The REAL Cost of Cruising: How We Saved Thousands of Dollars on 11 Cruises in 7 Months
Ever wonder what it really costs to cruise the world for 7 months in style, without sacrifice -without breaking the bank? We did it, and in this blog post, we'll reveal exactly how we traveled in style on 11 cruises, stayed in 14 hotels, took 5 flights, and rented cars—all while using savvy travel hacks that saved us thousands of dollars!
If you're dreaming of a cruise vacation or looking for tips to make your next trip more affordable, you’re in the right place. Be sure to watch our full video below where we break it all down!
How We Traveled in Style Without Breaking the Bank
By utilizing credit card points, travel rewards, and even perks from cruise stocks, we were able to cover a wide range of expenses—from flights and hotels to on-board spending money. Here’s how we did it:
1. Credit Card Points & Rewards Programs
We used points from our Avion Visa and WestJet Mastercard to cover flights, hotels, and car rentals. Being smart with points allowed us to fly and stay in style without dipping into our savings.
Avion Visa & WestJet Mastercard: These credit cards gave us tons of value. We used points to cover free flights, free hotel nights, and even car rentals.
Expedia Gold Member Perks: As Expedia Gold members, we scored additional discounts and free upgrades on our stays.
2. Carnival Corporation CCL Stock
Here’s the secret perk that helped us save big. By owning shares in Carnival Corporation, we were able to use stockholder benefits to get $5,900 CAD in free cruise cash. This covered onboard expenses like gratuities, personal care, excursions, and more—making cruising an even sweeter deal.
3. Home Exchange for Free Stays
Another game-changer for our 7-month journey was using Home Exchange. Instead of paying for every hotel, we took advantage of this platform to stay in homes around the world for free, saving hundreds of dollars along the way.
The Total Cost of Our 7-Month Journey
Curious about what it actually cost us to cruise the world for 7 months? Here's the breakdown of our expenses for this incredible journey:
Cruises: We embarked on 11 cruises across various destinations.
Hotels: We stayed in 14 hotels, using points and perks to cover many nights for free.
Flights: We took 5 flights, most of which were booked with credit card points.
Car Rentals: We rented cars and covered most of the costs using rewards.
Despite the luxury and amount of travel involved, we managed to save thousands of dollars by utilizing points, rewards, and stockholder benefits.
Cruise Travel Hacks for Canadians: Maintaining OHIP Eligibility
As Canadian travelers, we had to make sure we didn’t lose our OHIP eligibility while being out of the country for 7 months. In the video, we share how we maintained our healthcare coverage while traveling abroad.
You’ll also learn about:
The specific rules for Canadians regarding out-of-country travel.
How to track your days abroad to stay eligible for Ontario healthcare (OHIP).
Travel extensions and what to do if you plan to be out of the country longer.
What You'll Learn in the Video
In our YouTube video, we share detailed strategies that can help you plan a luxury cruise vacation without overspending. Here's a quick look at what you'll learn:
How to use credit card points to get free flights, hotels, and car rentals.
The Carnival Corporation perk that gave us $5,900 in free spending money!
How to use Home Exchange for free accommodations around the world.
A breakdown of our 7-month journey and total costs.
Cruise travel hacks specifically for Canadians, including how to maintain OHIP eligibility while traveling.
Watch the Full Video Now: The REAL Cost of Cruising
If you’re planning a cruise vacation or simply want to know how to save money while traveling in luxury, don’t miss our full video, The REAL Cost of Cruising: How We Saved Thousands on 11 Cruises in 7 Months. Click below to watch and discover the best ways to use points, perks, and travel hacks to lower the cost of your next cruise.
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