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Jordan Lusk
Jordan Lusk

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A group of women are posing for a picture.
A woman is smiling and sitting at a table with a plate of food in front of her. The table is set with a fork and knife, and there is a bottle of wine on the table. The image is captioned with a variety of speciality meals and deals, including a breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet, a gourmet restaurant with designated dinner time, and a free ice cream room service. The woman is smiling and appears to be enjoying her meal.
Two women are sitting on a chair in the water, with a sign above them that says "SHIPWreck Sn
A woman is smiling and
Two women are sitting next to each other, smiling and holding drinks.
A woman is taking a selfie in front of a mirror.
Two women are standing in front of the ocean, smiling and enjoying their time. They are both wearing hats and are holding cell phones. The image is a purchase request for 2 full body
Two women are taking a selfie in a mirror, each with a $50 limit for on board purchases. They are both holding their cards and looking at the camera.
Two women are standing in a hall taking a selfie.
A collage of pictures of a beach with a sunset.
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PLANNING AND PAYING 🛳️

I took my mom on a cruise for her birthday in January. I started planning in October! I purchased a cheap room on the 7th floor with 1 king bed and a small window. Over the next few months I slowly made payments and purchases towards this much needed vacation. By the time it was all said and done, this is what we got for a total of $2,140 for a 7 day cruise for 2 from NYC to the Bahamas!

First off, I will say this didn’t include much travel because I live in upstate NY, so my mom flew from MS to Syracuse and I drove us straight to the city. Normally I would have car camped but since it was my mom’s first time in the city I got us a FANCY hotel at a discount price using the #hopper app.

When it came to making additional purchases for the cruise, like the drink package, the snorkeling getaway, the specialty meals, and the fun pass (which we didn’t even use) I purchased those over the months of November and December, waiting for discount email offers and using my gut to decide when to make the purchases. I usually went with the second or third offer on those but never the first!

With the room upgrade, I waited until a little over a week before the cruise to put in an offer on the room upgrade. I probably could have offered less and got it but I’m not complaining. We started our cruise booking a cheap, small room on the 7th deck with 1 bed and a small window. I put an offer on a deluxe balcony suite with 2 twin beds, a seating area, and on the 14th deck and got it! All the good entertainment, activities, and food were on the upper floors so we didn’t have to walk much to get to the goods. That being said, our room was still peaceful despite being in a hot commodity area! Also, the higher you are the less you’ll feel seasick, which was a major plus for the two of us.

Overall, with all the stuff included and our pre-made purchases, we did not spend that much money when it came time to enjoy our cruise. And since we were celebrating my mom’s birthday, many places (like the spa) offered birthday discounts. Most of our spending was done before the cruise even happened, our pre-loaded $50 made it pretty far, I was actually looking for stuff to spend it on when we were home bound. We didn’t spend a dime on drinks or food, mostly chocolate from the shop and some cheap stuff from the stores on board. We saved most money for spending in the Bahamas since that’s the number 1 place to purchase jewelry and we spent money on lunch on the islands so we wouldn’t have to go back to the ship, but that’s really it.

Oh! I almost forgot. Since we booked in the colder months it was cheaper and MUCH less crowded. Boarding was chilly in NYC but out on the ocean and in the Bahamas was still beautiful. We spent plenty of time at the pools and on the beaches. But there’s also an indoor pool if you’re worried about the weather. So don’t think you have to wait until summer for your summer vacation. This was a perfect way for us to relax and prepare for the crazy year ahead.

I didn’t want this post to be too long so feel free to ask questions in the comments, there’s so much more I could talk about!

#lemon8diarychallenge #cruises #msccruises #vacation #january2024 #bahamas #birthdaytrip #motherdaughtertrip #travelwithme2024

2024/7/14 Edited to

... Read morePlanning a memorable cruise can be made easier with strategic budgeting and a bit of foresight. Start by setting a clear budget for your entire trip, including accommodations, activities, and onboard expenses. For instance, when booking a hotel, using travel apps like #hopper can yield great discounts and ensure a comfortable stay prior to embarkation. Cruise lines often provide special offers through email subscriptions, so it's wise to keep an eye out for those discounts, especially on extras like drink packages and excursions. Booking during off-peak seasons can significantly reduce costs. Not only will prices be lower, but the crowds will also be less overwhelming, allowing for a more relaxed experience. Remember, many cruise lines offer perks for celebrating special occasions such as birthdays. Take advantage of onboard discounts and special services like spa treatments, which can enhance your celebration. For onboard activities, look for free entertainment options to keep your spending in check. Most cruises have an array of activities such as trivia, dance classes, and themed parties to keep guests engaged. Make sure to plan your day around these offerings to maximize enjoyment without overspending. Lastly, don’t forget about ports of call like the Bahamas where shopping can be rewarding but also tempting. Setting a specific spending limit can help manage expenses while still allowing for some indulgence. With careful planning and strategic spending, you can enjoy a fantastic cruise experience that doesn't break the bank.