Cruises let you control your vacation costs for the ultimate budget travel

When you think of a cruise, it probably conjures up visions of luxury travel. In reality, cruises are one of the best budget travel options.

Cruising allows you to pay for virtually your entire vacation up front. Sure, you can spend more money on the ship or in the ports, but that's strictly voluntary. Your lodging, meals, and on board entertainment is all included in the cruise fare.

A cruise becomes an even better bargain if you sail during the off season. For example, cruise prices drop drastically for Florida departures during the peak of hurricane season. "The important to budget travel is to plan in front. When it comes along to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved vacations and/or going to see new destinations we have never been before, the reality of cost and budgeting is generally in the back of our heads. Organizing and consuming our travel budget correctly is a priority for most families. Lowering spending and fees, while still enjoying your vacation to its fullest, is the key to confirmed achievements and fiscal obligation. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The thought behind economizing money while travelling is simple: Even if your personal budget is highly small, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or leaving the homestead! Also recalling that while traveling, regardless of whether on a budget or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a large vacation or travel charge!..". That period, which runs from late August through September, also coincides with kids going back to school, another traditionally cheap time to travel.

If you decide to go on a cruise, what are the potential costs once you've paid for the trip? Here's a quick list:

Shore excursions: If you want to do activities at the ports of call, this will cost extra. If you want to see the ports but stay on a budget, just walk off the ship on your own and stroll around to soak up the atmosphere.
Drinks: Alcoholic beverages cost extra on a cruise. Some cruise lines charge for certain soft drinks, too, while others (like Disney Cruise Line) include soda in the cruise cost. All your meals are included, but more and more ships are adding premiums restaurants that cost extra. These restaurants are optional, so you'll only pay if you want to try them out.
Gambling: Most ships have casinos that beckon you with bells, whistles, and jingling coins. You can drop a lot of money and break your budget if you get the gambling bug.
Gratuities: It's standard to give gratuities to certain crew members, like your stateroom host or hostess and your dining room servers. You may be able to pay the standard gratuity amounts in advance, depending on the cruise line.

Other than those items, you can have a great trip without paying another cent, making a cruise the ultimate all-inclusive trip.

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