How do y'all afford to cruise so often??

[ciderapple]

We just did our first cruise. My husbands' father died 3 years ago and his mother gave him some early inheritance. We have dipped into part of this money for travel whilst we are living in the USA, our kids are now teens and will soon not want to travel with us. We are making the most of it whilst we can, it is certainly not a lifestyle we expect to maintain.

 

Having said that, I have booked a cruise for Dec 07 on a maybe basis! We will decide nearer the time whether we can afford it or not and also if our jobs allow us to go.

 

I think travel will continue to be important to us and we will willingly sacrifice other things to do so.

[cruie4ever]

I read planing & it is so true.Whether you can go on a cruise only once a year or two it is fine.Just keep the cruising bug alive.

 

Tip: if you live within close driving distance to a cruise terminal where Royal Caribbean cruise those 3 day weekend or 4 day cruises(they are very inexpensive)take 10 of those & become Diamond members in RCCL's Crown & Anchor Society.Then when you can take those longer cruises you will get all the perks for Diamond.BTW as Diamond,if you sail on Celebrity you auto matically become Elite level . Believe me it is well worth it.

 

We didn't do those short cruises ,as we have been retired 7 years.However, our daughter & son in law do it out of the World Cruise Center in San Pedro,as they own their own commercial construction business & can't get that much time away.Thus ,the weekend cruises.They have fun &are now Diamond level.

 

One nice perk is free cocktails at the Concerge Lounge from 5-8:30 PM

each night. Preferred boarding .At Platinum level (5cruise completions) you get $150 off a Veranda price,even if you book thru a cruise consolidator like www.onlinevacationcenter.com which is one of my favorites for great pricing:D . Cruise Critic also has good pricing .Here are some others to review:

www.cruise.com

www.crucon.com

www.travelzoo.com

www.travelfleamarket.com

www.*****

[cruzinstew]

what is your strategy for inside cabin upgrade. i am hoping for this on my GP 7 day cruise in april. do you request it at the dock or after sailing?

 

Early booking or fire sales, cheapest cabin on the ship, inside guarantee usually get upgraded.

[cruzinstew]

what is your strategy for inside cabin upgrade. i am hoping for this on my GP 7 day cruise in april. do you request it at the dock or after sailing?

 

Early booking or fire sales, cheapest cabin on the ship, inside guarantee usually get upgraded.

[cruie4ever]

cruzinstew from what I have read is that you book a guarantee inside cabin. The cruise line then selects what cabin you will be in.What is not good about this is that you could be placed in a undesireable location on the ship,like under entertainment ,over the engines,or at the bow,ie. It can & has happened both the way I explained or the upgrade fairy comes & gives you a upgrade;but, it is very rare in deed that you will go from a inside to a outside.Best is just decide where you want your state room.That is the safest of all options.:D

[mailbroad]

My husband and I do not have children. We also seem to spend a lot of money... which needs to stop! :)

[janabug]

We're saving for our 2nd cruise, I frankly wasn't expecting it so soon...1 yr after our first. I would love to be able to do a couple a year, but not yet. Kids will come after our next cruise and then we probably won't be able to go for a while:(

 

Hope everybody has a great cruise!!

[cruisers5]

Join "email" lists from cruise sites. I belong to Carnival's and in December they had their "12 Days of Christmas Specials" (you had to book that day at a specific time and there were only so many cabins available at that price), but we got a balcony on Carnival's Victory (7 days, Western Caribbean) in November for $930, all taxes, port charges, etc. for the two of us.

 

Also, I allow myself so much "spending money" each week out of my pay - when the next pay day comes around, any money I have "left over" goes into my vacation fund.

 

I belong to a couple of "get paid to read emails, or fill out surveys" (they really do pay) and when I get paid from them I put the money away in my vacation fund. (Cashed in $150 in June of last year and have now built account back up to $138 and growing from one place).

 

When I grocery shop if I use coupons I put the amount of coupon away in the vacation fund, (ie. save total of $3.50 on coupons used - $3.50 goes into my fund - it was money I would have spend anyway). I also put the money way if I get "rebates" on anything. I figure that money was spent and gone - so the rebate is a bonus.

 

Over a year this ads up - it can pay for one person's cruise and most of the gratuties.

 

Good luck in saving and cruising!

[cruisers5]

Join "email" lists from cruise sites. I belong to Carnival's and in December they had their "12 Days of Christmas Specials" (you had to book that day at a specific time and there were only so many cabins available at that price), but we got a balcony on Carnival's Victory (7 days, Western Caribbean) in November for $930, all taxes, port charges, etc. for the two of us.

 

Also, I allow myself so much "spending money" each week out of my pay - when the next pay day comes around, any money I have "left over" goes into my vacation fund.

 

I belong to a couple of "get paid to read emails, or fill out surveys" (they really do pay) and when I get paid from them I put the money away in my vacation fund. (Cashed in $150 in June of last year and have now built account back up to $138 and growing from one place).

 

When I grocery shop if I use coupons I put the amount of coupon away in the vacation fund, (ie. save total of $3.50 on coupons used - $3.50 goes into my fund - it was money I would have spent anyway). I also put the money way if I get "rebates" on anything. I figure that money was spent and gone - so the rebate is a bonus.

 

Over a year this ads up - it can pay for one person's cruise and most of the gratuties.

 

Good luck in saving and cruising!

[Nickymjw1]

I started a P/T business which is going very well, so I have the extra money now, unfortunately I still have to work my F/T job for right now, so I can't get the time off! I only get 2 weeks vacation per year! :( That's why I had to figure out how to become my own boss so I can go when I want and for how long I want!

 

I will be able to quit my F/T job in 2 yrs and then I'll do some back to back cruises, go a few times per year + go to Belgium and visit my family at least once a year. I can't wait!

 

If you want some more info on what kind of business I do, you can e-mail me at Nickymjw1@yahoo.com.

[Skywench]

I'm a flight attendant, so I fly for free. I also take advantage of the interline discounts on cruises, hotels etc. I have no kids and no bills either, which also helps!

[lotsago]

I found cruising to be more reasonable than I thought, except we have to pay airfare which costs as much as the cruise (for four--ouch). We're from Michigan--If only we could get one of those ships on the the Great Lakes we'd be all set! :-)

[sexyaznboy]

I'm just starting my career, so cannot afford to do the upgraded luxury lines or even the upgraded cabins. So instead of waiting for years and years, I'm starting slowly with the inside cabins and waiting for special deals. That is the most frustrating thing, to try to find sites with great deals that don't try to scam you with unwritten charges. Last cruise I did was 3 years ago, doing one in March, hope it won't be another 3 years before I do another. I also wish I knew how the upgrade fairy works..:cool:

[mariah9999]

This is such a good question. My DH and I took our first cruise and we were hooked! We love to travel and also knew that we wanted to have kids soon and decided to try to fit as many cruises in as possible before having kids. Prior to a couple of years ago, my DH worked a very stressful job and rarely had a day off - so we never saw each other. We've tried to make up for it I guess. We chose to spend our extra money on cruising and probably make sacrifices in other areas. I know we can't keep going at this pace forever but it's been a blast for the past couple of years!

[sandradeen]

I'm just starting my career, so cannot afford to do the upgraded luxury lines or even the upgraded cabins. So instead of waiting for years and years, I'm starting slowly with the inside cabins and waiting for special deals. That is the most frustrating thing, to try to find sites with great deals that don't try to scam you with unwritten charges. Last cruise I did was 3 years ago, doing one in March, hope it won't be another 3 years before I do another. I also wish I knew how the upgrade fairy works..:cool:

I did the same thing...interior on Carnival...now I am up to outside cabin on NCL.

:)

The upgrade fairy has never visited me either. Although if they did, isn't it usually an upgrade in the same category? (inside to a better inside?)

I have had lots of luck getting cruises from many different sources. I guess you just have to read the fine print.

I find travelzoo.com a good source on cruise sales from all sorts of different places.

[vivian02]

I am not a financial planner but there are two things that happened within the last 10 years that now allows the wife and I to do those once a yeare European Cruises including airfare.

 

1. Back in 1997 I caught my Insurance Agent red handed tacking on roadside assistance without my permission. (Already a member of the auto club). I immediately got quotes from other Insurance companies and saved $1700 dollars the first year.

 

2. Discovered that with a 401K plan many companies allow you to by into the company stock at anytime. If you know the ex dividen date and know when to move in and claim the dividen chances are you can have the money transfered into your checking accout. (15% tax to be paid to uncle).

 

My credit card was zero last week but I did put the final payment of $1745 on it for our upcoming 12 day cruise in May to the Greek Islands. I

figure I have a dividen pay out on March 9 of $1250. That money will go to pay off Federal Taxes so the dividen payment in June will hopefully pay off the outstanding balance on the credit card at that time. Then I can plan for next years trip. By then I should have the needed 50,000 miles on my Delta miles account same with the wife. That means we might have free Airfare for next year. I also use such sites as Hotwire, Priceline, Kayak.com and Sidestep for finding great deals.

 

By the way...my ex insurance agent gets a christmas card once a year with a thank you for your helping us cruise. I make it a point to sent her those pictures of us together in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. We love cruising. Especially on Company Dividens

 

10 Day land tour Germany, Switzerland, Austria 5/2002.

7 Day Christmas markets Germany 12/2002

Norwegian Sky Alaska 5/2003

Norwegian Star Hawaii 12/2003

Royal Caribbean Splendor of the Seas Mediterean 5/2004

10 Day land tour Germany, France, Austria 5/2005

7 Day land tour Anchorage, Alaska 7/2005

Holland America Oosterdam Mexican Riviera 12/2005

Norwegian Jewel of the Seas Mediterean 5/2006

Booked - Royal Caribbean Legend of the Seas Greek Islands 5/2007

[june2006]

I am still paying for last years crusie so this year I did my taxes early to see what, if any, $ we were getting back. Getting back enough for a crusie ... works well and I booked 81 days out but got a great deal for the 2 of us. We work hard so the tax $ is our treat. The kids are staying with nana :D, this too helps with the costs.

 

 

Last year I booked a year in advance at a very high cost and had to look for changes to get an upgrade or OBC ... this year I went a different road and looks like this worked for me. Hopefully it will work next year too!

 

It's a live and learn I guess ;)

[mocro]

We're taking our first post-child cruise this August on the Celebrity Infinity to Alaska. When I started checking cruise prices, for a suite on Regent - I couldn't believe people were paying upwards of $17,000 (w/airfare, hotel, taxes, nice shore excursions, etc) for a 10-day vacation. We take one major vacation a year and would rather have really nice accomodations, rather than a # of more modest trips. But still - $17,000+!

 

We downgraded to a still-lovely suite on Infinity. My parents idea of a vacation was our annual one-week @ a motel @ the beach in New Jersey, so the prices today still shock me. But our wonderful daughter turns 15 this summer and my husband and I decided to splurge a bit and make some terrific vacation memories while we still have her living at home.

 

I realize from looking at this wonderful site that there are many ways to economize when you cruise; off-season, looking for sales, etc. It's just a matter of trade-offs and for now - we're going for nicer ship/room. When we have the time to cruise more - it may be we want maximum # of cruises in a more modest room. We're so excited about Alaska and I really appreciate the community on this great website.

[Fldw126]

Well this is my first cruise and being single with a mortgage, bills and all the rest, I am planning ahead. I find if I have extra money I may not save it and spend it on something:eek: so I am taking that money to buy carnival dollars for myself. So each pay period I buy some and I have the certificates to use for the onboard credit. Kind of a forced cruise savings account.

But I also have 2 savings accounts, one is regular and then the other I had "titled" as vacation account, so I know that is not to be touched as tempting as it is! :p

I also get bonus points on my debit and credit card that have carnival as one of the rewards I can choose from. (www.visa.com/extras to see if your debit card is eligible-a lot of people don't use it!)

My last bit of frugal advice I use for other vacations, as I take about 1 big one and 2 small a year, is I use coupons when I shop(like grocery etc) and then take the money I saved and put it towards my vacation.

[cdngb]

As with everything in life you must prioritize. Cutting down on lunches, four dollar coffees, drinking three nights a week, etc. would easily help defray the cost of the cruise. No one can do everything they want to, new house, new car, new furniture all at once. Our parents were much better at budgeting and being patient.

Therefore you have to decide that it is important for you, decide what you can do without and then set a plan in motion.

I would also agree with some other posts in that you can save money on a cruise by looking at off season trips, take inside cabins, minimize the cruise shore trips, and reduce your weekly tab. Note that Carnival Cruise Line, CCL, makes closs to fifty percent of their revenue in non cruise fees, ie bar, casino, shore excursions, photos etc.. By doing this our family can get three trips for the cost of two. The bottom line is that if you cut back before and on the cruise you can increase the number of cruises that you take. All the best.

[framboesa]

Ok, I've seen everyone's posts listing all their past cruises and upcoming cruises. Most times, they're only weeks or 2-3 months apart. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG??? There's no way I could afford that! My family and I generally take one big vacation a year in the summer, and maybe 2 short trips (2 or 3 days) in spring and fall. Does anyone vacation doing something else besides cruising, or is cruising the ONLY WAY to vacation to the majority on these boards? My husband and I are planning on a 7 day cruise on the Mariner in Nov. 2007, and I have to start planning and saving NOW! Anyone else out there in my shoes?

I understand what you are saying...we only can cruise maybe one time in 3/4 years...We will spend more than 3000 USD, each one, because of the plains and before/after hotels, to do our next cruise...But we try to spend one week anywhere out of my country and another week in my country every year...and we can call it a luxury!

And I can tell you that I have lots of friends and met a lot of people, but I'm the only one who cruise, specially in caribbean...;)

I would love to have enough money to cruise one time each year...but maybe because it is so rare for me, it's even more special than cruise a lot..

Another thing: we will pay 3 or even 5 times more for one interior cabin, than the passegers who live near the departure port will pay for a superior cabin...:rolleyes:

best regards

"cumprimentos"

[andyjo0930]

We have done a cruise a year for the last three years and are planning to go again in May. We have found that reposition cruises have given us the most bang for our buck! If you book early enough, you get get an 8 night cruise for less than 1000.00 bucks for two people (we paid that on the last three)... and because it was coming into a different port (Philadelphia, Baltimore)... we we able to drive home instead of getting air fare.

[lizardhowson]

Ok, I've seen everyone's posts listing all their past cruises and upcoming cruises. Most times, they're only weeks or 2-3 months apart. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG??? There's no way I could afford that! My family and I generally take one big vacation a year in the summer, and maybe 2 short trips (2 or 3 days) in spring and fall. Does anyone vacation doing something else besides cruising, or is cruising the ONLY WAY to vacation to the majority on these boards? My husband and I are planning on a 7 day cruise on the Mariner in Nov. 2007, and I have to start planning and saving NOW! Anyone else out there in my shoes?

 

I call it "disposible income".

 

Although I have only been on 2 prior cruises, we do vacation alot. Usually 3 weeks a year during the summer (would be more but we are both still working full time jobs) and a couple of long weekends.

 

While we both still have our health, we are determined to see the world. Since we have been everywhere in the "states", we are now working on Europe. :rolleyes:

[brmoqueen]

Same as everyone else says.....save, watch for deals, use air miles ect ect.

 

All my employees think I'm crazy to cruise 2x a year...first of all, it's my sanity level....then I explain that at $5 a day for lunch they could go on a cruise...they think nothing of buying their daily soda out of the machine at $1 a pop or at a convenience store while i schlep in a case of diet coke to save $$....

 

I basically work to cruise....I know I should be saving it all for retirement....but if I lose my sanity then how fun would retirement be??...AND I have known tooo many people that waited and then died before they got to do what they wanted to. I don't want to be one of them.

 

Although, I do get the insurance even tho one poster said why pay for something u don't use....well, same would go for homeowners, auto, health insurances ect ect....If you have to be airlifted for a major medical issue, that little $59 payment will come in handy. I would rather stay in a cheaper hotel and get the insurance than to not have the insurance.

[TSCOTT]

We cruise every other year. The only exception to this was in 2001 when we cruised one year after our very 1st cruise. I use my bonus at work to pay for the majority of the expenses.