How do you afford all these cruises?

[chuckc54]

One quick question but I'm sure I'll have more as I am planning to do a cruisetour in summer 2007. How does everyone do so many cruises? Frequent cruiser miles? Or has everyone saved so much for retirement that they can do this without problems? I've seen messages on the boards from people who have done 10 Alaskan cruises.

[BSeabob]

We really don't cruise a lot (There are some exceptions of course) we post a lot on the boards...just save and scrimp and cruise when we are able. Over time it adds up.

My signature says it all I'm afraid. Enjoy your planning.

[PEB]

It is different for everyone. For us we put away something from every check for cruising. We also keep an eye out for specials. Many times to save money on flying we book back to back cruises so we only have to pay for flights once instead of twice.

Yes I do a lot of Alaska cruises LOL. Usually when I cruise I cruise at least twice in a year and the most I have cruised in a year is five times. I did skip cruising last year so I could do three cruises for a total of 33 days this year.

[Seabeacon]

We just started cruising but hubby gets an employee discount. Yay us!

[Jeana]

Look for DEALS!

[H2O babe]

We are fortunate if we get to cruise once a year. Usually for us it's every other year and we pinch pennies big time to enjoy our 7 day cruises. Have never been on a longer one.

K.

[GloBug]

We don't eat out during the year, we don't go on weekend jaunts during the year, we watch our spending during the year, and it helps that I don't fly, and we live not far from the SF ports. Which means only Mexico and Alaska, but so far, that's been working for us.

[Jeana]

Get a credit card with points - use for travel
Take advantage of last min. "deals" and discounts
use AAA or AARP rates
use club rates
use priceline
start a "travel fund" and put $$$ in it whenever possible - adds up

[brad2738]

Ditto to the above, I myself plan a cruise a year, usually to Alaska since I am in the PNW. I really like the inside passage cruise.
I am also a member of the HAL Mariner's Society which allows me advance notices on early cruise savings.


The earlier you book the better the savings. Since I book on-line through HAL I can make monthly payments so long as I am full payed up a month before the cruise. When I am not on a cruise, I am always thinking and planning the next one :)

[Dickscar]

We sold a fifth wheel camper and F-250 truck and the money we were spending on gas, insurance, maintenance camping and a trailer payment are going toward cruises. We also found a great travel agent and were advised that often specials don't last. We booked the cruise we will take to Alaska in Sept, 2008 in January and the price on the room we booked has gone up $1000.00 since then!!