MY VIRTUAL VACATIONS
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Budgeting for Cruise and Vacation Holiday Travel


Whether you are budget conscious or not, whenever I consider a destination for a vacation, the first thing I do is make a chart of what the travel budget might cost. This is always helpful! For example, weigh the option between spending 7-nights on a cruise ship to your dream destination versus flying and staying in a luxurious resort. Or if you only have a specific amount of money, compare a travel budget for destinations for the best value, or see if you can possibly book two vacations instead of just one. 
I typically use a spreadsheet for our family vacation budget (Excel is perfect for this) and the categories always stay the same. I suggest budgeting generously to give yourself some cushion. Enjoy your vacation, don't pinch every penny! Save my Vacation Budget Checklist below and take a look at my tips-and-tricks to budget for vacation.  
Stay within your budget! Expert tips for planning the budget for your cruise or vacation holiday.
  • Airfare - Use points! We've taken advantage of credit card offers with our favorite airlines in order to gain a substantial amount of points to purchase airfare or get extra perks. But even if you use points, you may still be required to pay taxes, fees, and other government or airport-imposed charges, so don't forget to include those in your budget (each way, per person.)
  • Daily parking at airport - Often I compare the cost of parking per day versus taking car service. If you want to park in a cushy spot underground, it might be more cost-effective to be dropped off and picked-up at the door.
  • Trip Insurance - Need I say more? We always purchase it for the full-length of our vacation, including pre and post-cruise stay. (Think COVID-19 pandemic.)
  • Hotel for pre-cruise stay - It's extremely important to arrive early if you are cruising, especially if during snowy winter months. 
  • Food for pre-cruise stay - Include snacks purchased at the airport on the days you are flying, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinners. 
  • Transportation to hotel or port - Compare the price of Uber/Lyft to renting a car. Think about all of the scenarios you might face your entire vacation: airport to hotel, hotel to cruise port, activities and excursions along the way. Don't forget transportation to get back again, too. 
  • Resort activities & cruise excursions - It's the little things that add up. When staying at a tropical resort, don't forget you may have higher resort fees, on-property activity fees (for example, bike rentals, wave runners, etc.), poolside drinks and snacks, and more. Whenever we stay at a resort, I include 5 meals a day (we are foodies!) which are breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, late night snack/dessert. 
  • Tips for staff - Bring small bills and note cards with envelopes for a nice touch.
  • Always add a small amount daily for incidentals!
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  • Home
  • Blog
  • Destinations
    • Alaska Inside Passage
    • Arizona: Scottsdale and Sedona
    • Mid-Atlantic Region >
      • Baltimore, MD
      • National Harbor, MD
      • Philadelphia, PA
      • Richmond, VA
      • Washington D.C.
    • Bay Area, California
    • Florida >
      • Boca Raton
      • Fort Lauderdale
      • Key West >
        • Key West Excursions
      • Miami
      • Orlando
    • Bermuda
    • Eastern Caribbean >
      • Carambola Beach Club
    • Western Caribbean
    • Bahamas
  • Ships
    • Celebrity Cruises >
      • Celebrity Cruises Fleet
      • Celebrity Equinox
      • Celebrity Reflection
      • Celebrity Silhouette
      • Celebrity Solstice
      • Celebrity Summit
      • Celebrity Constellation
    • Crystal Cruises >
      • Crystal Cruises Fleet
    • Princess Cruises Fleet
    • Norwegian Cruise Line Fleet
    • River Cruises >
      • American Cruise Lines
      • Victory Cruise Lines
    • Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
  • Cabins
    • Celebrity Cabins >
      • Deluxe Staterooms
      • Sky Suite
      • Celebrity Suite
      • Royal Suite
      • Michael's Club
      • Celebrity Cruises Stateroom List
    • Crystal Cabins
    • Princess Cruises
    • Royal Caribbean Cabins
    • Holland America Cabins
  • Dining
    • Hotels and Restaurants
    • Celebrity Dining >
      • Celebrity Specialty Dining >
        • Luminae >
          • Luminae for Alaska on Celebrity Solstice
        • La Petite Chef
        • Ocean Liners/Murano
        • The Porch
        • Sushi on Five
        • Tuscan Grille
        • Cafe al Bacio & Gelateria
        • Lawn Club Grill
        • Blu
        • Edge Class Dining
      • Menus
      • Celebrity Cruises Drink Packages
      • Celebrity Cruises Room Service
    • Crystal Dining
    • MSC Menus
    • Oceania Menus
    • Princess Dining
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity Entertainment >
      • Celebrity Cruises Canyon Ranch Spa Services
      • The Alcoves
      • Celebrity Today's
      • Celebrity Cruises for Kids
      • Celebrity Cruises Exclusive Perks
    • Crystal Entertainment
    • Princess Entertainment
    • Royal Caribbean Entertainment
    • Holland America Entertainment
  • Quick Tips
    • FAQs
    • What to Pack for a Cruise
    • Which Cabin is Best for Me?
    • Favorite Travel Products
    • Excursions
    • Cruising with Groups
    • Celebrations
    • Tipping
    • Beauty Tips
    • Quiz
    • Celebrity Cruises Luggage Valet Service
    • Budgeting for Vacation
    • Travel Tip Tuesdays