Travel Like a Millionaire

Traveling in style can be surprisingly affordable on a cruise.

A simple step is to upgrade beginning with your preparation.

Choose a ship that makes you feel wealthy.  That doesn’t necessarily mean choosing the best line you can possibly afford.  My dad used to say he didn’t like going someplace where he felt like he was the poorest guy in the room.  He didn’t want to feel financially stretched trying to keep up with the Joneses.  A lot of wisdom there.

But some ships have a more upscale feel for about the same price or less.  That’s a painless upgrade.

Then again, if you already love a particular cruise line, feeling wealthy might be returning to that line that always makes you feel comfortable, possibly choosing their best ships or an upgraded room category.

Booking a stateroom with your own private veranda can be a nice start, and it does allow you to awaken with an ocean view, able to slide open the sea breeze and slip into a chair on your balcony to sip hot cappuccino delivered by room service.

How much would that cost for one night in Santa Monica or Monte Carlo?  Possibly as much as upgrading from porthole to balcony on a cruise for a week.

Julie and I recently splurged for a Mini Suite, and having that extra space felt luxurious.  The price difference happened to be relatively small on our cruise, especially for 10 nights.

Those who go for full Suites once often never regress to anything less, but that usually doubles or triples the price.

I endeavor to help you feel rich when traveling, so let’s assume that you aren’t accustomed to First Class.

Even if you choose an inside stateroom without a porthole, choosing a better location feels luxurious for a few dollars more.

If you stay in an inside room across the hall from a well-positioned Balcony, you’re taking the same elevators and hallways, not to mention most public spaces on the ship.  The whole week might cost less than one night at a luxury hotel.

If you come out of your room dressed to the nines, your fellow passengers may assume you’re in a Suite.

Dress for success.

It is a different world than when we were kids, but I remember my dad putting on a nice sports coat and sometimes suit and tie to go out for dinner, even though he was a blue collar worker.

These days, I see a lot of people who travel dressed in pajamas —- at international airports—- and sweat pants with waists stretched so much that their underwear is revealed in dining rooms. There’s no need to dress like a beach bum or hippie like you did when you were a teen.

Dapper attire that fits well is perfectly comfortable and makes you feel rich.  Why?  Partly because you have upgraded your self image, but also because people treat you as who they perceive you to be.

Why not be your best and be treated like a millionaire when you’re out and about aboard a cruise?

Millionaires don’t worry about prices.  While we may not be able to totally escape price constraints —- nor should we —- plan ahead.  

Pre-book shore excursions to take advantage of the dream destinations you will visit.  It may not save you money, but it will ensure that you won’t cheap out once you’re there.  It is already a paid and ready to experience.

If you enjoy adult beverages, pre-buy onboard credits or get a beverage package.

But never overindulge. Nothing is more demeaning than being sloppy drunk and boisterous.  If you’re getting outrageously loud, don’t be too proud to excuse yourself from polite society rather than subject others to your pitiful, low-class actions.  You’re likely not nearly as funny and endearing as you may fantasize when you’re out of it, and you’re degrading the dream vacations of your traveling companions.

For your planning to work out, you must play your role once traveling.  Plan for the best.

Often, I have seen people under-plan in advance only to overspend once traveling, trying to compensate when others are enjoying their careful plans, and still having a less remarkable vacation for a bigger bottom line expenditure.

Wes