You've got a new subscriber in me! I'm loving these videos! I look at gambling the same way...just like the arcades these days give away tickets for prizes, slots are like adult arcades, just giving out actual cash instead. It's all in the mindset! I've never been on a cruise, but now that my kid is grown and I'm not partnered, I've been looking in to checking one out. Your videos have convinced me to give a casino cruise a try, who knows, maybe I'll win a bunch of free cruises too! 🙌 Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!! 💚
I love your plan to spend the year cruising, but I love even more that you were able to do it for such a reasonable price. Do you plan to do a future video about how you're feeling mentally/physically after cruising long term? I really want to try it in the future, but wonder if I'll get tired of moving from ship to ship.
Great job on the video explaining everything. I want to cruise more. I never thought about gambling in the casino. I will check it out on my next cruise on Celebrity.
Great job!! My hubby & I want to cruise through retirement!! We take a few cruises a year now, but want to do what you do in about 4 yrs when he retires. I love you cruise solo, and don’t pay extra!! It gives people hope! My question is, if you wanted to add a second person to your cabin, do you just pay the port fee & grats? I look forward to subscribing and following your journey. FYI, your $2500 monthly budget for everything would just barely cover rent, utilities & food in Oregon. You have found a way to live the life you dreamt of, and I am so happy for you!!
😍Bless your heart...you are too sweet. Thank you for your kind words. "Cruise through Retirement" sounds like a catchy title!!! I hope & pray your dream comes true. Yes, in the 1st video I posted, I explained how my sister cruised with me on my first 2 free cruises and all she had to pay was the port fees and taxes for both of those. She was not required to pay the gratuities, as you know that is optional, but I always pay gratuities on mine. For both Royal and Carnival, if I want to add someone to a cruise I have already booked as solo, all I have to do is let them know 30 days in advance and that person only needs to pay the port fees and taxes. Hope to see you and hubby on the high seas one of these days. ♥
Your adventure is fun to watch. I don't cruise and have no desire to (seasick, etc) but I am loving how you are figuring this out. I planned out a 3 week train trip using only points for first class travel on the trains and then hotel points for any stays. It was so fun and I loved having over $10,000 in travel for free. I'm looking forward to all your cruises. Your videos are entertaining...so I subbed. :)
🏆OH WOW! First of all, that sucks that you get seasickness. Cruising is the BESTESTESTEST! But tell me more about this train travel using points!!! I get some free airline points and I considered booking a train from New Orleans to New York, but I have never taken a train. Do you have a channel I can subscribe to to learn more? 🙏🙏🙏😍
@@PovertytoParadise No, I don't have a channel for anything like that. I like to rack up points on my credit cards (pay off every month) and have an Amtrak credit card and Hilton. I'm a hospice social worker so typically we like to stay away from huge crowds when traveling and also kids. lol If you are planning on doing the train-don't plan on being on time. Don't rely on it to catch a ship or plane. I love trains like you love ships. My brother is a Great Lakes ship captain and currently is a federal pilot. He has been the pilot for many of the Viking cruises that are on the Great Lakes. He gets treated like a king. Much different than a salty hauling wheat. lol Plus he doesn't have to climb up the rope and wood ladders with the cruise ships.
Great Info. I understand a lot more about the casino cruises and points. If I understand it correctly, at 400 points to begin getting the freebie and receiving 5 pts for every $1 spent, that's $80. As an Accountant, I must say that your explanations and your attention to detail for your expense breakdown are spot on. I would have to add Travel Insurance to the monthly expenses but I realize not everyone feels it is important. Also, a question I have is how much did you spend for that month in the casino and do you have a monthly budget for that? I would think you have to continue to play in order to keep this going.
Hi & welcome. Thanks for the comment... GREAT POINTS📌 1) Correction: at 400 points, you start getting "offers". They could be FREE cruises, but might be discounted cruises, might just be free spa gift with any cruise. They do not specify which "offers" are given at 400 points, just that they are offers. 2) Yes on the $80, but it could be YOUR $80 or THEIR $80, right? If you put in $10 and win and then spend $70 of the money you won, you still get to 400 points! 3) I was an Accountant in my former life #TeamAccountants #AccoutantsRock #UCFAlumni 🙌😆 4) My Royal Caribbean and Carnival Credit cards that I pay for the cruises with cover $5k in travel insurance per trip. Since I am only 53, got a clean bill of health from my doctor, come back to the states every week and only get off the ships in a few ports, I am comfortable not having medical coverage for overseas, but before I take my Panama Canal and Transatlantic cruises next year, I plan to get coverage with Allianz or a similar company. I know it's risky and others, like you, will want to add that in their budget. 5) Nope. I don't have to play to keep this going. I have already booked my 60 cruises and do not need to go in the casino at all if I don't want to. I go now only to play my FreePlays (& once I went w/ $200 to learn BlackJack), but I think I might go in on holidays and special occasions just like I did when I was on land and if and when I do, I will have $100/day budget, for now, I don't need to. The ships are my home and I didn't go to the casino everyday when I lived on land and will not do it here. Once I get closer to Nov 2025, I may decide it's time to 'live' somewhere else or I might start playing again to try to get the points for more offers. Time will tell. As they say: "be sure to Subscribe for the final conclusion..." 😆
This is great! Now I have a better idea of how playing in the casino can be beneficial, and how to cruise full time! I love your tracking system too!!! 🛳🛳
Looking forward to more videos. Would love to see what you do on port days since you go to some of the same ports multiple times. You are living the dream of so many! 💐♥️✨
Really enjoying your videos! I too am on You Tube after 40. Wondering--are you using your phone to do videos? Hoping to launch my channel soon, so the more info the better.
😍 Hey & Welcome! #TeamYTA40 🙌 I took Rob & Allie's suggestion and I have a Creator Edition GoPro. GoPro is great because it's stable and the videos don't come out "shaking" as I tend to do when walking & filming with my phone, however, it gets hot super quick...maybe bc I am so close the Equator? If I film for more than an hour [even indoors], I have to let it cool down. Most of my vids are with the GoPro but sometimes I switch over to my phone. I like using my phone better because I can zoom in and out while filming and easily flip the camera to my face as well, but again, I tend to shake while walking. Someone mentioned a 'gimble' is good for that, but I have not looked into it yet. For now, GoPro and cell phone.
New subscriber! I also love cruising. I would love to see a video about what you have found more enjoyable or less enjoyable being on a boat for an extended amount of time versus vacation.
@Mrsbigdog73 Welcome. I just started my journey & plan to get more in-depth videos as I learn more. I'll add that topic as an option. Thanks so much for your input. 💞
Hey Lynelle! I am retired & most of the time, i travel solo. My question is, since you are a solo traveler on the free cruises, do you pay port fees & taxes for 2 people since you are solo? I love this idea. I have 2 cruises coming up with other people, so I would love to earn free cruises for myself for 2025. Thx for sharing this. This will help me a lot going forward! I'm binge watching more of your videos!
😆Please ask away. I love sharing what I have learned. Answer to your question: yes & no. So far, I only go to the casino to use my FreePlay. When I 'lived on land', I only went to the casinos on holidays, a special occasion and the occasional, "we're bored, let's go have some fun" days. Now, I may go to the casinos if it's a holiday or something and will give myself a $100/day budget, but no, I am NOT going every cruise. I am very close to getting to 2500 points with Royal Caribbean so, if I don't get there with my FreePlays, I 'MAY' play with cash - enough to keep my prime status with a guarantee of one annual cruise.
I understand the idea of the comped cruise based on your casino play, what I don't understand is the fact that they would comp you 50+ cruises based on those 2 original gambling/cruises? Is it essentially unlimited cruises because you hit the 400 points on that original trip? Or are you having to continuously gamble every day on all of your cruises? Either way, congrats and good luck building your YT followers.
Thanks for the well wishes, I appreciate that. It is not unlimited...I wish, LOL! I do not play every day in the casinos. Now I only play using Free Play and occasionally I might play on holidays (w/ $100 limit). I did recently play $100 learning Black Jack and was down $18 when I got up from the table. 😊 With Royal Caribbean, I have booked 14 free cruises. I was offered more, but some dates I was already booked with Carnival, so I missed out on some of the RC offers. I don't know the exact # they offered me. I have not received any new FREE offers from RC since August 1st. I have been getting this kind of offer since then: CRUISE FARE FOR 1 GUEST IN DOUBLE OCCUPANCY & DISCOUNT FOR 2ND GUEST IN OCEANVIEW OR INTERIOR STATEROOM ON SELECT SAILINGS + $25 FREEPLAY. This may or may not change in the future. We will see. 🙏 With Carnival, as stated in the video, I have not yet figured out their point requirements. I have booked 44 casino deal cruises with them. I get 3 offers at a time and once those expire, I get 3 new offers. Each offer varies, but can be used up to 8 times. For instance, I may get offer code 123 and I can select up to 3 cruises with that code and the 2nd offer might be offer code ABC and I can select up to 8 cruises with that code, etc. The last codes I used expire September 9th, so again, I will have to see if the new codes are for FREE cruises or discount cruises, etc. 🙏 My 2 cruises with Princess and Holland America are both 7-day FREE cruises. Once I sail with them, I'm guessing I will need to play in the casino and learn their systems (If I like cruising with them and want to pursue it). Again, we will see. 🙏 #HopeThatHelps 😊
@@PovertytoParadiseso you really can cruise many times with one free cruise offer? Maybe I need to spend some time in the casino. How long do you have to be in the casino to spend $100? Or can you get in and out as fast as you push the button?
😆 The TH-cam algorithm would be so confused like, "I thought this channel was about traveling!" But I am writing it down as a possible video idea...just in case. Thanks for the feedback...
❤❤❤ I understand. I miss my 5 grandkids but I'll be a better Grandma by doing what I love and returning home stress-free and mentally healthy. You can do it!
Yes, they are. I am trying to go down to just a back-pack and a carry-on (& possibly do a packing video) and sadly, these magnets weigh a TON! 😂 Who knew... but yes, I love each memory they bring when I look at them. 💖
The Amtrak Miami to Tampa is great and only around $30 and takes 5 1/2 hrs. I don’t know how long the bus is or the cost but you mentioned $85 including Uber.
😊Thanks. I will keep that in mind. I shared this video (below) with a Budget Cruise Facebook group and I was informed there are many other options, but I was not yet aware of the Amtrak train. I am definitely noting this for possible use in the future. Thanks so much for sharing that. My $25 Luxury Bus ride on Red Coach - th-cam.com/video/annIbg21x8c/w-d-xo.html
I understand. I have friends who don't go in casinos for religious reasons and I respect that. It's not for everyone. Hope you can enjoy a cruise now and then because they are AWESOME!!!
@@PovertytoParadise Oh, we cruise A LOT and love it. Heading off across the Pacific in a month. So glad you get to do what you are doing. ❤️ (My reasons for not gambling aren't religious at all btw.) Have a blast on your adventures.
Hi. This is the second video of yours that I have watched. I have about 6 more years until I retire. I definitely plan to cruise more & it will likely be solo. I am from Alabama. I do have a question-what lead to the decision to sell your house? Why not rent it out?
#TeamSoloCruisers 😍 Thanks for watching. Great question! 📌 The decision to sell the house is a long story & there were many reasons to not hold onto it. I may tell that story later, but for now, it involves a man (as these stories often do), my mom (who recently passed away) & the size & location of the house. It was not a good fit to rent it out so selling was the best option. 🤗
Thank you. Yes & no. For "ME", I received waaaaaaay more FREE offers from Carnival than I did from Royal. But, I mentioned in another video that Carnival makes me pay a $200 cruise fare and gives me $200 on-board credit, while RCL does not. They both still come out to being free and I will use most of the $200 for gratuities on Carnival, but if I was not going to buy anything else on the ship, the remainder of that $200 is being spent on something I might not have purchased (excursion, laundry, etc). Other than that, they are about the same - mostly interior cabins with a few balconies and oceanview rooms sprinkled in. Royal is better about giving me DOUBLE points for solo cruising and of course they have the bigger, newer ships. However, I am VERY appreciative of both lines and I think I will enjoy them equally. I will share more as I cruise more and see if I still feel the same later. 😊
Good question. Honestly, when I filmed it, it was for illustrative purposes only as even if it wasn't backwards, the writing is too small for someone to try to read it. The information can easily be found on Google. Now that you have brought it to my attention, if I use something like that in the future, I will try to remember to take a picture and post it so if someone does want to zoom in and try to read it, it will be available. Thanks for your insight. If you noticed it, I'm sure others have/will also. Apologies if it caused any confusion. Thanks for watching. 🤗
@Amira-ir6sb Hi. Nope! 😀 Think of it this way: if you book a hotel room for 2 people for $100, you don't get a discount if only one person shows up. They still want $100. If a cruise is $2k for 2 people, they still want $2k for that cabin. Of course, if you get a free casino deal, it's $0 for 1 person or $0 for 2 people. The port fees & taxes are only for the individual tho. #HopeThatHelps 😊
🤗Good question. I mentioned in the video that I have health & dental insurance. Before I started cruising full-time, I got a full physical with a clean bill of health from my doctor and her blessing to travel. The few meds I do take, she gave me 4 sets of 90-day prescriptions, so I'm good until my physical next year. Since I do not have income (living on savings), I qualify for a discounted rate on the Affordable Care Marketplace. If I was NOT in good health, I would probably sign-up for travel insurance like Allianz or Travel Wing. I have done some research, but since I am mostly still in U.S. or on a ship, and only on foreign land once or twice a week, I am pretty comfortable with what I have...for now. That may change over time. 🚢
@@PovertytoParadise In Canada, our health costs are mostly free. But I worry when I travel about being covered if I get really sick. Illness or accident can jump up and surprise you.
😆 No "program". I'm old school and just keep a budget on paper. The expenses listed in the video is in Excel format. I just download a CSV file from my credit card statement and copy/paste to Excel. I take pics of all my receipts (or of items I buy in port for example) and just type those into the Excel file.
Sounds fabulous!! Do you continue to spend $100 a day in the casino for every cruise. If so, that's $3,000 per month. It's that right, it do you not gamble on some of the cruises?
Valid question. No, I never planned to do it for EVERY cruise. I did think I was going to continue playing in the casinos so I can continue to get more casino deals, but now that I am booked up through November 2025, I have decided to only go to the casinos to use Free Play. I may occasionally go during holidays & special occasions like I did when I was on land. This may or may not change when I get closer to Nov 2025. We will see. 😊Thanks for watching ♥
@@PovertytoParadise Thank you so much for answering! I have another question. When you gamble the $100 a day, if you win do you just put that back into the machine or do you keep the money you win? Just trying to figure out how much money I would have to spend to get a free cruise.
😂 That's a difficult question. I guess it just depends on my mood that day. I do not think you will be able to figure out how much it will cost you to get a free cruise. Casino wins are based on luck (are the machines loose or tight, did you get a good or bad one, etc). You can play $500 in a day and get no wins and 100 points (highly unlikely) or you might put in $20 FreePlay and get a machine that keeps giving bonuses and you end up with 300 points and cash out with $280 (like I did recently). It's all a "gamble". I usually play it by ear. I'm playing low dollars so one day I might feel like putting $20 dollars in 5 different machines. Or I might play a machine that is $0.50 and if no hits/bonuses after 20 spins ($10), I might cash out and try another machine. Or I might put $100 in a $0.30 slot and just keep hitting the buttons until I win or the $100 & anything I win is gone. I may say, "Imma play until I get 200 points" then win, lose or draw, cash out and go to the pool. Sorry, none of that helps you. I just want to ensure people understand there is NO GUARANTEE of how much it will cost to get the points you need for a free cruise. It could cost you $1 or a $1k. I recommend, have a budget and have fun and be aware of the points and perks that come along with them. 🤗🙏🚢
Nothing this time. I only used FreePlays in the casinos in July. In August, I did bring $200 to learn Blackjack and left with $182 so that $18 out of pocket will be in my misc expenses for August.
It depends on what you are afraid of. I was not afraid of traveling solo, but if there are things that I hesitate about, I search TH-cam and find others who are doing the same thing. If they can do it, why not me? I also stay in "community"...I keep in touch with family regularly (text messages, Messenger, etc). I also have TripIt and Location sharing so the people who are closest to me have my location and where I am supposed to be at all times. I don't venture out to unsafe places or travel alone in unfamiliar places at night, just like when I am in the states. I hope that helps. If you have specific items that are making you apprehensive, I can bet you someone else has conquered that and posted about it on TH-cam. ♥
I love your plan to spend the year cruising, but I love even more that you were able to do it for such a reasonable price. Do you plan to do a future video about how you're feeling mentally/physically after cruising long term? I really want to try it in the future, but wonder if I'll get tired of moving from ship to ship.
@MabelWright Hey and thank you. 😊 I'm not really a touchy-feely person so that type of video was not on my radar. Since I'm new at this, I am taking notes and if enough people are interested, I'll make a video on that subject. So far, I'm NOT at all tired of switching ships. Thank you so much for the feedback! 🏆🏆🏆
You've got a new subscriber in me! I'm loving these videos! I look at gambling the same way...just like the arcades these days give away tickets for prizes, slots are like adult arcades, just giving out actual cash instead. It's all in the mindset! I've never been on a cruise, but now that my kid is grown and I'm not partnered, I've been looking in to checking one out. Your videos have convinced me to give a casino cruise a try, who knows, maybe I'll win a bunch of free cruises too! 🙌 Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!! 💚
Welcome and thanks for subscribing. Wishing you lots of fun on your cruises and hoping 🙏the "cruise offer fairy" treats you well. 🛳
@@PovertytoParadise 😍 Thank you so much!! 💚
🎉Thank you. I'm a solo traveler and retired as well. I enjoy cruising and appreciate your tips.
I love your plan to spend the year cruising, but I love even more that you were able to do it for such a reasonable price. Do you plan to do a future video about how you're feeling mentally/physically after cruising long term? I really want to try it in the future, but wonder if I'll get tired of moving from ship to ship.
I got my first casino deal on my last cruise. It was $300 of free play on my next cruise. One day I hope to start getting free cruises!
Nice! 🏆
Great job on the video explaining everything. I want to cruise more. I never thought about gambling in the casino. I will check it out on my next cruise on Celebrity.
I would love to read about your day to day life onboard the ship and how your time is spent.
Noted! Thanks for watching. I'll keep that in mind for upcoming future videos. Appreciate you for commenting. 🚢
Two minutes in....I'm already impressed!!!
😊I'm glad you approve. Welcome aboard. 🚢
Great job!! My hubby & I want to cruise through retirement!! We take a few cruises a year now, but want to do what you do in about 4 yrs when he retires. I love you cruise solo, and don’t pay extra!! It gives people hope! My question is, if you wanted to add a second person to your cabin, do you just pay the port fee & grats? I look forward to subscribing and following your journey. FYI, your $2500 monthly budget for everything would just barely cover rent, utilities & food in Oregon. You have found a way to live the life you dreamt of, and I am so happy for you!!
😍Bless your heart...you are too sweet. Thank you for your kind words. "Cruise through Retirement" sounds like a catchy title!!! I hope & pray your dream comes true. Yes, in the 1st video I posted, I explained how my sister cruised with me on my first 2 free cruises and all she had to pay was the port fees and taxes for both of those. She was not required to pay the gratuities, as you know that is optional, but I always pay gratuities on mine. For both Royal and Carnival, if I want to add someone to a cruise I have already booked as solo, all I have to do is let them know 30 days in advance and that person only needs to pay the port fees and taxes. Hope to see you and hubby on the high seas one of these days. ♥
This is fantastic. I am very impressed. Love your attention to detail. Keep up the great work and thank you for the valuable insights!
Hey Lynelle...I'm new to your channel and let me tell you that I love your channel ❤
@@robbinbrown7203 Hey 👋🏽 Awwww, how SWEET! Thank you & welcome aboard! 🛳
Your adventure is fun to watch. I don't cruise and have no desire to (seasick, etc) but I am loving how you are figuring this out. I planned out a 3 week train trip using only points for first class travel on the trains and then hotel points for any stays. It was so fun and I loved having over $10,000 in travel for free. I'm looking forward to all your cruises. Your videos are entertaining...so I subbed. :)
🏆OH WOW! First of all, that sucks that you get seasickness. Cruising is the BESTESTESTEST! But tell me more about this train travel using points!!! I get some free airline points and I considered booking a train from New Orleans to New York, but I have never taken a train. Do you have a channel I can subscribe to to learn more? 🙏🙏🙏😍
@@PovertytoParadise No, I don't have a channel for anything like that. I like to rack up points on my credit cards (pay off every month) and have an Amtrak credit card and Hilton. I'm a hospice social worker so typically we like to stay away from huge crowds when traveling and also kids. lol If you are planning on doing the train-don't plan on being on time. Don't rely on it to catch a ship or plane. I love trains like you love ships. My brother is a Great Lakes ship captain and currently is a federal pilot. He has been the pilot for many of the Viking cruises that are on the Great Lakes. He gets treated like a king. Much different than a salty hauling wheat. lol Plus he doesn't have to climb up the rope and wood ladders with the cruise ships.
You’re my dream come true!! This is so helpful ❤❤❤
Great Info. I understand a lot more about the casino cruises and points. If I understand it correctly, at 400 points to begin getting the freebie and receiving 5 pts for every $1 spent, that's $80. As an Accountant, I must say that your explanations and your attention to detail for your expense breakdown are spot on. I would have to add Travel Insurance to the monthly expenses but I realize not everyone feels it is important. Also, a question I have is how much did you spend for that month in the casino and do you have a monthly budget for that? I would think you have to continue to play in order to keep this going.
Hi & welcome. Thanks for the comment... GREAT POINTS📌
1) Correction: at 400 points, you start getting "offers". They could be FREE cruises, but might be discounted cruises, might just be free spa gift with any cruise. They do not specify which "offers" are given at 400 points, just that they are offers.
2) Yes on the $80, but it could be YOUR $80 or THEIR $80, right? If you put in $10 and win and then spend $70 of the money you won, you still get to 400 points!
3) I was an Accountant in my former life #TeamAccountants #AccoutantsRock #UCFAlumni 🙌😆
4) My Royal Caribbean and Carnival Credit cards that I pay for the cruises with cover $5k in travel insurance per trip. Since I am only 53, got a clean bill of health from my doctor, come back to the states every week and only get off the ships in a few ports, I am comfortable not having medical coverage for overseas, but before I take my Panama Canal and Transatlantic cruises next year, I plan to get coverage with Allianz or a similar company. I know it's risky and others, like you, will want to add that in their budget.
5) Nope. I don't have to play to keep this going. I have already booked my 60 cruises and do not need to go in the casino at all if I don't want to. I go now only to play my FreePlays (& once I went w/ $200 to learn BlackJack), but I think I might go in on holidays and special occasions just like I did when I was on land and if and when I do, I will have $100/day budget, for now, I don't need to. The ships are my home and I didn't go to the casino everyday when I lived on land and will not do it here. Once I get closer to Nov 2025, I may decide it's time to 'live' somewhere else or I might start playing again to try to get the points for more offers. Time will tell. As they say: "be sure to Subscribe for the final conclusion..." 😆
This is great! Now I have a better idea of how playing in the casino can be beneficial, and how to cruise full time! I love your tracking system too!!! 🛳🛳
Looking forward to more videos. Would love to see what you do on port days since you go to some of the same ports multiple times. You are living the dream of so many! 💐♥️✨
Fantastic job! 🎉🎉🎉 My spouse and I are learning a lot from you. Looking forward to watching all of your videos.
@michaelneufeld1334 Welcome. And thank you both. 🤗❤️
Found your page today from this video! Love what you're doing. And hope to be able to do some long term cruising in our one year of traveling abroad.
Awesome! Thank you!
Really enjoying your videos! I too am on You Tube after 40. Wondering--are you using your phone to do videos? Hoping to launch my channel soon, so the more info the better.
😍 Hey & Welcome! #TeamYTA40 🙌 I took Rob & Allie's suggestion and I have a Creator Edition GoPro. GoPro is great because it's stable and the videos don't come out "shaking" as I tend to do when walking & filming with my phone, however, it gets hot super quick...maybe bc I am so close the Equator? If I film for more than an hour [even indoors], I have to let it cool down. Most of my vids are with the GoPro but sometimes I switch over to my phone. I like using my phone better because I can zoom in and out while filming and easily flip the camera to my face as well, but again, I tend to shake while walking. Someone mentioned a 'gimble' is good for that, but I have not looked into it yet. For now, GoPro and cell phone.
I just subbed! So much information I go on Utopia of the Seas in Feb and will definitely make sure I have a budget for the casino/slots now lol
Glad it was helpful! Have fun! 🥂🛳🎉
New subscriber! I also love cruising. I would love to see a video about what you have found more enjoyable or less enjoyable being on a boat for an extended amount of time versus vacation.
@Mrsbigdog73 Welcome. I just started my journey & plan to get more in-depth videos as I learn more. I'll add that topic as an option. Thanks so much for your input. 💞
Hey Lynelle! I am retired & most of the time, i travel solo. My question is, since you are a solo traveler on the free cruises, do you pay port fees & taxes for 2 people since you are solo? I love this idea. I have 2 cruises coming up with other people, so I would love to earn free cruises for myself for 2025. Thx for sharing this. This will help me a lot going forward! I'm binge watching more of your videos!
Last question--I promise! You don't mention gambling expenses. You say you budget $100 day, win or lose. Will you be continuing that this year?
😆Please ask away. I love sharing what I have learned. Answer to your question: yes & no. So far, I only go to the casino to use my FreePlay. When I 'lived on land', I only went to the casinos on holidays, a special occasion and the occasional, "we're bored, let's go have some fun" days. Now, I may go to the casinos if it's a holiday or something and will give myself a $100/day budget, but no, I am NOT going every cruise. I am very close to getting to 2500 points with Royal Caribbean so, if I don't get there with my FreePlays, I 'MAY' play with cash - enough to keep my prime status with a guarantee of one annual cruise.
I understand the idea of the comped cruise based on your casino play, what I don't understand is the fact that they would comp you 50+ cruises based on those 2 original gambling/cruises? Is it essentially unlimited cruises because you hit the 400 points on that original trip? Or are you having to continuously gamble every day on all of your cruises? Either way, congrats and good luck building your YT followers.
Thanks for the well wishes, I appreciate that. It is not unlimited...I wish, LOL! I do not play every day in the casinos. Now I only play using Free Play and occasionally I might play on holidays (w/ $100 limit). I did recently play $100 learning Black Jack and was down $18 when I got up from the table. 😊
With Royal Caribbean, I have booked 14 free cruises. I was offered more, but some dates I was already booked with Carnival, so I missed out on some of the RC offers. I don't know the exact # they offered me. I have not received any new FREE offers from RC since August 1st. I have been getting this kind of offer since then: CRUISE FARE FOR 1 GUEST IN DOUBLE OCCUPANCY & DISCOUNT FOR 2ND GUEST IN OCEANVIEW OR INTERIOR STATEROOM ON SELECT SAILINGS + $25 FREEPLAY. This may or may not change in the future. We will see. 🙏
With Carnival, as stated in the video, I have not yet figured out their point requirements. I have booked 44 casino deal cruises with them. I get 3 offers at a time and once those expire, I get 3 new offers. Each offer varies, but can be used up to 8 times. For instance, I may get offer code 123 and I can select up to 3 cruises with that code and the 2nd offer might be offer code ABC and I can select up to 8 cruises with that code, etc. The last codes I used expire September 9th, so again, I will have to see if the new codes are for FREE cruises or discount cruises, etc. 🙏
My 2 cruises with Princess and Holland America are both 7-day FREE cruises. Once I sail with them, I'm guessing I will need to play in the casino and learn their systems (If I like cruising with them and want to pursue it). Again, we will see. 🙏
#HopeThatHelps 😊
@@PovertytoParadiseso you really can cruise many times with one free cruise offer? Maybe I need to spend some time in the casino. How long do you have to be in the casino to spend $100? Or can you get in and out as fast as you push the button?
You could do a whole video showing how you pay just $53 for healthcare!!
😆 The TH-cam algorithm would be so confused like, "I thought this channel was about traveling!" But I am writing it down as a possible video idea...just in case. Thanks for the feedback...
Yes, please do a video on healthcare.
I too would love to know this!
This is exciting ❤
Thank you for sharing! Very informative! New subscriber!
Thanks for subbing and welcome to the channel. ♥
I want to do what you have done, I retired early but I have a cat 🐈⬛ that I would miss so so much. ❤❤❤
❤❤❤ I understand. I miss my 5 grandkids but I'll be a better Grandma by doing what I love and returning home stress-free and mentally healthy. You can do it!
Just curious the magnets or whatever the wall decor is behind you
Are those your magnets? That’s a nice way to personalize your cabin! 😁
Yes, they are. I am trying to go down to just a back-pack and a carry-on (& possibly do a packing video) and sadly, these magnets weigh a TON! 😂 Who knew... but yes, I love each memory they bring when I look at them. 💖
New follower here! Love your story!
Welcome aboard! Thank you. 🚢
Congrats youre in paradise.^^
💕💕💕💕 OMG.
Great vlog!
Thanks for watching
The Amtrak Miami to Tampa is great and only around $30 and takes 5 1/2 hrs. I don’t know how long the bus is or the cost but you mentioned $85 including Uber.
😊Thanks. I will keep that in mind. I shared this video (below) with a Budget Cruise Facebook group and I was informed there are many other options, but I was not yet aware of the Amtrak train. I am definitely noting this for possible use in the future. Thanks so much for sharing that. My $25 Luxury Bus ride on Red Coach - th-cam.com/video/annIbg21x8c/w-d-xo.html
Do you have to declare all the free cruises as unearned income on your taxes?
Sadly I don't gamble but glad you are enjoying your life 🎉
I understand. I have friends who don't go in casinos for religious reasons and I respect that. It's not for everyone. Hope you can enjoy a cruise now and then because they are AWESOME!!!
@@PovertytoParadise Oh, we cruise A LOT and love it. Heading off across the Pacific in a month. So glad you get to do what you are doing. ❤️ (My reasons for not gambling aren't religious at all btw.) Have a blast on your adventures.
Sounds good feel better
Thanks.
Hi. This is the second video of yours that I have watched. I have about 6 more years until I retire. I definitely plan to cruise more & it will likely be solo. I am from Alabama. I do have a question-what lead to the decision to sell your house? Why not rent it out?
#TeamSoloCruisers 😍 Thanks for watching. Great question! 📌 The decision to sell the house is a long story & there were many reasons to not hold onto it. I may tell that story later, but for now, it involves a man (as these stories often do), my mom (who recently passed away) & the size & location of the house. It was not a good fit to rent it out so selling was the best option. 🤗
Hello. I love all of the information in your video! Question. Do you think RCL casino deals are better than Carnival?
Thank you. Yes & no. For "ME", I received waaaaaaay more FREE offers from Carnival than I did from Royal. But, I mentioned in another video that Carnival makes me pay a $200 cruise fare and gives me $200 on-board credit, while RCL does not. They both still come out to being free and I will use most of the $200 for gratuities on Carnival, but if I was not going to buy anything else on the ship, the remainder of that $200 is being spent on something I might not have purchased (excursion, laundry, etc). Other than that, they are about the same - mostly interior cabins with a few balconies and oceanview rooms sprinkled in. Royal is better about giving me DOUBLE points for solo cruising and of course they have the bigger, newer ships. However, I am VERY appreciative of both lines and I think I will enjoy them equally. I will share more as I cruise more and see if I still feel the same later. 😊
Your page of tiers at 5:30 is Backwards. Is this on purpose so they cannot be read?
Good question. Honestly, when I filmed it, it was for illustrative purposes only as even if it wasn't backwards, the writing is too small for someone to try to read it. The information can easily be found on Google. Now that you have brought it to my attention, if I use something like that in the future, I will try to remember to take a picture and post it so if someone does want to zoom in and try to read it, it will be available. Thanks for your insight. If you noticed it, I'm sure others have/will also. Apologies if it caused any confusion. Thanks for watching. 🤗
@@PovertytoParadise No problem. I thought that you might have been filming in a mirror. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for sharing
What about solo cruisers is there a way to avoid paying for 2
@Amira-ir6sb Hi. Nope! 😀 Think of it this way: if you book a hotel room for 2 people for $100, you don't get a discount if only one person shows up. They still want $100. If a cruise is $2k for 2 people, they still want $2k for that cabin. Of course, if you get a free casino deal, it's $0 for 1 person or $0 for 2 people. The port fees & taxes are only for the individual tho. #HopeThatHelps 😊
That’s amazing, how much do you spend in the casino normally?
How do you deal with Health Insurance?
🤗Good question. I mentioned in the video that I have health & dental insurance. Before I started cruising full-time, I got a full physical with a clean bill of health from my doctor and her blessing to travel. The few meds I do take, she gave me 4 sets of 90-day prescriptions, so I'm good until my physical next year. Since I do not have income (living on savings), I qualify for a discounted rate on the Affordable Care Marketplace. If I was NOT in good health, I would probably sign-up for travel insurance like Allianz or Travel Wing. I have done some research, but since I am mostly still in U.S. or on a ship, and only on foreign land once or twice a week, I am pretty comfortable with what I have...for now. That may change over time. 🚢
@@PovertytoParadise In Canada, our health costs are mostly free. But I worry when I travel about being covered if I get really sick. Illness or accident can jump up and surprise you.
One more question: what program do you use for your budgeting?
😆 No "program". I'm old school and just keep a budget on paper. The expenses listed in the video is in Excel format. I just download a CSV file from my credit card statement and copy/paste to Excel. I take pics of all my receipts (or of items I buy in port for example) and just type those into the Excel file.
Sounds fabulous!! Do you continue to spend $100 a day in the casino for every cruise. If so, that's $3,000 per month. It's that right, it do you not gamble on some of the cruises?
Valid question. No, I never planned to do it for EVERY cruise. I did think I was going to continue playing in the casinos so I can continue to get more casino deals, but now that I am booked up through November 2025, I have decided to only go to the casinos to use Free Play. I may occasionally go during holidays & special occasions like I did when I was on land. This may or may not change when I get closer to Nov 2025. We will see. 😊Thanks for watching ♥
@@PovertytoParadise Thank you so much for answering! I have another question. When you gamble the $100 a day, if you win do you just put that back into the machine or do you keep the money you win? Just trying to figure out how much money I would have to spend to get a free cruise.
😂 That's a difficult question. I guess it just depends on my mood that day. I do not think you will be able to figure out how much it will cost you to get a free cruise. Casino wins are based on luck (are the machines loose or tight, did you get a good or bad one, etc). You can play $500 in a day and get no wins and 100 points (highly unlikely) or you might put in $20 FreePlay and get a machine that keeps giving bonuses and you end up with 300 points and cash out with $280 (like I did recently). It's all a "gamble". I usually play it by ear. I'm playing low dollars so one day I might feel like putting $20 dollars in 5 different machines. Or I might play a machine that is $0.50 and if no hits/bonuses after 20 spins ($10), I might cash out and try another machine. Or I might put $100 in a $0.30 slot and just keep hitting the buttons until I win or the $100 & anything I win is gone. I may say, "Imma play until I get 200 points" then win, lose or draw, cash out and go to the pool. Sorry, none of that helps you. I just want to ensure people understand there is NO GUARANTEE of how much it will cost to get the points you need for a free cruise. It could cost you $1 or a $1k. I recommend, have a budget and have fun and be aware of the points and perks that come along with them. 🤗🙏🚢
What did you spend on gambling for that month?
Nothing this time. I only used FreePlays in the casinos in July. In August, I did bring $200 to learn Blackjack and left with $182 so that $18 out of pocket will be in my misc expenses for August.
What is isg??
IHG = InterContinental Hotel Group (they own about 20 hotel brands including Holiday Inn, Crown Plaza, Staybridge Suites, etc)
I, too, am a solo traveler, but am a bit apprehensive to cruise by myself. Any suggestions?
It depends on what you are afraid of. I was not afraid of traveling solo, but if there are things that I hesitate about, I search TH-cam and find others who are doing the same thing. If they can do it, why not me? I also stay in "community"...I keep in touch with family regularly (text messages, Messenger, etc). I also have TripIt and Location sharing so the people who are closest to me have my location and where I am supposed to be at all times. I don't venture out to unsafe places or travel alone in unfamiliar places at night, just like when I am in the states. I hope that helps. If you have specific items that are making you apprehensive, I can bet you someone else has conquered that and posted about it on TH-cam. ♥
Is there a video that says the amount you spend in the casino ?
Yes, did you watch til the end? I stated how much in this video. ☺️
i got 5 points, lmaooo
😂😅😆🙌
How much spent gambling to get these offers?
Hi. Welcome to the channel. Did you watch the entire video? I answered that around the 2 minute mark.
What’s a casino cruise offer?
@@MicheleJill Hi. I explained that in this video. 😊
I love your plan to spend the year cruising, but I love even more that you were able to do it for such a reasonable price. Do you plan to do a future video about how you're feeling mentally/physically after cruising long term? I really want to try it in the future, but wonder if I'll get tired of moving from ship to ship.
@MabelWright Hey and thank you. 😊 I'm not really a touchy-feely person so that type of video was not on my radar. Since I'm new at this, I am taking notes and if enough people are interested, I'll make a video on that subject. So far, I'm NOT at all tired of switching ships. Thank you so much for the feedback! 🏆🏆🏆
These videos are so informative!
@natasha8658 Glad you liked it. 🥂
Do you have to declare all the free cruises as unearned income on your taxes?