For those who wonder how I can consider interesting long distance trips and cruises, I suggest that they look at the above trip and how I would book it. The January 28, 2023 trip above allows for a couple of nights in Honolulu before a 7 night cruise around the Hawaiian islands. If I were to budget $500 for hotels, and another $100 for meals while in Honolulu, I'd be able to take this trip for approximately $3,300 before the cost of excursions. Add on $700 for excursions I haven't taken in Hawaii, and I could take this bucket list trip again for $4,000 or so. But it takes flexibility in thinking and of scheduling to do this.
RQS and I have fun looking at cruise prices and enjoy trying to figure out whether a specific trip makes sense. Lately, I've been trying to come up with a way for us to take a Panama Canal cruise from Los Angeles, just to be an excuse to see my 90 y/o uncle. There are trips (such as a Norwegian Fjord cruise) that we have had to put off for this year, so that we could take a cruise from LA and see my uncle. And we have settled on a Princess cruise that goes to San Francisco, San Diego and Ensenada, MX. It's not the ideal cruise for me. But it is a cruise on which RQS could accompany me. And that is the most important thing.
People traveling solo have many problems, as the tourist world is designed for couples and for families. The only reason that the above cruise came to mind is that the price has dropped and that there is no single supplement. Couple this with affordable airfare, and I'd spend half as much as I did on my most recent cruise to take this vacation. Hunting these bargains is a must if one wants to travel on a budget.
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Last year, RQS and I took a second New England/Canada cruise because the base price was too cheap to ignore. Although we spent twice as much for the cruise than it was advertised for (ads in the United States market do not include taxes, port fees, or gratuities), it was still well worth taking at the time. Shoulder season is a great time to cruise, as fewer people want to cruise these routes at the beginning or end of a cruise season.
Bargain hunting shouldn't be limited to things like shoulder seasons. For example, I took a cruise at the end of 2021 that seemed as if there was more crew than passengers. I was willing to take the Covid-19 related risk, as I was fully vaccinated. And it was a great cruise! So I look for bargains from United States ports, and see if I can make the overall price of the cruise (including the cost of airfare, if needed) fit my budget. If so, I'm ready to pack my bags and go! If not, I'll keep scanning the lists to see if there is something worth tracking.
Right now, I occasionally look at cruises originating in the Tampa area. I have a friend who lives there, and RQS has family in the area. One of these days, we'll find a way to get there inexpensively, visit our friends and family, and take the cruise. Until then, this trip will have to wait until the temptation is too much.
