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

[Laura135]

We also do a lot of the money saving tricks mentioned a few posts back. We took a good long look at our finances several years ago, and realized that if we downsized our home, gave up me having a new car, didn't need my work wardrobe, did most of the cooking at home rather than eating out, etc, I could quit my job and stay home. After tax savings added in along with gas costs, etc, we were only short about $3000/year, and I had W-2 wages of over $35,000.

 

We started to do this when a good friend of mine had her DH die of a heart attack 2 weeks before his retirement. She took their dream retirement trip in their new RV alone. DH and I resolved then that we would do everything we could to travel now and make those memories while we still could.

 

Our upcoming trip (B2B cruises) cost $399pp/per cruise for an inside cabin of my choosing (same cabin for both cruises). I voluntarily got bumped on a flight to visit my father this past summer so I would get a free flight voucher. Therefore, the airfare for both of us to fly was $215. I watch the prices of airfares, notice any trends, and buy when I don't think the prices will go any lower. DH also has to travel for work. He stays at a hotel that gives him frequent stay points, so we are using the free room from that for the night before our cruise in Miami. We don't feel the need to do an excursion at every port. Some, like San Juan, PR, we are just looking forward to walking around and seeing all of the historic buildings. We also bring along our own snorkeling gear, and on many islands we just go snorkeling at a free/cheap beach.

 

I think that the biggest thing is that we don't go in to our "making a reservation" mode with a set plan. We see what we can get for a good price, and we're not afraid to try something different. Last October we looked for cruises and didn't see anything at all that looked good in the price range that we were willing to pay. I did a little research and found a 12 day trip to Honolulu for 2, hotel/air/transfers for a total of $1800 (not $1800 each). I was willing to give up a cruise to do 12 days in Hawaii instead. Yes, we ate at Subway a lot while we were there, but heck, we were in Hawaii!!

 

Basically, in re-evaluating our lives, we found that our alone time doing fun things was more important, so we changed our lives to allow for that. When our children were small it would not have been possible for us. But at 44 with grown children, vacationing together while we can is a top priority.

 

Laura

 

PS...a good way to tell what your top priority is?? Look at your checkbook. Where is your money going? That is your top priority.

[kyrie]

I started cruising when I was eight. I learned to dance on ships. I learned good table manners on ships and I explored the world. My family lived and still lives in florida and when you have a family of 5, cruising actually becomes a very affordable family vacation and easy to do. We cruised once or twice or even thrice a year growing up. It was the easiest family vacation. I contined once a year thru college and med school. I still cruise about 1 x every 1-2 years. Still living in Florida and when you can escape for a long weekend for 199 pp, what is not to love? I often book at the last minutes. Any other floridians out there doing the same thing?

[Rirruto]

I know this won't apply to most people around here (unless you are parents of people like me) but I am 23 years old and 2.5 years out of college. After graduating, I came back to live at home and started working full time in Human Resources a couple months after graduation. Most of my friends my age are in the same situation. It seems to be a growing trend around America. It's funny how generations change. I guess in the past, kids would be out of the house and married right after high school. Then, kids started to go to college more and more and then got a place of their own after graduation. But now, it seems like most kids who graduate college come back home to their parents for a while. I plan on moving out within a year but living back home is a great way of saving money. Basically all of my paycheck goes in the bank since I don't have many bills, no credit card debt, or student loan debt (thanks Mom and Dad). This December will be my 3rd cruise with my girlfriend (also 23) since graduating college. I'd probably go even more often if my girlfriend had more vacation time to use. I'm very thankful that my parents and the parents of my friends have no problems with their kids coming back home after college and helping them get on their feet in the real world.

[70 +]

I received an E-mail from Norwegian for a discounted cruise in South America. It is on the Norwegian Dream sailing out of Santiago, Chile to Ushuaia and return to Santiago, for a 14-day cruise. All categories of inside and outside cabins are open. The lowest price outside cabin is $499. That is a per diem of only $32. The most expensive outside cabin is $1,349 for a per diem of $96. I have not seen discounted prices like these in over a year. There are only two problems. The cruise starts Nov. 7 and the airfare would be almost double the low price cabin cost. However, if you can move quickly, this is a great price. It is also a great cruise area as we have cruised it two times before. The ship cruises this area for the next three months, so there may be somewhat same reduced prices on later cruises.

[molybee]

You know you can cruise short cruises and they are great too, and affordable! For a couple hundred, you can cruise for 4 nights! Do that more than one time a year........it does not always have to be a long one. :o

I have been on at least 20 cruises, and about half have been short ones.

This way you go more often!

[kelsea823]

Hi All!

 

I'm trying to find an inexpensive cruise for my husband and me and my daughter and her husband.

 

We can go about any time, but would like to go to the Caribbean when the water is very calm and on a big ship. My husband swore our last cruise was our last because he got so seasick!

 

Thanks all for your help!

[ILuvCruisin']

Hi All!

 

I'm trying to find an inexpensive cruise for my husband and me and my daughter and her husband.

 

We can go about any time, but would like to go to the Caribbean when the water is very calm and on a big ship. My husband swore our last cruise was our last because he got so seasick!

 

Thanks all for your help!

 

Please forgive me as this is off point but..

 

I use to get real sick too...really, really sick...now I do the patch...you do need a prescription and I've found that the pharmacies don't always stock them so get it early...works real well..sometimes I still don't feel quite my normal self...but at least I don't throw up and feel dizzy...my stomach still just feels a little woozy at times and so dinner might just be hot tea and gingerale but at least I can still function and participate....

 

thanks for letting me help out some fellow cruisers..

[cargoagent]

I've been pretty fortunate. We decided to try cruising earlier this year (Sept) and I found a great last minute deal (3 weeks before departure) on NCL.com. Now we are going on the Sun to the Caribbean in 11 days. Booked this one last week and got amazing Lattitudes pricing for a balcony cabin. (cheaper than an OV) We are tentatively looking for at least 2 cruises next year (April and Sept.) but we will see what deals are available last minute. Of course if I see some wild $99 weekender somewhere we might just add that as well.

 

It helps immensely that both my wife and I have flexible work schedules and can get time off for these kinds of deals. It also helps that I can get cheap flights to the departure ports. ;)

 

CA

[cruiselife4me]

I've cruised much but mostly when I was single. Ex-hubby would spend tons on cars we collected but griped about every dime I spent on a cruise.

 

Well, he's history and my boyfriend and I have an upcoming cruise. However, we also just built a large log home...so I have a feeling we won't be cruising as often until his son is out of school. (4 more years of high school.)

 

Someone said it's the perfect vacation for women....right on!!

[caz1123]

I have taken 8 cruises in a few yrs and this is how I do it...i am not picky about the cabin, it is usually an inside cabin to get the best rate. I rarely buy anything when on board, no spa treatments, no dining cover charges, no souvenirs, 2-4 drinks per cruise. Once I book, I constantly check to see if the price went down and many times I find it has and call and get the lower rate. I always book with a website that is offering shipboard credit. Since I like to cruise with Princess I put down my $100 deposit for my future cruise while onboard (they don't require you to pick a sail date and you have 5 yrs to cruise). You can then book with princess directly or with any other travel agent and you get a shipboard credit ($25 for inside, more for oceanview) from Princess along with whatever offer your travel agent has going on. If I stay in a hotel the night before the cruise, I hotwire the hotel and get something for $50. I look for the hotel that has the shuttle to/from airport and cruise port so I don't have to pay for a taxi. Also, I limit my shore excursions to 1x per cruise, and I do an inexpensive ($50) snorkeling excursion. I know many people would not want to travel this way, but the way I see it, I could go on 3 cruises per year for what some people pay for 1 cruise. To me, it is worth it to go on more vacations.

[nychelle02]

I think its very impressive to see those long reports of cruises that people have been on. I often wondered how people did it, so that was a good question. I have been on 2 cruises, both wonderful and with family. I skipped so many years inbetween of cruising because my husband at the time was on a NO FLYING, CAN'T DO A SHIP, kick. Now that I am single again I vow to go back to the cruise lifestyle. I found cruising to be very afforable.

 

EVEN BETTER, now NewYork, NY has a port I can leave from. I am sure I will be taking many cruises.

 

I save a little bit each pay check for my travel expenses.

[Scylersmom]

I am so glad you asked this question. I am always fascinated by the members who have all these cruises to their name. The only reason I am booked on this trip is because I had won some points through work (that I am able to convert to travel rewards). Also, my visa card airmile points was able to pay for two of my flight tickets. Since this is during March Break, this would have costed my family and I over $5500.00. But it only is costing me $1200. Plus my spending money. It is adding up-but it's my first cruise and hopefully not my last. Spring break the airline tickets are an arm and a leg and we are flying from Toronto.

[househunter]

I have not read this entire thread but really it is all about a persons income and expenses. Maybe someone who only makes $50K a year can only afford to vacation once a year but someone who makes more can go more often. My husband and I both work hard, don't have credit card debt and do not have kids at home. We travel at least 2-3 times a year on a cruise or a land vacation (Cabo is our current favorite) staying a minimum of 10 days and then do many short trips ( Vegas, beach etc) throughout the year. I can see how someone with the same job as us but a higher mortgage and kids in college would have to budget more carefully.

 

The OP question really can't be answered uless she wants people to tell her their income which would not be good!:)

[laurspag]

I know this won't apply to most people around here (unless you are parents of people like me) but I am 23 years old and 2.5 years out of college. After graduating, I came back to live at home and started working full time in Human Resources a couple months after graduation. Most of my friends my age are in the same situation. It seems to be a growing trend around America. It's funny how generations change. I guess in the past, kids would be out of the house and married right after high school. Then, kids started to go to college more and more and then got a place of their own after graduation. But now, it seems like most kids who graduate college come back home to their parents for a while. I plan on moving out within a year but living back home is a great way of saving money. Basically all of my paycheck goes in the bank since I don't have many bills, no credit card debt, or student loan debt (thanks Mom and Dad). This December will be my 3rd cruise with my girlfriend (also 23) since graduating college. I'd probably go even more often if my girlfriend had more vacation time to use. I'm very thankful that my parents and the parents of my friends have no problems with their kids coming back home after college and helping them get on their feet in the real world.

 

You know what is wonderful about your post? Your head is on straight! You are really looking for some balance in your life, and you appreciate your parents letting you live at home.

 

Just had to mention that!

[bqkali]

I have not read this entire thread but really it is all about a persons income and expenses. Maybe someone who only makes $50K a year can only afford to vacation once a year but someone who makes more can go more often. My husband and I both work hard, don't have credit card debt and do not have kids at home. We travel at least 2-3 times a year on a cruise or a land vacation (Cabo is our current favorite) staying a minimum of 10 days and then do many short trips ( Vegas, beach etc) throughout the year. I can see how someone with the same job as us but a higher mortgage and kids in college would have to budget more carefully.

 

The OP question really can't be answered uless she wants people to tell her their income which would not be good!:)

 

Now my question is how do you get so many vacation days ;) Haha, I know the answer to that--but congratulations on so many fun vacations!

[househunter]

Now my question is how do you get so many vacation days ;) Haha, I know the answer to that--but congratulations on so many fun vacations!

 

 

We really don't have that many vacation days! I am self-employed and my husband has worked at his job for over 30 years. But we only take about 7 days at a time for our long trips and another day here and there for our weekends. We just take advantage of every day off that we can!:)

[Texas_Diver]

People always find a way to finance what is important to them.

 

Some people buy expensive cars, homes and clothing.

 

Some people pour their funds into their local churches or country clubs.

 

Some people cruise.

 

D.

[Mintycake]

What a great thread! My hubby and I are in our mid thirties, have taken 2 cruises and have 3 more booked.

 

For me, my main problem is TIME. I get 3 weeks vacation a year but am trying to negotiate some unpaid time off. If this is not successful, I am considering switching to a job with more flexible vacation policy. My husband is self employed and can take off whenever he wants.

 

We save money on land by:

1) bringing our own lunches to work

2) eating at home (going to restaurant 1/month as a treat)

3) we stopped drinking in bars

4) use coupons and only buy things on sale

5) one car

6) aside from investment debt, we are debt free!

7) no kids (yet) - we are only planning on one in a few years time

 

To save for the cruise:

1) I scour the net for bargains and we cruise off peak season - and book in advance.

2) My husband and I don't exchange Christmas and birthday gifts - we give ourselves "cruises" instead

3) we both use air rewards credit cards to get free flights (we put EVERYTHING from groceries to house insurance on this card, but pay it off every month)

4) I use a TA that gives us even more air rewards points - and she matches the discounts I find on the internet

5) so far we're balcony cruisers but we wouldn't hesitate to do inside or OV if the price was right. So far we've just always gotten balconies for maybe $10 a day more!

 

On the cruise:

1) no spa, no casino, no wine tasting, no bingo, very little alcohol (we treat ourselves to a cocktail by the pool but that's it).

2) we DO treat ourselves to specialty restaurants (1 per cruise)

3) booking excursions sometimes with the ship, sometimes not - depends on the price and where we are going

4) book future cruise credit on board to generate credits on our account

5) we DO get a soda card for my husband but I am happy with tea and water

6) I buy formalwear cocktail gowns in January when they all go on sale after New Years. My last dress cost me $25. And I buy classic ones I can rewear and dress them up with scarves and jewelery.

 

For now, since we are planning to do about 2 cruises a year, we will treat ourselves but once we are retired we'll probably more frequently do less shore excursions and balcony cabins but cruise more often. We've also talked about buying a condo in Florida for our eventual "snowbird" retirement to be closer to port.

[Lulley766]

I do things a little differently to save for a cruise. I have extra cash taken out for federal taxes at work, and put aside. Then, I file my taxes, and use my refund as seed money for my cruise.

 

I also have a medical reimbursement account. I pay for all my medical expenses out of pocket, and then file for the reimbursement. When I get the check for reimbursement - guess where that goes? Into the cruise savings fund.

 

I know this sounds simple but I round up my change every day, or every other day and throw it into a piggybank. It usually nets between $50-80 everytime we empty "Piggy".

 

Also if I get any checks in rebates, refunds or anything like that - right into the slush fund.

 

None of this is hard to do, and you will find you save more than you realize. We try for at least 2 cruises a year doing this, so I guarantee it works.

[Grandiva]

We really like to cruise and find that "cruise-a-way" is the best option for us. We book well in advance and make payments on it monthly (just like a bill). We have always used tax returns for spending $$.

I think alot of people have the benefit of living really close to the port. Which elimates expensive travel (flight, hotel, car rental). We live in Ohio and probably spend upwards of an additional $600+ just to get to the port (thats a cruise itself). And then sometimes..... ummmm......I question if possibly some people live in cruise land and perhaps their cruise resume is enhanced ;)

[chj]

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?

 

Got to have lots of money. I don't count people from Fl that count 3 or 4 day deals in the carribean, how fun can that be?

 

 

1) Come from Rich Parents

2) Marry into money

3) Get it the old fashion way, earn it

[Texas_Diver]

It's been almost a year since our last cruise and we are going crazy.

 

Counting down the days...

 

D.

[cruisin'gunny]

For the poster that wondered how so many people can cruise so often...not counting the florida folks who book 3 and 4 day cruises to the Caribe'. How much fun can that be?........LOTS and LOTS

How can you not count us folks from Florida? ANY day on a cruise is better than any day not. :)

[Steamboatin]

We cruise on our government retirement checks.

 

Thank you for paying for our cruises.:D :D

[*Sparkle*]

Speaking for myself only:

 

I am going to be 36 with two boys (15 & 12) I woke up one day and realized my boys have more of a social calendar than I do so i decided to do something about it. Cruising isn't expensive! I live in New York so there are 3 ports (Manhattan, Brooklyn & Cape Liberty) within 30 min driving distance. Whatever cruise I want I will pick up there. All I need is money for a down payment ($250-300) and watch the internet for deals which my TA will get for me.

 

:) :) :) :)