Dreaded question every time I plan a cruise

[JTBCruiser]

or...I do it throw off my parole officer, he likes it when we play hide n seek.

[Gamecock_Cruiser]

It is hard to beat them for what is included in the price.

[Drazil65]

We just dont tell people any more whenever we book or have one or two in the hopper. I used to think they asked because they were truly interested in what I had to say about how wonderful a cruise was as a family vacation etc. I finally figured out that there are a lot of people out there that are just plain miserable (about their own lives) about anything good in other people's lives or are just envious period. We have worked hard to be able to be at a point in our lives to live in a beautiful place and create the life we choose to live (simple and debt free) which includes cruising as many times as we feel necessary (and we feel this is very necessary!:D). We are fortunate to live in a place that is close enough to drive to east coast/Florida ports and can cruise more often.

 

So instead of feeling like I need to defend or explain, we just dont say anything (secrets are better any way ;)). Both of our extended families live in other states so many times they have no idea we are leaving on vacation until they get the text/email from me the morning we leave with our ship info and itinerary in case of emergency stuff, by then too late to comment as my phone goes off until we return!

[PattBenatar]

Cheaper than a nursing home!

[bury me at sea]

Not in the habit of explaining or defending my financial decisions to anyone.

[Organized Chaos]

Many people think that cruises are for "the rich." I know we've gotten that reaction and we only have one cruise under our belt (with another on the way). We're far from rich, just a normal family on a strict budget. I don't fault anyone for thinking that, though. A lot of people who haven't looked into it don't think about how all-inclusive cruising really is. They take vacations that include hotels, food, entertainment, travel expenses, etc. and don't realize they're spending just as much, or more, than some cruises. Technically, you can buy your tickets and not have to spend another dime once on board. Is it the cheapest vacation around? No, we've taken cheaper ones and still had a great time because we're into a lot of things that can be done for next to nothing or even free. But with a little planning and saving, a cruise is very doable for a lot of families. So don't be too hard on them for making the comments they do. If the reason behind their reaction is because they think it's too rich for their blood, educate them a little. If all else fails and they're just jealous, stop telling them about your cruises. Then you won't have to worry so much.

 

 

Or how you were strolling down the beach and tripped over a piece of wood on one of your first cruises, you dug it up and it was filled with gold doubloons and now you travel on the cruise ship trying to find the tribe this gold belongs to in order to give them back the gold and remove the curse. (This way if they ask you for some you can say I wouldn't wish this curse upon you)

 

Haha I might steal that

You might as well steal it, they stole it from a movie. ;) In case you're wondering, it's from "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl."

[Warm Breezes]

I am so tired of friends/family or even just random people whom always feel the need to say or ask "How can you cruise so much?"

 

It's gotten to the point I don't even like telling people I am going on a cruise because they are like of course you are, you cruise all the time, how can you afford that, take me with you blah blah

 

You sound like my DH. He gets the same response from the people he works with so he doesn't even tell them. I, on the other hand, work with a lot of people who love to cruise and we keep convincing others to try from our love of it.

[h_blond2]

or...I do it throw off my parole officer, he likes it when we play hide n seek.

 

Haha oh my gosh! I'm so using this! ;p:')

[sjn911]

You should make up a cool story to tell them. Something like it's how you dispose of all the income you make off of the moonshine that you brew and distribute. Tell them that Moonshiners show on TV is actually about your life, those people all work for you.

 

Or how you were strolling down the beach and tripped over a piece of wood on one of your first cruises, you dug it up and it was filled with gold doubloons and now you travel on the cruise ship trying to find the tribe this gold belongs to in order to give them back the gold and remove the curse. (This way if they ask you for some you can say I wouldn't wish this curse upon you)

 

 

LOL...Wonderful....:cool:

 

Edited to add...understand all sides on this one...had some relatively dry years in travel and this place has helped the loss of learning that happens if you stop going a certain way and updates and helps me be ready at last minute for two and soon soon to be a third in past 10 years...my others were earlier. I think one is very lucky to cruise early in one's life and have some but not all special things..and then be in some kind of socio economic level to travel at all at any decent for you budget. It is a real gift to teach people who can. It is also good if you have understanding of the long dry phases inbetween...so looking forward to that ending, LOL...one day at a time toward your dreams. But the meanies...go the absurd answer route..just not too mean.

Edited April 4, 2017 by sjn911

[Warm Breezes]

I just did some quick math (well, the calculator did), and with that strategy, it's going to take 8 years to pay for my next cruise. [emoji24]

 

 

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It would take us 3 years at $20 per week to pay off our upcoming NCL Escape Cruise and transportation to the port:(. But it would only take us 42 weeks to pay off our upcoming Carnival Fantasy Cruise and transportation to the port;p. I always tell people a cruise can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want to make it.

[perditax]

I stopped telling people, for a lot of reasons. If I absolutely have to tell someone I'm leaving town, I tell them I'm going to visit friends in Florida.

 

(To be fair I usually do stay with friends in Florida ahead of the cruise.)

[sjn911]

Many people think that cruises are for "the rich." I know we've gotten that reaction and we only have one cruise under our belt (with another on the way). We're far from rich, just a normal family on a strict budget. I don't fault anyone for thinking that, though. A lot of people who haven't looked into it don't think about how all-inclusive cruising really is. They take vacations that include hotels, food, entertainment, travel expenses, etc. and don't realize they're spending just as much, or more, than some cruises. Technically, you can buy your tickets and not have to spend another dime once on board. Is it the cheapest vacation around? No, we've taken cheaper ones and still had a great time because we're into a lot of things that can be done for next to nothing or even free. But with a little planning and saving, a cruise is very doable for a lot of families. So don't be too hard on them for making the comments they do. If the reason behind their reaction is because they think it's too rich for their blood, educate them a little. If all else fails and they're just jealous, stop telling them about your cruises. Then you won't have to worry so much.

 

 

You might as well steal it, they stole it from a movie. ;) In case you're wondering, it's from "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl."

 

Agree with your comment, I am grateful to have been in many learning situations on ups and downs of income and times. And to have enjoyed getting the biggest bang for my buck in great travel situations. And the view form my little home much more, grateful to have one. Some folks after 2008 for zero fault of their own took a huge hit. Looking forward to more travel and less penny pinching one day...gratefully..knowing I have options come what may. If you have LOVED Cruises and travel...nothing like helping many find a way!! Almost as good as going!!!

[ljslight]

I don't drink pop, smoke, have cable tv, I buy used as much as possible!

I had someone ask me how I could afford to go to Hawaii once. I asked them what they did with there income tax. They got new furniture, I said I got used and went to Hawaii to make memories! I have done 7 cruises and I do it very cheaply!

[SadieN]

We get asked all the time also.

No weekend trips to Vegas, the River or casinos. No second home, RV or boat. No expensive hobbies.

Do some with DH. Others with Mom and Sis.

[RTRMom]

We get the same question and usually "Another cruise huh?".

 

 

 

I always reply back with the "you love going to the beach every year right?". Cruising is our yearly thing and it is usually cheaper than a week at the beach in a condo. ;)

[no1racefan1]

My family never comments, I'm pretty sure they just think H and I are rich-hahahahaha yeah right. The only person that makes this comment to me is a coworker/friend and we have always been open about our finances, so I know what her bills and stuff are. So I tell her, we live in a little fixer upper house, we paid off our cars, we don't pay for TV, we don't have expensive cell phone plans, I don't get my hair and nails done every other week, AND the big one....we chose NOT to have kids! :)

[telebax51]

Not in the habit of explaining or defending my financial decisions to anyone.

 

I agree

[SmoothFlying]

My family never comments, I'm pretty sure they just think H and I are rich-hahahahaha yeah right. The only person that makes this comment to me is a coworker/friend and we have always been open about our finances, so I know what her bills and stuff are. So I tell her, we live in a little fixer upper house, we paid off our cars, we don't pay for TV, we don't have expensive cell phone plans, I don't get my hair and nails done every other week, AND the big one....we chose NOT to have kids! :)

 

Reminds me of a good friend/coworker of 20+ years who said he and his wife were thinking of their first short cruise (4-5 day) then the Costa Concordia tragedy happened, killing less than forty passengers, and he said they thought now that cruising was 'unsafe'. I told him,' Dave, think about this, you and I work for a major airline (One of the top 5) and IF ( God forbid) one of our international 747 or 777's accidently go down, YOU and I both might be out of a job'.

 

Mac

[sammee]

I hear this all the time. I don't buy lunch at work. I don't hit the bars/restaurants on the weekend. One coworker spending close to $10/day just on lunch. Mine and hubbies tax refund goes to it if nothing urgent takes it. I don't care anymore, let them think what they want.

[sailor05]

I tell them that cruising is actually a pretty affordable vacation, i mean almost all inclusive if you get cheers with it, and a good offer from the cruise lines....

 

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This is exactly what I tell people. When you factor in all the food, lodging, entertainment that is included it really is a good value. Plus, I turn the question around on them and ask what they're doing. Going to a beach vacation spot has never appealed to me. You are either laying on the beach all week, go carting, parasailing, or trying to figure where you are going to eat all 3 meals every single day and trying to find something that will please everyone. NO THANK YOU. When cruising it's VERY easy for everyone to find what they want when it comes to food and entertainment. Top all of this off with the fact that you're seeing all these exotic destinations versus just one and you just can't beat the value. People just don't understand the stress free week when on a cruise, especially once we pull away and the phones get turned off until we get back;p:cool:

[CJHAN]

I am so tired of friends/family or even just random people whom always feel the need to say or ask "How can you cruise so much?"

 

It's gotten to the point I don't even like telling people I am going on a cruise because they are like of course you are, you cruise all the time, how can you afford that, take me with you blah blah

It seems like a question that people as simply to engage you in conversation abpit something you clearly like to do. Don't take it so hard enlighten them and maybe they will someday join in the fun.

 

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[Woodfaerie]

Only one addict can understand another addict.:D

For sure!

[LouisianaCruiser4200]

Just today, I was looking up a cruise for August and I got the dreaded question: "are you really planning another cruise?" I've only been on one but I'm now hooked! 2 to possibly 3 more to be taken this year. I got asked how I afforded the cruises and my new reply is "I'm a drug dealer but don't tell anyone" lol

[aztekpm]

We have quite a few at my work who cruise, so it's not that unusual for us to be talking about it. Invariably the question does come from others on just that, how can you afford it.

 

One of my friends is a big culprit and fully admits she's jealous. She's done a cruise with me and gave me 50.00 to 100.00 a paycheck to 'save' for our trip, since I booked it on my credit card. She didn't find it too hard, but, can't do it on her own, though said she would, so her yearly vacations would be nice.

 

Now I don't scrimp too much, I live comfortably, drive a nice car, but, I also don't go out Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and have a $100-$300 bar/food bill every weekend. They both smoke so that's another $10.00 a day, at minimum. That adds up fast and would pay for multiple cruises or trips a year if they just cut back a little, but, to each their own!

[cruizinisthebest]

I get all kinds of snide and rude remarks from even close family. At one time I used to actually go through the process of how I get it done without it being a burden. But people still feel the need to question you. Then there are of course - the jabs about Carnival itself. All of these comments are almost always from people who haven't cruise or haven't cruised Carnival.

 

People are learning not to go there with me anymore. I don't have to explain or justify how I spend my money to anybody. I'm happy to help you plan if you need assistance, but please don't ask me questions just to antagonize. It won't end well.