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HIDDEN EXPENSES IN A CRUISE VACATION

We’ve been on a Disney Cruise and another carribean cruise, and the all-inclusive concept does not apply. Cruising sounds like an ideal vacation; pay one low price and here’s what you get:

  • Room
  • 3 meals per day
  • Entertainment
  • Swimming & activities on board the ship

Sounds perfect doesn’t it? On the surface everything seems wonderful. After we paid for the trip, I expected the cruise vacation expenses to end. My understanding was that unless I wanted to buy a tee shirt or a martini, I could leave my wallet in the room. I was wrong!

Cruises are Expensive

The room is included. Our family of three was sandwiched in the five by eight foot postage stamp sized room. Definitely not a place to hang out. The food was good, if you like dining with thousands of other vacationers. Our daughter wanted a soda, so we paid an extra $10.00 for a refillable cup. Once you hit the shore, the expenses pile on. Day trips, meals, and entertainment on shore easily run into the hundreds of dollars. And if you don’t partake in some fun on shore, then you’re missing out on the opportunity to explore the beautiful and exotic locations.

 

video credit; YouTube TVTravelShowProducer

Taxes and tips aren’t usually included either. Actually, this misunderstanding may have been my fault. I made the assumption that once we paid up for the vacation, there would be no other costs, except souvenires. If I’d done a bit of homework, I would have realized that it’s a good idea to budget an additional 50 percent more than the cost of the cruise for all the extras.

In sum, if you go in with your eyes open, this might be a good vacation for you. But, learn a bit about this type of vacation before shelling out your cash for a cruise vacation.

Can’t Get Enough Cruise and Vacation Articles?

  • Enemy of Debt – Writes about how to minimize the hidden costs of vacations.
  • Thousandaire – Gives the inside scoop on his Mexican vacation.
  • One Money Design- Shares 6 ways Hollywood makes retirement look ridiculous in movies.
  • Debt Free Adventure-Explans how vacation planning is more about memories and less about the money.
  • The College Investor-Spells out 5 easy steps to get the cheapest vacation.

What are your favorite of vacations? Have you ever been on a cruise?

 

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