Beware the Collateral Expenses of Vacationing!

My mother, sisters and I are going on a cruise next week and we’re very excited about it.  We cruised together a couple of years ago and it was lots of fun so we thought we’d do it again.  My sisters did a lot of shopping around and found a really great deal.  We’re cruising out of Charleston so no one has to fly.  We reserved two adjoining, ocean-view cabins for just about $500 per person.  Six nights, three ports, all meals, it’s a great deal.

Surprisingly, cruising is a pretty budget friendly way to vacation.  Shopping around and being aware of the cruise seasons can help you with your plans.  Going to the Caribbean during hurricane season is generally a real bargain.  Before you start laughing (and thinking Poseidon Adventure), there’s little chance that you’ll actually get hit by a hurricane!  You might get diverted to a different port if the weather acts up.  You never know but generally speaking, that’s as bad as it gets.  It is to the cruise line’s advantage for you to book ahead so they’ve made it very attractive to do so.  If you book several months out, most of the lines will match any later deals that lower the price of your cabin.

So, you’ve got your cruise booked, it’s time to get ready to go!  Now’s when the collateral expenses start to pile up!  You’ve got to come up with clothes for the days of walking around the hot, sweaty ports. Cruising is no longer the snooty, upper-crust affair of bygone decades but you still can’t wear your daytime shorts and flip flops to the dining room so you’ve got to come up with clothes for dinner.  I’ve never cruised yet without having to buy at least a few new clothes and shoes and this trip is no exception.

What else?  Plane tickets to get to the port or gas to drive there need to be added to the budget.  Depending on the timing you may need a hotel at either or both ends of the trip.  All meals are included on the ship but what about meals before and after on your way to or from your embarkation port?  What about pets?  If you have any you’ll probably need to pay to have them looked after.  Luckily a friend of my homeowners is going to come in and feed the cats but I’ve still got to board my dog.

So, I’ve got this $500 cruise…and $250 to board my dog, $90 for a hotel in Charleston for the night before we depart, probably more than $150 in meals and gas and a couple of hundred dollars of new clothes.  Alcoholic beverages are not included in the cruise package and then there are tips, conservatively that can easily add up to $150 - $200 for the week, plus shore excursions – in my case that’s another $200.

Do you see where I’m going with this?  Vacation costs don’t stop with the cruise fare, cabin rental or plane ticket.  Be sure you go in with your eyes open and include ALL the expenses when you’re deciding which vacation you can afford!

As for me, I’m happy (I’ll wear those new clothes and shoes other places, right?!).  This time next week I’ll be lolling on the beach in the Bahamas.  Bon Voyage to me!

Okay, so maybe I didn't NEED these!