How do you people afford all those cruises?

[Dmgmd50]

We are fairly well fixed with two lovely homes but we would never would consider booking a Sky suite. A balcony cabin is just fine for us. And if we want a more luxurious vacation, we go on a more upscale line. But that is a matter of choice. If you are content to go once every ten years and a suite turns you on, that is certainly something you should do.

[AE_Collector]

The OPs question got me wondering how many inside, OV, Balcony's and suites we have booked.

 

Inside = 4

Ocean View = 10

Balcony = 4

Suites = 0

 

We always look for the deals we can't say no to. We typically book in the last month or two and we not know where we are going next until the next deal how's up. Also we need/buy very minimal material items and put the savings towards travel and cruising.

 

Terry

[TN Vol Fan]

We usually cruise once a year but stick to one cruise line X. We plan one year to the Caribbean not spending much and the next year on a more extensive, farther away place. We have done many insides and every other class of cabin except suites. Regular cabins are fine with us, but we research and plan ahead. We try to find repositioning cruises to go to unusual places.

We budget,using bonuses from work and even tax refunds socked away.

Our kids are grown, house is paid for and we keep our cars at least 10 years. We both work, but my part time salary is dedicated to fun, either cruises or gaming trips.

Cruising allows us to take a quality vacation and not break the bank. When we retire in about 3 years, we will be looking for last minute cruises where the prices have already dropped. Still planning but on a shorter time frame.

[rbsmithpaige]

I cruise constantly because the bill collectors can't find me onboard.

[Minoushka]

To cruise is a choice i love to make .I save all year toenjoy my cruises

i do not drink so that helps .I look for bargains or cruises I can affoeprd . my priority is a balcony so I do get one ..sure its more but I feel i make a lot of use of it

I sit out early morning ...sunrise ,sunset ,moonrise etc

I do a lot less shopping ,I find cheap ways ...local transportation to beaches and snorkeling places

I eat on ship when I return ...food elsewhere can be very expensive

I book private tours ..ship tours are a lot more

 

You can do it but you need to plan

Using the boards here really helps

I book with the cruise companies usually ...I have been upgraded many times and have had price reductios as well

 

Good luck

[HokiePoq]

Cruising is probably the cheapest form of holiday for many people, depending on where you live. Americans have access to some ridiculously cheap fares, some less than $50 a day. What other holiday can you take for that sort of money that includes accommodation, high quality meals, entertainment and transport to exotic destinations.

 

Unfortunately living in Australia we do not have access to many of the cheap fares and if we do we have the high cost of travelling to get to there. Cruises from Australia are much more expensive than cruises from other destinations.

 

People living in places like Florida could probably live on cruise ships for less than it costs us to stay at home.

 

We actually met a wonderful lady who does that on HAL! We met her in 2007 on our deck and read on the HAL board that she is back on this year. She would get off the ship on her walker and enjoy the ports. She was "honorary crew". Neat lady who flew supply planes in Britain in WWII.

Thanks to all who have posted their money saving strategies. I am going to try having enough discipline to do last minute bookings. I cannot count the times I've seen a great deal and couldn't take it.

[kelmac]

My wife and I are celebrating out 50th cruise together next month. I'm semi-retired and my wife is teaching.

 

--no kids

--no pets

--no house plants

--live in a condo that is paid for; lock the door and leave

--two cars and a small truck; paid for

--my primary car is a Smart Car (40mpg)

--we don't buy things, just experiences (we travel 10 --12 weeks of the year, with three or four cruises thrown in the mix)

--we always book inside cabins, and only work up if the price is right

--no clubs, no church, or no Country Club

--we do eat out often, but share; love movies; I play golf three times a week

--our house upgrade fund for new bathrooms, kitchen…, has $0 in it

 

All about the life style and priorities.

 

PS -- we are the happiest couple I know:rolleyes::D

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

[aashleyjc]

We only cruise once every two years or so. We don't book suites, we don't do specialty restaurants, we don't do the premium alcohol package (but we do have the classic this time thanks to the promo). Flights are booked with points, hotels are points or deals found by time and effort. Excursions are booked independently.

 

Vacation is a priority for us. We budget for it and save like crazy. I would love to be able to cruise several times a year, but a) we can't afford it b) I don't have that much vacation time c) sailing out of southern California sucks. You can only go to Ensenada so many times. We do a lot of land based vacations as well. Usually 2-3 a year.

 

Our next cruise probably won't be until 2016, but that's ok.

Edited March 5, 2014 by aashleyjc

[AmberTeka]

when we started cruising in 2005, I paid too much. We were in a mini suite. I did not even have the sense to appreciate it. I thought it was way tiny.

 

then I read a Travel Blog. The much cruised gent suggested never spending too much on your cabin because you don't spend much time there. A la Disney world. he suggested go cheap on the Cabin. Splurge on the specialty restaurant once at least. Get good shore excursions because you may never come that way again.

 

Have dinner with wine. OK. Wine with dinner. Dabble in the casino if you want. Play some bingo. Get your hair done in the SPA. Buy those photos.

 

I have always remembered that advice. We have sailed Insides. Ocean views. Balconies. Two mini-suites. ( Princess..upgrade NCL..paid $$$$$) We did do balconies....because DH took up chewing cigars in his old age, but thankfully Most cruise lines have banned smoking. or only at the rail or in smoking lounges.

 

We do have to get midship....due to me not having sea legs..but other than that........any cabin with beds on the floor is a good cabin to me.

 

We are booked on the Infinity in an OceanView..midship......lower decks. between passenger decks. Perfect. I am thrilled. Good Price.

[AmberTeka]

I do always buy ship tours. We were in Costa Rica once when riots broke out. Not violent, but political protest in Limon due to trade differences between them and the President of Costa Rica.

 

Costa Rica does not have an army, but they have a muscular police force. Which shut the roads down. All tour buses behind the blockades sat there. We were lucky to return just before the President arrived and the roads were open.

 

We sat up late that night. We did have a balcony on that one. We watched the buses roll in way after dark. I doubt that any private tours were not waited on...........but..............

 

I don't want the ship to leave me. I have a phobia about it now.

 

and I loved Costa Rica. I hope to return again. But they do seem to take their politics seriously. beware.

[mickeysgal]

Never book directly with the cruise line, never book prior to final payment date, never follow the herd...

 

...and you will almost never pay more than $50pp/per night.

 

This is the one thing I have never really been able to do. I'm working on it though. I have a tough time balancing the cabin level I want vs the airfare vs securing the time off from work. I usually end up booking before final payment to get it all to sync up together.

[tullahlula]

We like to think of ourselves as frugal.... we are debt. free, I'm retired, hubby really works to entertain himself, we have one car now...mine, age 20 yrs. died after Xmas...won't be buying a replacement. We don't own a bunch of techy stuff....don't have cell phones or ipads....have the cheapest cable package out...don't watch much t.v. anyway. May go through a bottle of wine once a month. So you may ask what do we do....our passion is to travel, not only cruises but road trips, all inclusive deals, coach tours....etc. Last year for example...Xmas 12/13...10 day Southern Caribbean cruise....spring, 3 weeks in europe... Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg...summer...2 weeks in Portugal....Fall....1 week in Cuba and Xmas 13/14...1 week in Cuba(different location). We are very happy with life....we don't need much in the way of material things.:)

[cruzngrl]

I agree..too much focus on material things. We recently downsized our home from 4000 sq feet to 1600 sq ft. I don't miss the extra room at all. Was a basement we never went into. Smaller yard, less to take care of and now less payment! We can now focus on travel and playing. My father passed away two years ago at a young 68. my parents should have been enjoying the time of their life as they did 1-3 cruises per yr. Now there is no more "they" This led to my lifestyle change as I want to enjoy life with by DH. We do what we want, when we want and have no one to answer to..(well except the grandkids:D)

 

 

We like to think of ourselves as frugal.... we are debt. free, I'm retired, hubby really works to entertain himself, we have one car now...mine, age 20 yrs. died after Xmas...won't be buying a replacement. We don't own a bunch of techy stuff....don't have cell phones or ipads....have the cheapest cable package out...don't watch much t.v. anyway. May go through a bottle of wine once a month. So you may ask what do we do....our passion is to travel, not only cruises but road trips, all inclusive deals, coach tours....etc. Last year for example...Xmas 12/13...10 day Southern Caribbean cruise....spring, 3 weeks in europe... Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg...summer...2 weeks in Portugal....Fall....1 week in Cuba and Xmas 13/14...1 week in Cuba(different location). We are very happy with life....we don't need much in the way of material things.:)

[neverbeenhere]

We are stockholders. We would hate for the company not to make any money, so we keep cruising.

[A Sixth?]

I don't know about everyone else but my wife is a part time cattle rustler and that's how we afford it. :rolleyes::p

 

[rubydoobydoo]

My wife and I are celebrating out 50th cruise together next month. I'm semi-retired and my wife is teaching.

 

--no kids

--no pets

--no house plants

--live in a condo that is paid for; lock the door and leave

--two cars and a small truck; paid for

--my primary car is a Smart Car (40mpg)

--we don't buy things, just experiences (we travel 10 --12 weeks of the year, with three or four cruises thrown in the mix)

--we always book inside cabins, and only work up if the price is right

--no clubs, no church, or no Country Club

--we do eat out often, but share; love movies; I play golf three times a week

--our house upgrade fund for new bathrooms, kitchen…, has $0 in it

 

All about the life style and priorities.

 

PS -- we are the happiest couple I know:rolleyes::D

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

 

 

My bathroom upgrade fund gets emptied every time I book a cruise :)

 

You and your wife sound like you have it just right

[teecee60]

This is the one thing I have never really been able to do. I'm working on it though. I have a tough time balancing the cabin level I want vs the airfare vs securing the time off from work. I usually end up booking before final payment to get it all to sync up together.

 

Work, quite often, seems to really cut into peoples' personal time. :D

 

I'm retired and have complete flexibility, but we DO have to consider my girlfriend's work schedule. When we spot a couple of deals we might like, she asks about tentative dates about 90 days out, and if there's no problem, we book at 75 to 55 days out. I think most (but obviously not all) employers have that amount of flexibility. :o

 

Booking flights 55-75 days out still gets you reasonable fares, and using Choice Air can save you TONS of money on some trips, especially one way transatlantics. ;)

 

We just used Choice Air (again) to book our return flights from Rome at the end of a 15 night Silhouette transatlantic in April/May. Paid only $579pp on Delta, (with a sky miles card) so along with the $630pp for the cruise, with $250 OBC, its a VERY reasonably priced two week vacation. :)

Edited March 5, 2014 by teecee60

[cruisetimeforme]

Many years back I had my own cruise only travel agency and booked large groups. Living in Florida many of my clients were senior citizens who always told me to vacation while you can still enjoy in your younger years. Well I've been hooked on the idea since the first travel agent convinced me to take my first cruise and never looked back. Couldn't care what cabin choice but do prefer balcony, just as long as I get on the ship! Spend all our extra dollars on cruises and have no plans on ever stopping,

[C Cruise Dude]

Is there some secret to cruising regularly that I am not aware of? I just booked my second cruise in 10 years and it is costing me a fortune for a Sky suite, specialty dining and beverage package, let alone the flight and hotel stays. Is everyone out there a billionaire or am I just paying rack rates stupidly? I researched a bunch of online cruise sites, but Celebrity offered just the same price for the cabin I wanted. So what gives, get up off your secrets to great cruising, I want to join you....

 

 

I cruise in inside cabins, occasionally an oceanview or balcony and always hunting daily for bargains. I never do specialty dining (I already paid) and drink packages cost too much IMHO. I'm not a billionaire and am not sure that I would do much different if I was. Well, maybe a balcony more often and a suite just to see what it's like. ;)

Edited March 6, 2014 by C Cruise Dude
add more

[DancerOT]

My bathroom upgrade fund gets emptied every time I book a cruise :)

 

You and your wife sound like you have it just right

Sadly, my bathroom remodel fund is currently emptying my vacation fund :( Oh well, some things need to be dealt with.

[karena1]

Is there some secret to cruising regularly that I am not aware of? I just booked my second cruise in 10 years and it is costing me a fortune for a Sky suite, specialty dining and beverage package, let alone the flight and hotel stays. Is everyone out there a billionaire or am I just paying rack rates stupidly? I researched a bunch of online cruise sites, but Celebrity offered just the same price for the cabin I wanted. So what gives, get up off your secrets to great cruising, I want to join you....

 

1. We never book suites, only balconies on 7 nighters and oceanview on 3/4 nighters unless the balcony prices drop significantly

 

2. No kids, our son is 36 and gone a long time ago

 

3. No debt, only thing we have is our mortgage

 

4. Saved for many, many years to be to the point that we could cruise pretty much every month. When we were younger we could do a cruise about every other year. Now we do at least 2 long cruises/land vacations and many short cruises every year.

 

5. We live in Florida, so we don't have to fly. We only do Caribbean cruises as we have no desire to go to Alaska or overseas at this point. Maybe some day, but we are beach people and love the Caribbean beaches.

 

6. Because we live in FL, we can wait for last minute deals on our short cruises. As a result, we get some awesome prices on 3 and 4 night getaways

 

7. Always watch for price drops. I probably checks my cruises almost daily to see if there was a price drop. Thursday I got a $50 pp price drop on our Adventure cruise next year, just b/c I happened to go and check the prices.

 

8. I do book our 7 night cruises way in advance to get the balcony I want. Also, in most cases, I have seen the prices go up, not down as it gets closer to sailing. Until final payment I watch for drops, after final I watch and see if I can upgrade if I want.

 

9. We rarely do specialty restaurants - personally I think the food in the dining room is just as good. We rarely book excursions, we go to the islands to do nothing, so basically we spend cab fare and a view drinks, trinkets each day. Nothing major

 

We love to cruise and enjoy the fact that we can cruise as often as we do. We started much later than most people so we are making up for lost time:D

Edited March 6, 2014 by karena1

[emileg]

Where else can one vacation for $100 to $150 a day per person including room, full board, entertainment and transportation? We book cruises to save on travel costs. I know what people pay for vacations to Disneyworld, Las Vegas and Hawaii because we used to do those. Now we visits some of the great cities of the world and our hotel follows us wherever we go.

 

Also, we try not to pay for air fare except when the fare is inexpensive or for short haul flights. We saved lots of credit card points and airline miles over the years and have learned to play the system perfectly legally and ethically. Want to learn how? While I don't think I can mention his name here, you can Google the terms "guy" and "points". You can also subscribe to a daily newsletter from this guy. Following his advice, we have racked up over 220,000 points in the past six months. I then spend hours on partners for Star Alliance and One World waiting for saver award seats to open up. It pays off.

 

Good luck.

[gr82cu2]

1. We work for the majority of our adult lives.

 

2. We save what we can.

 

3. We retire.

 

4. We spend our children's inheritances.

 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

--our house upgrade fund for new bathrooms, kitchen…, has $0 in it

 

All about the life style and priorities.

 

 

Yes, my poor house is suffering, but it's paid for. I look around at potential projects and think--that's 2 or 3 cruises! The projects never seem to get funded.

[rosadilla]

Is there some secret to cruising regularly that I am not aware of? I just booked my second cruise in 10 years and it is costing me a fortune for a Sky suite, specialty dining and beverage package, let alone the flight and hotel stays. Is everyone out there a billionaire or am I just paying rack rates stupidly? I researched a bunch of online cruise sites, but Celebrity offered just the same price for the cabin I wanted. So what gives, get up off your secrets to great cruising, I want to join you....

 

In addition to what NJ Fred posted:

 

"1. We work for the majority of our adult lives.

 

2. We save what we can.

 

3. We retire.

 

4. We spend our children's inheritances."

 

I'll add 5. I plan on spending the last years of my life living in a cardboard box ...:rolleyes:

Edited March 8, 2014 by rosadilla