Head or Heart?

A question which has no right or wrong answer I suspect.

When does your head rule your heart regarding the cost of a cruise? I would love to do a half world cruise but there is no doubt that the cost is a huge consideration.

We are a retired couple in reasonable health who love cruising but my head says can we really justify the cost of such a cruise? My heart says that we probably could afford it and what are we saving our money for? There is no point in being the richest corpse in the cemetery. And when the time comes that we feel we are no longer fit enough to travel, would we look back in sorrow that we didn't do all the things we could have done?

It's a fine line between making sure you have enough money for your future life and spending for today and as I said in the beginning, there is probably no right or wrong answer.

Thank you for listening to my little moan.

If you can afford it without going into debt, go.

If you are in doubt, save up all the money up front and when you book the cruise simply pay in full. Then you know you can afford it.

I try to be reasonable (can't cruise every week, probably never going in the penthouse suite) but if you can't enjoy some of the fun things in life, why work so hard? I have been cruising with my husband since we were both super broke students, we could barely afford to do anything on the cruise, took the crummiest flights there and back, etc, but WOW what memories and what a fun time (and a good break from so much studying.)

Just do it!!!

Money is just numbers written on pieces of paper.

Like you say, a solid gold headstone will not benefit you. It would be far better having wonderful memories than a pile of regrets.

Christmas 2008 we gave my parents a surprise present of a 2 week cruise on QV in a Q4. We weren't to know, but that was my father's last holiday. We have the photographs and the memories. Money well spent.

Stewart

Similar situation here. Money is always a consideration. We have decided to spend more on cruising, experiences/memories than say remodeling our kitchen, etc.

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Do it while you can my wife and I would say.

We are doing our second half world cruise in a January.

Our daughter laughs at us by saying: so you're doing another 'once in a lifetime trip'?

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Just do it, life is too short. Both glib, annoying sentiments but both completely valid.

The time may come sooner than you think that travel becomes difficult either via expense or mobility issues and when that happens the only way you'll see the world is via travel documentaries.

I think you'd sooner be watching them in your dotage saying.....been there, done that.

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I believe that it's best to combine both, head and heart! If money plays such an important role, why not divide the half world voyage into two segments, provided they cover what you would like to see. Like this you would have two cruises to look forward to and the money would not become due all at once.

If for whatever reason this is not acceptable, I would not hesitate and book the cruise to fulfil my dream.

Well you don't say what your financial situation is so it's hard to say....

Would the cruise take half of your savings and you still have twenty years of retirement left? That would give me pause for thought.

But if it would take, say, a tenth of your savings and you are already well into your retirement, soon to be no longer able to travel etc then it's money would be less of a consideration.

There are lots of places I'd love to travel to that we just can't afford to at the moment. We have (fingers crossed) decades left to explore. If the money is there, and going won't leave you struggling in the future and you'd dearly love to do it, burn to do it, then do it. Don't worry about leaving an inheritance but at the same time don't put yourself in financial hardship to do it.

What does your other half think?

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We lean towards our hearts, while at the same time listening to our heads.

We are aware we're not getting any younger (mid sixties) but will hopefully have many years left, with only what we already have to last us.

So, we have decided to do what we want, in the comfort we like, but only by avoiding using capital.

Only you know your finances, and how much of your capital would be required. I suppose what it comes down to is keeping enough back, to allow yourselves to live in the comfort you are used to, as long as you need to.

Well you don't say what your financial situation is so it's hard to say....

 

Would the cruise take half of your savings and you still have twenty years of retirement left? That would give me pause for thought.

 

But if it would take, say, a tenth of your savings and you are already well into your retirement, soon to be no longer able to travel etc then it's money would be less of a consideration.

 

There are lots of places I'd love to travel to that we just can't afford to at the moment. We have (fingers crossed) decades left to explore. If the money is there, and going won't leave you struggling in the future and you'd dearly love to do it, burn to do it, then do it. Don't worry about leaving an inheritance but at the same time don't put yourself in financial hardship to do it.

 

What does your other half think?

 

 

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DH is very much in the Head Group. He is a classic worrier of making sure that we will have money for the future.

We lean towards our hearts, while at the same time listening to our heads.

 

We are aware we're not getting any younger (mid sixties) but will hopefully have many years left, with only what we already have to last us.

So, we have decided to do what we want, in the comfort we like, but only by avoiding using capital.

 

Only you know your finances, and how much of your capital would be required. I suppose what it comes down to is keeping enough back, to allow yourselves to live in the comfort you are used to, as long as you need to.

Summed it up nicely. Not done any number crunching so maybe I should and then we'd have a clearer idea of cost.

Hmmm..as you say no right or wrong answer, but I am afraid I now tend to vere towards my heart.

One of my friends got into a fair amount of debt ( not huge, but more than they could afford really) by spending money ( well, flexing the credit card) on nice specialist adventure holidays they could not afford. But she had a fantastic time on those holidays.

At the age of 48, out of the blue she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of MS. I had lunch with her one day after her diagnosis and she talked about her holidays and was so pleased they had taken them when they did, even though she still had the debt, as she would never be able to go away on that type of holiday again.

Sadly she subsequently died aged 52, still with the debts.

Her life insurance paid off the debts ( as well as the mortgage....!)

Says it all for me really....

No pockets in a shroud...

It has been a long time since I wrote on Cruise Critic, Was on QM2 when a stroke ended my cruising days for good. Fortunately I had many cruises in my memories.

I lurk on here every day, my heart aches to "get under way"., but no company will accept me for travel ins, and limited mobility means I need a travel companion, which I do not have.

So I say DO THE MATHS. You must keep enough in savings for essentials, unexpected costs of health problems (pills can be expensive but sometimes we are misers only to leave a many dollars to or offspring who squander it in the blink of an eye, without even a thought.

Only this week I spent hours thinking about buying something selfish for myself, which was

stupid (only a couple of hundred dollars), only to hear from offspring how they were spending far more , going into debt without a thought , they are most certainly of the ME,ME,ME generation.

Think carefully what places do you feel you MUST see, perhaps you could part of a world cruise out overspending, you can enjoy XXX just as well in an inside cabin as in QG or PG. You can enjoy all the ship has to offer without buying that $60 bottle of wine at dinner.

Without being morbid also remember one day you may be a single instead of a couple , when memories mater more than dollars.

Best wishes.

Lynn

Can't take it with you!!!

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Took a full world cruise on the QE2 in '08 (The last one they had). Though it did me no good economically, it was the best decision of my life and one can never take back the memories, the friends met and kept. Go for it, it is money more than well spent.

Hey Babs,

>my head says can we really justify the cost of such a cruise?

Of course not.

Put the money away so that your heirs and assigns will be able to go on an ATW cruise.

You will be so pleased that they are. having a good time on your money.

Ira

Go! Go! Go!

I'm always so sorry for the disabled, the frail, ~~

the impaired folks I see on all the cruises I take.

And-- I wonder.... did they have the option to do this fantastic trip when they were in good health ? Surely they would have enjoyed it 1000000 % more, back then.

I FIRMLY believe, Do everything you possibly can, N O W.

Illness, worsening world crisis, " who knows what"... is lurking just around the corner for all of us.

Well you've all convinced me to go for it :D

I just have to convince t'other half :eek:

If only it was that easy. Still need to keep feet on the ground and not get carried away. Financial stability is key.

As Pres. Kennedy used to say: Let me say this about that.

I am 73. I have been traveling by sea since 1969; I have never regretted any crossing or cruise that I have taken. I have regularly used “la belle plastique”; I have often been in debt - occasionally heavy BUT I have paid it down.

I saved a lot of money so that I could take two very big cruises after retirement;

I went around South America on Prinsendam and Around that World on QE-absolutely fabulous:D. I paid savings cash for the cruise fares for them but plastic for “fab” land tours & etc.

I am still mentally active and I still have my mobility; and I sail on Thursday for a R/T on QM2 hoping for “boisterous” seas! Over the years, I have seen a lot of good folks whose mobility and/or mental states are impaired who delayed travel until impairment took over. Really sad.

Do the cruises. have a blast and use the plastic. Remember, the Lord did not promise you tomorrow. Carpe Diem!;)

Hey Babs,

 

>my head says can we really justify the cost of such a cruise?

 

Of course not.

 

Put the money away so that your heirs and assigns will be able to go on an ATW cruise.

 

You will be so pleased that they are. having a good time on your money.

 

Ira

 

Go! Go! Go!

True. Join the SKI Club.

DAVID

Well you've all convinced me to go for it :D

 

I just have to convince t'other half :eek:

 

If only it was that easy. Still need to keep feet on the ground and not get carried away. Financial stability is key.

Whey hay!!!!!!!

Result.

Good on you. Don't even ask t'other half, just book it and make it a surprise.

Stewart

It has been a long time since I wrote on Cruise Critic, Was on QM2 when a stroke ended my cruising days for good. Fortunately I had many cruises in my memories.

 

I lurk on here every day, my heart aches to "get under way"., but no company will accept me for travel ins, and limited mobility means I need a travel companion, which I do not have.

 

So I say DO THE MATHS. You must keep enough in savings for essentials, unexpected costs of health problems (pills can be expensive but sometimes we are misers only to leave a many dollars to or offspring who squander it in the blink of an eye, without even a thought.

 

Only this week I spent hours thinking about buying something selfish for myself, which was

stupid (only a couple of hundred dollars), only to hear from offspring how they were spending far more , going into debt without a thought , they are most certainly of the ME,ME,ME generation.

 

Think carefully what places do you feel you MUST see, perhaps you could part of a world cruise out overspending, you can enjoy XXX just as well in an inside cabin as in QG or PG. You can enjoy all the ship has to offer without buying that $60 bottle of wine at dinner.

 

Without being morbid also remember one day you may be a single instead of a couple , when memories mater more than dollars.

 

Best wishes.

 

Lynn

Lovely to see you back on here ...I used to enjoy your words of wisdom so much. But so sorry to hear your cruising days are over.

Take care

Best wishes

It has been a long time since I wrote on Cruise Critic, Was on QM2 when a stroke ended my cruising days for good. Fortunately I had many cruises in my memories.

 

I lurk on here every day, my heart aches to "get under way"., but no company will accept me for travel ins, and limited mobility means I need a travel companion, which I do not have.

 

So I say DO THE MATHS. You must keep enough in savings for essentials, unexpected costs of health problems (pills can be expensive but sometimes we are misers only to leave a many dollars to or offspring who squander it in the blink of an eye, without even a thought.

 

Only this week I spent hours thinking about buying something selfish for myself, which was

stupid (only a couple of hundred dollars), only to hear from offspring how they were spending far more , going into debt without a thought , they are most certainly of the ME,ME,ME generation.

 

Think carefully what places do you feel you MUST see, perhaps you could part of a world cruise out overspending, you can enjoy XXX just as well in an inside cabin as in QG or PG. You can enjoy all the ship has to offer without buying that $60 bottle of wine at dinner.

 

Without being morbid also remember one day you may be a single instead of a couple , when memories mater more than dollars.

 

Best wishes.

 

Lynn

Good to hear from you Jimsgirl, I am very sorry you can no longer travel due to medical insurance issues. I am sure you have been missed on here by many, including myself. Wishing you all the best.

It has been a long time since I wrote on Cruise Critic, Was on QM2 when a stroke ended my cruising days for good. Fortunately I had many cruises in my memories.

 

I lurk on here every day, my heart aches to "get under way"., but no company will accept me for travel ins, and limited mobility means I need a travel companion, which I do not have.

...

Thank you for keeping in touch, Lynn. I was wondering if you were still reading the postings considering what you have said previously about it being unlikely you will cruise again. (We met at the Cruise Critic meeting on an Atlantic crossing in 2010.)

Best regards, David & Alison

Sorry to continue the hijacking of this thread but I am so glad to see you posting again, Jimsgirl! I have often wondered how you were after your cruising days were cut short. All the best to you.

Kathi