are a serious step down from Carnival. Just my opinion
Life with credit cards, -or- learning to dance with the devil
- Thread starter TurboMinivan
- Start date
Last two cruises we were on were Royal and they are a serious step down from Carnival. Just my opinion
Obviously I don’t work for Royal so I don’t really have a dog in the fight. I’ve been on two cruises and both were Royal. My buddy that went on a couple cruises a year growing up said I was screwed for going with them first because now anything else would be a step down. Again, meh. Also everything I’ve read said Carnival is for “cost-conscious” cruisers aka the poors. So I just assumed. I’m sure a lot of it depends on the ship too.
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
Starting in 2006, I think we've been on 4 Carnival and 2 Royal. 1st Royal was out of Galveston about 7 years ago. September 2023, we did the Alaska thing on a BEEEG Royal ship. Alaska was pretty cool. The ship was kind of cool. The food on board was about 2 out of 5 stars. Previous to that, I'd give all the ships we were on at least 3.5 stars on food.
I'm not sure if I'll cruise again (2 week Hawaii out of Long Beach is pretty tempting having never been to Hawaii) on Royal. I think Carnival has that same cruise, so I'd kean that way for sure.
My son and daughter in law have about 5 cruises in their not quite 5 years married. They are done with Royal as well. They're trying MSC next week but will likely bounce back to Carnival.
I might choose an old person line before truly giving the cruise up? I just think a cruise card is kind of a waste if I'm this meh on the cruise?
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
Arguing about cruise lines, something I never thought I would see on RME. What's next? Best white sneaker shoe polish and where to find a fanny pack with a hidden pocket for travelers checks? 
You're both way too young to be arguing about the best cruise lines.
You're both way too young to be arguing about the best cruise lines.
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
Interestingly, it's reported the average age of cruise goers is 48 according to the Cruise Line Industry Association in 2022.
I suspect that the real average for actual cruise aficionados is 75+ and the reported average is lopsided by binge drinking 18-25 years enjoying the all inclusive beverage plans. CLIA seems to ignore binge drinking Mexico Riviera statistics
Edit: I would love to go on this Cruise:
www.emosnotdeadcruise.com
I suspect that the real average for actual cruise aficionados is 75+ and the reported average is lopsided by binge drinking 18-25 years enjoying the all inclusive beverage plans. CLIA seems to ignore binge drinking Mexico Riviera statistics
Edit: I would love to go on this Cruise:
Emo's Not Dead Cruise
Emo's Not Dead Cruise isn't just a phase! We're coming back for YEAR 2 with The Emo King, Matt Cutshall. We'll be screamin' all day, stayin' up all night on Norwegian Pearl for 4 days & nights with pop-punk legends you've had on repeat since your mom dropped you off at school. As waves go by...
www.emosnotdeadcruise.com
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
Arguing about cruise lines, something I never thought I would see on RME. What's next? Best white sneaker shoe polish and where to find a fanny pack with a hidden pocket for travelers checks?
You're both way too young to be arguing about the best cruise lines.
View attachment 169504
Sorry I was out in the garage with my Buick. Making sure the shuffleboard stick didn't fall off the wall and hit the car.
I do want to dump the cruise card. Get into something more worthwhile to me
Bonus pic of @mbryson in a Speedo
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anderson750
I'm working on it Rose
- Location
- Price, Utah
If you are going to pay it off each month it really depends on what rewards you want. Cash back, travel, Cabellas points? Decide what benefit you want then seek out the cardI applied for my first CC a couple weeks ago. I got rejected.
I can go on forever about the stupid that is lending if you are not 'in the system', but I wont.
That said, I do believe I will be wanting a card in the near future. I will be spending upwards of 6K-15K/Month that will (hopefully) be paid in full each month.
I have tried to read about CC options, but it seems there are more card options than color swatches at the home depot.
What card for business use would result in the best benefit to me? I don't think I care too much if it's travel rewards or money back.
Will you be traveling for work? I guess it doesn’t really matter because most of the higher-end cards have great travel benefits and higher points for travel.I applied for my first CC a couple weeks ago. I got rejected.
I can go on forever about the stupid that is lending if you are not 'in the system', but I wont.
That said, I do believe I will be wanting a card in the near future. I will be spending upwards of 6K-15K/Month that will (hopefully) be paid in full each month.
I have tried to read about CC options, but it seems there are more card options than color swatches at the home depot.
What card for business use would result in the best benefit to me? I don't think I care too much if it's travel rewards or money back.
I think the capital one venture X is a cool card with 2x on everything and a low annual fee that’s offset by benefits. I’d have one but I think I’m sticking to the AMEX ecosystem. An interesting business card AMEX has is the blue business plus. No annual fee with 2x on everything for the first $50k. That’ll be my next card as it really compliments the gold and platinum. I’m just waiting on a better sign-up bonus offer.
Chase is also a very popular choice for their premium cards like the sapphire and sapphire reserve. I recommend you check out nerdwallet and other review sites for more info. They all have biases but there’s still some good info out there.
Unimog
Eric
- Location
- Stansbury Park, UT
There are better cards for benefits, but besides a Delta Platinum Amex, I keep a Farm Bureau Mastercard that allows me to just apply the points as a dollar credit, so I can really get cash back.
Whatever you decide on, make sure you look around for a good sign-up bonus. I can't stress that enough. I can provide some links of sites to find them and even some good referrals. Also, look at offers on card sites in incognito mode for the best results.
I’ve been using AMEX for years now. I’ve always been extremely satisfied with their service and protection.
I just started with a different company in December. they make me use a corporate card. I’m already missing running all my business and travel expenses through my personal card.
I just started with a different company in December. they make me use a corporate card. I’m already missing running all my business and travel expenses through my personal card.
02SE
Active Member
- Location
- Millcreek, UT
Arguing about cruise lines, something I never thought I would see on RME. What's next? Best white sneaker shoe polish and where to find a fanny pack with a hidden pocket for travelers checks?
You're both way too young to be arguing about the best cruise lines.
View attachment 169504
Wooah, woooah, wooooooah, what is wrong with white sneakers????
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
ID Bronco
Registered User
- Location
- Idaho Falls, ID
I got one of these, handy and a great conversation starter. No one asks you to do any physical labor when you are wearing it.
TurboMinivan
Still plays with cars
- Location
- Lehi, UT
The timing of your post is incredible, since I have just (over the last few days) started looking to get a new rewards card. The new wife likes to travel, and we have already taken more trips in our 17 months together than I took in the 15 years before that. Our next major trip will be in November, when we visit Paris for nine days. That airfare is gonna be expensive, so all my card-holding co-workers are suggesting I get a rewards card. Now that I've begun looking into the potential benefits, I agree.
There are some very interesting videos on YT about rewards cards, how they compare, and--perhaps most intriguing of all--how they stack together. A number of people explain their trifecta strategies and/or their 'two player' strategies in order to maximize returns. Some of these people generate incredible returns this way--it is eye opening.
I think I'm just gonna start with one catch-all travel card for right now. Most people feel the top two contenders for single best overall travel rewards card are the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the CapOne Venture X. Which one is better depends on where and how you intend to use it. Myself, I am leaning toward the Venture X (and will probably apply for it later today, actually).
For the two cards I mentioned, the CSR currently offers a 60,000 mile sign-up bonus and the Venture X offers 75,000 miles.
I checked the sites I use to watch SUB's and I don't see better offers than that for those cards so you're set. Chase cards definitely work best when you have multiple, like you said.
I'm not sure which I'd pick if I hadn't already chugged the AMEX kool-aid.
TurboMinivan
Still plays with cars
- Location
- Lehi, UT
If I were to list my #3 card choice, it would be the AmEx Gold. I just don't think I'm gonna dive 100% into the AmEx pool, so that's why I am going to pass on it.
TurboMinivan
Still plays with cars
- Location
- Lehi, UT
One of my Venture X co-workers offered to send me a referral link--apparently he can** get a bonus perk if I use his link to apply. I had him send it to me, I applied, and was instantly approved. They say I'll receive my card in the mail in 3 days. I guess I'm part of the travel rewards club now.
**: since I already had a CapOne account, he's not certain if he will actually get any referral benefit. We'll see.
**: since I already had a CapOne account, he's not certain if he will actually get any referral benefit. We'll see.
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