Disney Cruise. Help us Decide!

[BigDog]

O.K. we will probably be calling up Dave hear in about 3-4 weeks to scream we are FINALLY debt free.

But, in-laws called up Friday. They want us to go on a Disney Cruise with them. We told them we don't have the money. They said they are going to pay for our 5 kids to go. But, not pay for us to go, I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth, but, it only makes the trip a little cheaper.

Our portion will be $1066. Plus we have to buy passports for us and each kid (maybe a passport card, we are looking into that possiblilty). Passports would be about $650 for all of us (rounded). If card a possiblity ($140, about). And I refuse to take their birth certificates with us out of state, I know that could be their "passport". Final payment is due the last week of July. If we want spending money $500 (we are thinking, to do a excursion for all of us).

We could pay for this. Our tax return is going to be 5K!!!! And state 1K!

We have maxed out exemptions, and to go above 10 means a lot more paper work.

HOWEVER, we REALLY want a folding trailer/pop up camper with a potty (potty training 2 kids right now), and a little creeped out by campground bathrooms. We already have to go to a family reunion with the in laws to Pittsburg this year. That is alot of gas money.

We can't afford it all.

If we went on the trip, no swing set, possibly putting off a camper for a while longer. I'm so conflicted.

On one hand I want to go. The other hand we would be pulling the last of our "fun" money this year and no swingset. And I'd be going with my MIL/FIL, his big sis's family, his big sis's in laws, and his younger sis and her boyfriend (Which they are a totally different story). In other words as my hubby put it, maybe we weren't suppose to go. Plus my inlaw's are paying for this with a HELOC. They are pushing pennies now. I just don't like this idea. And they said if we don't go now, we could go in 2 years with them, when they go again, with them paying for the kids again.

My kids will be at the time 7 (ds), 5(dd), 4(ds) 3 (dd), 1(dd).
My kids will be about 3 years old next cruise they take.

And I've heard the Disney cruises are more for "princessess" then princes after they are about 9, boys aren't as "excited".

[anaj06]

If it is either or, I would choose the options that make my life more fun/easier all year like the swingset and camper. They aren't just a one time thing, but something you can enjoy over and over again. Also, with so many kids and as young as they are, I don't think you will enjoy the cruise as much as you think you will. JMO

[bethanyam]

I personally would not go because (my humble opinion only) I hate spending vacation with others. I want just my hubby and kids. When others are involved I spend WAY more than I plan to, we don't do much that we want to do just what others want, and I always get stuck with all the "work" part of everything or babysitting while everyone else gets to have all the fun. I also agree with ana that I'd rather put the money into something that can be used over and over again rather than a one time thing. If you do decide to go I do hope you have a great time. :)

[BigDog]

If it is either or

Well, technically my hubby could work a bunch of overtime. But, we were going to use any overtime this year to start saving for another vehicle. My hubby's CRV is becoming a little less reliable everyday.

[Dengineer]

Speaking for myself--no way would our family spend $2500 on a vacation with the economy the way it is. I would much rather have that $2500 in the bank right now.

Now, if you were completely debt-free with no future financial hits on the horizon (new vehicle?), $20,000 in the bank and maxing out your retirement and college funds, I would say great!

[BigDog]

Speaking for myself--no way would our family spend $2500 on a vacation with the economy the way it is. I would much rather have that $2500 in the bank right now.

Now, if you were completely debt-free with no future financial hits on the horizon (new vehicle?), $20,000 in the bank and maxing out your retirement and college funds, I would say great!

Nope and that is the other problem. We are just now going to be done with baby step 2 (if you know Dave Ramsey). After 3 1/4 years. I would much rather have money put into the BS3 (emergency fund of 3-6 months). But, projected to "finish" that in 3 years (November of 2011).

Now we don't "need" a camper or a swing set. But, we definatly don't need a cruise. The camper and swing set are our "hoorah" for making it out of debt. Do I feel guilty about not putting that into a emergency fund. Sure, but, not enough.

I'm just afraid we are going to make people mad by not going.

[Dengineer]

You have to do what is best for you. You will have to be VERY diplomatic but you can't just go through life spending a couple of thousand dollars to keep from offending someone. We have had to miss family events before because of financial reasons so I know what you mean, but DH and I are the ones who make our decisions and that was that.

BTW--I started listening to Dave in July 1999 so I know exactly where you're coming from. And I am pretty sure Dave would tell you exactly what I did.

One more thing--what is up with your in-laws borrowing on a HELOC to take a vacation? No offense but that is one of the stupidest (sorry, bad English!) things anyone can do.

[anaj06]

I agree...I wouldn't spend that kind of money to make my family or in-laws happy. I would simply say it sounds like fun but we can't afford it right now.

[meems]

We've done 2 Disney cruises..love love love them! BUT, that said, I like changing up destinations so we've done Carnival more times than Disney, also Disney is much more than Carnival..granted the quality isn't exactly comparable..anyway, if it were me? Because the opportunity is not going to be completely lost, I'd wait & do it in 2 years, the kids will appreciate it more & you'll have more time to plan/save w/o interrupting your current needs. Are they planning cruise/Disney World, or just cruise?

[nrpeace17]

Nope and that is the other problem. We are just now going to be done with baby step 2 (if you know Dave Ramsey). After 3 1/4 years. I would much rather have money put into the BS3 (emergency fund of 3-6 months). But, projected to "finish" that in 3 years (November of 2011).

Now we don't "need" a camper or a swing set. But, we definatly don't need a cruise. The camper and swing set are our "hoorah" for making it out of debt. Do I feel guilty about not putting that into a emergency fund. Sure, but, not enough.

I'm just afraid we are going to make people mad by not going.

Stick to your guns and do what is best for your family. You have worked so hard to be debt free, try to resist the temptation. Your family needs to support your decisions.