Many budget travelers could have run this itinerary for far less than what we spent. That's a fact I readily accept. It was a 25th wedding anniversary trip, and we did want to splurge several times to celebrate the occasion.
But even with the random splurges, we managed to spend less than $6,000 for a trip that could have cost nearly twice as much. Airfare for two at that time of year could have run up to $3,400; eight hotel nights (at $200/night)could easily run $1,600; a seven-night cruise might cost more than $4,000; cruise extras (excursions, frills on board, etc.) could run $1,000; meals, $1,000; ground transportation (airport transfers, cabs, etc.) $500.
Just those costs add up to $11,500. But you don't have to pay a price like that to buy a cheap vacation -- or a trip you will talk about for the rest of your life.
