A 74-year-old man takes his wife of 55 years on cruises twice a year, and he has no plans to stop.
Ron Lodowski and his wife, Susan, live in upstate New York and love escaping the tropics on cruises for carefree travel.
While Millennials are leading the post-pandemic travel recovery, Baby Boomers are increasingly booking travel. This is according to Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.
exist Interview in 2023Baby boomers tend to pay more for cruises (because they prefer high-end accommodations) and they bring their children and grandchildren with them on the trip, Mr. Liberty said.
“Baby boomers bring more multi-generational travel as grandparents want to travel with their children and grandchildren.”
Ron is a member of the baby boomer generation and loves how everything is taken care of on the cruise, “Need a meal? Royal has taken care of you. Need your stateroom or suite cleaned? No problem. Want to see after the cruise Some entertainment for dinner? Look no further. Royal Caribbean is your one-stop vacation shopping.”
He didn’t start cruising until later in life. He took his first cruise in 2008 as a gift for his daughter. While he admits choosing Carnival Cruise Line as his first cruise was a “big mistake,” he quickly made the jump to Royal Caribbean and now cruises multiple times a year.
“I average two cruises a year, usually one in March or April and one in September or October,” he said.
“Living in the Northeast…these dates tend to extend our warm summers, rather than having them start in May and end in late August or early September.”
I asked Ron for advice on how to plan the right cruise based on how he would like to cruise with Susan and her family.
Book early
Ron said he chooses a cruise based on four criteria: time of year, itinerary, ship, and finally price.
For example, “With the launch of the latest Icon and Oasis class ships, ship-based cruising decisions have moved beyond itineraries.”
His number one tip for booking a cruise is to book your cruise as early as possible.
“The earlier you book, the lower the cruise fare typically is. If prices do drop, You can cancel and rebook at any time As long as it’s before the final payment date. “
Residents of certain countries, such as the United States or Canada, can rebook before final payment to take advantage of the reduced price. it is indeed one of them The best way to save money on a cruise.
“I’ve done this many times and saved thousands of dollars. Even better? Let your travel agent do it for you. They don’t charge a fee, and their services are priceless.”
As Ron described, our team recommends using a good travel agency because of the services they offer and the opportunity to save money.
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Ron approaches every voyage with a sober and pragmatic approach, “treating every voyage as if it might be your last.”
For that matter, he doesn’t shy away from spending more on cruise extras.
“Enjoy a signature dining experience, an extra cocktail after dinner and all the benefits of a suite. Or better yet? Go all out and experience the pampering of a royal elf. You’ll never forget it!”
Although there are many Freebies on Royal Caribbean CruisesRon sees cruising as an escape.
I asked Ron what he would tell others his age why they should try a cruise. “I would first tell them to turn on your hearing aids,” he joked, before saying he would explain how cruise ships take you to amazing places.
“Cruising is an amazing experience. You get to go to beautiful, scenic places and once on board, everything you could want or need is taken care of by a helpful crew”
He also stressed the importance of meeting new people on a cruise, “The bottom line is that unlike a land holiday, where people come and go, when you’re on a cruise the people you meet become your lifelong friends. I speak from experience.”
Off season booking
Ron’s final tip is to look for off-season prices, which can save you a lot of money compared to peak season.
As retirees, Ron and Susan can take advantage of A time of year when there is less demand Because school is in session, families are reluctant to go on vacation.
“Prices are usually much cheaper in the off-peak months of January to March and September to November, so why not take advantage of these months?”
“You’re retired, so you don’t have a job or a family to interfere with your vacation plans. You deserve it!”
Going on a cruise during the months Ron mentioned can be Good time to take a cruise For those extra savings.
Although the Caribbean is a year-round destination, Book a trip in one month instead of another The difference can be hundreds of dollars.
