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You don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to buy a home in the U.S. You don’t even have to be a U.S. resident. Anybody who wants to can purchase property here.

Between April 2021 and March 2022, the value of residential property in the United States that was sold to foreign buyers totaled $59 billion, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR)’s International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate report. The vast majority of non-resident buyers are from Canada and Mexico, followed by China. They’re largely purchasing detached single-family homes in Florida and California.

While almost half (44 percent) of foreign buyers rely entirely on cash to make these purchases, it’s also possible for non-residents to obtain a mortgage in the United States to help finance the new homes. It’s not all smooth sailing, though. Non-citizen homebuyers will have to deal with slightly more complicated mortgage application requirements establishing their financial qualifications. They will also have more complex tax laws to comply with as homeowners.

What type of property can a non-resident buy?

Any non-U.S. citizen, including permanent residents, temporary residents, non-residents, refugees, asylum seekers and those who are recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) relief, can buy property in this country. There are no legal restrictions prohibiting the purchase of real estate by individuals who fall into any of these categories.

“Purchasing a residential property in the U.S. is open to any individual regardless of their citizenship,” says Jen Horner, a Realtor with RE/MAX Masters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

There are also no limits surrounding the type of property that can be purchased. A non-U.S. citizen can buy a single-family home, condo, townhouse, duplex or apartment building — or even land with no structure on it at all.

“There are no restrictions in the United States on purchasing a property as a foreign national. This applies to resident foreign nationals who might want to buy property for primary residence based on where they currently live in the United States, or non-resident foreign investors looking to buy property for other reasons — such as investment use or a vacation home,” says Chase Michels, of the Michels Group at Compass in Hinsdale, Illinois.

According to the NAR, between the spring of 2021 and the spring of 2022, 74 percent of foreign buyers purchased a detached single-family home or townhome. In addition, 44 percent of foreign buyers purchased a property for use as a vacation home, rental or both.

What documents does a non-resident need to buy a home?

While they can buy freely, non-U.S.-citizen buyers are typically required to provide additional documentation to complete a home purchase in the United States, compared with U.S. citizens.

The exact requirements vary however, depending on whether the home is being purchased with cash or a mortgage, and based on the specific resident status of the buyer. Some of the basic requirements for non-U.S. citizen buyers, says Michels, often include:

  • A foreign passport, U.S. visa or driver’s license
  • Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
  • Financial statements from applicant’s foreign bank, if applicable
  • Evidence of financial assets/income (bank statements, etc.)
  • Tax returns (preferably U.S., if applicable)

“Cash purchases will require proof of identity and reporting the purchase to the federal government,” says Horner. “If a mortgage lender will be used, they have the ability to request as much documentation as they feel necessary to advance [the] mortgage application.”

Which begs the question: Are non-U.S. citizens able to obtain mortgages to finance home purchases in the United States? The short answer is yes. But it’s complicated.

How can a non-resident finance a home?

In general, mortgage lenders prefer to work with applicants currently living in the United States, and who are classified as permanent or non-permanent residents. (Individuals who have a green card and a Social Security number are permanent residents, while those who have a Social Security number, but no green card, are non-permanent residents.) Their rationale is simple: Applicants residing in this country are viewed as less of a risk, particularly in cases of default on the loan.

Their residency status impacts the specific type of mortgage that can be used. There are two main categories of lending for non-citizen purchases, says Michael Cantwell, loan officer for Guild Mortgage. “One major classification is that of a foreign national and the other would be those individuals currently living in the United States who have not received U.S. citizenship yet,” says Cantwell.

Applicants who fall into either of these categories can usually qualify for a conventional mortgage backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as Federal Housing Administration (FHA) government-backed loans. However, non-permanent residents will need to be using the home as a primary residence in order to obtain mortgage approval.

“Many banks and mortgage companies offer conventional and FHA home loans to non-U.S. citizens provided they can verify their residency status, work history, and financial track record,” says Michels.

And for non-residents? Applicants living abroad can buy properties in this country using what’s known as a foreign national loan or foreign national mortgage loan, says Cantwell. These loans are typically offered by U.S.-based banks and lenders and are designed for borrowers living outside the country who are seeking to either purchase or refinance. Foreign national mortgages are not backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Additional rules and restrictions for non-residents

Tax rules also apply to properties owned by non-U.S. citizens. For instance, if a non-U.S. citizen rents out the property purchased to generate income, then that income must be reported and taxes must be paid both in the United States and in the property owner’s home country, says Bruce Ailion, a real estate attorney and Realtor with Re/Max Town & Country in Atlanta. In addition, non-U.S. citizens are liable for paying local property taxes.

And when selling a property in the United States as a non-U.S. citizen, capital gains tax will typically apply as well.

“When selling a property in the U.S. there are special withholding provisions that must be complied with,” says Ailion. “A tax advisor with specific knowledge in international tax should be consulted.”

On the plus side, all Fair Housing Act, Title VII, and other anti-discrimination protections apply to real estate transactions involving non-U.S. citizens. These laws are in force no matter who the buyer is, says Michels.

Final word on non-resident home purchases

It is entirely possible to purchase a home as a non-U.S. citizen — whether you’re a foreign national or a permanent or a temporary resident. There are no limitations on the type of property that can be purchased or how the property is used. Furthermore, U.S. laws that protect the rights of all homebuyers cover non-U.S. citizens and non-residents as well.

What’s really more significant, in terms of complications, is not a person’s citizenship, but their place of residency. If you don’t live in the U.S., buying a home does get more difficult — especially if financing is going to be needed for the purchase.

Non-residents must be prepared to deal with additional complexities, including more extensive documentation requirements establishing their identity, income and assets. They are limited to certain types of loans or mortgages, ones not backed by the primary mortgage market-makers. But the path to U.S. homeownership is certainly not blocked — it just may have a few speed bumps on it.

Source: thesimpledollar.com

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If you’re a cruise novice, you’ve likely never heard of cruise ship tendering.

What exactly is cruise tendering? Well, some cruise ship ports don’t allow large ocean liners to dock, in which case you have to take a smaller vessel to port. This is tendering.

Still confused? Let us explain and help you understand what it means to tender on a cruise ship

What does tender mean on a cruise?

A tender on a cruise refers to a smaller boat that takes the passengers and crew ashore. Tending is done when a vessel is too large to dock in a port of call, the water is too shallow or your ocean liner arrives later than other ships and there’s no more room left to dock.

Depending which cruise line you’re sailing with and the itinerary, tender boats can be either the cruise ship’s lifeboats or boats operated by a local company in the port of call.

Tender boats can often hold up to 200 passengers at once, so they’re quite roomy.

To avoid chaos, cruise ships typically use a ticketing system for tendering, particularly for the early groups. The ticket will list the time you can start disembarking.

Tickets aren’t required to come back on the ship, but you still have to queue up for the next tender.

What does tender port mean on a cruise?

A tender port is a seaport that requires a large ocean liner to use small boats to reach its shore.

Many cruise lines publish a list of tender port destinations, meaning you’ll have access to that information ahead of time. Tender ports should also be listed on your itinerary once you book a sailing on a tendering cruise.

Downsides of tendering on a cruise ship

You have to get in a queue

Because a tender on a cruise ship is a much smaller boat than the cruise vessel itself, it’s going to take more trips to unload all the passengers, so you’re going to have to line up for a cruise ship tender.

Even though multiple tender boats can run at once, it’s still going to take longer to get to the shore than just walking off the boat right after anchoring at a pier.

If you’re looking to be among the first passengers to disembark, some cruise lines offer priority tendering for elite members or passengers who purchased a priority access package.

Mobility issues can hinder the cruise experience

Because tender boats are small and sometimes require stairs to get into, passengers with mobility issues might have difficulty disembarking a ship while tendering.

For example, wheelchairs aren’t allowed to be transferred from the ship in a tender, which means someone using one would have to skip certain shore excursions.

You might skip some ports in bad weather

Taking a small boat in rough seas isn’t the safest method of arriving on land, so there’s a chance that your excursion could be shortened or you might skip some ports of call altogether.

Safety first, meaning you might end up with an extra day or two at sea if the winds are strong or if lightning has been spotted in the area.

Upsides of tendering on a cruise ship

You can take great photos of the ship

If you’re a photographer, taking photos of the cruise ship is rather difficult when you’re on the cruise ship. Tendering provides some great vantage points for capturing the vessel and its size from unique angles.

Option to visit remote locations

Cruise ship tendering allows you to visit ports that you normally can’t visit on a large vessel.

Additionally, because of their small size, tender boats can take you to some smaller islands or some hard-to-reach locations.

Tips for cruise ship tendering

Avoid booking early-morning excursions

If you booked a shore excursion through the cruise company, you have nothing to worry about because you’ll likely tender off together with other excursion participants earlier than others.

However, if you book an excursion with an independent tour provider, you need to factor in plenty of time to reach the shore in time for the activity. It’s best to get a tender ticket ahead of time.

Use sunscreen

The whole tendering process can take quite a bit of time because you have to queue up on the cruise ship and then spend 10 to 20 minutes on a boat. You can expect the same on the way back.

We recommend applying lots of sunscreen to protect your skin from direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

Don’t wait until the last tender

We get it. You’re in a new port of call and want to maximize every minute of it enjoying the scenery and the activities. However, we don’t recommend cutting it too close to the last tender of the day to take you back onboard.

The ship will leave you behind if you’re not back in time for scheduled departure. Allow for a few hours ahead of the final tender boat to avoid queues.

Take seasickness precautions

If you tend to get seasick, you might want to prepare in advance for potentially spending time in a moving boat.

Use motion sickness medicine to prevent nausea. Perhaps avoid drinking alcohol the night before. Once on the tender, find a seat in a more stable part of the boat, preferably with access to fresh air, and focus on the horizon.

Cruise ship tendering, recapped

Those with cruise-run excursions and elite status usually get to disembark in the first groups, but the tendering process takes time for the rest of the passengers.

Cruise ship tendering sounds inconvenient, but it can happen on any cruise. The good news is that it allows you to visit more ports and gives you a unique perspective from a photographer’s point of view.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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I am not a money genius. I’ve touched many proverbial “hot stoves,” and the Best Interest is part of my scar tissue. Today, let’s dive into seven of my money mistakes and the lessons I’ve learned from them.

Not an Arrested Development fan? Huge mistake.

Money Mistake #1: Not “Renting My Fun”

I once heard radio host Colin Cowherd say, “Buy ‘normal life,’ but rent your fun.”

It makes sense to buy healthy groceries. It makes sense to buy comfortable shoes. It makes sense to buy a reliable car. You need those things every day of your life.

Life is a constant.

But fun might be seasonal or weekend-only. Does it make sense to buy a snowmobile that you’ll only use eight weekends a year? Maybe. It might fall high on your bimodal passion graph.

Does it make sense to buy a boat? I have coworkers who sail every weekend during the summer. They plan sailing vacations on Lake Ontario. They love sailing. A full purchase makes sense for them.

But for the rest of us, renting a boat or snowmobile makes better financial sense. It’s too easy to overspend on a shiny object you’ll underuse

I’ve discovered a second category of “fun objects”: those that are fun only due to confounding factors.

Is a hot tub fun? Or is a hot tub fun when you’re hot tubbing with other people? That’s the lesson I learned…and the money mistake I made because of it. It’s a story I’ve written about before here on the Best Interest.

I bought a hot tub. It’s great, especially on cold winter nights. But my rationale for buying the hot tub was, “Hot tubs are great!”

We checked the record, and that rationale was determined to be false.

Hot tubs aren’t great. Hanging out with other people in a hot tub is great. Oops.

I could scratch my hot tub itch with a few trips per year. The rest of the time, I should just try to hang out with my friends more often. Thankfully, I didn’t use credit to buy the hot tub. I didn’t borrow money for it.

But it was an impulsive purchase. It didn’t mesh with my financial goals. The hot tub is nice, but buying my fun (rather than renting it) was a money mistake.

Money Mistake #2: Decrease Spending vs. Increase Income?

In this world of credit card debt and budgets and dwindling emergency funds, it makes sense to spend less. That’s the easiest way to save money. We can enact it today. Just spend less!

But is it the most consequential improvement? I say no.

Over the long term, you’ll be much better off making efforts to increase your income. Why? Let’s do some quick math.

Sadie makes $50,000 per year. Of that, she saves $10K. The other $40K goes towards bills—that’s $3300 per month.

Real life Sadie. She’s not a human.

If Sadie needed $500 extra this month, she could cut her $3300 monthly budget down to $2800. Scrimp and save.

If Sadie needed an extra $1000 this month, she might be able to cut that $2800 monthly budget down to $2300. Do you see where this is headed?

At some point, Sadie can’t cut any more fat from her budget. She’s limited by her survival needs. Frugality and cost-cutting have lower limits. They are bounded.

But increasing your income, technically speaking, is unbounded. The upper limit does not exist.

In reality, we’re not all going to be billionaires. We will eventually hit an income ceiling.

But Sadie can make a plan to increase her salary. She can look for promotions within her company. She might be able to switch jobs and leverage a raise that way. Making more money is possible for many people in many professions.

For my first few years of personal finance stove-touching, I focused on reducing expenses. And it worked! But I eventually hit a lower limit.

Then I looked for ways to increase my income. The results were fast and fantastic. I found a new job, negotiated my salary higher than offered, and secured the easiest 30% raise of my life.

Cutting spending is fine. Start there, it’s ok. But it’s a money mistake to neglect ways to increase your income.

Money Mistake #3: Listening to Mr. Market

I read a lot of information about personal finance and investing. I’ve done so for years. And there has always been someone calling for a crash, a burst bubble, or a bear market.

See—here’s an example from 2015. Meanwhile, how has the stock market actually performed since 2015?

Up 100% since September 2015…did someone say “impending crash?”

We’re risk-averse, over-developed monkeys. Fear is normal. But we should try to delineate between irrational reactions to fear and rational reactions to facts.

Ben Graham’s famous Mr. Market parable personifies this irrational fear. If you’re not familiar with Mr. Market, follow that link and read up.

When I was new to investing, I listened to Mr. Market. And that was a money mistake! I let my investing choices be controlled by irrational fears.

As a result, I didn’t max out my investing accounts (which I’ve changed now). I estimate that I under-invested by about $20,000 in 2014 and 2015. It’s an opportunity that I’ll never get back.

Fast forward to today, that $20,000 mistake is worth about $40,000. Keep going to 2040, and that mistake is likely to surpass $100,000 in value.

There’s no use crying over spilled milk. It doesn’t keep me up at night. I’ve learned my lesson, and I won’t make that mistake again. And I hope you learn from my money mistake too.

P.S.—if you’re worried about an impending market crash, I 100% empathize. I get it. I recommend you read this and let me know if that helps.

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Money Mistake #4: Caring About the Joneses 

We’ve all heard it before. “Keeping up with the Joneses.” Buying nice things simply because your peers—the Joneses—have those nice things.

But as I pointed out on the Rochester Business Connections podcast:

“The Joneses might be broke.”

-Jesse

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It’s easy to forget that fact. The Joneses might be stretching—and stressing—their budget to a near-breaking point. Are you sure you want to keep up with that?

I worked at a software company after university. They hired tons of 22-year olds like me. And I immediately noticed that many of my peers had nice stuff.

They drove $50,000 cars. They wined-and-dined most nights. They planned cross-country trips on a whim—what’s a round-trip flight, $1000? Chump change.

I know that pang of envy. I wanted those things too! How were my peers—ostensibly on a similar salary as me—living these lavish lives? There are two obvious answers:

  1. They had different budgets and different priorities.
  2. They had alternate sources of income.

#1 makes will always be true. Everywhere you look in life, people will spend differently than you. My coworkers made conscious choices to spend on nice items. I put my money to different uses. That’s neither good nor bad. It’s just different. Each person spends differently.

And #2 is something I have zero control over. Some people are born on third base. Others are born in the ditch. It’s not fair. It’s just luck. I enjoy writing about the role of luck in society.

(But I certainly shouldn’t feel bad that some people are luckier than me. I’m very lucky in my own life.)

Once I’d convinced myself of these truths, my money mistake became obvious. Let the Joneses do their own thing. They’re on their own path. I have my path.

Money Mistake #5: Hunting Mice, Not Gazelles

Why don’t lions hunt mice? What chance does Mickey have against the lion king? Lions could hunt mice in spades!

But the energy gained from that small mouse isn’t worth the lion’s effort. The lion is better off hunting gazelles.

We can—and should—apply a similar thought process in our lives. It applies to time management. It makes sense at work. And yes, it makes sense in personal finance.

Don’t hunt the field mice in your money life. It’s a common money mistake. My favorite example is this classic:

“I’ll drive across town to fill up my gas tank…gas is 20 cents cheaper at that gas station!”

This is quintessential mouse-hunting. Driving 5 miles (which has a cost) over 10 minutes (what’s your time worth?) in order to save, let’s say, 20 cents/gallon * 15 gallons = three dollars!

You are spending—both in time and money—more than you’re saving.

I’m not saying, “Don’t go after free money.” I would certainly pick up three dollars if it was lying on the sidewalk. That’s because sidewalk money costs me two seconds of time and one solid bend of my back.

But this gas savings had a real cost. That cost completely negates the benefit. The $3 gas savings is not free! To ignore that fact is a money mistake.

It’s the same reason lions don’t hunt mice. Some “easy prey” simply aren’t worth the effort.

Money Mistake #6: Servant or Master? 

Various philosophers are attributed with saying:

Money is a great servant but a bad master.

This is certainly a lesson I’ve learned the hard way, and continue to learn—both through normal life and through my blog & podcast projects.

Money is nothing but a tool. Nothing more, nothing less. Tools help us build. But you probably know some people who classify as ‘tools’—and you don’t want them to be your master!

Jokes aside, there’s a slippery slope towards letting money control you. I’m pretty transparent here on the Best Interest. I’m in a healthy money situation and have been for a few years. But I still stress periodically. Without fail, that stress is due to my letting money become more master than a tool.

Perhaps my favorite articles to write are the ones that involve the psychology of money. Stuff like the fulfillment curve and the aforementioned “bimodal spending.”

There’s a pattern in my articles. That same pattern is borne out when other financial writers discuss the psychology of money. Namely, we all ask: how do we optimize money as a tool and minimize its role as a master.

Money Mistake #7: No Budget, No Clue 

For many years, I operated without a budget. It’s true.

Yes, now I’m a budgeting fiend. But there was a time when I had zero clue where my money was going. And that, no surprise, was a massive money mistake.

I’d check my bank accounts occasionally. I knew—roughly—what I spent on groceries and gasoline. But I couldn’t tell you for sure. And I certainly couldn’t have found any good ways to improve my finances.

It’s funny. Because of my lack of knowledge, I can’t even tell you the opportunities that I missed! That’s scary in-and-of-itself. As I wrote in the “Budget Basics” article, all of the experts I spoke with budgeted. They all monitor their spending in some way.

Readers, you don’t have to be a zealot like me. As I outlined in my 2019 review and 2020 review, I budget like a maniac.

But you can’t just “do nothing” when it comes to budgeting.

No More Money Mistakes?

No, no. I’m sure I’ve made tons of other money mistakes. But we’ll stick with those seven today. Quick recap, they were:

  1. Not “Renting My Fun”
  2. Decrease Spending vs. Increase Income
  3. Listening to Mr. Market
  4. Caring About the Joneses
  5. Hunting Mice Instead of Gazelles
  6. Letting Money Be My Master (Instead of Servant)
  7. No Budget = No Clue

Feel free to chime in with some of your money mistakes below. It’s ok. We’ve all messed up before 🙂

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article, join 6000+ subscribers who read my 2-minute weekly email, where I send you links to the smartest financial content I find online every week.

-Jesse

Want to learn more about The Best Interest’s back story? Read here.

If you prefer to listen, check out The Best Interest Podcast.

Source: bestinterest.blog

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By John Frainee 5 Comments – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited August 30, 2010.

It seems nearly every financial publication released today has the term “bubble” in it somewhere. Many of us know it’s a bad thing, but what does it really mean and how do they happen? Do they truly have an effect on the average consumer? Hopefully we can clear up the confusion of what an economic bubble is and determine if we can know when one is occurring.

What Is An Economic Bubble?

Economic bubbles happen when trade of a specific item (like a stock, asset, product, or service) is artificially inflated beyond normal standards of trade. On a graph, this looks much like a bubble! The price/trade of an item might be skyrocketing higher and higher with time, but then inevitably comes crashing down in the end.

Mania, Fear, And Hysteria

Many times, economic bubbles can result from mania surrounding a product or service. Values of an item are pushed beyond normality, and everyone tries to buy the product at one time so that they might make a profit. The stock market is prime real estate for such bubbles, as it can be difficult to accurately determine the value of a stock. Because it is difficult to know whether a stock is valued too high or low, many financial advisors suggest a diversification plan when it comes to investing, and not purchasing single stocks.

A classic example of economic mania (resulting in an economic bubble) is the Dutch Tulip Mania event. Tulip bulb prices between 1636 and 1637 shot up and crashed down within months. It’s said that prices were artificially inflated because everyone was buying bulbs hoping to turn around and sell them to make a profit. This is an unsustainable business model, because eventually the buying of the product outweighs the selling and the whole system comes crashing down.

A Lesson To Be Learned?

There are two schools of thought within economics when it comes to economic bubbles. Some people say that bubbles are predictable with study. Entire books have been written on how to “time” the stock market or financial future. However, mainstream economics believes that economic bubbles are both inevitable and unpredictable.

I lean towards the mainstream, and believe that bubbles can go unnoticed for a period of time before they inevitably burst and nearly everyone is surprised. The free market is a good thing and eventually equalizes the markets, but it’s more of jerky roller coaster ride than smooth sailing. Not only is Wall Street affected, but Main Street as well.

The lesson to be learned? Diversify not only your investments, but also diversify your income streams. The recent recession left a countless number of people unemployed. Many only had one job before the recession hit, and now they are left with collecting unemployment.

It’s All Psychological!

Contentment. It’s key when you’re wanting to handle your finances in a successful manner that leads to wealth. Too many get caught up in a mode of desperation and take part in the hype, mania, and overvaluing of products and services. It helps to have a calm spirit. Don’t allow the media to influence your path. When everyone is saying “buy now, buy now,” it’s probably not the best time to buy. Likewise, when everyone is selling, it may be unwise to sell.

Slow and steady! That’s the ticket. Having a long term game plan is crucial to your success. Build a financial foundation, and slowly build wealth, one dollar at a time. Then, when the economic bubbles pop, you can sit back and relax – you’ve built a strong house that can weather the storm! Don’t you agree?

Related Posts

Source: biblemoneymatters.com

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If you’ve been looking into cruises, chances are you’ve come across some deals that sound almost too good to be true. Maybe you’ve even been lucky enough to score a cruise offered for as little as $100 by leveraging hotel elite status matches.

But once you put down your deposit and start looking into all the extras, you’ll find that what you actually end up paying for your cruise vacation can easily be many multiples of the advertised rate that initially lured you — especially once you factor in flights and hotels.

Cruise companies, like airlines, make a lot of their money off ancillary fees. But there are ways for you to avoid some of these pesky surprises. Here’s how to save money on a cruise.

1. Cruise excursions

Potential added cost: $600-$1,200 (3 full-day excursions for 2 people at $100-$200 each, per person).

Frugal alternative: DIY at a level you’re comfortable with.

From the moment you book your cruise to the days you’re sailing, you’ll hear and see a lot of pitches for cruise excursions, which can be a tempting way to fill your hours in port while leaving every small detail to the cruise line.

But you’ll pay a huge premium for that convenience.

Assuming you’re open to some (extra) adventure, many excursions can easily be replicated for a fraction of the cost.

For example, on a recent Mexican cruise, a friend and I walked about 20 minutes from the cruise port along a well-maintained sidewalk to undertake a mountain hike for free that had been offered as an excursion for $60 per person. We figured we were already hiking anyway, so why not tack on an extra mile or so? A local bus would have done the trick, too.

Not quite so adventurous? Look into taking taxis, which are generally easy to find at any cruise port. Even that would have cut the price from $60 per person to roughly $5-$10 per person.

Here are a few other overinflated offenders you can easily replicate on your own or by booking ahead of time with well-rated local vendors:

  • Bike or walking tours.

  • Open-air bus tours.

  • Transport and entry to a beach club.

  • Boat excursions.

  • Cooking classes.

Pretty much anything offered in port can be put together independently. And local vendors are very much aware of ship times, so don’t worry about getting left behind. Their reputations depend on getting you back safely.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Sometimes, cruise excursions are worth the cost — for instance, accessible tours for those in wheelchairs, or things impossible to replicate yourself, such as behind-the-scenes ship tours that take you to the bridge and the engine room.

2. Wi-Fi packages

Potential added cost: $300-$600+ ($15-$30 or more per day, per person, on a 10-day cruise for 2 people).

Frugal alternative: Free Wi-Fi in port.

For those of us who are always online, some of the most difficult — and mystifying — charges to swallow are cruise Wi-Fi fees. Making matters worse is that cruise lines often require you to purchase a package for the whole cruise, so you can’t do, say, one day on and one day off.

The most obvious workaround, especially if your cruise has many more port days than sea days, is to simply spend an hour or so in port catching up on your internet needs.

A local library is your best bet, but often the port facilities themselves will offer free Wi-Fi. Bars and cafes generally offer Wi-Fi too, which allows you to take in some local flavor while you’re scrolling your Instagram feed.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Even if you’re not buying an internet package, log on to your ship’s Wi-Fi connection anyway and just see what happens. On two recent cruises, I was immediately able to use iMessage, and in one case I even had full internet access at certain times (but not at others). If it works for you, consider it a pleasant surprise.

A more complicated route would be to purchase a SIM card for your phone that works for each destination, but it’s unlikely to work while at sea.

3. Alcohol packages

Potential added cost: $1,000-$2,000 ($50-$100 per day, per person, on a 10-day cruise for 2 people).

Frugal alternative: Bring your own booze.

Many cruise lines allow you to bring a limited amount of alcohol on board. Here were the allowances for a few of the more popular cruise lines at last check:

  • Carnival: One 750-milliliter bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne per person age 21 or older in your carry-on luggage upon departure. No alcohol otherwise.

  • Celebrity: Two 750-milliliter bottles of wine per person of legal drinking age at departure. No alcohol otherwise.

  • Norwegian: Any amount of wine or champagne, as long as it isn’t boxed wine. No alcohol otherwise.

  • Princess: One 750-milliliter bottle of wine or champagne per adult. Extra bottles are allowed for a nominal fee per bottle. No alcohol otherwise.

  • Royal Caribbean: One sealed 750-milliliter bottle of wine or champagne, but no boxed wine or other alcohol. 

You might have to pay a small corkage fee if you consume your own alcohol in an onboard restaurant, so be on the lookout for that.

What about nonalcoholic drink packages? They’re cheaper, as you’d expect, but again, you can generally bring some on board instead. (Coffee and tea are often available for free throughout the ship.)

Here’s the rundown of how many nonalcoholic beverages you can bring on board some popular cruise lines:

  • Carnival: Up to 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces each or less, per person, in your carry-on.

  • Celebrity: Their terms don’t explicitly mention non-alcoholic beverages. On a recent cruise, I took that to mean there was no limit; I brought two 2-liter bottles on board with no problem.

  • Norwegian: Not allowed, with limited exceptions.

  • Princess: Up to 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces each or less per person. 

  • Royal Caribbean: Up to 12 standard cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom.

One underappreciated thing about bringing your own drinks: It’s a lot more convenient to serve yourself than it is to wait to be served at a bar.

🤓Nerdy Tip

If you’re tempted to try splitting a drink package with multiple people, don’t bother. Cruises generally only serve you one drink at a time, and they have their ways of knowing the purchaser is the one getting served (for instance, via wristband or scanning your onboard card that shows your ID).

4. Spa services

Potential added cost: $100-$200 or more per treatment at sea.

Frugal alternative: Skip the treatments or get them in port.

Lots of things are typically included on cruises — most food, entertainment, pools — but spa treatments are generally extra. (Probably a good thing: If everyone on the ship got bottomless massages, that’s about the only thing many of us would want to do the whole week.)

Although there might be no such thing as a free spa day, cruise lines will occasionally offer short “sample” treatments meant to entice you into paying for more. If you can resist a sales pitch, give it a shot, though these free offerings tend to fill up very fast.

Here’s another case where getting your fix in port can save you a bundle. While cruising in the Caribbean recently, I paid the equivalent of $30 for what turned out to be a world-class massage. It might have been just as great on board, but it would’ve cost about five times as much.

🤓Nerdy Tip

On two recent sailings I was able to access the onboard spa’s common areas for free throughout the week. So, if you want “spa-adjacent” goodies — like a sauna, heated loungers or extra-comfy chairs — just wander a bit and see what you find.

5. Paid room service

Potential added cost: $100 ($5-$10 per item, or a set delivery fee).

Frugal alternative: Pack your baggies.

More and more, cruise lines are charging for room service that used to be free. (For instance, on Carnival and Celebrity, only continental breakfast is included for most guests now.)

Room service items generally aren’t expensive, but a few cases of the midnight munchies can add up quickly. One alternative is to bring a few clear plastic bags so you can “pack” easy-to-carry items from elsewhere on the ship.

At dinner, order that extra cheese plate, bag it up and stick it in your room fridge. Or if you have a sweet tooth, grab some cookies from the buffet.

Made-to-order sandwiches can travel well, too — so well that you could bring a couple with you on your port days, as we did on a recent cruise. But don’t get too carried away. After all, you might not want to miss the local cuisine.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Generally speaking, the room service menu isn’t going to be that memorable anyway, so you’re probably not missing much by not partaking. And besides, free food is never more than a few minutes away on most cruise ships.

6. Tips and taxes

Potential added cost: Roughly $100-$300 on average for taxes; roughly $10-$25 per person per day for tips (so figure $200-$500 total for a 10-day cruise for 2).

Frugal alternative: Score an onboard credit to help lighten the blow of these mandatory extras.

As cruise ship fees go, there are only two sure things: tips and taxes. Even the least expensive cruise offers will tack on both, and generally you won’t see either fee mentioned upfront when you’re first starting to book.

  • Port taxes vary based on the length of your cruise and where you’re stopping, but on average you can expect to pay $100 to $300 on top of the cost of your room.

  • Tips are a baked-in way of saying thanks for the service you’ve received on the cruise from front-line workers such as your room steward, wait staff and guest services. Charges vary wildly but range from $10 to $25 a day in many cases.

Port taxes generally must be paid no matter what, but tips (or any other costs mentioned above) can generally be covered in full using onboard credits. Cruises often offer such credits to entice you to book. In one case, I received $100 in onboard credit on a line I hadn’t cruised before simply by calling and requesting it, citing the fact that I was a new customer. (Motto: It really never hurts to ask.)

7. Flights to the cruise port

Potential added cost: Easily hundreds of dollars, plus hotel costs as needed.

Frugal alternative: Use points and miles.

In the heat of booking that dream cruise, one of the easiest expenses to overlook — but one of the costliest — is the travel to and from the cruise port.

If you aren’t lucky enough to live within easy transit or driving range of your departure port, you’ll need to factor in costs for flights. And unless you like living dangerously, you’ll want to fly in a day in advance, which means budgeting for at least one hotel night.

Any number of travel rewards credit cards come with sign-up bonuses that, alone, could more than cover the cost of your transit in the form of hotel points or airline miles. For the best value, focus on cards that earn reward currencies in the American Express, Capital One, Chase or Citi ecosystems. These points can be transferred to a wide variety of airline or hotel programs.

🤓Nerdy Tip

For a different kind of flexibility, consider cards that offer the ability to redeem points toward “erasing” any travel purchase you make with the card, such as the Aeroplan® Credit Card from Chase or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. You could even use such cards to pay for, then erase, those pesky port fees referenced above.

The bottom line

That cruise you’re seeing marketed for just a few hundred dollars (or less) can easily balloon to many multiples of that amount if you’re not careful.

But with the right travel rewards credit card, a healthy sense of adventure and some good old-fashioned resourcefulness, you can fully enjoy the vacation you’ve earned while resting assured that you haven’t broken the bank.

(Top photo by Brad Walters)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

Whether you like it or not, the buyer’s market of the past couple years or so has come to an abrupt end.

Now, sellers have the upper hand, with multiple offers streaming in and properties selling way above list.

Don’t believe me? A home in San Mateo, California, just outside San Francisco, snagged an astounding 97 offers during the first eight days it was listed.

The original asking price was $375,000, but ravenous homebuyers managed to push the final selling price to $510,000.

So no, your cover letter about it being your first family home won’t be enough to get your lowball offer accepted.

Sure, this example is absurd and extreme, but it’s happening nationwide in highly sought after areas.

I peeked at a few condos in Los Angeles and saw a similar trend – properties are typically pending within a week or so of the listing date, and selling for a decent premium above ask.

Inventory Is the Culprit

So how on earth did sellers get the power all of a sudden? Well, there are a number of reasons.

First, there isn’t any inventory. This is partially because homebuilders slowed down, and partly because existing homeowners are either underwater or unwilling to sell at rock-bottom prices.

Investors also swooped in over the past few years and bought up all the foreclosed homes at major discounts.

At the same time, homebuyer sentiment is on the up and up, and buyers are finally entering the fray, all at once.

This has to do with relatively low home prices coupled with insanely low mortgage rates, along with the expectation that things can only get better from here.

And when supply is low, and demand is strong, the frenzy begins. It appears as if everyone is simultaneously scurrying to snag a home so they don’t miss out.

The big question is will they? Do you need to buy immediately in order to get a good deal (and a good rate on your mortgage)?

Spring Buying Season Starts Now

While inventory is nowhere close to historic levels, it should pick up nicely over the next few months during the spring buying season.

Most properties get listed in March through May, so there will plenty more to choose from if you can wait a month or two.

The number of new listings may be even more pronounced thanks to this well-documented buying frenzy.

At this point, prospective sellers know demand is strong, and for many who were holding out, this could finally be the time to throw up the for sale sign.

After all, plenty of homeowners who were underwater for many years are finally breathing again, and the kneejerk reaction is to sell the minute you get the chance.

This could spell opportunity for those looking to buy – just note that some of these existing homeowners will need a place to live as well, and may be competing with you when you make your offer.

How to Make a Strong Offer on a Home

I’m not big on cover letters and “getting to know the buyer.” I think a strong offer is one that has the best chance of closing.

That said, it’s not about gimmicks. It’s about numbers. Make the listing agent like you, not the seller. After all, they’re the one who stands to make a tidy commission.

The agent will make the seller like you and your offer if you present it properly.

Get Pre-Approved

At the moment, those who prove they can actually qualify for a mortgage will get first dibs (after cash buyers).

This means obtaining a legitimate pre-approval letter and getting all your ducks in a row before even looking at a property.

Determine the maximum loan amount you qualify for and focus your search on properties you’ll be able to afford, even if they go above asking price.

In the past, you may have been able to bid under list, which would expand your pool of eligible homes. Now, it’s quite the opposite.

Don’t waste your time on homes you won’t be able to afford if a bidding war ensues.

Tip: If the buyer wants you to get a pre-approval with their preferred lender, do it immediately. You don’t need to use them, but it’s an act of good faith to do as they say as quickly as possible.

Provide a Large Down Payment

Assuming you can’t go all cash, bringing in a large down payment is another way to show sellers you’re a serious candidate.

We’re talking 20% down or more, not 3.5% on an FHA loan. Buyers who can’t do at least 20% probably won’t have a chance if there are multiple bidders, even if your offer is high in price.

Sellers (and their real estate agents) know mortgages are harder to qualify for these days, and those who put down more increase their chances of approval.

This is also advantageous in that you avoid paying mortgage insurance, which will keep your mortgage payment down.

For the record, going with a conventional loan vs. an FHA loan may also work in your favor, as there are generally less restrictions with regard to the property itself.

Earnest Money and Contingencies

Along with down payment is the earnest money deposit, which is a deposit made with the offer that shows you’re serious about purchasing the property.

If you can’t or are unwilling to put up a decent size deposit, the sellers may not think you’re as earnest, or as qualified as you say you are.

Your real estate agent will be able to determine what’s large enough to ensure you appear as strongly as possible.

Additionally, make sure you keep important contingencies in the contract, such as a home inspection and the ability to obtain mortgage financing.

It may be tempting to forego some of these to make your offer stronger, but you’ve got to draw the line somewhere.

Just note that contingencies related to selling your current home, in order to buy a new home, will likely be frowned upon and could cost you the deal.

Use a Good Real Estate Agent

This sounds like a no-brainer, but not all real estate agents are created equal. Make sure you’re working with one with lots of experience.

During a buyer’s market, it doesn’t matter as much – after all, a property sitting on the market for months will make for easy pickings.

But when there are multiple offers, you need a seasoned agent that knows what it takes to get the job done.

Even one misstep could be enough to miss a great opportunity. Your agent should be on top of all new listings (and even pocket listings) and good at communicating with the listing agent.

Be Prepared to Close Quickly

Another tip to make your offer stronger is keeping the escrow period short. If you can agree on a 30-day escrow, as opposed to 45 or 60 days, your offer will probably be more attractive.

Just note that lender backlog is a huge issue right now, so closing on time will be a lot more difficult.

However, if you prepare yourself for financing and tackle any possible surprises before applying, it should make for smooth sailing.

A shorter escrow period also means a shorter mortgage rate lock, which could save you money if you don’t float your rate.

So there’s a benefit there as well, and an even bigger one if rates continue to rise as things heat up.

Finally, remember to be realistic. Even though it may be very tempting to buy a home right now, there are still plenty of risks.

Heck, you could overpay for a property or wind up with a money pit if you don’t do your due diligence.

Work quickly, but don’t cut corners.

Read more: Tips for first-time home buyers.

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

Apache is functioning normally

What’s the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship? It may seem like a strange question to ask, but it’s something that matters if you’re in the market for a Royal Caribbean cruise.

The newest Royal Caribbean ship is typically also the Royal Caribbean ship with the most bells and whistles and the most up-to-date cabins, restaurants, bars and attractions. It’s what you want if you want the very latest and greatest in a vessel for your Royal Caribbean cruise vacation.

Right now, the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Wonder of the Seas. It debuted in March 2022. Although it’s just about one year old, it’ll soon be supplanted as the newest Royal Caribbean vessel by the much-awaited Icon of the Seas — the first of a new class of vessels for the line. Icon of the Seas begins sailing in January 2024.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.

Other relatively new Royal Caribbean ships include Odyssey of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas. All began sailing in the last five years.

In all, Royal Caribbean operates 26 cruise vessels. On average, the line comes out without about one new ship a year, and it typically keeps vessels in its fleet for around 20 to 30 years before retiring them from the fleet. The oldest Royal Caribbean ship, Grandeur of the Seas, is 27 years old.

In general, Royal Caribbean’s newest ships are far bigger and much more amenity-packed than its older ships. If you crave a lot of activities in a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation, you’ll want to stick to vessels built in the last 15 or so years.

Related: The 6 types of Royal Caribbean ships, explained

Royal Caribbean’s oldest cruise ships — those built in the 1990s and early 2000s — in many cases are just half to a third the size of the line’s newest vessels and have far fewer venues on board. Still, even these smaller ships offer a lot of attractions as compared to many vessels at competing lines.

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Royal Caribbean is known for bustling, activity-packed ships across its fleet.

Here, every Royal Caribbean ship currently in operation is ranked from newest to oldest:

1. Wonder of the Seas

MICHEL VERDURE STUDIO/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2022.
Size: 235,600 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 5,734.

2. Odyssey of the Seas

MICHEL VERDURE/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2022.
Size: 167,704 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 4,284.

3. Spectrum of the Seas

GRAHAM UDEN/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2019.
Size: 169,379 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 4,246.

4. Symphony of the Seas

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2018.
Size: 228,081 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 5,518.

5. Harmony of the Seas

MICHEL VERDURE/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2016.
Size: 226,963 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 5,479.

6. Ovation of the Seas

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2016.
Size: 168,666 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 4,180.

7. Anthem of the Seas

ROY RILEY/SBW-PHOTO/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2015.
Size: 168,666 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 4,180.

8. Quantum of the Seas

MICHEL VERDURE/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2014.
Size: 168,666 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 4,180.

9. Allure of the Seas

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2010.
Size: 225,282 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 5,484.

10. Oasis of the Seas

MICHEL VERDURE/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2009.
Size: 226,838 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 5,602.

11. Independence of the Seas

SIMON BROOKE-WEBB/SBW-PHOTOROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2008.
Size: 154,407 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 3,634.

12. Liberty of the Seas

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2007.
Size: 154,407 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 3,798.

13. Freedom of the Seas

MICHEL VERDURE/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2006.
Size: 156,271 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 3,926.

14. Jewel of the Seas

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2004.
Size: 90,090 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 2,191.

15. Mariner of the Seas

MICHEL VERDURE/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2003.
Size: 139,863 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 4,000.

16. Serenade of the Seas

DAN LAMONT/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2003.
Size: 90,090 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 2,143.

17. Navigator of the Seas

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2002.
Size: 139,999 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 3,388.

18. Brilliance of the Seas

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2002.
Size: 90,090 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 2,142.

19. Adventure of the Seas

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2001.
Size: 137,276 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 3,114.

20. Radiance of the Seas

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2001.
Size: 90,090 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 2,143.

21. Explorer of the Seas

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 2000.
Size: 137,308 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 3,286.

22. Voyager of the Seas

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 1999.
Size: 137,276 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 3,602.

23. Vision of the Seas

OLIVER LEREN/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 1998.
Size: 78,340 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 2,050 passengers.

24. Enchantment of the Seas

MICHEL VERDURE/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 1997.
Size: 82,910 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 2,252.

25. Rhapsody of the Seas

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 1997.
Size: 78,419 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 1,998.

26. Grandeur of the Seas

JUAN MANUEL GARCIA/ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Maiden voyage: 1996.
Size: 73,817 gross tons.
Passenger capacity: 1,992.

What is the newest Royal Caribbean ship?

The newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Wonder of the Seas. As noted above, it debuted in March 2022. Measuring 235,600 gross tons, it’s the biggest cruise ship ever built. It’s also loaded with more restaurants, bars, showrooms and deck-top attractions than you’ll find on any other ship at sea.

TPG sent a three-person team, at our own expense, to review Wonder of the Seas and all its new features after it began sailing. For more on the ship, see the following guides and reviews from these staffers:

What is the oldest Royal Caribbean ship?

The oldest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Grandeur of the Seas. Unveiled way back in 1996, it’s not just the oldest Royal Caribbean ship but the smallest Royal Caribbean ship — far smaller than the newest Royal Caribbean vessels. Measuring just 73,817 gross tons, it’s just a third the size of Wonder of the Seas and has far fewer venues.

Except for a rock climbing wall, Grandeur of the Seas has none of the gee-whiz deck-top attractions found on bigger Royal Caribbean vessels, such as skydiving simulators and giant water parks. For the most part, its top deck is lined with pools, whirlpools and sunning areas, as is typical for ships built in the 1990s.

That said, Grandeur of the Seas has a loyal following among Royal Caribbean fans who prefer smaller and more intimate ships.

What new Royal Caribbean ships are coming?

Royal Caribbean currently has four new cruise ships on order. The first to arrive will be Icon of the Seas in January 2024. As noted above, it’s the first of all-new class of vessel for the line that, as of now, will be made up of three ships (Royal Caribbean could order more Icon-class ships in coming years — we’ll see). Two more ships in the series are due in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

The Icon-class vessels are being built at the giant Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.

Related: The ultimate guide to Icon of the Seas itineraries, attractions and more

In addition, Royal Caribbean has a sister vessel to Wonder of the Seas on order for delivery in 2024. To be called Utopia of the Seas, it’s the sixth and final vessel in the line’s groundbreaking Oasis-class series that began rolling out in 2009. It’s currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

What is the newest Royal Caribbean ship available for booking?

Icon of the Seas is the newest Royal Caribbean ship that you can book right now. While the ship isn’t yet sailing, its initial sailings scheduled for January 2024 already are on sale, as are future sailings through April 2025. The three other Royal Caribbean ships on order have yet to open for bookings.

What is the newest class of Royal Caribbean ships?

The Icon class is the newest class of Royal Caribbean ships. It’ll be made up of at least three vessels, the first of which (Icon of the Seas) is due to debut in January 2024.

At 250,600 tons, Icon of the Seas will be more than 6% bigger than the biggest Royal Caribbean ships currently at sea. It’ll hold up to 7,600 passengers — a new record for a passenger ship. That’s about 7% higher than the maximum capacity of Wonder of the Seas, which can hold up to 7,084 passengers.

The bigger passenger capacity is in part due to the ship’s greater focus on family travelers. Icon of the Seas is being built with a lot more cabins that have plenty of extra bunks to accommodate families with many children. It’ll also have more amenities geared to families, including a new-for-the-line outdoor “neighborhood” called Surfside dedicated to families with young children.

What’s the difference between newer and older Royal Caribbean ships?

Newer Royal Caribbean ships generally are bigger than older Royal Caribbean ships — sometimes much bigger. As a result, they have room for a lot more onboard venues and attractions than the line’s older vessels.

On Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest Oasis-class vessels, for instance, you’ll find three separate main pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, a miniature golf course, a basketball court and even a zip line. And that’s just on their top decks. Inside the vessels, you’ll find more lounges, bars, restaurants and shops than you can imagine — plus huge casinos, spas and showrooms with Broadway-style shows. They even have indoor ice skating rinks.

In short, they’re like giant floating versions of the megaresorts you find in the Orlando area or Las Vegas, and they appeal to people who like a megaresort experience.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s older ships are a half to a third smaller and lack many of the above features. They have a much more intimate feel, at least in the pantheon of relatively big, mass-market ships, and they hold far fewer people. While Oasis-class ships can hold more than 6,600 passengers with every berth full, the line’s four oldest vessels (known as the Vision class) are only designed to carry about 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.

That makes them a good choice for someone who wants to try Royal Caribbean but isn’t eager to travel with huge crowds. The oldest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet thus appeal to a subset of Royal Caribbean fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don’t mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.

Related: Don’t miss out on these Royal Caribbean loyalty perks

In addition, because of their size, the oldest ships at Royal Caribbean are able to operate itineraries to places that aren’t as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of Wonder of the Seas.

Note that all Royal Caribbean ships are renovated and upgraded on a regular schedule every few years, so even the oldest Royal Caribbean cruise vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates. In many cases, they also have had entire eateries and bars renovated over the years with concepts that first debuted on newer vessels.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Source: thepointsguy.com

10 Minneapolis Apartments That Are Better Than Spas

Experience luxury every day in one of these spa-style apartments.

The post 10 Minneapolis Apartments That Are Better Than Spas appeared first on The Rent. Blog : A Renter’s Guide for Tips & Advice.