I am planning our trip to Hawaii right now.
We got cheap tickets. We got a reasonably priced nice hotel with promotion like $180 a night.
But activities - that adds up to a lot. I am a scuba diver - and I want DH to get certified on this trip so that we could dive together. Certification is around $500, plus $150 per day per person for 2 boat dives, plus equipment rentals.
But being in Hawaii, in those warm waters and marine life and sit on a beach without taking advantage of it? How can we do that?
We would also like to try a surfing lesson - it always looked interesting and we'll be near a beach with ideal conditions for beginners.
Snorkeling, exploring some of the island on horseback. All of it is more pricey per day than hotel cost.
Yet coming all the way there and not doing these things, that does not make sense. That is why vacations never work out cheaply for us. We can't just not take opportunities that are right there.
I am conflicted about it. I thought when I booked these super cheap tickets that this would make it an inexpensive break. But as I am learning about all the things that are available, I am realizing it won't be.
I guess not matter what we plan, we can't be just one of those people (like my mom) who can lay on a hotel beach all week, no matter how nice it is. That makes trips much more expensive.
Cheap vacation - does it work or is that even a good idea?
April 10th, 2009 at 08:37 pm
April 10th, 2009 at 10:09 pm 1239401375
I'm in a similar dilemma myself... I'm 30 next month and was hoping to take a short holiday to celebrate... but don't have specific money saved... could end up raiding EF...
so am in 2 minds as to what to do....
My deeper feeling is that it's better to really make holidays enjoyable as opposed to scrimping by.... so I might defer my holiday until I have the spare cash... don't want to go on hols and not enjoy myself to the max...
The only suggestion I have for you is to maybe postpone until you have more cash saved - although you have tickets already bought so that may not be viable.
April 11th, 2009 at 01:41 am 1239414079
I agree that there is no point in going and not doing anything unique to the locale, but that doesn't mean you have to break the bank in the process.
April 11th, 2009 at 05:45 am 1239428717
if people simply cannot afford a holiday, they shouldnt go on one, but if you are in a solid financial position and have already planned the holiday, i see no need to deprive yourselves of experiences. you will always look back and say 'we should have...'
i'm not advocating debt or frivolous spending... but just to work out what is important to you. which i see you already have and you want some confirmation on that.
so go for it, i say
April 11th, 2009 at 11:59 am 1239451140
April 11th, 2009 at 04:00 pm 1239465636