Many people dream of taking a cruise, but the price tag can be a deterrent for many. However, cruises can be an inexpensive vacation if you budget wisely and plan carefully. There are several ways of making your cruise more affordable.
Start Budgeting Early
Since you may end up paying a couple of thousand dollars for your trip, it’s a good idea to start setting aside funds early on. You may want to set up a separate account for your vacation fund so you are not tempted to spend the money. Another way of lowering your monthly expenses is by refinancing your student loans. Since you may get better terms by doing so with a NaviRefi student loan refinance, you might not have to pay as much back each month, allowing you to put more toward your cruise fund.
Consider Your Payment Options
When it comes to paying for your cruise, you may not need to pay the whole balance at one time. You can usually make only a deposit when you first reserve your spots, and you can likely continue to make payments as you save the funds. Many times, the balance will be due a couple of months before your departure date. On the other hand, if you want to pay for everything at once, you could get a discount to do so. You might have to speak with a representative to see what they have available.
Try to Stay Flexible
You are more likely to get a good price if you aren’t afraid to be flexible. Going during school vacations or the holidays will be more expensive than going during the off-season. While the off-season might not be ideal, it can save you quite a bit of money. The weather might not always be as pleasant, but it might allow you to enjoy other extras you wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford.
Another way of being flexible is to limit port activities, such as excursions. However, many excursions may cost you a couple of hundred dollars for each person. Instead of taking part in an activity at all the ports you visit, you may want to choose just a couple of them. There are still ways to stay organized on vacation and find things to do while minding your budget. You can still explore on your own, but make sure you check any pandemic-related requirements that might impact your ability to leave the ship.
Stick with What is Offered
There are ways you could end up paying more than the base cost of your cruise ticket. You could have a high bill by the time you finish if you are not careful. Instead of going to restaurants on board the ship, try to stick with the food and drink that is provided in the cost of your ticket. Things like special activities or internet access may cost you extra as well, so do your research ahead of time so you are not blindsided by fees. Depending on the extras you are considering, you might be able to bring some of your own. For example, some cruises might allow you to bring your own drinks on board.
