There are few scenes more relaxing than lounging oceanside next to clear skies and a sweeping sunset. Cruises are an ideal vacation for those who want to see the world at a leisurely pace, but while a round-the-world ocean voyage might be exhilarating, it can also be expensive. Even though your mind may switch to vacation mode as soon as you book your cruise, there are some important steps you should take leading up to your trip to make sure that your finances are in order.
Switch to Mobile Banking
With mobile banking, you don’t have to be in your home country to do things such as deposit checks. Mobile banking allows you to make quick and convenient transactions with the help of your smartphone. Anywhere that there’s Internet access, you can check in on your finances and make sure that you’re keeping your cruise trip under budget. You can also set up text alerts that let you know if any unauthorized or fraudulent users are trying to access your bank account.
Autopay Bills
When you’re relaxing in the Caribbean with a martini in hand on the bough of your ship, the last thing you want to be worrying about is whether or not the water bill got paid. Monthly bills can be a hassle when you’re out of the house, especially if you don’t make arrangements to take care of them beforehand. Prior to leaving on your cruise, you should set up autopay accounts for all recurring bills, such as cell phone services, utilities, Internet, cable, and more. If you forget to do this, you may come home to a pile of late fees and a damaged credit score.
Purchase Travel Insurance
Purchase travel insurance before any trip can be a good idea as it may cover you for non-refundable costs if you have to cancel or leave the trip unexpectedly. Travel insurance may also help to recoup some of your money in the event of an emergency. Having cover for medical expenses can also be a good idea on cruises, as passengers are in close quarters and more prone to experiencing illness and infection.
Create a Budget
Even if your trip is prepaid, it’s a good idea to set a daily budget for yourself so that you don’t overspend on extras such as food, entertainment, and souvenirs. Most cruise line passengers are at no loss for fun activities to do while on the water, but not everything that a ship has to offer is free. It’s also important to consider expenses such as bills and mortgage that must be paid in full each month. You need to ensure that your travel fund has enough to cover all of these costs and more. If you quit your job before taking off to travel, you should also plan to have a healthy nest egg available for when you arrive back home after your cruise.
By taking care of your finances before you leave for your round-the-world cruise, you can ensure that you won’t be stressing about bills as you relax on deck. There are several simple steps you can take in the months leading up to your trip that will keep you financially stable both during and after your cruise adventure.
