How do you afford frequent cruises????

[Turtletyson]

OK, this may be a very rude question (I know many people are uncomfortable talking about personal money issues), but I'm going to go out on a limb anyway. I've heard people post about diarrhea, thong bathing suits, and peeing in the water, so I guess this can't be too much worse!

Our family just returned from 4 days on the Wonder (+ 2 days at WDW after) and LOVED it. The cruise itself wasn't too expensive, but when you add in airfare, transfers, rental car, hotel stay before & after, photos, souvenirs, etc. - WOW!!!! We were stunned at how much the "bottom line" was!

In looking at the postings of all you "regulars", I'm noticing that some of you cruise 2-3 times a year, and most are 7-nights. How do you afford it?????

I realize that there is a HUGE range of salaries and individual circumnstances, but the law of averages says that everyone can't be independently wealthy.

Are there money-saving tips/tricks you employ? Do you use some kind of vacation club to save up?

Again, sorry if I offended anyone. I was just hoping we'd get some good suggestions as to how we can afford another cruise soon.

THANK YOU!!!!

Laurie

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

I have wondered too so you are not alone.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Not a frequent cruiser, but a frequent-cruiser-wanna-be ---

I think part of what happens is that being able to cruise during the non-peak season helps because the rates are considerably lower. We aren't able to do that because of school schedules, but I often look around to see if we could

Another thing is living close enough to the port that there aren't a lot of transportation costs - we live close enough that we could drive in the morning of the cruise (although far enough away that I will insist we drive down the night before). I'm sure folks use their frequent flyer miles, hotel points, etc. perhaps gained from business travel or credit-cards-with-perks to help offset transportation costs, too.

Also I'm sure that frequent-cruisers have learned how to visit the ports without excessive excursion costs - they've learned how to either book their own excursions or how to see ports on their own rather than needing the "comfort level" of booking through the cruise line (like we have done because my DS#1 worries we'll miss the ship).

Just some thoughts.

 

[misseulalie]

We are fortunate becuse we live so close to the port. We get FL. resident rates so the price is much less. Plus we only sail during school, so the price is less,too (plus, less kids on the ship, so the kids clubs aren't too crowded.)

We don't buy from Shutters much, we don't drink, and we don't do Palo (though for the Med, we will)

So our only onboard costs is the spa. We don't get souvenirs because we have WDW in our backyard and the kids already have too many souvenirs.

 

[DeloreanGirl]

Tax refund, eating a lot of PB&J sandwiches for a month, a Cruise Fund cash jar, and planning it a year in advance.

 

[mommasita]

We owned our own business for 10 years, and worked like animals 7 days a week. Towards the end of the 10 years, we started to cruise, and were fortunate enough to do 3 seven nighters in 18 months. We then sold our business and I worked for the airlines, and used great interline rates for other vacations and such..

Now we own another business( MUCH less revenue), so we have had to curtail our DCL's for now, and have done Princess out of NY, where we were able to drive to the port..

DH just started a new job Monday for a MAJOR airline, so I hope and pray for those interline rates again, and maybe, just maybe we will do 1 more DCL before my kids grow out of it. DS11 is not into it as much, and DD8 misses it..

 

[Amlee]

One thing is the more you go:

The less you spend on pictures and souviners. I've learned that that $1.00 postcard is just as special as that big purchase. That my personal pictures are just as good as those sold on the ship. You don't have to do all of those shore excursions at every port.

 

[birkner]

OK, this may be a very rude question (I know many people are uncomfortable talking about personal money issues), but I'm going to go out on a limb anyway. I've heard people post about diarrhea, thong bathing suits, and peeing in the water, so I guess this can't be too much worse!


Laurie

I don't think your question is offensive but I think you will find many people who cruise a lot may have more income and time to cruise. Some people will make sacrifices to cruise by giving up other expenditures in their life to "feed" their cruise habit.

People on our WB repo cruise tend to drive older cars, spend less on every day expenses and may be in general older than the normal cruisers.

Add to that many of us travel a great deal on business and can combine airfares, hotels etc. and have company pay for a good portion of the trip (not the cruise). For example, my DH can call on customers in Florida so his airfare, car expense, meals and hotel bills are covered. All I have to pay for is my flight. We can book pretty far in advance so we can get the best deals. DH will call on customers prior to our December cruise and we will fly back to CES in Las Vegas.

When my kids were younger, i.e. school age, we only cruised once or at the most twice a year because the kids were busy with school and sports activities. It was difficult to fit the time in between their schedules to travel so we ended up traveling during vacation time or holidays.

Cruising used to be very different as you could get "terrific" fares at the last minute with huge discounts.

My biggest suggestion is to set a goal of how many cruises you want to do in a year and start a savings fund. Every time you want to spend money friviously, drop that money into the cruise fund. Save your change, recycle bottles, have a garage sale, sell things on Ebay or sell crafts if you are a craft person. You will be amazed how easy it is to save money once you have a goal in mind.

We do Xmas with the GK's as a trip now that they are older. I hate the gimmie, gimmie attitude you see so much at Xmas so by traveling and spending time with the whole family, we can create a memory, not another "thing" to play with and quickly discard.

Ok ,off my soapbox and let someone else comment.

 

[kkmcan]

I don't know either how people afford these cruise over and over again. I think I'm just very jealous of them!

We did a four day in November and ever since then I've been trying to figure out how we could go again. My dh is a firefighter and I'm a stay at home mom. He makes decent money and we are comfortable but we definitely cannot be taking $3000 vacations every year.

If it were just cruise fare that might work but living in Az adds huge airfares for us (family of 4). No chance of driving there obviously. I looked into the Mexican Riviera cruises for next summer and the prices of those were so inflated that we could have booked a Caribbean cruise and paid for airfare to Florida and it would be the same as the Mexican cruise. It was so disappointing since I was beyond excited about being able to drive to Los Angeles and save all that money.

So, I've been looking into Carnival to save some money but still try to get to do a Western Caribbean cruise. Haven't been able to convince dh just yet.

Oh, also we just signed up for the capital one no hassle airlines miles credit card and gave using our Disney Visa. Eventually that might help with airline rates.

 

[PlutosMom]

This is a good question and I'll share my perspective. We started taking our kids to WDW in 1993 when they were 6 and 8 (now 21 and 20 - expensive college students!). We saved hard for our first trip but were still astounded by the "bottom line". However, we all enjoyed it so much, I set a goal to figure out how to do WDW on the cheap. BTW, our first trip we drove (cost savings .. haven't driven since and we live in the midwest). After a few more financially successful trips, we expanded to DCL cruises. They are not cheap - better financial values can be had with other cruise lines (which we do also), but NONE have the "magic" of DCL. We have 2 2008 DCL cruises booked. I'll limit my comments to cruising DCL.

Once WDW websites, such as this, started there was a wealth of information from which to research and learn. Do your homework. Also, I'd suggest one big thing: determine your mindset going in. Many feel this is a 'once in a lifetime' so they spend on everything - excursions, spa, souveniors, etc. We settled early on with a mindset of: We want to go on many cruises. Thus, we can't afford to 'live it up' on every (or any) cruise, if we want to go again.

Others here have shared some of the strategies and I'll build on those: Go off season. This usually helps with aifare, too. Study the specific cruise date prices - usually you'll find cheap rates in September and early December. Book early and book on ship if you can (usually a DCL discount that can't be acquired anywhere else.) Then transfer that booking to a Disney specialist TA (such as Dreams Unlimited) or just start with a TA (if no onboard booking) a that will 'monitor' the cruise rates to watch for a rate decrease so they can apply that decrease to you (DU once saved our family of 4 over $1200 with a DCL rate drop - since we had this money already set aside, we used the saving to upgrade to a verandah/balcony room - see below).

Rarely does DCL "discount" their cruises - early bookings are the best rates and more savings can be had thru a TA who offers you an "on board ship credit". Consider a Disney Visa credit card (always pay off monthly!). We use it for major purchases and then use the "reward points" to pay our purchases onboard. For our 2008 Panama Canal cruise we booked on Disney's website ($25 OBC) with our Disney Visa card (getting a $50 OBC for using it) within 30 minutes of that cruise being open for bookings. This is a 'hot' DCL cruise - most aren't - and by late afternoon our specific cabin category was $1200+ more than what we got it for at opening bell. Then we transferred to Dreams Unlimited and got a $200 OBC. Every dollar helps.

Speaking of cabin category. We've had the cheapest inside stateroom and we've had large balcony rooms. However, we are just as happy with the cheap inside staterooms. The Panama Canal cruise, all 15 days, will find us in the cheapest inside stateroom and thrilled to be on board!!! We couldn't afford DCL regularly if we did balconies every time.

Set up your own shore excursions - usually half the price. Use this cruise forum for infomation or use cruisecritic.com for port and self-excursion research. Limit yourself to either 1 or 0 excursions. There is so much to do yourself at ports and on the ship, that we have not found excursions always necessary. This saves a bunch. Find a good packing list (do a search on this cruise forum for ' excel packing list ' and you'll find a good one). This helps you bring everything you need so you are not having to buy things on the ship, in port, etc. Finally, set a goal to spend only $x on the ship. We've taken cruises and spent less than $25 per person on the ship. We never let our youngsters have spending privileges - we gave them a small notebook with $25.00 written in it. They had to ask every time they wanted something, we'd discuss and if they bought it, they did the math. (Of course, we had to set this expectation and process well before we boarded the ship, so they knew what to expect.) Once they were 16 and 17, we let them have spending privileges, but still allowed them only $x and anything beyond that they had to pay themselves. We quit buying souveniers years ago - really wasn't any value for us.

Do the math and figure out if it is cheaper to use DCL transportation or to rent a car to the port. Usually for us car rental is cheaper, but car rental has increased significantly over the last year.

I hope this helps some. Keep reading the boards and don't be afraid to ask questions - everyone is so helpful here - only because of these boards have we been able to do WDW and DCL as many times as we have (of course, I'd like it to be more, but ...

 

[PlutosMom]

I don't think your question is offensive but I think you will find many people who cruise a lot may have more income and time to cruise. Some people will make sacrifices to cruise by giving up other expenditures in their life to "feed" their cruise habit.

People on our WB repo cruise tend to drive older cars, spend less on every day expenses and may be in general older than the normal cruisers.

Add to that many of us travel a great deal on business and can combine airfares, hotels etc. and have company pay for a good portion of the trip (not the cruise). For example, my DH can call on customers in Florida so his airfare, car expense, meals and hotel bills are covered. All I have to pay for is my flight. We can book pretty far in advance so we can get the best deals. DH will call on customers prior to our December cruise and we will fly back to CES in Las Vegas.

When my kids were younger, i.e. school age, we only cruised once or at the most twice a year because the kids were busy with school and sports activities. It was difficult to fit the time in between their schedules to travel so we ended up traveling during vacation time or holidays.

Cruising used to be very different as you could get "terrific" fares at the last minute with huge discounts.

My biggest suggestion is to set a goal of how many cruises you want to do in a year and start a savings fund. Every time you want to spend money friviously, drop that money into the cruise fund. Save your change, recycle bottles, have a garage sale, sell things on Ebay or sell crafts if you are a craft person. You will be amazed how easy it is to save money once you have a goal in mind.

We do Xmas with the GK's as a trip now that they are older. I hate the gimmie, gimmie attitude you see so much at Xmas so by traveling and spending time with the whole family, we can create a memory, not another "thing" to play with and quickly discard.

Ok ,off my soapbox and let someone else comment.

Great insights, Birkner! We share much philosophy in common - looking forward to meeting and sailing with you on Ship of Thieves !! Lacy

 

[interested]

Although when our cruise addiction began, we were not-we lived in NC.
We are amongst those that cut corners where ever possible. We do not eat out or splurge on other things because we enjoy cruising so much. I guess it is just one of our highest priorities. Income tax pays for 1, Christmas bonus pays for one, and then if we save enough throughout the year we do a third! This year we only have 2 planned.Next one will be Thanksgiving week.Next year we will finally do the back to back! I cannot wait! Also, if you use your Disney Visa it is free of finance for 6 mos AND you earn the points to spend on board!

 

[mommyz]

There are 2 things we love to do as a family...eat good food and vacation.

We'd go on DCL at least once a yr for sure if we could work it out logistically we'd go more than that...last year I was pregnant and too far along to go but anyways we make a goal of where we want to go and how much it'll cost and we save by:

*go during off peak (usually sept)
*using our Disney visa card reward dollars to pay for some of the trip
*spend very little on the ship (this is where they make a lot of there $)
*we do go on excursions but they can sometimes take the whole day so it's usually only one the whole cruise...in St. Maarten we rented a car ($35) and saw the whole island and chilled at the beach for a couple of hours.
*rebook on the ship and get onboard credit then switch to a TA that gives us add'l credit or reduces the price (this time we got $125 add'l)


for dh and i we skip expensive gifts for b-days, anniversary, and valentines day and put it towards our vacation funds!

 

[mruhaak]

I don't consider myself a "frequent" cruiser but... since I love to cruise and am not by any means wealthy I cruise in the off-season when the rates are better. I also usually book cat. 12 guarantees for Disney cruises.

When saving for my downpayment I put $20 a week in a jar and then I also put any extra money that came my way during that time in that jar as well. It doesn't sound like much, but it added up. That money, plus part of my Christmas bonus, made the downpayment.

Basically, I save any "extra" money that comes my way towards my vacation. I also sat down and thought up a few ways to raise extra funds including a garage sale and I made gift baskets which I was able to sell for an event being held at my work.

That said, I really can't afford to take this kind of a vacation every year. When my boys get older we will probably switch to another line that is more affordable. But at their young age I really wanted to give them the Disney experience!

 

[Par8hed]

I've heard people post about diarrhea, thong bathing suits, and peeing in the water, so I guess this can't be too much worse!

Slightly OT but your post made me realize that diarrhea and thong bathing suits make for a tough combo!

 

[mommasita]

Slightly OT but your post made me realize that diarrhea and thong bathing suits make for a tough combo!

You alwlays provide me a great NEEDED

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I am a Florida Resident but it has never been to my benefit to book because I book far ahead and I have an onboard credit:

1. Sail during the off peak - yes it is risky for hurricanes but i am paying double for my B2B (4 day then 3 day) Wonder in July as I did for a 7 day in September and October
2. AUTOMATIC PAY DEDUCTIONS!! I have an amount taken out of my check every week and deposited in a high interest account..I find that I don't miss the money when it never even is in my hand!! I also do this for my ROTH..VERY IMPORTANT STEP IN SAVING...MAKE IT AUTOMATIC!!

My DH is a Firefighter and I am an Office Manager..we are FAR from high income..just believe in saving!

 

[figment52]

Tax refund, eating a lot of PB&J sandwiches for a month, a Cruise Fund cash jar, and planning it a year in advance.

ANd don't forget mac and cheese and spaghetti

 

[rgroves]

The beginning fo Dec is another good time to cruise. We ususllay go the first or second week and it's $3500-$4000 for the two of us in a Cat 5 room.

While we have taken 3 cruises in 3 years we've slacked off to every other year now. First year was our Honeymoon, Second cruise was paid by winning the Jackpot Bingo on the first Cruise and the 3rd was "Let's try the Western cruise this time", and Our fourth (Dec of '07) will be a return to the Western itenerary.

We also pick one or two excursions total for the cruise. The Island Tours are good ones to get an overview of the country and see some things. We did this for St. Maarten, St Thomas, and Grand Cayman on our first trip to those islands. On our second cruises to those areas we'll do different excursions. I really want to do the Stingray city on Grand Cayman, so that'll probably be all we do there (besides shopping).

We have usually spent more on the ship (Bingo and adult drinks) on the ship than anything else. This time we're driving down and will bring a few bottles of wine of our choosing so defray some of that expense. Also we're not going to play as much Bingo on this cruise and spend time on-deck relaxing.

Also, since our first cruise my wife had two family members pass away and sinc she was the only child/grandchild we got 100% of the inheritance and some of that was put away to pay for future vacations. But typically we only do one BIG vacation a year and either 1 or 2 smaller ones to carry us over like a long weekend trip somewhere we can drive to within a few hours or to see family in other states for a few days.

 

[Anal Annie]

I would say for starters, income level plays an enormous part in the frequent cruiser thing. Next, I would say is being willing to take the kids out of school to go when it's less expensive (which we will not do).

We like to take nice vacations and we usually get a decent size tax refund (trust me - our $ is safer with Uncle Sam than in my wallet)! A good portion of this is always used for vacations. I also stash any extra cash I can in my sock drawer until it adds up to enough to deposit in the bank in a special account. Right now, I figure I can save $6K toward a cruise on one of the new ships in 2012 if I save $23 / week for 260 weeks (5 yrs). That combined with whatever tax refund we get + our DVC points will hopefully get us on the ship! We also look at "frequent" as being every 4 years or so...no way to do them every year.

Last time, we booked a "guaranteed" room & 2 weeks before we sailed ended up getting a 2 cat. upgrade to a balcony cabin! That's something I would do again in a heartbeat!